Can You Keep a Secret?
By McGruff and Scruff
August 23, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.
In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books. Today’s Tip: Help others in the Community.
You and your friends can help out in your neighborhood by taking some few simple steps each day:
Ask your teacher if you could help by erasing the blackboard, or if he or she needs help carrying supplies.
- Bake some goodies for the elderly people in your community.
- Offer to rake the lawns of those in your neighborhood who are not able to.
- Ask your parents if they need help around the house. For example, offer to fold the laundry while you watch the television…that way you both win!
- Collect donations for a local shelter or Red Cross office. These are just a few ideas that you can do to help out around your community.
- By helping out, you are saying thanks to all those who make your neighborhood great!
Today we will talk about: Can You Keep a Secret?
Should you keep it?
Most of the time, it’s okay to keep secrets. Secrets can be fun and make people happy. But sometimes secrets can hurt people. You should never keep secrets like these. Instead, tell the secret to an adult you trust.
Do you know the difference between a good and a bad secret?
A good secret won’t hurt you! And it won’t hurt anyone or anything else.
A bad secret might hurt you, or someone or something else. It might make you, your brother, your sister, or a friend feel sad, scared, uncomfortable, or angry. It might be something that you know is wrong, and you think someone will get in trouble if you break it.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell which secrets are good and which are bad. McGruff has a few examples to help you decide!
Good Secrets to Keep:
- Your mom is planning a surprise party for your dad.
- Your IM password (but you should tell your parents!)
- When you’re staying home alone.
- Your name, address, phone number, and school name – when you’re online.
Bad secrets to keep:
- Your brother tells you he’s thinking of joining a gang.
- An adult does something that makes you feel uncomfortable and asks you not to tell.
- Your sister tells you that a boy she met online wants to meet her in person.
- Your friend starts hanging out with older kids who paint graffiti on buildings.
If you’re not sure if a secret is good or bad, ask an adult what they think!
Source: McGruff
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Safety Tip: Strangers and Other Dangers
By McGruff and Scruff
August 23, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.
In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books. Today’s Tip: Help others in the Community.
You and your friends can help out in your neighborhood by taking some few simple steps each day:
Ask your teacher if you could help by erasing the blackboard, or if he or she needs help carrying supplies.
- Bake some goodies for the elderly people in your community.
- Offer to rake the lawns of those in your neighborhood who are not able to.
- Ask your parents if they need help around the house. For example, offer to fold the laundry while you watch the television…that way you both win!
- Collect donations for a local shelter or Red Cross office. These are just a few ideas that you can do to help out around your community.
- By helping out, you are saying thanks to all those who make your neighborhood great!
Today we will talk about: Strangers and Other Dangers
A stranger is a person whom you have never met. You may have seen the person before but don’t know anything about him or her. Strangers don’t look like monsters, aliens, or the bad guys you see on TV. They look like ordinary people.
What’s the Big Deal?
Most strangers are nice, but some are not. You can’t tell if a stranger is nice or not by looking at him or her. But you can tell if a situation is good or bad.
What you should do:
- Be aware of dangerous situations. If a stranger asks you for help or to keep a “special secret,” it could be a dangerous situation. Say no and tell a trusted adult.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel scared or uncomfortable, get away from the situation. Make an excuse or just run away, and go to a safe place.
- Know what to do. Think No, Go, Yell, Tell. If you’re in a dangerous situation, say no, run away, yell as loud as you can, and tell an adult.
- Ask your parents first. If a stranger invites you to go somewhere, offers you a gift, or just wants to talk, say you need to ask your parents for permission first. Then go do it.
- Stick with friends. It’s always safer to play in a group
Source: McGruff
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Scruff’s Steps for Getting Along
By McGruff and Scruff
August 13, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.
In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books. Today’s Tip: Help others in the Community.
You and your friends can help out in your neighborhood by taking some few simple steps each day:
Ask your teacher if you could help by erasing the blackboard, or if he or she needs help carrying supplies.
- Bake some goodies for the elderly people in your community.
- Offer to rake the lawns of those in your neighborhood who are not able to.
- Ask your parents if they need help around the house. For example, offer to fold the laundry while you watch the television…that way you both win!
- Collect donations for a local shelter or Red Cross office. These are just a few ideas that you can do to help out around your community.
- By helping out, you are saying thanks to all those who make your neighborhood great!
Today we will talk about: Scruff’s Steps for Getting Along
Stop, look, and listen: Check yourselves out. Are either of you too upset to deal with the conflict right now? First, calm down by counting to 10, taking some deep breaths, or doing whatever works best for you.
What’s the problem?: Investigate the facts. What exactly is the problem? Take turns describing the problem to each other. Each of you may be talking about a different problem.
Rack your brains: Think of as many ways as you can to solve your problem. Remember, there is always more than one solution to any conflict. Write them down. Don’t worry about whether all your ideas are good.
Use your judgment: Now is the time to judge which solution is best. Look at each one and think about the consequences. What might happen if you were to chose a certain idea? Is that particular choice one that will get you what you need? Will you both be happy with this way of handling things?
Make a plan: Figure out how to carry out your solution to the problem. What do each of you need to do?
Forward ho!: Move forward and set your plan into motion. Congratulate yourselves. Decide that you will talk sometime soon about how well your plan worked.
Source: Mcgruff
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Can You Keep a Secret?
By McGruff and Scruff
August 5, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.
In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books. Today’s Tip: Help others in the Community.
You and your friends can help out in your neighborhood by taking some few simple steps each day:
Ask your teacher if you could help by erasing the blackboard, or if he or she needs help carrying supplies.
- Bake some goodies for the elderly people in your community.
- Offer to rake the lawns of those in your neighborhood who are not able to.
- Ask your parents if they need help around the house. For example, offer to fold the laundry while you watch the television…that way you both win!
- Collect donations for a local shelter or Red Cross office. These are just a few ideas that you can do to help out around your community.
- By helping out, you are saying thanks to all those who make your neighborhood great!
Today we will talk about: Keeping A Secret
Should you keep it?
Most of the time, it’s okay to keep secrets. Secrets can be fun and make people happy. But sometimes secrets can hurt people. You should never keep secrets like these. Instead, tell the secret to an adult you trust.
Do you know the difference between a good and a bad secret?
A good secret won’t hurt you! And it won’t hurt anyone or anything else.
A bad secret might hurt you, or someone or something else. It might make you, your brother, your sister, or a friend feel sad, scared, uncomfortable, or angry. It might be something that you know is wrong, and you think someone will get in trouble if you break it.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell which secrets are good and which are bad. McGruff has a few examples to help you decide!
Good Secrets to Keep:
- Your mom is planning a surprise party for your dad.
- Your IM password (but you should tell your parents!)
- When you’re staying home alone.
- Your name, address, phone number, and school name – when you’re online.
Bad secrets to keep:
- Your brother tells you he’s thinking of joining a gang.
- An adult does something that makes you feel uncomfortable and asks you not to tell.
- Your sister tells you that a boy she met online wants to meet her in person.
- Your friend starts hanging out with older kids who paint graffiti on buildings.
If you’re not sure if a secret is good or bad, ask an adult what they think!
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: McGruff
Know About Drugs and Alcohol
By McGruff and Scruff
July 26, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.
In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books. Today’s Tip: Help others in the Community.
You and your friends can help out in your neighborhood by taking some few simple steps each day:
Ask your teacher if you could help by erasing the blackboard, or if he or she needs help carrying supplies.
- Bake some goodies for the elderly people in your community.
- Offer to rake the lawns of those in your neighborhood who are not able to.
- Ask your parents if they need help around the house. For example, offer to fold the laundry while you watch the television…that way you both win!
- Collect donations for a local shelter or Red Cross office. These are just a few ideas that you can do to help out around your community.
- By helping out, you are saying thanks to all those who make your neighborhood great!
Today we will talk about: Drugs and Alcohol
What do drugs look like?
Drugs may look like pills or medicine or candy. Other drugs may look like cigarettes or little rocks. You may not know what they are. If you see something and you are not sure what it is, do not touch it. Tell someone you trust — like your mom or dad, a teacher, or a police officer.
Are drugs bad? What if someone makes me use drugs?
Drugs can hurt people so you should stay away from them. If someone asks you to take something and you don’t know what it is, what should you do? The best thing to do is to say “no” and tell an adult who can help you.
My father and uncle drink beer. I heard someone say that it’s a drug. I’m confused!
Beer does contain alcohol, which is a drug. Some adults, like your father and uncle, may choose to drink beer. It’s okay for most adults to drink beer or have a glass of wine once in a while, but drinking too much can hurt them. And alcohol can hurt kids. You and your friends should stay away from beer, cigarettes, and wine coolers. Your body is still growing, and drugs and alcohol can really hurt it. Drugs are dangerous and against the law for all kids.
My mother smokes cigarettes. My teacher says that’s bad. I want my mom to stop. What should I do?
Cigarettes are bad for people. Smoking can hurt the lungs and heart. But your mother is an adult who may choose to smoke. She may have started a long time ago when she didn’t know that cigarettes could hurt her. Cigarettes contain a drug called nicotine that makes it very hard for people to stop smoking.
You can tell your mother that you hope she will stop. Her choice to smoke has nothing to do with you, but it may help her to stop if she knows that you care about her health.
Some older kids in high school use drugs. Nothing bad happens, they say. Is this true?
Most older kids do not use drugs. That’s because drugs are illegal and dangerous, and most kids know it. Those kids who do use drugs are being hurt. Sometimes we cannot see the pain of these kids, but it is there. It’s like when you get a paper cut: the cut may be very small and others may have trouble seeing it, but it hurts you. Using drugs is 100 times worse. Drugs hurt your body and make you sick. They also make you unable to think straight.
Hang with those kids who don’t use drugs, and don’t let older kids tell you that drugs won’t hurt you.
I see a lot of TV commercials that show older people drinking beer and wine coolers and having fun. What if I tried it?
Beer and wine coolers contain alcohol. They are very dangerous for kids. They are also illegal for you to use. TV commercials make things look nice becuase they want you to buy the products. They don’t show that alcohol can make people sick, cause car crashes, get them into problems with the law, and lead to all sorts of trouble for drinkers and their families.
There are lots of fun and good things you can do. Don’t use harmful things. Instead, you can go for a walk, take a bike ride, play a game with a friend, or help your parents around the house.
Want to see how Scruff deals with tough situations involving alcohol, tobacco and other drugs? Read these!
Mud Puddle
Hoops
Source: McGruff
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Vandalism What Should You Do?
By McGruff and Scruff
July 19, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.
In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books. Today’s Tip: Help others in the Community.
You and your friends can help out in your neighborhood by taking some few simple steps each day:
Ask your teacher if you could help by erasing the blackboard, or if he or she needs help carrying supplies.
- Bake some goodies for the elderly people in your community.
- Offer to rake the lawns of those in your neighborhood who are not able to.
- Ask your parents if they need help around the house. For example, offer to fold the laundry while you watch the television…that way you both win!
- Collect donations for a local shelter or Red Cross office. These are just a few ideas that you can do to help out around your community.
- By helping out, you are saying thanks to all those who make your neighborhood great!
Today, we will talk about Vandalism
<>Have you ever seen a street sign that was painted over, a picnic table with someone’s name carved on it, or a library book with pages torn out of it? Have you ever done any of those things?
Doing these things is called vandalism. It’s when someone breaks or damages someone else’s property.
There are reasons why you shouldn’t vandalize property and things you can do if you see vandalism.
Remember, you shouldn’t vandalize because
- People feel angry, hurt, and sometimes frightened when something of theirs is destroyed for no reason.
- Schools pay millions of dollars each year to clean up graffiti. Graffiti is paintings and drawings on walls, lockers, and other property. That’s money that could be used to buy computers, sports equipment, and books.
- Graffiti gives criminals the impression that people don’t care about their neighborhoods, which can make the neighborhoods unsafe.
- Vandalizing a street sign can cause problems other than the damaged sign. Drivers could get lost or be in a car accident because they didn’t see the sign.
If you see graffiti, destroyed street signs or library books, or other kinds of vandalism, tell an adult who you trust about it. If you see someone vandalizing something, get away and tell an adult you trust.
Source: McGruff
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think?dan@youngchronicle.com
Is A Bully Bothering You?
By McGruff and Scruff
July 12, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.
In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books. Today’s Tip: Help others in the Community.
You and your friends can help out in your neighborhood by taking some few simple steps each day:
Ask your teacher if you could help by erasing the blackboard, or if he or she needs help carrying supplies.
- Bake some goodies for the elderly people in your community.
- Offer to rake the lawns of those in your neighborhood who are not able to.
- Ask your parents if they need help around the house. For example, offer to fold the laundry while you watch the television…that way you both win!
- Collect donations for a local shelter or Red Cross office. These are just a few ideas that you can do to help out around your community.
- By helping out, you are saying thanks to all those who make your neighborhood great!
Got a Bully? McGruff Can Help
Does another kid kick, hit, pinch, punch, trip or threaten you? If so, you may have a bully.
Does someone tease you, call you names, leave you out, or spread rumors about you? You may have a bully. But you can stand up to bullies if you know what to do.
- Try to talk it out. Say, “Why are you being mean to me?”
- Walk away from the bully.
- Speak up. Say, “Stop picking on me!”
- Make a joke. If you say something funny, even about yourself, the bully might laugh and forget to pick on you.
- Stick with your friends.
- Ask an adult for help.
Do you know someone who has a bully? Well, you can help. Did you know that most of the time when a kid steps in bullying stops? Here are some things you can do.
- If you see someone being picked on, be a friend and walk away from the bully together.
- If you have a friend who bullies, take a stand and tell your friend to stop.
- If you know someone that gets picked on, ask the kid to play with you.
- Get your friends to come with you when you help someone being bullied.
Source: McGruff
Editor’s Note: Next week we will talk about: Help Stop Bullies.
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Helping Others in the Community
By McGruff and Scruff
July 2, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.
In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books. Today’s Tip: Help others in the Community.
You and your friends can help out in your neighborhood by taking some few simple steps each day:
Ask your teacher if you could help by erasing the blackboard, or if he or she needs help carrying supplies.
- Bake some goodies for the elderly people in your community.
- Offer to rake the lawns of those in your neighborhood who are not able to.
- Ask your parents if they need help around the house. For example, offer to fold the laundry while you watch the television…that way you both win!
- Collect donations for a local shelter or Red Cross office. These are just a few ideas that you can do to help out around your community.
- By helping out, you are saying thanks to all those who make your neighborhood great!
Help Scruff help out in his community by playing these games!
Source: McGruff
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what to think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Scruff’s Steps for Getting Along
By McGruff and Scruff
June 24, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept. In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books.
Stop, look, and listen: Check yourselves out. Are either of you too upset to deal with the conflict right now? First, calm down by counting to 10, taking some deep breaths, or doing whatever works best for you.
What’s the problem?: Investigate the facts. What exactly is the problem? Take turns describing the problem to each other. Each of you may be talking about a different problem.
Rack your brains: Think of as many ways as you can to solve your problem. Remember, there is always more than one solution to any conflict. Write them down. Don’t worry about whether all your ideas are good.
Use your judgment: Now is the time to judge which solution is best. Look at each one and think about the consequences. What might happen if you were to chose a certain idea? Is that particular choice one that will get you what you need? Will you both be happy with this way of handling things?
Make a plan: Figure out how to carry out your solution to the problem. What do each of you need to do?
Forward ho!: Move forward and set your plan into motion. Congratulate yourselves. Decide that you will talk sometime soon about how well your plan worked.
Source: McGruff
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Staying Home Alone
By McGruff and Scruff
May 24,, 2009
In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept. In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.
Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.
The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.
The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.
I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.
This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?
You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books.
Staying Home Alone
A lot of kids stay home alone while their parents are at work or running errands. Sometimes this can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some things you can do to stay safe when home alone.
- Don’t let anyone know you’re home alone. If a stranger knocks at your door, don’t answer it. If someone calls and asks for your mom, say “She can’t come to the phone right now” and ask to take a message. Remember not to brag about staying home alone – you don’t want other kids to try to take advantage of your empty house.
- Lock it up. Learn how to lock and unlock all doors and windows. That way no one can get in, but you can get out if you need to.
- Know your numbers. Learn your phone number (and your area code), address (even your zip code), your mom or dad’s work and cell phone numbers, and the phone number of an adult who lives nearby and can help you quickly in an emergency.
- Check in with your parents. Ask your parents for permission before you go anywhere, and call to tell them when you get home. If your parents know where you are all the time, they’ll know where to look for you if they need to.
- Practice what to do in emergencies. Practice deciding whether to call 911 or “0,” a neighbor, or your parents.
- Choose a safe house. With your parents, ask a neighbor if you can go to his or her house if you need help fast.
- Be alert. If something doesn’t look right when you arrive home, like a broken window or open door, don’t go inside your house. Go to your safe house and ask for help.
Source: Mcgruff