Bullyproof Your Child - 4 Surprising Ways to Keep the Epidemic of Nastiness from Hurting Your Child

Everyone has mean kids on the brain, and no wonder - recent data show that one in four children reports being a victim of bullying. Home used to be a safe haven, but thanks to technology, a barbed text or tweet can reach a child anywhere, anytime. So what can you do? A lot, says Sela Gaglia, director of the organization Challenge Day, which helps kids deal with social pressures (it was the focus of MTV's recent antibullying reality series, If You Really Knew Me). What she's learned from experience:
* One of the best things to do? Play 20 questions.
Check in with your kids often and you'll be far more likely to spot a bullying problem early. And don't overreact. "When kids know you'll respond calmly, they'll share the scary things," says Gaglia, who regularly asks her 11-year-old son these questions: What's happening on the playground? Do you need support on anything? How can I be a better mom? If you do notice a problem, intervene as soon as it looks like a pattern and not an isolated event, she advises. But talk to your child's teacher or the principal, not the bully's parents. "There's no accountability - and you don't know how they'll react. And remember, your intention is to create a safe environment, not to prove that your kid is right."
* Bullies back away from confident kids.
"Bullies typically avoid a self-assured child because they won't get the scared reaction they want," Gaglia says. Your kid won't be fun to pick on if you encourage him to ignore - or even laugh at - a bully's intimidation tactics. And urge him to ask a teacher for support. "The bully will quickly realize that this kid is too much trouble to bother with."
* Bullies do change.
Challenge Day runs more than 1,000 antibullying programs a year, and 99 percent of the time, Gaglia sees the bullies apologize. Frequently, they also turn into student leaders. "I've watched kids become peer counselors or spearhead programs to help new students transition at school," she says. "Bullies don't realize they can use their power for good until someone wakes them up to it." A great wake-up call? Suggest that a bully be assigned a position of responsibility, like bus monitor or teacher's helper.
* You can keep your child from bullying others.
One of the most common causes of bullying behavior is turmoil at home, says Gaglia - especially divorce. During or after a divorce, "kids often stop talking to their parents about how they're feeling," she explains, "because they're afraid to upset them even more. Instead, they lash out at other kids." You can't prevent tough times from happening, of course, but by making sure your child gets all his emotions out in the open, you can help him from becoming a Draco Malfoy at school.
-Erin Zammett Ruddy

Josie Adams is 6th Grade Spelling Bee Champion

Congratulations to Josie Adams in Mrs. Childress's homeroom for winning the sixth grade spelling bee. Josie will be representing the sixth grade in the Verbena High School Spelling Bee on December 3, 2010. The winner of the school bee will go to the Chilton County Spelling Bee on February 10, 2011, to compete with the winners from each school in Chilton County. Good luck, Josie!

Tips for Buying Toys

With so many choices, holiday toy shopping can be an overwhelming (and expensive) task. Finding the right age-appropriate toy for babies, toddlers and preschoolers not only creates a holiday hero (you!), it also can enhance a child's development and foster his learning experience- without the child even realizing it.

"It's not just play," says Jane Duer, Manager of the Early Intervention Program at Children's Hospital of Alabama. "For children play is their work and their school. They learn through every encounter with you, their toys and their surroundings [intentional and unintentional]. Because play is so important and because there are so many toys on the market, research is helpful prior to making purchases for that little one. Parents should not only consider the safety of the toys they choose, but also the skills that will be developed during playtime."

The experts at Children's Hospital have provided the following guide to help parents choose the toys that will be most helpful to increasing motor skills; enhancing cognitive development and building upon what many children are capable of doing at each age and developmental stage.

Use these tips to help pick the perfect gift for the child in your life this season:

* Choose toys that can be used in a variety of ways. The more functions the toys have the more likely the child will play with them for more than the day they are opened. Examples include blocks, interlocking blocks, nesting blocks or cups and water toys.

* Toys to grow with your child. If you buy small plastic animals (small but not a choking hazard) the young toddler might put them in and take them out of a dump truck and then when older may engage in pretend play with them. Other examples may include stuffed animals and dolls, trucks and cars.

* Give toys that encourage exploration and problem-solving. Stuffed animals are a popular gift for toddlers and many of these end up as life-long buddies for the young child, but a toddler needs other toys too that provide an opportunity for skill building, exploration and problem solving. Examples include simple 4-5 piece wooden puzzles and shape sorters for the young toddler, cause and effect toys, nesting cups and blocks.

* Don't forget the items around the house. Some toddlers enjoy having a drawer or cabinet in the kitchen with stuff they can play with. Items such as plastic bowls and lids, wooden and measuring spoons, small pots are often a big hit. Mommy's old dresses and high heels, dad's hat and suit jacket can also spur a young child to creativity in play. Giving your toddler or preschooler the items you no longer wear or use is a great way to "recycle" and to help him develop important skills.

* Books are always a great choice. Even when your child is a baby, read to them from simple books. When they are able to focus on pictures, read from books with bright, vivid pictures. Real pictures are best for babies and young toddlers. Save the more complex books for older toddlers (closer to three years of age).

* Young infants need toys too. Young babies explore and learn about their world through their senses. Toys for this age should provide appropriate sensory stimulation (not too much or the he may try to avoid the toy by crying or looking away). Toys may provide visual stimulation (lights, bright colors, contrasting colors, simple pictures), auditory stimulation (music, voices) and tactile stimulation (nubby balls, soft fluffy stuffed animals). Babies often explore by mouthing objects. This is perfectly normal and can be expected. Just make sure the objects are clean and safe for the baby to mouth.

For more information on this and other children's health and safety issues, please visit our website at www.chsys.org

2nd Nine Weeks Progress Reports

Students will be coming home with their second nine weeks progress reports on Monday, November 15. If parents have any questions or concerns, they should call the school office at (205)280-2820 to schedule an appointment with their child's teachers.

Winners of Red Ribbon Week Classes with Highest Participation

Congratulations to Mrs. Dale's second grade homeroom and Mrs. Smith's fifth grade homeroom for having the highest average percentage of students participating in each day's dress-up theme during Red Ribbon Week. These classes will be rewarded with an ice cream party on Wednesday, November 10. Thanks to everyone for your participation!

The most exciting part of Red Ribbon Week was the assembly program presented by Officer Beth Hucks and Canine Officer Jason Ousley who brought Iko, the Sheriff's Department drug dog, who showed us his ability at sniffing out drugs from among several suitcases. We greatly appreciate these officers and Iko for their willingness to come to the county schools and provide valuable educational programs.

Veteran's Day Holiday

Veteran's Day, November 11, will be a holiday for students and teachers. We will also be out for Friday, November 12. Everyone enjoy your break and stay safe!

Please remember to tell any veterans that you know how much you appreciate their service to our country!

VHS Spelling Bee

The Verbena High School Spelling Bee is scheduled for December 3 at 1:30. The winners from each homeroom in grades four through eight will be competing to be the Verbena High representative at the Chilton County Spelling Bee. Homeroom teachers have been given word lists for students to be studying before their homeroom spelling bees. The Chilton County Spelling Bee will be held on February 10 at the Alabama Power Conference Center at 8:30 am.