The past months have
been filled with a variety of events and activities that have challenged
and enriched all of us here at the Middle School. Mike Valentine has
mentioned in his section of this newsletter all the athletic activities
and how we fared in playoffs. Adam Becerra has tried to give you a
flavor of all the community service projects, the liturgies and the
sixth grade retreat. The Deans gave you some reminders and Sharon Krahl
talked about the testing your children were involved in during the first
quarter, while Helen Foster has brought you up to speed on what is
happening in the library. Each of the departments and grade levels
reported on events that were going to happen or had happened. It is our
hope that the newsletter is informative and gives you a great idea of
what life is like in the Middle.
What is not written
about or easily seen is the growth of each of your children –
academically, aesthetically, athletically and spiritually. I am amazed
as I watch them perform on our stage, watching them in classes, on the
fields, or just walking around the campus. Their growth is like that of
a plant – imperceptible each day but after a week or month quite
astounding. They are making progress and are well on their way to
becoming wonderful young adults. I know you are very proud of them and
I hope you tell them frequently how wonderful they are.
This time of year in
particular, I find them to have grown in their awareness of others
around them who are less fortunate. Their willingness to be involved in
caroling, collecting and participating in so many events that help to
alleviate the lives of so many who need such basic things is
heartwarming and inspiring. I know that comes from you their parents
and I thank you for those who have been touched by their love and
generosity. You are doing a fantastic job! Thank you!
Your child might be
spending an increased amount of time during the vacation days on the
computer. I have included some information the faculty received at a
workshop earlier this year that you might find helpful
RISKY ONLINE BEHAVIOR for 13 – 14 year olds
The web sites and online activities mentioned by children and
teens who participated in Young Canadians In A Wired World: The
Students’ View paint a picture of Canadian youth who have claimed
the Internet as a defining part of their culture. However, as young
people embrace this exciting and interactive medium, they may be putting
themselves physically or emotionally at risk.
Some “red flags” for potentially risky behaviors include the
following:
-
Almost three quarters (70%) of youth in this age category visit chat
rooms, with slightly more girls (75%) than boys (66%) participating in
chat.
-
Of
those 13-14 year-olds who visit chat rooms, just over half (54%) visit
private and adult chat areas.
-
Fifty-two per cent have been asked by strangers for their photo, phone
number, street address or school. Four out of ten admit disclosing
some of the requested information.
-
Twenty-eight per cent of kids this age have been asked by someone
they’ve met on the Net to meet in person. Of those 13-14 year-olds
who have met an online acquaintance in person (16%), four out of ten
brought a friend to the meeting and 15% went alone.
-
Eight
out of ten adolescents in this age category have e-mail accounts.
Half of those surveyed have e-mail accounts that their parents are
unaware of.
-
Half
of young people in this age group use e-mail to correspond with people
they’ve only met on the Net.
-
Of
the youth in this age category who use instant messaging (69%), six
out of ten IM with people who they have only met on the Net.
-
Twenty-seven per cent of youth ages 13-14 have received pornography
from someone they have met online.
-
Nearly two out of ten (18%) of 13-14 year-olds have received e-mail
messages that have bothered or frightened them. Of those, sixteen per
cent reported this to an adult.
-
Half
the young people in this age category report having received
pornographic junk mail in their e-mail or instant messaging accounts.
More boys (61%) than girls (39%) have received this kind of
pornographic spam. Eighty per cent do not tell their parents when
this happens.
Excerpt from: MEDIA
AWARENESS NETWORK website.
I hope you find this
interesting and helpful.
Thank you for all you
support, for all your volunteering, for all you notes and encouragement
and all you do to help the faculty, staff and myself provide an
outstanding education for your children.
My hope for each of you
is that you have the opportunity to be together and enjoy the gift of
family this Christmas season. May the Christ child touch each of the
members of your family in a special way and bring you much happiness and
joy in the New Year.
God bless you all.
Sincerely,
Christine Hunter
Principal
