The Youth Risk Behavior Survey sample included 1,110 of the total 1,561 high school students in the county, a response rate of 71%. 

Among the questions included in the survey instrument were several that assessed the student's exposure to and participation in violence-related behavior. Bullying appears to be among the most observed of the violence-related behaviors in Dare County High Schools. Almost two-thirds of students reported having seen other students being bullied on school property. Almost 24% of students reported themselves having been bullied on school property.

Volunteers from Outer Banks organizations will  go out into the community on April 23 in search of those who don't read much, or don't readily have access to books. This is not so folks can give books to book groups, friends or family. And all givers must be 16 years or older. (Anyone younger must be accompanied by an adult.)World Book Night books are specially-produced, not-for-resale paperbacks

 The Island Book store is coordinating this effort in the Outer Banks.  The store in Kitty Hawk will prepare FIVE boxes of 20 copies of the same book.  [The book selected will depend on availability of the World Book Night organization].   Givers will be responsible for any expenses incurred in picking up their carton and distributing the books. Authors are foregoing royalties to make this possible, and American book publishers, the American Booksellers Association, Barnes   Noble, the American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers, Ingram Book Company, UPS, and a dozen printers and binders have paid for the production and shipping. 

Non-profit groups who would like a box of books to distribute can contact Island BookStore.  The five boxes will be reserved on a first come, first serve order.   Please contact Meaghan Beasley,  252.255.5590, islandbksobx@yahoo.com

4th Annual Outer Banks Senior Games to be held April 16th to 28th. The annual event attracts more than 200 participants who compete in a variety of activities from basketball to bowling to swimming and dance.  The two week long event kicks off on April 20th with an opening ceremony at The Baum Center, complete with the "lighting of the torch."

There is something to interest everyone. Medals are awarded for arts and crafts such as needlework, woodworking, photography and poetry. Many local businesses welcome different events, with Nags Head Bowling Center hosting bowling events and the Outer Banks YMCA hosting the swimming events. All seniors who are at least 55 or older by December 31, 2012 are encouraged to participate. The deadline for Registration is March 9th, 2012.  Registrations forms may be picked up at The Baum Center or print one online at: http://www.darenc.com/depts/OldAdlts/SrGames.pdf.  If you are interested in competing or volunteering for The Outer Banks Senior Games, Brandi can be reached at the Baum Center in Kill Devil Hills at 475-5635 or brandiwh@darenc.com.

The good news for cancer survivorship is that the numbers are growing, with an estimated 12 million survivors living in the United States today. Unfortunately, cancer treatments are not without consequence and these survivors are dealing with the long-term effects of treatments with little guidance. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) researched the state of care for cancer survivors and found that little guidance is available for survivors and their healthcare providers to overcome the medical and psychosocial problems that may arise post treatment.

The IOM suggests that once a person has completed cancer therapy, he or she should be provided with a summary of the treatments received and a follow up "care plan". This care plan should summarize the potential late effects, their symptoms and treatment, recommendations for cancer screening; psychosocial effects, financial issues, recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, genetic counseling, effective prevention options, referrals for follow-up care and a list of support resources.  

March 8th 7-9pm KDH Library. Moms often share advice, tips and philosophies with each other, but men rarely find themselves together talking about pregnancy, birth, and fatherhood. In this special session Just for Dads, Michael Egan, experienced father of five, will lead a lively discussion about living with pregnant women, being supportive during pregnancy and birth, how things change after kids, and what it means to become a family. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a man who's been there!

If you are a new dad, your partner/spouse is pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, this FREE event is for you! Ladies: Please invite the dad or dad-to-be in your life and share with your expecting friends. All events are FREE and open to the public.  Doors open at 6:45. Meeting starts promptly at 7pm. ***Please follow the sidewalk on the LEFT side of the building around to the ramp/rear door.***
 For more info email outerbanksbirth@gmail.com or call 252-207-5601  

With more than two thirds of smokers wanting to quit, and one half of them attempting to quit in the past year, the Dare County Department of Public Health (DCDPH) is helping to make that desire a reality. The DCDPH recently sponsored the Breathe Easy Live Well (BELW) wellness and smoking cessation program through the Southern Regional Area Health Education Center (AHEC). 

Left to Right: Lisa Phillips (DCDPH), Mandy Earnest (DCDPH), JoAnn Hummers (EdD, LCAS), Melinda Creef (DCDPH's New Horizons), L'Tanya Murray (DCS), Todd Collier (BELW Trainer), Heather Jennette (Community Care Clinic of Dare), Debora Jones(UNC Cancer Outreach)

Through a grant secured by the DCDPH from the North Carolina Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch, the DCDPH plans to implement a tobacco cessation program for adults and youth in Dare County at no cost starting in April of 2012.  The tobacco cessation program will be offered at county wide locations such as businesses, churches and schools. 

For more information, or to register for a tobacco smoking cessation class near you, please contact the Dare County Department of Public Health's Health Education Specialist Kelly Nettnin at (252) 475-5036.

Join GEM friends at the Dare County Center for our Program with a Purpose on Thursday March 1 from 11-2. We will be making and filing Easter Baskets for kids with disabilities in the Dare County School System.

The Caregivers support Group will be meeting concurrently with Ann Grooves and if you would like your loved one to join Program with a purpose while you attend the Support Group call Gail at 480-3354 to register them.

Kim Chalot, NP from Albemarle Hospital will talk about sleep apnea at the Baum Center for our March "Snackin' with a Specialist" Wednesday March 14th at 3pm. We will join Kaye White for our Learning and Enrichment program. Kaye will guide us in a tour of the Aquarium and we will enjoy a nautical picture frame craft with Beth, the fun starts at 2PM on Tuesday March 13th. (*There is a fee for the craft)

Just Play'n Dixieland returns to Harmony Caf� on Friday March 16th 7pm at The DARE COUNTY CENTER in Manteo. Enjoy the music and refreshments as you support Dare County seniors and their families.

THE SUP+PER CLUB will meet at the Unitarian Church in Kitty Hawk on Wednesday March 21 at 3pm. The Club is an opportunity to make friends and enjoy sampling different ways to exercise, make a craft, and enjoy live music and a meal together. G.E.M. programs are designed to add an extra layer of support and structure enabling success and fun for seniors.

For more information or to register for these programs call Gail Sonnesso, MS, Q.D.C.P. , at 252.480-3354 or email her at gsonnesso@gmail.com.  

intimidation, rumor-spreading and isolation, demands for money, destruction of property, theft of valued possessions, destruction of another's work, and name-calling.  In the United States, several other school behaviors (some of which are illegal) are recognized as forms of bullying, such as: 

* Sexual harassment (e.g., Repeated exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual propositioning, and sexual abuse involving unwanted physical contact)
* Ostracism based on perceived sexual orientation 
* Hazing (e.g., Upper-level high school athletes' imposing painfully embarrassing initiation rituals on their new freshmen teammates).5

Not all taunting, teasing and fighting among schoolchildren constitutes bullying. "Two persons of approximately the same strength (physical or psychological)...fighting or quarreling" is not bullying. Rather, bullying entails repeated acts by someone perceived as physically or psychologically more powerful. "Two persons of approximately the same strength (physical or psychological)...fighting or quarreling" is not bullying. Rather, bullying entails repeated acts by someone perceived as physically or psychologically more powerful.

"If the victims are as miserable as the research suggests, why don't they appeal for help? One reason may be that, historically, adults' responses have been so disappointing."  In a survey of American middle and high school students, "66 percent of victims of bullying 
believed school professionals responded poorly to the bullying problems that they observed." Some of the reasons victims gave for not telling include:
* Fearing retaliation
* Feeling shame at not being able to stand up for themselves
* Fearing they would not be believed
* Not wanting to worry their parents
* Having no confidence that anything would change as a result
* Thinking their parents' or teacher's advice would make the problem worse
* Fearing their teacher would tell the bully who told on him or her
* Thinking it was worse to be thought of as a snitch.

Despite country and cultural differences, certain similarities by gender, age, location, and type of victimization appear in bullying in the U.S. and elsewhere.
* Bullying more often takes place at school than on the way to and from school.
* Boy bullies tend to rely on physical aggression more than girl bullies, who often use teasing, rumor-spreading, exclusion, and social isolation. These latter forms of bullying are referred to as "indirect bullying."
Physical bullying (a form of "direct bullying") is the least common form of bullying, and verbal 
bullying (which may be "direct" or "indirect") the most common. Some researchers speculate that girls value social relationships more than boys do, so girl bullies set out to disrupt social relationships with gossip, isolation, silent treatment, and exclusion. Girls tend to bully girls, while boys bully both boys and girls.