MINNEAPOLIS, March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, a partner in The Bully Project and a supporter of Lee Hirsch‘s new documentary “Bully,” offers educators, students, families and individuals the tools they need to address bullying in schools. By downloading free resources at PACER.org/bullying, communities can find ways to help change the culture of bullying.

“The Bully movie gives everyone a heartbreaking look at the reality of bullying,” says Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. “Our hope is that the movie will be a call to action, and that more people will work together to create a climate that doesn’t accept this behavior.”

Resources available at PACER.org/bullying include bullying prevention classroom toolkits, activities and videos for K-12 students; toolkits for organizing community events around bullying prevention; tips for how parents can talk with their children about the subject and work with schools and more.

PACER’s TeensAgainstBullying.org website offers relevant and interactive information in a teen-friendly way. Teens can find strategies to deal with bullying, ways they can stand up for other kids, and ideas for how they can bring the bullying prevention message to their school.

PACER’s KidsAgainstBullying.org website is specifically designed for elementary-aged children and uses a cast of animated characters to share bullying prevention strategies.

In addition, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLB), AbilityPath and Autism Speaks are partnering with The Bully Project to raise awareness about how bullying affects children with disabilities. Resources and a toolkit will be available soon at specialneeds.bullyingproject.com.

PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center provides creative and interactive resources designed to benefit all students, including students with disabilities. For more information, visit PACER.org/bullying or call 952-838-9000.

Editors: Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, and other experts on bullying prevention are available for interviews.

Contact: Julie Holmquist
Julie.holmquist@pacer.org
952-838-9000, National toll-free 888-248-0822

SOURCE PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center

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Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls

NEW YORK, March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we’re reminded that recognizing the contributions of women and girls should not be limited to one month out of the year. Speaking of these contributions, in American life, there is an experience known to play a part in the overall success of women: Girl Scouting. According to the newly released Girl Scout Research Institute report Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study, women who were Girl Scouts as children display significantly more positive life outcomes than do non-Girl Scout alumnae, outcomes that include perceptions of self, volunteerism and community work, civic engagement, education, income, and socioeconomic status.

Approximately one in every two adult women (49%) in the U.S. has at some point been a member of Girl Scouts, with the average length of time spent in Girl Scouts four years. There are currently an estimated 59 million Girl Scout alumnae living in the U.S.

Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study, which was not identified to participants as a Girl Scout project, surveyed a sample of 3,550 women age 18 and older, roughly half of whom are Girl Scout alumnae and half drawn from the general population. The sample was chosen to be representative of the U.S. population in terms of race/ethnicity, household income, education, marital status, and type of residence.

Among study findings, of Girl Scout alumnae who are mothers, 66 percent have been a mentor/volunteer in their child’s youth organization, compared to 48 percent of non-alumnae mothers. Seventy-seven percent of Girl Scout alumnae vote regularly, compared to 63 percent of non-alumnae. Time spent in Girl Scouts also pays off, as longer-term alumnae display a stronger sense of self: 71 percent consider themselves capable and competent, compared to 55 percent of shorter-term alumnae. In addition, 62 percent of longer-term Girl Scout alumnae think of themselves as leaders while 52% of short term alumnae think of themselves as leaders.

In its 100th anniversary year, Girl Scouts of the USA has affirmed its unwavering commitment to girls’ leadership with the launch of ToGetHer There, the largest, boldest advocacy and fundraising cause dedicated to girls’ leadership in the nation’s history. The multi-year effort will seek to create balanced leadership—the equal representation of women in leadership positions in all sectors and levels of society—within one generation.

“We can’t transform American leadership in a year, but we can transform expectations in a year,” says Anna Maria Chavez, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. “We can transform awareness in a year. We can set in motion a generational change and make certain that a baby girl born in 2012 will experience her life in a new and vastly different world. Only Girl Scouts, with its scale and time-honored place in society, can launch this initiative. If not us, who? If not now, when? When girls succeed, so does society. We know that together, we can get her there.”

Girl Scouts of the USA is uniquely qualified to help millions of highly qualified young women launch and sustain careers, overcome barriers that confront them, and enter the ranks of senior leadership and thrive there. Our goal is for Girl Scouts to be the catalyst for the gender-balanced leadership that this country needs.

About the Girl Scout Research Institute
The Girl Scout Research Institute, formed in 2000, is a vital extension of Girl Scouts of the USA‘s commitment to addressing the complex and ever-changing needs of girls. Comprised of a dedicated staff and advisors who are experts in child development, academia, government, business, and the not-for-profit sector, the institute conducts groundbreaking studies, releases critical facts and findings, and provides resources essential for the advancement of the well-being and safety of girls living in today’s world. The institute also informs public policy and advocacy for Girl Scouting with its research and outreach.

About Girl Scouts of the USA
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls’ healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer or reconnect with, or donate to Girl Scouts, call 800-GSUSA-4-U (212-852-8000) or visit www.girlscouts.org.

SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA

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Sold Exclusively at Kohl’s

WASHINGTON, March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO )

Name of product: Toy truck gifts with boy’s t-shirts
Units: About 9,000
Importer/Distributor: Happy Shirts, of Honolulu, Hawaii
Hazard: Connections in the toy trucks battery compartment can smolder or catch the trucks on fire, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Happy Shirts has received one report of a toy truck catching fire and three reports of toy trucks smoldering when batteries were inserted. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves Big Movers Super Car toy trucks that were gifts with the purchase of Big Movers t-shirts. The 4-inch long blue trucks have oversized tires and a flashing light on top and were sold with a yellow, red and blue logo on the hood. The navy t-shirts were sold in boys’ sizes S, M and L.
Sold exclusively at: Kohl’s stores nationwide and www.Kohls.com between February 2012 and March 2012 for about $20.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy:  Consumers should immediately take the toy trucks from children and remove the battery. Consumers can contact Happy Shirts for instructions on returning the truck for a refund.

Consumer Contact:  For additional information, please contact Happy Shirts toll-free at (855) 354-2779 between noon and 8 p.m. PT (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. HT) Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.happyshirts.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products—such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals—contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: SaferProducts.gov, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 for the hearing impaired.  Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov.  To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (855) 354-2779
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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-NEW AD CAMPAIGN MAINTAINS POLITICAL NEUTRALITY FOR THE CLASSIC DRAWING TOY AFTER POLITICAL GAFFE-

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BRYAN, Ohio, March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Ohio Art’s Etch A Sketch® found itself at the center of U.S. politics last week, drawing up an abundance of attention and elevating the iconic toy to political icon.  To maintain the classic drawing toys political neutrality, a series of three new ads developed by Team Detroit, Ohio Art’s advertising agency, are slated to hit social media channels today.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120330/CL79699 )

“With Etch A Sketch® shaking up the political debate, it was our desire to develop a campaign that encourages Americans to get involved in the process and vote,” says Martin Killgallon, Senior VP Marketing Product Development at Ohio Art.  “We feel these ads are fun and engaging and will continue to keep people interested throughout the remaining presidential campaign.”

“Etch A Sketch® doesn’t take political sides,” said David Maas, Senior Vice President – Group Account Director from Team Detroit. “We believe that when the left hand and the right hand work together, magic happens and these ads were developed to convey that message.”  

The campaign launched on Facebook and Twitter along with a series of clever posts and tweets.  The ads feature fun visuals and catchy slogans such as “Etch A Sketch® is a lot like politics, there’s a lot of gray area,” “Politically we lean right down the middle, which way did you lean?” and “We have a left knob and a right knob for each political party (But remember, when both work together, we can do loop de loops).”

The ads also drive consumers to a revamped Etch A Sketch® “Shake It Up, America” website where consumers are encouraged to exercise their freedom of expression, register to vote or purchase product.  Soon to come, consumers will also have the ability to select a blue Etch A Sketch®, which represents the Democratic party or red Etch A Sketch® that represents the Republican party, and cast their vote in an informal presidential poll.  

To learn more about the new Etch A Sketch® “Shake It Up, America” campaign, visit http://www.etch-a-sketch.com.

Visit us on our website: http://www.etch-a-sketch.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/etchasketch
Twitter: @EtchASketchUSA

About The Ohio Art Company

Creators of the famous Etch A Sketch® drawing toy, which recently celebrated its 50th year anniversary. The Ohio Art Company remains one of the world’s most widely recognized toy companies since its establishment in 1908. The Ohio Art Company is committed to developing innovative toys that encourage creativity and learning while providing hours of enjoyment, encouraging self-expression and promoting positive development. The company also markets specialty award winning toys including K’s Kids®, a line of toys specially developed for babies and toddlers, nanoblock®, world’s smallest building block system and CLICS®.

SOURCE The Ohio Art Company

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http://www.etch-a-sketch.com

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LONDON |
Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:17am EDT

LONDON (Reuters) – British singer Robbie Williams and his partner Ayda are expecting a baby, he said on his website on Friday.

Williams, 38, said the baby was expected later this year.

“We’ve seen scans and cried … looked at babies in commercials and teared up … the nursery is already planned,” he wrote in his official blog, adding that he couldn’t wait “to be a daddy”.

According to British tabloids, Williams, who rose to fame in boy band Take That, married actress Ayda Field at his Beverly Hills home in 2010.

After leaving Take That he forged a successful solo career and signed one of the world’s biggest music deals with EMI in 2002.

In October he announced he was switching labels to record his next studio album with Universal Music.

The singer, best know for hits like “Angels” and “Let Me Entertain You”, has won more BRIT awards — Britain’s top music prizes — than any other act.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)

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