"From the Superintendent. . . "
 
 

JUNE - TOBACCO FACTS:

June 1 "Ammonia (a poisonous gas and powerful toilet cleaner), arsenic (a potent rat poison), and acetone (a poisonous paint stripper) are chemicals found in cigarettes."
June 4 - 8 "Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, murders, car crashes, illegal drugs and suicides combined."
June 11 - 15 " There is no such thing as a SAFE cigarette!"

Save the Children - Children Opposed to Smoking Tobacco (Click on Effects) - What really happens to cowboys who smoke? Run your mouse over the cowboy to see what really happens to those who smoke, then scroll down the page to learn more.

Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights A young woman shares the truth behind cigarette addiction.

See Through the Smoke - Smoking in the Movies: Movies make smoking seem hot, tough and fun. Movies don't show tobacco's negative effects like yellow teeth, and hair and clothes that stink. Think of the last few movies you've seen. If they contained smoking, they probably made the nasty habit somehow look appealing.
 
  MAY - SMOKELESS TOBACCO FACTS:

May 1 - 4 "Smokeless (spit) tobacco contains over 2,000 chemicals, many of which directly relate to causing cancer."
May 7 - 11 " Smokeless tobacco is addictive — it is NOT a safe alternative to cigarettes."
May 14 - 18 "Smokeless tobacco, in both of its forms — snuff and chew — deliver as nicotine as cigarettes but for longer periods of time."
May 21 - 31 "Smokeless tobacco has the same negative effects on the body as smoking — increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke."

TeensHealth web site: Smokeless tobacco has been around for a long time. Native people of North and South America chewed tobacco, and snorting and chewing snuff was popular in Europe and Scandinavia. The word "snuff" comes from the Scandinavian word "snus."

Dandy Dragon's Anti-Tobacco Program - Various facts about smokeless tobacco.

Healthy Kids - Dental Health's Tobacco Quiz - Get Your Smokeless Tobacco Facts Straight (Answer True or False).
_____ 1. The use of smokeless tobacco is a safe alternative to smoking.
_____ 2. The use of snuff or chewing tobacco helps you concentrate during sports and helps you react faster.


CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Fact Sheet about smokeless tobacco.
 
 

APRIL - FAMILY EDUCATION:

Apr. 2 - 6 "Read to your children and keep good literature in the home."
Apr. 9 - 13 "If children are treated fairly, they learn to treat others fairly!"
Apr. 16 - 20 " Know what TV shows, videos, and movies your children are watching — it might surprise you."
Apr. 23 - 30 "Actions speak louder than words — be a good role model."

Family Education Network - The company's mission is to be an online consumer network of the world's best learning and information resources, personalized to help parents, teachers, and students of all ages take control of their learning and make it part of their everyday lives.

Fact Monster - A free reference site for students, teachers, and parents. Get homework help and find facts on thousands of subjects, including sports, entertainment, geography, history, biography, education and health.

Surfing the Net with Kids: what's wonderful and educational on the Web for kids.

 
  MARCH - CHARACTER EDUCATION:

Mar. 1 - 9 "You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist — open your had to others!"
Mar. 12 - 16 "The more patient you are, the more understanding you become."
Mar. 19 - 23 "Treat others as you want to be treated. "
Mar. 26 - 30 "What we need in the work are manners." — Eleanor Roosevelt

Character Education Network - This site allows schools and students to network together by sharing ideas and experiences with others in their community and nationwide.

Character Education Partnership - The Character Education Partnership is a national advocate and leader for the character education movement. Based in Washington, DC, it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian, coalition of organizations and individuals committed to fostering effective character education in our nation's K-12 schools.


A - Z Teacher Stuff - Teacher resources, lesson plans, themes, tips, printables and more
  FEBRUARY - BULLYING FACTS:

Feb. 1 - 9 "Bullying is aggressive behavior with the intent to harm. One incident of bullying occurs every seven minutes."
Feb. 12 - 16 "Bullies are five times as likely to become adult criminals as non-bullies."
Feb. 19 - 23 "Targets of bullying are likely to become depressed, anxious and have low self-esteem."
Feb. 26 - 28 "Bullies usually 'act out'" repeatedly and over a period of time. Tell an adult!"

National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center -
Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other Federal partners, the Resource Center provides current information developed by Federal agencies or with Federal support pertaining to youth violence. Site includes: Resources on Prevention and Intervention

National Association of School Psychologists - Bullying: Facts for Schools and Parents.


American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry - Facts for Families
 

JANUARY - MARIJUANA FACTS:

Jan. 1 - 5 "Marijuana contains over 421 chemicals that can affect memory, reading skills, coordination and problem-solving skills."
Jan. 8 - 12 "The most dangerous chemical, THC, harms your brain cells, immune system, lungs, and reproductive system."
Jan. 15 - 19 "Marijuana is absorbed into the fat tissues and stays in your system for weeks."
Jan. 22 - 31 "Not one of the thousands of studies performed has ever reported marijuana to be HARMLESS."

Link to PDG booklet. NIDA - Publications - Marijuana: Facts for Teens - From the National Institute on Drug Abuse, comprehensive information about marijuana and its effects. Booklet in PDF available for download including these Q & A:

What is marijuana? Aren't there different kinds?
How is marijuana used?
How long does marijuana stay in the user's body?
How many teens smoke marijuana?
Why do young people use marijuana?

Facts & Figures: Marijuana - Drug Facts, ONDCP. Marijuana facts parents need to know from the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Drug Policy Alliance: Myths and Facts About Marijuana - Explores the common myths and facts associated with marijuana. Is marijuana a Gateway Drug? Can marijuana use be prevented? Visit the site to read answers to these questions.
 

DECEMBER - ALCOHOL FACTS:

Dec. 4 - 8 "One-half of all car accidents involve a driver who has been drinking. "
Dec. 11 - 15 "Alcohol affects how the brain operates and often results in poor judgment and poor decision-making skills."
Dec. 18 - 22 "Alcohol is a depressant — it dulls your actions, self-control and coordination."
Dec. 25 - 31 "Drinking and driving is a dangerous combination not just for the driver but for innocent bystanders as well!"

US Department of Health and Human Services & SAMHSA's Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information - Tips for Teens: The truth about alcohol. Alcohol can hurt you -- even if you're not the one drinking. If you're around people who are drinking, you have an increased risk of being seriously injured, involved in car crashes, or affected by violence. At the very least, you may have to deal with people who are sick, out of control, or unable to take care of themselves.


Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - Alcohol and Public Health FAQ.
 
Do you know . . .

What does moderate drinking mean?
Is it safe to drink alcohol and drive?
What does it mean to be above the legal limit for drinking?
How do you know if it’s okay to drink?
  State University of New York - Facts & Fiction. This page corrects common alcohol and drinking myths, with research- based facts and statistics. Does alcohol destroy brain cells? What causes a beer belly?
 

NOVEMBER - TOBACCO FACTS:

Nov. 1 - 3 "Tobacco smoke contains 4,000 chemicals including 40 that are known to cause cancer."
Nov. 6 - 10 "The chemical nicotine, found in cigarettes, is so potent that one drop in its liquid form will kill an average adult."
Nov. 13 - 17 "Lung cancer, throat cancer, and heart disease are just some of the life-threatening diseases linked with smoking."
Nov. 20 - 24 "Smoking limits the amount of oxygen in the blood, reducing your stamina for sports and other physical activity."
Nov. 27 - 30 "Smoking yellows your teeth and fingernails, makes hair, breath, and clothes smell and causes early wrinkling of the skin."


National Center For Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion - A comprehensive web site that provides Tobacco Information and Prevention Source (TIPS).

Tobacco Facts: Spit and Chew Tobacco - Meet Rick Bender, a semipro ball player who, as a result of chewing tobacco, lost a third of his tongue, half of his jaw, and all of the flesh connecting the right side of his neck with the rest of his body.

National Cancer Institute - The National Cancer Institute established the Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph series in 1991 to provide ongoing and timely information about emerging public health issues in smoking and tobacco use control.
 

 

OCTOBER - ALCOHOL FACTS:

Oct. 2 - 8 "Alcohol can KILL. It is possible to overdose and die from drinking too much alcohol in a very short period of time."
Oct. 9 - 13 "A can of beer, a glass of wine and a shot of whiskey all contain the same amount of alcohol."
Oct. 16 - 20 "Alcohol is a depressant — it slows down the heartbeat, breathing rate and digestion."
Oct. 23 - 31 "Alcohol has lasting effects on the brain, impairing how people learn, think and remember."

 Alcohol Facts - Problems and Solutions This web site has been recognized for providing useful and balanced information on alcohol by librarians, health and medical sites, researchers, professors, teachers and others.
American Medical Association - Facts about youth and alcohol
 National Institute on Drug Abuse - NIDA is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , a component of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

 
  SEPTEMBER - FAMILY EDUCATION:

Sept. 1 - 8 "If a child lives with honesty, he learns to trust."
Sept. 11 - 15 "Be clear about your values and beliefs. Tell your kids where you stand on important issues."
Sept. 18 - 22 "There was an educational TV channel in the good old days — it was called "OFF." Monitor the amount and type your children watch."
Sept. 25 - 29 "No one knows what he can do until he tries. Encourage your child every day."
Sept. 26 - 30 "Know where your children are, what they are doing, and with whom!"

Family Education - Parents find educational printables, games, activities, parenting ideas and advice, as well as information on learning disabilities.

Fun Brain - Education site for K - 8 kids and teachers.
 Cyfernet - Children, Youth and Families Education and Research Network.
Family Policy Compliance Office (FPC) - Implements two laws that seek to ensure student and parental rights in education.

AUGUST - CHARACTER EDUCATION:

Aug. 21 - 25 "Instead of harping on a person's faults, tell them of their virtues."
Aug. 28- 31 "Honesty is the best policy!"

 Character Counts! National Office - Josephson Institute of Ethics - The National Office of Character Education Resources develops and supports local activists with training programs, special projects, materials and consulting.

Character Counts - Character Education - Free Resources, Materials, and Lesson Plans

The Center for Advancement of Ethics and Character - Helping teachers, administrators, and parents build good character in today's students and tomorrow's leaders.

  
 
The Pendleton County Board of Education assumes no responsibility for the content of these web sites.
Links are provided as a convenient source of information to expand learning and discussion on each month's topic.