DEAR EDITOR:

There has been significant publicity the past several days regarding an underage drinking incident in Cobb which occurred over the Christmas holidays. This incident has generated intense media interest and an appropriate focus on the seriousness of underage drinking. A number of articles and columns in the Marietta Daily Journal reference to The Walker School and, unfortunately, some statements have not accurately depicted the school, our students and our policies.

The Walker School does not condone underage drinking. Like all of our educational institutions here in Cobb, The Walker School recognizes the serious issue of underage drinking throughout our community and is continually searching for methods to properly address this issue.

While all of us realize that educating children on the dangers of alcohol use begins at home, over the past several years Walker has made a commitment to and implemented a program of ongoing drug and alcohol education. In fact, last year we were the first private school to host the full-day Cobb Alcohol and Drug Awareness Conference that included several speakers, panels, and exhibitions in an effort to educate students about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and nicotine.

But one-time events are just a small portion of the school's efforts. Numerous programs on the topic have been held in Walker's high school in recent years and a presentation on the consequences of drinking in college is being offered to our seniors and their parents this spring. Other ongoing education is offered through special forums, our peer leadership program and in specific classes.

We are painfully aware that despite our efforts, these programs are not 100 percent effective and sometimes students (like adults) make bad choices. This problem confronts educators throughout our nation. To be successful, we believe it is important that we attack this issue together as a community rather than allow it to create division. In this regard, we would welcome a partnership with other private and public schools and local law enforcement officials to reduce alcohol use by minors.

We value our relationship with the Cobb community, including the Marietta Daily Journal. Since our founding more than 50 years ago, we at Walker have considered as one of our core values that the school and its students be an active part of our local community. Walker's students are engaged in community service throughout Cobb and elsewhere and each year at graduation students are recognized for community service commitments exceeding 100 hours. Our student population is diverse and the majority of our families make substantial financial sacrifices to send their children to Walker. We are proud of our diversity and of the sacrifice our parents make.

We are also proud of our students. Like all schools, there are occasions when some disappoint us through what they say or do and these situations must be dealt with individually in an appropriate and thoughtful manner. This should not, however, overshadow the educational excellence, commitment to community and respect for the individual which we at Walker, along with all of our local public and private schools, strive to achieve.

Gerald Pouncey
Chairman, Board of Trustees
The Walker School