Dear Parents and Guardians,
We want to take a moment to address an important topic that continues to impact our middle school students—cell phone use and social media.
Many of our students are using phones and social media in ways that can be harmful, both to themselves and to others. Increasingly, we are seeing situations where students:
Record and post videos of classmates without their permission
Share content that is rude, mean-spirited, or harmful
Join group chats that do not reflect their true character or values
Unfortunately, a large majority of our discipline and bullying concerns can be traced back to cell phone use and social media interactions. While we regularly provide students with strategies to navigate these platforms safely, we cannot do it alone. We need your partnership in monitoring your child’s online activity.
Recently, we have been made aware of several Snapchat groups where concerning activity has taken place. Students may be added to these groups without their knowledge, and some of the content includes:
Graphic or inappropriate images
Sexual or offensive language
Pictures of students being shared without permission
Photos of students that are then used to create AI generated images
Group chats with inappropriate names or profile pictures of students/staff
Even though many of these groups are created outside of school hours, the impact carries over into the school environment and creates significant disruptions. Students sometimes believe posts or messages disappear, but the truth is that screenshots can be taken and content can spread quickly.
As a school community, we want to prioritize the safety and well-being of every child. We appreciate those who bring harmful content to our attention and encourage students to block and report anything inappropriate they encounter. Please know that our school maintains a ZERO tolerance policy for bullying and harassment, and appropriate consequences will be assigned when violations occur.
Together, we can create a safe and supportive environment for all students. Thank you for your continued partnership and for taking an active role in monitoring your child’s online activity.