Program Guidelines

Refuse To Use Program Guidelines

2011 – 2012

Prepared by The Collaborative

RTU Policy Committee

August 2011

www.thecollaborative.us

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Schools

1. Each participating school in the Refuse to Use program must identify at least one representative
to be part of The Collaborative’s RTU Committee who will act as their school’s liaison. For proper
management of the program, larger schools will identify a representative for each group of 40 – 50
students, and the representative will schedule their workshop with their smaller groups. These
representatives could be guidance counselors, health teachers, school nurses, teachers, health clinic
counselors or school administrators.
2. The school representatives will attend, advertise and require students and a parent
(guardian/caring adult) to attend the all-schools kick-off event on September 18th, 2011. This will be
an opportunity for students to find out more about the requirements of the program and how to sign
up to participate. The school representatives will be sure that participants and families understand:
a. The all-schools kick-off is a mandatory event for reps, participants and parents/guardians/caring
b. Participants must attend with a parent, guardian or caring adult
c. Attendance at the all-schools kick-off is mandatory unless expressed to The Collaborative before
September 16th, 2011. There will only be one make-up session for the kick-off and attendance is
mandatory for participation in the program.
3. Each representative will plan and coordinate (or work jointly with another school rep) on at least
five substance abuse prevention events and one make-up for their RTU students. Three events
(kick-off event counts as one) must take place before the school breaks for Thanksgiving
(November 22nd), the fourth event by January 31st, 2012 and the fifth event by February 17th, 2012.
The school representatives must follow the approved schedule/calendar on the last page. Any makeup
events will be supplementary to the monthly event. Representatives agree to follow the RTU
topic schedule and offer workshops pertaining to the topic designated for the month. Each workshop
will begin with all students re-taking the pledge to remain substance free. Representatives are
encouraged to strongly recommend students make up an event at another school during the same
month as they missed to ensure continuity of workshops. All events for the season must be
published and submitted to The Collaborative by September 30th, 2011 so students can plan their
schedules accordingly. Information about the event, including details about availability of spaces
for other schools’ students to attend the event, will be posted on The Collaborative’s Google
calendar by school representatives. RTU representatives will post events on Google calendar at least
2 weeks in advance of the event.
4. Each school will host one make-up event per grade level for participants to accommodate
scheduling conflicts. The Collaborative will offer events: Kick-Off, Healthy Alternatives Fair, and
Middle School Skate.
5. Prevention events will be at least 1 and ½ hours in length and contain a substance abuse
prevention message. The Collaborative will offer resources to help ensure effective programming.
Students must be present for the entire session, from beginning to end, to have it qualify as one of
their 5 required events. Prevention events will ideally be with groupings of students of not more
than 40 – 50 students.
6. All school representatives will work on the RTU Committee with other representatives from each
of the participating schools, to plan, network and collaborate on the substance abuse prevention
programs associated with the RTU Program. This committee will meet monthly afterschool. If the
school representative(s) cannot attend, an alternate must attend in their place or the representative
should contact The Collaborative for an update on the committee meeting.
7. School representatives will serve on the RTU grievance committee as needed. Grievance
committee meetings are held directly after RTU committee meetings. If the party concerned in the
grievance is under your representation you will be required to stay for the grievance meeting.
8. Each school representative will compile any participant paperwork from students who were
unable to use the online system and enter the information into the online system by September 28th,
2011. All registration ceases on September 28th, 2011. This includes both online and paper.
9. Representatives are responsible for maintaining accurate event attendance records, including
kick-off attendance, and monitoring students’ adherence to the program. An end of year report will
be collected from each school or grade regarding total enrollment in the beginning and end of the
season including why students did not complete the year.
10. Representatives will tally attendance, compare it to RTU deadlines and report participants that
are not in compliance with the program. Representatives will report students’ failure to maintain
their commitment to their contract to The Collaborative via email. The RTU coordinator will
contact the appropriate program sponsor to suspend or terminate pass and alert the representative
when this officially occurred. Representatives must contact the student’s family by phone or email
to notify them of the suspended or terminated pass.
11. Students who are disruptive at a RTU event can be asked to leave the event by the school
representative and will not receive credit for attending. Students who perform unnecessary and
inappropriate behavior towards Representatives or Collaborative staff will be recorded for an
incident report. This decision is at the RTU school representative’s discretion. Representatives will
write an incident report on any student who is disruptive during an event. An incident report may
be written whether or not a student is asked to leave. If a student receives three incident reports,
their pass will be suspended and the student must attend a grievance committee hearing with a
parent or guardian to continue in the program that season. If a student receives three incident
reports during the season they may bring the case to a grievance committee meeting, the
representative must contact The Collaborative immediately to schedule an appearance at a
grievance committee meeting.
12. If a student has not been awarded a pass, or had a pass terminated and the student or family
disagrees with this ruling the student should follow the following steps:
a. Student should speak to their representative.
b. If the situation is not resolved, a student or family can file a grievance.
c. If a student files a grievance regarding a pass not awarded or termination, a hearing will be held
with the student, school representative, Collaborative representative and the grievance committee.
Decisions made by the grievance committee are final. Grievance hearings are scheduled monthly
during the time RTU is running.
13. Representatives will survey each of the participating students with a program survey (supplied
by The Collaborative). The survey will be conducted at the second prevention-education workshop,
(the next workshop after the Kick-Off). The Collaborative will compile the results and provide
schools a summary.
14. The Representatives will convey information about Refuse to Use prevention programs to their
schools’ population via announcements, emails, school newsletters, etc. Each school will have a
designated area and/or bulletin board for posting RTU events, which students will be responsible for
checking, or some comparable system.
15. Schools will post a RTU quick fact in their school newsletters from October through March.
These will be provided by The Collaborative.

Stratton Mountain Resort

1. Stratton Mountain Resort is one of the corporate sponsors for the Refuse To Use Program.
Stratton will provide each student who fully participates in the program and completes the required
activities, with a season pass. In addition, Stratton will provide adult season passes to the school
representatives who coordinate the program at their schools. The fee for the pass is $35, (a
scholarship can be provided to those that would like to participate but may not have the $35
available). Payment should be made by credit card using the online registration system or written
check made out to The Collaborative attached to the online registration receipt and be submitted to
the student’s representative. Pass registration is not complete until all forms, photo and payment
have been successfully completed and submitted online or to the RTU representative by September
28th, 2011. Stratton will make every effort for passes to be ready for distribution by the schools the
week before Thanksgiving break.
2. Each school rep will notify The Collaborative RTU coordinator of any changes to student’s pass
status after each RTU school event. The Collaborative will contact Stratton regarding terminating or
suspending a student’s pass. Stratton will be responsible for suspending, terminating and reinstating
passes.
3. Each Refuse to Use participant will be allocated selected Sunday Stratton Mountain lift tickets
for purchase at $20 each. These are intended for family members to ski or ride with their RTU
participant. Family members are defined as parents, stepparents, guardians or younger siblings.
Siblings must be too young to participate in the Refuse to Use program or prove with proper
identification that the sibling attends a school district in the area that does not participate with RTU
in order to purchase a RTU lift ticket.
The RTU pass, RTU participant and a photo ID of the person receiving the $20 pass must be present
at the main lodge ticket counter to purchase a $20 Sunday pass. Should a RTU student have their
pass suspended or terminated, $20 lift ticket privileges will also be suspended or terminated.
RTU Sunday $20 pass dates are:
12/11/2011 1/8/2012 2/5/2012 3/4/2012

Riley Rink

1. Riley Rink is one of the corporate sponsors for the Refuse To Use Program. Riley Rink will
provide each student who fully participates in the program and completes the required activities,
with an individual skate pass for that season. The fee for the pass is $35. Payment should be made
by credit card using the online during registration when possible or check written to The
Collaborative. Pass registration is not complete until all forms and payment have been successfully
completed and submitted online or to the RTU representative by September 28, 2011. Riley Rink
will prepare the passes for distribution by the schools by the week before Thanksgiving break.
2. The skate pass will be valid during any public skate time and does not include skate rentals.
Viking Nordic Center
1. Viking Nordic Center is one of the sponsors for the Refuse to Use Program. Viking
Nordic Center will provide each student who fully participates in the program and completes the
required activities, with an individual trail pass for that season. The fee for the pass is $35. Pass
registration is not complete until all forms and payment have been successfully completed and
submitted online or to the RTU representative by September 28, 2011. Viking will have passes
ready for distribution by the schools the week before Thanksgiving break.
2. The cross-country trails pass does not include ski rental.
The Collaborative
1. The Collaborative will hold monthly RTU representative meetings where prevention program
ideas and events will be planned and discussed.
2. The Collaborative will provide resources to school representatives.
3. The Collaborative will provide resource information to representatives, students and parents who
lose their pass due to substance use, abuse or experimentation.
4. The Collaborative will maintain a website (www.thecollaborative.us) which will list the
scheduled Refuse To Use events at all area schools, host the online registration and post the
program forms.
5. The Collaborative will offer three Refuse To Use events throughout the season that students can
attend for make-up. The Collaborative will offer the Kick-Off, Healthy Alternatives Fair and
Middle School Skate. The Collaborative will provide a book to representatives for a book response
make-up option.
6. The Collaborative will provide liaison communications between schools and Stratton Mountain
Resort, Riley Rink and Viking Nordic Center.

Students

1. Students need to be aware that the Refuse To Use program is not an entitlement program and that
passes may be terminated at any time. The pass is an earned reward and must be maintained by the
student by following program requirements.
2. Students who participate in the Refuse to Use program will refuse to use alcohol, tobacco and any
other drugs, and will not misuse any over the counter or prescription drugs, (i.e. diet pills or cold
medicines, etc). They will also not make any claims of illegal substances use in any printed
material, public speech and/or Internet site (i.e. FACEBOOK etc). Students will represent
themselves respectfully and appropriately when using their RTU pass at Stratton Mountain Resort,
Riley Rink or Viking Nordic Center property. Students who engage in unseemly conduct will have
their pass terminated. They will also support their friend’s choice to refuse to use alcohol, tobacco
and other drugs. Failure to meet this pledge will result in the termination of the season pass.
3. Student’s program registration must be completed online by September 28th, 2011. Any student
who is unable to complete the online registration may submit a paper registration to their school
representative by September 28th, 2011. Any student who registers online and needs to pay for their
pass with check or cash, may print out a copy of their online registration receipt, attach it to their
check or cash and submit it to their school representative by September 28th, 2011. Registration is
not complete until the registration form, student and parent pledge, payment and photo are
submitted. Failure to register by September 28th, 2011 will disqualify a participant from receiving a
pass. Students may still participate in the workshops. Late registrations will not be accepted.
4. Students must attend at least five of the scheduled education events at local schools. Three of the
events must be attended before receiving their pass by November 22nd. First event is the mandatory
kickoff event, September 18th, 2011. Four events must be completed by January 31st, 2012, and
five events by February 17th, 2011. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a suspension of
the student’s pass. Passes will be reinstated when requirements are met.
5. Students are responsible for and must ensure they sign-in at events so their presence is recorded.
6. Students who are aware of other students who are abusing substances can inform their school
representatives either in person or confidentially. Students may also contact The Collaborative
confidentially.
7. If a student would like to self-disclose breaking their pledge or a parent report their
student, they may report to their representative or directly to The Collaborative. Students who break
their pledge may still participate in the workshops and remain in the program to learn preventioneducation
skills, but may not keep their pass. Reporting a broken pledge directly to The
Collaborative is confidential and the student’s school will not be informed unless otherwise
stipulated. Students may re-pledge the next season and qualify for the program.
8. Students who are disruptive at a RTU event will be asked to leave the event and will not receive
credit for attending. Students who perform unnecessary and inappropriate behavior towards
Representatives or Collaborative staff will be recorded for an incident report. This decision is at the
RTU school representative’s discretion. Representatives will write an incident report on any student
who is disruptive during an event. An incident report may be written whether or not a student is
asked to leave. If a student receives three incident reports, they must attend a grievance committee
hearing with a parent or guardian to continue in the program that season.
9. If a student has not been awarded a pass, or had a pass terminated and the student or family
disagrees with this ruling the student should follow the following steps:
a. Student should speak to their representative.
b. If the situation is not resolved, a student or family can file a grievance.
c. If a student files a grievance regarding a pass not awarded or termination, a hearing will be held
with the student, school representative, Collaborative representative and the grievance committee.
Decisions made by the grievance committee are final. Grievance hearings will be held monthly.

Parents/Guardians/Caring Adult

1. Parents need to be aware that The Refuse To Use program is not an entitlement program and that
passes may be terminated at any time. The pass is an earned reward and must be maintained by the
student by following program requirements. Parents who perform unnecessary and inappropriate
behavior towards Representatives or Collaborative staff will be recorded for an incident report
towards their student(s).
2. Parents/guardians/caring adults must attend the kick-off event and sit with their student. At this
event they and their student will verbally and face-to-face, take a pledge committing to the
requirements of the Refuse To Use program.
3. If parents/guardians/caring adults cannot attend the kick-off event, another important adult in the
student’s life from the community can take the pledge with the student. This may include relatives,
neighbors, religious leader, teacher etc.
4. Parents/guardians/caring adults must attend a community dialogue night in January with their
student. If a parent or guardian cannot attend this event another adult community member may
attend in their place.
5. Parents/guardians/caring adults will need to provide or assist with their student’s transportation to
the scheduled substance abuse prevention education events.
6. In the event of a family scheduling conflict or illness, parents and/or guardians/caring adults will
notify their Refuse to Use school representative and attempt to make alternate arrangements to
scheduled prevention education events. The Refuse to Use kick off is mandatory. There is one make
up event for the kick off if student and parent were unable to make the initial kick-off. This event
will be announced through appropriate avenues after the September 18th, 2011 event.
7. RTU families can check The Collaborative website, www.thecollaborative.us, under the Refuse
to Use tab on its Google calendar for latest event schedules and cancelations. All workshops are
tentatively set due to weather, school activities or representative’s health.
8. Parents may contact The Collaborative with any questions regarding the administration of the
Refuse To Use Program at 802.824.4200 or info@thecollaborative.us.
If a parent has questions or concerns regarding the RTU program or their student’s pass they should
first try to contact their student’s school representative. If you are unable to get in touch with a
school representative you may contact The Collaborative. The Collaborative will serve as liaison for
the RTU program and Stratton Mountain Resort, Riley Rink and Viking Nordic Center.

Calendar (2011 – 2012)

September 1: Online registration opens for students to register
September 18: All-Schools Kick-Off: 6:00-8:00pm at Manchester Elementary Middle School.
Mandatory event to enroll in 11-12 RTU season. (Event #1)
September 28: Registration closes for RTU season
All events are scheduled and posted for season
October 1-31: Event #2 (Alcohol)
November 1-30: Event #3 (Tobacco)
November 22: Season passes to schools by Stratton, Riley Rink and Viking
December 22: Students must complete three events by this date to receive their pass
December 5: Healthy Alternatives Fair at Long Trail School
January 2-31: Event #4 (Dialogue Night: Parent and Student Attendance Mandatory)
January: Students must have completed four events to maintain pass
February 1-17: Event #5 (ATOD: goals, future, family, friends)
February 17: Students must have completed five events to maintain pass for season