Dear Northgate Community,
 
This week is homecoming week at Northgate High School.  We have some exciting things associated with homecoming including:

1.   Daily dress up days to promote school spirit; daily themes are posted in Forum.

2.  Friday homecoming rally at 2:30 in our gym followed by the Homecoming dance Friday night, 7:30 - 10:30 pm in our gym.

3.  Varsity football game at 1 p.m. against College Park High on our field.  

Homecoming is an exciting time and provides a nice opportunity to build school spirit and rekindle interest for school at a time when the newness of the return to school is wearing off.
 
Along with the excitement of the week, past homecomings warn of critical challenges for students, parents and school officials.  Unfortunately, some students view the dance as an opportunity to experiment with drugs or alcohol.  Please talk with your student(s) about this dangerous choice.  We cannot open the paper or turn on the news without stories of teens that die tragically from drug or alcohol related accidents.   Yet these tragedies do not stop our students from experimenting.  Each year we must suspend students from our homecoming dance as they arrive under the influence, or participate in substance abuse at the dance. 

Schools and families must do everything in their power to avoid the devastating consequences of teen illegal substance abuse.  I must emphasize not to take it for granted that your child will not engage with illegal substances.  Each year I meet with parents who are shocked that their child would drink or take drugs; this menace challenges every student regardless of their history or background.  
 
To reduce the risk of our students participating in illegal substances, I recommend the following steps:

1.  The school will warn students during the week not to engage in illegal substance use at any time, especially during school activities.  I will make announcements reminding students of the consequences of illegal substance use including suspension from school and from all extra curricular activities for 45 days after the incident.
 
2.  We will have breathalyzers at the dance to breathalyze test all students as they enter and at random during the dance.  Students may be breathalyzed as they leave the dance. 

 
3. Parents are the most important people in their children's life.   It is critical to sit down with your children and discuss the importance of avoiding illegal substances.    Warn your children of the dire consequences that may come with illegal substance use.  Parents should know whom their children will be with before and after the dance.  Have your student personally introduce their companions to you and know who the driver is.
 
Experience tells me that students will often meet at the home of a student whose parents may be out, or the parents do not realize that the students have access to alcohol. 
                                                                            
Homecoming is an exciting rite of passage for high school students.  Rallies, football games, and homecoming dances provide fun times and memories to last a lifetime.  Please enjoy this week and participate responsibly in all activities. 
 
Thank you for all you do to make Northgate such a great school. 

Sincerely,  
                                                                                                                                                     
John McMorris
Principal
Northgate High School
Email: mcmorrisj@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Phone: 925-938-0900 x3500