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Upcoming Substance Use Education ProgrammingJanuary 29, 2025 Dear Porter-Gaud Families, As a part of our ongoing student wellness programming, we look forward to welcoming Chris Herren, a former professional basketball player, speaker, and wellness advocate, to campus on Thursday. He will speak to students in grades 7-12 during the school day. The assembly will start with a film presentation highlighting Herren’s basketball career and journey to sobriety. Upon conclusion of the film, Chris will take the microphone and share experiences that have impacted his life as a teenager, athlete, and speaker. He will touch on such topics as drinking, drug use, peer pressure, bullying, and cutting. After years of speaking in schools across the country, Chris believes it is more important to share with students what leads to the first day of substance use rather than to focus on the last days of addiction. In doing so, he believes students can learn to cope with their own stressors in healthier ways, be more compassionate to their peers who may be struggling, and understand that help is available to those who need it. By honestly sharing his own vulnerabilities and his story of struggle and strength, he makes profound connections with students. Chris will also speak to parents and caregivers on Thursday evening from 6-7 p.m. in Gwynette Auditorium. Any parents who plan to bring their child to the evening event are advised that the speaker has rated the subject matter as suitable for students in grades 7 and up. Childcare for ages 5 and over will be provided. To learn more about his program and to RSVP, please click here. We are incredibly grateful to the PGPA and other generous donors for their support in expanding our student wellness programming and their sponsorship of this visit. We strongly encourage you to attend this impactful event to help foster meaningful discussions with your children. Your student may have questions or want to talk about the presentation. To help you make the most of this opportunity to connect, we are sharing this parent resource document to help guide these conversations. We also invite you to join us for a PGPA Wellness Coffee on Tuesday, February 4 at 8 a.m. in Washington Dining Hall to further explore this important topic. No RSVP is required. If you have any questions or concerns about your child participating in this assembly, please contact your division head or division counselor. We will have additional counseling and support resources available for students on this day. Thank you for your partnership as we work together to make strides toward a healthier, stronger, and more supportive community. Sincerely, Silvia Davis, Upper School Head
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