Tobacco
products are lethal to the human body, and the earlier a person begins the
habit, the great the danger. According to the American Lung Association, half of
adults who smoke were regular smokers by their 18th birthday, and half of these
will die from their addiction to tobacco. (World Health Organization)Therefore, it is crucial that parents,
schools, and communities work together to do all they can to discourage young
people from smoking or chewing tobacco.If a youth has already begun using tobacco, then it is our
responsibility to offer every opportunity to quit.
Fortunately,
multiple resources are available today to teens and parents regarding the use
of tobacco. For students attending Paradise Unified Schools, parents and/or
teens may contact either of the following Substance Abuse Specialists during
school hours to get help:
Violence is a global issue and a community issue, not just a school
issue. Raising our children to become healthy, compassionate,
non-violent people of integrity is a task for all adults It is only by
working together that we can truly prevent incidents from occurring at
school, in our homes, in our community, and across the globe that harm
our children.
The California Attorney General's Office
offers the following qualities as essential for our children to learn,
especially during early childhood.
For concrete suggestions please click on one of the essential qualities below.
Youth Development is a term that refers to positive perception of youth that builds on youth strengths (assets).The Search Institute - a non-profit organization that conducts practical reserach benefiting children and youth - has identified the building blocks of young people's successful growth and development.These 40 "developmental assets" provide a common framework through which parents, caregivers, and the community can support youth.
The more of the 40 assets young people possess, the less likely they are to get involved in problems behaviors.As a parent or caregiver you can and should be the most influential asset builder in your child's life.
It doesn't matter if you child is an infant or a teenager — It's never too early or too late to start building the foundation your child needs to succeed.
Further Information Download The Following Pages From The Parent Resource Guide
When youth development is a priority, young people are included in matters relevant to their interests, such as on advisories, boards, and committees where their ideas are heard and valued.They join in on projects and are given the opportunity to carry out their ideas and explore their own strengths and abilities.
For information on how to get your youth involved in this capacity, please call 872-6400, Ext. 243.
