Middle School Newsletter 2.5.2024
As a parent, I know all too well how difficult it can be to properly supervise my child’s social media and phone usage. However, as a principal, I also know that we absolutely need parental support in this area. I want to thank those of you who have partnered with us throughout the year as we continue to navigate the struggle cell phones can cause in school.
Below is a short article that I stumbled upon last year. On behalf of my team, please take a couple of minutes to read it.
Written by Chris Cochran
Parents. I am an assistant principal in a middle school (grades 6-8). My number one job is to create and sustain a school environment where both students and teachers feel safe (physically, emotionally, and mentally) to teach, learn, innovate, and socialize. I take my job very seriously, as do my colleagues, and we work very hard to grow in our capacity to do this work daily.
I can’t begin to describe how much time I spend every day dealing with issues that stem from unsupervised cell phone usage by our students. In the situations where I have to search a student’s cell phone, I often get sick to my stomach at what I find (highly inappropriate photos, videos, messages, social media usage, etc.). The things our students are willing to try and be a part of at such a young age gets worse and worse every year.
When I call parents to inform them of what is going on I always ask them how often they look through their kids’ phones. The shock gets even worse when 90% of them say hardly ever or never. And then they get upset at me, accuse me of lying to them about their kids’ roles in certain situations, or expect me to somehow fix the situation.
Parents, it is your number one job as a parent to get in your kids’ way at all times. Kids do not deserve privacy without accountability. You own their devices, not them. You should be having hard conversations with them about life, relationships, their bodies, their futures, etc. It is your responsibility to provide social and emotional support, help build coping skills, and monitor their activities, especially online. Please stop actively working against the schools and start working with us. We are not the enemy. We are trying to fulfill the role of both parent and educator in many situations and that is a very delicate and difficult line to walk.
Here are 3 tips for “getting in your child’s way.” You can modify any of these based on your relationship with your children.
1. Eat dinner as a family every night possible and actually talk.
No devices allowed. Current research suggests that parents only spend about 8 minutes a day in conversation with their kids. That’s unacceptable.
2. Check their devices RANDOMLY AND OFTEN.
You need to learn how to navigate their world. Inform yourself on how to use certain apps. Keep up with what apps are the most downloaded in the App Store. Make your kid show you their content and conversations and explain to you what is going on. Then give them advice. MAKE CONTENT WITH THEM and be part of their online presence.
3. Create opportunities for them to have experiences.
Take them to do new things, see new things, and learn new things. This not only strengthens their brain development, emotional development, and builds resiliency in kids but it also strengthens your relationship with them.
The online world is by far the most dangerous place our students go to every day.
And finally, do not let them take their phones into their rooms, shut their doors, and disappear for hours. Nothing good ever happens on the internet behind closed doors. The online world is by far the most dangerous place our students go to every day. We can’t assume that they will intuitively know how to navigate the dangers of the online world on their own.
PLEASE, help us with this.
My sincerest thanks to those who have and continue to support and partner with us so that we can provide the best education for your children. I hope each of you have a wonderful week and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns or questions.
Kindly,
Kim
314.645.9600 (607)~kwright@premiercharterschool.org
UPCOMING EVENTS:
February 15- Tornado Drill
February 15- Board Meeting
February 16 & 19- No School
March 6- End of 3rd Quarter
March 13 & 14- Conferences
March 14- Noon Dismissal
March 15-22- No School
April 1-5- 8th Grade MAP Testing
April 8-11- 7th Grade MAP Testing
April 16-18- 6th Grade MAP Testing
Yard signs:
Dear PCS Families,
As we strive for excellence, we invite you to showcase your school pride and support by volunteering to place Premier Charter School yard signs in front of your homes. Your participation in this initiative will play a crucial role in marketing our school to prospective families in the neighborhood. To sign up, please use the linked Google Form here:https://forms.gle/Jp563oZVP4e9tmA16. Your support is highly valued, and together, we can create a positive buzz about our school, encouraging more families to join our close-knit community. Thank you for being a vital part of PCS's success!
Athletics Update:
We are looking forward to spring sports starting back at PCS. There have been some changes to our spectator policy. Starting April 1st, 2024 students will not be allowed to attend PCS home sporting events without an adult or parent supervising them. This means that the parent/adult needs to be present with the student(s) for the duration of the event and not just on campus or waiting in the car. Thank you for your cooperation and support with this matter.
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Kim Wright M.Ed. LPC, RPT
Middle School Principal
Supporting the curious and empowered learner since 2000
National School of Character