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Every September, millions of parents try a kind of psychological witchcraft, to transform their summer-glazed campers into fall students, their video-bugs into bookworms. Advice is cheap and all too familiar: Clear a quiet work space. Stick to a homework schedule. Set goals. Set boundaries. Do not bribe (except in emergencies).

And check out the classroom. Does Junior’s learning style match the new teacher’s approach? Or the school’s philosophy? Maybe the child isn’t “a good fit” for the school.

Such theories have developed in part because of sketchy education research that doesn’t offer clear guidance. Student traits and teaching styles surely interact; so do personalities and at-home rules. The trouble is, no one can predict how.

A first-of-its-kind study looking at a widely-used program designed to improve behavior finds that the strategy is proving effective for students with and without disabilities. Researchers at Johns Hopkins compared the experiences of students at 21 schools using the program known as School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or SWPBIS, to kids at 16 schools that did not use the program over four years.

Background: In a recent study, 77% of students said they had been bullied mentally, verbally, and physically. 32% of parents fear for their childs physical safety at school. 282,000 students in America are physically attacked each month. The effects of Bullying often have devastating effects on a childs life. Now we can stop Bullies and we can do it FAST. FAST Defense teaches Award Winning assertiveness and self protection skills to effectively protect our children from Bullies. Using simple and effective non-violent conflict resolution skills, FAST Defense playfully gives children ages 6-12 the tools to stop bullies in their tracks. And the confidence gained from the experience empowers them in all other facets of their lives. In a fun and safe environment, this dynamic one hour program effectively teaches our children how to skillfully deal with bullies: Avoiding common playground altercations How to handle name calling and teasing Protecting personal space and possessions Assessing appropriate defense and how NOT to start a fight Verbal skills to back off a Bully Team strategies to work together to stop Bullying Physical escapes from grabs or pushes Confidence and Assertiveness Training for all walks of life. What: A 1.5 hr Assertiveness and Confidence Training for Kids ages 9-14 Where: Billings Sportsplex 5000 Southgate Blvd. (406) 839-9080 When: Saturday, May 21, 2011 10:00am Mountain Cost: Free Contact: Keri or Jamie at (406) 839-9080 Brought to you by FAST Montana, Billings Chi-Tu Do, www.billingschitudo.com & the Billings Sportsplex, www.billingsplex.com

Click here to download the flyer with registration information (PDF) What: What can you do with students who already know much of what you’re about to teach? This hands-on, interactive class will present specific tools that are realistic and effective to challenge gifted learners in a regular classroom. Participants will leave with a “Tool Kit” full of easy-toimplement strategies to nurture and challenge gifted and talented learners including tools for: Identification, Pre-assessment, Curriculum Compacting, Flexible grouping, Learning centers, Open-ended tasks, Product options, Research Independent study, Tiered instruction, Students as producers, And creative thinking and inquiry. Target Audience: K-8 Educators Date: Wednesday & Thursday June 8-9, 2011 Time: 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. daily Site: MSU Northern Hagener Science Center Room 112 Havre, MT

Diabetes HealthSense is designed to provide people with diabetes, people at risk for the disease and those who care for them with easy access to useful tools and programs that exist within the public domain and facilitate the behavior change process. The research articles in Diabetes HealthSense are a selection of review articles, landmark studies and meta-analyses on the science of behavior change and psychological health that promote the practical application of these strategies. To be included, resources must clearly address how to implement a change in behavior, be accessible to the public and contain limited or no advertising of commercial products.