I think this is worth all parents reading! We must help young people understand that they simply can block people who want to send unkind messages to them- don't read them!!!!! I know they are so much more computer-savy than me and it is easy to do - - so we need to help empower them to do so. Girls come in the office all the time saying some is sending emails or cell phone messages and my answer is always the same: "Don't read them and block them". Simple advice. Please help fight this battle in your own home. Thanks- Mrs. mezger

April 15, 2008
Attorney General Bruning Offers Internet Safety Tips The Internet is an amazing tool. It has transformed the way we work, teach and communicate. Many kids in Nebraska use social sites as a way to connect with friends, acquaintances, even strangers. They'll have a page where they post photos and personal information about themselves. For an online sex predator, that's like hitting the jackpot. They'll use that information to strike up a conversation, become a child's friend and then ask to meet in person. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: One in seven children who regularly use the Internet is sexually solicited. One in 11 is harassed or threatened. Almost 80 percent of solicitations happen at a home computer. April is Internet Safety month and every year I travel to several schools across Nebraska to talk with students about Internet safety. I believe education is the first line of defense against online predators, but it can't stop there. Parents must take an active role as well. Explore the internet with your children, monitor their online activity and know who they're talking to. Here are a few critical tips I encourage you to share with your kids: Never assume someone is who they say they are. Never give out a phone number, address or photo. Never agree to an in-person meeting with someone you've met online. Keeping Nebraska's children cyber-safe has always been and continues to be a priority for my office, but I need your help. Please take some time this month, sit down with your kids and talk to them about the dangers lurking on the Internet. By working together, we can protect our children from online predators. For more information visit www.safekids.ne. gov Best wishes, Jon Bruning Attorney General of Nebraska For more information, contact: Consumer Protection Division Nebraska Attorney General's Office Toll Free: 1.800.727.6432 Email: nedoj@ago.ne.gov En Espanol: 1.888.850.7555 Llamada gratuita en Nebraska Senior Outreach Hotline: 1.888.287.0778 Web site: www.ago.ne.gov

Recently I was reading a Woodburn Press pamphlet on “How to Get Good Grades-In Ten Easy Steps” written by Linda O’Brien.  None of her ideas are like “rocket scientist” methods, but purely common sense. I will outline those for you:
 

Step One: Believe in yourself- in order to have success you need to use self talk and believe in your own abilities

Step Two: Be Organized – we provide students with daily planner. How many parents have ever asked their students how they use them? Having four students attend college, I have seen many a daily planner and know the benefits of successful students that use one in high school as well as into college. Often times in college professors only hand out a course syballus and then never talk about the dates that assignments are due. Other organizational tools include: folders for schoolwork, telephone numbers for classmates, locker organization and backpack planning; and then getting everything organized before you go to bed at night to be ready to grab and run in the morning.

Step Three: Manage Your Time Well – I have talked with a number of parents about  using class time wisely;  study hall time everyday that students have to seek help; and before and after school time  to seek help for classes in which they need help. We have a larger majority of students involved in a variety of activities and they have been very successful in managing their time to fit everything into their schedules. Creating a study plan will have some students to be more successful

Step Four: Be Successful in Class – being in school everyday and on time is very important as well as preparing for class each day. Learning how to adapt to different teaching styles and what is expected is crucial also.
 I will now list the other 6 steps and elaborate more on them next month- however, I encourage you if you have or your student have any questions to come and see me now.

Step Five: Take good notes- in order to take good notes you must be an active listener to the material that is being presented. You need to be thinking about the words being said and following along.  Being able to recognize the important information is very helpful, as well as using the strategy of taking the notes on the left hand side of the page quickly (then leave the right side blank) as the teacher is giving them and then in study hall or night copying them in your own words on the right hand side of the page. Get copies of the notes from fellow classmates when you are absent or ask the teacher for their copy.

Step Six: Know how to read a textbook – using the old strategy of scan, read, and review will help you use the textbook better. Scanning is just as the word applies- read quickly for the important information; then you would go back to read with a purpose to find out the fact, and lastly, review to scan the material  to be sure to check your comprehension.

            Step Seven: Study Smart – one of my favorite saying from a UNK Professor. You need to find a good place to study that works for you. Some like music and TV while study, others do not. Getting started is the hardest part- start with a subject you like if you have problems.  Get to know your own learning style as we all learn differently. Often you hear about auditory learners that learn by hearing; visual learners that learn by seeing; and kinesthetic learners that need to use technology or hands on activities. Getting organized to study and knowing how to study for tests will all help. Learn the tricks to studying smart and then put them to good use. If you would like more information on this one, please see me for more material.

            Step Eight- Use test-taking strategies- CTBS tests are scheduled for March 28 and March 29 in the mornings for grades 9-11. Seniors do not report to school until 6^th period. Getting prepared means that you follow these guidelines:

Students: A few words of wisdom

1. The purpose of taking an achievement test is to find out which skills have been mastered and which skills need further development.
2. Some items are different than others and some material may be brand new to you.  You are not expected to know all answers.
3. The test is built to allow ample time to do your best.
4. The tests require no special preparation however I do recommend:
   1. Exercise is good for brain power
   2. A good night’s sleep (no longer or shorter than normal)
   3. Breakfast
   4. Don’t stress over it
5. In no way do these tests affect your current grades or the ability to pass from one class to another.
6. These tests allow teachers/administrators to get a clearer educational picture of you.
7. There may be more spaces on your answer sheet than necessary.  Extra spaces are left blank.
8. Attempt to answer all the items.  Read each question carefully and make the best attempt at answering.
9. Mark only one answer and erase completely if you make an error.

            Step Nine: Reduce test anxiety –everyone needs a little anxiety before a test to help you prepare but too much worry can actually lower the test score. Remember to breathe deeply,  relax starting at the top of your body releasing the anxiety, close your eyes for a minute and let your body relax, visual warm sunshine on your relaxed body, and finally visual a nice place you find comforting and let your mind go there. The more you practice positive thinking and relaxation techniques the easier the tests become.

            Step Ten: Get help when you need it- when you have a problem do something to resolve it! Most questions can be answered by someone and most problems can be resolved if you seek the right help.

            I hope these ten simple steps will help you guide your students to be a more successful student in today’s society. Until next time, I remain a bright light for all students to see their way into my office.

Until next time, I remain a bright light for all students to see their way into my office.