Drug-Free Schools Report.

The Carthage R-9 Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Advisory Council reports that the abuse of alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and inhalants is at a lower rate than the state average. In comparing the results to the previous R-9 survey taken in December of 1999, fewer students in the district abused cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and inhalants. Weapon possession also showed a decrease. However, abuse of alcohol and marijuana showed a slight increase from December of 1999. Non-violent encounters also showed a slight increase. The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program helps provide educational activities and materials for all grade level students, teachers, parents and community. Services provided include the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) in cooperation with the Carthage Police Department, Peer-Helper training for students, pre-school drug education program, and a school social worker who works with families, students and teachers in the Carthage R-9 School District. Some results of the February 2002 survey will be printed in Thursday’s Mornin’ Mail.

Some fifteen police officers received trainin’ on use of the "less than lethal" bean bag shootin’ shotgun here in Carthage yesterday. The officers came from our force and some surroundin’ communities. After an hour or so of trainin’, they got to do a little target practice out at the shootin’ range.

I’ve heard that although the device is less destructive on the victim, those who have the option of not inflictin’ fatal injuries also gain a benefit. They don’t have ta deal with the thoughts of takin’ another person’s life, even if the incident was justified.

The emotional stress of takin’ a life also has a cost to the community. Typically officers are pulled from duty at least temporarily, and some eventually leave the profession. Such a simple device seems ta make a lot a sense.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

My three kids are at it again, arguing about whose turn it is to tackle household chores. But when it’s time to dole out a few privileges, such as sitting in the front seat of the car or picking an evening television show, they don’t miss a beat. Suddenly it’s everyone’s turn. Sound familiar?

So far, this chore/privilege board I came up with a couple of months ago is a winner at our house. It’s not an incentive system like most charts; rather, it’s a simple way to keep track of who’s who in the job and privilege categories of day-to-day family life. For a sturdy chore board, we use the following:

• 1 piece of white foam board, cut in an 18-inch-wide by 9-inch-long rectangle (available at art and discount stores)

• 6 adhesive-backed plastic hooks in bright colors

• 6 metal rings (available at stationery stores)

• several plain index cards, cut in 1-inch by 5-inch strips with a hole punched at the top of each strip (one strip for each child for each chore and privilege). If you have, say, two children and six categories, you will need 12 strips.

• 4 one-inch magnet strips

• Markers and ruler

Before you make the board, discuss chores and privileges for a typical week, such as "set dinner table," "vacuum stairs," "choose Saturday bike route," etc.

Use a black marker to print the six categories across the top of the board. Draw vertical lines down the board to separate them. Under each category, attach a hook. Glue magnets to the back of the board.

Print names on each strip. You may want to color-code each name. For example, all of Scott’s strips would be printed in blue.

On each ring, attach strips for each child in the family. On each hook, hang a ring with strips. The name appearing on top of each ring is responsible for the task-privilege in the category. For example, if Jennifer’s name is on top under "water the plants," it’s her turn. When she completes the job, she flips her name over the ring and the next child’s name appears.