Information for Parents
about the Improbable Players’
presentation
On November 16th,
Peoples Academy Middle Level students will be attending a program about alcohol
and other drug abuse prevention presented by the Improbable Players, a theater company of young professional actors who
are in long-term recovery. “I’ll Never
Do That!” has been welcomed in schools for over 32 years. It’s a light-hearted play with a spectrum of
scenes that explore stereotypes and issues about substance abuse and depicts a
family and how they deal with drinking in their family.
After the performance, the actors share
their own stories and engage in a question/answer session with the audience. Students are encouraged to talk among
themselves and with you, about the issues raised. The school counselor will announce resources
available in the community.
This performance was made possible
from Healthy Lamoille Valley, a community coalition that seeks to make heathy
choices easier for our youth! Visit
their website at healthylamoillevalley.org.
What you can do to follow-up with your
child
You can play
an active role in supporting your children through these years when they or
their friends may be experimenting with substances. We would encourage you to use this program as
an opportunity to have a conversation about alcohol and drug use in our
community. Visit parentupvt.org for
ideas and tips to discussing substance abuse with your teen. For example, you
might:
1.
Ask about their impressions of the program.
2.
Listen to what your child has to say and try to
follow his/her lead. What did they find
interesting about the presentation? What
did they find troubling or surprising?
(Often
students are most interested in the life experiences of the actors.)
3.
Ask them if the program felt relevant to them, given
their own experiences.
4.
Take time to discuss your family’s values and rules
about drinking and drugs. Does your child know where you stand on these issues,
and why?
5.
Discuss the legal and school consequences of underage
alcohol use and of drug use. School-based consequences are outlined in the school’s
alcohol and drug policy.
6.
If needed, remind your child that there are local
resources in addition to those on the list provided (if provided). Encourage them to contact a guidance
counselor, the school adjustment counselor or psychologist, a teacher, a coach,
a relative or a religious organization.
From www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov:
“Real kids are curious about alcohol.
40% have tried it by the time they reach 8th grade. Talking to your children early and often can
make a difference.”
More information about Improbable Players,
their plays and workshops can be found at
www.improbableplayers.org
