Spotlight: Teen Dating Violence

After tragically losing her daughter to an act of teen dating violence, author Vicki Crompton-Tetter is speaking out on a new teen dating concern, obsessive dating. According to a recent article in the Winnipeg Sun, Tetter states that instances of verbal and emotional abuse and controlling behavior have risen with the availability of computers, iPhones and GPS systems. The article also cites a shocking U.S. statistic that one in three girls between the ages of 10 and 18 have been assaulted by a boyfriend, either physically, sexually, emotionally or verbally. As a teen dating violence education advocate and counselor, Tetter states that if a parent suspects his or her child is involved in an abusive relationship the most important thing to do is to voice your concern and keep communication lines with your child open.

With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Student Safety Reporting System, part of its award-winning StudentWatch Suite, parents and students are provided with 24/7 online and telephone reporting tools enabling them to report issues of teen dating violence and other concerns that might impact the safety of students, staff, or property. Additionally, as part of the EmployeeSafe Suite, PublicSchoolWORKS provides training on Teen Dating Violence to help staff recognize and respond to the signs of teen dating violence. Are you providing the training tools to help your staff?

To share what your district is doing, comment on our Facebook page.

Source: Winnipeg Sun

Spotlight: New California Legislation

A new California state law, which will go into effect July 1, 2012 will require additional bullying training for administrators and simplify the process for victims of bullying to transfer schools. In addition, this new law will expand existing legislation to mandate that schools have comprehensive safety plans in place.

As legislation expands and changes, it is essential that districts have the ability and resources to adapt and comply with the law. With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Bullying Prevention-Administrators course, Administrators learn how to recognize bullying and intervene when bullying occurs and how cyber-bullying makes its way from the computer to the classroom. Most importantly, they will learn about the effects of bullying, the signs that someone is being bullied and how to stop bullying when it is seen happening. How is your school handing reports and acts of bullying? Share your comments with us on Twitter @PSWORKS.

Source: Ventura County Star

Industry Insider News: Your School or District Could Win a New Conflict Management Program through a February Cerebellum Grant

Every week this month, Cerebellum Corporation, the producer and distributor of the award-winning Standard Deviants videos, will offer one school in need a 4th Edition Kelso’s Choice Conflict Management Skills curriculum kit. The kit presents students with nine options to resolve minor conflicts and helps students to identify the difference between problems they can resolve individually and problems that require the assistance of an adult.

For a chance to win this program, submit your story about why your school needs Kelso’s Choice Conflict Management Skills or how your students could benefit from receiving this curriculum via email to: customerservice@kelsoschoice.com or make a post on the Kelso’s Choice Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelsos-Choice/154814201238590?sk=wall.

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

According to the Presidential Proclamation last year, which names February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, each year about one in four teens reports being the victim of verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual violence. It is critical that all educators be aware of the signs that teen dating violence may be occurring, as well as the long-term risks of teen dating violence. With PublicSchoolWORKS’ Teen Dating Violence Course staff will learn to identify signs of abuse such as:

• Unexplained bruises, scratches, and injuries
• Showing fear of boyfriend/girlfriend
• Apologizing to others for boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s behavior
• Loss of interest in things that were once important (Quitting hobbies, clubs, athletics)
• Sudden appearance changes (clothing and make-up styles)
• Avoidance of adults, friends, and family
• Sudden mood changes (anxious, depressed, crying)
• Academic decline
• Loss of confidence
• Struggles over making decisions

To learn more about PublicSchoolWORKS’ Teen Dating Violence Course, email sales@publicschoolworks.com

EmployeeSafe Suite: Teacher Saves Student’s Life

In Bismarck North Dakota, a reading specialist at Dorothy Moses Elementary School came to the aid of a student who was choking. Ciearra McMahen, a fifth grade student at the school, was waiting for an after school reading program when she began to choke on a piece of candy. Her mom noticed that she was losing oxygen and called for help. At that time Sandy Fuller came to McMahen’s aid dislodging the candy from her throat with the use of abdominal thrusts, something she previously learned in a first aid course.

Fullers first aid training helped her assist a student in need. It is important for all staff to receive training like this so they can come to the aid of students and other staff when it is needed. With PublicSchoolWORKS’ First Aid course, staff can learn what do when faced with life threatening injuries and situations in the workplace, as well as the OSHA First Aid requirements. Are your staff up to date on necessary training to help intervene in critical situations? Has a member of your staff reacted to help a student in need? Share your stories with us on Twitter @PSWORKS

Source: Bismarck Tribune