Tools: There are a number of tools available to you that will help you determine how the schools in prospective areas are performing. The internet can be a valuable tool and is the obvious choice when if you are moving to an unfamiliar area. GreatSchools.com is a good place to start and will give you some basic statistics about many schools. There is a review feature where people can comment on particular schools, but the schools that you are interesting in may or may not have reviews.

Most states’ departments of education will provide important statistics such as performance on various test and student/teacher ratios. Be sure to examine both the current rating and past ratings so that you can see trends. Are the schools getting better, worse, or holding steady? It is important to understand the trends in your area of interest. If the schools are declining that could adversely impact property values as many people will want to live where they can send their children to good schools.

Tips for the research process: If it is practical, visit some of the schools in the area to get a sense of what they are like. Are they in good condition? Do they seem overcrowded? Do they have good facilities and equipment? The answers to these questions are obviously important if you are planning to send your child to school, but even if you aren’t consider what other people moving to the area might think?

If you wouldn’t send your children to the schools in your area, then it’s probably the case that many other folks wouldn’t either if given the choice. This can have the effect of lowering demand for properties, which naturally in turn means lower home prices. Protect yourself from this problem by putting in the effort to research the schools in the area you are planning to move to before buying a home there.

Thinking of moving to Boulder Colorado? Visit Automated Homefinder for instant, free access to over 65,000 homes for sale.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joel_D_McDonald

The following year the fires were back bigger than ever before. This time half the city of 100,000 people were in danger with half of Malibu CA over the hill cut off. Many lost their homes and few lost their lives unable to get out of the canyons in time. The fire moved so fast there was little time to escape. This year the fire was believed to be arson related, although no one was ever caught. That year there were other fires all burning simultaneously around Northern and Southern CA and parts of Northern Nevada.

That is when The Car Wash Guys, our company decided that they would get involved. Although many of us live in very green areas, where fires have a tough time getting started, once they do get going they generate their own wind and heat and little stands in their way. The most important strategy is to catch them early. Of the nearly 20,000 brush fires annually in the Western States in the Forest Regions, few ever get out of control, but the ones that do we all remember. By uniting the entire community and working together we can decrease the number of fires intentionally started and a better response to those that are started by negligence or by Mother Nature such as lightening. We must work hard to preserve our area and make our community one of the best places in the World, a person could ever hope to live. We have a great community and we intend to guard against the loss from fire. We want our community to be the greatest in our state and our citizens, friends and families to know that we are all looking out for them and they are looking out for us. No longer will the temptation exist for an unethical situation to occur from an arsonist. Arsonists will know that our town is a no fly zone and that it is not only a police car, fire department vehicle or the USDA Forest Service truck that they need to be concerned with. They will be caught if they attempt anything by the first person who sees them. The Schwann’s delivery truck, the school bus driver, an electrician, a plumber, a real estate agent, anyone and everybody will be observing while driving around in their normal course of business. With this same group of people we too wish to interact with Mother Nature to keep the natural forest fires to a minimum. We intend to protect our families, homes and beautiful serene area from devastation that can be prevented or quickly contained.

You may wish to consider setting up a neighborhood arson watch in your area as part of community effort. If you are interested in learning more, we have written a free online 21-page E-book, which is available at:

http://www.lancewinslow.org/arsonwatch.pdf

Perhaps you might look through it and see if this is a potential solution for your community during this next fire season?

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

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For the neighborhood kids growing up in the late 60’s, the fort was a representation of both our independence and ingenuity. We had a place to call home on those beautiful and endless summer evenings where it stayed light until well past 9 p.m., signaling we would not be called back home until darkness fell. Summer meant no school and an extra hour or two with our friends swapping stories. More important, we designed and built the BoGaKoTeZa sanctuary with our own hands. What a pleasurable reminder this was of our early team building efforts.

Growing up on The Hill, as it was commonly referred to, was an exercise in youthful utopia. In the 1950’s, many young married couples pushed slightly westward in the Chicago suburbs to secure an affordable home with a small piece of land. Most of the homes were similar tidy brick ranch structures with 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, a family room, and a 1 car garage positioned on a quarter-acre (or less) of land. The very rare split-level would occasionally interrupt the sea of small ranch homes. Situated behind the houses on our block were sloping dense woods where we would walk, play, and socialize for hours. Kids ruled the neighborhood. It seems that nearly all the parents were in their middle to late 20s, of Bohemian or Polish ancestry, and had several kids in tow. The neighbors at the end of our block had 6 children, and our next door neighbors – the “Za” in the name of our fort — ultimately had 8 children. We were the exception — Irish Catholic with a relatively paltry 4 children.

This was a period when kids went outdoors and played. Perhaps in the spirit of pre-video game suburbia, kids were forced to congregate, play sports, communicate, and learn from each other. Our backyard, like that of all the neighbors, and in stark contradiction to Robert Frost’s admonition that “good fences make good neighbors”, was devoid of a fence and represented an open invitation of friendship. The backyard, meanwhile, was never an appropriate advertisement for Scot’s Turf Builder. Instead, our backyard was an active child’s paradise, simultaneously torn up to construct a mini golf course, beaten down in straight lines where we frequently ran the bases, or shredded completely to accommodate a lawn hockey game complete with homemade nets constructed of wood and chicken wire. Perhaps the greatest news was that our parents would either help in the construction of the various backyard games or, at the very least, enjoy having all the neighborhood kids visit and play. Except when we would inadvertently destroy the same sapling that my dad tried to plant, year after year.

The Hill was not only a haven for kids. For some relatively strange reason (strange by today’s standards anyway), the parents all got along seemingly well, too. They were part of bowling leagues, social clubs, invitees for each other’s parties, and communal workers when the water well needed to be repaired. This was a group of young people who rarely had two nickels to rub together, but who always helped each other and pulled together in time of need. These neighbors never moved. To this day, 50 plus years later, there remains a handful of the old guard still living on The Hill. Our 40-year home tenure was probably the norm.

The Hill was also a place of great experimentation. Most of the neighbor kids had their first communal taste of alcohol or nicotine, represented in the form of a beer or pack of cigarettes surreptitiously pilfered from someone’s house. And many more kids had that first kiss with the neighbor girl. With the assistance of my best neighborhood friend, a girl with whom I enjoyed that first kiss, I even unintentionally lit my first and only forest fire. It certainly didn’t help matters that as the fire started to spread, we tried to “smother” the conflagration with dried leaves to the horror of the volunteer fire department. That’s a story for another time.

From a child’s perspective, we were engaging in exciting yet debaucherous and sinful activities that might forever condemn us to hell. Forty years later, it is obvious that these were innocent and perhaps even necessary steps in our adolescent development.

Fort BoGaKoTeZa lasted a couple of summers and in the end was torn down or died of neglect as we grew older. I can’t remember which. But I do remember the pride in its construction and the joy we all felt hanging out there. These were simpler days, forever gone, only to be pulled from our memories. I miss The Hill.

http://www.dailyharangue.com

The Daily Harangue was started by a group of friends who had much to say, but agreed on little. These candid discussions on topics ranging from politics to music, nature to art, life, love, and the human condition have always been a free flow of ideas that serve to strengthen, rather than to destroy, the bonds of our friendship.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Gaynor

We set up tables and chairs. Everyone contributes something whether it is food, plates, utensils, or drinks. It’s a combined effort and every bit of it is worthwhile. Neighbors of all variety show up; young parents, old parents, empty nesters, grandparents. Adults stand around and talk. Kids run around and play. It truly is one of the simplest forms of entertainment you can provide.

I can attest that the concept of block parties works. My family ventures outside more and now we take the time to walk across the street to say hello. I feel more comfortable going next door to borrow a cup of sugar. There are now additional adults that care, and watch my children while they play outside.

You get the wonderful gift of knowing different types of people who are interesting in different ways. It teaches your kids (and reminds yourself) to respect and appreciate the people that are, logistically, the closest to you. I have many neighbors who I consider friends. I encourage you to start your own neighborhood block parties. It will give you an accessible, extended family and provide wonderful memories for your children.

FamilyIgloo.com ( http://www.familyigloo.com ), an online social network for families in Orange County and Los Angeles, has a family events calendar. FamilyIgloo.com ( http://www.familyigloo.com ) provides parents of children and kids, PTA, and families with parenting articles and the resources to connect and get together in schools and neighborhoods. Our mission is: “Connecting Families and Building Communities”.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ghassan_Gholmieh

A neighborhood association is basically a group that organizes crime watches, welcome wagons and special events. A neighborhood yard sale or block party can help people raise money and meet new people. If you are really ambitious you could even start a neighborhood newsletter. It is community efforts like these that help neighborhoods grow closer and give each other the support system that is so important – especially during tough times like these. There is a comfort in knowing who your neighbors are, knowing that they will be there for you during difficult medical or financial times or even just when you need a friendly shoulder to lean on or a cup of sugar.

The first step to starting a neighborhood association is deciding on a place to meet. Usually a community resource like a youth center or school will let you use space for free. You could even use a room in your house if it is large enough to hold a moderate-size group of people.

Next you’ll want to print out flyers announcing your initial neighborhood meeting. It doesn’t have to be fancy or elaborate, just a simple sheet detailing the purpose of the meeting, location, time and date. Hang flyers up in prominent areas in the neighborhood such as churches, grocery stores, schools and recreation centers. It may also be appropriate to leave flyers on people’s doorstops. My neighborhood association set up a refreshment stand during Halloween and offered a sign-up sheet for people interested in joining the association. Later they could use the contact information to get people together for neighborhood meetings. However you get the word out the next step is preparing for the event/meeting. Some planning is a good idea at this time. Write an outline of the points you want to discuss and some plans you have for the future of the neighborhood. Next you’ll want to provide some coffee, fruit punch and maybe some baked goods for the meeting.

At this first meeting you can talk about the different functions that you would like the organization to perform. For example, you’ll need a committee to oversee the neighborhood association. Other possibilities are a welcome wagon which will welcome new families, introduce themselves and provide a basket with neighborhood information, coupons from local businesses, and possibly a little welcoming gift. Or possibly a group of neighbors would like to work together on a neighborhood newsletter to keep the neighbors up to date on the goings on in the area, such as births, deaths, school and church events, weddings, etc. You can also set up a group to act as a crime watch to either patrol the streets at night or at least keep an eye on homes while the residents are out of town.

You won’t believe the feeling of belonging that comes over a neighborhood when the members of it is working on making it a safe, clean, peaceful and friendly place to live.

For more information on becoming active in your community, please visit http://www.lendahandri.com

Jenn Carpenter works as a freelance writer, blogger and internet marketer from her home in Warwick, RI. She is a mother of three as well as an active member of her community. To learn more about her amazing story check out http://www.livingmybigdream.com

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The issue of bullying has grown over the past decade. School and neighborhood bullies affect hundreds of thousands of elementary, middle and high school students across the nation.

Words & Terms

Bully: One or more individuals, who intentionally cause fear, harm or intimidate others.

Victims: The person who is being bullied.

Bystander: One or more individuals who are watching a victim being bullied. These individuals may encourage the bully or support the actions of the bully.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is initiated by one or more individuals with the intent to cause harm, fear or control over another person. The bully generally has more social and physical power. Bullying is often repeated with the same individuals harassing the same victims. Other common factors include:

• Bullies often feel justified in causing feelings or physical pain.

• Bullying is different than fights or conflicts. Bullying involves an imbalance of power or control.

• Bullies are self-centered. They bully to fulfill a pleasure, desire or need.

• Bullies are often involved in other inappropriate acts that may include vandalism, theft, fighting, drug abuse, truancy and police issues.

• Bullying often causes victims to withdraw and become depressed. Some victims take extreme measures that may include violent revenge or suicide. Approximately 70% of the school shooters were victims of bullying.

Common Forms of Bullying

Physical: This type of bullying involves physical contact with the victim’s body. Hitting, punching, shoving, pushing, tripping and other acts of potentially harmful contact are common.

Emotional: This type of bullying is intended to cause psychological or mental pain. The bully uses words, gestures or written messages to cause the victim to feel sad or hurt. “Cyberbullying” is now a common method used by many bullies. This involve the use of computers or phones to e-mail, chatline, text or instant message someone with the intent to cause emotional stress or pain.

Verbal: This type of bullying involves words that are meant to be intimidating, embarrassing or hurtful gossip. Using inappropriate words such as slut, whore and bitch are common.

Racial: This type of bullying is meant to attack individual or group cultures, skin color, accents or beliefs. Racial slurs and taunts are common and cause victims to feel threatened, isolated or rejected.

Sexual: Sexual bullying singles out victims because of their gender or sexual orientation. Unwelcome sexual advances are common. Victims who appear or are of a different sexual orientation than the bully are often called “gay,” “faggot,” and other names with intent to cause emotional pain.

Why Bullies Bully?

• To become more popular

• To act out the behavior that was demonstrated to them

• Impulsive behavior or action

• To control others

• Failure in school or other life activities

• Jealous tendencies

• Feel or gain enjoyment by watching others suffer

• Desire to look tough

• Social status gain

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying uses technology such as the internet, text messaging and other forms of computerization to attack victims. More and more students are using blogs, instant messaging and chat lines to embarrass, humiliate, threaten or cause fear in others. Cell phones and text messaging is also becoming a more frequent form of technology to bully an individual. The impact can be more devastating for the following reasons:

• Bullies can distribute negative information worldwide at a fast pace without the victim being able to retrieve the information.

• Others may add to the bullying message by logging on to the blog or instant messaging.

• Cyberbullying is easy passed on from one sender to the next at a click of a button.

• Creativity is endless. Some individuals edit pictures and create false messages to go with the picture often placing the victim in a bad situation that is not true.

• Rumors and gossip are spread at the speed of a “click.”

Signs That A Child May Be A Victim

• Your child is easily distressed.

• Your child prefers to be alone.

• Your child has unexplained bruises or sores

• Your child cries without telling you why.

• Your child displays symptoms of ongoing sadness or depression

• Your child exhibits poor self-esteem.

• Your child often visits the school nurse with complaints of headaches and/or stomach aches.

• Your child does not want to attend school or other outside activities.

What Can Parents and Schools Do?

Identify the Bully

Parents may not realize that their child is bullying other students. Some parents believe that if their child is picking on other students that this is just a normal growing process for their child and developmental in nature. Other parents believe their child may not be bullying, but “paying back” others for what was done to their child. Bullies are usually aggressive, lack compassion and display strong mood swings. Bullies usually have average intelligence, display a high level of self-esteem and are socially accepted by his or her peers. Bullies often are self-centered, feel justified, seek attention and falsely blames or accuses others.

Prevent Cyberbullying

The following strategies can be implemented by parents to prevent cyberbullying:

• Discuss cyberbullying with your child. Let your child know of its harmful effects. Let your child know that cyberbullying may be against the law!

• Keep the computer in a place where you can see it. Cyberbullying often goes on when adults are not present. Many parents do not allow a computer hooked up to the Internet to be placed in a child’s bedroom or other room out of visual range of a parent’s eyes.

• Establish rules and consequences for cyberbullying.

• Don’t assume that your child is not involved in cyberbullying. Many children report that they have been with a friend who is the cyberbully. Your child may just be a “bystander,” but this behavior encourages the cyberbully to continue his or her behavior. Ask your child if he or she is playing the “bystander” role in bullying. Let your child know your expectations if this behavior is occurring.

• School districts need to establish and enforce Internet use policies for their schools. Many schools have their students and parents sign a document that includes the rules of Internet use by students and the consequence of misusing the Internet at school. Students should not be allowed to use the Internet at school without a staff member being present. Most schools prohibit cell phone use in the classrooms. School policies and rules for cell phone use need to be implemented and enforced by school staff members and school administrators.

• Victims of cyberbullying can save, print and use the written information or pictures as evidence of cyberbullying. Threats, violence, harassment or extortion should be reported to the proper authorities (police, school officials etc.).

Bully Prevention

Parents and school need to educate children on what bullying is, it’s impact and what can be done to prevent it. ScottCounseling presents other ideas that parents and schools have successfully implemented to prevent bullying:

• Develop a home and school plan that promotes a positive climate. Parents need to discourage inappropriate name calling, gestures and hurtful teasing. Schools needs to hold school forums or invite popular anti-bully speakers to “Stomp Out Bullying!”

• Encourage your children to report bullying to an adult. Let children know that the bully will not find out who is doing the reporting. NEVER PUT THE BULLY AND THE VICTIM TOGETHER UNLESS THE BULLYING IS OCCURING BY BOTH PARTIES.

• Supervise and place adults in places where bullies do their best work. Be aware that bullies are good at manipulating adults. They work in the locker bays, restrooms, crowded hallways, school buses and bus stops, neighborhood parks, youth centers, church youth activities, on the phone, computers and other places where children out number the adults by more than 10 to 1.

• Assign adults to keep track of bullies who have reoccurring issues. The idea here is not to punish the bully, but to promote a change of behavior. School counselors are often an effective strategy or means to help a bully change his or her behavior.

• Assist the victim by helping him or her to communicate feelings regarding being bullied. Victim may also need to learn how to avoid bullies, learn “come back” statements and change behaviors that may open them up to a bully’s tactics. Again, school counselors are great resources to help victims of bullying.

• Teach the “bystanders” how to not standby, but encourage the bully (who may be their friend) to stop what they are doing. Bystanders need to learn to speak up, tell the bully to “leave ‘em alone,” or help the victim to leave the area.

School Counselor and School Administrators’ Role

When bullying occurs, the school counselor or school administrator should:

• Initiate an immediate conversation with the individual who displayed the bullying behavior.

• Contact the parents and provide appropriate information regarding the situation.

• Continue to document all incidences of bully behavior.

• Inform the person who is bullying that his or her actions will be monitored.

• Let the person know why their behavior is considered bullying.

• Monitor grades, classroom behavior and other activities (sports etc) and frequently communicate with parents.

• If grades are low, place individual on an academic plan and extra school help.

• Have the individual meet regularly with school counselor and, if necessary, an outside counselor trained to modify behavior.

• Help the victim with school counseling and outside school counseling, if necessary. Monitor the victim’s behavior and academic performance.

• Help the person who is doing the bullying to become involved in positive school activities, clubs and volunteer work if/when appropriate.

The worst thing that adults can do to help a bully situation is DO NOTHING! Don’t do nothing. Call the teacher, school counselor or school administrator until you reach someone who states that they are willing to help.

About the Author

The National Center for Missing and Exploited children put together this child safety list. It contains very valuable information on what to do to keep our kids safe, worth sharing with everyone.

Once kids are able to talk, you can begin teaching them some basic safety essentials.

At Home

1. Teach your children their full names, address, and home telephone number. Make sure they know your full name.

2. Make sure your children know how to reach you at work or on your cell phone.

3. Teach your children how and when to use 911 and make sure your children have a trusted adult to call if they’re scared or have an emergency.

4. Instruct children to keep the door locked and not to open the door to talk to anyone when they are home alone. Set rules with your children about having visitors over when you’re not home and how to answer the telephone.

5 Choose babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends, and neighbors. Once you have chosen the caregiver, drop in unexpectedly to see how your children are doing. Ask children how the experience with the caregiver was and listen carefully to their responses.

On the Net

1. Learn about the Internet. The more you know about how the Web works, the better prepared you are to teach your children about potential risks. Visit NetSmartz.org for more information about Internet safety.

2. Place the family computer in a common area, rather than a child’s bedroom. Also, monitor their time spent online and the websites they’ve visited and establish rules for Internet use.

3. Know what other access your child may have to the Internet at school, libraries, or friends’ homes.

4. Use privacy settings on social networking sites to limit contact with unknown users and make sure screen names don’t reveal too much about your children.

5. Encourage your children to tell you if anything they encounter online makes them feel sad, scared, or confused.

6. Caution children not to post revealing information or inappropriate photos of themselves or their friends online.

At School

1. Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. If your children ride a bus, visit the bus stop with them to make sure they know which bus to take.

2. Remind kids to take a friend whenever they walk or bike to school. Remind them to stay with a group if they’re waiting at the bus stop.

3. Caution children never to accept a ride from anyone unless you have told them it is OK to do so in each instance.

Out and About

1. Take your children on a walking tour of the neighborhood and tell them whose homes they may visit without you.

2. Remind your children it’s OK to say NO to anything that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused and teach your children to tell you if anything or anyone makes them feel this way.

3. Teach your children to ask permission before leaving home.

4. Remind your children not to walk or play alone outside.

5. Teach your children to never approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult.

6. Practice “what if” situations and ask your children how they would respond. “What if you fell off your bike and you needed help? Who would you ask?”

7. Teach your children to check in with you if there is a change of plans.

8. During family outings, establish a central, easy-to-locate spot to meet for check-ins or should you get separated.

9. Teach your children how to locate help at theme parks, sports stadiums, shopping malls, and other public places. Also, identify those people who they can ask for help, such as uniformed law enforcement, security guards and store clerks with nametags.

10. Help your children learn to recognize and avoid potential risks, so that they can deal with them if they happen.

11. Teach your children that if anyone tries to grab them, they should make a scene and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.

About the Author

Family & its neighborhood

Members of the family: Those members, who know that injustice is being done to senior citizens, may seek external help to sort out the issue. As EA is mostly a social issue covering moral and ethical values (apart from legal angle), the role of family members should not be neglected. When neighbors get to know about Abuse, instead of shying away saying ‘it is their internal matter’, they should reach out and expose the victimizer. It is easier for outsiders to bring pressure from say police than for insiders.

School Teachers

School teachers can sensitize their wards about the necessity of showing respect to elders. Gripping stories describing how grand children owe much to their grand parents, grandparents’ defenseless pathetic situation etc may be told. Children may be asked to take an oath that they will take care of their elders when they grow up. Case studies of EA happening around may be explained showing why this is bad and should not be tolerated. They can conduct quizzes and contests.

World Elder Abuse Day, Mother’s Day, Grandpa’s day etc may be utilized for bringing about awareness. TV, Radio, Print and the Web may be used for publishing articles. Competitions, polls, quizzes may be conducted. Walkathons may be organized. NGOs may rope in celebrities for participating in such events. Industrialists may be encouraged to sponsor such events.

Academic Researchers

In order to tackle the menace of EA we need to know the exact magnitude of the problem. We have no studies or data relating to EA in India. Research work being carried out is inadequate. Which age group suffers most? Is it men or women? What are the most important causes for EA? Why do people put up with it? What efforts are already in place for tackling EA? There are hundreds of questions but no concrete answers. Academic research departments like those of Sociology, Psychology, and Gerontology etc must engage M Phil & PhD students to take EA as an important area for in depth study.

Summary

In this four part series we have seen what various sections of the civil society and the government may do in the area of Elder Abuse. In my view the victims should come forward to seek mitigation. Otherwise no amount of others’ intervention will be useful.

About the Author