As we return from vacation, I hear of more and more Middle School students who own some form of electronic portable device--especially iPods, cell phones, portable video game players and cameras.  Of course, many of these are now all-in-one devices, giving students the ability to take pictures while they listen to the music a friend emailed them!  But with this great power comes great responsibility, so I'd like to share what we do here in the Middle School regarding these new "toys."

First, no Middle School student may use personal electronic devices (with the exception of calculators!) between 8:30 a.m. and 3:10 p.m.  It is important that they remain connected to their peers and teachers, and it is impossible for them to do so while electronically distracted.  Note that we do not ban these devices outright, but do require students to use them appropriately.  If your child needs to phone you during the school day, s/he should either use a school phone or ask permission to use her/his cell phone.

Second, we have a new rule this year banning the use of visual recording devices (cameras or their phone-equivalents) at any time unless it is for a class activity.  This is for a simple reason; none of us wishes to see pictures or video of our children on Facebook or YouTube!  And though kids usually take pictures or video with the best of intentions, they don't always the see potential consequences of their actions as they upload it to the internet.

Finally, you'll be interested to know that we continue to teach about appropriate use of technology.  Although this has traditionally occurred in computer classes (or in research-based classes regarding appropriate internet use), 8th grade health class is in the midst of a unit on the effects of media on teenagers.  The classes have had discussions regarding instant messaging (IM), texting and phone use, and will be on-line this week learning about on-line social cruelty and cyberbullying.  (For more information on this, please contact Bev Docherty or Tony Reimers.)

I'm no Luddite; I enjoy tech toys as much as any male, and certainly wouldn't want to do without my connected world.  But we all, both the school and parents, need to teach children how to use these new technologies in an appropriate, respectful manner.

Thank you,

Robert Cooke

Middle School Director

rcooke@moundsparkacademy.org