Thursday, April 8, 2010

With Just One Click....

Cyberbullying is: Using technology in a hostile way that is intended to harm others.
Bullying has spread from the playground to the Internet. With one click of button it reaches into a mass audience further and faster then ever.
Although some may think cyber bullying is fun and entertaining, what they might not know is that is traceable and in some cases a crime.

Types of online bullying behaviors:
Flaming Angry rude arguments
Harrassment Repeatedly sending offensive messages
Denigration Dissing someone online by spreading rumors or posting false info
Outing and Trickery Disseminating intimate private information that is then sent to others who were never meant to read it
Impersonation pretending to be someone else and posting material to damage that person’s reputation
Exclusion Intentional exclusion from an online group by blocking them.
Cyberstalking: creating fear by sending offensive messages and other harmful online activities
Cell phones have been used to take pictures at school and then pictures posted on line

Kids might not tell you they’re being bullied because of fear of revenge by the bully. Some think no one can or will help them. Others think it will make things worse.
Kids might feel that they will lose privileges of using the computer.

How do you know if your child is a target?
Hopefully they’ll come to you. If not, pay attention to their behavior when they are at the computer. If you notice they are often upset ask what’s going on. Also go to the internet yourself and using the google search engine type in your child’s first and last name in quotes to see if there is anything posted on a website.

· Be observant, recognize the problem when it’s happening,
· Talk to your child about what you expect. Addressing this behavior will let your child know you will not condone it. Caution against joining in on bullying, it’s just as bad as starting it.
· Explain we don’t say anything online we wouldn’t say to someone’s face. Email is not private, a mean remark can be easily forwarded.
· Because email and instant messages don’t include facial expressions, communication can be misinterpreted.
· Stress that passwords should never be shared; someone else could send emails from your child’s account.
· Do not let your child respond to the bullying online. That can make it escalate.
· Let your child know your there for them.
· Make sure the Instant message “buddy list” is limited only to people they know and block all other incoming messages.
· Save the offending messages to your hard drive. The IP provider will want live communication not just a printout.
· Limit time spent online.

West Hempstead Board of Education Budget Meeting

BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET HEARING and BUSINESS MEETING
April 20th 7:30 p.m.
Adoption of Budget and Vote on Boces Budget
West Hempstead High School

For more school budget news see www.whufsd.com
If you have any questions regarding the budget email them to vote18@whufsd.com

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Senator Kemp Hannon Fights Cyber-Bullying

Hannon Fights Cyber-Bullying - Introduces New Legislation
Posted on March 29, 2010
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Senator Kemp Hannon, who’s been spreading cyber-bullying awareness on Long Island and across New York State, has introduced new legislation which prohibits bullying and cyber-bullying on school property and establishes a statewide central registry for bullying, cyber-bullying and hazing complaints.

“Tragically, cyber-bullying has become a new reality, and thus, a serious focus in our communities. We must respond by increasing awareness as well as prohibiting such dangerous behavior,” said Senator Hannon. “It’s important for parents to speak to their children about cyber-bullying and to review the warning signs,” continued Hannon. “We must send a message to everyone as parents, elected officials and community leaders that this type of detrimental behavior will not be tolerated in our schools nor anywhere in our community,” said Hannon.

Signs that your child may be a victim of cyber-bullying include: Avoiding the computer, cell phone, and other devices; appearing stressed when receiving e-mails, instant messages or text messages; withdrawing from family and friends, or acting reluctant to attend school and other activities and avoiding conversations about the computer.

Signs that your child may be cyber-bullying others include: Prior involvement in bullying, or the target of bullying; avoiding conversations about computer and cell phone activities; switching screens or closing programs when you, or others, are nearby; laughing excessively while using the computer or cell phone; using multiple online accounts or an account that is not his or her own; excessive use of a computer and/or cell phone and agitation if access to a computer or cell phone is restricted or denied.

For more information regarding cyber-bullying, visit http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/ and type “cyber-bullying” in the search bar located on the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Move Over Law

Can you let everyone know this?

A GOOD THING TO KNOW:
New Law: If a patrol car is pulled over to the side of the road, you must change to the next lane (away from the stopped vehicle) or slow down by 20 mph. Every state except New York, Hawaii and Maryland and Washington D.C. has adopted this law now.

In New Jersey, the "Move-over" law became operative in 2009, fine up to $500. http://www.moveover america.com

A friend's son got a ticket for this recently. A police car (turned out it was 2 police cars) was on the side of the road giving a ticket to someone else. He slowed down to pass but did not move into the other lane. The second police car immediately pulled him over and gave him a ticket. He had never heard of the law.

It is a fairly new law in some states, if any emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, if you are able, you are to move into the far lane. The cost of the ticket was $754, with 3 points on his license and a mandatory court appearance.

Please tell everyone you know about this new law.

Thank you,
R.C.

Move Over, America
More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America's highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. To lower that deadly toll, a new coalition of traffic safety and law enforcement groups is launching a nationwide public awareness campaign to protect emergency personnel along our nation's roadsides.

"Move Over, America" is a partnership originally founded in 2007 by the National Safety Commission, the National Sheriffs' Association and the National Association of Police Organizations. Most recently, the partnership has also received the full support of the American Association of State Troopers. The campaign is the first nationally coordinated effort to educate Americans about "Move Over" laws and how they help protect the law enforcement officers who risk their lives protecting the public.

According to a national poll by Mason Dixon Polling & Research, sponsored by the National Safety Commission:
·71 percent of Americans have not heard of “Move Over” laws;
·86 percent support enacting “Move Over” laws in all 50 states; and
·90 percent believe traffic stops and roadside emergencies are dangerous for law enforcement and first responders.
The poll was conducted among 625 registered voters from June 23-25. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percent.
Forty three states have passed “Move Over” laws, which require motorists to “Move Over” and change lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers on roadsides.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

AMT Children of Hope Foundation

AMT Children Of Hope Foundation
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano was joined today by Timothy Jaccard, President of the AMT Children of Hope Foundation/Baby Safe Haven Program, to announce that Nassau County will be the first county in the nation to implement a new program identifying ambulances as official “baby safe haven” drop-off sites. The ambulance signage program is part of a national campaign to raise awareness about the program, which allows for mothers to legally and safely relinquish their babies at certain locations.
“The Safe Haven law provides a safe alternative for mothers who are frightened and feel they have nowhere else to turn. The message is simple: if you truly feel that you cannot care for your baby, you have options. Find a Safe Haven location and put your baby into safe and caring arms,” said County Executive Ed Mangano. “Nassau County is committed to the health and welfare of newborns and we are happy to lend our support to this important program.”
New York law allows a mother who believes she cannot care for her baby to legally leave the newborn at a number of locations, including police precincts, firehouses, hospitals, churches or with any responsible adult willing to accept the baby and call proper authorities. Over the past decade, safe haven laws have been adopted in all 50 states and 2,636 babies have been safely relinquished.
All ambulances in Nassau County, and later, the nation, will be identified as Safe Haven locations with signs reflecting the logo, "Safe Baby - Safe Place - Safe Haven.” The Nassau County Police Department has installed them on all of its ambulances, as did the North Bellmore Fire Department, Winthrop Hospital, Wantagh-Levittown Ambulance Corp. and Life Star Ambulance Corp. This initiative is being funded by AMT Children of Hope and will have no financial impact on Nassau County.
The AMT Children of Hope Foundation was founded in 1998 in response to a number of abandoned, deceased infants discovered in the community. The organization — comprised of members of the Nassau County Police Department, AMTs, local healthcare workers and civilians — provides dignified burials for innocent children lost to unsafe abandonment, and is committed to putting an end to such tragedies.
The goal of this awareness campaign is to prevent the loss of innocent lives - most recently, the infant discovered in the Yaphank Recycling Center in January 2010,” said Timothy Jaccard. Named “Thomas John Hope,” a burial for the infant is currently being arranged.
The AMT Children of Hope Foundation operates a 24/7 emergency hotline to offer assistance to individuals in crisis who are pregnant and have nowhere to turn. In 2009, the hotline received 2,115 calls. The organization also provides support to prepare parents-to-be to raise their child or make an adoption plan if they choose to; counsels them to share their situation with parents and/or other relatives; and educates them on the Safe Haven law.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

New Animal Cruelty Hotline

DA Rice Announces Creation of New Animal Cruelty Unit and Tip Hotline

Newly created unit will combat animal cruelty and endangerment
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced the creation of a new unit within her office to handle cases involving animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect in an effort to better protect vulnerable pets and animals.

“This newly created unit will give a voice to the victims of animal abuse, and send the message that the abuse and neglect of animals is not tolerated in Nassau County,” Rice said. “The Animal Cruelty Unit will do everything possible to ensure that those who endanger pets and other animals will face the full brunt of the criminal justice system.”

This unit will handle all felony and misdemeanor cases, including:

Animal abandonment
Severe physical abuse
Domestic violence-related abuse, such as violence exacted against a significant other’s pet or use of violence to ensure silence of child sex abuse victims
Neglect, such as food or water deprivation, lack of medical care or shelter

In addition, prosecutors within the unit will conduct training for local law enforcement agencies and give presentations to animal rights groups.

Residents are also encouraged to call in to the unit’s newly created hotline at (516) 680-8624 if they think an animal is being abused. All callers will be kept anonymous.