Some like it hot!

We’re headed into the dog days of summer but nobody at Realityworks is sipping sweet tea on the porch. We are gearing up for the school year and we’ve got lots to share with you from savings to special announcements. Thanks for checking in. Give us a call or drop us a line if you’re getting your programs and curriculum set for 2010-11. We’re here for you!

Realityworks on TV

The TV show “The Doctors” recently educated its audience about Shaken Baby Syndrome (sometimes also known as Abusive Head Trauma) using the Realityworks Shaken Baby Syndrome Simulator. Check it out here!

A world-renowned psychologist worked with several men in
need of parenting education on VH1’s “Dad Camp” using
RealCare Baby and the Pregnancy Profile Vest, getting them prepared for impending fatherhood.

Click on the product names above for clips of each “Dad Camp” episode!

You're simply the best!
Enter the RealCare Educator of the Year contest

Give yourself a pat on the back for being a great educator, and then apply for the RealCare Educator of the Year award so we can sing your praises, too!

Realityworks is accepting nominations now through October 15, 2010. The purpose of the award is to recognize an educator using the RealCare Program from Realityworks to make a difference in the lives of young people.

One winner will receive a $1,000 gift certificate for Realityworks products, and Realityworks will cover the cost of one conference registration and travel to the 2010 Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) conference in Las Vegas December 2-4! The RealCare Educator of the Year will be introduced at the National Association Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (NATFACS) luncheon during the conference as well.

The RealCare Educator of the Year award recognizes Family and Consumer Sciences teachers who are doing exceptional work using the RealCare Program. Teachers may nominate themselves or be nominated by ACTE or NATFACS members (or a member of any national or state career and technical association).

Nominations must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2010 to be eligible.

Click here for a printable nomination form with official guidelines and portfolio requirements. You know you’re the best. Now tell us why and we’ll spread the news!

Child Abuse Council Reaches Nearly 800 Students Each School Year

The Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Saginaw, Michigan, recently recognized the volunteers who maintain 63 RealCare Babies for use in 13 Saginaw County school districts, several non-public schools, summer camps and juvenile detention centers.

According to Education Coordinator Vera Harrison, 789 students went through an infant care simulation this past school year.

 “I think that the program is worthwhile because I was a teen mother and I know a program like this would have made me more cautious,” said Harrison. “I talk to so many teenagers who are fascinated with having a baby.”

The agency focuses on preventing child abuse through proper education. Before students are allowed to take a simulator home for the weekend, they have to participate in an hour-long presentation that discusses safe sleep practices, Shaken Baby Syndrome, frustration and the financial responsibilities of becoming a parent. 

“We educate students on the realistic expectations of infants. Child abuse often occurs when parents are unaware of what is developmentally appropriate for an infant, especially regarding the amount of time the baby will cry and the amount of care the infant will need.”

Those who go into the schools to distribute the RealCare Babies are usually met with excitement and anticipation for the big weekend with Baby. By Monday morning there is a definite change of heart.

“When I pick up the Babies, the students are almost throwing them at me,” Harrison said. “They are rushing me to cut off their bands and yelling things like “Freedom” and “Yesss!” One student said ‘Baby I thought it over.’”

Up to 60 Babies are distributed weekly, with volunteers delivering and assigning simulators to the students to free up time for teachers. In between, volunteers also clean the Babies and their clothing, and do detailed diagnostic checks to make sure they are working properly before each simulation.

One of their volunteers built a custom shelving system for storing and charging the group’s armada of RealCare Babies. Another example of how a community pitches in to provide life-changing experiences for its youth! Read more about these groups coming together to provide life-changing lessons here.

Thanks, Saginaw!

Realityworks products now NIMAS certified
Curricula more accessible to students with disabilities

The National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) makes it possible for publishers to develop print materials into specialized formats (such as Braille or audio books) for students with disabilities. This makes Realityworks curricula easier to use with students who are blind, have low vision, physical disabilities, or certain types of reading disabilities. It also makes it easier to obtain federal funding for purchase.

These specialized formats are available for download to school district and LEA coordinators through NIMAC, a national repository for such materials accessible to authorized users. You can learn more about NIMAS certification on the U.S. Department of Education website.

Time to renew your TimeMAPS

Hard to believe, but another year is quickly rushing by and renewal time is approaching for those of you who are proud users of TimeMAPS personal finance software from Realityworks! Contact your Product Consultant to update your software with important financial tables including housing data, cost of living indices and other powerful information that makes TimeMAPS a comprehensive, up-to-date and region-specific personal finance education powerhouse.

Give your students access to critical information to help them make important life decisions from career planning to investing for retirement with TimeMAPS. Renewals also give you access to operational updates and additional lessons and activities each year. And, if you’re new to teaching personal finance, contact Realityworks at 800.830.1416 about bringing it into your classroom!

Smart Baby!
RealCare Baby Learns French and Portuguese

Control Center software makes administering a Baby program a snap with wireless communication and instant programming of multiple simulators at once. Set up your program from your desktop as long as Babies are within range. And now it just got easier to operate and create printed reports in two additional languages! We’ve added French and Portuguese to the existing program already available in English and Spanish.

And if you haven’t yet experienced the benefits of wireless programming, talk to your Product Consultant today. There’s no technology barrier here – just ease of use, drop-down menus and convenient, quick communication with Babies from your computer.

Control Center software works with RealCare Baby II-plus. Still have RealCare Baby II? No worries! Purchase an easy-to-install upgrade kit with the software and you’re set!

Realityworks may be coming to your area

Mark your calendars - our conference dates are below!

• Oklahoma Career and Technology Education
  Tulsa, OK
  August 3-5

• Virginia Business Education Association
  Roanoke, VA
  August 3-5

• Family and Consumer Science Teachers Association of Texas
  Dallas, TX
  August 4-6

• Wisconsin Family and Consumer Sciences
  Eau Claire, WI
  August 9-10

• North Central Business Education Association Regional Conference
  Bloomington, MN
  September 23-24

• University of Wisconsin-Stout FACS Conference
  Menomonie, WI
  September 24