School's in Session

Another school year is upon us! Yes, that is an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence. I am excited for this school year. I will be busier than ever with all the added administrative and athletic duties that I will perform, but I am really looking forward to it. I have this renewed energy after these past couple of days of in-services. Renewed after in-services? Yes! Instead of the normal sit down and listen to stuff that I shouldn't have to listen to for the fourth year in a row, I actually attended good workshops and things that are of use to me. I truly enjoyed an educational in-service. How many teachers do you know that can say that?
So one of the sessions today was titled: The 411 on Drugs, Violence, and Teen Relationships. I learned so much about how and where kids hide drugs, alcohol and weapons from people. I am now suspicious of every can of soda, bottle of water, pringles canister, lipstick tube, pair of fake dirty underwear, skater shoes and other everyday products we think are normal. I am also now highly suspicious of energy drinks (aka Alcopops). Some of the energy drink companies (ie Monster, RockStar, Sparks) have upwards of 10% alcohol in their energy drinks. Some of those drinks will have an alcohol content that equals that of 8-10 shots of whiskey and 18-32 cans of diet Pepsi. Due to the caffeine, a person that drinks one of those drinks will not have the appearance of being drunk. Someone could actually get alcohol poisoning from drinking one of those and not even know it. It's scary. Kids are drinking all kinds of energy drinks and parents have no idea what is in those drinks and let them buy them. Granted, not all energy drinks contain alcohol, but those things are bad for you anyway with the amounts of sugar and caffeine in them. It was quite an enlightening class. I wish we had more time in that workshop to get all the info. That guy really needs to come and talk to parents about this stuff. All this information helps me with my health classes now. I can do a pretty darn good lesson on drugs, alcohol, and teen relationships.
These past two days have really sparked my enthusiasm for this school year. It's going to be a great one!