Embroidered T-­Shirts For Family Reunions

We all mean to keep in touch with family, but with people spread all over the country and maybe even the world, things just get complicated. In this busy world, there’s often no better way to keep the family close than to actually get them physically into the same room (or park, or resort).

A family reunion is a time to catch up, marvel over how fast the kids are growing, and just enjoy reconnecting. Don’t get weight down in the logistics—this is about fun! But among the various details involved in organizing a family reunion, don’t forget to create and order an embroidered family reunion shirt.

Why Does My Family Reunion Need A T-Shirt?
Just like with a sports team, having a group t-shirt can encourage a unifying spirit that sets a tone for the entire family event. What’s more, a t-shirt can offer an easy to find your relatives and keep an eye on kids in parks or other public spaces. Even better, they’ll look great in group pictures!

Additionally, a t-shirt can be a wonderful memento for everyone in your family of special times shared together at the reunion, for years to come.

What Should Be On My Family Reunion T-Shirt?
When it comes to creating a design for your family t-shirt, the limit is truly your imagination.

To start, put the year of the reunion on it. This will be helpful later when you and your relatives look back at the event. For other design considerations, look to what you know about your family’s common traditions. Do you have a family crest or symbol? A plaid pattern?

It can also be wise to take your family’s personality into consideration: Are your relatives a wacky group or a subdued one? Your shirt could reflect anything from your proud heritage to an activity you all enjoy together, or even a family joke.

Don’t be afraid to have some fun with your t-shirts—a family reunion is no time to be stiff or serious.

Bring The Family Together!
A personal and embroidered custom t-shirt can be a great way to say “thanks” to your family for taking the time and effort to bring everyone together for a reunion. So don’t let your next family reunion fly by without stopping to commemorate it. A custom t-shirt can bring back wonderful memories of time spent together.

Autism Awareness Shirts

About 1 in 68 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

ASD is a developmental disability that causes social, communication and behavioral challenges. The degree of these challenges can vary widely person to person, depending where they fall on the spectrum.

To date, there is no known cause and no cure. However, with therapy and treatments, individuals with ASD can live full, meaningful lives.

Why Spread Awareness?
There is a stigma around ASD that causes some to stereotype, avoid or even bully individuals with ASD. Negative stereotypes about the abilities and disabilities associated with ASD can make it harder for individuals on the spectrum to find jobs, join in social situations, and live the full lives they are capable of and deserve.

When you support autism awareness, you promote a better understanding of what ASD is, what those on the spectrum need in terms of therapy and support, and stave off these negative associations. You also help promote and fund research that could help scientists gain a better understand of how to prevent and treat ASD.

Sport Your Support
With such good reasons to wear your autism awareness support, why not get started now?

Here are some t-shirts that promote autism awareness:

autism awareness

AutismTee4

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Check out more Autism Awareness tees.

Autism Awareness Matters
Therapy, treatment and care for individuals with ASD is estimated at $90 million each year, and is only expected to rise dramatically. But with early intervention, the cost of this care can decrease significantly—and also gives the individual receiving the treatment an opportunity of a better, fuller life.

When you spread autism awareness, you help more people understand it better and help raise funds to prevent and treat autism in the future.

 

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Check out our limited time Autism Awareness design, available until January 7th!

26 Ways to Relax

Even if you feel like you lead a fairly casual lifestyle, it is still important to get some deliberate relaxation time in regularly.

Relaxation is an important part of daily life –it improves mental and physical health, promotes healing, improves bodily functions such as digestion and boosts immunity. When we relax, our bodies switch into a different mode, producing chemicals which counter the harmful effects of stress and our bodies evoke a natural, more relaxed response. These chemicals can reduce our blood pressure, help to relieve pain and boost the metabolism. Studies have shown that people who schedule their relaxation time right before bed even had improved sleep quality which led to better overall wellbeing throughout the day.

Long term, practicing relaxation can enhance our overall health by producing these benefits regularly. Getting in some regular relaxation over a period of years can even lower the risk of heart disease and cancer. Experts recommend getting at least ten to twenty minutes of relaxation in, a day in order to form a daily habit and reap the long term benefits of relaxation.

There is no one right way of achieving relaxation. What is important is finding the best way for you to relax, and practicing it regularly. You might have a particular favorite way of kicking back, or you might like to shake things up and try something different each day. Whether you choose to take a Tai Chi class, read a good book or take a long soak in the bubble bath, pick something that will be soothing to you and make a habit of it.

Here’s our list of 26 ways to relax:

 

  • Taking just a few minutes a day to meditate has been proven to ease anxiety and make you physically, and mentally more resilient to stress. Sit up straight with both feet on the floor and close your eyes. Recite out loud, or internally, a positive affirmation such as “I am feeling positive and healthy today,” or “I am patient, calm and at ease today.”
  • Five minutes of deep breathing works wonders. Sit up straight in a chair with your eyes closed and place one hand on your belly. Inhale deeply through your nose, feeling the breath filling your abdomen and working its way into your upper chest. When you exhale, reverse the process – feel the breath leaving your belly first before emptying your lungs and throat.
  • Body Mindfulness. Lie down on your bed or the floor and tense and relax each part of your body. Starting with your toes, tense them up, then relax them. Next do the same with your ankles and work your way up your body to your face and head.
  • Enjoy Heat. If it’s a beautiful day outside, go and lie down in the sun for ten minutes and feel your body soaking up the heat. If it’s winter or cold outside, heat up a towel or wheat bag and wrap it around your neck and shoulders while you lie down for ten minutes with your eyes closed, releasing the tension and being mindful of how your body feels.
  • Listen To Music. Studies have shown that listening to soothing music has many benefits including lowering your blood pressure, heart rate and symptoms of anxiety. Create a playlist of songs that move you and lie back with your eyes closed as you absorb the different melodies and rhythms.
  • Though it sounds like an oxymoron, exercise can actually be a fantastic form of relaxation. All forms of exercise have proven to decrease stress levels by producing feel-good chemicals in the brain and giving you mental clarity. Whether it’s a quick walk around the block, a 45-minute aerobics session or some quick stretches, get off the couch and move!
  • Write a Letter. People love to send and receive mail and sitting down to pen a letter can be a lovely, old-fashioned way to unwind. It doesn’t have to be long – just a little note to tell someone that you care. If you don’t have anyone you want to write to then why not try writing a journal entry to yourself.
  • Listen to a Podcast. With free podcasts available on every subject imaginable, it won’t be hard to find something that piques your interest. Choose a topic that you will enjoy and kick back for a while.
  • Take a Bath or Shower. Light some scented candles and relax in the tub. If you don’t have a bath, take a nice long, hot shower. Pamper yourself a little!
  • Nothing is more relaxing than reading. Whether it is your favorite book or just a magazine that you enjoy, lie back and get some reading in.
  • Some people are surprised by how relaxing gardening can be. Whether you decide to put some music on while you water your houseplants or get out and dig up your lawn for growing vegetables – tending to a garden (large or small) offers many great benefits for both the body and mind and will provide a relaxing solace from your everyday tasks.
  • Go Swimming. Whether you have access to a local beach or simply a community swimming pool, the serenity of being in the water will work wonders on your body. Physically, swimming is a fantastic way to take the pressure of your joints and muscles while mentally swimming is a great way to unwind and clear your head.
  • While napping is normally associated with being a child or elderly person, it can actually offer some amazing benefits such as boosting mood and performance as well as improving overall wellbeing. Taking a nap during the day can also be a great way to catch up on sleep if you are feeling over tired or you are having difficulty sleeping at night.
  • Try Yoga. Yoga is hailed worldwide for its ability to produce relaxed people and it’s not hard to do. Set aside just ten to twenty minutes a day to focus on stretching and releasing tension in your body and you’ll be amazed at how great you feel.
  • Visit Art Galleries. Walking around an art gallery on your own can be a very relaxing, calming experience. Take yourself to the nearest free gallery and spend the afternoon with yourself and the art.
  • Visit a Park or Garden. Being out in a green area has been proven to improve mood and state of mind in just a few minutes. Whether you decide to organise a picnic with friends or simply go for a stroll on your own, visiting a local park will be sure to give you the relaxation you need.
  • Watch Movies. If there is a show that you’ve always wanted to watch or movies that you enjoy watching over and over, then rent the DVDs, get back into your pyjamas and spend an afternoon binge-watching them.
  • Have Your Car Detailed. Take your car to be cleaned and detailed while you chill out in the waiting area, drinking coffee and reading a magazine.
  • Indulge in Retail Therapy. Whether you have a lot of money to spend or not, set aside some money that you can use to go shopping for something you have been wanting – even if it’s just a $10 purse that you saw in a window.
  • Pull out old photo albums and spend an hour remembering the good times
  • Enjoy a Meal. Make your favorite meal and enjoy it – use your best china, a placemat and a cloth napkin and take the time to really taste your food with a glass of wine.
  • If you are feeling particularly stressed, grab a piece of paper and write down all the things that are making you feel this way. Put the list away somewhere and try to stop worrying about them. Later, when you feel like it, you can take the list back out and deal with the things that are on it.
  • Get a Massage. There’s nothing like a deep tissue massage to make you feel truly relaxed. Splurge a little and book yourself in for a massage or other relaxing spa treatment – you deserve it!
  • Relax With Water. Visit your nearest beach, lake or even fountain and sit for half an hour watching the water flow. Water has been proven to have a calming effect on people both physically and mentally and is a great way to unwind and clear your head.
  • Cloud Watch. Relive your childhood by lying outside – on the ground or on a sun lounger – and watch the clouds roll by.
  • Express Yourself. Explore your artistic side by drawing, painting or crafting something.

4 Ways To Lower Your Breast Cancer RIsk

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women after skin cancer, according to data from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

In the United States alone, an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected in women in 2015, and another 62,570 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer.

Among those patients, an estimated 40,290 women died from breast cancer, as well as 440 men.

Fortunately, there are ways you can reduce your risk of getting breast cancer. Here are the top four ways to lower your risk:

Don’t smoke

Breaking this bad habit is already a well-known tactic for avoiding lung cancer, but increasing amounts of evidence link smoking to breast cancer, too. This is especially important for pre-menopausal women.

Manage your weight

Being overweight or obese is another way to increase your risk. To keep your risk in check, maintain a healthy weight. This is even more important after menopause. 

Breast feed

Breast feeding your babies, if you have them, can reduce your risk for breast cancer. The longer you breast feed, the lower your risk. 

Limit hormone therapy

Taking combination hormone therapy for more than three to five years increases the risk of breast cancer. This includes birth control with hormones, too. If you’re on a hormone regimen, use the lowest possible effective dose—or even better, talk to your doctor about alternatives.

 

Factors in your control

There’s no way to completely eliminate all your risk for breast cancer. But, there are certain factors that are in your control. These five ways to reduce your risk is a great place to start—and don’t forget to take care of yourself with regular check-ins with your doctor, too.

The Top Five Christmas Health Risks

The holidays are a season for celebration with loved ones. But if the proper safety precautions aren’t taken, you may find yourself spending your time in the emergency room, rather than around the tree.

Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to reduce the risk of holiday injuries for yourself and your loved ones. Start by educating yourself on these top five holiday health risks.

  1. Fires
    Those lovely trees people bring into our homes are made of wood, which get even more flammable as the trees dry out. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that from 2009 to 2013, Christmas trees triggered an average 210 home structure fires each year, and compared to other kinds of home fires, those started by Christmas trees led to greater damage and $17.5 million in property damage.

But trees are hardly the only fire risk during the holidays—decorative lighting throughout and outside the home can also lead to fires in the home.

Keep your tree well-watered all season, or even better, get an artificial one. Put out all lights and candles when you go to sleep or leave the house, and check strings of lights for exposed wire before putting them up each year.

  1. Falls
    Getting decorations up can be at least as dangerous as having them out—about 5,800 people are injured in decorating-related falls each holiday season, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Always use a step ladder when putting decorations up—don’t rely on nearby chairs or other substitutes. When working outside, use a sturdy ladder.

  1. Choking
    Toys can be a serious chocking hazard for children–as many as 251,800 toy choking incidents landed children in the emergency room in 2014, according to the CPSC. Reduce the risk by making sure gifts to children are age-appropriate and paying attention to recall announcements.

But toys aren’t the only choking hazard during the holidays—always keep an eye on children near ornaments, lights, and other seasonal decorations, too.

  1. Heart attacks
    It’s no coincidence there’s a 5 percent increase in heart attack deaths in November and December, according to a 2004 study published in Circulation.

It starts with the increased risk caused by cold weather, which constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure. Then pile on the stress, overindulgence, lack of sleep, and reduction in physical fitness that so often come with the holiday season, and you’ve got a perfect storm. To top it all, people often ignore the symptoms of a heart attack during the holidays to avoid disrupting the fun.

Reduce your risk by wearing warm clothing and keeping your living space well heated. Take extra care to get your sleep, get your exercise, and stick to any heart mediation regimen you’re on during this busy time. And of course, if you suspect you’re experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, don’t wait—seek medical attention immediately.

  1. Traffic accidents
    There’s also an increase in car crashes during the holiday months. Some of the increased risk is due to the decreased daylight hours on the road. But according to the National Safety Council’s Injury Facts 2015 report, 343 people died in driving accidents on New Year’s Day, 360 on Thanksgiving, and 88 on Christmas in 2013.

To reduce your risk, always have a designated driver if you’re going to drink at a party, and avoid driving on the highest-risk days, when possible.

A Safe Holiday is the Best Holiday

The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but they’re not without they’re perils. But take precautions to keep your festivities safe and protect your loved ones, and the holidays can still be the merry season they’re intended to be.

How to Have a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season

The holidays are a season for family, friends, and fun. But it doesn’t take much for all that packed-in merriment to become overwhelming.

Between all the parties, the travel, the treats, and just plain disruption to your routine, self-care can quickly fall to the wayside—leaving you feeling tired, stressed, and maybe even guilty.

But even in the midst of the winter whirlwind, you can stay both happy and healthy this holiday season. Follow these tips to enjoy the season without sacrificing self-care:

Be realistic
December is no time to jumpstart a new diet. In fact, depriving yourself in the face of so much temptation can lead to binges—which usually means eating even more junk than you would have in the first place.

Instead, let yourself indulge—in moderation. Try to use the 90/10 rule—eat healthy 90 percent of the time, and treat yourself the other 10 percent.

Plan your food
Take advantage of those non-festivity meals like lunch to pack in the veggies and other nutrients you aren’t getting at parties. You can also preempt binging on cookies at a party by eating a healthy light meal or snack before heading out.

As much as possible, maintain a normal eating schedule. This will help you prevent those moments of starvation where you want to eat everything in sight.

Bake smarter
When you’re bringing a dish to share at an event, make it a healthy one that you’ll enjoy eating. That way, you know you’ve got at least one guilt-free tasty snack available when the snacking starts.

When you bake cookies or other treats, experiment with healthy swaps in your recipe, such as using fruit purees instead of butter. You might be surprised by what you don’t miss.

Go small
Use tricks to help yourself eat smarter without feeling deprived. Taking small plates at the buffet table will prevent you from taking too much at once. It also helps if you take generous portions of healthy dishes, and smaller portions for treats. 

Pace yourself
You can also help yourself eat less by munching slowly and spreading out your food enjoyment. Give yourself time between trips to the buffet, too—it can take your body about 20 minutes after eating to alert your mind that you’re full.

Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water can be hard when you’re out of your normal routine, and especially if you’re traveling. But when you get thirsty, your body can misinterpret the signals as hunger and cause you to overeat. Avoid this my making it a point to drink more water during the holidays. 

If you need more incentive, staying hydrated can have some other benefits you’re sure to enjoy during this season, too, such as reducing fatigue, boosting your immune system, and keeping your skin looking great for those holiday photos.

Say no
Whether it’s an offer for a cookie, a party, or a gift circle, you’re always allowed to opt out with a simple “no, thank you.”

Limits and boundaries can be especially important during the holiday season, as the amount of events (and treats) on your plate can escalate quickly. If you stretch yourself beyond your limits, you’ll quickly become stressed and unhappy. Only say “yes” to the things that will enhance your enjoyment of the season.

Schedule fitness time
Regular exercise isn’t just good for the number on the scale—it also helps you manage stress and feel better. Get your workouts in during the chaotic time of holiday parties and travel by blocking it out on your calendar. Working out first thing in the morning can prevent scheduling conflicts.

Even if it’s too snowy out to go for a run, there’s plenty of ways to get a workout in. Find one you enjoy or try this no-equipment, do-anywhere circuit from the Mayo Clinic.

Set a challenge
If you need more motivation to keep your fitness on track, sign up for a race or other fitness challenge in January. The challenge will help you keep your eye on the prize, rather than the snooze button.

Get your zzz’s
It can be hard to catch enough sleep every night when there’s always another party to go to, and in the morning there’s still work, kids, pets, and the rest of normal life demanding our attention. Pace yourself, and try to stay as close to your normal sleep pattern if you can.

Holidays are meant to be enjoyed

The holidays should be a time for fun with friends and family. Don’t let the demands (or the temptations) of the season become a source of stress, guilt, or extra pounds. With a few simple tricks to stay in control of your holiday activity, you can enjoy all the perks of the season without overwhelming yourself.

Happy holidays!

Keeping Out Of The Emergency Room This Christmas

Unfortunately, emergency rooms get very busy at the holiday season.  No matter where you live, the chances of you or someone in your family having to go to the hospital increase around Christmas time, specifically because of seasonal and environmental changes.  Keep these few tips in mind to prevent any unwanted illness or injury at this festive time of the year.

 

Decorating

When you climb up on a ladder to reach the roof of your house, do be careful!  People fall off of ladders very often while trying to decorate their homes.  Before you ever set foot onto your ladder, check it to be sure that it still seems fully operational and not rickety.  Never climb a ladder backwards; always face the rungs while you climb.  Do not skip rungs, and do not stand on the very top of a ladder.  Last but certainly not least, place your ladder on the ground—not on top of a table, shelf or other surface.  A little ladder safety goes a long way while you are decorating for the holidays!

 

Weather

Prepare yourself for weather situations in any Christmastime climate.  In the Southern Hemisphere, remember that temperatures could climb during Christmas, and an afternoon spent in the heat of the sun can potentially lead to sun stroke or heat exhaustion.  In the Northern Hemisphere, the reverse is true:  spending too much time outdoors during Christmas has the chance to lead to frostbite or hypothermia if you are not careful.  Even if temperature extremes are not a problem, weather-related issues can still crop up, including sunburn or slipping and falling on icy surfaces.  Always exercise caution when heading outdoors during the holidays, and watch the kids, too.

 

Fires

Although it is less common in a modern world where candles are not hung directly on the boughs of Christmas trees, fires are still a potential holiday danger.  Natural and artificial trees both have the ability to catch fire, particularly from a malfunctioning string of overheating or sparking lights.  To prevent your natural tree from catching fire as easily, remember to keep it watered every day.  For any tree, do not overload the branches with lights, and try to use LED lights wherever possible.  Similarly, be careful of candles that you have lit during the holiday season.  If you live in a cold climate and will be using a radiator or space heater, take care not to place any furniture, clothing, or drapes too close to the heating mechanism.

 

Overeating

People do not often have to go to the emergency room due to overeating, but every so often, it does happen.  If you have a pre-existing condition, such as diabetes, severe food allergy, or gastrointestinal issues, then you may be more at risk for a food-related Christmas hospital trip.  Try to limit your sugar and fat intakes throughout the season, and particularly in a given day.  There may be seven different kinds of Christmas goodies in the kitchen, but that does not mean that you have to try them all in one go!

 

 

Presents

Last but not least, presents have a nasty habit of sending holiday revellers to the emergency room.  The trouble starts when the gift is being purchased.  Holiday shopping is responsible for a lot of auto-mobile crashes every year, because shoppers tend to be in such a hurry and may be much less careful than they would be at other times of the year.  After you have given the gift, it may continue to cause problems for its recipient.  Particularly if you give a gift to a child, be careful to choose something appropriate to the child’s age and abilities.  Bicycles, trampolines, and toys with small parts that can be easily swallowed are all known culprits of Christmas trips to the emergency room.  If you give a child something like a bicycle, be responsible and give a helmet along with it.  And if the family gets a pool for the holidays, remember to always keep an eye on the little ones.

 

 

If you keep these tips in mind, you will have a smooth, healthy, and happy holiday season, and your family will be much safer as well.  Do not let injury and illness put a damper on your Christmas!

Hand Washing vs. Hand Sanitiser

Hand sanitizer has become very popular in the past decade or so, and it pops up on the shelves of pharmacies and specialty shops more often than not.  But how can you know if hand sanitizer is really the best way to keep your hands clean?  Read on to learn all about hand sanitizer and how it compares to washing your hands the traditional way, with soap and water.

 

How to Wash with Soap and Water

Washing your hands with soap and water is not going to be effective at all if you do not use proper hand washing techniques.  It is very easy to wash the correct way, but even so, most people do not take the time to go through the entire process.

Begin by lightly wetting your hands under the water while you wait for it to warm up.  Get a small amount of soap onto your palm and rub your hands together vigorously, bringing the soap to a lather.  Using your fingernails, scrub your palms, your fingers, the backs of your hands, and the space between your fingers as well.  Work on scrubbing your hands for 20 seconds, or about the amount of time it takes to sing your ABC’s.  Finally, rinse your hands in the water, which should be as hot as you can stand it without causing a burn.  When you have rinsed away all the soap, dry your hands thoroughly on a clean towel.

 

How to Use Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is much easier and quicker to use than soap and water, which largely accounts for its popularity.  People tend to think that, because they can clean their hands much more quickly with hand sanitizer, they are doing themselves a favor by using it.  The proper way to use hand sanitizer does not have nearly as many steps, and takes less than half the time as traditional hand washing.

Begin by opening your hand sanitizer and squeezing a dollop about the size of a quarter into the palm of one hand.  Close the bottle and rub your hands together to spread the sanitizer.  Be sure to rub the hand sanitizer all over your palms, the backs of your hands, your fingers, and the space between your fingers to ensure adequate coverage.  Let your hands air dry for a few seconds.

When is Hand Sanitizer Better?

It is always a good idea to keep hand sanitizer on your person for those times when you might come into contact with a germy surface and be unable to wash your hands the traditional way for too long.  However, in order to get the most benefit out of your hand sanitizer, it is important to use enough of it to fully cover your hands, and to let your hands dry before you touch anything that could rub the sanitizer off of your skin.  You should always use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.  Anything less is unfortunately a waste of time, as it will not be strong enough to kill germs.  Hand sanitizers are a great choice for quickly getting rid of microbes on your skin, but they should not be used to clean hands that are covered in dirt, grime, or grease.

Which Option is Best?

Overall, it is always better to wash your hands with good old-fashioned soap and warm water than it is to rely on hand sanitizer.  There are always situations in which sanitizers can work, but they simply cannot kill the amount of germs that soap and water can.  Whenever possible, always wash your hands with soap and water instead of choosing hand sanitizer, particularly if your hands are covered in another substance, such as food, dirt, or grease.  Nothing can beat the effectiveness of scrubbing your hands the traditional way!

 

With that said, hand sanitizer can be a valuable asset to you, depending on your line of work or your day to day activities.  If you have children, or if you are a teacher or babysitter who deals with children often, you should keep some sanitizer handy and use it several times throughout the day to keep your hands as clean as possible.  This can help reduce the spread of germs and infections.  The same is true of anyone working in the medical field.  Although hand washing is an important part of any medical worker’s day, hand sanitizer should often come into play as well.

Preventing Bullying on the School Bus

About a third of students ages 12 to 18 in the United States reported being bullied, according to the Department of Education. Children who are bullied experience depression and anxiety, reduced self-esteem, changes to eating and sleeping patterns, and decreased academic achievement.

But the negative impacts of bullying don’t stop there. Bystanders who witness bullying are at increased risk of drug and tobacco use, have increased risk for depression and anxiety, and are more likely to skip school. Bullies are more likely to abuse drugs, engage in earlier sexual activity, drop out of school, and abuse their spouses, children and others later in life.

Bullying is a serious issue that impacts everyone involved. Addressing it early and working to create a bully-free environment can positively change students’ lives.

Where Bus Drivers Fit in to Stop Bullying

Bullying isn’t limited to the classroom or the schoolyard. Of those who reported bullying, 8 percent said the bullying took place on a school bus.

According to a survey of education support professionals (ESPs) by National Education Association (NEA), bus drivers consider bullying to be a bigger problem than many of their ESP peers. Bus drivers are more likely than other ESPs to witness bullying, and many said they witnessed it several times a month.

What’s more, even when bullying did not occur on the bus, bus drivers were 36 percent more likely to receive reports of bullying, from both students and parents.

Clearly, bus drivers have a significant role to play in creating an environment that does not tolerate bullying. And according to the survey, they’re ready to step up: 92 percent of bus drivers surveyed indicated they feel it’s their responsibility to intervene when they witness bullying.

And yet, while most drivers were aware their school districts had bullying policies in place, 56 percent said they had received no training on it. In fact, more than two-thirds of bus drivers expressed they would like more training on how to address various bullying scenarios.

NEA recommends bus drivers take advantage of online training courses, and ask their school district for training on current bullying intervention and prevention policies.

Here are some tips to set a foundation for a safe, bully-free bus:

Intervening with Bullying

  • Maintain an assertive and calm demeanor
  • Start with verbal warnings, using the name of the student doing the bullying
  • If the behavior continues, call the school or dispatcher to report it
  • If you feel you must, stop the bus to address the situation
  • Never argue with a student who is bullying, or try to convince them
  • Move affected students to new, safe seats
  • Talk to other school staff about the incident

Preventing Bullying

  • Establish a positive environment on the bus by being clear, fair and consistent about rules
  • Learn students’ names and get to know them (even students who bully). Introduce yourself to them so they know yours, too.
  • Notice when students do something positive, and recognize them for it
  • Submit positive bus referrals

Together, we can work toward a bully-free environment

Bullying is a serious problem that has serious consequences for all who are involved. But by working together to establish a safe and positive school experience for all children in every space they inhabit, we reduce bullying and work toward bully-free educational environments.

Applying For Grants

Non-profit organizations and charities both rely heavily on grants to help pay for the costs of upkeep, events, and day to day functioning.  If you are a part of a charity or non-profit but have never applied for a grant before, the task can seem a little daunting!  Read on to learn helpful tips that you can put into practice the next time you apply for a grant.

 

Determine Your Eligibility

If you are not able to receive a grant, there is no reason to apply for it, so the most important first step you can take in your search is to simply determine whether or not your company is eligible for a particular source of funding.  You must know the type of charity or non-profit you run, and you must choose whether or not to apply as an individual or as the company itself.  If you do not have this information, you cannot get very far in the application process!  Your company might be listed as an educational, government, or public housing organization, or it might simply fall under the non-profit umbrella term.  Different funding is available in different categories.

 

Understand The Steps

Funding opportunity announcements are released regularly from grant-making agencies that are looking to back non-profits.  When you find a funding opportunity announcement that you seem to be eligible for, locate the application and gather your information.  Register to apply through a grant venue, and wait for your registration to process.  This step is crucial, and must be completed before you can apply to the grant itself.

 

Research The Grant-Making Agency

The agency that is offering the grant will have a web site that is full of useful information to help you understand what it does and why it is interested in backing a non-profit.  Knowing what the agency focuses on and cares about will help you write a custom-tailored proposal that is sure to impress those who have the final vote on the grant’s recipient.

 

Fill Out The Application

Realize that you might have a lot of competition for certain grants, so your application’s professional nature and complete information will be deciding factors in the final decision.  It is necessary to have a full-scale concept of what your organization is and where it is going before you ever begin the application process.  You will need to write a detailed proposal, which showcases your ideas and explains what your company does, as well as how the grant money can help improve its functionality.  The more specific you can be, the better!  Do not simply say that you need the money to pay for expenses and upkeep.  Talk instead about how the funding will help you grow toward your ultimate goal.  This is also a good time to restate the grant-making agency’s goals and policies as they relate to your non-profit.

 

 

After you complete the application, submit it and be patient.  The screening process may take a long time, but you will eventually find out if your application made it to the final assessment, and if your non-profit was selected as the recipient.