Not a Walk in the Park
Imagine taking a nice walk in Central Park in NYC. Or walking into a part of the city where drugs are sold. Or into a neighborhood where crime is prevalent. We might let our middle schooler take a walk in Central Park, but not into those other places. There's danger there! The truth is that we allow our kids to take that dangerous walk when we give our kids access to the internet with no monitoring.
In middle schools we routinely hear from parents about issues their students are having online. We hear about incidents of online bullying, kids who have shared inappropriate pictures with someone, or kids who are looking to purchase drugs or similar materials. Our parents are often surprised that their student would be involved with something like that. These types of experiences can be devastating to a family.
As parents of young RedHawks, our goal for middle school-aged students is to let them stretch their wings... but we must also monitor their flights. We want to give them access to social media, but we need to be aware of what they are doing online. Are they in a dangerous neighborhood, are they interacting with safe people, and are they being positive, safe, and kind digital citizens? As you help guide your student, here are a few recommendations:
Remind your child that the phone (tablet, computer) is yours and that you have a right to look through the contents at any time.
Establish a time boundary. Your phone needs to be plugged in, in my bedroom, by 9 PM. Our experience is that a lot of bad digital behavior happens well after kids should be in bed because they have phones in their rooms.
Expect them to share passwords and passcodes with you so that you can access accounts as needed. Or even better, you enter the password for them. Did you know that kids sometimes have fake accounts- one for parents to see, one for their friends, and sometimes a third to be anonymous or to be mean anonymously?
Educate yourself about apps they may want/have installed. Many have concerns associated with them.
Consider adding some monitoring software. Yes, you have the right to do that!
Teach your kids to put down the device when they are sad or angry. Many regrettable things are said when we respond with anger in the moment.
The internet has some great advantages, but can also be a scary place for our kids. Guiding them carefully along their digital journey will pay off greatly!
Have a good weekend-
Tim
DO YOU RECORD?
SPRING TRACK INFORMATION
Attention any 7th or 8th grade students interested in going out for the track team this spring. You need to attend one of 3 informational meetings next week in google meets in order to sign up and get information. The links to the google meets are as follows:
Join with Google Meet
Monday, March 8 @ 5:00 meet.google.com/oaj-bysr-bew
Tuesday March 9 @ 5:00 meet.google.com/znc-tama-hww
Attention 6th, 7th and 8th Graders:
Cheer will be starting right after Spring Break. If you are interested, please plan on attending one of the two virtual informational meetings scheduled for:
- Monday, March 22nd at 6:00pm meet.google.com/erx-cjne-vkq OR
- Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00pm meet.google.com/qvx-rezq-afn.
A reminder from the school nurse…
State legislation requires that all Illinois children in Sixth Grade will have a dental examination. A licensed dentist must perform the examination, and he or she shall sign the form. Dental offices should have the form available, but it is also available online at www.d303.org under Departments, then Health Services, then “Health Documents and Forms”. Each 6th grade student must present proof of a dental examination by a dentist prior to May 15, 2021. The exam must be dated within 18 months prior to May 15, 2021. If your child has had an exam already, you can ask your dentist to complete the form for the exam.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a waiver for children who show undue burden or lack of access to a dentist. Parents or legal guardians who object to the dental examinations on religious grounds shall present to the school a signed, detailed statement of the objection.
The deadline is quickly approaching! Please submit this if you have not already done so.
If you have any questions, please contact Wredling Health Office at 331-228-3704
WANTED: WREDLING PTO VICE PRESIDENT
D303 Remote Learning Resources for Students and Parents
Self-Compassion in a Time of Criticism:
Tim
Looking for a job?
One of the more flexible positions available is that of a D303 Substitute. You can choose to work, or not work, as your schedule permits. Take a moment and read the Substitute Handbook to see what this job entails.
If you are interested and hold a:
- Bachelor's degree in any field you would qualify to apply for a substitute license with the state which allows you to sub for teachers or teacher assistants. You would apply using THIS link.
- Associate's degree you apply for a Paraprofessional license which only allows you to sub for Teaching assistants. You would apply using THIS link.
- High School diploma you have to take an aptitude test with the KANE ROE office. Once you pass that, you apply for a Paraprofessional license which only allows you to sub for Teaching assistants. You would apply using THIS link.
Contact Julie Wenger (julie.wenger@d303.org) with any questions.
Wredling Middle School - Home of the RedHawks
#WredlingLearns
Website: wredling.d303.org
Location: 1200 Dunham Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: (331)228-3700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wredling-Middle-School-537757163011275/
Twitter: @WredlingD303