Cyber Awareness in the Middle School- I'm often asked my opinion about students' online presence from parents and guardians. Growing up as an adolescent in the 21st century is full of challenges related to internet usage that we did not face ourselves when we were growing up. At ISS we spend a great deal of time and creative energy educating our students about safe on-line behaviour. We stress to students the importance of maintaining their privacy on-line and being respectful to others in line with our Code of Conduct (imbedded within our Parent Student Handbook) and our ISS Responsible Use Agreement.
As parents and guardians, you can help to support our efforts to encourage responsible online citizenship and child safety by being informed and proactive with your children. Parents/ guardians should be aware of the following:
- The internet is now an indispensible learning tool used each day in classes. However, even with the most effective website blocking software installed on your child's computer, at times they will be either accidentally or intentionally exposed to images and information that are inappropriate in nature. It is up to both teachers and parents to monitor students' internet activity and help them know how to steer clear of this material both at home and at school.
- Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. Peer pressure and perceived lack of consequences have a role in allowing some students to feel that it is ok to bully others online. Victims of cyberbullying often feel hopeless and depressed by these attacks. Unfortunately, incidents of cyberbullying have become widespread in local Singapore schools. While we are not immune to cyberbullying, the Middle School is very proactive in dealing firmly with students involved in inappropriate online behaviour and providing education about cyberbullying to all students through our pastoral programme.
- Most social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and others have a strict policy to not allow children younger than 13 years old to join. Many ISS parents have chosen not to allow their children to sign up to social media sites even after they turn 13. At ISS, we do not allow children to access these social media sites while at school.
Sources:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/cyberbullying.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/1-in-4-secondary-students-admits-to-cyber-bullying
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/1-3-students-singapore-victims-070013753.html
Dates and Events:
It was wonderful to see so many students and families at the PTA event on Friday afternoon. Thanks to our PTA President Nadine Trentini and many other parents for helping to organise this event.
November 20th- Please make sure you have paid your deposit for our Week Without Walls trip by this date.
December 17th- Semester 1 reports will be uploaded to students' and parents' ManageBac accounts.
December 17th- All students in grades 6-8 will take part in a full day Middle School Outing. Details to be shared soon!
December 18th- Last day of school for the first semester. This will be a full day of school for students.
It was wonderful to see so many students and families at the PTA event on Friday afternoon. Thanks to our PTA President Nadine Trentini and many other parents for helping to organise this event.
November 20th- Please make sure you have paid your deposit for our Week Without Walls trip by this date.
December 17th- Semester 1 reports will be uploaded to students' and parents' ManageBac accounts.
December 17th- All students in grades 6-8 will take part in a full day Middle School Outing. Details to be shared soon!
December 18th- Last day of school for the first semester. This will be a full day of school for students.