Goodrich Middle School

It's very important for your child to be here on their assigned testing dates. If you know in advance that your child will be absent for testing, please let our office know.

Grade 8: April 12, 14, 19, 21, 26

Grade 6: April 28, May 3, 5

Grade 7: May 10, 12, 19, 20

Please click here for other important M-Step information!

For kids and teens, social media is an essential part of their lives, much the way telephones were important to us at their age.

About 90% of teens have used some form of social media and 75% have a profile on a social networking site, experts say. More than half of all American teens visit social networking sites every day. These numbers are way up from just a few years ago, and there's almost no chance of them ever coming down again.

There are plenty of good things about social media — but also many potential dangers and things that you want your kids and teens to avoid. They don't always make the smartest choices when they post something to a site like Facebook or YouTube, and sometimes this can lead to problems. It's important for parents to teach their kids how to use social media wisely.

The Good

Social media can help kids:

• stay connected with friends and family
• volunteer or get involved with a campaign, nonprofit, or charity
• enhance their creativity through the sharing of ideas, music, and art
• meet and interact with others who share similar interests

The Bad

The flipside is that social media can be a hub for things like cyberbullying and questionable activities. Without meaning to, kids can easily share more online than they should.

One study showed that 9 out of 10 teens post photos of themselves online or use their real names on their profiles; 8 out of 10 reveal their birthdates and interests; and 7 out of 10 post their school name and the town where they live. Actions like this can make kids easy targets for online predators and others who might want to cause them harm.

These statistics about teens highlight the dangers of social media:

• 17% of teens say they've been contacted online by someone they didn't know in a way that made them feel scared or uncomfortable
• 30% of teens say they've received online advertising that was inappropriate for their age
• 39% of teens admitted to lying about their age to gain access to websites

Concerns and Consequences

In addition to problems like cyberbullying and online predators, kids also can face the possibility of a physical encounter with the wrong person. Many newer apps automatically reveal the poster's location when they're used. This can tell anyone out there exactly where to find the person using the app. Photos, videos, and comments made online usually can't be taken back once they're posted. Even after a teen thinks something has been deleted, it can be impossible to completely erase it from the Internet.

Posting an inappropriate photo can damage a kid's reputation in ways that may cause problems years later — such as when a potential employer or college admissions officer does a background check. And if a kid sends a mean-spirited tweet as a joke, it could be very hurtful to someone else and even taken as a threat.

Spending too much time on social media can be a downer, too. By seeing how many "friends" others have and viewing pictures of them having fun, kids may feel worse about themselves or feel they don't measure up to their peers.

What Parents Can Do

It's important to be aware of what your kids are doing online, but prying too much can alienate them and damage the trust you've built together. The key is to stay involved in a way that makes your kids understand that you respect their privacy but want to make sure they're safe.

Here are some helpful hints to share with connected kids:

• Be nice. Mean behavior is just as unacceptable in the virtual world as it is in the real world. Make it clear that you expect your kids to treat others with respect and courtesy, and to never post hurtful or embarrassing messages about others. And ask them to always tell you about any harassing or bullying messages that others may post.
• Think twice before hitting "enter." Remind teens that what they post can be used against them. For example, letting the world know that you're off on vacation or posting your home address gives would-be robbers a chance to strike. Teens also should avoid posting specific locations of parties or events, as well as phone numbers.
• Follow the "WWGS?" (What Would Grandma Say?) rule. Teach kids that "once it's out there, you can't get it back." They shouldn't share anything on social media that they wouldn't want their teachers, college admissions officers, future bosses — and yes, grandma — to see.
• Use privacy settings. Privacy settings are important, and to highlight their importance, go through the settings together to make sure your kids understand each one. Also, explain that passwords are there to protect them against things like identity theft and should never be shared with anyone (even a boyfriend, girlfriend, or best friend).
• Don't "friend" strangers. "If you don't know them, don't friend them." This is a plain, simple — and safe — rule of thumb.

Make It Official

So, how can you drive these messages home? One way is to make a "social media agreement" with your kids — a real contract they can sign. In it, they can agree to protect their own privacy, consider their reputation, and not give out personal information. Furthermore, they promise to never use technology to hurt anyone else (through bullying or gossip).

In turn, parents agree to respect teens' privacy while making an effort to be part of the social media world (this means you can "friend" and observe them, but don't post embarrassing comments or rants about messy rooms).

Parents also can help keep kids grounded in the real world by putting limits on media use. Keep computers in public areas in the house, avoid laptops and smartphones in bedrooms, and set some rules on the use of technology (such as no cellphones at the dinner table).

And don't forget: Setting a good example through your own virtual behavior can go a long way toward helping your kids use social media safely.

Article provided by KidsHealth.org, http://m.kidshealth.org/en/parents/social-media-smarts.html?WT.ac

Click here to view Goodrich Middle School's Student Handbook, which includes complete information on all school policies, including updated attendance and tardy policies!

If you pick your child up at the end of the school day, we need to ask for your help to ensure the safety of ALL Goodrich Middle School children. We've had several "close calls" because of drivers who are in too much of a hurry to follow caravan/pick-up protocol.

Please note that any student being picked up at the end of the day must be picked up at the NORTH END of the building ONLY! DO NOT park in any other area or parking lot to wait for your child to come to you. This includes the visitor's lot, Oaktree's circle drive and the parking lot by the gym. Also, when waiting for your child in the caravan/pick-up line, please wait your turn in line and then pull all the way forward to pick up your child at the building doors to ensure their safety.

To summarize, unless your child(ren) rides the bus, is signed out for early release in the office by an authorized individual or is walking to the high school for sports practice, they should be picked up in the parent pick-up/caravan line at the designated location at the north end of the middle school. Please share this information with anyone who may be picking up your child/children as well.

Thank you in advance for your help to

ensure all of our children are safe!

Dates and times are subject to change.

Please check our school calendar at http://www.goodrichschools.org/GMS/Events/

for the most up-to-date information!

APRIL:

4/1 - Last Day of 3rd Marking Period, PRIDE PARTY!

4/4 - 4/8 - SPRING BREAK

4/11 - First Day of 4th Marking Period

4/12 - PTO Meeting - 8:45 AM - Oaktree Elementary

4/19 - 8th Grade DC Chaperone Meeting - 7 PM

4/27 - Late Start - 2 Hour Delay (building closed to students until 9 AM)

4/29 - Band Trip to Cleveland

MAY:

5/10 - PTO Meeting - 8:45 AM- Oaktree Elementary

5/13-5/17 - 8th Grade Washington DC Trip

5/30 - No School - Memorial Day

JUNE:

6/1 - 6th Grade Groveland Oaks field trip (rain date 6/2)

6/2 - 7th Grade CJ Barrymore's field trip

6/2 - 8th Grade Legacy Project - Pediatrics Oncology Fundraiser @ Hurley Medical Center

6/3 - 8th Grade Dance - 6-8 PM

6/10 - 8th Grade Cedar Point Trip

6/14 - MS Fine Arts Show

6/14 - 7th Grade Awards Ceremony - 8 AM

6/14 - PTO Meeting - 8:45 AM- Oaktree Elementary

6/14 - 6th Grade Awards Ceremony - 9:15 AM

6/15 - Records Day - Half Day of School

6/15 - 8th Grade Awards Ceremony - 9:00 AM

6/16 - Records Day - Half Day of School

6/16 - Last Day of 4th Marking Period - Last Day of School

For daily updates on GMS events and announcements, please be sure to check www.goodrichschools.org/GMS/! Just click on "News and Announcements" on the left side of the page.

For Parent Teacher Organization news, updates and important information, please visit the PTO website here!

Exceptional Education, Extraordinary People – We Are Goodrich!

Proud to be a Systems Accredited District.

The mission of Goodrich Area Schools is:

“Achievement for Every Learner”

Email: mdurant@goodrichschools.org
Website: http://www.goodrichschools.org/GMS/
Location: 7480 Gale Road, Goodrich, MI 48438, United States
Phone: 810-591-4210
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Goodrich-Area-Schools-750600228283708/?fref=ts