Know Your Kids by Bradford Era

The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

Activities are here for teens By ALEX DAVIS Era Reporter a.davis@bradfordera.com

eenagers often have the misconception that there’s just nothing to do in Bradford and the surrounding area. If they look around, they’ll see that the area is teeming with many activities — they can engage in everything from getting involved with youth groups to working out to walking dogs. The YMCA of the Twin Tiers in Bradford has several opportunities for children and teenagers. Family Prime Time and Children Watch allow families to be able to use the YMCA at the same time. The program, which is for families with children six weeks to 12 years, runs from 9 to 11:15 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 4 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students in sixth grade can get a free membership to the YMCA. The initiative is intended to inspire youth to discover their passions, develop a healthy lifestyle, gain the assets needed to avoid risky behaviors and succeed in school and life. Also at the YMCA there are plenty of activities, including interactive fitness, ping pong, Wii gaming, xBox 360 gaming, PS2 and Kinect gaming, board and card games, competitions, homework helpers, community service and music fun. The YMCA also has a Y-Care — school-age child care for kindergarten through 12-year-olds. The program lets out at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call the YMCA at (814) 368-6101. Some teens would rather be part of a group than spend time on their own. “There are a lot of hurting and broken kids. A lot of them are doing things that are hurting them,” said Open Arms Community Church assistant pastor Justin Willoughby. Open Arms’ Epic Faith Youth Group is something positive. “It gives them hope, a place to hang out,” Willoughby said. The youth group kicks-off for the school year starting at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at the church on 1289 East Main St. in Foster Township. The group is open to students in sixth grade to seniors and could include pizza,

music and games. While the calendar is still being worked on for this school year, two field trips are set.  Students will be heading to The Ignite Fest on Sept. 6 in Meadville. That event is a youth festival featuring some of the nation’s top Christian artists and speakers. On Sept. 27, the youth group will attend Rock the Lakes in Erie, which will showcase American Christian evangelist and missionary Franklin Graham and several well-known Christian music artists. Not everyone who goes to the youth group is a Christian. Some teens have no religious affiliation, Willoughby said. And that’s perfectly fine, he said. Anyone is welcomed to the group. Summer is usually brings a low turnout for the youth group, but numbers climb during the school year, he said. Teens also have another outlet they can go to — at the Grace Lutheran Church property at 79 Mechanic St. in Bradford. Sixth- through 12th-graders meet at 10:15 to 11 a.m. Sundays for Bible study. From 6:30 to 8 p.m. the second and fourth Sunday, teens in ninth through 12th grades meet for fellowship, discipleship and worship as part of a group named O3, according to that church’s website. Students can also put time in at the McKean County SPCA. Those at least 16 years old can walk dogs. At any age students can play with cats in the catio. They can also help clean the kennels, wash the dishes and do the laundry. Shelter manager Nicole Proctor said the local SPCA relies on donations and said volunteers are crucial. For more information about the McKean County SPCA, call (814) 3628850. Junior and senior high-school students can also  participate in the United Way of the Bradford Area Inc. They are able to team up with an area organization as student ambassadors. The mission of the local United Way is to raise and distribute funds for the purpose of community building and enhancing the quality of life in the greater Bradford area. More information about the United Way of the Bradford Area Inc. can be found by calling (814) 368-6181.

helping kids make good decisions

4 chores and punishment 5 local charity makes a big difference 6 school sucess tips

inside the mind of a child

8 20 ways to increase online safety 8 cyber-hate prevention

parenting by example

10 CYS can help 10 enouraging friendships 11 recognizing drugs and usage

The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

Programs to keep children on good path By AMANDA NICHOLS Era Reporter a.nichols@bradfordera.com

he McKean County District Attorney’s office continues to offer three programs in an effort to help keep area youth on a good life path. The programs include the Drug Recognition Program, Safe Choices Program and 2 Smart 4 TRBL — all available to any interested parents, schools or organizations that deal with the well-being of young people. The Drug Recognition Program is usually put on for parents and caretakers by McKean County detectives, who present the tools needed to identify the signs of drug use in children as well the best course of action in dealing with a child under the influence of drugs, according to Learn. “The biggest question we get from caretakers is what they should look for, and that’s why we have the Drug Recognition Program,” Learn said. “We see more instances of grandparents raising children, and they especially have a lot of questions. “They are least likely to recognize a new form of drugs (of which there are increasingly more) and some new drugs are less obviously a controlled substance.” He said the Safe Choices and 2 Smart 4 TRBL programs are primarily for young people, themselves. Safe Choices involves talks on making good decisions, such as not drinking and driving or getting in a car with someone who is drunk, and how avoiding risky behavior can lead children to better outcomes in life, according to Learn.

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The 2 Smart 4 TRBL initiative focuses more on juvenile delinquency and crime, he said. “Young people might not take crime to seriously because they are under the age of 18, but not all juvenile crime goes off your record,” Learn explained. “It’s still very serious” and can affect the trajectory of a young person’s life. He said the programs, which are done through the state’s Attorney General’s office, involves discussions and videos of various scenarios kids may find themselves in if they break the law. When asked about the youth reaction to the programs, Learn said they are both very well-received. “It’s hard to measure what doesn’t happen,” he said. “It’s hard to say a kid didn’t go get in a crash because of a program, but if it saves one life, it’s worth it.” Learn said one of the videos from the Safe Choices Program shows a victim’s impact statement from a mother who lost her son in a drunk-driving incident. She accepted the chance to address the judge during the court case that followed, and the video shows her emotions and words after the senseless tragedy. “They try to put a human element — it’s a local incident, a recent incident and very real,” Learn said. “Her son was the passenger in a vehicle accident on (U.S.) Route 219, and he died. It shows the pain and the loss of life, and I think makes a real impact on the kids watching. “It shows that a decision can lead to very bad consequences and that always gets their attention,” Learn added. “It shows the practical side of laws, and if they are lucky enough not to get dead or hurt — the punishments.”

It takes a village to raise a child... There are local resources available we can help you find them!

Learn said he hopes the children take away the tools they need to help make good decisions and stay out of trouble. “If they know the dangers, they can try to avoid them,” he said. “I tell the kids, it’s hard to do when they are with their friends and having a good time, but that’s when it’s most important.” His advice to parents: “You have to

be available to your children, to be there to get them out of a jam. They need to know they have options to get out of a bad situation.” Learn said his office mails out invitations to all area schools to do the programs each year, but if any group or organization is interested, they should contact his office.

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The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

T h e T ruth About U nderage D rink ing Myth Alcohol isn’t as harmful as other drugs. FACT Alcohol increases your risk for many deadly diseases, such as cancer. Drinking too much alcohol too quickly can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can kill you. Myth Drinking is a good way to loosen up at parties. FACT Drinking is a dumb way to loosen up. It can make you act silly, say things you shouldn’t say, and do things you wouldn’t normally do (like get into fights). Myth All of the other kids drink alcohol. I need to drink to fit in. FACT If you really want to fit in, stay sober. Most young people don’t drink alcohol. Research shows that almost 75 percent of 12- to 20-year-olds have not used any alcohol during the past month.1 Myth Adults drink, so kids should be able to drink, too. FACT A young person’s brain and body are still growing. Drinking alcohol can cause learning problems or lead to adult alcoholism. In 2012, adults who had taken their first drink before age 15 were seven times more likely to experience alcohol problems as those who had not started drinking before age 21.1 Myth I can drink alcohol and not have any problems. FACT If you’re under 21, drinking alcohol is a big problem: It’s illegal. If caught, you may have to pay a fine, perform community service, or take alcohol awareness classes. Kids who drink also are more likely to get poor grades in school and are at higher risk for being a crime victim.

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Age appropriate By AMANDA JONES Era Correspondent amandajonesera@yahoo.com

arents are pretty well split on what responsibilities their children should be assigned and at what ages. Most parenting experts agree that it is never too early to develop good habits in children, and a very important part of childhood is learning to be self-sufficient, which will serve them well in their adult lives. Obviously, younger children are much less capable of tasks like washing dishes or mowing the lawn, but they are able to pick up toys or complete other simple jobs around the home. Similarly, a consequence that is quite effective at deterring young children from throwing temper tantrums will not stop a teenager from talking back to adults. So, at what age should parents be expected to start turning over some of the household chores to the children who benefit from them? And, how can problem behaviors and defiance be remedied in those age groups? There is a happy medium, and there are a wealth of online resources to help parents figure out what is too much too early, and help avoid giving their children too little, too late. In addition, there are a number of county agencies, including Family Centers and Collaborative Boards, which have programs and initiatives aimed at educating parents on balance in the home. The Incredible Years program, developed by professor emeritus Carolyn Webster-Stratton and her colleagues at the University of Washington’s Parenting Clinic, is one program employed by a number of local agencies, including the Cameron County Family Center in Emporium and Family Centers in McKean County. “We are teaching the Incredible Years program right now for children ages two to eight, which talks about how to create situations to get the expected behavior out of your child. If you do these things, positive behavior will be the result,” stated Family Center director Heidi Aikens. “Our mission is to advance the social and emotional behavior of children of all ethnic groups through a series of interlocking parent, teacher and child

programs supported by more than thirty years of clinically proven worldwide research,” the Incredible Years program information states. The program has been employed in more than 20 countries, and was designed for use with young children with early onset problems or ADHD, but can be used to promote social and emotional learning, emotion regulation and problem solving for any child, with a goal of preventing conduct problems before they begin. The program coaches parents on how to effectively handle situations that arise on an age-appropriate level, fostering mutual respect for all members of a family. For younger kids especially, praise and rewards for good behavior seem to be far more effective than punishing bad behavior. Sticker charts or bean counting jars, with a reward given for reaching a set milestone, can be a simple, effective and non-confrontational way to encourage good behavior. By praising positive behaviors and ignoring negative ones, children will respond in a healthy way to clear cut, defined and consistent rules in the home. Of course, some behaviors demand a reaction, especially those that could cause the child to come to harm. Then, the response should be immediate and the sanction should be tied directly to the dangerous behavior. For example, if the child rides his bike into the street, despite being told repeatedly not to, the bike should be taken away for a period of time. Usually, 24 hours does the trick, and parents should avoid long-lasting or distant consequences, such as taking away a privilege that would not have occurred until later in the month. So, how do parents begin implementing these measures within the home? Most experts agree that starting young — most recommend between 2 and 3 years of age — and guiding and praising children while they learn, is most effective. Making the activity fun by turning it into a game or a timed event also helps. Having consistent, clear rules set as a family helps children know their roles and responsibilities. “Between 24 and 36 months of age, children are able to handle many behavioral responsibilities,” said parenting

The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

chores and punishments

author Dr. Ruth Peters. “Make chore completion fun and be sure to help out, modeling the good behavior yourself.” At 2 years old, only simple, one- or two-step tasks should be assigned, like cleaning up toys and putting them in a bin, or placing dirty clothing in the hamper. As children progress in age and maturity, they can follow more complex, multi-step directions, and by the time they have entered their teenage years, kids can be expected to complete just about any chore an adult can do — with supervision. Doing their own laundry, taking care of the dishes, mowing the grass and watching younger siblings are reasonable expectations for a teenager. “Watch out that you are not doing too

much for them, as they will continue to be ‘helpless’ if you allow that. Self-esteem is largely based in accomplishment, and kids who ‘do’ feel good about themselves,” Peters stated. While every child, and every family, is different, responsibilities can be set for children at every age and maturity level. There is no “one size fits all” approach to parenting, or to assigning chores. A wealth of online resources, including age-appropriate chore checklists and other helpful articles, are available. Family Centers and Human Service Agencies in each county have a number of programs and resources to help parents navigate the pitfalls of child rearing, said to be the most difficult, yet most rewarding, job in the world.

Big Brothers Big Sisters, big difference

program through the next two years according to Annie Wolfe, a McKean County case worker.  Some of that money will go toward TV and radio advertisements aimed at prospective volunteers. The ads often include touching testimonials conveying the ith a growing waiting list of at-risk bond developed between “Bigs” and their “Littles.”  children, a local chapter of the nation’s largest and oldest youth mentoring pro- It was a radio spot that first drew Douglas Shaffer of gram is looking for more adult volunteers in hopes of Ridgway to volunteer as a Big Brother.  “I was a single guy with extra time,” Shaffer said. expanding the service next year and making a differ“I saw the children and youth of today are running ence in the lives of 30 additional children. Members of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program wild and thought if I helped, it could make a difference.”  of Jefferson, Elk and McKean counties gathered at He was soon introduced to Zachary Stolburg, a 14Aiello’s Cafe in Ridgway earlier this month to discuss plans to match 30 additional children with adult men- year-old, also from Ridgway.  After losing Zachary’s father when the boy was just tors next year.  an infant, Stolburg’s mother Maryann turned to the Attendees went over last year’s successes — including continued contributions to lower truancy and Big Brothers Big Sisters program in hopes of finding a delinquency rates — as well as future plans to expand male influence for her son.  “With Doug, Zachary has learned good values, as the service and its impact.  Currently, the program has 87 matches made, 53 of well as hunting and fishing and fixing things,” Stolburg said.  those in Elk and McKean counties. Inspired by his own experience, Zachary now plans But a total of 123 area children are awaiting a mentor, 74 of those residing in McKean and Elk Counties. on becoming a Big Brother once he is old enough, “We not hurting for ‘Littles,’ but we need mentors saying through the program, “I know I have someone to establish those relationships,” said program coordi- and always have something to do.”  In watching them interact, it is readily apparent that nator Cinde Schuckers. the “Littles” and their “Bigs” become like family. Pennsylvania lacks long-term funding for youth mentoring programs meaning money to support addi- Khadijah Thomas, 10, of Bradford, was overcome tional matches in Elk, McKean and Jefferson counties by emotion in describing the relationship with her mentor Kelley Roff, saying Roff has become “like my will come from fundraising drives and competitive mother.”  grants.  The program’s impact on its participants is also A recent $150,000 grant is expected to sustain the By COLIN DEPPEN Era Reporter c.deppen@bradfordera.com

supported by empirical evidence showing mentorships contribute to lower teen pregnancy rates, to better student performance and to fewer scrapes with the law. In a study, area youth mentored through the program for a period of 12 months show higher levels of confidence, interests and hobbies and better hygiene while reporting lower rates of early parenting, substance abuse and delinquency. Schuckers said mentored children also tend to be more tolerant and develop stronger bonds with their families.  Law enforcement like McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn say positive adult role models and mentors can play a crucial role in keeping children out of trouble and the criminal justice system. At the annual event, Learn said the area program is an “important and positive influence in the lives of children.”  He added, “It’s important for their development and it shows them what it means to be a productive member of society. And in that aspect, the program is very important and has real consequences with kids who maybe need a little more guidance and attention.”

The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

Five steps to a successful school year By JENNIFER WILLEMIN Era Reporter news@bradfordera.com

he anticipation of a new school year can be stressful and exciting for both children and parents. To make the transition from summer nights to school days a bit easier, principals collaborated with The Era and prepared some advice for the upcoming school year. Sarah Tingley, principal at School Street Elementary School; Erin Waugaman, principal at George G. Blaisdell Elementary School; and Tina Slaven, principal at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School, contributed. The following are the ideas the women arrived at to help the school year come in smoothly: Establish healthy routines First and most important, work with a child to develop an evening routine.  Children may be used to a later curfew during the summer months, so as a precaution in preventing shock or exhaustion, ease the transition by putting an earlier curfew in place. Waugaman recommends going to bed 10 minutes earlier each night and waking up 10 minutes sooner each morning. Repeat this transition every day until the child is comfortable waking up and falling asleep at the right time. Start the day off with breakfast. It is important that a child fuels their body and brain, so do not skip a morning meal, no matter how pressed for time. Also make sure there is a quiet place to do homework or to study and determine when school work should be completed each day. Communicate with your child Sit down and talk with your child about the school year. Find out what they are excited about and any concerns they may have, then address those concerns in a positive manner. Develop a game plan together and discuss goals for the upcoming year. For elementary school parents, Waugaman stresses the importance of one-on-one time with a child. Children are used to spending the entire day with parents, so challenge yourself to set aside just 15 minutes per

day, per child, to enjoy a quiet activity together.  For middle school parents, Slaven addresses the problem that as a parent, a student may not want a parent to be involved. She said parents need to stay connected in a positive way to a child as a student and what is happening in school. Be involved. Go over rules such as, how much television time he or she is allowed each evening, how late friends can visit on school nights, what chores need completed — make sure you and your child are on the same page once school begins. Become familiar with the school Take a child on a tour of the school. Visit places like the playground, cafeteria or library. If possible, arrange to meet teachers or principals on the visit. This way, a child will feel more confident and there will be fewer surprises. Most schools have a time when families can tour the building before school starts. You can contact any school for times when the child can come in to find their locker and classroom, and become more comfortable with their surroundings. Make safety a priority Talk with a child about common safety practices. Tell them to ask a teacher if they need help or look for someone with a school district identification badge.   Practice having a child state his or her phone number and address. Review protocol for after-school safety if your child will be home alone. Be sure to label everything with the child’s name, phone number and parent contact information. Read the student handbook with

your child. It can answer questions you might have and provide information about the dress code, emergency procedures and other relevant information. The handbooks will come home in the opening day packet. Stay positive Both students and parents have anxiety about going to school for the first time or starting a new school, it is important to recognize your own anxiety. If you are nervous about school starting, then a child is certainly going to be nervous about beginning school, too.  It is normal to be nervous or excited about the first day of school, and this year, there are some curriculum changes to anticipate.  At School Street Elementary, there will be much less paperwork on the first day of school to be filled out by the parents, and the teachers have been busy revising the math curriculum and installing a SMART laboratory. The lab focuses on the different concepts of STEM education (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Meanwhile, students at Fretz will all have a rotation in the school’s new state-of-the-art SmartLab and Broadcasting studio. Students in grades 6, 7 and 8 will begin to explore a wider range of technology, including professional-standard software applications. Middle school SmartLab curriculum explores the scientific principles behind each system of technology in more detail and encourages a greater understanding of academic connections.   Through these changes, the Bradford Area School District hopes to open students’ eyes to real world learning and career education and prepare them for the future.

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The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

BRMC psychologist talks about

the child mind By CHUCK ABRAHAM Era Correspondent cabraham.era@gmail.com

nyone who has children knows just how difficult it can be to raise them in this day and age, with the constant barrage of concerns in a society filled with electronic gadgets, sex and drug and alcohol use.  However, parents can take heart in knowing they can still influence their children in a positive fashion. Mary Anne Polucci Sherman, M.A., a licensed psychologist in the Behavioral Services Department at Bradford Regional Medical Center, said even with all the technology and access to “forbidden fruit” that today’s children have, the biggest problem faced by Generation Z is that which Baby Boomers, GenerationXers and Millennials all have in common — peer pressure. Sherman said the problem stems from two major factors: A child wanting to be liked by his peers and parents who are too involved with other things such as work, family commitments and their childrens’ extracurricular activities. Sherman said cliques are often formed at a very young age, sometimes as early as kindergarten, and usually continue through 12th grade. She said those who do not fit into these cliques are likely to suffer from a lack of self-esteem as a result of simply not being part of the group. Sherman said parents need to nurture selfesteem in their children from positive reinforcement and taking an active role in developing self-esteem in their children. She also pointed out the human brain is not fully formed until the age of 25 and, thus, even young adults may not have the mental capacity to make appropriate decisions. She said many times parents ask their children to perform tasks that exceed their ability. Sherman also said keeping the communication open with children and guiding their emotional growth is crucial to keeping children off drugs and alcohol, and away from sexual relationships as adolescents. She said the brain stops maturing at the time when a chemical substance starts being used. However, Sherman said with the right therapy after eliminating the substance use, an adolescent could start to recover and continue their emotional growth. Sherman said parents need to keep the

lines of communication open with their children and model positive behavior for them. She said if children do not see their parents “walking the walk,” they are more likely to be stunted in how to behave appropriately. Children learn from their parents’ behavior more than society may realize, according to Sherman. “You know that adage that we learn it from somewhere?” Sherman said. “It’s all true.” Sherman also said acknowledging mistakes to a child helps teach the valuable lesson of humility. She said it helps reinforce to the child they are not beyond error. Sherman said that discipline is not only important but necessary in every household. She said it is through discipline that children learn self control and acceptable behavior. She also made it clear that disciplining a child is not the same as corporal punishment, which she described as “ineffective” in teaching a child acceptable behavior. While a parent needs let their children have a voice or an opinion, and those children may challenge the parents in an attempt to wear them down, the parent ultimately still has the final say, according to Sherman. She said effective discipline usually involves the parent setting forth a reasonable expectation.  Sherman said letting children make up their own minds does not send the right message to them. Allowing children to “scream and demand” to get what they want results in limited social skill development, she said. Sherman also mentioned that parents who constantly give in to each whim of their children are not providing a safe and loving home environment for them. Parents should make sure their children understand what constitutes a right and a privilege, and that consequences for inappropriate behavior, such as taking away a privilege, need to be enforced immediately and fairly, according to Sherman. She noted that parents need to be able to talk to their children about bullying as it could result in suicide. Sherman revealed that suicide is the third leading cause of death of people ages 15 to 24, but it is also the fifth leading cause of death in children ages seven to 14. Sherman said stress is becoming a problem with children at younger ages recently, and those feeling the stress are not feeling valued or heard, but rather very alone.

• It can result in death and disability, poor academic performance, high-risk behaviors, and more. • It adversely affects the adolescent developing brain. • It increases the likelihood of chronic alcohol problems.

Behavioral Changes Experiencing school problems, poor attendance, low grades, and/or recent disciplinary action Rebelling against family rules Switching friends, along with a reluctance to let you get to know the new friends Having a sloppy appearance Lacking involvement in former interests

Emotional Changes

Exhibiting mood changes, flare-ups, irritability, and defensiveness Having a “nothing matters” attitude

Mental Changes

Having memory lapses Having poor concentration Physical Changes Low energy Bloodshot eyes Lack of coordination Slurred speech

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The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

Internet Safety Tips

The state Office of Attorney General, an advocate in making sure children and parents understand internet safety, has released the following tips and etiquette to help keep children safe online: 1. E-mail makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family. Make sure you don’t respond to e-mails from people you don’t know. 2. Tell a parent, teacher or trusted adult if you see anything on the Internet that makes you feel uncomfortable. 3. Avoid using ALL CAPS when you type. It’s considered shouting online. 4. Never give out personal information to someone you meet online like your real name, address, telephone number or the school you attend. Only use your member name or e-mail address when chatting or sending e-mail. 5. Don’t open files attached to e-mails from someone you don’t know. They could contain a computer virus or material that could make you feel uncomfortable. 6. No one should ever ask you to keep secrets from your parents. If someone you meet online asks you to keep a secret from them, tell your parents right away. 7. Remember — everything you write on the Internet is public and can be read by anyone online. If you want information to be kept private, then write it in your diary or journal — don’t write it for the world to see. It could be read by the wrong people. 8. Don’t post any photos of yourself, friends or family online. Bad people can edit and repost those pictures on inappropriate Internet sites. 9. Cyberpals are strangers. Never agree to get together with someone you meet online. And make sure to tell your parents, teacher or trusted adult if someone asks you to meet.  10. Don’t use rude and offensive language. There are so many other words from which to choose. 11. If you visit a Web site that requires you to provide personal information, ask your parents first. And ask your parents before buying anything online. 12. Don’t accept gifts, such as toys or money, from someone you meet online. The person may be trying to trick you into giving your personal information. Always tell your parents if someone you don’t know offers you gifts. 13. Avoid spamming — it’s like sending a bunch of annoying junk mail. 14. Be careful when using humor online — people don’t always get it. Try using smiley faces when you want to be funny. 15. Remember — you can’t see or hear the people you are talking to online, so it’s easy for people to lie. Someone could say she is a “12-year-old-girl,” but, in reality, is actually an older man. 16. Don’t send “flames.” Cyber bullying is very hurtful and can get you in trouble with your parents and school. Never say anything online about someone that you wouldn’t say to the person if she was sitting next to you. These are useless messages that hurt people’s feelings. 17. Avoid adults-only Web sites. If you accidentally encounter one, leave the site immediately. 18. Be concise. E-mail, chats and instant messages are better if your messages are short. 19. See if your Internet Service Provider has a “friends” list that allows you to control who can visit your profile, site or blog. If so, allow only people you know and trust. If you don’t use privacy features, anyone can see your info — including people with bad intentions. 20. Always remember — it’s great to ride the wave of the Internet — just use your head while surfing.

Watchful parents can help stem cyber harassment, bullying By ALEX DAVIS Era Reporter a.davis@bradfordera.com

acebook. Twitter. Instagram.  The internet options available to teenagers are endless, making children all the more susceptible to child predators and cyberbullying. “With ever-changing technology we need to know our children and the choices they are making online,” said Bradford Area School District School Resource Officer Butch Bartlett, a City of Bradford police officer. According to Internetworldstats. com, of 2,802,478,934 internet users worldwide, 300,287,577 of them were in the North America, at the end of last year. Projections show there will be 7,181,858,619 users throughout the world by the end of 2014. “This makes our children easily accessible to child predators, causing the need for internet supervision,” Bartlett said. Adult supervision can prevent bullying and/or cyber harassment by monitoring their child’s Facebook, Twiter and other social media sites, Bartlett said. “While monitoring sites such as Facebook they should monitor the child’s ‘friends’ or contacts,” he said. “Children often ‘friend’ people they don’t know just because they are ‘friends’ of one of their other contacts/ friends causing them to have internet

contact with a possible predator.” In monitoring Facebook, parents should question their children if they notice a strange person on their friends’ list. “If they do not have a valid answer, simply have the person removed, blocked or unfriended,” Bartlett said.  Adults should also watch the daily posts on their child’s social media site, he said. “This would be the content they’re receiving (others are posting on their site) as well as the information they are posting,” Bartlett said. “Many times if a child is a victim of cyber bullying or cyber harassment, they ignore it with hopes it will go away or they fail to report it because they feel it will get worse.” Cell phone usage should also be kept under watchful eye. “Many active cell phones include text and picture messaging. This obviously increases the possibility of harassment by communication and indecent communication with children,” he said. In addition, parents should know their child’s pass code on their cell phone. They should also monitor their text messages and pictures and watch the call log for unusual phone calls.  “With the school year approaching, we need to do everything in our power to keep our children safe,” Bartlett said. “Please help stop cyber bullying, cyber harassment and harassment by communication.”

The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

Local Family Center offers Parents as Teachers program By CHUCK ABRAHAM Era Correspondent cabraham.era@gmail.com

t is widely recognized that parents are the first teachers of their children. The McKean County Family Center aids parents in this pursuit and has several programs available to parents across the county. Family development specialist Keith Anderson said the Family Center’s Parents As Teachers program provides parents of children from birth to age 5 with resources to help develop basic skills in their children as they progress from infants to toddlers and into kindergarten.  Anderson said the in-home program provides an activity for the children and parents to work on together, along with developmental information for them. He said the developmental information provides parents with the knowledge of what to expect at their child’s developmental stages and how to help children achieve milestones. Anderson noted that hearing, vision and developmental screenings are performed just to make sure that any problems could be detected early on and the proper course of action could be implemented. Anderson said the McKean County Family Center also runs the Children in the Middle program, which is geared toward parents going through a divorce or separation. Anderson said the main goal of the program is to reduce stress on children and to teach divorcing parents not to put their children into the middle of conflict, such as using the children as a messenger, spy or even as a weapon against an estranged spouse. Anderson said all five of the Family Center’s locations have parent–children groups for infants up to age 5. He said the program fosters early social interaction among the children, while allowing parents to socialize with other parents.  The one-hour program is held every two weeks at each of the locations, according to Anderson. He said the program usually has a story and activity that recaps the story to allow for children to interact with the staff, the parents and each other. Anderson said the Family Center in Kane has the distinction of hosting the monthly program Dad’s Night Out. He said the activities focus on the special relationship that children have with their fathers and features pizza and refreshments. While Dad’s Night Out is only at the Kane location, the program is open to anyone in McKean County. The Family Center’s other locations are in Bradford, Eldred, Port Allegany and Smethport. For more information on any of the Family Center’s programs, call 814-362-6535 or visit the Family Center’s website at www.mckeanfc.com.

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The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

CYS is there for children and families

By AMANDA JONES Era Correspondent amandajonesera@yahoo.com

ontacting Children and Youth Services (CYS) is often a last resort for parents and community members, but the agency does much more than remove children from abusive or negligent homes. County CYS agencies partner with a number of providers in and from outside of the area in order to make positive contributions to the lives of children and their families, but that does not always include pulling children from the home. “Usually, if CYS is involved it’s because abuse occurred or the kids are at risk,” said McKean County CYS director Dan Wertz. “But, it doesn’t have to be a report of abuse or neglect. We’re here to help children and families.” McKean County operates on a human services model. According to Wertz, if a call is received and the situation is absent of suggestions of abuse, the Children’s Community Services director will

help coordinate the use of services to try and help remedy the situation before it reaches a stage of concern. “With Children & Youth Services, we’re traditionally known for focusing on reports of abuse or the potential for abuse, but we also want to prevent that from happening as much as possible,” Wertz said. “If someone is stressed out or feel like they’re unable to handle the situation, we can refer them to providers within the community for assistance.” CYS personnel try and place a child with a relative or family friend with whom the child feels comfortable, first, if in fact the situation at home cannot be remedied quickly enough to preclude removing the child at all. County CYS agencies are also tasked with helping the families of children who are consistently truant, delinquent or overly defiant through communitybased programs or treatment plans in order to keep them in their own homes with their families. Referrals can be made through CYS or the Human Services Department,

which often use the help of service coordinators and providers from a wide range of governmental and non-profit agencies, for-profit businesses, charitable organizations, doctors and private service providers. “We have coordinators who are very good at navigating insurances to get the best care,” Wertz said. “We may immediately walk right next door to facilitate services that can help parents work through the various problems they’re dealing with.  “We have a lot of great programs and services — Beacon Light, The Guidance Center, Family Center, the Parents as Teachers Program,” he added. Depending on the child’s age, there are a number of different services, including camps for younger children or those with less serious issues, and multisystemic therapies for adolescents dealing with more serious issues. “We have a lot of resources available to parents, discreetly — if they don’t want human services involved due to the stigma attached to CYS,” Wertz said.

The McKean County Resource Directory is available online, and is easy to locate through an Internet search. The directory includes agencies that can help with abuse or trauma issues, substance abuse, adoptions, medical conditions such as cancer or vision problems, child guidance, counseling, disability services, educational support, food and nutrition, health insurance, mental health, parenting services, residential care, child care, transportation and much more. The resource is easy to navigate and is broken down into sections for ease of use. Cameron County has a similar online resource guide developed by the Collaborative Board, while Potter County’s Human Services Department has its own Internet site with an 800number for convenience in contacting the agency. A human services agent will direct the call to the appropriate agencies.  On the Elk County website, a list of agencies and contact information to help with concerns is also available.

How to help children make new friends

tudents learn lessons each day. While many of these lessons pertain to their coursework, kids pick up much more than book smarts from school, where kids first learn to cultivate friendships and build lasting relationships. In addition to a new curriculum, new teachers and new schedules, kids also might make new friends once a school year begins. While some familiar faces carry through from grade to grade, chances are youngsters will meet new students who will soon become good friends. While many kids find it easy to make new friends, others might need some assistance so they can make the most of opportunities to socialize and form friendships that might last a lifetime.

• Offer opportunities for socialization. Children should be given the opportunity to explore friendships outside of the classroom where peer pressure might not be so prevalent. Establish a carpool or invite a classmate over for a play date. • Discover common interests. One of the quickest ways to build friendships is through common interests. Encourage your child to join a club or sports group where he or she can meet other kids with similar interests. • Teach proper manners. Children who are polite, well-mannered and know how to follow direction are better equipped to attract friends. Children who misbehave may be shunned by other kids and their par-

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ents who do not want the hassle of an unruly youngster coming over to play. • Take the friendship lead. As parents, you can improve your child’s chances of making friends by getting friendly with their classmates’ parents. • Boost confidence levels. As a parent you can talk to your children about their strengths and positive attributes. A child who is shy and insecure may retreat when meeting new people, but a child who can proudly stand behind his or her accomplishments may attract friends easily. School is about more than just hitting the books. It’s also a prime opportunity for kids to develop their personal skills and make new friends.

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The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

Drug recognition

expert offers tips to parents By AMANDA NICHOLS Era Reporter a.nichols@bradfordera.com

“ I

f you love your kids, be nosy, take an interest. If something seems out of the ordinary or suspicious — it probably is,” said McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn. Learn and Kane-based state police trooper and drug recognition expert Matt Petrof recently sat down with The Era to offer tips and advice to parents about determining whether their child is experimenting with drugs, and what to do if they are. Both men noted the increased availability of new and different kinds of drugs means kids are faced by many and varied encounters with them, and older generations may not readily recognize them as an illicit substance. “Parents shouldn’t think their kids live in such a place where they’re not going to be exposed to this kind of thing,” Learn said. “It’s everywhere. There are so many more options these days, such a large array of drugs that kids are subjected to.” He said more powerful painkillers are being prescribed more regularly than they were just a few years ago. “These are being mixed with Fentanyl — it’s so potent that experimentation by a kid could be fatal,” Learn relayed. “A child shouldn’t be taking any pills that you don’t give them. If you find any that don’t say Advil or Tylenol, that’s a big warning sign.” While prescription drugs are ubiquitous, Learn said other drugs can come in pill form as well. “People can make their own pills with a pill press,” he explained, noting that designer drugs like MDMA and Ecstacy

often come in pill form. “They can put anything in there. So, just because you see a pill, doesn’t mean it’s a pharmaceutical product.” He listed depressants, narcotics and analgesics such as pain pills, heroin, morphine and codeine among the most prevalent illicit substances in the local region and around the country, besides marijuana. Learn said bath salts are marketed as scratch remover or cell phone screen cleaner in little containers, which to the untrained eye might not be seen as dangerous. “How many kids have scratch repair, though? If it doesn’t fit, something might be up,” Learn said. Aside from physical evidence of drugs or paraphernalia, parents can detect drug use in the physical signs exhibited by their children. Petrof said caretakers should look for mood changes, changes in appearance, tiredness or unusual behavior, which might indicate drug use. Additionally, pupil size opposite what the eye would normally do — large pupils in bright light and small pupils in dim light — is indicative of someone being on some sort of substance, according to Petrof. He said someone on drugs might exhibit ptosis — heavy eyelids — or body or leg tremors. “Any good parent is going to know their kids, going to know when they’re not acting right,” Learn added. “It can be little things like small lies or hanging with the wrong crowd. You just have to stay vigilant.” But, how early must parents start being vigilant? Learn said vigilance should begin as soon as a child is old enough to be out of the constant supervision of the caretaker — as soon as they start going to school. “I’m not saying a first grader is on drugs,

Take the time to truely know your kids

McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn and Kane-based state police trooper and drug recognition expert Matt Petrof show a display of various drugs that are available and used in the local area. but that might be when they start hearing things and learning about them,” Learn said. Petrof mentioned the national attention that has been drawn to third and fourth graders who were recently found to be high on marijuana. “When they start to mimic things like smoking or ask what snorting is — this is indicative they’re learning about it somewhere,” Learn said. “That’s prime teaching time to start talking with them and maybe prevent future use.” If a parent or guardian thinks they’ve discovered their child is using drugs, their first concern should be for the physical well-being of the child. “If the level of impairment is high, get medical help or call the doctor,” Petrof said. “Overdoses are a very real danger.” He said it depends on the severity of symptoms, what drugs they might be on and the age of the child, but asking where they have been and if they have taken anything should come next. “A latent admission of previous use, if your kid says they tried marijuana last week, say, that’s a chance to talk about it, there is not immediate danger there,”

Learn explained. “But, if it comes to light that they’ve been using a lot, or they may have an addiction, your doctor should be able to get you connected with evaluation or a rehabilitation center.” Petrof noted that depending on the kind of drug, addiction can take place physically after just a few uses, as in the case of heroin, or may be more of a mental addiction, as in the case of marijuana. However, the two men pointed out that there are dangers with all drugs, especially for the developing minds and bodies of young people and the effects use has on their lifestyle and ability to function as they become adults. “Underage drinking, which has always been steady, inhibits development and kills brain cells,” Learn said, “but the larger concern is what it does for a young person’s propensity to use other substances. “They like the feeling and it skews priorities,” he continued. “That’s where parents come in. Taking an active role in the child’s life, teaching the consequences and the risks — that is so important. That’s what’s going to make a difference.”

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The Bradford (Pa.) Era, Saturday, August 30, 2014

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