

Camp Road Cougar News
April 19, 2024
A Message from Ms. Rowehl
Camp Road Families, thank you again for your understanding, cooperation, and flexibility as we work to create a safe and efficient dismissal process. As I've shared previously, our goal is to make the necessary adjustments by the end of this year so that we start next year with a procedure that is safe, efficient, and tested.
In an effort to continuously improve, I would like to hear from our families about other areas that we can/should focus on improving this year so we have a solid and smooth start next year. If you have a few minutes, please share your thoughts using this form.
The Impact of Smartphones and Social Media on Adolescents
In March the book "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness" was released. The author Jonathon Haidt is a social psychologist who states that his "perspective is informed by years of research - investigations that depict climbing mental health struggles among American tweens and teens, and statistics that indicate many teenagers in the United States already are depressed or anxious in some way." Through research, Haidt has connected this increase in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts to the access that adolescents have through their smartphones, but also the attachment that they have to their smartphones.
Similarly, the American Psychological Association released a new report, "Potential Risks of Content, Features, and Functions: A Closer Look at the Science Behind How Social Media Affects Youth," which was a follow-up to their May 2023 "Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence." This report shares much important information about adolescent brain development and how young adults can be impacted by smartphones and social media access.
Several significant points stuck out to me in the most recent APA report:
- Due to a developing cortical system, adolescents are " less capable of resisting impulses or stopping themselves from behavior that may lead to temporary benefit despite negative longer-term consequences. This can lead to adolescents making decisions based on short-term gain, lower appreciation of long-term risks, and interference with focus on tasks that require concentration." Making infinite scroll
- Due to undeveloped impulse control, a "lack of time limits on social media use similarly is challenging for youth, particularly during the school day or at times when they should be doing homework."
- "Push notifications capitalize on youths’ sensitivity to distraction. Task-shifting is a higher order cognitive ability not fully developed until early adulthood and may interfere with youths’ focus during class time and when they should be doing homework."
- Puberty is the second most important period of brain growth and reorganization in ones lifetime. During periods of development, such as this, sleep is essential for healthy brain development and positive mental health. However, " lack of limits on the time of day when youth can use social media has been cited as the predominant reason why adolescents are getting less than the recommended amount of sleep, with significant implications for brain and mental health."
In his book, Haidt shares four norms that he feels will have a positive impact on children and adolescents. The following bullet points are taken directly from an interview Jonathon Haidt did with journalist Matt Villano.
- No smartphones before high school. We must clear them out of middle school and elementary school. Just let kids have a flip phone or phone watch when they become independent.
- No social media until 16. These platforms were not made for children. They appear to be especially harmful for children. We must especially protect early puberty since that is when the greatest damage is done.
- Phone-free schools. There’s really no argument for letting kids have the greatest distraction device ever invented in their pockets during school hours. If they have the phones, they will be texting during class, and they will be focused on their phones. If they don’t have phones, they will listen to their teachers and spend time with other kids.
- More independence, free play and responsibility in the real world. We need to roll back the phone-based childhood and restore the play-based childhood.
Every family needs to make their own decisions about access and parental controls regarding smartphones and social media. My goal is to provide information to help you all make the best decisions for your family. If you would like more information about the impact of smartphone and social media on adolescents, I've linked the American Psychological Association reports below
Links to APA Reports:
Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence May 2023
Potential risks of content, features, and functions: The science of how social media affects youth April 2024
Upcoming Events 📆
Tuesday, April 16
School Improvement Council Meeting 6pm-7pm Media Center
Wednesday, April 17
PTO Spirit Night at Jersey Mike's *make sure to mention CRMS at checkout
Random Acts of Kindness Celebration 2:30pm-3:15pm
Thursday, April 18
Student Panorama Survey during Flex
Conference Night 5pm-6:30pm
Friday, April 19
8th Grade Field Trip
Monday, April 22
PTO Q3 Honor Roll Celebration at Lunch
Tuesday, April 23
Cougar Store Open at Lunch
Wednesday, April 24
School Counseling Advisory Council 8am-9am
Things you may want to know...
PTO Silent Auction
Our PTO Silent Auction closes on Sunday. Make sure to get your final bids in! www.event.gives/crmsauction2024
Scholastic Bookfair
Our Scholastic Bookfair is coming, April 22 - 26 in the library. We’ll have great books, and the profits will go to the CRMS library program. Check here for more information, including the ewallet feature so that your students do not need to bring cash to school.
Celebrations!
Porter Hartong, 8th grade student, was recently nominated by a CRMS teacher and chosen as one of two recipients of the 2024 Young Citizenship Award of the Exchange Club of Charleston.
The award is given each year to two youths who work hard at being good citizens at home, at school, and in the community. The Exchange Club of Charleston awards this honor to serve as a directory, pointing to those youth who are living examples that good citizenship counts and, to show them that their conduct and attitude is not only noticed, but also appreciated.
Porter will also receive a $1000 donation in his name to be given to the charity of his choice. Congratulations Porter on an honor well deserved.
The Little Mermaid, Jr.
Our CRMS Chorus presents The Little Mermaid Jr, in a two day only performance. We hope to see you on May 2 or 3 at 6:00 PM in the CRMS gym. Ticket information coming soon!
CRMS to DC 2025
It is official! Camp Road Middle School is going back to Washington DC in February of 2025! Mr. Carney will be leading this adventure. Interested parents and students can find more information on THIS WEBSITE.
The trip is open to all rising 7th and 8th graders. The first information meeting will be held on Wednesday April 24th at 5:00 pm in Room 209 at CRMS (Mr. Carney’s Room).
You do not need to attend the meeting to sign up, but there is a discount for those who get signed up quickly. We will not be taking more than 2 buses, so priority will be given to those who sign up first, and others will go on a waiting list.
Don’t miss this amazing opportunity!
Cheat Sheets and Quick Links
Cheat Sheets and Tips for Student Apps and More
If you are unfamiliar with Google Classroom or Canvas and are having trouble helping your children navigate their online assignments please check out our CRMS website for cheat sheets and tips. Go to:
https://www.ccsdschools.com/camproad
Click on the Parent tab, then click on Cheat Sheet and Tips for Student Apps and More, finally click on Google Classroom for Parents and/or CCSD Canvas Support Resources for Families.
You can also ask your children to pull up their classes on their Chromebooks to show you what assignments they have. We suggest that you make this a weekly practice along with checking Parent Portal to help make sure your children are keeping up with their schoolwork.