•                                                                The Parents’ Page                                     Issue #28
    Compiled by The Community Alliance for Healthy Kids

    The Question: How does being a member of the Community Alliance help you as a parent?

    Responses from Parents:

    When my children were little, my husband and I took numerous parenting courses; as the kids grew we paid less attention to having a parenting “plan”.  The Community Alliance highlighted the idea that a plan was again necessary for the middle/teen years.  Then, I took the Guiding Good Choices course, which gave me knowledge, substance, and a different set of skills for entering the teenage years.  I follow the parents’ page and network with other parents in the community to see how others are successful with their children.  Lastly, I participate in the social activities for middle school students.  This gives me a chance to get to know the other kids that my children will be around and hopefully they also benefit from the opportunity to see the caring adults in their community (an asset from the Search Institute, I believe).       
                                                                                                                       WMS and CHS Parent

    As a parent, the Community Alliance helps me to understand the challenges my children will face as they enter their teenage years.  I feel like I am better prepared to help them know about what's coming & to come up with a game plan with them for getting through the pressures of alcohol and other drugs and temptations that they & their friends may face.   Also, the Community Alliance helps me to understand and appreciate the Clayton community and the support that we all have within it to be better parents and citizens. From the Alliance, I really feel like our neighborhoods are filled with parents who want to do the right thing & will help each other out.  This is a very comforting feeling.                                     WMS Parent

    Being a member of the Community Alliance allows me, as a parent, to see what our community is doing to help our students make good choices and participate in healthy activities.  The many representatives that serve on the committee provide input from all corners of the community:  school board, NCADA, parents, district administration, Clayton police officers.  It is good to know that the resources are in place for parents and students to find facts and encouragement to make good decisions.                                                                                  CHS parent

    THE FACTS
    The Community Alliance is proud to work with the School District of Clayton, City of Clayton, Parks and Recreation Dept., Character Plus, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, and ACT Missouri to offer the following projects and programs.

    For Parents, the Community Alliance offers:
    • Supporting guest Speakers like David Walsh on Oct. 15
    • Community Forums like the Town Hall on Underage Drinking
    • Parenting Classes made available through grants written by the Community Alliance to the Dept. of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. 
      • Guiding Good Choices for parents of 4th-8th graders 
      • Staying Connected with Your Teen for parents of 8th-12th graders.
    • Summer Mailing to every district parent with helpful parenting and prevention information
    • Monthly issue of the Parents’ Page
    • Neighborhood Coffees*
    • Brown Bag Lunches#
    For Youth, the Community Alliance offers:
    • Community Alliance Social Activities:  3 activities for each grade level at Wydown Middle School
    • Peers Protecting Peers club at Clayton High School
    •  Clayton Shaw Park Open Tennis Tournament
    For our Community, the Community Alliance offers:
    • Free speakers on the 40 developmental assets all children need and the simple things we can do every day to build these assets in the children in our community.
    • Advocacy work around issues of underage tobacco, alcohol and other drug use.
    • Community forums and programs
    • Clayton Shaw Park Open Tennis Tournament
    • Neighborhood Coffees*
    • Brown Bag Lunches #

    *Neighborhood Coffees
    This year we have a new opportunity for parents.  Community members who would like to have the opportunity to discuss parenting issues with their friends, neighbors, family members and their children’s friends’ parents are asked to participate in our Neighborhood Coffees.  You can host a coffee in your home or plan a gathering at a community coffee shop.  We will provide you with topics to choose from as discussion starters and background information.  If you are interested, contact Anne Wilding, anne_wilding@www.claytonschools.net, 854-6753.

    #Brown Bag Lunches
    This year we are offering two opportunities for parents to hear a panel or speaker, ask questions, and talk to other parents about a specific topic.  Our lunches will be from noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Administrative Center, #2 Mark Twain Circle, in Clayton.  Bring your lunch and join us on:
     Jan. 8     What can we do about spring break trips?
    April 9     Safe Summertime Fun - When is it ok to do what?

    New Community Alliance Website
    The Community Alliance website offers parenting support, resources, and updates about our work.  www.claytonschools.net/communityalliance

    WHAT YOU CAN DO
    Join us at our meetings. All of our meetings are open and new members and new ideas are always welcome.

    Community Alliance Meetings: Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 7, Mar. 6, Apr. 9, May 1, and June 5 from 12:30-2:00.  All meetings will be held in the Administrative Center, #2 Mark Twain Circle except for Nov. 13 when we will meet in Clayton High School Room 125 and June 5 we will meet in the Clayton High School Library.

    Join our e-mail list to receive meeting minutes, opportunities, and updates.

    Check out our website regularly. www.claytonschools.net/communityalliance

    Participate in our activities. 

    Contact the Community Alliance for Healthy Kids, 854-6753.  anne_wilding@www.claytonschools.net

    Do you have a question or comment for an upcoming Parents’ Page?  Please contact The Community Alliance, c/o Anne Wilding, 854-6753, #1 Mark Twain Circle, Clayton, MO 63105;  anne_wilding@www.claytonschools.net