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4 Friday, April 19, 2024brooklintowncrier.com Thinking Of Adding An Accessory Apartment? Putting in a basement apartment or secondary suite? The Town now offers incentives to help lower the cost and support these additional housing units in the community through its Housing Accelerator Funding. Learn more at whitby.ca/AccessoryApartments 2024 Interim Tax Billing The second installment of the Interim Tax Billing for 2024 is due on April 23. You have the option to sign up for e-billing for property taxes and receive regular tax bills via email. You can also request property tax statements online. For inquiries regarding tax payments, contact the Tax Department at 905-430-4304, tax@whitby.ca, or visit whitby.ca/Tax What Will Whitby's Official Tree Be? Join us April 20 at Whitby Civic Park (575 Rossland Rd. E.) at 11:30 a.m. for the announcement and planting of the Town's very first official tree. Following the ceremony, LEAF will host a tree tour of Whitby Civic Park. Later, from 1 to 3 p.m. help plant some trees. Register at whitby.ca/Sustainability Become A Crossing Guard We are hiring crossing guards to keep our kids safe. Enjoy flexible shifts, interacting with the community and great exercise. If you're a positive, courteous leader who wants to make a difference in our community, apply today at whitby.ca/Jobs whitby.ca P: 905-430-4300 E: info@whitby.ca What You Need To Know This Week In Whitby Subscribe to stay informed and provide input on the latest Town of Whitby projects and initiatives. Scan the QR code or visit connectwhitby.ca Nobody likes to be the subject of gos- sip. It's mean, hurtful, and just not necessary. Then why does it happen so easily among teens? A school peer attempted to create a fight between my kid and another girl. However, neither had a desire to be the entertainment of others and in- stead had a private conversa- tion. When others asked what went down, my daughter said they're cool. Nobody needed to know what words were ex- changed, just that it was re- solved. Gossip helps teens make sense of new information and allows them to feel "in-the- know" as they build bonds with others. However, as it's typ- ically born out of jealousy or as a means of revenge, it can come at the cost of losing trust or hurting others. While it may seem to be inclusive, it's often destroying relationships. When gossip strikes, there are four ways to deal with it. Steer clear - Even when teens want to be good friends, they can slip up and share private information, making someone the center of negative atten- tion. Be clear with them what can happen when they spread rumors. Explain that they can lose friends and their reputa- tion as gossip can make it diffi- cult to make new ones. A story is not theirs to tell. Your teen has be careful about who they share things with. If they need someone to talk to, they have other confidential options such as parents, siblings, school staff, counselors, or close friends they trust. Stop it! - If your teen has been the victim of gossip, or has seen it happen to a friend, they know how harmful it can be. It's up to them to become part of the solution. When someone asks them not to share infor- mation with others, they have the opportunity to decide what they are comfortable with. They can choose to move on instead of seeking revenge. Explain to your teen that taking a stance on gossip can show peers that they're trustworthy and kind. In fact, when they stop rumors in their tracks, other will notice and be more willing to trust them. Move on - Encourage your teen not dwell on gossip or ru- mors spread about them. To get closure, teens can have an open and honest conver- sation about what happened with the person who spread it. If unknown, teens can work with school staff to find a solu- tion, ensuring the truth to their friends. Let it die - As quickly as gos- sip spreads, it just as quickly is forgotten when the next sto- ry comes along. Retaliation prolongs its lifespan. The best thing to do is just move on and let it die out. When I checked with my daughter on how things were going with her gossip situation, she confirmed it was over. She praised the girl who had been the victim alongside her. "She's a really good basketball player," she said. "I told her go for Varsity next year." I told her that sound- ed positive and asked if they might try out for the team together. She shrugged. "May- be. That's next year though. Right now, I have hockey tryouts to deal with." Yes. We're moving on- ward. Brooklin Family Matters: by Leanne Brown Dealing with gossip