Blue Horizons Poetry Writing Contest For Morgan County Youth - Oct 24 Deadline

The October 24 deadline for the Blue Horizons Poetry Writing Contest for Morgan County Grades 7 through 12 students is rapidly approaching. All students interested should submit their entries as soon as possible to their designated places in their schools, or else contact Amy Ely at 842-5957. Nice prizes include HD Nook electronic readers to first prize winners in both middle school and high school as well as gift cards for second through fourth places.

Teen Read Week at Sterling Public Library Includes Movie October 17

***Press Release***

October 13 – 19, 2013 is Teen Read Week.  The intent of the week is to encourage young adults to read for the fun of it.  Libraries across the U.S. will illustrate how fun reading can be in a number of ways during the week.

In celebration of the week Sterling Public Library will be showing a movie for teens on October 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the teen area.  The library will provide popcorn and kids can bring a bottled drink.  For more information about the movie call the library at 522-2023.

Sterling Public Library has many services for teens.  Many of the services are available online such as downloadable books and audios on Across Colorado Digital Consortium; EBSCOhost, a great reference database for completing homework or just looking up information; Freegal a great site for free music downloads; and Ask Colorado, a human-powered search engine you can ask all types of questions.

Sterling Public Library Events for the week of June 17

***Press Release***

On June 17^th Sterling Public Library’s Monday Dig Up Some Fun @ the Library program is Dig Into Egypt.  Denise has some great stories as you explore Egypt.  The craft for the program will help you show your Egyptian style as you make sparkling collars like the Egyptians wore.

 On Tuesday, June 18th at 3:00 p.m. Sterling Public Library will provide the Dig Deep Art Challenge for 10 to 15 year olds.  The group will learn the technique of string art.  We will also be creating our artwork on a unique background.  Space in this program is limited to 24 and registration is required. You may call 522-2023 to register.

On Wednesday, June 19^th at 7:00 p.m. the library will provide Dig into Books.  During the program we will feature some of the award winning books.  Our craft will come from the book Snowflake Bentley.

Our second Ground Breaking Snacks for teens will be held June 20^th at 3:00 p.m.  During this program we will have some special snacks for teens to enjoy as they get together to discuss books, movies or whatever topic they choose.  Erica also has a new service to let them know about.

The library has something for everyone this summer so be sure and stop in and join us.

Upcoming Programs at Sterling Public Library

***Press Release***

Sterling Public Library has a new program called Groundbreaking Snacks for teens.  The first program will be Thursday, June 6^th at 3:00 p.m.  This will be an informal program that gives teens a chance to meet and eat at the library.  Meet your friends at the library at 3:00 p.m. and have a snack as you talk about a book movie, video game or anything you want. 

Our Monday Dig Up Some Fun @ the Library program on June 10^th is Dig Into Rocks and Minerals.  Denise has some fun stories to share with everyone.  After stories we will be making pet rocks.  Be sure to join us and add a pet to your house.

 On Tuesday, June 11th at 3:00 p.m. Sterling Public Library will provide “Rocking” as the Art Challenge.  The group will be working on a “My Friends/Family Rock” project.   The Art Challenge is for kids age 10 to 15.  Space in this program is limited to 24 and registration is required. You may call 522-2023 to register.

The library will show its first movie on June 12^th at 7:00 p.m.  It will be a fun movie with lots of humor.  There is a simple plan to win a medal but soon everything is wrecked.  The movie is open to all ages.  Children under 8 must be accompanied by and adult over 18 years of age. The library will provide snacks.  You may bring your own drink. 

On Thursday, June 13^th Connie will provide Toddle Time.  They will be exploring stories and finishing by creating a pet rock.  Toddle Time is for kids age 3 and under.

The library staff hopes everyone is having a great summer.  If you haven’t registered for the Summer Reading Program yet, be sure to stop in and do so.  Summer is a great time to read for fun!

‘Speak Now’ Initiative Partners with Colorado High School Activities Association

***Press Release***

Campaign aims to curb statewide teen drinking by informing parents of dangers

DENVER, CO – Colorado ranks 9^th in the nation for teen binge drinking and alcohol remains the drug of choice for teens across the state.  In an attempt to help curb this disturbing trend the “Speak Now” campaign, a statewide initiative aimed at encouraging parents to talk to their teens about the dangers of underage drinking, is announcing a partnership with the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA). Outreach will include participation at state athletic championships where parents are already supporting their teens’ healthy lives.

Research conducted in 2012 by the “Speak Now” campaign shows an astonishing 97 percent of parents say they have had conversations about alcohol with their teens, yet the latest Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, administered to high school students statewide, indicates roughly 50 percent of teens say they have had this conversation with their parents. This data points to the importance of finding more ways to motivate parents to have conversations about the dangers of alcohol to close the communication gap with their teens.

“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with CHSAA,” said Stan Paprocki, Director of Early Prevention and Early Intervention for the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health. “This partnership is working toward a common goal of creating a generation of healthy, successful Coloradans.”

Through the partnership with CHSAA, the “Speak Now” campaign was able to connect with parents of teens at the 4A/5A Basketball State Championship event held at the Coors Event Center at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Additional outreach this year will include the upcoming Colorado High School Track and Field State Championships on Saturday, May 18 at the Jefferson County Stadium. Outreach conducted at the championship will focus on the negative impacts of alcohol through an on-site DUI simulator where teens and parents will be offered the opportunity to experience driving under the influence first hand.

“Students who participate in athletics or activities learn a lot of great lessons from their coaches,” said Paul Angelico, Commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association. “The Speak Now campaign reminds parents they are coaches too, and play a critical role by helping their teens make smart choices each day.”

The Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health administers the “Speak Now” campaign, which received federal funding for the five-year effort from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). The grant is referred to as the Colorado Prevention Partnership for Success (CPPS) initiative. For further information on the “Speak Now” campaign, visit www.SpeakNowColorado.org (www.HableAhoraColorado.org in Spanish).

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About Speak Now

The “Speak Now” campaign is part of the Colorado Prevention Partnership for Success (CPPS) statewide underage binge drinking initiative focused on implementing evidence-based substance abuse prevention practices, policies and approaches that build local and state prevention infrastructure in Colorado.

About the Colorado Department of Human Services

The Colorado Department of Human Services assists struggling Colorado families who need food, financial and energy assistance to provide for their families; families in need of safe and affordable child care; children at risk of abuse or neglect; families who struggle to provide care for their adult children with developmental disabilities; youth who have violated the law and need structure and guidance to grow into responsible and compassionate adults; Coloradans who need effective treatment for mental illness or substance abuse issues; and families who need resources to care for their elderly parents or nursing home care for their veteran parents. Our commitment every day is to be “people who help people.”

About the Colorado High School Activities Association

The Colorado High School Activities Association is a voluntary association of 341 member schools, including 281 public, 41 private schools and 19 charter schools, and has been the state’s governing body of high school sports and activities since 1921. Its mission is to serve its membership through the advancement of, and the student's participation in, interscholastic activities, which are an integral component and a complement to the educational goals of its member schools. The CHSAA sponsors championship events in 27 boys’ and girls’ sports throughout the year and state level events in student council, music and speech. Over 58% of the state’s nearly 225,000 students participate in at least one activity sponsored by the CHSAA.