CAP Summertime Safety Newsletter

Once each fall, winter and spring we'll share with you CAP news, resources and information that we're confident will support you in helping to keep your children safe, strong and free. We are dedicated to working together with you to build a community where children are empowered by knowledge and skills, and protected and supported by caring adults who take responsibility for keeping children safe.

Parenting for Prevention
Summertime Personal Safety

Summer, with its change in schedules and activities, is the perfect opportunity to have a conversation with children about safety. Along with reminders to use sunscreen and bike helmets, adding a few words about personal safety can help to assure a fun and safe summer for your child.

Noticing something your child does that exercises good judgment is a great way to start conversations about safety. Conversations can include some of the following "what if" situations and what your child can do if they are:

Lost
Alone and a stranger approaches them
Feeling unsafe and need to attract attention fast
Being bullied or witnessing someone else being bullied
Getting an "uh-oh" feeling
Keeping an unsafe secret
Feeling scared or confused about touches or language

Having conversations with your children about sensitive topics empowers children by supporting their ability to stand up for themselves and reinforces the role of parents and guardians as trusted adults who help keep children Safe, Strong and Free.

We invite you to refer to the Adult Information Guide for comprehensive information to support conversations with your children.

Are We a Match?
The search is on for new CAP Volunteers for 2010-2011!

CAP Volunteers in action

This past school year twenty-two Newton CAP volunteer Prevention Specialists delivered workshops in 113 classrooms to 2400 students in kindergarten, second and fifth grade. Looking ahead to next year, we invite you to think about joining us.

CAP volunteers need no previous experience. If you are a strong advocate for children's safety, and find value in being part of an active like-minded community, CAP may be just what you are looking for. We are at-home and working parents of pre-school and school-aged children as well as non-parents; empty nesters; professionals and retirees who are interested in child safety. It's a one year October - May commitment, but it's only fair to tell you that being a CAP volunteer Prevention Specialist is habit-forming! Most volunteers contribute 4-6 hours per month during the school day based on their availability. Join us. We may be just what you are looking for!

The next three day training begins Friday Oct. 22, 2010.

For more details and to begin the application process, read our Volunteer Description and print and complete an application and mail it to Gail Sommer.

About CAP:
Classroom Workshop Description

CAP elementary workshops are one hour classroom workshops facilitated by three CAP facilitators. Using role-plays and guided group discussion, the classroom workshop trains children to recognize potentially dangerous situations, and to make effective use of the options available to them when dealing with such a situation. CAP emphasizes self assertion, peer support and communication with a trusted adult as prevention strategies. CAP approaches the question of assault within the framework of basic human rights.

For more details, please read the full description here.

Newton CAP is a program of
Newton Community Service Center
492 Waltham Street
West Newton, MA 02465
(617) 969-5906, x 143 email: gsommer@ncscweb.org