Jun
30
2008
How School Can Hurt Your Kids Without You Knowing it
Posted by admin in Middle School Article, tags: Bureau Of Justice, Distaste, Fantasy Adventure, Sable Point, Traumatic Experienceons of kids across the country, attending school is a traumatic experience. They are the victims of bullying. Most kids are subjected to occasional teasing, but others are continually berated by their classmates, some are even beaten up. Now, an innovative new solution is helping to change all this.
The Bureau of Justice estimates that one out of every four kids in the United States is bullied. The prevalence of bullying, especially in middle school and junior high, has reached an all-time high. Parents are rightfully concerned, teachers are frustrated, and kids are scared. But there is an answer.
Jeff Smith teaches at Sable Point Elementary in Florida: “Bullying is a serious problem in schools today. It can be extremely traumatic and cause serious consequences, even leading to teen *******. As a 5th grade teacher, I see kids making the transition from carefree school kids to pre-teens every year. Some of them do it easily, but for others, it’s a real struggle.”
In an attempt to find a more effective way to empower kids against bullying, parents and educators are tossing out the dry, finger-wagging “How to” books. They, like Jeff Smith, are turning to an innovative new solution that is fun for the kids and contains self-empowerment messages they can relate tofiction.
Books such as “Kandide and the Secrets of the Mists” by Diana S. Zimmerman and the “Shredderman” series by Wendelin Van Draanen open the door to discuss bullying in a way that is grabbing kids’ attention. Shreddarman is about a nerd who triumphs over a bully by using his brains to fight brawnand wins.
“Kandide” is a fantasy adventure that is set in a world that rings true for almost every tween and teenone that’s obsessed with beauty and physical perfection, with a healthy dose of intolerance and distaste for those who do Continue Reading
Jun
29
2008
Orlando Schools Receive Awards and Funding From the Community
Posted by admin in Middle School Article, tags: Alcohol Tobacco, Cfe, Department Of Education, Safe And Drug Free Schools, Timber CreekAwards for Preventing Substance Abuse
Five Orlando public schools will be recognized for outstanding prevention efforts in the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs at the Statewide Prevention Conference in Orlando held at the Caribe Royale Resort. Only 10 schools in the state are being honored during the event to be held on September 20, 2006.
Lancaster Elementary; Gotha and Southwest middle schools; and Boone and Timber Creek high schools will receive special commendation for innovative and community-involved programs to help students make responsible and smart decisions. All these Orlando schools are honored to have received such distinction in the state of Florida and are encouraged that their substance abuse programs have proven so successful.
“As educators we want all of our students to make the right choice when faced with decisions that could impact their young lives forever,” said Superintendent Ronald Blocker. “I’m very happy that others outside of [Orlando schools] value and applaud the collective community efforts these schools are using so that our students can be successful in and out of the classroom.”
Florida’s First Lady, Columba Bush, will attend the Statewide Prevention Conference. She will be on hand to present the Orlando schools with specially-designed flags in honor of the recognition during the opening session from 8:30 10:30 a.m. on September 20, 2006. Her participation adds extra bragging rights to the Orlando schools honored by her visit.
The five Orlando schools will receive further recognition during the annual Florida Department of Education’s Safe and Drug Free Schools Conference to be held next December. Their programs are being examined throughout the Florida educational community.
Orlando Schools Get Books from Donor
The CFE Federal Credit Union is donating $100,000 a Continue Reading