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Study Buddies Tutoring Program Get Underway for Second Semester
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Talmage students show off their new books at the Study Buddies Christmas Party. The books were donated by the employees of OPPD.
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The Study Buddies Tutoring Program will resume weekly tutoring sessions this week at the Talmage Pubic Library and Syracuse Middle School. There are currently nine students participating in Study Buddies at the Talmage Public Library on Wednesdays. Tutors include Kathleen Bottcher, Trisha Brehm, James Erickson, Alma & Norm Rohlfing, Kathy Teten and Gladys Wellsandt.
There are currently nine students matched with tutors at Syracuse Middle School. They meet on Tuesdays after school. Tutors include Mary Margaret Clark, Sharon Davis, Frank & Myrna Forbes, Maci Gartner, Sharon Kruse, Sharon Nielsen, and Gary Royal.
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Volunteer tutor Madison Wurtele and her Study Buddy work on math at Arbor Bank in NE Cit
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Study Buddies sessions will resume at Arbor Bank in Nebraska
City on January 25th. Ten students are currently participating. Tutors in Nebraska City include: Emma Bradley, Trent Calfee, Carol Crook, Lynn Gibson, Ronda Johnson, Lillian Mesner, Mary Penning, Delrosa Riege, Shelby Todd and Madison Wurtele. Holly Carr, Study Buddies Program Coordinator in
Nebraska City is leaving her position to take a position with Nebraska Educational Television. We thank Holly for all she has done for Study Buddies in Nebraska City and wish her the best in her new project.
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Unicameral Update
The 102nd session of the Nebraska Legislature began on January 5th. With more than 450 bills introduced in the first eight days of the session, it is challenging to stay informed. We thought we'd give you information about a bill or two a week related to children and families to help keep you up to date during the session.
The following bills relate to child abuse and neglect cases:
- LB 79 (McGill) Would establish a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Fund to increase training and recruitment, expand CASA to new counties in Nebraska, and encourage innovation. Funds would be provided by a new $1.25 filing fee. The Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing for this bill on Thursday, January 20th at 1:30 PM in Room 1113.
- LB 80 (McGill): Would remove the presumption in statute that DHHS' case plan (now created by lead agencies) is in the best interest of the child. This would allow judges to consider testimony from all parties involved equally.
- LB 92 (Howard): Would require DHHS and private lead contractors to follow national caseload standards. It also would require that DHHS submit a report on caseloads by July 1 of each year and suspend the CEO without pay until the report is received.
- LB 94 (Howard): Would allow adoptive parents to read a child's case file after submitting a petition for adoption. The Judiciary Committee hearing is scheduled for, Thursday, Jan. 20 at 1:30 PM in Room 1113.
Source: Voices for Children Legislative Update
Here is your state senator's contact information that you can use to contact your State Senator about any bill or issue:
Senator LaVon Heidemann
District #1, Room 1004 State Capitol
PO Box 94604
Lincoln NE 68509-4604
Phone: 471-2733
Email: lheidemann@leg.ne.gov
Senator Dave Pankonin District #2, Room 1101 State Capitol PO Box 94604 Lincoln NE 68509-4604 Phone: 471-2613 Email: dpankonin@leg.ne.gov The latest information about activities of the legislature is available at http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/. |
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CORRECTION: Another Legal High Drug for Parents to be Aware Of: Bath Salts
In our newsletter last week, we ran this art icle which we re-printed from from the LCAD newsletter. Dave Partsch, Otoe County Attorney, pointed out to us that the statement in the article "This drug advertised as a bath salt, is not illegal to possess or distribute..." is incorrect. According to Mr. Partsch, this drug IS illegal to possess or distribute in Nebraska. According to Mr. Partsch, the drug itself is not listed in Nebraska statues by name, but our state statutes make it illegal to possess or distribute any analog of the listed drugs. These "bath salts" are analogs of listed drugs and are therefore illegal to possess or distribute. Mr. Partsch informed us that there is a case pending in Otoe County for the possession of these drugs with intent to distribute. Thank you, Mr. Partsch for setting the record straight.
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Question: What will they think of next?
Answer: Alcohol-infused whipped cream.
That's right, it's called Whipped Lightening (one of the brand names out there), also being referred to as "whipahol." This product ranges from 16% to 18% alcohol by volume, is available in nine different flavors, is sold for around $13 a can and is being marketed as a product with "elegance, style and sophistication."
The product maker says, "whipped cream is not just for kids anymore," and encourages consumers to dress up their alcoholic drinks, coffees and desserts with a wallop of whipahol. One can of Whipped Lightening is equivalent to about three to four beers. Whipahol is currently not considered a food product and is therefore not subject to FDA approval. (courtesy of Drug Free Alliance newsletter December, 2010)
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Study Buddies Tutors Needed
The Study Buddies Tutoring Program matches a volunteer tutor, high school age or older, with an elementary student to work together one hour per week on reading or math.
More children could receive tutoring services if more tutors were available to work one-to-one with an elementary child one hour per week. Tutors are especially needed in Syracuse and Talmage.
For more information please contact Amanda Davis, program coordinator at 269-3166.
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