The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

Broward County Public Schools is taking back control in our communities.  After last year's horrific incidents with our local students, Michael Brewer and Josie Ratley (both 15 year-olds at the time), the time is now to be a force and take action. Choose Peace-Stop Violence Week will be held September 20-24 across Broward County. Schools and the community facilities across Broward will be simultaneously speaking with one voice and one goal in mind – to eliminate youth violence in Broward County. According to CBS News students at Manatee Bay Elementary decorated the campus with homeade pinwheels for peace. Masses of students from both Deerfield Beach Middle School and Cypress Bay High School joined together to create giant human peace signs. For more information on the Federal Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative , visit ( www.sshs.samhsa.gov ). For more information on Project Bridge’s Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant, programs and services, contact Shari ...

Broward County has seen enough of the consequences bullying , text rage and cyberbullying . Last October the fury of a teen being doused in alcohol then set on fire by other teens is literally incomprehensible , however it happened to 15 year-old Michael Brewer . Just 5 months later in March of 2010, we all were shocked at the rage of a teen as he savagely beat 15 year-old Josie Ratley nearly to death with his steel toe boots. Coincidentally both these students were attending Deerfield Beach Middle School . Both Josie Lou Ratley and Michael Brewers are survivors of vicious attacks.  Did these stem from bullying? As school opens shortly, STOMP Out Bullying ™ which is an initiative of Love Our Children USA ™ the national nonprofit leader that honors, respects and protects children, launches their new website! STOMP Out Bullying focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, decreasing school absenteeism and truancy, ed...

Shortly school will be opening throughout our country , bullying is an expanding and explosive form of malicious attacks on kids and teens.  Whether you are being attacked verbally or online, bullying hurts!   Bullying can leave long lasting emotional scars that people may not be able to see on the outside, but on the inside a child is hurting. STOMP Out Bullying ™ is an initiative of Love Our Children USA ™ the National nonprofit leader that honors, respects and protects children. Its mission is to break the cycle of violence against children. Since 1999, it has paved the way in prevention and has become the ' Go-To ' prevention organization for all forms of violence and neglect against children in the U.S. STOMP Out Bullying has proudly launched their new website as a new school year is about to begin.  This website offers a vast amount of educational and valuable information on bullying prevention, hotlines, and many fantastic celebrity videos and PSA's . ...

July is National Make a Difference to Children Month . As families are enjoying their summer vacations, time at the beach, time with friends, and simply having fun in the sun, there are children that are suffering. Children that are hungry. Children that are being harmed and children that need you to help them make a change. During National Make a Difference to Children Month , find it in your heart to dig into your wallet and make a difference to a child today. Every dollar counts, every donation can help bring a smile to a child somewhere. Nationally, Love our Children USA has brought an awareness to violence among children. Since 1999 they have been the leader in violence prevention and continue to expand through STOMPOutBullying.org . Bullying and cyberbullying is a growing concern today, and again Love Our Children USA is taking a stand to educate and inform people about bullying prevention . Learn how you can donate today. Is there someone that is special ...

Another teen tragedy that involves sexting, bullying and the horrific end to a young beautiful life. (Photo of Hope Witsell, from Edmund D. Fountain, St. Petersburg Times). According to the St. Petersburg Times , 13 year old Hope Witsell was a typical teen however suffering from inner turmoil that lead to the end of her life. Hope was taunted by ugly and harassing insults which resulted from a nude photo of herself that was spread via text also known as 'sexting'. Although meant for her boyfriend only, this photo soon went viral and school officials suspended her. She was convinced that tons of people secretly hated her according to her journal. The St. Petersburg Times also noted: A 2009 Harris online poll shows that one in five teens admits to having sent naked pictures of themselves or others over a cell phone. But even that number may be low. This is another horrific story that we can learn from. The question is, why is it taking these tragedies to wake us up? Here are some...

Ross Ellis, founder of Love Our Children USA and STOMP Out Bullying is a dedicated and devoted crusader to help protect children in our country. Recently she wrote a fantastic and timely article to help protect you and your teens during this holiday season. Cyber Monday is a very busy time online. Here are some great tips by Ross Ellis – and as a Parent Advocate , I believe everyone needs to take the time to learn more about keeping you and your family safe in cyberspace! Dated: November 25, 2009 Cyber Monday is 6 days away, for those online shoppers who want a great deal on their holiday gifts. 61% of consumers are shopping online and that includes teens shopping online as well. Here’s what you can do to ensure online safety: • Talk to your teens about online safety and how to avoid these online Cyber Monday scams • Be sure you know what sites your teens are shopping on • Make sure the web site is legitimate before inputting your credit card info • Make sure the site provides full...

Last week the horrific story of the fifteen year old, Michael Brewer , who was doused in alcohol and set on fire by other teens! The story literally stunned our community. According to the Miami Herald , the doctors say he is making significant progress. The five teens are charged with aggravated battery in the attack earlier this month at a Broward County apartment complex. Authorities say they were retaliating in a quickly escalating dispute over a video game. Recently Michael Brewer's parents have sent a letter of thanks (via CBS News ) to everyone for their prayers, donations and support. Read here . Ross Ellis founded one of the leading organizations to help STOMPOUTBULLYING in combination with Love Our Children USA has offered some excellent advice and tips for parents, educators and everyone working with children today. 1. Bullying hurts and being a victim of any kind of bullying feels really bad. And it’s important for you to know two things: You’re NOT alone and It’s NOT ...

Celebrities STOMP Out Bullying With Love Our Children USA NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaims October 5th BLUE SHIRT DAY NEW YORK September 28 2009: Love Our Children USA announced that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proclaiming October 5th BLUE SHIRT DAY to signify the importance of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, October 4th – 10th. Love Our Children USA created National Blue Shirt Day on Monday, October 5th , where thousands of kids and adults will wear blue shirts as they make their way to school or to the office as a grassroots national movement to STOMP Out Bullying . The organization launched the STOMP Out Bullying Campaign in October, 2008 and its new dedicated Web Site this past Monday. STOMP Out Bullying focuses its efforts to reduce Bullying and Cyberbullying, decrease school absenteeism and truancy, educate against homophobia and racism and deter violence in schools, playgrounds and communities across the country. To date over 53,000 have committed to STOMP...

Source: Love Our Children USA Knowing that the world we live in today is very different, Love Our Children USA recognizes that we must redefine parenting. No one is a perfect parent and there is no magical way to raise children. And we know kids can be challenging! Parenthood and caring for a child is a gift bestowed upon us which comes with the greatest responsibility and pledge … to guarantee the safety, nurturing, loving environment and physical and emotional wellness of our children … for ALL children! Anyone and everyone can learn good parenting skills. Even parents who are overwhelmed, or alone. The first three years of your child’s life are crucial. Those are the years that your child will develop significant intellectual, emotional and social abilities. That’s when they learn to give and accept love. They learn confidence, security, and empathy … they learn to be curious and persistent …everything your child needs to learn to relate well to others, and lead a happy and product...

Krysten Moore is 2007 Miss Teen International of New Jersey continues to be a voice to help protects kids from cyberbullying . As a once victim of cyberbullying , she fought back and went on to rise above it all. Today Krysten's voice is heard in the many lectures she has given and recently she was on The Cyber Savvy Show with Erika-Marie Geiss . Listen here . I meet Krysten when we were both on The Rachael Ray show and was extremely impressed with her maturity and dedication to help others. This week (May 21st) on The Cyber Savvy Show , Michael Fertik from Reputation Defender will be on.

Parents Universal Resource Experts ( Sue Scheff ): Love our Children USA offers help for kids and parents today with all the issues they face. Bullying, cyberbullying and school violence is part of what our children may face. Learn more here .

Every year over 3 million children are victims of violence and almost 1.8 million are abducted. Nearly 600,000 children live in foster care. Every day 1 out of 7 kids and teens are approached online by predators. Visit LOVE OUR CHILDREN USA I was on The Rachael Ray Show with Kysten Moore who is a spokesperson for Love Our Children USA as well as Miss Teen New Jersey International 2007. Krysten is a mentor for so many kids out there that are being cyber harassed and more. I was in awe of her maturity and the inspiration she gives to many.

Every year over 3 million children are victims of violence and almost 1.8 million are abducted. Nearly 600,000 children live in foster care. Every day 1 out of 7 kids and teens are approached online by predators. Visit LOVE OUR CHILDREN USA