October 2012
Dear Friends of CATS,
Fall is a busy time of the year! The annual Derryfest heralds the change of seasons and brings many people out to enjoy their community. Many organizations and agencies hold special events, health and safety fairs and other activities to mark the beginning of a new season which add to the rich variety of resources and opportunities for families. When we see that October has been proclaimed National Substance Abuse Prevention month it is important to remember that there are many positive assets in our community that can serve to help prevent the consequences associated with substance abuse. Share the President's Proclamation with a friend or family member. Let's recognize the possibilities and promote prevention in our lives and in our communities.
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CATS Booth at Derryfest
 | Shayna Nichols, Rachel ?, Brennan Allen as Buckle Bear, Julia Pina
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Several CATS youth members assisted at the CATS Derrryfest booth. Buckle Bear helped distribute safety materials to families attending the event. Visitors to the booth who filled out a brief survey about their community were entered in a raffle to win a $25 gift card.
Congratulations to raffle winner Siegrun Vogel of Derry! Thank you to all who stopped by!
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5th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day a Great Success!
On September 29th communities across the country participated in the 5th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Derry's collection site was at Hood Commons. CATS assisted Officers Dan Komenda and Joyce Chadwell of the Derry Police Department while citizens brought their unwanted or out dated prescription medicine for safe disposal. See the DEA's news release about the national results. Derry collected 147 lbs. of prescription medicines for safe disposal. The total collected by participating communities in NH was 4,527 lbs. Safe disposal of these medicines not only helps protect the environment but it helps reduce youth access to these dangerous substances and contributes to keeping our communities safer! Visit the CATS web site at www.catsnh.org or the Drug Enforcement Administration's web site at www.DEA.gov to learn more about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse and how you can keep your home and family safe.
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The Profuture Club Begins Second Year at Gilbert. H. Hood
The Profuture Club, beginning its second year at Gilbert H. Hood, had its first meeting on October 2nd. Twenty -five students from grades 6-8 kicked off the new school year. The club, created by students to help make the school and the community healthier and safer places in which to learn and to live, is a collaborative effort of CATS and Hood middle school. The club will meet after school twice per month and is facilitated by Pam Richard, counselor at GHH, and Kaitlyn Clarke, CATS Youth Coordinator. One of the first projects will be to promote the annual Red Ribbon Week campaign which seeks to encourage youth across the country to be drug free. Interested students or parents can contact Pam Richard at 603-432-1224 ex 331.
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Media Camp in Action
Following a media camp in August, the Community Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS) has asked interested participants to further their media education through a series of classes organized by Derry Cable TV producer Sean Zajac culminating with a joint project allowing students to create content about the community for CATS at Derryfest. In preparation, the five students-all middle and high-school boys-learned about television reporting. Over the weeks preceding Derryfest on September 15, the students expanded their knowledge of camera work, production, and interviewing, and conducted a mock interview at the Derry Farmers' Market on September 5. Continue reading Media Camp in Action.  | | Sean Zajac, Zachary Garvin, Ben Carlson, Paul Boyd, Devin Sullivan |
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Child Seat Check
Mark your calendars for Derry's Car Seat Check Up and Recycling Event on November 3rd! This event, to be held weather permitting at Hood Commons between 10 AM and 1 PM, is sponsored by Safe Kids New Hampshire, Derry Police Department and CATS. Certified technicians will check your child's car seat to be sure it is properly installed. This event is free for families who are also encouraged to bring their used car seats for proper disposal. Car seats should not be used if they've expired or have been in an accident (with certain minor accidents excepted). Questions can be directed to Officer Jeff Pike at the Derry Police 603-845-5619.
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Documentary Screening at Pinkerton Academy
View one of the first screenings of the documentary " Who Cares About Kelsey" produced at the Institute on Disability at UNH on how a school can wrap-around a student, Kelsey Carroll, to give her supports that allowed her to graduate from high school and later attend college. The film will be screened at the Stockbridge Theater on November 13, at 6:00 pm. The filmmaker, Dan Habib, Kelsey Carroll, the subject of the film, and Kathy Francoeur, her counselor, will be in attendance to answer questions after the screening. Please register for free tickets at http://kelsey.eventbrite.com/.
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Opportunities to Learn More
Click on each heading to learn more about these October awareness campaigns. Health Literacy Month > Health Literacy Month is a time for organizations and individuals to promote the importance of understandable health information.National Bullying Prevention Month > The End of Bullying Begins with Me: that's the message during PACER's National Bullying Prevention Month in October. It's a time when communities can unite nationwide to raise awareness of bullying prevention through events, activities, outreach, and education. Resources from PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center make it easy to take action. Substance Abuse Prevention Month > In 2011, President Obama issued the first-ever Presidential Proclamation designating October National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. National Substance Abuse Prevention Month is a month-long observance to highlight the role substance abuse prevention plays in promoting safe and healthy communities. Read the Presidential Proclamation. National Teen Driver Safety Week 1014 to 10/20 > NHTSA developed this three-tiered strategy to prevent vehicle-related deaths and injuries of teens by increasing seat belt use, implementing graduated driver licensing laws, and reducing teens' access to alcohol and drugs through parental responsibility and parents setting house rules.
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