Dance Circles

A variant of the 'show case' style jam circles mentioned
above is a circle where dancers within the circle swap
partners from the outside. Less "showy" than a jam
circle, these jams are to commemorate an occasion for
the person(s) in the circle. Another way to consider the
difference is that while the aforementioned Jam Circles
showcase ability, the Dance Circles here showcase
dancers. For example, this kind of jam circle may be
organized when a dancer from the local dance community
celebrates a birthday, or is moving away. Other
occasions for these jams include a welcome dance for new
members and/or visitors. Many of these circles are a
planned portion of the evening.

The dancers of honor stay in the circle the whole time
while other dancers from outside the circle cut in 'on
the fly'. Dancers "break in", or "steal", their way into
the middle by breaking the connection of the dancers and
inserting themselves such that the person of honor
continues dancing without missing a beat. Some scenes do
this in an organized fashion (such as a line), however,
many do so without rules. Such birthday jams are common
in swing dance and hustle communities in the United
States but not unusual in salsa or tango. While
nerve-wracking for beginning dancers the jams do help to
meet the local crowd.

Assessing the Level of Risk

The Web

Of all Internet activities, the web is currently the most popular application, allowing access to graphics, files and online discussion that have been published for worldwide use.

Accessing information on the web

The value

Websites provide the opportunity to access information worldwide. It is possible for pupils to read newspapers, tour museums, check out libraries, visit foreign countries, play games, look at pictures, or do research.

The potential risks

Personal Safety

* Feeling uncomfortable

Some websites contain offensive material, either in their content or in advertising banners shown on them.

* Child protection

Websites sometimes ask for information. The site may ask for personal information before it will let a user in. At best, the details will end up in some database, probably to be used to try to sell something to the user. At worst, these personal details could be used to trace and harm someone.

Legal Issues

* Credit cards

Many adult websites use credit card details as a way to bar young people from inappropriate material. It would be technically possible for a young person to use those details to register with such a site, use a period of "free" access, so that nothing appears on the credit card statement, and then unregistered. Such a technique means that a range of users could use one adult's details without the card owner's knowledge. Those responsible for the sites have no way of checking identity.

The recommendations

* Schools should consider filtering software, ratings systems, child-friendly search engines, or monitored network systems, to avoid inappropriate web material being received.

* Letting pupils know that school staff supervise and monitor usage will reduce any inclination to visit dubious sites.

* All Internet users should be made aware of the potential problems of giving out information. Never divulge anyone else's personal information, and only supply minimal, untraceable details, such as a first name, to an enquiring website.

* Use of an adult's credit card details should not take place on school premises.

Making Good Use of the Materials

The Click Thinking Pack includes information and resources for children and young people, their parents or careers, as well as for teachers and managers. The resources may be edited and/or photocopied or otherwise reproduced for classroom use or for distribution to parents and the wider community. Teachers and managers may find other points of interest in the sections for pupils and parents.

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Night Bike Riders at Risk

CPSC Document #5003

To help reduce nighttime bicyclist fatalities, cyclists should always wear a good helmet, use front and rear lights and reflectors, and wear reflective clothing. Children should never ride at night, and cyclists should avoid riding on unlighted, narrow roadways.

Because of a sharp increase in the number of bicyclist fatalities resulting from car-bike collisions at night, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning to bike riders to take necessary steps to make themselves and their bicycles more visible at night.

The number of bicyclists killed at night has increased from 304 to 372 per year. In 1975, the number of nighttime deaths accounted for 30% of the total number of bicyclists killed. By 1982 (the latest year for which complete data are available), nighttime deaths accounted for 42% of the total number of bicyclists killed. One factor contributing to fatal nighttime bicyclist accidents is that the bicycles and riders are not readily visible to motorists. Motorists involved in car/bicycle collisions report that they hit bicyclists because the bicycles and riders were not visible. Cyclists' failure to wear protective helmets may have also contributed to the severity of head injuries suffered in car-bike collisions.

Therefore, CPSC recommends the following actions to cyclists:

1. be sure your bike has reflectors required on all new bicycles by the CPSC bicycle regulation. Each bike should have front and rear reflectors, pedal reflectors, and side rim or wheel reflectors. Use front and rear lights (as required in many States) to help make your bicycle more noticeable to cars at night. Small battery-operated lamps strapped to your legs also help.

2. Wear reflective clothing to make yourself more visible to automobile drivers. Wear a reflective vest, reflective bands on arms and legs, and reflector zed tape on helmet.

3. Always wear a good helmet with a rigid (but crushable) interior material which may help absorb the force of an impact. (This is important for daytime riding, too.)

4. Never allow children to ride at night.

5. Avoid riding on dark, narrow roadways where the posted speed limit is more than 35 mph.