MiddleSchool Summer 2008Edition_Revised2

Middle School Edition For The Parents

Summer 2008

BeSafe Child

TM

Since 1994

Internet Addiction Marijuana路Alcohol Teen Parties Gangs And More!

Lufkin Independent School District

Our Mission is to facilitate optimal learning for all students and to enable them to lead fulfilling and productive lives in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex society.

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Inside BeSafe Child BeSafe Publications

Preventing Child Abduction............................ 4

566 CR 4103,

Is Your Child Addicted To The Internet?...... 5

Jacksonville, TX 75766

Safe Surfing On The Web................................ 5

1-800-233-8568

903-586-3767 Fax 903-586-0333

Marijuana Is No Laughing Matter................. 7 Alcohol & Energy Drinks: Know The Facts.. 8 What Parents Need To Know About Teen Parties & Alcohol............................................. 9 Keep Kids Fueled With Fiber......................... 9 East Texas Students Participate In Diabetic Study............................................................... 10 “Teen Proofing” The Home............................11 Gangs: Not Just A Big City Problem............ 12 MRSA & STAPH............................................ 14

www.besafechild.com email: info@besafechild.com Publisher/Editor: Royce Ewing Office: Patricia Goar Area Coordinator: Rodney Allen Spokesperson: Dr. Sharon Young Graphic Design/Layout: Claudette Wooddell ©Copyright 2008 BeSafe Publications

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information within these pages. We cannot, however, assume any liability for its validity or completeness or for additional or changed information subsequent to the date the information contained herein was submitted for publication.

BeSafe Publications welcomes your suggestions and inquiries. Articles from professionals in child safety are also encouraged.

While we retain our copyright position, we do grant permission to responsible parties to duplicate our articles in the interest of child safety, health and good character.

Protecting Kids From Inappropriate TV..... 15

On The Cover:

Memorial Health System of East Texas and the H.C. Polk Diabetes Center are partnering with the state of Texas to determine what children are at risk of developing diabetes. The Childhood Lifestyle Intervention Program (CLIP), which is being funded by a generous grant from the Polk family, screens and educates all middle school students on the importance of eating healthy and staying fit. Read more about the CLIP program on page 10. Pictured with Ray Polk, center, who donated funds for the program are, bottom row left to right, Levi Hurley, Cannon Bullock, Preston Polk, Angela Hernandez, Karla Hernandez, and Dorian Lane.

Middle row, left to right: Ray Polk, Andrew Polk, and Amanda Hattaway. Back row left to right: Breylon Garcia, Alli Bartlett, and Abby Yates.

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Preventing Child Abductions A

By Lt. David Young, Lufkin Police Dept.

kidnapped child is every parent’s worst nightmare. Thankfully it’s a rare event in the United States. The purpose of this article is to discuss stranger or non-parental abductions. This article won’t address family or non-custodial parent abductions.

Though they take similar resources to investigate they are a different type of crime.

The frightening part of stranger abductions is that approximately 4 in 10 victims are killed. Another 4% are never found. A significantly high percentage of these victims are physically and/or sexually abused.

As horrifying as those numbers are, there are ways we can protect our children. The primary tool we can use for this is to talk with our children about it. Most children are taught from an early age not to talk with or take candy from strangers. While this is a good start parents should build on it as the children grow. Use the news as a good starting point. When a kidnapping occurs, have the child read the article (if age appropriate) and discuss what could have happened and how to avoid it.

Discuss the common traps predators use.

They often pretend to be hurt or have a lost pet or child they ask the potential victim to help them find. One of the most common traps used by predators is to have a leash and a photo of a dog or puppy and approach a child asking if they’ve seen the “lost” pet.

This leads to asking the child to help look for the pet. Which leads them away to a secluded location or vehicle where the abduction takes place.

There may even be uncommon traps; like using a cute little dog to get the child’s attention.

Predators may pose as authority figures such as security guards, police officers or firefighters to try and form a bond of trust 4

with the intended victim. Some go so far as to obtain jobs working with children to gain close access. This is often a favorite method used by sexual predators to get close to victims too.

If a child is aware of how predators work they are better able to defend against them. We should always watch young children closely while they are outside.

At some point, our older children will require some measure of independence. They should go out equipped with a family code word; a unique code word known only to the child and the parents. For instance, if I send someone to pick up my daughter, she’s been instructed and tested on asking for the code word. If the person trying to pick her up doesn’t have it she is not to go with them before getting the OK from her mother or me.

A number of organizations recommend against putting a child’s name on the back of clothing or sports jerseys. Doing so gives the child’s name to a watchful predator that may use it to make them seem more familiar to the child and create an instant rapport the predator can use to quickly get close to a potential victim.

There are several good resources out there for more information. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has useful information on their web site at www.ncmec. org. The FBI has authority to investigate kidnappings, particularly those of children under 12 years of age. Their web site has several articles and links and can be found at www. fbi.gov.

The primary key to preventing the unthinkable is education. Talk to your child, let them know how predators work and that while rare, kidnapping does occur. A little prevention can go a long way towards safety. Find the time, talk to your child about this soon.

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Is Your Child Addicted To The Internet?

or children and teenagers, the Internet can be an excellent resource for information, communication and entertainment, but many parents are increasingly concerned about excessive time online.

Researchers are finding that for some youths, Internet activity is replacing their real-life experiences and relationships. In extreme cases, Internet addicted youths can compromise their future and health with compulsive Internet use. Dr. Kimberly Young, Clinical Director of the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery, offers these warning signs for parents: Losing track of time while online Sacrificing sleep to spend time online Choosing time online over friends and family Constantly checking e-mail and text/IM messages throughout the day Becoming agitated or angry when online time is interrupted.

A new children’s book and animated film, produced by the Internet Keep Safe Coalition, is designed to help parents talk to their children in a fun, non-threatening way about the risks involved in spending too much time online.

Dr. Young also recommends several steps for parents who are concerned about their child’s Internet use.

Address the problem. Take some time to think about what needs to be said. Expect an outburst designed to

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make you feel guilty or inadequate. Avoid responding emotionally. Don’t lecture. Acknowledge your child’s feelings but stay focused on the topic of excessive Internet use.

Show you care. Children often interpret questions about their behavior as blame and criticism. Remind your child that you love him or her and that you care about his or her happiness and well-being.

Become more computer savvy. Learn the lingo (both technical and popular) and become comfortable with the Internet; at least enough to know what your child is doing online.

Set reasonable time limits. Work with your child to establish clear boundaries for the amount of time spent online. Allow perhaps an hour per night after homework, with a few extra weekend hours.

Encourage other activities. Help children find alternative interests, whether it be something they used to enjoy or something new, such as joining a team or a club at school. Talk to them about what they most enjoy on the Internet so you can steer them toward healthy reallife equivalents.

If you believe your child may be addicted to the Internet, the Parent-Child Internet Addiction Test can help assess your child’s dependence. It is available online at www.ikeepsafe.org/TEST.

Safe Surfing On The Web

nowing what your kids are up to online can help protect them from identity theft, cyber strangers and other potential pitfalls of the Web. Yet a recent report, the Norton Online Living Report, conducted by Harris Interactive for Symantec, found that many parents are disconnected when it comes to understanding their children’s Internet use-and only a third of parents worldwide set parental controls and monitor their children’s online activities.

In fact, the findings indicate that American parents

think their kids are online two hours a month. In reality, kids report spending 20 hours a month online.

The Norton Online Living Report by Symantec, makers of Norton security software, questioned parents and children in eight countries. It also revealed that 41 percent of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 years old agree that their parents have no idea what they are looking at online. Here’s what kids said they were up to on the Internet: • Making Friends-About a third of U.S. online

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children ages 8 to 17 have made friends online.

That percentage increases as kids grow older, with 50 percent of U.S. teens, ages 13 to 17 reporting they have made friends with people online. One in three U.S. children report that they prefer to spend time with their online friends the same amount or more than their offline friends.

• Social NetworkingSeventy-six percent of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 years old constantly, frequently or sometimes visit social networking sites. Globally, about half of boys and girls visit social networking sites-and it seems kids are taking after their parents. Forty-seven percent of U.S. parents constantly, frequently or sometimes use social networks, while 46 percent of U.S. children report the same.

• Shopping Online-About one in three U.S. children report being very confident or confident in shopping online.

• Getting Requests For Personal InformationAbout four in 10 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 have received an online request for personal information.

Safe Surfing Perhaps most alarming is the disconnect between kids and adults when it comes to possible Webbased dangers. Sixteen percent of U.S. children report having been approached online by a stranger. However, U.S. adults believe that number to be

just 6 percent.

“This report clearly demonstrates a digital divide between parents and their cyber-savvy children,” says Marian Merritt, Internet safety advocate at Symantec. “We’ve always taught our children not to talk to strangers in the offline world, and now we must teach our children how to safely exist in an online world filled with strangers.”

Merritt offers more information at her Norton Family Resources Web site www.norton.com/family resources. The site lets you e-mail Merritt with questions and stories. It also includes tips and information on Web-based safety issues, from securing your home network to cyber bullying, as well as a Family Online Safety Guide that offers these tips: • Limit approved Web sites and hours spent online.

• Set high-security settings with browser, membership and social networking sites.

• Install and maintain Internet security software and parental controls.

• Use parental controls to limit the Web sites your children can visit.

• Talk about protecting private information (name, phone number, etc.) and never sharing passwords with friends.

• Monitor your child’s computer use.

Bryan Padgett of Freedom Computer in Lufkin told BeSafe, “My customers find that moving the computer out of the bedrooms and into a family room is the best way to keep their kids safe when on-line.”

Learning More To find out how much you know about the Internet and online safety, visit www.cybersmack down.com. To learn more about the survey and to check out some Web-based videos, go to www.nor ton.com/onlineliving.

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Marijuana Is No Laughing Matter!

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By: Dr. Sharon Young and J.P.O. Eric Young

iddle School students are reaching a point in their lives where lifelong attitudes are going to be formed. As parents of middle school students, ask yourself the following questions: “What drug do you talk to your kids about?”

“What drugs do you think could be most harmful to your child’s future?” Alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin or other hard-core drugs would be the ones named most by parents. These parents are overlooking one important drug of choice for many teenagers. Most parents would not name marijuana as the drug that would have a significant negative effect on the lives of children. THOSE PARENTS WOULD BE WRONG! Marijuana is an extremely dangerous drug. Many people would argue that you cannot die merely from the use of marijuana, but the truth is that marijuana does kill your child’s future. Marijuana affects the brain in much the same way as cocaine and heroin. Another important fact about the marijuana of today is that it is more addictive than it was twenty years ago.

The marijuana sold on the street today has a higher THC (the chemical that gives the high feeling) than marijuana that was available in the 1970’s. It is even possible that the child that smokes a “joint” today may or may not be smoking pure marijuana. The dealers of today sell marijuana that has been soaked in formaldehyde, and it is referred to as

“amped.” This marijuana causes the user to have many of the same symptoms as PCP. Individuals who have smoked this type of marijuana have impaired judgement and therefore engage in risky behavior.

Studies are currently being conducted to determine how much permanent damage is done to the users brain as a result of the toxins. In addition to the dangers of “wet” (another name used for this type of marijuana) being dipped in formaldehyde, some dealers have returned to the practice of dipping the marijuana cigarettes in PCP or methamphetamine.

The dangers of this drug are very real for our teenagers. Marijuana has typically been treated as a “harmless” drug. Around 40% of the people arrested in the U.S. are arrested for marijuana related offenses. Around 60% of the children sent to drug rehab are sent for marijuana use. Marijuana lowers the users inhibitions and kills their enthusiasm. Those who become frequent users will often have no other ambition in life other than to get high. The physical side effects include stunting of growth, becoming sterile, increased appetite, bloodshot eyes, and general lethargy. Marijauna can destroy a child’s life to the same extent as any “hard-core drugs”, but we treat it like it is no big deal. MARIJUANA DESTROYS YOUR LIFE! That is not a laughing matter.

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Alcohol & Energy Drinks: Know the Facts

arents: Do you know what P your kids are really drinking? Some of the ever popu-

lar energy drinks that kids are purchasing at record levels are now being laced with alcohol. Which ones? Well, it’s difficult to tell because they look identical to the energy drinks with flashy can designs. Alcoholic energy drink producers have built on the popularity of nonalcoholic energy drinks. The beer industry is banking on brand confusion by marketing to youth who already are drinking energy drinks that contain record levels of caffeine.

Chris Lilly, Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control said, “This new line of alcoholic beverage product is extremely similar in look and feel to the popular energy drinks that contain no alcohol. Our youth are at risk when clerks and retailers cannot differentiate between nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages being sold.”

Some energy drink brands

are even owned by beer companies like the energy drink MONSTER and 180 are owned by Anheuser-Busch.

What’s even scarier is that parents are not aware that you can buy alcohol in the energy drinks and don’t question their kids when they see them drinking them. They look so much like typical energy drinks that it would make it very difficult for parents to know that what their kids are actually drinking has alcohol in it. Plus, the type of marketing for these drinks includes the internet, text messaging, MySpace and Facebook. How many parents have a MySpace page or use text messaging as much as teens? This is how the beer industry is reaching out to youth to inform them of their products. And guess what?

It’s even cheaper to buy than their nonalcoholic counterparts – 25% cheaper in most cases.

So what’s exactly inside one of those alcoholic energy

drinks? How about enough alcohol to equal two beers and enough caffeine to equal six Cokes. They are also concocted with a sugary sweet taste to mask the taste of beer.

What can parents do? Be aware of what your kids are drinking – always check the labels. Energy drinks have nutritional values on them.

Alcoholic ones don’t. Be aware of the health risks.

Caffeine and alcohol are not a good mix. The two combined together results in being drunk wide awake. Never assume it’s just an energy drink – looks can be extremely deceiving.

Join The Coalition. The Coalition is made up of concerned parents and community members like yourself.

Together, we can all make a difference and provide a safer environment for our children.

Call (936)634-9308 to find out more or log on to: www. angelinacoalition.org.

Can you tell which can of energy drink has alcohol in it?

The beer industry is hoping that you can’t.

If you guessed Rock Star 21 and Sparks, you guessed right. But how are parents to be able to tell the difference when they are marketed to look just like a typical energy drink?

For the safety of our kids, educate yourself, educate others and join The Coalition. (936)634-9308 www.angelinacoalition.org 8

What Parents Need To Know About Teen Parties And Alcohol

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s an adult, it can be tempting to be seen by children and teenagers as the cool mom, dad, uncle or neighbor. But sometimes the actions that lead to this can have consequences. One such behavior is providing alcohol to minors.

According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, 10.8 million people ages 12 to 20 report drinking alcohol in the past month. Although a percentage of these offenders have older friends or siblings who supplied the alcohol, parents and adults are often the main supply source-either by letting kids have access to alcohol in the house or through condoning its use at parties they “host.”

Cutting Off The Supply New research by Harris Interactive shows that 78 percent of U.S. adults believe there should be legal consequences for adults who host parties where people under 21 are allowed to consume alcohol. Oddly, despite their belief in legal consequences, half (48 percent) of all adults believe that people under 21 should be allowed to consume alcohol under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian.

“All states have laws that can be enforced against

adults serving alcohol to minors,” said Alan Kopit, a lawyers.com legal editor. “The adults who most often face criminal and civil charges include those who either provide alcohol to intoxicated minors or adults that provide alcohol to those underage who are later involved in automotive crashes or other accidents.”

Tips For Party Hosts “Adults are clearly conflicted by this issue, but the only way to avoid risk is not to allow underage drinking at parties,” said Kopit.

1. The party host is responsible if anyone under 21 is found with alcohol.

2. Ensure that minors are not served. Think of hosting a party at a third-party location with an alcohol license, such as a hotel, bar or restaurant. You can also enlist professional waiters and bartenders to ensure that guests are not served if they become overly intoxicated or are underage.

3. Have designated drivers and the number of cab companies readily available.

To learn more about this or to find a qualified attorney in your area, visit www.lawyers.com, a comprehensive and trustworthy online legal resource.

Keep Kids Fueled With Fiber

o one likes to be hungry-especially chilN dren! Since good nutrition is essential to normal growth and development, it’s impor-

tant to feed hungry children food that tastes good, satisfies hunger and avoids adding unnecessary calories to their diet.

“Currently, 15 percent of children in the U.S. ages 6 to 19 are overweight, and another 16 percent are at risk of becoming overweight,” said National Fiber Council (NFC) Board member Christine Williams, MD, MPH. “Fiber-rich foods can play an important role in helping children maintain their weight, manage their health and live healthier lives.”

In addition to aiding in weight management, a high-fiber diet can also help to lower the risk of developing chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol.

Here are a few ways to add fiber to your child’s diet: • Use whole-grain products when possible. Stock up on whole-grain breads, rolls, crackers and cereal. Encourage whole-grain crackers topped with peanut butter or lowfat cheese as a snack, rather than cookies.

Or consider pouring them a bowl of their favorite cereal topped with fresh fruit and low-fat milk.

• Add fresh spinach to salads and sand-

wiches instead of lettuce. The leafy vegetable adds crunch as well as fiber and vitamins.

• Beef up the standard PB&J. Add dried fruit and bananas in place of jam.

• Prepare high-fiber snacks. Pack a plastic bag with a cup or two of air-popped popcorn, a serving of whole-grain crackers or a half cup of your homemade “trail mix.”

Or add fresh raspberries and blueberries to yogurt or ice cream.

If you aren’t sure how much fiber your family needs, refer to the fiber intake chart provided.

Visit the NFC’s Web site, www.nationalfibercouncil.org. To learn more about the benefits of fiber and/or to request a free pocket guide, log on to the Web site or call (866) 749-5296.

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East Texas Students Participate in Texas Diabetes Study

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Source: Memorial Health Systems of East Texas

oes a community based lifestyle education program improve health care status in a group of children at increased risk for diabetes? This is a question the Children’s Lifestyle Intervention Program (CLIP) is exploring as the state introduces a landmark study on diabetes in children. The CLIP study, which is being administered by Memorial Health System of East Texas, has been implemented at two East Texas schools, The Lufkin Middle School and The Livingston Middle School.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not generate or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and the lack of exercise appear to have a significant impact, the cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery.

According to the American Diabetes Association, There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

The Program with this in mind, Memorial and its team of experts began a year long study in February 2008 to determine if educating students on the importance of eating healthy and exercising has an impact on diabetes in children. The study began with sixth grade students at Lufkin Middle School being screened to establish baseline data and to determine children who might be at increased risk for diabetes. Then a carefully designed nine week lifestyle education program was inserted into the regular curriculum of the students. The program emphasized good nutrition and physical activity as a means of choosing a healthy lifestyle. All sixth grad10

ers were issued pedometers – a device that measures an individual’s activity level by counting steps (donated by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists). At the end of the school year, students will then be screened again to evaluate any improvement in health care status.

In the meantime, Livingston sixth graders were designated at the study’s “control” group. These students were screened for diabetes; however, by design they did not participate in the nine week lifestyle education program. Like the Lufkin students, the Livingston children will be screened toward the end of the year to see if not having the program played a factor in the number of students diagnosed with diabetes.

The CLIP study represents a tangible step toward addressing rising childhood obesity rates and the concomitant health care issues facing our contemporary society.

• The CLIP study has attracted statewide attention in the effort to raise awareness of diabetes and other chronic diseases among our children.

• The data collected in the CLIP study will be useful for future research.

• The CLIP study hopes to demonstrate the efficacy of resources applied to early education on healthy lifestyles.

• The CLIP study raises community awareness about diabetes and brings the services of the Polk Center and Memorial into the community.

• The CLIP study brings together the expertise and resources of the public schools, the medical community, the private sector and the health care industry to benefit the children of our community.

Many hands have come together to make this effort a success. Memorial would like to acknowledge with sincere appreciation the following individuals and groups: Mr. Ray Polk; Congressman Jim McReynolds; Dr. Lance Sloan, Clinical Director of the study;

Dr. Jeffrey Glass; Dr. Ghazala Khan; Mr. Roy Knight, LISD Superintendent; Ms. Vickie Evans, Principal of Lufkin Middle School; Mr. Craig Walker, Vice President of Business Development at Memorial Health System of East Texas – Lufkin; Ms. Ethel Ballenger, Coordinator of the Horace C. Polk Jr. Regional Diabetes Center; Ms. Deborah Brantley, Nurse Educator of the Horace C. Polk Jr. Re-

gional Diabetes Center; Ms. Tiffany Blackwood, Clinical Dietitian; Ms. Lindsey Mott; Ms. Shanna English; The Faculty and Staff of Lufkin Middle School; Student Nurses from Angelina College; Dietetic Interns from Stephen F. Austin State University; and The American College of Clinical Endocrinologists A.C.C.E.

“Teen Proofing” The Home

Source: Sanborn/Timberlane Safe and Drug Free Community Coalition hen our kids are young, we do • Make sure all firearms are in locked everything to protect them and safe and/or with trigger lock, separate go to great lengths to “child proof” the from ammo. home. We know that children are curi- Monitor internet use ous by nature, so we try to plan ahead • Teens can order prescription medito avoid a dangerous situation. We go cations online, meet adults posing through the house and cover electrical as teens, and get information about outlets and go overboard with the child dangerous misuse of over the counter safety locks, but have you ever consid- medications as well as other “legal’ ered the dangers in your home that ap- substances. ply to your teenage children? Have you • Check you teen’s social networkever “teen proofed” your house? Now’s ing page, such as “my space” or ‘face the time to take a good look over your book” to make sure there is no identihome and see what could be potential fying information that could endanger dangers to your teen. your teen.

Monitor Teen Parties Teen Proofing Checklist: • Use limited guest list by invitation Keep all Alcohol in a Locked Cabinet only, avoid “open party”, don’t use • Inventory and monitor any alcohol email to invite. beverages in refrigerator.

• Welcome calls from other parents, be Lock and Monitor all Prescription and sure to call parents “land line” if your Over the Counter (OTC) Medications teen is attending a party.

• Only buy the drugs you need, moni• Set clear rules ahead of time, such tor quantity used, and properly dispose as no alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. unused portions.

Report violations to parents.

• Urge your friends and other family • Limit party access to easily monirelatives to inventory and secure their tored areas of the house, make regular medications as well. unobtrusive checks.

Do the same inventory on common Be just as concerned about making household cleaners and poisons your home a safe environment for your • Look at the contents of your kitchen teen as you were for your toddler. Your cabinets, garage, office, or anywhere in teen needs you now more than ever. the house where cleaners, solvents and For more information, log on to www. aerosols are stored. Monitor access and angelinacoalition.org or call (936)634quantities for potential inhalant abuse. 9308.

Secure all firearms

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Gangs: Not Just a Big City Problem

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Written by: Dr. Sharon Young and JPO Eric Young

angs were once thought of as a problem that only affected large cities. The pictures of gang graffiti and children dressed in rival colors carrying guns were only seen in movies or on the nightly news. Recent events in the East Texas Area show us that it is very possible that gang activity could be moving into this area. Increased incidents of “tagging” and arrests of individuals for participating in “organized criminal activities” have caused schools and local agencies to be proactive in preventing gang activity so that we will not have to be reactive to a gang problem.

What is a gang? The definition of a gang is a group of individuals, juvenile and or adult, who associate on a continuous basis, form an allegiance for a common purpose, and are involved in delinquent or criminal activity.

Gangs can be a loose group of individuals who “hang out” together commit crimes together, or a formal organization with a leader or ruling council. The gangs that have been identified in Texas include but are not limited to: Black Gangster Disciples, Bloods, Crypts, Latin Kings, Los Zeta, and Skinheads.

The makeup of particular local gangs will

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vary according to the types of activities and the support they have from the national gangs.

“Scavenger Gangs” (Wanna-be’s) have no backing from the “real” gangsters. “Territorial Gangs” protect their block, neighborhood, or city. “Hard-core” gangs want to eliminate ALL rival gangs.

Who and Why? Many different types of people become involved either due to seeking out the gang or the gang seeking them out. Students at middle school are sought out due to the ease in which they can be talked into participating in the criminal activity especially the transporting of drugs and firearms. Gang members look for these younger students who will be charged as minors with lighter sentences if they are caught. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS MUST UNDERSTAND THEY CAN FACE SERIOUS CHARGES ONCE THEY REACH THE AGE OF 10 and these charges could remain with them for life.

Students join gangs for many different reasons and at all ages but the following are reasons most common for middle school students: acceptance, a sense of family, protection, & lifestyle.

Signs of Gang Membership and Activity

Students who are becoming interested in gang activity or are currently active in gang activity can exhibit certain types of behaviors that are associated with their new activity. If any combination of these behaviors occur, it is important to deal with the situation immediately. Students who are just entering the gang life can pull themselves away easier than those who have been fully initiated.

These signs may include but are not limited to: • Common Dress/Common Colors• Specific colors or specific team apparel • Small rubber bands • Colored beads • Shoes • Steel toe boots • Specific TYPES of tennis shoes.

• Graffiti and graffiti-types of artwork in notebooks or on walls • Common tattoos within a certain group • Use of hand signs- Many of the conflicts begin with rival gangs “throwing signs”.

• Loss of interest in family & activities • Lower grades/truancy problems • Referring to friends as family • Listening to Gangster Rap or other violent or racially explicit lyrics

• Using alcohol and drugs • Association with known gang members or admitting membership • Excessive extra money • Common phrases and responses-friends using common phrases such as “What’s Poppin” and the other answering, “That five” or What’s Crackin” and answering “That six”.

The first set usually utilized by Bloods with the second used by Crypts.

WHAT CAN I DO AS A PARENT? • Praise children for doing well, encourage participation in positive activities • Get to know your children’s friends • Be a positive role model • Discourage participation in gangs • Talk/listen to your children & set clear limits • Spend quality time with your children • Put a high value on education • Monitor living space for gang paraphernalia, weapons, and drugs • Teach your children decision making skills • Team up with other parents If you have questions or concerns related to possible gang activity contact your school, local police or your local juvenile probation agency.

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MRSA and STAPH

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Source: Dr. Sharon Young from Understanding MRSA From Mayo Clinic

ethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA — has been a problem in hospital/health care settings for years but has recently gained attention in schools. MRSA has also played a role in several deaths among otherwise healthy schoolage athletes. Staph is known to be found on the skin of about three in every 10 people. If the staph is on you but you are not feeling the ill effects you are considered “colonized” but not infected. The number of people colonized by MRSA is much smaller than the 30 percent colonized by ordinary staph.

Healthy people can be colonized with MRSA and have no ill effects. However, they can pass the germ to others by sharing items such as towels, clothing and athletic equipment.

Staph bacteria are generally harmless unless they enter the body through a cut or other wound, and even then they often cause only minor skin infections in healthy people.

The risk factors for staph include: *Close skin-toskin contact *Open wounds *Contaminated items and

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surfaces such as clothes and athletic equipment *Poor hygiene (although even very clean people can get staph infections) Protecting yourself from MRSA/STAPH with these common-sense precautions.

• Wash your hands. Careful hand washing remains your best defense against germs. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer for times when you don’t have access to soap and water.

• Keep personal items personal.

• Keep wounds covered.

• Shower after athletic games or practices.

Don’t share towels.

• Sit out athletic games or practices if you have a concerning infection. If you have a wound that’s draining or appears infected consider sitting out athletic games or practices until the wound has healed.

• Sanitize linens. If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linens in a washing machine set to the “hot” water setting (with added bleach, if possible) and dry them in a hot dryer. Wash gym and athletic clothes after each wearing.

• Get tested. If you have a skin infection that requires treatment, ask your doctor if you should be tested for MRSA. • Use antibiotics appropriately. When you’re prescribed an antibiotic, take all of the doses.

Protecting Kids from Inappropriate TV Content

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Source: Suddenlink Communications

he explosion of cable TV channels over the last couple of decades has given consumers a dizzying and wonderful array of content choices. And broadband content delivered over cable wires has opened up a new multimedia world on the Internet. But these innovations have also created new challenges for parents concerned about what images and sounds reach their children’s eyes and ears.

While parents may differ on what they find acceptable, one thing is certain: They have never had so many control tools at their disposal. The blocking technologies available now are like nothing that has preceded them in terms of convenience, ease of use, and effectiveness.

Not only do television shows now operate under a detailed ratings system that distinguishes between violent, sexual, and other mature content, but the V-chip required in all new TV sets gives parents the power to block any show they find offensive. Most cable operators provide easy-to-use parental-control tools in their set-top boxes – and have committed to providing blocking technology free of charge to customers who don’t already have it.

No control technology is foolproof – some screen out the good with the bad, and none can educate as well as filter. But when combined with media-literacy awareness and skills – understanding the effects, sources, and intentions of any media content – controls offer parents a first line of defense against content that may be inappropriate for children.

TV Ratings and the V-Chip The most basic of controls include the television ratings system. Similar to the familiar movie ratings sys-

tem that has been around for more than 30 years, these ratings offer even more guidance about the content and appropriateness of most TV programs (excluding news and sports). Here’s the breakdown: TV-Y: Appropriate for all children TV-Y7: Appropriate for all children age seven and above TV-Y7-FV: Appropriate for older children, but includes “fantasy violence” TV-G: General Audience. Most parents would find material appropriate for all ages.

TV-PG: Parental guidance suggested. Some material may be unsuitable for younger children.

TV-14: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be unsuitable for children under 14.

TV-MA: Mature audience only. Material may be unsuitable for children under 17.

Often these ratings are accompanied by additional letters to denote specific red flags, including violence (V), sexual content (S), or crude language (L). Fortunately, the technology in your TV or set-top box can do the work for you.

The ratings on their own are merely informational, but they become a powerful parental-control tool when combined with the V-chip, which is in every TV set 13 inches or larger manufactured after January 2000.

For more information visit these websites: www.ciconline.org www.ControlYourTV.org www.familysafemedia.com/weemote.html www.fcc.gov/vchip

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CARING FOR THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY

WITH A CIRCLE OF CARE. Improving the health of our youth is a top priority at Memorial Health System of East Texas. That’s why our team of experts at the Horace C. Polk Diabetes Center is focused on teaching students the importance of eating healthy and exercising regularly.

Our children are our future, and we are dedicated to helping them maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.

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Lufkin

Livingston t San Augustine t Memorial Specialty Hospital 936-634-8111 t Visit us online at memorialhealth.org

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