Dear New Lebanon Families:
A recent incident in the Jr/Sr High School has prompted us to remind parents of the importance of monitoring their children’s online activity and presence. We want to make sure that the “if you see something, say something” message applies to what our students may come across on social media.
What we found was that a group of high school boys who are otherwise positive members of the school community created an online group site. They set up the group as an inside joke, but they identified themselves as a “gang.” They even jokingly approached a faculty member to see if she wanted to lead their “gang.” The images they posted, however, were not ones that an outside viewer would perceive of as a joke. The images included posing with weapons, as innocent as a nerf gun and as concerning as rifle. While meeting with the boys, our school resource deputy, Todd Hyson, explained that they had put themselves at risk had an actual gang accessed the site and perceived the boys as competition.
We are vigorously following up with the boys and with their parents. We will also redouble our efforts to inform our students of risks associated with social media.
This is just one example of the danger that children can unwittingly put themselves in when using the public venue of the Internet, specifically social media. Internet safety is part of our curriculum in New Lebanon, but we know that our instructional efforts may not be sufficient to keep our children from making risky choices.
We will continue to do our part to monitor behavior here at school and to educate students about safe and appropriate interactions. We ask that you please reinforce this important message by speaking with your children and by monitoring their online interactions at home, and by encouraging them to report anything they see that may be of concern. Here are some links that you may find helpful:
http://www.parenting.com/gallery/social-media-monitoring-kids
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/social-media-and-tweens-teens
http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/04/health/being13-social-media-teens-parents-stress/
Please feel free to contact me or your child’s principal if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Leslie Whitcomb
Superintendent