Learn about llamas, read up on your favourite skateboard star or study a stegosaurus. You can do all these things online and then email or text message your best friend about it. But when you're moving through cyberspace, you need to stay safe.
It comes down to just a few simple guidelines:
1. Don't communicate with strangers online and never agree to meet in person.
2. Tell a parent or another adult if a stranger contacts you in a chat room or through email or text messaging.
3. Don't enter contests, join clubs or share your personal information for any reason, unless your mom or dad says it's OK. Personal information includes your name, address, age, phone number, birthday, email address, where you go to school and other facts about you.
No Talking to Strangers
Since you were a little kid, your mom or dad has probably told you not to talk to strangers. The same goes for the online world. It's easy to meet a stranger on the Internet. You might visit a chat room or get an email or text message from someone you don't know.
It can be fun to make new friends, but do not communicate with strangers you meet online. Don't talk to them, agree to phone them or email them photos of yourself. To a kid, this can seem kind of silly. Why not make a friend with someone who likes skateboarding just as much as you do? The writer might seem really nice and tell you how you sound really smart and cute.
Unfortunately, kids have been tricked online by people who pretend to be something that they're not. Someone might lie and say they're in sixth grade, too, when they're really all grown up and they don't even know how to skateboard. Some kids have found themselves in a dangerous situation when they agreed to meet the mysterious online "friend" in person.
Let your parents know if a stranger emails you, sends a text message or starts a conversation with you in a chat room. The email could be from a person or a company trying to sell you something. A grown-up should decide what's best to do, which may include changing your email address or telling the police.
Keep Your Privacy
Anybody who uses the Internet has been asked to sign-in, log-in or create a personal profile. Kids need to check with a parent or grown-up before doing so. Why? This information could be used for reasons you wouldn't like, like getting a lot of junk email.
Another word about email: If you have your own account, let your mom or dad know before you reply to email that asks for your personal information. Some email looks official, as if it was sent by your Internet provider, but it's actually a trick to get your personal info.
Another way to keep your privacy is to choose a screen name or email account name that isn't your real name. For instance, instead of "Jack_Smith," why not choose:
"Sk8boardKing21"? Only your friends and family will know your code name!
Information from Kids Health Website 2011. See www.kidshealth.org
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Thursday, November 24, 2011
Millarville’s Cool News
Recently, the Grade 6 class of Millarville Community School helped with the organization of the Turner Valley food bank. We put in a lot of effort towards the food bank. Some said that we would not get finished in time but as a result all the items were packed up. We helped organize over a hundred bags of food for the Turner Valley food bank. We help out the food bank for people who aren't as fortunate as us. When you make a donation people will be filled with joy that there is food being donated to such an advantage.
The Remembrance Day assembly, Thursday 10th 2011, saw the Grade 6 class performed the poem In Flanders Now by Edna Jacques. Two people carried up wreaths from each classroom from K to 8, decorated with the symbols of remembrance. The kinders did the poppies; the Grade 1 class did Winnie the Pooh bear; Grade 2 did the crosses; Grade 3, the dove; Grade 4 did the horse; Grade 5 did flags; Grade 6 did the Vimy memorial; Grade 7, the identification tags; Grade 8, the yellow ribbons. A boy from Grade 5 named James Varty helped with bringing the wreaths up to the stage. Mr. Garth Pritchard shared his photos and experiences in Afghanistan, where he worked closely with the Canadian military as a war correspondent. This was an eye-opening presentation.
There is a trailer outside of our school to collect bottles for a fundraiser. The funds from the bottle drive goes towards our Edmonton trip at the end of the year. We do the bottle drive every year and this year Mr. Fisher lent us his trailer.
In our archery class we took the test to use the bows on the range and you needed to get mastery to step foot on the range.
We just completed the navigation course, where we had to use compasses in outdoor pursuits to complete a pre-set course.
The Remembrance Day assembly, Thursday 10th 2011, saw the Grade 6 class performed the poem In Flanders Now by Edna Jacques. Two people carried up wreaths from each classroom from K to 8, decorated with the symbols of remembrance. The kinders did the poppies; the Grade 1 class did Winnie the Pooh bear; Grade 2 did the crosses; Grade 3, the dove; Grade 4 did the horse; Grade 5 did flags; Grade 6 did the Vimy memorial; Grade 7, the identification tags; Grade 8, the yellow ribbons. A boy from Grade 5 named James Varty helped with bringing the wreaths up to the stage. Mr. Garth Pritchard shared his photos and experiences in Afghanistan, where he worked closely with the Canadian military as a war correspondent. This was an eye-opening presentation.
There is a trailer outside of our school to collect bottles for a fundraiser. The funds from the bottle drive goes towards our Edmonton trip at the end of the year. We do the bottle drive every year and this year Mr. Fisher lent us his trailer.
In our archery class we took the test to use the bows on the range and you needed to get mastery to step foot on the range.
We just completed the navigation course, where we had to use compasses in outdoor pursuits to complete a pre-set course.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Legion Leanings
Phew! While it is not yet over, the Campaign to ensure that our Veterans in need can continue to rely on assistance from the Poppy Trust Fund is wrapping up as we write. While we will probably fall a little short of last year's incredible total, the citizens of our area have once again come through in these hard economic times. We thank you all for your unwavering support.
This campaign is a long one through the planning, execution and wrap-up, though its public face only begins locally with the presentation of the poppies to our civic leaders. It is possible only through the dedicated assistance of many, many volunteers; they help distribute the poppies throughout the region, sit with boxes at the various large stores and service/pick up those boxes that were placed around in banks, stores, restaurants and schools.
Amidst all this was the preparation for the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. This year once again, a packed house was the order of the day at Oilfields High School where the service was led by our co-Chaplains. The assistance of the Oilfields Cubs and Scouts added to the ceremony as did the presence of several members of the RCMP Detachment along with members of the Air Cadets. Later, a Branch Colour Party attended to assist with a short ceremony of Remembrance at the Okotoks Oilers' Hockey game.
All our area schools hold their own Remembrance Day Ceremonies and we veterans who attend are always moved by the efforts put into the presentation. Music, videos and recitations are often part of the programme and the respect with which the speakers' talks are received is a tribute to the schools, the teachers and the students.
We are now awaiting the expected deluge of entries for the Poster and Literary competition. These will be collected shortly and put to the judges. If our past history is to be relied on, Turner Valley Branch will once again receive more entries than any other branch in Canada. We thank our schools and teachers for taking part in these annual events and reminding our young people of the huge importance of remembering the debt we owe our service personnel.
Services to veterans in need are available by contacting the Service Officer at the branch. This is a very confidential service and names of those who make use of those services are never announced. At this time, more than ever, as the use of local food banks as well as the dedicated veterans' food bank in Calgary is increasing, we must be ever vigilant in protecting our veterans from the effects of economic or medical hardship. We are seeing more and more stories of homeless veterans, many suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from their service in various theatres. Pride can often prevent them from coming forward to seek help so somehow, we have to find ways to reach out to them.
In Branch business, our Early Bird Membership drive is entering its final phase. All 2012 dues paid on or before November 30th will entitle the member to an entry into the draw for one of six offers to refund the money or pre-pay 2013 dues. There has been a significant increase in enquiries about membership in the Legion and several new member applications were approved at the November meeting. We welcome any who can subscribe to the goals of our organisation whether or not they have a military background. There are several membership categories and most people can be accommodated within our structure.
If you are interested in the ever-popular seniors' dinners, please be sure to phone and book your seats for the Christmas Dinner to be served on Monday, November 28th. The menu will include turkey and all the trimmings and the hall will surely be seasonally decorated. This is always a heavily booked event and delay will almost inevitably result in disappointment. The annual New Years' Eve gala is presently in the planning stages. Details will be announced shortly.
December is a busy month for Christmas Parties at the branch. Some of these, depending on the size of the group, could require the use of the entire building and would mean that normal operating hours are restricted. Please watch for announcements if any such were to occur. The popular "Breakfast With Santa" is set for Saturday, December 3rd. Parents please register your children for this event in order to be able to attend. The Branch will be closed during the holiday period but actual dates are not yet available. Again, please watch for announcements.
The very successful indoor sports programmes will all take a break over the holidays. Last dates for participants will be announced as will the dates for starting again in January. Area A play downs for pairs Cribbage players are scheduled for Turner Valley Branch on Saturday, November 26th.
There will not be a general meeting in December. We will resume in January.
~ Serving our Veterans, Seniors, Youth and the Community.
Malcolm Hughes
This campaign is a long one through the planning, execution and wrap-up, though its public face only begins locally with the presentation of the poppies to our civic leaders. It is possible only through the dedicated assistance of many, many volunteers; they help distribute the poppies throughout the region, sit with boxes at the various large stores and service/pick up those boxes that were placed around in banks, stores, restaurants and schools.
Amidst all this was the preparation for the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. This year once again, a packed house was the order of the day at Oilfields High School where the service was led by our co-Chaplains. The assistance of the Oilfields Cubs and Scouts added to the ceremony as did the presence of several members of the RCMP Detachment along with members of the Air Cadets. Later, a Branch Colour Party attended to assist with a short ceremony of Remembrance at the Okotoks Oilers' Hockey game.
All our area schools hold their own Remembrance Day Ceremonies and we veterans who attend are always moved by the efforts put into the presentation. Music, videos and recitations are often part of the programme and the respect with which the speakers' talks are received is a tribute to the schools, the teachers and the students.
We are now awaiting the expected deluge of entries for the Poster and Literary competition. These will be collected shortly and put to the judges. If our past history is to be relied on, Turner Valley Branch will once again receive more entries than any other branch in Canada. We thank our schools and teachers for taking part in these annual events and reminding our young people of the huge importance of remembering the debt we owe our service personnel.
Services to veterans in need are available by contacting the Service Officer at the branch. This is a very confidential service and names of those who make use of those services are never announced. At this time, more than ever, as the use of local food banks as well as the dedicated veterans' food bank in Calgary is increasing, we must be ever vigilant in protecting our veterans from the effects of economic or medical hardship. We are seeing more and more stories of homeless veterans, many suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from their service in various theatres. Pride can often prevent them from coming forward to seek help so somehow, we have to find ways to reach out to them.
In Branch business, our Early Bird Membership drive is entering its final phase. All 2012 dues paid on or before November 30th will entitle the member to an entry into the draw for one of six offers to refund the money or pre-pay 2013 dues. There has been a significant increase in enquiries about membership in the Legion and several new member applications were approved at the November meeting. We welcome any who can subscribe to the goals of our organisation whether or not they have a military background. There are several membership categories and most people can be accommodated within our structure.
If you are interested in the ever-popular seniors' dinners, please be sure to phone and book your seats for the Christmas Dinner to be served on Monday, November 28th. The menu will include turkey and all the trimmings and the hall will surely be seasonally decorated. This is always a heavily booked event and delay will almost inevitably result in disappointment. The annual New Years' Eve gala is presently in the planning stages. Details will be announced shortly.
December is a busy month for Christmas Parties at the branch. Some of these, depending on the size of the group, could require the use of the entire building and would mean that normal operating hours are restricted. Please watch for announcements if any such were to occur. The popular "Breakfast With Santa" is set for Saturday, December 3rd. Parents please register your children for this event in order to be able to attend. The Branch will be closed during the holiday period but actual dates are not yet available. Again, please watch for announcements.
The very successful indoor sports programmes will all take a break over the holidays. Last dates for participants will be announced as will the dates for starting again in January. Area A play downs for pairs Cribbage players are scheduled for Turner Valley Branch on Saturday, November 26th.
There will not be a general meeting in December. We will resume in January.
~ Serving our Veterans, Seniors, Youth and the Community.
Malcolm Hughes
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