Passing the test?

down south wrote:

You have made some good points, AHS Student. Anybody from the District Administration reading and paying attention?!
<quoted text>

I agree with ahs student and down south.

wonderer wrote:

As a parent of a middle schooler and a middle schooler to be, I am less concerned with my children being tested for drugs than I am about their education as a whole. I know my children very well. I try to know their friends. I monitor what they do, where they go, and who they know. That is all the drug testing they need. As someone with a degree in English, I can see from the student posts on this topic that even the seniors seriously lack in grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills. New Mexico ranks at the bottom of the scale on its education. Let's work on that and let parents worry about drugs. I think I can guarantee that kids who are getting good grades are not on drugs. If we are worried about steroid use, then radomly test the athletes. And I am highly in favor of testing the school staff. That is more a priority than testing the students. It starts at the top.

Very well put!

What are you saying wrote:

<quoted text>
"If your not doing drugs then there is nothing to worry about...." ?? I see this as a personal invasion and an assumption that the students are guilty of using drugs unless we test them to prove that they are not.
Why don't we go ahead and search peoples homes randomly, if your not doing anything wrong then there's nothing to worry about and if you are, hopefully we can get you help before it gets out of control.

I'm not really sure how to comment to your post. I feel that if the kids or as far as that goes, teachers/employees of school, are involved with children, sports, driving, etc., I see no harm in drug testing. Yes I keep hearing about privacy, etc., but I know if one of my kids (I have 5) was tested and found to have an illegal substance in their body that I would like to know so I can get them the help they need. I hear people saying oh its just pot, etc. Well many times this does lead to harder drugs and personally I don't want one of my kids or for that matter other kids, to have to deal with an addiction especially if I and one of the kids had an opportunity when they were young to hopefully do something about it. I have taught my kids from right and wrong but everyone (kids/adults) make mistakes. Maybe we can't save all those kids but we sure can try. I have nothing to hide in my home so come and check it, but I do agree there are limits (not sure what those limits are or should be though) when it comes to searching homes,etc.

work place randoms are common place ,except in our Government and controlling bodies I believe that is Hypocritical and should be changed if the students are tested then so are the faculty .

having said that sports are extracurricular activity and the parents control that , their children can demonstrate peaceably by not signing up for sports .

let the schools figure out what to do if the sheep don't follow we need to stand for personal freedoms and we need to stand against unfair practices by those who we hire that believe they are in charge .

as tax payers we pay for the services of the schools , we pay for the services of the faculty and we pay for the right to be in charge .

show then who is in charge keep your sons and daughters home protest peaceably and demand that everyone is tested not just the athletes !

Someone who cares wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm not really sure how to comment to your post. I feel that if the kids or as far as that goes, teachers/employees of school, are involved with children, sports, driving, etc., I see no harm in drug testing. Yes I keep hearing about privacy, etc., but I know if one of my kids (I have 5) was tested and found to have an illegal substance in their body that I would like to know so I can get them the help they need. I hear people saying oh its just pot, etc. Well many times this does lead to harder drugs and personally I don't want one of my kids or for that matter other kids, to have to deal with an addiction especially if I and one of the kids had an opportunity when they were young to hopefully do something about it. I have taught my kids from right and wrong but everyone (kids/adults) make mistakes. Maybe we can't save all those kids but we sure can try. I have nothing to hide in my home so come and check it, but I do agree there are limits (not sure what those limits are or should be though) when it comes to searching homes,etc.

The best way to keep your kids off drugs is to talk to them. Once they've started experimenting the job is much harder. I am open and honest with my three and I let them know exactly what they could get into. Only my oldest two are at an age where they will likely be tempted, but our conversations started years ago. And it wasn't just once -- this is an ongoing topic in our house as is sex. And I have nothing against "snooping" in my kids' stuff if they give me cause. I would rather I catch them than leave it up to random drug testing. Yours might NOT be the one they test. Then how would you know?

Kathie M wrote:

Not totally on topic, but I received this from a friend this morning:
High School Answering Machine
This is the
message that the Pacific Palisades High School California staff voted
unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine.
This is the actual answering machine message for the school. This came
about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents
to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework.
The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their
children's failing grades changed to passing grades - even though those
children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not
complete enough school work to pass their classes.
The outgoing message:
Hello! You h ave reached the automated answering service of your school.
In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please
listen to all the options before making a selection:
To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1
To make excuses for why your child did not do his work -Press 2
To complain about what we do - Press 3
To swear at staff members - Press 4
To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your
newsletter and several flyers mailed to you - Press 5
If you want us to raise your child - Press 6
If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7
To request another teacher, for the third time this year - Press 8
To complain about bus transportation - Press 9
To complain about school lunches - Press 0
If you realize this is the real world and your child must be
accountable and responsible for his/her own behaviour, class work,
homework and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of
effort: Hang up and have a nice day!
If you want this in Spanish, move to a country that speaks it!

Kathie, this was so funny I just had to cut and paste into an email. My husband is a teacher and he can SO totally relate, lol!

I work in the school. Feel free to test me.
My son is in the high school. PLEASE feel free to test him. He fails, you won't have to deal with him. I will.
My daughter is in middle school. Same goes.

We need drug testing, my son is in High school and last year on one drug bust 17 kids were busted. How can I feel safe for my son with drugs at school. I am military and get random tested alot so why should we not test our kids and yes the teachers? Sorry but if a teacher is on drugs I sure do not want her around my children or anyone elses. As for the kids lets get them early and help them instead of turn blind to what the real problem is. We need to step up as parents and allow drug testing for all and clean up our schools.

Dad of Two wrote:

We need drug testing, my son is in High school and last year on one drug bust 17 kids were busted. How can I feel safe for my son with drugs at school. I am military and get random tested alot so why should we not test our kids and yes the teachers? Sorry but if a teacher is on drugs I sure do not want her around my children or anyone elses. As for the kids lets get them early and help them instead of turn blind to what the real problem is. We need to step up as parents and allow drug testing for all and clean up our schools.

Like I said, if my child's behavior or grades take a decline, then test him; also if he's in school sports (for steriod use). Otherwise, leave him alone. Also, I don't think of it as "snooping" in his room....IT'S MY HOUSE, NOT HIS!

An AHS student wrote:

As an AHS student AND ATHLETE, I find that the testing is meant with good intentions it's just a terrible idea. I do believe that our sources of funding could be put to other uses. Prevention of drugs as our dear Superintendent calls it is not the biggest problem at AHS or in the middle schools. Nobody takes the time to consider how safe we are or may feel at school.To give some view from a student on what can be changed;At AHS several classes have been moved to portables outside the school building, they're small and the desks are smaller. Do you know what the punishment of having bad attendence is at AHS? ISS or OSS. I have watched kids ditch and/or miss at leat up to two months of school and then are suspended, but never for more than two weeks. Has everyone forgotten about our precious little Mr. Cruz? We have more students pregnant and sexually active than we do in athletics! This isn't just in the highschools either its gotten down to middle school students becoming pregnant as well. How about using a little funding money to educate kids on sex and abstinence when their parents are too ignorant to tell them. If you haven't gotten my point, then get this; THERE ARE BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS THAT WE CAN BE WORRYING ABOUT OTHER THAN JUST DRUG PREVENTION!!! I can see where Mr. Harris is coming from but he really needs to be aware of the other problems in our schools.

While I appreciate the voice of a student on student related issues, I think your logic is flawed and tainted by modern society. I've been a member of the Alamogordo/Holloman community for over three years now and have been here long enough to know that there is a big drug problem in the school system. One that should most definetly not be over looked and swept under a rug. You speak of kids skipping school and of teen pregnancy running amuck in the school system, both High School and Middle School. But I would bet my next paycheck that 9 out of 10 of those incidents are drug and alcohol related. Doing random drug testing would weed out these kids from the rest and protect the rest of the student population from these offenders and set an example to those wishing to follow in their footsteps. Furthermore having not to long ago gone through the public school system, I can tell you first hand that sex education classes are little more than a joke and are nothing more than an advertisement for having sex and the proper way to doing it. It has no socially redeeming qualities and is in my mind unethical to promote "safe sex" to those that shouldn't be having sex in the first place. Saying that you support "safe sex" in the school system is morally wrong and is supporting breaking the law. As we all know that statuatory rape is illegal in all states in the U.S. and should not be promoted in a classroom. We need a safe drug-free school system. Not a band-aide. If money is an issue then we need to seek government funding as it is always out there to those who actually spend the time to look for it or deflate the money given to the athletics dept as I'm sure that dept like most is no where near hurting for money.

abcdf wrote:

This testing is not just for the athletes. The article stated that ANYONE who drives and parks on campus is included in the mandatory and random testing.
This would HAVE to include staff as well: teachers, administration, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers, etc.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Can these people really randomly test a minor child at any time without a parent or guardian present?

And what if all the parents of athletes decided not to sign a stupid consent form? Do you really think we would not have any teams or an athletics program? Be serious.

You have a few parents of a special interest group who believe that the students of our high school are doing nothing other than having sex and doing drugs. It is nice to know they think so highly of our kids.

In reality, we have kids who work to pay their own bills, work to keep their grades up, and are polite and respectful to people in the community. You can't tell these people that, though. If one more "teen sex" billboard goes up (and check with the company to see who pays for those), I'm going to start writing editorials about how insulting it is to our kids to label them with such awful generalizations.

Someone who cares wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm not really sure how to comment to your post. I feel that if the kids or as far as that goes, teachers/employees of school, are involved with children, sports, driving, etc., I see no harm in drug testing. Yes I keep hearing about privacy, etc., but I know if one of my kids (I have 5) was tested and found to have an illegal substance in their body that I would like to know so I can get them the help they need. I hear people saying oh its just pot, etc. Well many times this does lead to harder drugs and personally I don't want one of my kids or for that matter other kids, to have to deal with an addiction especially if I and one of the kids had an opportunity when they were young to hopefully do something about it. I have taught my kids from right and wrong but everyone (kids/adults) make mistakes. Maybe we can't save all those kids but we sure can try. I have nothing to hide in my home so come and check it, but I do agree there are limits (not sure what those limits are or should be though) when it comes to searching homes,etc.

I'm not against drug testing the teachers or students who are on probation or who get caught with drugs, etc. I am against the blanket accusations that all the high school kids are juvenile delinquents, gang members, or sex addicts and as such, all should be tested for drugs.

As a parent of a child under 18, I think I need to be contacted prior to any drug testing on my child.

And they still haven't shared the outlined consequences of a positive drug test affecting students. When is that information going to be given to the parents?

I think the school board has gone overboard with their authority. I wonder if any of them have kids at the high school and if those students will be among the "random" tested.

Daniel Soule wrote:

I think this is obsurd, i'm a senior at AHS, i don't do drugs and i don't plan on it. To test me and I refuse and get treated as if I failed the test, is that right? I have no past history of drugs and yet with a simple test i can have a non-existing history? In my opinion the schools and board are doing it to catch people, if you are trying to prevent than give the student the benefit of the doubt unless they, the studet, have given you a reson not to. I showed this to my dad, he thought it was ridicilous to be given the test and fail for refusing, he said they should have a reason for giving the test not use the excuse it's to "prevent". Anyone else who is against this speak up, it doesn't need to happen.

Daniel -
I agree. You can't be searched at home without consent. Your car cannot be searched at a stop without consent (they can get a warrant, but that takes time).
What happened to 'probable cause'? There has to be justification to require a drug test I would think. If as student appears to be under the influence, contact the parents and ask for consent to a drug test. Not all 1700 kids should be tested. What are they thinking.
Teachers on the other hand work with the students and the same goes for district office staff, administration, etc. Lets begin there.
If every student is going to be subjected to a drug test, then they are already being suspected of using, even if they are not.
Some of you all need to meet students like Daniel Soule. There are hundreds just like him. How do I know?
I have been a teacher for nearly 20 years.

Fabian wrote:

THIS IS STUPID IF SOME KID WANTS TO RUIN THERE LIVES LET THEM DO IT PEER PREASSURE IS OVERRATED SO SHUT UP ABOUT IT... THERE IS A DRUG PROBLEM IN THIS CITY I WILL ADDMIT THAT BUT THE SCHOOL COMPLAINS THEY DONT HAVE MONEY AND THIS IS WHY IF THE SCHOOL DOES THIS I DONT WANT TO HERE THERE BITCHEN OK...

Periods should be used to end sentences. Spell check should be used to help get a clear thought across.

An Airman wrote:

<quoted text>While I appreciate the voice of a student on student related issues, I think your logic is flawed and tainted by modern society. I've been a member of the Alamogordo/Holloman community for over three years now and have been here long enough to know that there is a big drug problem in the school system. One that should most definetly not be over looked and swept under a rug. You speak of kids skipping school and of teen pregnancy running amuck in the school system, both High School and Middle School. But I would bet my next paycheck that 9 out of 10 of those incidents are drug and alcohol related. Doing random drug testing would weed out these kids from the rest and protect the rest of the student population from these offenders and set an example to those wishing to follow in their footsteps. Furthermore having not to long ago gone through the public school system, I can tell you first hand that sex education classes are little more than a joke and are nothing more than an advertisement for having sex and the proper way to doing it. It has no socially redeeming qualities and is in my mind unethical to promote "safe sex" to those that shouldn't be having sex in the first place. Saying that you support "safe sex" in the school system is morally wrong and is supporting breaking the law. As we all know that statuatory rape is illegal in all states in the U.S. and should not be promoted in a classroom. We need a safe drug-free school system. Not a band-aide. If money is an issue then we need to seek government funding as it is always out there to those who actually spend the time to look for it or deflate the money given to the athletics dept as I'm sure that dept like most is no where near hurting for money.

The staff is there too teach the kids. The parents should be doing the drug testing on their kids. I can't believe that they want to test half of the school population.

As for the sex education, it should be taught in schools. Many kids have misconceptions about getting pregnant, diseases, etc. They need to know where they can go to get condoms. Sex is not morally wrong, it's something natural almost every creature in the world participates in. The classes help kids, I took one when I was in school.

The teachers don't talk about certain subjects, because they are not allowed to unless asked about it. Sex under the age of 18 isn't statutory rape. It is if there is an adult involved, but not the other way around. I believe the cutoff point is 16.

It is a good program and teaches the teens who do have sex proper ways to prevent disease and unwanted pregnancies. It teaches many other important things about the human body as well.

Dad of Two wrote:

We need drug testing, my son is in High school and last year on one drug bust 17 kids were busted. How can I feel safe for my son with drugs at school. I am military and get random tested alot so why should we not test our kids and yes the teachers? Sorry but if a teacher is on drugs I sure do not want her around my children or anyone elses. As for the kids lets get them early and help them instead of turn blind to what the real problem is. We need to step up as parents and allow drug testing for all and clean up our schools.

You need to keep track of who your kids friends are and that your kids aren't running with the wrong crowd. You can tell changes in their behavior.

In my opinion, it is actually best for the teen to experiment with it at that age, when their parent can talk to them about the ramifications of doing the drug or alcohol. If they start to get into it after the age of 18 and are out of the house, there is a strong chance they will become addicted.

Parents today are afraid to talk to their children. Parents need to be able to give their knowledge to their kids.

alamo mom wrote:

I work in the school. Feel free to test me.
My son is in the high school. PLEASE feel free to test him. He fails, you won't have to deal with him. I will.
My daughter is in middle school. Same goes.

What a breath of fresh air. You rock!

Justin,
First of all, I think we've covered in another thread that not all parents are responsible enough to ensure their children are well behaved, that doesn't even touch the idea of parents self testing their children. A "parent" has to be a parent. Meaning they have to care first before they are a parent. Unfortunately as mentioned in prior threads many parents today do not care, are not involved in their kids life, and ultimately no one is there to keep their children in check. As for the testing of half the student body, it has already become standard practice at many big town schools and as Alamogordo is a small town with a big town community it is only right we treat it as such. We need to weed out the "bad apples" out of the bunch and put preventive measures in the system to stop these bad apples from infecting the bunch. I would think as a responsible parent(s) we would want to ensure that are children are safe and are not partaking in practices that are morally wrong.
As to the sex education classes. As I stated before I too was in a sex education class, when I was in the six grade. I did not say that sex is morally wrong, but teaching children how to have sex, who have no business having sex, is morally wrong. Teaching kids to have sex, use a condom, and take a pill is morally wrong. We are robbing our children of their innocence and clapping as we do it. Stop handing out condoms like a band-aid in class and start teaching abstinence. Teach kids that having sex before being of age is wrong. We have a no tolerance policy as a nation for underage drinking, but when it comes to sex we're helping them along. What part of this isn't wrong to you or anyone who considers themselves a good parent.
As to your comment about statutory rape. You are correct to a certain extent. Under the age of 16 the age of the other person doesn't matter. Here is the definition of statutory rape:
The phrase statutory rape is a general term used to describe non-forcible sexual relations that take place when an individual (regardless of age or gender) has sexual relations with an individual not old enough to legally consent to the behavior.[1] Although it usually refers to adults engaging in sex with minors under the age of consent,[1] the age at which individuals are considered competent to give consent to sexual conduct, it is a generic term, and very few jurisdictions use the actual term "statutory rape" in the language of statutes.
Now here is New Mexico state law the part you were semi-correct about:
First-degree criminal sexual penetration to engage in sexual intercourse with a child less than age 13
Fourth-degree sexual penetration to engage in sexual intercourse with a child age 13 to 16 if the actor is at least age 18 and at least four years older than the child
Under the age of 16, it does not matter. It is RAPE. For anyone to say otherwise is not nor will ever be a parent. As to ages 17 and up there are guidelines but regardless statutory rape still happens and I rather imagine, though I hate to admit it, in a college/military town there are plenty of older people who would love to take advantage of a minor.
With these classes you boast about. You’re not preventing, this is all to visible seeing the amount of pregnant teens in our nation, your enabling. Because you’re teaching them how to do it. I don't know about some of you other participating adults out there but when I'm in the mood protection is not foremost on my mind, and sometimes we when passionate don't think clearly. What more do you expect from a hormone driven teenage or child. I think your logic is seriously lacking. I think you need to look at this issue from all angles and try to think about it from a child’s perspective. I think that says it all.

wonderer wrote:

<quoted text>The best way to keep your kids off drugs is to talk to them. Once they've started experimenting the job is much harder. I am open and honest with my three and I let them know exactly what they could get into. Only my oldest two are at an age where they will likely be tempted, but our conversations started years ago. And it wasn't just once -- this is an ongoing topic in our house as is sex. And I have nothing against "snooping" in my kids' stuff if they give me cause. I would rather I catch them than leave it up to random drug testing. Yours might NOT be the one they test. Then how would you know?

I agree with you 100% that the parents need to be involved. Like I said I have 5 children and we have been very open in our relationship and they know they can talk to me at any time. 4 of my 5 children have graduated and are doing very well for themselves. As far as I know none of them have ever done drugs. I can not say that 100%(wish I could)that they haven't but I am pretty sure they haven't. The reason I do believe in drug testing in school is because I believe that even the best parent out there is sometimes blinded to what their children do. I know if mine were to be hiding a drug problem and for some reason I do not see it, yes then I want to be told about it. I would rather them be tested than have a police officer come to my home or find my child dead from an overdose. But I also believe all school employees should be tested. I work for a vet office and hubby works for a power company. We have to have random tests and we do not argue because it is policy and we have nothing to hide. The reason for most drug safety is for everyones protection but if it just saves one live then it is money well spent.

RKS wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm not against drug testing the teachers or students who are on probation or who get caught with drugs, etc. I am against the blanket accusations that all the high school kids are juvenile delinquents, gang members, or sex addicts and as such, all should be tested for drugs.
As a parent of a child under 18, I think I need to be contacted prior to any drug testing on my child.
And they still haven't shared the outlined consequences of a positive drug test affecting students. When is that information going to be given to the parents?
I think the school board has gone overboard with their authority. I wonder if any of them have kids at the high school and if those students will be among the "random" tested.

Oh I definately agree with you here. There needs to be guidelines, there is no question about it. I think one of the biggest problems is that Alamo has got a problem with their school system and apparently the city commissioners seem to be in trouble to. I do believe in drug testing but right now the way Alamo is being run, I think they need to work on the city and weed through the garbage that is supposely running the city. Children learn by example, thank God for so many great parents out there, because the so called adults running Alamo is a joke.