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8 <br /> READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 14, 1985 <br /> graders Jae Guttadoro, Owen McDonald, Catherine Hedberg and Michael Shannon, and <br /> fifth graders Kerrie Stakem and Anna Monroe who are editors of the school news- <br /> paper, "Barrows Highlights''. <br /> After several questions from School Committee members, Chairman Allen thanked <br /> all who participated in the presentation. <br /> Student Advisory Couuuittee <br /> Dr. Wells said he had met recently at the High School with members of the Student <br /> Advisory Committee, SADD, and other interested students and they had talked at <br /> length about the issue of drugs and alcohol in Reading. He noted thatothe reason <br /> this subject came up when he met with the students was that he had recently <br /> received a letter from Governor Michael Dukakis expressing concern about drugs <br /> and alcohol in the schools. He added that the students had expressed a desire <br /> to discuss the subject further with the School Committee and to inform them <br /> about a recent survey on drinking and driving conducted at the High School by SADD. <br /> Dr. Wells said he had also discussed this issue with Police Chief Marchand and <br /> got the impression that because of the High School leadership and SADD activities <br /> the Chief does not think the problem is a critical one in Reading. <br /> Students present were Patricia Callaghan, President, Lisa Rotondo, Bill DeCoste, <br /> Kenneth Lento, and Richard Byron, of the Student Advisory Committee, Cynthia <br /> Kevorkian, representing SADD, and John Haratunian of the Student Council. <br /> The students discussed the results of the recent SADD survey about drinking and <br /> driving while under the influence, and pointed out that SADD does not "preach" <br /> against drinking but instead concentrates their efforts against driving while <br /> drinking. The survey results were posted prominently in the High School. SADD <br /> members said they have invited parents to a meeting Thursday night, adding that <br /> perhaps it might help if there was another program for parents, such as an <br /> advisory committee. <br /> Chairman Allen asked if there was special emphasis given at "prom" time and <br /> asked about the SADD Contract. Mrs. Robison said the contract is passed out to <br /> seniors, but not just before prom time. She said the contract, in essence, was <br /> an agreement between students and parents that if the student is drinking he/she <br /> will call the parent for advice or a ride and that the parent will furnish <br /> transportation with no admonition at that time. She added that it was notable <br /> that during the past few years many Reading students have made arrangements to <br /> be transported at prom time, and that there is a definite change in peer pressure, <br /> which is a real plus. <br /> Mrs. Mirkin pointed out that the High School staff is very sensitive to these <br /> issues and that they give students a lot of information without adopting a <br /> preaching posture. She mentioned as an example a recent twelve-hour program <br /> by the North Shore Alcoholism Council offered at the High School. <br /> Students also discussed the High School Decisions Courses which, among other <br /> topics, discuss drugs and alcohol. Several students expressed the opinion <br />