The three Consolidated High School District 230 schools will implement an initiative next school year that will help students make decisions on tough issues, including drugs, alcohol, academic integrity, bullying, relationships, future careers and social media.
The program is currently called Healthy Choices, although that name could change. During a district student services meeting Feb. 7, committee members were worried that the name might be misleading.
“I told parents about the Healthy Choices process and they said ‘I don’t care what my kid eats, you need to teach them what the drugs are,’ ‘’ student services chairwoman Kathy Quilty said. “When you are thinking about Healthy Choices, the first thing you think about is food and to eat well.”
Other members echoed the sentiment and District 230 Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Kim Dryier said it’s possible there will be a name change.
“I think the name possibly generated from this group (Student Services),” Dryier said. “We talked about how students could make better choices and it became Healthy Choices. But we’re not married to the name.”
But the district is committed to teaching students smart choices starting in August. The district serves Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Stagg High School in Palos Hills and Andrew High School in Tinley Park.
“We’re looking at developing a curriculum that is aimed at improving students’ socially and emotionally,” Dryier said. “It will involve strategies and teaching students and reinforcing good behavior.’’
Superintendent James Gay said some recent incidents involving teenagers and heroin sparked the district in January to issue robo calls and letters to families urging parents to talk about making correct choices and he wants the schools to start reinforcing that message.
“I don’t want us to just talk the talk, I want people to understand what District 230 is all about,” Gay said. “There are a lot of challenges for these students in four years. We want them to know the challenge is there but the support is there and the encouragement to push them in a positive way is there.”
District 230 Board President Frank Grabowski said he hopes that the initiative will also include a family video available on the district website in which parents can watch with their kids and have meaningful discussions.
“It’s not just the district’s responsibility,” he said. “We want to work hand-in-hand with the parents.”
