This week's safe schools snippets

Net ads urge ‘Stop. Think. Connect.’

WASHINGTON – Winners of the “Stop. Think. Connect.” public education campaign to promote Internet safety were announced Monday by three U.S. federal agencies. Read more at UPI. And check out the Department of Homeland Security website about the campaign.

Arraignment delayed in Aurora Central shooting case

Arraignment was delayed Monday for a man who police say shot an Aurora Central High School student in front of the school last year. Read more in the Aurora Sentinel.

Magid on Tech: Old conversations about child online safety

While there are many tools available to control or monitor what your children are doing online, the best approach is the oldest of tools called conversation. An occasional chat with your children about how they’re using technology can go a long way toward keeping them safer — and learning more about actual risks can help you keep saner.

There’s no need to panic; the vast majority of children — likely yours included — are not in any particular danger from using technology.

Read more in this San Jose Mercury News blog post.

Psych experts: Violent videos distort kids’ health, perceptions

Studies have persuasively demonstrated that depictions of extreme violence in video games like “Mortal Kombat” and “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” harm youngsters’ mental health, according to pediatricians who disagreed with part of a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a California ban on video game sales to children. Learn more at ABC News.

Commerce City residents balk at gas pipeline near schools

COMMERCE CITY — Residents already tired of this city’s industrial image got testy Wednesday night over plans to run a 34-mile natural-gas pipeline through their community.

“We’ve been dumped on, dumped on and dumped on,” said Guillermo Serna, who also worried that the pipeline will travel dangerously close to schools and homes. Read more in the Denver Post.

 

About our First Person series:

First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others trying to improve public education. Read our submission guidelines here.