Teen drinking survey
A survey says that while a majority of teenagers in Los Gatos say they don’t normally drink alcohol, they also believe that the non-imbibers are in the minority.
The survey of students in grades 8-12, conducted last October as part of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District’s Positive Community Norms project, found that 81 percent of respondents don’t drink alcohol in a typical month. But students have the perception that only 49 percent of their peers are not typically drinking alcohol. Results were similar among adults surveyed, with only 39 percent of them perceiving that most Los Gatos teens don’t drink alcohol.
The district conducted the survey in partnership with the Town of Los Gatos, the Los Gatos Union School District and the Montana Institute, which works with schools to correct students’ misperceptions about alcohol and establish healthy norms around alcohol.
“I am incredibly proud of our students’ willingness to share on such a vulnerable subject,” Superintendent Bill Sanderson said in a statement. “This community has taken a stand to correct the misperceptions around teen drinking.”
A fair contest
The Santa Clara County Fair is celebrating its 80th year with the return of a contest for young artists to create a commemorative fair poster. Using the theme “From the Fields to the Future,” artists are being asked to illustrate how the Santa Clara Valley has evolved from agriculture to high tech.
The contest, the first held at the fair in over 20 years, is open to all school-age youth. All participants will receive two tickets to the fair’s opening day on July 25. This year’s fair runs July 25-28 and Aug. 1-4, during which there will be a people’s choice contest for the best grade level and overall posters.
Deadline for submissions is May 15. For contest rules, visit http://bit.ly/3wit6nc.