August’s Offline Happenings!
Back to School Safety
August 2, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Siouxland CARES Advisory Board/SPF SIG Committee
Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, 101 Pierce Street
Sioux City, Iowa
MYTH OR FACT?!
MYTH: Pot isn’t as bad for you as cigarettes.
FACT: Marijuana smoke has more cancer-causing chemicals in it than tobacco.
Source: relevancyinc.com
August is
Back to School Safety Month
It is “that” time of year again. Students are heading back to school and it’s hard to determine who is more excited, the students or the parents! Your students have their pens and paper, and their outfits for the first day of school, but have you thought about their safety and what you need to do to prepare them for a safe school year? A small amount of planning now, can help your student to have a more pleasant and safer experience for beginning the school year and beyond.
Check student records at school. Is your contact information correct?
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Do they have your work and cell phone number?
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Do you have alternate contacts in case you cannot be reached?
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Are your student’s medical records up-to-date, including allergies and current medications?
Are your student’s medical records up-to-date, including allergies and current medications?
Contact the school for a copy of their emergency policies. Review with your student what will happen in an emergency.
Where will students be located?
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When and where will parents reunite with children?
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Contact the school for a copy of their safe school plan.
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Do they have a plan that has been practiced?
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What measures are being taken to ensure that your child’s safety is a school priority?
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Do they have a visitor’s policy? Is it enforced?
Discuss with students the importance of sharing information. Stress to them that if they hear students talking about being destructive or hurting someone, that it is OK to tell a trusted adult – parent, teacher, counselor, law enforcement officer, principal.
Before Leaving Home:
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Ensure that your student has identification with them that includes emergency contact information such as work numbers and cell phone numbers.
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If riding their bicycle, be sure they have and wear their bicycle helmet.
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Clothing – if your student must walk to or from school or stand at the bus stop be sure that they wear light clothing or clothing with reflective stripes.
Bus Stop Safety:
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Discuss with your student the importance of walking directly to the bus stop.
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No visiting neighbors before going to bus stop
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No playing at the playground or friends houses on way to the bus stop
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Do not allow your student to be at bus stop alone. If the parent cannot accompany the child to the bus stop, they should go with a buddy or in a group.
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Remind them not to talk to strangers, and never to get in a stranger’s car. Stress to them they cannot help someone look for a puppy or other distraction.
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Remind students that there should not be any horseplay at the bus stop.
Traveling to school:
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Plan with your student the safest route to walk or bike.
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Discuss with them the importance of staying away from unsafe areas.
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Practice the route several times reminding them how to safely cross streets and what to do when they come to an intersection.
Managing Conflicts
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Discuss with your child the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully.
After School
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Be sure to have a plan for when your student returns home from school.
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If your child will return to an empty house, upon his/her arrival he should know whom to immediately contact to verify arrival.
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Discuss with your student daily what occurred at school. Be sure to explore any concerns they have.
By planning, preparing and practicing, parents can help their student have a safer and more successful school year.
Source: Students Against Violence Everywhere, www.nationalsave.org
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CONTACT US:
Siouxland Fact
Only 51% of Siouxland parents feel that they have the power to prevent their child from abusing alcohol and drugs. beSomebody and visit our website at www.siouxlandcares.org, and go to the Resources and Links and find out what you can do.
Source: 2011 Siouxland CARES Parent Survey
Bullying Information
Contact the Boys Town National Hot Line,
1-800-448-3000 or
the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline,
1-800-273-8255 or
A Youth Counseling Hotline,
1-800-855-201-2121
Additional Resources:
educateiowa.gov
iowapridenetwork.org
iowasafeschools.org
oneiowa.org
reportbullyingiowa.com
sai-iowa.org/bullying
safeyouth.gov
standforthesilent.org
beSomebody
Find out more about the beSomebody campaign by connecting to the Siouxland CARES website at www.siouxlandcares.org or beSomebody.us or Like us on beSomebody Facebook page.
Watch for the 2012 Clear Channel Radio/Siouxland CARES Parent Guide coming this October!
Tri-State Curfew
The following curfew is now in effect in Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, and Woodbury County, Iowa, North Sioux City, South Dakota, South Sioux City, Nebraska, and Dakota County, Nebraska. Please enforce these times in your home.
10:00 p.m. for minors under the age of 14
11:00 p.m. for minors ages 14 and 15
Midnight for minors ages 16 and 17
About Siouxland CARES.
Siouxland CARES (Community-wide Awareness, Resources, Education and Support) About Substance Abuse is a community coalition comprised of 350 volunteers. Volunteers for Siouxland CARES (representing 12 community systems) and staff contributed 16,845 hours in 2011 to CARES programs and services. The mission of CARES is to improve the quality of life in Siouxland by eliminating the abuse of alcohol and other drugs and related violence.
The Anti-Drug is Communication.
Ask Who? Ask What? Ask Where?
It’s not pestering, it’s parenting!
Trustworthiness: Think it. Be it.
Respect: Give it. Get it.
Responsibility: Take it. Teach It.
Fairness: Share it. Practice it.
Caring: Show it. Receive it.
Citizenship: Have it. Honor it.
Make Your Character Count in Siouxland!!
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