What does it mean to be a good friend? How can you make new friends? What are some things a friend shouldn’t do? All these questions and more can be answered by clicking through this interactive site. Try it out on July 30th for the International Day of Friendship.

Did you know you can communicate volumes of information in a simple handshake? Here's a great opportunity to learn more about this often misunderstood skill. Become more effective and learn to avoid handshake traps in this great resource.

Title: Google Hangouts
Summary: Communication, learning, and fun converge nicely in Google's slick platform
Pros: It's easy to use, versatile, and can keep kids communicating and building skills outside of class time.
Cons: As there aren't any kid safety rules here, highly supervised use is recommended.
Bottom Line: It runs like a dream, works on all devices, and can be used in so many ways to enhance interactive learning.

Please feel free to share this if you have a special needs child.  There needs to be more awareness of the disabilities children face today and the effect certain individuals have on them

You may also drop Fred a line and let him know how you feel even if you are not a resident of Volusia County.  

Special Need Parents:

My son worked for Fred Costello.  He suffers from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).  It was a great milestone to join Fred and his team stretching his “comfort zone”.  Anyone that knows anyone with GAD knows they are hyper vigilant and strive for approval.  But sometimes bad things happen to decent people.

I normally don’t interfere with my son’s employment, but here was a candidate I planned to vote into office.  I certainly didn’t want a heartless individual in its place.  My son worked 3 days feeling self-assured and validated for Fred.  Each evening he came home with positive affirmations.  I happened to meet the campaign manager, Chris, and was informed my son was doing an excellent job.  On the second day, he texted this campaign manager who watched over “the grid” (numerous times) saying he is running late due to a family emergency (that would be me). On that third day, that same manager, recently full of approvals, told him his services were no longer needed.  There was no explanation; he was distant and aloof. 

I wrote to Fred because he is a Christian man.  I knew he would look into the situation due to the circumstance.  I also explained my son’s diagnosis noting he is hyper vigilant and always strives to do his best.  Something was definitely amiss here.  Fred replied with a letter from the mouth of his campaign manager (Chris) with no concessions.  Furthermore, he purported my son never checked in or texted. He felt due to the family emergency that he needed more “observation” and “training” stating Chris had to “follow up and check to see if he was fully following our directions”.  I guess Fred didn’t realize my son shared all his texts with me.  Fred also mentioned that the day of emergency held no justification.   He reported Chris had concocted a map that was in walking distance where he could knock on doors singing Fred’s praises.  This map contained five miles in both directions that would prohibit walking and talking to 80 houses in one day without a vehicle.  The bottom line is Fred didn’t care.  Fred didn’t want to hear the other side.  Fred was propelled more by his emotional justification than his values, ethics, and actions of his campaign manager. 

He expanded by saying, “There is no excuse to be late to work.”  His letter ended, “Hopefully this will be a great life lesson for your son.  I hope this experience has helped him learn that he must fully follow the directives of his boss in whatever job he has in the future or he won’t hold the job for a long time, he must be where he is expected to be…….. no excuses.”

Not even for an emergency, Fred?  Life lessons are apparently more important than the hearts and self-worth of the public for whom you represent. 

Fred Costello For Congress
http://www.electfredcostello.com/
fred@electfredcostello.com

Kids need constant reminders on bullying.  It is so simple to get caught up in the "friend trap" and do whatever the crowd is doing.  This is a perfect time to help increase awareness and prevent bullying and this PBS site. Bullying can have many harmful effects such as illness, poor work or school performance, poor eating or sleeping habits, depression, or in extreme cases violence or suicide. Find out who are bullies, who gets bullied, what the warning signs are, and how to help those involved. Communication is the key for creating a safer environment for all.

This website aims to teach kids what they can do to help prevent bullying. Read Carmen’s Advice about bullying or ask her a question. Watch videos made by kids to show what bullying looks like and what can be done about it. On the bulletin board, read about why people care about bullying, and/or post why you care. Check out the age-appropriate Bullying 101 Presentation, and download the colorful 16-page Bullying 101 handout. 

Your can become a citizen of 
Whyville, an on-line town. This site aims to engage its users in learning about a broad range of topics, including science, business, art and geography. Here you can build a face, build a house, and build a business. There are tons of science experiments for them to try as well as art games at the Getty Museum. This is a great place for kids to interact on-line with kids around the world. A free   registration is required. 

Ever wonder what your rights would have been if you were a woman in Victorian England?. Students can learn about changes in women’s rights  from 1840 through 1929 by answering true and false questions in the areas of divorce, job, study, money, vote, and children. A summary is provided to let students know the various acts that brought about these changes It is quite amazing to see how we have evolved to today.  Thank goodness for woman's rights!

Learning how to cope can be a great advantage in an overwhelming world.  Learn how the brain works and how it attempts to define coping skills in the pre-teen brain.  On 
this web site you'll find information which includes how teachers can help students develop brain-based coping skills— and why this topic belongs in the classroom.

The issues with teen drivers who drink and are involved in accidents is caused by several factors. Young inexperienced drivers are matched with their inexperience with alcohol. They tend to think they are invincible. One of the main issues with this dilemma is peer pressure. Don’t let friends drink and drive.Volunteer to be a designated driver. Don’t ride in a car with someone who has been drinking. You'll find lots of good information on this site to help and prepare you to make better choices.