Shepherd Middle BlueJay Bulletin
BlueJays,
Last week was one of those weeks that challenged our normal routines with Snowdays and cold temperatures. We attempt to allow kids outside at lunch daily, but only Wednesday reached a warm enough temperature.
On Tuesday, Mr. Ross and Mr. Huber met with eighth grade families to discuss preparation for ninth grade. If you were unable to attend and have questions about high school planning, we encourage you to reach out to them directly.
We also held a SKY meeting with approximately five parents and four students who are beginning the work of shaping what SKY can look like at the middle school level.
This week, we are hopeful for improved weather and a full five-day school week. Speaking of five days of school, families will notice increased communication and planning related to student attendance. To begin, we would like to clarify a few key terms. Regular attendance is defined as attending at least 95 percent of school days, which is approximately one absence per month. Excellent attendance is missing fewer than five days in a school year. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing more than 10 percent of the school year, which equates to approximately 18 days or about two absences per month. Additional information about attendance can be found at fewerthan5.com.
This week, we are emphasizing making respectful behavior a habit, even in difficult situations or when disagreements arise. Students are developing character traits that support treating others with dignity and fairness in all circumstances.
How you can help at home:
Consider reflecting with your student on a challenging moment when choosing kindness and fairness led to a positive outcome.
February
- 6 - Half Day
- 9 - No School
Teens today have access to various technologies that can help them conceal their online activities. Understanding these tools is crucial for parents aiming to guide their children toward responsible digital behavior.
Common Methods Teens Use to Hide Online Activities:
Private Browsing Modes: Features like "Incognito Mode" in browsers prevent the storage of browsing history and cookies, making it harder to track visited sites.
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks): VPNs mask a user's IP address, allowing them to access restricted content and browse anonymously.
Encrypted Messaging Apps: Applications such as WhatsApp and Signal offer end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the communicating users can access the messages.
Alternate or "Finsta" Accounts: Teens may create secondary social media profiles to interact away from the eyes of parents or guardians.
App Hiding Tools: Certain apps enable users to hide other applications or files, often disguising them as innocuous tools like calculators.
Guidance for Parents:
Open Communication: Foster an environment where your teen feels comfortable discussing their online experiences without fear of immediate judgment or punishment.
Stay Informed: Educate yourself about the latest technologies and apps that teens commonly use.
Set Clear Expectations: Establish and communicate guidelines for acceptable online behavior and the consequences of violating them.
Use Parental Controls: Implement monitoring tools to help oversee your teen's online activities, but ensure this is done transparently to maintain trust.
Encourage Critical Thinking: Teach your teen to consider the long-term implications of their online actions and the importance of digital footprints.
By staying engaged and informed, parents can help their teens navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
