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                <title>Gang Prevention through Parental Involvement</title>
                <description><![CDATA[Signs your Child May be in a Gang Parents often lack factual information about gangs. Many gang members have become knowledgeable about the law and, as a result, have minimized their visibility. In the past, there was a high level of pride associated with the display of gang symbols (i.e., style of clothing, tattoos, hand signs), but today it is no longer easy to identify a gang member. As a result, a growing number of youth are being recruited into gangs without the awareness of parents, teachers, law enforcement officers or community members. While no single sign is proof that a teen is in a gang, the risk factors increases with each additional indicator your child exhibits as listed below: -Truancy -Decline in grades -Change of friends -Keeping late hours -Alcohol and other drug use -Having large sums of money or expensive items that cannot be explained -Developing attitude problems with parents, teachers, or others in authority -Intensifying anger -Sudden hatred for another group -Glamorizing gangs -Wearing gang clothing or an importance placed on certain colors -Withdrawing from the family -Secretive or abrupt changes in behavior -Abrupt changes in music tastes, clothing styles -Presence of body modifications, including tattoos, scarring, burns and brands. -Presence of gang graffiti in bedroom or on books, clothing, shoes, or posters -Using hand signs to communicate with other gang members, siblings, teachers, and parents -Displaying photos showing gang names, slogans, insignia, hand signals, or people involved in gang activities -Using gang-style language -Participating in gang activities -Associating with known gang members What You Can Do About Gang Involvement Parents are an important factor in preventing high-risk behavior like gang involvement in youth. Below are some tips to help parents keep their children away from gang activity. 1. Talk to your teen about high-risk behavior with gangs and drugs 2. Monitor your teen and set clear rules 3. Identify risk factors for delinquent behavior, violence and gang involvement 4. Recognize warning signs indicating your teen may already be involved 5. If your teen is involved with a gang - ACT QUICKLY 6. Get involved in your child&amp;rsquo;s life 7. Get involved in your community 8. Let your child know you love and care about him or her There are some simple steps parents can take to keep track of their child&amp;rsquo;s activities. Of course, their child might not like them keeping tabs on where he or she is and what he or she is doing. It won&amp;rsquo;t be a democracy and it shouldn&amp;rsquo;t be, according to many parenting experts. In the end, it&amp;rsquo;s not pestering, it&amp;rsquo;s parenting. 1. Set rules 2. Praise and reward 3. Know where your teen is and what he or she will be doing 4. Talk to your teen 5. Keep them busy - especially between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., when the majority of juvenile delinquency is committed 6. Check on your teenager 7. Establish a &amp;ldquo;core values statement&amp;rdquo; for your family. Establish a clear family position on drugs and repeat it often 8. Be a good example 9. Spend time together 10. Take time to learn the facts about drugs and alcohol 11. Get to know your teen&amp;rsquo;s friends (and their parents) 12. Stay in touch with your child&amp;rsquo;s adult supervisors Bottom line: &amp;ldquo;Get involved with your child&amp;rsquo;s life. Show them you care and DO NOT tolerate criminal behavior!&amp;rdquo; ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1356607079186</link>
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                <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Burglary Prevention Tip:  LOCKS</title>
                <description><![CDATA[Residential Burglaries continue to be a problem and many are preventable. Each week we will continue to highlight precautions you can take to keep your home safe. BURGLARY PREVENTION TIP OF THE WEEK: &amp;ldquo;Locks&amp;rdquo; Intruders often gain entry to a home by kicking or ramming doors and/or defeating the locks. Here are a few suggestions to secure your doors and windows. &amp;bull; Install deadbolts on all exterior doors. This will make it more difficult for the burglar to gain entry. Burglars don&amp;rsquo;t want to get caught, so they are more likely to just leave for an easier target. &amp;bull; Use 3&amp;rdquo; screws to secure the strike plates into your door frame. The longer screws will reinforce the strike plate because they reach into the wall stud. &amp;bull; Place additional locks on all windows and patio doors. Your local hardware store can provide many options for you to consider. &amp;bull; Use use a sliding bolt with a locking device or a dowel sticks in sliding glass door and window tracks. &amp;bull; For double hung sash windows, you can use the &amp;ldquo;pin&amp;rdquo; trick. Drill and angled hole through the top frame of the lower window that goes partially through the frame of the upper window. Once your hole is drilled, insert a nail or eyebolt to secure the window. &amp;bull; Remember to close and lock your windows and doors when you aren&amp;rsquo;t home and at night when you go to bed. We ask that you continue to be alert for suspicious people and vehicles in your neighborhood. Report suspicious activity, as it occurs, ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1356607079170</link>
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                <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>HOME SECURITY 101 Knock, knock....who&apos;s there?</title>
                <description><![CDATA[No it&amp;#39;s not a joke, its real life...knowing when to open and when not to open the front door. It is important to have a family action plan in place for how to handle the infamous knock knock&amp;rdquo; at the front door. The general rule of thumb for young family members is not to open the door unless they know for sure who it is and a parent or guardian has told them that it&amp;rsquo;s okay to open the door. They should also be reminded not to give out any indication that they are home alone (if they are old enough to be home alone) and instead should use comments like my dad can&amp;#39;t come to the door right now, or even making out loud comments in the house that would leave someone to believe they are not home alone, such as mom, someone is at the door.&amp;rdquo; I have a security chain on my door that I can use so that we can &amp;ldquo;crack the door open and talk with someone, isn&amp;#39;t that ok? No, not really. The chain provides very little security strength with very short screws holding the chain plate in place and it can easily be popped out if the door is forced. Talk to people without opening the door. For adults home alone, there can be those annoying door knocks which poses the question do I answer or not?&amp;rdquo; Here&amp;#39;s some food for thought; the majority of home burglars are looking for one type of house only; an unoccupied home when the knock at the door comes, and the person inside reacts by becoming overly silent (hoping the visitor will go away) they are sending one message only...no one is home. So if the visitor at the door is looking for that unoccupied home, they think they&amp;#39;ve just found it. So here&amp;#39;s the plan: when the knock comes during those unusual hours, don&amp;#39;t pretend you&amp;#39;re not home, but instead let them know you ARE home. If you&amp;rsquo;re alone, announce out loud in the house &amp;ldquo;I&amp;rsquo;ll get the door. This alerts the person on the front porch that there must be more than one person home and if they were intent on committing a crime, they will certainly think twice. Then go to the front door and talk to them through the door without opening it, even a crack. Indicate that you and your housemate(s) are not interested and that they can leave information about their cause and you&amp;#39;ll get it later. ]]></description>
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                <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>How to be a Good Witness</title>
                <description><![CDATA[Becoming a victim and/or witnessing a crime can be a traumatic experience. Should you become an unexpected victim or witness of a crime, you should immediately call 9-1-1. While you are waiting for the police to arrive and/or dispatch to ask you questions, try and write down or mentally take note of everything you remember about the suspect and the event. In the event you don&amp;rsquo;t have a pen, you could also use your smart phone. Many phones have text and note features and some even have voice recorders. If you don&amp;#39;t have a phone, find a stick, rock or piece of tanbark and draw in the dirt. All of these tools can be helpful when police arrive. Everything you can remember is important for the identification and apprehension of the suspect(s). Here are a few questions police will ask you: &amp;bull; What is the suspect(s) description? Height, weight, build and the color/style of hair are all very helpful. &amp;bull; What color and type of clothing and shoes was he/she wearing? &amp;bull; Were there any unusual scars, tattoos, or logos on the suspect(s) clothing or hat? &amp;bull; Have you ever seen this suspect before? &amp;bull; Was there a vehicle involved? (color, make and model)? &amp;bull; Do you remember any part or all of the license plate? (This is when that pen, phone, stick, rock or tanbark will come in extremely valuable to police!) &amp;bull; Did the car have any damage and/or special markings? &amp;bull; Which direction did the suspect flee? &amp;bull; What exactly did the suspect(s) say prior to, during or after the incident? &amp;bull; What exactly happened, step-by-step. &amp;bull; Are there any witnesses in the area that could help with describing what occurred? &amp;bull; Do you remember anything seeing anything suspicious before the incident occurred? You can reduce your chance of becoming a victim by taking the following steps: &amp;bull; Don&amp;rsquo;t walk alone. &amp;bull; Always walk confidently, directly and at a steady pace. &amp;bull; Walk facing traffic when possible. &amp;bull; Walk in busy, non-isolated areas where people are coming and going. &amp;bull; Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. &amp;bull; Don&amp;rsquo;t present yourself as a target. Leave your expensive jewelry and watches at home. &amp;bull; If you&amp;rsquo;re out after dark, make sure you travel in well lighted areas. &amp;bull; Trust your instincts and when possible avoid groups of suspicious people walking towards you. &amp;bull; If you feel you are being followed, head to an occupied house or business. &amp;bull; Share these tips with your friends and family. ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1356607079160</link>
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                <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Suspicious Vehicles</title>
                <description><![CDATA[Residential Burglaries continue to be a problem and many are preventable. Over the next several weeks, we will continue to highlight precautions you can take to keep Fremont safe for you and your neighbors. BURGLARY PREVENTION TIP OF THE WEEK: &amp;ldquo;Suspicious Vehicles&amp;rdquo; Any of the following scenarios could be a suspicious vehicle: - A parked vehicle, which is not known to the area (whether occupied or not). - An unknown vehicle parked in front of or in your neighbors driveway when they are at work or on vacation. - A vehicle driving around your neighborhood, or just hanging around for no apparent reason. Most people drive into a neighborhood because they have a legitimate reason or destination and people who are legitimately visiting in your neighborhood will be able to justify why they are there. We ask that you continue to be alert for suspicious people and vehicles in your neighborhood. ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1356607079108</link>
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                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Silent Witness Hotline</title>
                <description><![CDATA[(510)578-4965 The Newark Police Department has a dedicated phone number for citizens to call with information that may help solve and prevent crime. The Silent Witness Hotline at (510)578-4965 allows members of the community to report information ANONYMOUSLY on suspicious or criminal activity, as well as ongoing investigations. DO NOT use this number to report an emergency or other urgent situation... call 911! ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1356607079083</link>
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                <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Is Someone Knocking at Your Door?</title>
                <description><![CDATA[Summer is here and residential burglaries continue to be a problem. Over the next several weeks we will highlight precautions you can take to help keep your home and neighborhood safe. We continue to ask that our community be alert and on the look out for suspicious people and vehicles in your neighborhood. Please report suspicious activity, as it occurs, to the Fremont Police Department at (510) 790-6800 and select option 3. If you believe that you are witnessing a crime in progress, dial 9-1-1 BURGLARY PREVENTION TIP OF THE WEEK #1: &amp;ldquo;Knock at your door&amp;rdquo; &amp;bull; Unexpected knock at the door? DON&amp;#39;T ignore this&amp;hellip;Burglars will often check many doors before they actually make entry into a residence. While we don&amp;#39;t want you to open the door, we DO want you to yell through the door and tell the person that you aren&amp;#39;t interested. Please tell your children to do the same thing. Grab your phone and call the Fremont Police Department to notify us of the suspicious activity (790-6800 option 3). This is likely a person looking for an unoccupied home and if you don&amp;#39;t acknowledge the door, you could find the suspicious person at the back of your house within just a couple minutes. &amp;bull; Person(s) at your door asking for an unknown or fictitious person is a big RED FLAG. You have the best knowledge of who should and should not be in your neighborhood and whether or not you are expecting someone, so rely on your best instincts. Don&amp;#39;t talk yourself out of it or try to justify that they belong there. Call us and let us make that determiniation for you! Be Safe! ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1356607079091</link>
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                <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Never Leave a Child or Pet Alone in an Unattended Vehicle</title>
                <description><![CDATA[With the temperature in Fremont projected to be more than 80 degrees today, it&amp;rsquo;s time to remind our community not to leave children or pets alone in unattended vehicles. From 1998 to May 2011, a reported 500 children died in locked vehicles, according to Consumer Reports. Children and pets are less able to handle extreme heat and are more susceptible to hyperthermia, which can lead to brain damage, kidney failure and death. San Francisco State University (SFSU) put out a recent study that stated temperatures in closed automobiles rose approximately 19 degrees in just 10 minutes, even in moderately warm weather. The API (Animal Protection Institute) conducted a study, which showed that even at 9:00 a.m., with an outside temperature of 82 degrees, the closed vehicle registered at 109 degrees inside. The study went on to say that if the automobile window was left cracked on an 88-degree day at 9:00 a.m., the vehicle turned into a 103 degree sauna, by 10:00 a.m. inside the vehicle. Leaving a child or pet in a vehicle remains a perilous choice, even for just a short time. Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle. If you should see a child in a hot vehicle, call 9-1-1 immediately. To learn more about this topic or other child safety topics, visit Safe Kids USA at ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1356607078475</link>
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                <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Wear Your Seat Belt!</title>
                <description><![CDATA[Although California boasts one of the highest seat belt use rates in the nation at 96.6 percent that still leaves more than one million motorists who are at risk for serious injury and death. In 2010, estimates are that over 1,300 lives were saved by seatbelts in California. Another 110 could have been saved if seat belts had been used. Nighttime passenger vehicle occupants are among those least likely to buckle up and most likely to die in crashes when unrestrained. In California in 2010, the number of those who died in crashes and were not wearing seat belts was nearly 60 percent higher at night. WORTH IT? The cost of a seat belt ticket is at least $159 on a first offense. The cost of failing to properly buckle up any child under the age of 16 is at least $479 per child for a first offense, plus having a violation point added to the driver&amp;rsquo;s record, and $1,079 or more on a second offense. If the parent is not in the car, the driver gets the ticket. If a driver is found to be in violation of both the seat belt and hands-free or no texting law, they can be cited for both infractions with a combined ticket cost of $318 or more! ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1356607077151</link>
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                <pubDate>Mon, 9 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Children should never be left alone in your car!</title>
                <description><![CDATA[We all know the sadness and disbelief we feel when we read local headlines about a child dying after being left unattended in a hot car. In the last twelve years, nationwide over 450 children have died after being left in a hot car (sometimes on relatively mild days with only 70 degree temperatures) most of them ages three and younger. They died from heat stroke after being trapped in the car. In the summer of 1999 alone, an average of one child every four days died after being trapped in a car parked in the searing heat. Many parents mistakenly think they can leave a child in a vehicle while running a quick errand. Yet, a delay of just a few minutes can lead to tragedy. Heat is much more dangerous to children than it is to adults. When left in a hot vehicle, a young child&amp;rsquo;s core body temperature can increase three to five times faster than that of an adult causing permanent injury or death. Children should never be left alone inside of your car, even for a few minutes. California has a law prohibiting unattended children in a vehicle. As school&amp;#39;s out for summer, kids are everywhere and parents should be too. Even though your children may be older, make sure you&amp;#39;re on watch, so that you won&amp;#39;t have to take a trip to the emergency room. Enjoy the summer with your children - SAFELY! ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1338041110173</link>
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                <pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Travel Safety</title>
                <description><![CDATA[It&amp;rsquo;s travel season. Here are some helpful tips to keep you and your family safe while traveling: 1. Don&amp;#39;t answer the door in a hotel or motel room without verifying who it is. If a person claims to be an employee, call the front desk and ask if someone from the hotel staff is supposed to have access to your room and for what purpose. 2. When returning to your hotel or motel late in the evening, use the main entrance of the hotel. Be observant and look around before entering parking lots. 3. Close the door securely whenever you are in your room and use all of the locking devices provided. 4. Don&amp;#39;t needlessly display guest room keys in public or carelessly leave them on restaurant tables, at the swimming pool, or other places where they can be easily stolen. 5. Don&amp;#39;t draw attention to yourself by displaying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry. Leave the fancy jewelry at home! 6. Don&amp;#39;t invite strangers to your room. 7. Place all valuables in the hotel or motel&amp;#39;s safe deposit box. 8. Don&amp;#39;t leave valuables in your vehicle. 9. Check to see that any sliding glass doors or windows and any connecting room doors are locked. 10. If you see any suspicious activity, please report your observations to the management. 11. What&amp;#39;s the safest hotel floor? Always try to get a room on floors 2-8. A room on the ground floor will be more easily accessible to criminals from the outside. A high level - such as the 20th floor - may be quieter, but in case of a fire, there&amp;#39;s little chance firefighters could reach you with even their tallest ladder. 12. Dressing safely: Blending in makes you less of a target than if you announce your home country by wearing your country&amp;#39;s flag or national colors. 13. Instincts: Trust your instincts and don&amp;#39;t venture through side streets, even if it seems like a convenient shortcut. Criminals like to strike in secluded areas. If you stick to the well-traveled streets, you&amp;#39;ll be less likely to have criminals approach you. 14. Carry your wallet in your front pocket, or better yet, get a money belt or a passport holder/wallet you can wear around your neck (but be sure to keep in under your shirt when you can). Be aware that people who are jostling you are potential pickpockets. 15. Clean out your wallet before you leave home. Don&amp;#39;t carry any more credit cards than you need. Make sure you leave your Social Security card behind. ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1338041110161</link>
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                <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Seat Belt and Passenger Safety</title>
                <description><![CDATA[Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death of children in the country. Sadly, more than half of the children who die in collisions are not properly restrained in child safety seats or are unrestrained altogether. Many of these children would be alive today if they had been properly restrained in seatbelts or child safety seats. Studies have shown that child safety seats are 71% effective in saving the lives of children involved in vehicle collisions. Additionally, parents need to be reminded to use a booster seat for their children. Generally, children who have outgrown child safety seats with built-in harnesses are still too small to benefit from the protection of an adult seatbelt. Booster seats allow children to sit up comfortably in the passenger seat while providing the proper restraint of a standard seatbelt. Children should never be placed in a safety seat in the front of a vehicle. All children age 12 and under should be properly restrained in the back seat. Choosing and Using Car Safety Seats Infants (Birth to 12 Months): Choose an infant safety seat or convertible seat. The baby must face back of car. Ensure strap slots are at or below shoulder level and the baby&#8217;s head does not fall forward. Harnesses should be adjusted snugly before adding blankets. The baby&#8217;s head should be placed at least 1&quot; below top edge of seat. All seats need to be placed in the back seat Toddler&#8217;s and Young Children (12 months to 8 years): Choose a convertible seat or combination seat/booster (some newer vehicles contain built-in safety seats and harnesses). Children may face forward after age one and 20 pounds. Children should sit upright with strap slots at or about shoulder level. Top strap slots must be used for most convertible seats and a top tether strap should be used, if possible. Your child must be secured in the back seat only. Children who have outgrown the booster or harness safety seats and are at least 8 years can use the safety belt restraints inside the vehicle. However, children need booster seats until they can sit all the way back with their knees bent at the edge of the seat, with the lap belt on the tops of their thighs, and with the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest areas. Law Regarding Child Passenger Safety Beginning January 1, 2012, children under age 8 must be properly buckled into a car seat or booster seat in the back seat. In addition, children age eight or older who are not tall enough for the seat belt to fit properly must ride in a booster or car seat. The previous law required that children remain in a booster seat until the age of six or until they weighed sixty pounds. A child fits an adult seat belt when: &#8226; The child can sit against the vehicle seat back with his knees bent without slouching, and can comfortably stay in this position throughout the trip. &#8226; The lap belt is low on the hips touching the upper thighs. &#8226; The shoulder belt crosses the shoulder and chest without touching the face or the neck. &#8226; Never let your child put the shoulder belt behind his arm or back. In a crash, the child could sustain major injuries including head and spinal cord injuries. &#8226; If the child is placing the shoulder belt behind them, this is a sign that he may still need a booster. For more information about car seats, the new law or help in determining if your child still needs a booster seat,visit the California Department of Public Health website at It is the responsibility of every uniformed officer to enforce violations of the California Vehicle Code, educate citizens on the importance of traffic safety and make every effort to protect drivers on City streets. These efforts, combined with the participation and cooperation of community will help ensure the safety of motorists throughout the City. ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1338041110054</link>
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                <pubDate>Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Teen Driving Contract</title>
                <description><![CDATA[When teens negotiate their own set of car keys, parents worry that they&amp;rsquo;ve said goodbye to all control. It&amp;rsquo;s true that teens experience a new sense of freedom when they get their licenses. But they often don&amp;rsquo;t understand the responsibilities that come with the privilege. Parents can help by drawing up a driving contract, before turning over the keys that clearly states the family rules as well as the consequences for breaking them. A contract should address safety, good driving skills, and particular situations in the following areas: The Car Parents should make decisions on the following car related items and add them to the contract: &amp;bull; Which car(s) the teen is allowed to drive.The car should have a driver&amp;rsquo;s side airbag, a good safety rating, and be easy to maneuver &amp;bull; Car care&amp;mdash;including putting gas into the car, oil changes, tire pressure, and regular maintenance requirements &amp;bull; Car clutter&amp;mdash;keeping the car clean inside and out and free of trash &amp;bull; Paying for insurance. Insurance rates for teens are often twice the ones for adults over twenty five&amp;mdash;and for good reason. Teens have an average of three accidents between 16 and 20. Some parents find that having their teens pay the insurance costs with their part time jobs provides some incentive for avoiding reckless on road behavior that often results in accidents. Insurance rates will rise sharply with each accident&amp;mdash;sometimes costing thousands of dollars per year. Safety The contract should also stress safe driving practices, including: &amp;bull; Always obeying the speed limit and traffic laws &amp;bull; Always wearing seat belts and making sure that all passengers are buckled up before driving &amp;bull; No drinking/drug use Parents should always be vigilant in watching for signs of alcohol or drug use by their teens and talk to their teens and seek professional help if they find indications. Driving while impaired is one of the leading causes of fatality in vehicle crashes&amp;mdash;and the numbers are unfortunately on the rise in the last few years. The contract should state that teens are not allowed to drink and drive, have alcohol in the car, or even be a passenger in a car with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs. Assure your teen that they can always call you to come get them if they get stranded at a gathering. &amp;bull; Not driving with friends/siblings in the car. California has instituted licensing laws that also have this limitation. Distractions are one of the main causes of accidents for new drivers. And trying to keep track of conversations, playing around, or trying to act cool could lead to a crash. &amp;bull; Not using cell phones or texting while driving. &amp;bull; New drivers should let parents know where they are going and when they plan to return. &amp;bull; Curfews Night driving is especially difficult for a new driver and more accidents happen in the 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 A.M. timeframe than during the daylight hours. Set realistic curfews, but also tell teens that if they are running late, it&amp;rsquo;s always better to drive safely than speed to make up the minutes&amp;mdash;and to call you if possible to let you know they are on the way home. Consequences The contract should specify what happens if the rules are broken. It&amp;rsquo;s a good idea to get your teen&amp;rsquo;s input on appropriate penalties. For example, a speeding ticket might result in the loss of driving privilege and having to pay for the ticket. ]]></description>
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                <pubDate>Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Stop Bullying</title>
                <description><![CDATA[Information and Resources to Help Prevent the Serious Problem of Bullying Bullying has become a tidal wave of epic proportions. Although bullying was once considered a rite of passage, parents, educators, and community leaders now see bullying as a devastating form of abuse that can have long-term effects on youthful victims, robbing them of self-esteem, isolating them from their peers, causing them to drop out of school, and even prompting health problems and suicide. A recent study by the Family and Work Institute reported that one-third of youth are bullied at least once a month, while others say six out of 10 American teens witness bullying at least once a day. Witnessing bullying can be harmful, too, as it may make the witness feel helpless - or that he or she is the next target. Children who are bullied are often singled out because of a perceived difference between them and others, whether because of appearance (size, weight, or clothes), intellect, or, increasingly, ethnic or religious affiliation and sexual orientation. Bullying can also be a gateway behavior, teaching the perpetrator that threats and aggression are acceptable even in adulthood. In one study by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, nearly 60 percent of boys whom researchers classified as bullies in grades six to nine were convicted of at least one crime by the age of 24, while 40 % had three or more convictions. What Parents Can Do A big, tough kid stops a smaller kid on his way to school and threatens to hurt him unless he hands over his homework. The popular girls at school won&amp;#39;t let anyone sit at their lunch table except their friends. These two bullying scenarios and others happen more often than most adults realize. Nearly 74% of eight to 11-year-olds say teasing and bullying happen at their school. But what exactly is bullying? Bullying is: &amp;bull; Fighting, threatening, name-calling, teasing, or excluding someone repeatedly and over time &amp;bull; An imbalance of power, such as size or popularity &amp;bull; Physical, social, and emotional harm &amp;bull; Hurting another person to get something Many parents don&amp;#39;t think that bullying is as big a problem as bringing a weapon to school or drug use but its effects can be severe and long lasting. Every day, nearly 160,000 children miss school because they are scared of bullying, according to the National Education Association. Bullying doesn&amp;#39;t only negatively affect its victims, but also the bullies themselves. Kids who are bullied are more likely to &amp;bull; Do poorly in school &amp;bull; Have low self-esteem &amp;bull; Be depressed &amp;bull; Turn to violent behavior to protect themselves or get revenge on their bullies Parents can play a central role to preventing bullying and stopping it when it happens. Here are a few things you can do: &amp;bull; Teach kids to solve problems without using violence and praise them when they do. &amp;bull; Give children positive feedback when they behave well to help their build self-esteem. Help give them the self-confidence to stand up for what they believe in. &amp;bull; Ask your children about their day and listen to them talk about school, social events, their classmates, and any problems they have. &amp;bull; Take bullying seriously. Many kids are embarrassed to say they have been bullied. You may only have one chance to step in and help. &amp;bull; If you see any bullying, stop it right away, even if your child is the one doing the bullying. Encourage your child to help others who need it. Don&amp;#39;t bully your children or bully others in front of them. Many times kids who are bullied at home react by bullying other kids. If your children see you hit, ridicule, or gossip about someone else, they are also more likely to do so themselves. Support bully prevention programs in your child&amp;#39;s school. If your school doesn&amp;#39;t have one, consider starting one with other parents, teachers, and concerned adults. For more information on bullying, visit ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1338041109939</link>
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                <pubDate>Wed, 9 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Teach Kids About Strangers</title>
                <description><![CDATA[What to Teach Kids about Strangers Information about the differences between strangers kids should look out for and strangers kids can trust. Kids see strangers every day in stores, in the park, and in their neighborhoods. Most of these strangers are nice, normal people, but a few may not be. Parents can protect their children from dangerous strangers by teaching them about strangers and suspicious behavior, and by taking a few precautions of their own. Who is a stranger? A stranger is anyone that your family doesn&amp;rsquo;t know well. It&amp;rsquo;s common for children to think that &amp;ldquo;bad strangers&amp;rdquo; look scary, like the villains in cartoons. This is not only not true, but it&amp;rsquo;s dangerous for children to think this way. Pretty strangers can be just as dangerous as the not-so-pretty ones. When you talk to your children about strangers, explain that no one can tell if strangers are nice or not nice just by looking at them and that they should be careful around all strangers. But don&amp;#39;t make it seem like all strangers are bad. If children need help--whether they&amp;rsquo;re lost, being threatened by a bully, or being followed by a stranger--the safest thing for them to do in many cases is to ask a stranger for help. You can make this easier for them by showing them which strangers are okay to trust. Who are safe strangers? Safe strangers are people children can ask for help when they need it. Police officers and firefighters are two examples of very recognizable safe strangers. Teachers, principals, and librarians are adults children can trust too, and they are easy to recognize when they&amp;rsquo;re at work. But make sure that you emphasize that whenever possible, children should go to a public place to ask for help. You can help your children recognize safe strangers by pointing them out when you&amp;rsquo;re out in your town. Also show your children places they can go if they need help, such as local stores and restaurants and the homes of family friends in your neighborhood. Recognizing and Handling Dangerous Situations Perhaps the most important way parents can protect their children is to teach them to be wary of potentially dangerous situations &amp;ndash; this will help them when dealing with strangers as well as with known adults who may not have good intentions. Help children recognize the warning signs of suspicious behavior, such as when an adult asks them to disobey their parents or do something without permission, asks them to keep a secret, asks children for help, or makes them feel uncomfortable in any way. Also tell your children that an adult should never ask a child for help, and if one does ask for their help, teach them to find a trusted adult right away to tell what happened. You should also talk to your children about how they should handle dangerous situations. One ways is to teach them &amp;ldquo;No, Go, Yell, Tell.&amp;rdquo; If in a dangerous situations, kids should say no, run away, yell as loud as they can, and tell a trusted adult what happened right away. Make sure that your children know that it is okay to say no to an adult in a dangerous situation and to yell to keep themselves safe, even if they are indoors. It&amp;rsquo;s good to practice this in different situations so that your children will feel confident in knowing know what to do. Here are a few possible scenarios: &amp;bull; A nice-looking stranger approaches your child in the park and asks for help finding the stranger&amp;#39;s lost dog. &amp;bull; A woman who lives in your neighborhood but that the child has never spoken to invites your child into her house for a snack. &amp;bull; A stranger asks if your child wants a ride home from school. &amp;bull; Your child thinks he or she is being followed. &amp;bull; An adult your child knows says or does something that makes him or her feel bad or uncomfortable. &amp;bull; While your child is walking home from a friend&amp;rsquo;s house, a car pulls over and a stranger asks for directions. What Else Parents Can Do In addition to teaching children how to recognize and handle dangerous situations and strangers, there are a few more things parents can do to help their children stay safe and avoid dangerous situations. &amp;bull; Know where your children are at all times. Make it a rule that your children must ask permission or check in with you before going anywhere. Give your children your work and cell phone numbers so they can reach you at all times. &amp;bull; Point out safe places. Show your children safe places to play, safe roads and paths to take, and safe places to go if there&amp;rsquo;s trouble. &amp;bull; Teach children to trust their instincts. Explain that if they ever feel scared or uncomfortable, they should get away as fast as they can and tell an adult. Tell them that sometimes adults they know may make them feel uncomfortable, and they should still get away as fast as possible and tell another adult what happened. Reassure children that you will help them when they need it. &amp;bull; Teach your children to be assertive. Make sure they know that it&amp;rsquo;s okay to say no to an adult and to run away from adults in dangerous situations. &amp;bull; Encourage your children to play with others. There&amp;rsquo;s safety in numbers! Source: National Crime Prevention Council ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1335084770346</link>
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                <pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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                <title>Social Networking Safety Tips</title>
                <description><![CDATA[It&amp;rsquo;s no question that social networking Web sites are growing rapidly every day. This growing trend of sharing yourself more and more online; safety is often overlooked. Setting forth some safety guidelines will benefit the users of social networks, parents and children. Social Networking Safety Tips &amp;bull; Review the Web site&amp;rsquo;s safety notifications, standards, and learn how to report violating content. Most often it will be disclosed at the registration phase. Otherwise, might be noted at the bottom of the site. This information will educate users about the function of their web site in regard to Internet safety. &amp;bull; Parents: Talk to your children about social networking. Suggested topics to discuss would include not posting private information; explaining what information is private and public, pictures, and declining requests to meet people. &amp;bull; Understand that people are not who they claim they are. You wouldn&amp;rsquo;t reveal your personal details to just anyone, would you? Don&amp;rsquo;t post it on your profile unless you want everyone (including bad people) to see it. Don&amp;rsquo;t agree to meet anyone online unless you specifically know that person. &amp;bull; Parents, if you learn of your child&amp;#39;s intent to meet someone based on an online interaction intervene immediately! This is not a safe practice! If you wish to meet someone, do it safely.This discretion can be a difficult one to judge, but if you do choose to meet someone online, make sure you&amp;rsquo;re in a safe location. Select that is public, indoors, safe and provides either of you the option of &amp;ldquo;running errands&amp;rdquo; if you wish to not meet. Bring a friend with you just to be safe. &amp;bull; Be careful &amp;mdash; Social Networking is a double-edged sword. It&amp;rsquo;s okay to have fun and connect with other people on social networks, but just be alert to the fact that criminals may prey on others. Take precautions to prevent possible negative outcomes. &amp;bull; Setting your profile &amp;lsquo;Private&amp;rsquo; to screen outsiders. Most social networks will permit you to set your profile private to prevent outside individuals from viewing your profile. This enables you to reach out to others who you are friends with, but exclude incoming profile requests. It is strongly suggested parents enforce that their children&amp;rsquo;s profiles remain private. &amp;bull; Maintain your computer&amp;rsquo;s defenses. As a general precaution, it&amp;rsquo;s important to make sure you have an updated anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware and operating system updates. It&amp;rsquo;s been noted previously, some social networking site&amp;rsquo;s advertisements contain malicious code and can infect your computer system. &amp;bull; Don&amp;rsquo;t get &amp;lsquo;Phished&amp;rsquo;. Phishing is a common tactic of spammers to compromise some else&amp;rsquo;s account and send messages purporting their products. Take a moment to understand how to properly login to the social network. Don&amp;rsquo;t click links you didn&amp;rsquo;t ask for or expect. If a link prompts you to log in again &amp;mdash; it&amp;rsquo;s most likely a phishing scam. Research other online internet safety resources. There are plenty of other resources to help you learn more about Internet safety. One place to start is the Connect Safely website at . ]]></description>
                <link>http://nusd.ca.schoolloop.com/news/view?id=1335084770785</link>
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                <pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
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