Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/7398
Growing up Continued from page 16 heard of things like this before. At the end of fifth grade, parents de- manded that we hold a dance. Teachers had taken a stand that there would not be any dances at the end of fifth grade. So the parents went out, rented a recreation center and hired a DJ and held their own boy-girl party for fifth-graders.” Sherry Miller, a school counsel- or and LVEA member, says what followed was a proliferation of cliques, hurt feelings and emotional blowups throughout schools, bring- ing students to her office in tears. Too often, says Miller, parents may contribute to the problem by letting their children watch adult- oriented material on television and in movies, letting them access the Internet without supervision, buy- ing inappropriate clothing for them, and having adult conversations in their midst. “Because of cell phones, children BAD-11-07-10594.CTA 11/29/07 3:17 PM Page 1**dhynoski�**Users:dhynoski:Desktop:Work in Progress:11/29:BAD-11-07-105 are listening to conversations they shouldn’t be privy to,” says Miller. “And they are listening to these adult conversations in cars and at the dinner table. They are hearing what should be private conversa- tions between adults.” also shared concerns with parents on back-to-school night. “We split the time talking about academics organizations Diane Levin co-founded: Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertain- ment, at www.truceteachers.org; and Campaign for a Commercial- free Childhood, at www. commercialfreechildhood.org. These days, educators see the need to work closely with parents to heighten awareness of these issues. Briner-Schmidt says elementary school teachers in the Conejo Uni- fied School District asked parents to be more aware of what is — and isn’t — age appropriate. At back-to- school night some teachers asked parents not to encourage boyfriend- girlfriend relationships between youngsters, explaining that it causes trauma that children are not emo- tionally ready to handle. In the Las Virgenes district, staff and talking about how to raise chil- dren in a safe manner,” Pope says. “I believe that this is a generation at risk. We have to become advocates for our students. If that means spending more time developing parent education classes, that’s what we need to do.” To learn about resisting the unhealthy influence of advertising on children, vi si t two Enjoy the rewards. Get something back for your everyday purchases. Use your California Teachers Association Visa® Card with WorldPoints® rewards from Bank of America, and you’ll earn points you can redeem for cash, travel, merchandise, even unique adventures.� Rewards for the things you buy anyway. Ongoing support for California Teachers Association. 1.866.438.6262 Use Priority Code FAB4MWwhen calling. For information about the rates, fees, and other costs and benefits associated with the use of this Rewards card, or to apply, call the toll free number above, or write to P.O. Box 15020, Wilmington, DE 19850. � Terms apply to program features and Credit Card account benefits. For more information about the program, visit bankofamerica.com/worldpoints. Details accompany new account materials. This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. The WorldPoints program is managed in part by independent third parties, including a travel agency registered to do business in California (Reg. No. 2036509-50); Ohio (Reg. No. 87890286); Washington (6011237430) and other states, as required. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association, and is used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. FIA Card Services, WorldPoints, the WorldPoints design and Platinum Plus are registered trademarks of FIA Card Services, N.A. Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. All other company and product names and logos are the property of others and their use does not imply endorsement of, or an association with, the WorldPoints program. ©2007 Bank of America Corporation T-709149-092107 BAD-11-07-10594 38 California Educator | FEBRUARY 2010