U Matter » Events

Should parents be held responsible for underage drinking?

Vision works — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:19:46 +0000

Parents of teens: If you think a drinking disaster at your kid’s party can’t happen at your house, not with your kid because he’s a good kid, it’s time to wake up and smell the whiskey bottle tossed on your lawn.

Because of the high risk of underage drinking and driving this time of year, many parents open their homes to partying teens as a way to keep them off the roads. What some might not know is liability laws can leave Mom and Dad vulnerable to lawsuits, fines and even jail time if underage drinking is found to be going on under their roof.

Parents can get in trouble even if they didn’t know about the drinking.

Mother of cyber bullying victim speaks to Smithton, Gentry students

Vision works — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:07:43 +0000






: Smithton Middle School students raise their hands in response to a question that Tina Meier asked Tuesday afternoon during a presentation at the middle school. Meier, whose daughter Megan Meier committed suicide at age 13, spoke to over 900 Smithton Middle School students about bullying.

When Tina Meier asked the students of Smithton Middle School how many of them had a Facebook profile, nearly everyone raised their hands.

The same response was given when Meier asked who had a cellphone with picture messaging. The Internet. Or knew someone with a fake social media page.

Meier, whose daughter Megan killed herself after being bullied on the Internet, spoke to students at Smithton Middle School Tuesday afternoon. Meier also gave a presentation at Gentry Middle School on Tuesday morning.

UMatter Summitt

Vision works — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:16:05 +0000

While the U Matter Campaign happens all year long, U Matter Week is the annual kick-off of U Matter activities. October is also National Bullying Prevention Month and Red Ribbon Week falls in the month of October. During U Matter Week each year we bring national speakers into all of our secondary buildings for special assemblies focusing on substance abuse prevention, bullying, and making positive choices. We also host, with the support of our community partner YC2, a U Matter Summit for 150 middle school students. The summit was held on Oct. 5, which was an early release day. The students participated in the morning all-school assemblies at their buildings and then came together in the afternoon for break-out sessions, put on by our guest speaker,s that focus more intensely on the positive messages and leadership building they heard earlier in the day. The students were really engaged and involved in the activities.

Additionally, as part of the U Matter activities this year, each middle school student and faculty member was provided an anti-bullying T-shirt in their school’s colors. The T-shirt was designed by two Gentry Middle School students at the end of last school year. The students and their teacher were inspired after Tina Meier visited their school to talk about bullying and her daughter Megan, who committed suicide.

How To Protect Our Children Against Bullying and Cyberbullying

Vision works — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:17:58 +0000

Parents and community members are invited to hear the Megan Meier story and learn how to protect their children against bullying and cyberbullying! Tina Meier’s presentation provides an overview of the technology that students are using in today’s world. Life is much different for students today than it was even four years ago. As parents and community leaders, it is imperative that we continually educate ourselves to become better equipped to help our children. Megan Meier’s story will be shared along with the topics of bullying, bystanders, cyberbullying and sexting. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Free Parent & Community Presentation
Tuesday, January 10, 6 p.m.
Launer Auditorium
Columbia College
1001 Rogers Street

Sponsored by Columbia Public Schools with support from Columbia College

U Matter presents Ty Sells

Vision works — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:29:02 +0000

Ty Sells is an alcohol and other drug-free presenter who entertains and motivates young audiences to live drug-free lives and deal with peer pressure by looking inward to personal strengths.

Click here to see his presentation to Gentry Middle School.

One way to stay safe online

Vision works — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:05:16 +0000

Since we saw yesterday how more and more teens are having their accounts hacked, here are some ideas about how to keep you accounts safer:

Passwords are the first line of defense against cyber criminals. It’s important to pick strong passwords that are different for each of your important accounts and to change them regularly. Here are some ideas to help create strong passwords.

Driving Tips

Vision works — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:38:58 +0000

Here are some ways to stay safe whether you’re behind the wheel or walking to or from campus.

The Truth About Teen Driving

Vision works — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:49:09 +0000

I got my driver’s license – now what

Vision works — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:39:17 +0000

“Congrats! You’re officially part of the club. You have joined the millions of new drivers already behind the wheel. You’re probably feeling excited, nervous, or possibly scared — you may even be feeling a combination of all three. Don’t worry, these feelings are normal. Here are a few tips to keep you both sane and safe.”

27th Annual Partners In Education Week

Vision works — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:43:06 +0000

We are so glad our partnerships were able to come together and celebrate the 27th Annual Partners In Education Week! Check out the photos!