Dear Parents,

As many students look forward to the Sage Hill Prom on Saturday, May 22^nd, I wanted to communicate with all of you that the dance has been thoughtfully planned for an evening of safe, appropriate fun. Additionally, discussing pre- and post-prom activities provides parents and children with a great opportunity to deal with questions of safety, fun and inclusiveness.

For those of you with children attending the prom, please be advised, and advise your child, that it will be held from 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM right here at Sage Hill School in Wilkins Town Square. To ensure everyone's safety and security and the dance, we will have a full contingent of Sage Hill faculty and administrators on hand to chaperone. However, if your child plans or chooses to arrive later than 8:00 PM or leave earlier than 11:30 PM, please remember that we are only responsible for students when they are present at the prom.

Along those lines, kids like to have fun, and they don't always offer all of the details about where they'll be before and after Prom, who may be hosting parties and which adults (if any) will be on hand. In those cases, the homework burden shifts from the kid to the parent. Feel free to find out, and call or e-mail to make a connection with the parents of your child's friends or date.

Just because you require details about what's going on before and after Prom, don't let your child cast you as a killjoy. Everyone--including me--is actually on the same page: have a good time, use common sense and never hesitate to call for a ride home if you feel uncomfortable.

Here are some other issues for you to consider as your sons and daughters begin preparing for this year's Prom:

• The Prom is the most expensive of the year's dances. Please support the spirit of the dance as a fun, affordable and inclusive event--especially before and after the dance.

• Pre- and post-parties should be discouraged. The purpose of the Prom is for students to share one last event together. All too often the post parties create an atmosphere where students are checking into the Prom and then going their separate ways to individual parties. In addition, post parties are where the majority of the problems that are associated with Proms occur, including underage drinking and the harmful events that often take place as a result.

• The renting of hotel rooms should also be discouraged. Our experience tells us that this type of atmosphere, where adults are usually not present, leads to poor decision making and unintended long term ramifications.

• The rental of limousines and "party buses" also puts many of our students in uncomfortable situations both financially and socially. While this is a valid option as there is value to the hiring of a safe driver, I would encourage of all you to consider alternative transportation options.

Starting these conversations at home is best way to ensure an enjoyable, safe and accessible evening for all. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (949) 219-1375 or email me at poffenbergerj@sagehillschool.org.

Sincerely,

Jon Poffenberger

Dean of School Life