The two-night benefit was packed with family fun for all ages and helped raise $27,000 for Safe Drug Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) programs, which will allow the district to continue the programs that educate and positively influence students to make safe and healthy lifestyle decisions. 

“It was amazing to see the community join Katy ISD in support of a great cause,” said Nancy Stiles, district coordinator of SDFSC.  “I am humbled by the overwhelming response to this event and am so grateful for the funding that community members, businesses and Katy ISD employees so graciously contributed.”

One example of the programs that will continue to receive district support is the Student Assistance Program (SAP). SAP is a research-based national program for interaction and prevention that provides support for students who may need assistance in dealing with academic, social and other teen-related issues, including alcohol and drug use.

SAP provides small group support to secondary students, giving them the tools and resources needed to deal with the young adult issues.  There are currently more than 400 SAP-certified teachers and administrators in Katy ISD.

“This training has been touted for ‘changing lives,’” said Stiles. “It offers one of the strongest vehicles for teachers to connect with students on the subject of drugs and alcohol.”

Among the many contributors was the Cinco Ranch High School Student Council, who donated $1,000 to the Doo Wop to Disco benefit.  The students elected to donate this amount from the money earned by their fundraising efforts throughout the 2007-08 school year, which comes from the fall homecoming dance, valentine gifts among others.  The Cinco Ranch Student Council has also donated $1,000 to Pennies for Patients, Carrie’s Heart, Iraqi Kids and the Ronald McDonald House so far this year.

Some of the additional programs under the umbrella of the district SDFSC that will be assisted by the funds raised at Doo Wop to Disco include: Project Alert, Bullying Prevention, Gang Intervention, Aim for Success, Random Drug Testing, Safety Net, some aspects of DARE, various student leadership activities and the Katy ISD SDFSC curriculum.

Photo: Adela Martinez and Rachel Regner dressed up as 50's girls for the Doo Wop to Disco fundraising event.