Stop bullying-kids-Bullies-bad kids-kid help-kid bullies-school-bullys in school -bad bullys

Bullying occurs once every seven minutes. That means that while you read this tip sheet, it is likely that at least one bullying incident will have occurred. In schools across America, one in three students report being bullied weekly. The good news: educators want to do something about it. In 2010, NEA conducted the first nationwide survey to include the opinions of education support professionals as well as teachers on issues relating to bullying in public schools. According to NEA’s survey, 98% of school staff believed it’s their job to intervene when they see bullying occur. So, we agree that we should do something about bullying. Where do we start? In order to intervene, we must first be able to identify bullying. Once bullying is identified, we can take the necessary actions to stop bullying and prevent it from occurring in the future. This tool kit is intended to help educators know how to identify bullying, intervene in a bullying incident, and advocate for bullied students.

WHAT IS BULLYING?

“I have witnessed physical and verbal bullying in the cafeteria, especially when adult presence is low,” says Donna. “This usually happens during breakfast when we have a limited staff on duty. Name calling and pushing and shoving are typical things that we deal with.”
Donna West, a food service professional at Brownwood Elementary School in Scottsboro, Alabama, says even the young children in her K-4 school need to be reminded that bullying can hurt.

Understand What Bullying Is

Bullying is systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt and/or psychological distress on another. Bullying can be physical, verbal or social. Bullying is not just child’s play, but a frightening experience many students face every day. It can be as direct as teasing, hitting, threatening, destruction of property or forcing someone to do something against their will, or as indirect as in rumors, exclusion, or manipulation. Bullying involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the one who bullies and their target.

Understand What Bullying Is Not

It is important not to misuse the term bullying for every behavior problem. Identifying what a behavior really is (and labeling the behavior not the student) helps us to select the most appropriate intervention strategies. Can you distinguish bullying from normal conflict? There are three basic ways to know the difference. The student doing the bullying:

• Picks on their target day after day (repetition).
• Wins because their target is smaller, younger or less socially able to cope (power imbalance).
• Enjoys seeing their target afraid and upset (intent to harm).

What About Bullying I Can’t See

Today’s students are faced with bullying that the caring adults in their lives can’t always see at school (at least not in the traditional sense).
CYBERBULLYING is the term applied to bullying over the Internet, via email, text messaging, and similar technological modes of communication. Cyberbullying includes sending or posting harmful material or engaging in other forms of social aggression. This form of bullying is more intense as it can occur around the clock, and the text or images can be widely disseminated, well beyond the school grounds.
SEXTING is the term combining the words sex and texting. It applies to the act of creating, sending, posting and disseminating sexually suggestive text messages, pictures or videos of oneself or others. Sexting generally is done via cell phones, but teens also use computers, web cams, digital cameras and other electronic devices to get to the Internet.

Bullying and Sexual Harassment

SEXUAL HARASSMENT at school is unwanted and unwelcomed behavior of a sexual nature that interferes with a student’s rights to receive an equal educational opportunity. Bullying and sexual harassment are different, yet linked, behaviors. Bullying in children can develop into sexual harassment in older students. Bullying and sexual harassment share several predictors, such as low empathy and a need for dominance in a relationship.

Bullying and Assault

ASSAULT is defined as a violent verbal or physical attack. Assault is a form of extreme bullying that has legal implications. Targets of assault may seek legal action.

Where Bullying Behaviors Take Place

Bullying occurs during the school day and after school hours. It happens in the school building, in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, and in the cafeteria; on the playground or other outdoor common areas on school grounds; and on the bus or at the bus stop. It is important to note that bullying occurs most often in areas where there is little or no adult supervision.

Bullying and District and School Policies

A clear definition of bullying is an essential component of bullying policies. You should be able to locate your school and/or district policy on bullying. Assess the policy for inclusion and accuracy of a bullying definition. If your school or district doesn’t have a policy or if the definition is unclear, this is a good place to get started with your prevention program and advocacy efforts.

Bullying and State Laws

Almost all states currently have a law addressing bullying in schools. Review the law for inclusion of a bullying definition. Does the law effectively communicate an educator’s legal responsibilities regarding bullying? Does the law require training of all school staff?

Commonly Targeted Populations

Usually, the students targeted by hurtful comments or actions are different from their peers in some way. According to the NEA survey, educators reported that bullying based on a student’s weight (23%), gender (20%), perceived sexual orientation (18%), and disability (12%) were of concern in their school. Homophobia plays a large role in the bullying of students who are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), gender non-conforming, or those questioning their sexual identity. According to a 2011 National School Climate Survey conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), 8 out of 10 middle and high school LGBT students experience harassment at school because of their sexual orientation. Students are also commonly targets of bullying based on their religious beliefs. Research has shown a trend in the bullying of Muslim- American students. Recent studies indicate the group most targeted for bullying is special education students. When special education students are targets of bullying, some are likely to then bully fellow special education students.

Know The Consequences

Bullying will lead to a number of negative consequences academically and emotionally. In addition to poor attendance and decreased academic performance, bullying causes feelings of helplessness, anger and frustration. The consequences experienced are not limited just to the person who is bullied. Bullying causes mental, physical and emotional damage to all involved, including bystanders.
And, research has shown the effects last well into adulthood. When you think of these consequences remember this one fact: Bullying is preventable and, thereby, the consequences are too.

Please share this with everyone you can, we can stop this before it starts, kids are dieing from this, ENDING thee lives, why are we not stoping this!!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bJV17zIvHPM

Endangered Turtles of Maine-painted tutle-snapping turtle

 

New road signs to help Maine’s endangered turtles

 The Blanding's turtle is among the species that Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy is working to protect by posting warning signs by turtle crossing hot spots in southern Maine.

 

 

New animal-crossing signs are popping up along the roads of York County, and in place of the typical silhouettes of deer and moose is the shape of a turtle.
“Turtles look very much today as they have for 200 million years,” said Phillip deMaynadier, biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. “They survived the mass extinction that took out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Very few predators can break a turtle shell — until the car came along.”
State biologists are installing the yellow warning signs in strategic locations in Wells, South Berwick and York, alerting motorists to slow down and watch for jaywalking turtles.
“Turtles do what they’ve always done when they encounter a threat of a predator,” deMaynadier said. “When they crawl out in the road and feel the vibration of a car — a threat — they pull into their shell and stop. And that just doesn’t work with a car.”
“Turtles aren’t going to change their behavior quickly enough to adapt to cars,” he continued. “So we’re trying to change driver behavior to accommodate turtles.”
The DIF&W, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, is asking motorists to be on the lookout for turtles in roadways and to slow down upon spotting a new turtle crossing sign. Drivers who come across a turtle in the road and want to help are asked to pull over and, if it is safe to do so, move the turtle to the side of the road in the direction it was headed.
“The only turtle that can pose some risk to you if you pick it up is a snapping turtle,” deMaynadier said. “They’re called a snapping turtles for a reason.”
To shoo a snapping turtle from the road, he suggests walking slowly behind it.
The turtle crossing signs will only be posted during turtle nesting season, May-July, when Maine’s female turtles undertake risky overland forays to reach nesting areas. Biologists hope this will maximize the signs’ impact and reduce “sign fatigue,” a local driver’s tendency to ignore a sign that is displayed year round.
So far, turtle crossing signs have been specifically located to reduce vehicle collisions with two of the state’s rarest turtle species — the spotted turtle and Blanding’s turtle.
“The whole issue of turtle road mortality is pretty important statewide for all the species, it’s just that our resources as an agency are limited, so for now, we’re focusing on the endangered species,” deMaynadier said. “We envision expanding that effort throughout the state for not just endangered turtles, but also for other species in areas where there are high rates of documented mortality.”
Blanding’s and spotted turtles, both protected under Maine’s Endangered Species Act, can be easily identified.
The Blanding’s turtle has a long, bright yellow neck and a high-domed shell that curves out at the edges (often described as being helmet-shaped). It is one of the two species of turtles in Maine that has the ability to close itself into its shell as protection from predators, the other being the box turtle.
Many consider the spotted turtle to be Maine’s most attractive turtle, with its telltale orange polka dots decorating a smooth black shell and legs that sport bright orange, pink or reddish scales.
“They’re very popular in the pet trade, which is another stressor,” deMaynadier said. “They’re collected illegally.”
Both species have several things working against them in the modern day world.
“Spotted and Blanding’s turtles use vernal pools and pocket swamps and small shrub wetlands that tend to fall through the cracks of regulatory protection, so they’re often degraded or destroyed,” deMaynadier said.
And they move between these small wetlands throughout the year, causing them to cross roads.
In 2006, radio transmitters were placed of nearly 100 Blanding’s and spotted turtles in southern Maine in a study to learn how these turtles move between wetland habitats. The cooperative study by the University of Maine’s Wildlife Ecology Department and DIF&W was led by UMaine doctoral student Fred Beaudry, and the data gathered was used to identify the road crossing hot spots where the signs are being erected.
Though most abundant in southern York County, these two species have been seen living farther north — Blanding’s turtles as far as southern Androscoggin County, and spotted turtles as far as western Hancock County.
“A lot of species reach the end of their range in southern Maine,” said deMaynadier. “It’s actually a conservation conundrum.”
Southern Maine has the highest species diversity of plants and animals in the state, as well as the highest concentration of endangered and threatened species. This poses a challenge for conservationists because southern Maine also has the highest human population density and traffic volumes in the state, deMaynadier said.
Based on recent population modeling, researchers believe that if people are responsible for an increase of just 2-3 percent in the natural mortality rate of these endangered turtles (for example, by causing road mortality), the local population will crash over time.
Both Blanding’s and spotted turtles are extremely long-lived.
“They don’t become sexually mature until they’re teenagers — not unlike humans,” deMaynadier said. “But unlike humans, they experience very low reproductive success and very high nest mortality. The only way they can balance that out is very high adult survivorship, so they can try and try and try again … a Blanding’s can live to be able 75 years old or so, and in that 75 years, it may only replace itself with one or two adult offspring.”
The DIF&W shares turtle population data with land trusts, landowners and towns to help identify parcels of high conservation value.
“A lot of land that has been conserved in southern Maine has been done specifically with turtle conservation in mind,



Endangered Turtles of Maine


The painted turtle
   (Chrysemys picta) is the most widespread native turtle of North America. It lives in slow-moving fresh waters, from southern Canada to Louisiana and northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The turtle is the only species of the genus Chrysemys, which is part of the pond turtle family Emydidae. Fossils show that the painted turtle existed 15 million years ago. Four regionally based subspecies (the eastern, midland, southern, and western) evolved during the last ice age.
The adult painted turtle female is 10–25 cm (4–10 in) long; the male is smaller. The turtle's top shell is dark and smooth, without a ridge. Its skin is olive to black with red, orange, or yellow stripes on its extremities. The subspecies can be distinguished by their shells: the eastern has straight-aligned top shell segments; the midland has a large gray mark on the bottom shell; the southern has a red line on the top shell; the western has a red pattern on the bottom shell.
The turtle eats aquatic vegetation, algae, and small water creatures including insects, crustaceans, and fish. Although they are frequently consumed as eggs or hatchlings by rodents, canines, and snakes, the adult turtles' hard shells protect them from most predators. Reliant on warmth from its surroundings, the painted turtle is active only during the day when it basks for hours on logs or rocks. During winter, the turtle hibernates, usually in the mud at the bottom of water bodies. The turtles mate in spring and autumn. Females dig nests on land and lay eggs between late spring and mid-summer. Hatched turtles grow until sexual maturity: 2–9 years for males, 6–16 for females.
In the traditional tales of Algonquian tribes, the colorful turtle played the part of a trickster. In modern times, four U.S. states have named the painted turtle their official reptile. While habitat loss and road killings have reduced the turtle's population, its ability to live in human-disturbed settings has helped it remain the most abundant turtle in North America. Adults in the wild can live for more than 55 years.

Caring for your turtle is relatively easy once the basics are established. Dispel the thoughts of getting a turtle and putting it in a bowl of water with a rock. Those little "Turtle Ponds" you can still find in pet stores, are completely inadequate and have even been dubbed by experienced keepers as "Death Bowls". Turtles require more than a small, simple container to ensure proper health and longevity. Heating, lighting, temperature control, filtration - all play an important role in the health and happiness of your turtle. Even a large aquarium, filled to the top with water is not meeting their needs, as they need an area to get out of the water and get completely dry.        Also toss out the ideas that turtles can survive on hot dogs, cat food and shrimp treats. Their diets are a highly evolved science, of which we are only beginning to unlock and understand. Various species have specific feeding needs, so the exact dietary requirement of your turtle will need to be researched (Care Sheets are a great assistance in determining what is needed). There are numerous prepared foods on the market, but not all are quality. You don't need to be a nutritionist to understand what is required, but you do need to understand what to look for. Sounds sophisticated, but it's all simple once you understand the reasons why and why not to put things on the menu.         The lamp on the desk or the overhead light in the room is not going to meet the requirements of your turtle. They need special lighting which will allow them to perform bodily functions that regular lighting does not do. Room temperature ok? Guess again. Turtles are ectothermic, what used to be called "cold blooded". This means that they do not generate their own body heat. They rely on the sun to get warm and the water to cool down. You will need to ensure that their air temps, basking temps and water temps are within the acceptable guidelines. This will not only ensure their health, but will give them a more natural feeling about their habitat and allow them to act naturally.          Turtles are not like dogs and cats - they do NOT enjoy going for walks and being handled. It is key to remember this as some keepers allow their turtles to walk around on their floors, they take them outside for walks or they hold them and carry them around and some even take them to the pet stores as they would their dog. This is not something your turtle will enjoy, nor is it good for them. This causes unnecessary stress and could will eventually lead to health problems. Leave them in their habitat and watch them swim, eat, bask and move about in their home which you have provided. They will be much happier and so will you.

	Feeding your turtles seems to be the most complex aspect of keeping them healthy and active. A simple task yet requiring some planning and structure, based on the species that you are keeping.         Turtles are usually opportunistic feeders. In other words, they grab it when they can because they really aren't sure when they might get the chance to eat again. Do not be fooled---turtles will learn to recognize you and any food containers you have. They will quickly have you trained! Overfeeding is one of the most common mistakes in captive care. Keep in mind that they are not always hungry...but they are always looking for a meal because it's how they survive in the wild. They don't know that you are going to feed them routinely, so keep a regular schedule and try not to veer from it.         As far as a diet goes, you want something high in calcium yet low in phosphorus. Stay away from fatty foods and those with a high carbohydrate and protein content unless the turtle is a strict carnivore. Don't over-feed or under-feed anything

All About Turtles

How Can You Help?

1. Keep wild turtles in the wild. Don't collect pond turtles for pets. Observe and enjoy them in their natural habitat.
2. Don't pollute. Don't let plastic bags and balloons get into the water. Pick up garbage from beaches and decrease your use of plastic by using paper bags, paper plates instead of styrofoam, and letting fast food restaurants know you don't need your food wrapped in so many layers! Recycle as much as you can.
3. Ban the balloon. Sea turtles and other marine animals sometimes eat plastic bags and balloons.Instead of having balloon releases to celebrate special events, organize a lady bug or dragonfly release. They are available in quantity from biological supply catalogs.
4. Help a turtle across the road. If you should see a turtle trying to cross a road, stop, and when it is safe for you to do so, carry the turtle to the side of the road in which it was headed. Don't carry a turtle by its tail. For a snapping turtle or other large turtle, push it across with a stick.
5. Protect your town's open spaces. You can learn where the natural habitats are in your community. Explore them, learn about them, and tell others about them. Work with the town conservation commission or department of parks and recreation to promote the use and understanding of the parks, ponds, and wetlands in your town. Perhaps you might be the first to write a field guide to your town's natural area.
6. Learn and teach. The more you know about turtles, their homes, and their needs, the more you can teach those around you to value them.

- See more at: http://www.gma.org/turtles/help.html#sthash.uJs9vocB.dpuf

All About Turtles

How Can You Help?

1. Keep wild turtles in the wild. Don't collect pond turtles for pets. Observe and enjoy them in their natural habitat.
2. Don't pollute. Don't let plastic bags and balloons get into the water. Pick up garbage from beaches and decrease your use of plastic by using paper bags, paper plates instead of styrofoam, and letting fast food restaurants know you don't need your food wrapped in so many layers! Recycle as much as you can.
3. Ban the balloon. Sea turtles and other marine animals sometimes eat plastic bags and balloons.Instead of having balloon releases to celebrate special events, organize a lady bug or dragonfly release. They are available in quantity from biological supply catalogs.
4. Help a turtle across the road. If you should see a turtle trying to cross a road, stop, and when it is safe for you to do so, carry the turtle to the side of the road in which it was headed. Don't carry a turtle by its tail. For a snapping turtle or other large turtle, push it across with a stick.
5. Protect your town's open spaces. You can learn where the natural habitats are in your community. Explore them, learn about them, and tell others about them. Work with the town conservation commission or department of parks and recreation to promote the use and understanding of the parks, ponds, and wetlands in your town. Perhaps you might be the first to write a field guide to your town's natural area.
6. Learn and teach. The more you know about turtles, their homes, and their needs, the more you can teach those around you to value them.

- See more at: http://www.gma.org/turtles/help.html#sthash.uJs9vocB.dpuf

Warrants arrest- arrest warrants-maine arrest

 
BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A judge has issued an arrest warrant for Katelyn Lugdon, sister of triple homicide victim Nicolle Lugdon, after failing to appear in court.
Lugdon's charges stem from late April, when she refused to cooperate with the state during trial. She was considered a key witness in the trial.
If and when Lugdon is arrested, she will be held on $1,000 dollars bail.

Preventing dogs from biting kids-dog bites

 

BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Dog bites are a serious public health problem. Half of all children will be bitten by a dog by the time they are twelve. But some trainers say with a little education on how dogs behave pets, parents, and kids, could avoid most bad encounters. Trainers said any dog could bite - no matter, the size or breed.
Depending on the breed, some dogs are more likely to bite or nip compared to others, yet experts said a playful accident can turn into a tragedy. They also said more than 60% of dog bites come from the breed of pit bulls.To stop a bite from happening trainers said the dog needs to be trained along with the owners and kids.
It's all about reading the dog's expression, according to co-owner of Green Acres Kennel Shop, Don Hanson said you need to read a dog's behavior before approaching.
"I really believe most dog bites can be prevented. One, by training the dog. Two, by training the children and three by training the adults."
Hanson said you should not pet a dog on their head instead scratch their sides, chest or base of their tail.

Vampire rappist in Maine- child molester

 



PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The FBI continue to investigate a man known as the Vampire Trucker.
Timothy Jay Vafeades was arrested in November and indicted in March on multiple charges of kidnapping, transportation for illegal sexual activity, transportation of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
According to authorities, Vafeades was holding his 19-year-old daughter captive in his truck for over six months, repeatedly sexually and physically abusing her. He had been living in and driving his truck around the country for years, and additional victims have been identified since his arrest.
Vafeades targets victims using intimidation, brutality, and appearance-altering techniques. He has utilized dental inserts to appear to have vampire-like fangs, and has filed the teeth of some of his victims as well. Some victims were also made to wear wigs or cut & color their hair to disguise their identities.
These details may be key in identifying his involvement in abuse, battery, kidnapping, and possible missing persons cases over the past two and a half decades.
Vafeades is known to have traveled to the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.