School Safety & Security > Safe Homes - In a Nutshell

Safe Homes is a nationwide parent pledge program, endorsed by the Souderton Area School District and is a way that parents can join together to help provide a safer environment for their children. It does not require a commitment of time or extra effort for already busy families. It is simply a public agreement between us to follow some simple principles that will provide a genuinely safer world for our children. Safe Homes encourages communication between parents and youth, and provides a network of parent support.

• Who should participate?
• Family recommendations
• Family guidelines
• Host families
• Parents of minors
• Did you know?
• Safe Homes Program participant application (PDF)

Who Should Participate?
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All parents of Souderton Area middle, junior high, and high school students who are concerned about the dangers of drug and alcohol use are asked to participate in this program. Recognizing that this is our community and we want to keep it clean and healthy, we hope to have 100% of our families pledge.

Families should educate themselves with updated alcohol and drug information. The earlier children learn the facts, the more likely a problem will NOT develop.

Family Recommendations
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We will cooperate with other community members, school and law enforcement to create a healthy atmosphere in the Souderton Area community where the use of drugs and alcohol is not considered the "norm". In order to do this, we as families, parents, and guardians should be aware of the following guidelines:

• We will set a good example for our children.
• We will develop and communicate a clear position about drug and alcohol use.
• We will not allow parties or gatherings in our home without proper, responsible adult supervision.
• We will not allow the use of illegal drugs or alcohol in our home or on our property.
• We will support school and law enforcement efforts regarding the use of drugs and alcohol and encourage the use of appropriate discipline in dealing with offenders.

Family Guidelines
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• Inform your family that you have joined and discuss it with them.
• Know where your children are and let them know where you are.
• Be awake (or awakened) when young people come home at night.
• Assure children that they can telephone you to be picked up whenever needed.

As a Host Family
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• Encourage "by invitation only" activities. Do not permit party crashers; use a guest list.
• Be a visible host/hostess. Tell the guests who choose to leave the activity that they may not return.
• Call the parents of anyone possessing drugs or alcohol or appearing to be under the influence of either.
• Do not allow anyone under the influence to go home alone or drive.

As a Parent of a Minor Invited to an Activity
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Call the person in charge:

• To verify the occasion and location
• To check on adult supervision
• To be sure there will be do drugs or alcohol served
• If the activity seems inappropriate, express your concern. Keep your child at home and seek alternative activities.

Parents, Did You Know?
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If you serve alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age (even your own child), in your home or elsewhere, you could be charged with the following:

• 6310.0 Selling or furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors (misdemeanor - 3rd degree). Mandatory minimum penalty - $1000. fine for the first offense, $2500. fine for each subsequent offense.
• 6301 Corruption of minors (misdemeanor - 1st degree). $20,000. fine and/or 5 years in prison.
• Auto crashes or injury of the minor could result in civil suits for damages brought by the parents of the minor.
• 18.P.S.6308 A person commits a summary offense if he, being less than 21 years of age, attempts to purchase or transports alcohol, liquor, malt, or brewed beverages. 1st offense - maximum $300. /90 days in jail, police must notify parents, driving suspension, mandatory penalties.