Good Afternoon,
I wanted to reach out to you with a few pieces of information. Today, during 5th grade lunch, I spoke with the students about the importance of being kind, inclusive, and accepting towards others. I recently received a report that there are some students in this particular grade level that are targeting another student. This report has been investigated and any students who were involved in this particular report were spoken to, received consequences for their actions, and their parents were contacted.
During my time with the 5th graders today, we spoke about how targeting another person for who they are (gender, race, religion, etc.) is considered discrimination, and that if students continue to target one person over and over again in an effort to cause harm, it is also considered bullying. I stressed the importance of demonstrating prosocial behavior at all times as one of our top priorities here at Hannum is to maintain a positive culture and community for everyone. The cool tool we use with our PBIS model is "using kind words and actions".
Additionally, we discussed the importance of creating a positive digital footprint. It has come to my attention that there is a group chat where students are sending messages to each other outside of the school day that include vulgarities as well as racial slurs. Here is a link to Common Sense Media that includes some suggestions for families to use at home for helping to monitor appropriate use of digital devices as well as other resources.
I know that with your support, together, we will help guide our Hannum Bears to "use kinds words and actions".
In Partnership,
Ms. Doornbos
