Last week I wrote about the importance and need for parental involvement with monitoring our children’s social media. As a school we are also responding to this need. Here is an update from our counseling team:

Dear Middle School Families,

In response to recent events and inappropriate social media posts, your child will participate in two lessons by the counseling department during the month of February. The first lesson is on digital citizenship. Students will learn about how the choices they make online have lasting effects for both themselves and others. Students will discuss the legal consequences of poor online choices, as well as brainstorm ways to be a responsible digital citizen in today’s world.

We encourage you to continue the conversation with your child at home. We have attached resources for you to utilize.

Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/tweens

Internet Matters: https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/11-13/

The second lesson is on bullying required yearly by the Missouri Department of Education. Students will learn that bullying is about power, it is intentional, and it is repeated. We will discuss further how bullying impacts individuals and school climate, how to report bullying, and outcomes of reports of bullying.

For more resources on talking to your child about bullying, go to:

Stop Bullying.gov: https://www.stopbullying.gov/

PCS Bullying Policy (Page 14) https://www.premiercharterschool.org/pcs-families

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the middle school counseling department:

Kalyn Abel

Middle School Counselor

kabel@premiercharterschool.org

Erin Russell

Middle School Counselor

erussell@premiercharterschool.org

Morgan Fuemmeler

Middle School