Central Office: News

Are Facebook "Friends" ...

...really your friends?

by Judy Chamberlain

Social networking sites are popular with pre-teens and teenagers around the world. PLMS and PLHS students are no exception to that phenomenon. What should adults do or say about this?

Helping students to make responsible decisions is a core value in our district. On August 11, every adult in the district heard a dynamic presentation by Tina Boles on the topic of student use of the internet for friendship and the ways that it can change into bullying through careless actions. After hearing and seeing examples of teenagers’ lives being ruined by thoughtless peers, the staff broke into small groups to discuss the information and to plan for interventions.

The following excerpts from their discussions will be heartening to our patrons. The question was, “What are you going to start doing because of what you heard today?”

Be more vigilant with computer usage. Be more willing to talk about computer privacy. Be aware of warning signs in children. Talk with our own children about safety, especially on Face Book. Find ways to continue our cyberbullying lessons and implementation of what we have learned. Monitor restrooms for cell phone use. Be more aware of people taking pictures with cell phones. Monitor cyberspace more effectively. Watch for cyberbullying more. Start to pay more attention to cell phone usage. Maintain a dialog with kids about bullying. Tell kids why it’s important not to share passwords. Have Tina come to our school. Teach more about it in the classroom. Be more alert and aware of what students are doing on the internet and cell phones. We will be more active in the computer lab and raise our level of concern about personal electronic devices. Listen to kids and pay attention..

There are useful handouts for parents available in each school office. Patrons are encouraged to stop in and pick them up, or to ask to have copies sent home with students.