Marshfield Area Parent Network

The Marshfield Area Parent Network (MAPN) Mission

The Marshfield Area Parent Network’s mission is to foster communication and provide mutual support for parents to help prevent underage use of alcohol, and other illegal substances with the goal of improving the health of our teenagers.

What is required to become a MAPN member?

Parents who join MAPN are not required to attend meetings or pay dues. We do ask that you commit yourself to making the safety and health of children your number one priority.

This means

• Working to create an atmosphere in which the use of alcohol and drugs is not considered an acceptable or normal part of the adolescent experience.
• Sponsoring only alcohol, drug & tobacco-free events for children in your home (or other gathering places).
• Actively supervising all gatherings of youth in your home or on your property.
• Talking directly with other parents who sponsor youth events or parties to ensure that their events will be chaperoned and free of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
• Communicate a clear “no use” message about underage use of alcohol or use of illegal substances.
• Setting good limits for your children regarding curfew, where your children are allowed to go, dating patterns, overnights, etc.
• Being a good role model for children to help them learn about healthy, responsible behaviors.
• Reading & signing the Parent Contract; by doing so you will receive access to the directory of all other parents who have done the same.

MAPN 09-10 Parent Contract

We believe parents do make a difference and can create a healthier and safer community for all our youth. We hope you do, too. Let’s work together and keep our kids safe and healthy.

MAPN Discussion Board

Log in to the discussion board (invitation required).

ABOUT US

Our History

The Marshfield Area Parent Network has grown out of what originally started as the “Parent’s Network” at Marshfield Senior High School (MHS). Arriving in the fall of 2002, Principal John Blankush, brought the network concept from his previous school and implemented it at MHS.

To become a member of the Parent Network, parents/guardians pledged, in writing, that they willingly and actively supported chaperoned, alcohol-free socializing for teens in their homes.

The names and contact information of all members are listed in a members-only directory, giving parents a tool to communicate with and support each other in providing their students with a safe environment (homes or other gathering places), free from the influence of tobacco, alcohol and other illegal or harmful practices. The directory can be found on the "invitation required" discussion board.

In a little over five years, the Marshfield Area Parent Network grew to over 150 families. Then, in late fall of 2007, the Marshfield Area Coalition for Youth, in collaboration with Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach, sponsored a community event - the Plunge - to heighten adult awareness of the consequences of underage drinking. The “Parents Who Host Lose the Most” campaign was introduced, and attendees were encouraged to apply for grant money to implement community projects focused on formal or informal policy changes or initiatives. See the Reducing Underage Drinking Campaign page for additional information.

Several members of Marshfield Area Parent Network applied for grant money to try to create a larger and more active parent network, with the goal of increasing community involvement in reducing underage drinking. In February of 2007, a town supper was held at Marshfield High School, with over 60 people attending from both MHS and Columbus High School. After an educational video, and a chance for small-group discussion & brainstorming, a list of ideas was created for discussion at future meetings which were held through the rest of the school year.

What Has Been Done Now

• Hosted parent meetings to foster learning and a chance to network.
• Developed the Web site. This will give more parents the opportunity to join the Parent Network, not only by making the Contract easy to find and available for signing year-round, but also by allowing the membership list to be updated frequently instead of annually. A invitation-only area will allow members to access the membership list and to chat with other parents.
• Refined the Contract for the 2008-09 year.
• Developed an educational presentation for students and parents attending Freshman Orientation in late August and for students and parents attending Middle School orientation in the spring.
• Extended the Network to surrounding communities by making presentations at their high school Freshman Orientations.

Our Goal

We want to create an area-wide network of parents, educators, and community representatives to actively educate and support each other in promoting a healthy lifestyle for area teens that is free of potentially harmful substance use.

Join Us

We are parents who believe it takes a lot of courage to be a parent, and it’s easier when you have the support of other parents who share a similar vision. If you would like to join the Marshfield Area Parent Network, simply fill out the contract and return it to your child's school.