June 2008   Parents - Please be Cautious by Van W. Riley, Ph.D., Superintendent, Huntington Beach Union High School District

 

As the school year comes to an end, students and their families plan celebrations ranging from graduations to family reunions.  This can be a wonderful time for graduating students who have completed a milestone in their lives and want to celebrate that achievement.  This time of year can also be a horrible time for families if harm comes to their graduate.  Unfortunately, every year we read of students who attend unsupervised parties or trips and end up injured or worse. 

 

To that end, I want all parents to know that none of our schools sponsor or condone graduation trips to Aruba, Mexico, or any other foreign country.  You may be approached by a group stating that they are the “Marina High School Graduation Trip to Mazatlan” or the “Huntington Beach High School Trip to the Caribbean.”  Please know that these are sponsored by private companies that have absolutely nothing to do with the high school or the district. 

 

As a father of two adult children, I recall when they graduated from high school in North San Diego County and asked us if they could go on one of these unsupervised graduation trips.  One of the most difficult things we parents must do is to say “no,” especially when we hear “every other student is going!”  But that is exactly what we did, and we never regretted our decision.

 

As parents, the most important things we give our children are our personal and family values and some protection from harm.  Don’t risk getting a call from a friend of your child saying something has happened to them on one of these trips.  There are many wonderful activities that are safe (and fun!) for your child at graduation.  While they are adults in many ways, they need your help and guidance on this one.  Believe me, this is one time that you have a chance to save them from themselves.