Wilton Bulletin (Wilton, CT) September 12, 2011
"Something important to think about, however unpleasant as the new school year begins: A recent study by Yale University researchers found that bullying victims are between two and nine times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims. Suicides claim 4,000 teenagers annually. Add to this the findings of a recent study by the National Education Association: 42% of students claim they have been bullied by means of the Internet.
'The rise of cyber-bullying has made student victims fearful in their own homes,' said state Sen. Toni Boucher.
To address the new venue for bullying head on, Sen. Boucher and other colleagues spearheaded new legislation in Hartford, 'An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws,' last spring. It is due to go into effect this school year." Read More
Monday, September 12, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Some Kids Seem to Cope Better With Bullying
HealthDay News, September 2, 2011
"Children’s social goals help determine how they respond to being bullied and whether their responses are effective, researchers say.
The new study included 370 second- and third-graders who were asked how they respond to other students’ aggression, how often they were bullied and about their social goals.
The researchers created three categories of social goals: wanting to gain social skills and develop strong relationships, such as learning how to be a good friend; wanting to be seen positively by others, such as having 'cool' friends; and wanting to minimize a negative image, such as being viewed as a 'loser.'" Read More
"Children’s social goals help determine how they respond to being bullied and whether their responses are effective, researchers say.
The new study included 370 second- and third-graders who were asked how they respond to other students’ aggression, how often they were bullied and about their social goals.
The researchers created three categories of social goals: wanting to gain social skills and develop strong relationships, such as learning how to be a good friend; wanting to be seen positively by others, such as having 'cool' friends; and wanting to minimize a negative image, such as being viewed as a 'loser.'" Read More
White House ONDCP strategy targets prescription drug abuse
American Pharmacists Association, September 6, 2011
"Framing illicit drug use as a public health threat and drug addiction as a preventable and treatable disease, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has released the 2011 National Drug Control Strategy with three policy priorities: reducing prescription drug abuse, addressing drugged driving, and preventing drug use before it begins.
The 108-page drug strategy was released July 11. It is divided into seven areas, including two focused on health care—'seeking early intervention opportunities in health care' and 'integrating treatment for substance use disorders into mainstream health care and expanding support for recovery.' The details of the prescription drug abuse policy align with a White House plan issued April 19, Epidemic: Responding to America’s Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis. Both the ONDCP drug strategy and the interagency epidemic plan use education, tracking and monitoring, proper medication disposal, and enforcement in their approach to prescription drug abuse, which both documents call the nation’s 'fastest-growing drug problem.'" Read More
"Framing illicit drug use as a public health threat and drug addiction as a preventable and treatable disease, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has released the 2011 National Drug Control Strategy with three policy priorities: reducing prescription drug abuse, addressing drugged driving, and preventing drug use before it begins.
The 108-page drug strategy was released July 11. It is divided into seven areas, including two focused on health care—'seeking early intervention opportunities in health care' and 'integrating treatment for substance use disorders into mainstream health care and expanding support for recovery.' The details of the prescription drug abuse policy align with a White House plan issued April 19, Epidemic: Responding to America’s Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis. Both the ONDCP drug strategy and the interagency epidemic plan use education, tracking and monitoring, proper medication disposal, and enforcement in their approach to prescription drug abuse, which both documents call the nation’s 'fastest-growing drug problem.'" Read More
Beer Institute Supports the "We Don't Serve Teens" Program for the Fifth Consecutive Year
PR Newswire (Washington D.C.) September 6, 2011
"The Beer Institute (BI) and its members today announced their support for the federal government's 'We Don't Serve Teens' program for the fifth consecutive year. Launched in 2007, the campaign provides parents and other adults with educational tools to help reduce illegal teen drinking.
'As an industry, brewers and importers are actively engaged in numerous partnerships at the local and federal level to address underage drinking and help parents effectively talk about it with their teens,' said Beer Institute President Joe McClain. 'Parents are the leading influence on their children's decisions about alcohol, and the beer industry is committed to giving them, as well as their communities, the tools they need to help teens make responsible choices.'" Read More
"The Beer Institute (BI) and its members today announced their support for the federal government's 'We Don't Serve Teens' program for the fifth consecutive year. Launched in 2007, the campaign provides parents and other adults with educational tools to help reduce illegal teen drinking.
'As an industry, brewers and importers are actively engaged in numerous partnerships at the local and federal level to address underage drinking and help parents effectively talk about it with their teens,' said Beer Institute President Joe McClain. 'Parents are the leading influence on their children's decisions about alcohol, and the beer industry is committed to giving them, as well as their communities, the tools they need to help teens make responsible choices.'" Read More
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Q&A: Lessons learned by Don O'Day, school board chairman
Westport News (Westport, CT) September 6, 2011
"During the last year, Don O'Day has worked through a lengthy syllabus as the chairman of the Westport Board of Education.
Along with Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff and other town officials, O'Day worked to secure an agreement last June to start a cost-saving initiative to consolidate municipal and education services. The town's education administration now handles municipal mailroom operations and the town's Voice-Over Internet Protocol system. If subsequent consolidation measures are enacted in areas such as human resources and payroll, the town could save approximately $500,000." Read More
"During the last year, Don O'Day has worked through a lengthy syllabus as the chairman of the Westport Board of Education.
Along with Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff and other town officials, O'Day worked to secure an agreement last June to start a cost-saving initiative to consolidate municipal and education services. The town's education administration now handles municipal mailroom operations and the town's Voice-Over Internet Protocol system. If subsequent consolidation measures are enacted in areas such as human resources and payroll, the town could save approximately $500,000." Read More
Teaching Parents About the Dangers of Alcohol
Milford Patch (Milford, CT) September 6, 2011
"A provocative program about the dangers of alcohol -- built into Foran High School’s Freshman Orientation -- was hailed as “an eye opener” and 'powerful' by parents who attended.
The program -- punctuated by tears and applause -- was developed and funded by The Milford Prevention Council and the Milford Public Schools. It is considered to be so important that parents of freshmen were required to attend the presentation a couple of weeks ago. A parent’s absence will result in a written assignment for their child.
Recognizing the feelings of some parents that drinking is a 'right of passage,' Tanya Schweitzer, director of the Milford Prevention Council, brought out statistics gathered across the United States indicating the scope of damage that underage drinking can cause." Read More
"A provocative program about the dangers of alcohol -- built into Foran High School’s Freshman Orientation -- was hailed as “an eye opener” and 'powerful' by parents who attended.
The program -- punctuated by tears and applause -- was developed and funded by The Milford Prevention Council and the Milford Public Schools. It is considered to be so important that parents of freshmen were required to attend the presentation a couple of weeks ago. A parent’s absence will result in a written assignment for their child.
Recognizing the feelings of some parents that drinking is a 'right of passage,' Tanya Schweitzer, director of the Milford Prevention Council, brought out statistics gathered across the United States indicating the scope of damage that underage drinking can cause." Read More
Thursday, September 1, 2011
New 'cyberbullying' law poses challenges as school year starts
CT Mirror (Hartford, CT) August 30, 2011
"As students head back to school after summer vacation, educators, free-speech advocates and anti-bullying activists are gearing up for implementation of the state's new 'cyberbullying' law that will make on-line statements subject to academic disciplinary proceedings.
The new law puts school officials in the position of having to pass judgement on off-campus speech with little legal precedent to guide them, some expert say. If they clamp down on online comments, they risk First Amendment challenges. If they're too lenient, they could be deemed responsible if cyberbullying leads to tragedy." Read More
"As students head back to school after summer vacation, educators, free-speech advocates and anti-bullying activists are gearing up for implementation of the state's new 'cyberbullying' law that will make on-line statements subject to academic disciplinary proceedings.
The new law puts school officials in the position of having to pass judgement on off-campus speech with little legal precedent to guide them, some expert say. If they clamp down on online comments, they risk First Amendment challenges. If they're too lenient, they could be deemed responsible if cyberbullying leads to tragedy." Read More
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