HAWK HIGHLIGHTS

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Mission:

• To provide a high-quality, inclusive, and equitable education for students to grow, lead, and thrive by empowering staff, collaborating with families, and embracing our diverse community.

Vision:

• Gompers will be a collaborative community that provides a sense of belonging and high levels of achievement for all students, staff, and families.

Monday, 3/10

• Regular School Activities

Tuesday, 3/11

• IAR Math Test

Wednesday, 3/12

• IAR Math Test

Thursday, 3/13

• IAR Math Test

• BPAC Family Night

• Regular School Activities

Click Here for All 2024-2025 Calendar Events at Gompers

Every morning, our students receive the daily announcements in English and Spanish. Visit our slides at any time to learn more about our student announcements. The slides are updated each weekend for the following week, but updates can happen daily. Visit https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hlYLkNzdk13_FdSXAy5IVJdnv3zA1UhtLfGOMv7ReWQ/edit?usp=sharing for the Dialy Announcements at Gompers!

Completion rates as of Friday, 3.7.25:

• Students: 98%
• Families: 7%
• Staff: 73%

We encourage all parents and guardians to take the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. The survey is available through March 31, 2025. The results will provide us with important information to help drive improvement at our school. Our goal is to have at least 50% of all families complete the survey. Go to https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/survey/parent/

Thank you for your support.

As indicated by the completion rates mentioned above, we need your assistance. While 98% of students and 73% of staff have completed the 5Essentials Survey, only 7% of parents have participated so far. With the deadline approaching in a few weeks, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take 10-15 minutes today to complete the survey. Please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/survey/parent/ to get started. If you need internet access, feel free to stop by our office, and we’ll be glad to help you access the survey. Thank you for your input and support!

This week, our students have the opportunity to showcase their abilities to the community. The IAR math tests will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, providing a chance for students to demonstrate what they have learned in math throughout the year. The scores will be reported on the school’s state report card. We have organized our schedule to help students perform at their best.

Parents will be able to access their children’s performance after the tests through the IAR Parent Portal. We encourage you to support your student by motivating them to do their best on each test. Your support means a lot, and it will significantly contribute to their performance. Additionally, please assist your student each day with the following:

• Fully charge their Chromebook (overnight)
• Ensure they get a good night's sleep (around 8 hours)
• Arrive at school on time (between 7:30 and 7:45)
• Enjoy a healthy breakfast
• Encourage them to do their best on the test!

Managing Negative Social Media Posts: Strategies for Parents

In today's digital world, social media plays a significant role in student's lives. While it provides opportunities for connection and learning, it also exposes them to risks like cyberbullying and harmful content (Caring for Kids: Let's Talk About Social Media, 2025). Therefore, parents must take proactive steps to help their students safely navigate social media. The following is an outline of several straightforward strategies for parents to manage negative social media experiences for their student effectively.

1. Maintain Open Communication: Keeping open lines of communication with student about their social media activities is essential. When students feel comfortable discussing their online experiences, they are more likely to share any negative posts or interactions they encounter. Encouraging regular conversations about their social media use can also help parents understand their child's feelings and perspectives, promoting a supportive environment for discussing any challenges.
2. Set Clear Boundaries: Establishing guidelines regarding social media use is another critical step. Parents should create rules about what content is appropriate to share and when social media can be used (Understanding How Social Media Is Changing Parent-Child ..., 2023). For instance, limiting social media use during homework time or family meals can help promote healthy habits. Creating tech-free zones in the home can also foster quality family time and reduce unwanted online influence (Caring for Kids: Let's Talk About Social Media, 2025).
3. Monitor Social Media Activity: Parents should actively monitor their child's social media accounts. This may involve checking their profiles, following/friending their student and using parental control apps designed to filter content and track online interactions. Establishing a routine for reviewing social media use can ensure students remain safe online. However, it's essential to balance this monitoring with respect for the student's privacy, and parents should communicate openly about why they are monitoring their student's activity.
4. Teach Online Safety: Educating students about online safety is paramount. Parents should explain the importance of not sharing personal information and recognizing potential dangers online (Caring for Kids: Let's Talk About Social Media, 2025). Teaching students how to block unwanted users and report inappropriate content will empower them to handle negative situations independently.
5. Prepare for Negative Incidents: Parents should be ready to respond appropriately if their student experiences negative experiences. It is important to validate the child's feelings and reassure them they are not alone. In serious cases, like cyberbullying, parents may need to take further action by reporting the incident to the social media platform and contacting school officials. In severe cases of threats to harm your student, contact the local law enforcement authorities immediately.
6. Promote Positive Behavior: Encouraging students to interact positively on social media is also crucial. Parents can teach students the value of empathy and kindness by modeling respectful behavior online. Encouraging students to think before they post helps create a supportive online community and reduces harmful interactions.

Conclusion

Parents must actively promote a safe online environment as students increasingly engage with social media. Parents can better protect their student by maintaining open communication, setting clear boundaries, monitoring activity, teaching online safety, preparing for harmful incidents, and encouraging positive behavior. These strategies will help students develop resilience and a healthier relationship with social media, allowing them to enjoy its benefits while staying safe.

Reference

• American Psychological Association. (2023). Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/social-media-parent-tips
• Child Mind Institute. (2024). Managing Children's Social Media Use. Retrieved from https://childmind.org/article/understanding-childrens-social-media-use/
• Kaspersky. (2024). Online Safety for Children: Tips to Keep Kids Safe Online. Retrieved from https://usa.kaspersky.com/resource-center/preemptive-safety/kids-online-safety
• Pew Research Center. (2023). Parental Monitoring of Teen Social Media Use. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Social Media and Harm to Children: The Need for a Safety-First Approach. Retrieved from https://eppc.org/publication/social-media-and-harm-to-children/
• U.S. Surgeon General. (2023). Social Media and Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594760/

The Gompers 8th grade team is excited to announce the return of their annual Pi Day fundraiser! Starting March 3rd through March 13th, teachers will collect donations from students during lunch. For each dollar donated, students can be entered into a raffle to get a chance to throw a pie at their teacher! Teachers who earn more than $31.42 (ten times pi) will have a pie thrown at them during an assembly for all 8th graders on March 14th. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards 8th grade graduation activities - including decorations, refreshments, and even free tickets to Six Flags (for eligible students)!

Although the weather outside may not evoke thoughts of spring break, it is only five weeks away. This time of year, attendance can become an issue due to various factors, such as weather conditions, common illnesses, and extended vacations. We encourage all families to focus on maintaining consistent daily attendance over the next five weeks. Each day of attendance provides valuable opportunities for learning, growth, connection, and experiences that cannot be replaced.

If you or your student need assistance in ensuring regular school attendance, please reach out to our counselors and social workers, whose contact information is listed at the bottom of this newsletter. Remember, attendance matters, and we appreciate your support!

Don’t miss the chance to secure a yearbook for your student! Yearbooks are $20 and must be pre-ordered to guarantee availability.

• Online Orders: Deadline is March 20th. Use this link: https://inter-state.com/yearbookentry/92323k
• Cash Orders: Deadline is March 20th. Order forms are available in the school office.

Please note: Only students who pre-order will receive a yearbook. There is no guarantee of extra copies available after the deadline. Order today!

Do your best to keep your children healthy. Dress your children warmly in the cold weather and encourage them to wash their hands regularly. Handwashing is a huge preventative measure against illness. Also, eating a healthy breakfast can give the body the energy it needs for the day. The healthier students remain, the less school they’ll have to miss due to illness!

Have a question, comment, concern, or compliment about our school or District? Submit a Let’s Talk message at https://www.joliet86.org/district-info/lets-talk/ 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Sixth Grade

• Academic Advisor: Laura Arias - larias@joliet86.org
• Team Leader: Robert Pollard - rpollard@joliet86.org
• Social Worker: Brooke Hagadus - bhagadus@joliet86.org

Seventh Grade

• Academic Advisor: Courtney Miller - camiller@joliet86.org
• Team Leader: Jeremy Poch - jerpoch@joliet86.org
• Counselor: Jessie Moore - jmoore@joliet86.org

Eighth Grade

• Academic Advisor: Dan Wikert - dwikert@joliet86.org
• Team Leader: Jessica Pasquale - jpasquale@joliet86.org
• Social Worker: Therese Skwarczynski - tskwarczynski@joliet86.org

Bilingual Counselor: Maria Arroyo - mgarroyo@joliet86.org

School Psychologist: Andrea Gandy - agandy@joliet86.org

Fine Arts Team Leader: Theresa Curry - tcurry@joliet86.org

PE Team Leader: Jennifer Colstock - jcolstock@joliet86.org

Athletic Director: Eric Blaeser - eblaeser@joliet86.org

Nurse: Melissa Quitman - mquitman@joliet86.org

Interim Assistant Principal: Bill Sanderson- bsanderson@joliet86.org

Principal: Raul Gaston - rgaston@joliet86.org

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