Parent Resources and Notices

Your child’s wellbeing in and out of school is important to us. One area of concern for parents/guardians and educators across the country is underage drinking. Alcohol use can cause destructive behavior that has consequences for your child’s health, behavior, and school performance regardless of when and where consumption takes place. It can also lead to increases in risky behavior.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), in cases of alcohol-involved drivers, the rate of fatal crashes for drivers between 16 and 20 years old is more than twice that for drivers older than 20. The NIH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that regular alcohol consumption by minors also corresponds to increased rates of suicide, sexual assault, high-risk sex, fighting, crime, and alcohol dependence. No one fully understands the lifetime consequences of alcohol consumption on the developing brain, but studies have shown weakened memory, and worsening of school performance due to increased truancy and learning impairments.

It is illegal for any person under 21 years of age to acquire, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages. Cooperative policies prohibit alcohol use by students. Cooperative policies also prohibit your child from (a) alcohol use, possession, distribution, purchase, or sale at school or school functions, and (b) attending school or school functions under the influence of alcohol. Below is a listing of some relevant Illinois laws that apply to underage drinking.

Zero Tolerance 

Any person under the age of 21 who has consumed alcohol and operated or been in actual physical control of a motor vehicle may be requested to submit to tests to determine alcohol content. If that person refuses the test or has an alcohol concentration greater than .00, his or her driver’s license will be suspended for 3 months to one year (625 ILCS 5/11-501.1(c).

Consumption of Alcohol by Minor

Consumption of alcohol by a minor is a Class C misdemeanor. Minors convicted of alcohol possession in a public space face up to six months in jail and a $500 fine, plus court costs and court-ordered evaluations and counseling. If a person under the age of 21 pleads guilty to, or is found guilty of, consuming alcohol while under the age of 21, he or she will lose his or her driving privileges for at least 3 months, even if the person was not driving, and even if he or she gets court supervision (a non-conviction sentence) (235 ILCS 5/10-1(e) and 625 ILCS 5/6-206(a)(43).

Fake Identification

Conviction for using a fake ID to obtain alcohol is a Class A misdemeanor. Punishment carries a fine of not less than $500 and requires at least 25 hours of community service. It may also affect driving privileges. If possible, any community service must be performed for an alcohol abuse prevention program (235 ILCS 5/6-16(a)(i) and 625 ILCS 5/6-206(a).

Criminal Liability for Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

Any parent/guardian or other adult who furnishes alcohol to a minor, or who allows his or her residence to be used for the unlawful possession or consumption of alcohol by minors, may be charged with a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine and/or jail for up to 1 year. Where a violation directly or indirectly results in great bodily harm or death to any person, the crime is a class 4 felony, punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine (235 ILCS 5/6-16(a- 1).

Civil Liability for Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

Any parent/guardian or other adult who provides alcohol (such as at a home party) may be liable in a civil action for monetary damages totaling up to $100,000. The action may be sought by someone who suffers personal injury, loss of support, or property loss through the actions of an intoxicated minor whose intoxication resulted from a parent/guardian or another adult giving the minor alcohol (235 ILCS 5/6-21).

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by fine and/or jail for up to one year. By driving a motor vehicle anywhere in Illinois, a person gives implied consent to a test to determine the alcoholic/drug content of his/her blood. If a person refuses to submit to the test, his/her license will automatically be suspended (625 ILCS 5/11-501).

Illegal Transportation of Open Liquor

It is unlawful for any person to transport, carry, possess, or have any alcoholic liquor within the passenger area of any motor vehicle except in the original container and with the seal unbroken (625 ILCS 5/11-502).

In conclusion, our Cooperative encourages you to partner with the school community to prevent underage drinking by our students.

Staying on top of social medial trends is important for parents/guardians. SASED wants you to know that the following social media apps have the potential to disrupt the school environment by becoming a platform for bullying, unlawful behaviors, and other dangers.

• Hyperlocal social media apps, e.g., YikYak, present safety and security concerns for our students. Hyperlocal apps use GPS on cell phones to target groups in specific areas.

• Temporary social media apps, e.g., ask.fm, Snapchat, and Whisper often present a false belief of anonymity. Temporary apps allow people to send messages and images that self-destruct after a set window of time.

Children need to understand that their online choices are important. Content never truly goes away and no one online is anonymous. Law enforcement agencies have the ability to pinpoint users and content creators, and they do investigate crimes involving the Internet and social media app usage.

SASED encourages you to review the resources below and talk with your children. Let’s partner together to help children understand how their digital footprints affect their and others’ futures. As you discuss this topic with your child, please remind him or her how to report his or her concerns:

1. Tell your child to take a screen shot (if possible) or video (when screen shot not possible), of the content and show you or another trusted adult. Always encourage open conversations about what is happening online. When age-appropriate, discuss that possession and forwarding of sexted images violates federal and state child pornography laws.

2. Use the reporting mechanisms within the social media apps.

3. When a situation begins to disrupt your child’s education, report it to your child’s school.

Resources about Social Media Apps and Protecting Your Child Online

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/, discusses apps, movies, and more! Type in the app you want to learn more about, and this website will summarize it for you.

https://consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft-and-online-security/protecting-kids-online, contains resources for adults seeking to help children make safe and responsible online choices. 

State law requires the Ill. High School Association to post a hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AED) training video on its website. The law also requires the Cooperative to notify staff members and parents/guardians about the video. You are encouraged to view this video, which will take less than 15 minutes of your time, at:

https://www.ihsa.org/Resources/Sports-Medicine/CPR-Training

Mental Health 24/7 Supports: DuPage Health - Mental Health Crisis Information

Recreation:(There are several organizations in the DuPage & Cook Counties that offer recreational activities throughout the year.)

South side: www.SEASPAR.org

West side: www.WDSRA.com

North side: www.NEDSRA.org  

Illinois State Board of Education: (The Illinois State Board of Education has a dedicated website for parents on a variety of topics.)

Educators Code of Ethics

Faith's Law Guidance-FAQ

Parents Rights, glossary of terms, IEP quick reference chart: Illinois State Board of Education Special Education Parents/Guardians Information

Understanding P.U.N.S. (Prioritizations of Urgency of Need for Services) IDHS - Understanding P.U.N.S.

Illinois Autism Center: Care and support for children with Autism as well as their parents and caregivers.

UIC OT students completed a playground project again this year to assess the universal and inclusive design and motor, process, and social interaction skill opportunities of various playgrounds in the Chicago and suburban areas. 

• UIC OT Playground Project - Google My Maps (Click on an icon on the map and then the link in the left column will take you directly to that handout).

• Chicago Area Playgrounds-UIC OT Handouts (This link will take you to the folder with all handouts, organized by zip code).

Associations, Councils, Centers, and Societies:

Autism Society: Since 1965, the Autism Society has been providing information for individuals on the spectrum, family members, and professionals.
Council for Exceptional Children: The Council for Exceptional Children provides information and resources about Special Education.
Easter Seals: For almost 100 years, Easter Seals has been providing services to those with special needs and disabilities.
Family Voices: Children and youth with special health care needs can benefit from Family Voices.
Federation for Children with Special Needs: The focus of the Federation for Children with Special Needs is on the parents and providing support for them, which in turn benefits the child with special needs.
Family Hope Center: When children or adults have special needs, the Family Hope Center provides support to the entire family.
Family Resource Center on Disabilities: Training, assistance, and information are given to parents of children with disabilities by the Family Resource Center on Disabilities.
National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE): Parents of Special Education students can learn how to be their child’s best advocate.
National Council on Independent Living: NCIL promotes social change and strives to do away with disability driven discrimination.
National Center for Learning Disabilities: Children and adults with learning disabilities will benefit from the information and resources available from the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability: NCWD for Youth provides strategies and development systems for youth with disabilities to join the workforce.
National Down Syndrome Society: The NDSS supports people with Down Syndrome by providing resources such as wellness, education, and research.
Pacer Center: The Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights utilizes the idea of parents helping parents and provides support and resources for children and youth with disabilities and their families.
Parent to Parent USA: Parent to Parent USA offers support to parents of children with special needs.
United Spinal Association: The United Spinal Association offers support, advice, and resources for those with spinal cord injuries.

Services & Resources:

Multi-Sensory and Special Needs toys and Sensory Integration Kits. www.SpecialNeedsToys.com

Talking Books and Braille Service offered free of charge from the Illinois State Library.  www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/TBBS/home.html

Books and DVDs available on every issues related to children with disabilities. www.SpecialNeeds.com

Bullying and Youth with Disabilities:  

There are resources to help children with disabilities who are bullied or who bully others. Youth with disabilities often have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans that can be useful in crafting specialized approaches for preventing and responding to bullying. These plans can provide additional services that may be necessary. http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/special-needs/index.html