Cheating Web Site for Kids

I got a call from my older son's French teacher today. It seems a boy passed R. a note and it turned out to be a printout from a website all about cheating. R.'s not in trouble but she wanted to let me know and she also informed the vice-principal and the guidance counselor.
The site is http://www.rajuabju.com/literature/how_to_cheat.htm
and it reads exactly like what you might expect from a smart-ass high school student. (Hey, maybe the guy is 30. He claims to have graduated from college). The writer takes apart an article at PBS.org pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/cheating/
meant to persuade students not to cheat. The site has a lot of good material about cheating and seems pretty straightforward and worth checking out for kids. It explains why all the excuses about cheating are lame. To the excuse that, "All my classes are hard," for example, the PBS site explains that it's a lame excuse because "School isn't supposed to be easy."
The self-proclaimed cheating expert offers this reply to the argument that every school has a cheating policy and you could get a terrible grade or get expelled from school, the writer replies, "Only if you get caught! Don't get caught and you won't get in trouble." His advice is full of expletives and I guess I can see why it made my kid giggle. (But not in French kid, come on!)
Most of it is your basic techniques which surprisingly are no more high tech than they were when I was in high school back in the dark ages, except he advises that students use computer print-outs for cheat sheets with a 6 point font.
Sigh. I know this isn't the worst thing a kid ever did but it does make you see what's out there on the web and it does wave a red flag that we're never really sure what they're up to. Darn that computer! I'm taking this as a warning not to be so clueless myself.
So now we have to have a hear to heart with son number 1 about cheating and with son number two (whose teacher also called today. When it rains it pours) about his rowdy behavior in class. I feel like we should get detention for being bad parents but this too will pass.

Frugal Parenting: Tips to Save Money

Working mothers know how to cut their own expenses. Maybe they don’t buy that pair of shoes or they bring a lunch to work. But it’s harder to cut back when it comes to your kids. You need to feed and clothe them, even if they are eating you out of house and home and growing up a size every month. But there are practical Clothes: Shop for clothes at consignment shops, used clothing shops and flea markets. Shop for new clothes out of season. Don’t be afraid to take hand me downs from relatives and close friends.
Babysitting: Join a babysitting coop or swap with friends
Books: Go to the library for books and videos. Libraries also have plenty of free events.
Eating out: Eat at home and have “fast food” like macaroni and cheese handy that you can whip up in a few minutes.
Videos: Record movies on the TV or find cheap video sources like the library or the Red Boxes.
Presents: Buy toys or games on sale and keep them for when you need them. Have kids make presents and cards for relatives and friends. Recycle wrapping paper and gift bags.
Food: Buy food on sale and make large quantities for leftovers. Buy food in bulk.
Entertaining: Have potluck dinners or ask people to bring salads or desserts.
Free Stuff: Look for groups like Freecycle that offer stuff for free and keep an eye out for bargains. Your municipality might offer free mulch for the garden. In the market for a piano? Often people give them away for free.
Date Night: Eat at home, then go out for movies and a drink. You can sneak in your own soda but probably not popcorn. Look for discount programs for theaters and concerts or check newspapers for free events.