The Durham Academy (DA) Parents Association supports social environments for DA students that encourage abstinence from the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco products.  The Parents Association believes that through communication and cooperation between DA parents and students, these types of healthy social environments can be promoted.  Accordingly, the Parents Association has adopted the following guidelines for the promotion of healthy out-of-school activities and social gatherings for DA students:

1.      Our children will be required to obtain our permission before inviting guests to our homes or onto our property for a social gathering.

2.      When students attend social gatherings as invited guests at our homes or on our property, an adult chaperone will be present and provide, at a minimum, regular and periodic supervision.

3.      When students attend a social gathering at our homes or are on our property as invited guests, the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco products will not be permitted.

4.      If we are going to be away from home when it is likely that DA students may visit or be invited to visit our homes for a social gathering, then provisions will be made for an adult chaperone for our children.

5.      In order to encourage open lines of communication between DA parents, we will call parents of DA students and welcome calls from others concerning out-of-school social events that DA students may attend and we agree to keep such calls confidential upon request.

The DA Parents Association recognizes that it is not possible to guarantee that all social gatherings of DA students will be free from the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco products.  The objective of the Safe Home Initiative is not to obtain guarantees, but to encourage parents of DA students to make reasonable efforts to remain apprised of social gatherings and other out-of-school activities that may involve DA students, and to encourage healthy social environments free from the use alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco products.  All parents of DA students are invited to participate in the Safe Home Initiative by signing the attached agreement and returning a copy of this document and the signed attachment to:

Safe Home Initiative

Durham Academy Parents Association

3130 Pickett Road

Durham, North Carolina 27705