Hanover County PTSA Co-Sponsors "Beach Week" Program

Atlee High School PTSA in Hanover County, Va. co-sponsored a safety awareness program on beach week called "The Scoops and Oops of Beach Week." The program was developed by Hanover's Promise, the I CARE Coalition, Hanover County Sheriff's Office, and Hanover County Community Services along with many other groups. The purpose of the program was to inform both parents and students about the perils of Beach Week and how to make it an enjoyable, but safe venture. A skit was performed with a student talking to her parents about going. At each juncture in the skit the audience heard from a source with information about an aspect of the decision-making process - a parent, a student, a mental health professional and a sheriff's deputy. A booklet was given out with suggestions for handling the week. It included a section on holding house meetings, driving smart, keeping in touch with parents, safety, packing suggestions, and most importantly, a "Beach Week Pledge" signed off on by all students staying in a particular property and their parents. There were also numerous websites given to obtain further  information.  This is a program that is highly recommend to any parents with students participating in beach week in the coming weeks. Jennifer Young Virginia PTA Richmond District Director