Bullying

I feel that at Grace Abbott we don’t have a huge problem with students and bullying. But, nevertheless, it is not something to dismiss and pretend it never happens, as it does occasionally. I feel we do a good job of addressing with students and with parents, if necessary, when it does happen.

All Millard schools have a school improvement team and a site plan. The district also has a site plan, also called a strategic plan. The district wrote an action plan to address bullying. Both can be read online for more information. Part of Abbott’s plan is to provide an unobtrusive way for students to report bullying as at times, kids don’t want others to know they are reporting. When we discuss bullying at school we ask students these questions:

Is it repeated?

Is it intentional?

Is there an imbalance of power?

Cyber Safety

The following article is from Project Harmony. Usually I edit when I copy articles, but this one is short and contains valuable information:

Keeping Kids Safe Online

Safer Internet Day: February 8

Did your child recently receive a new technology device? For some, this is the first time they have access to texting, downloading music, taking and receiving photos, instant messaging, watching videos, interacting with friends in a virtual world, social media apps, etc. In addition they have a great chance of encountering cyberbullying or to meet strangers and talk to people who are not necessarily who they say they are. That's a lot of access at the tip of our children's fingers. Not-to-mention that is a lot to manage as a parent.

It is no surprise that the internet has changed the way our children interact with the world. According to Pew Research Center, teens are increasingly sharing information through social media.

• 91% post a photo of themselves

• 71% post their school name

• 71% post the town where they live

• 53% post their email address

• 20% post their cell phone number

In addition to the information shared on various social media platforms, teen social media profiles are equally revealing.

• 92% post their real name

• 84% post their interests (Such as movies, music, or books they like.)

• 82% post their birth date

• 62% post their relationship status

• 24% post videos of themselves

• 16% have their profile automatically include their location in their post

Sharing this kind of information makes it easy for online perpetrators to seek out potential victims, gather personal information, and make contact.

Remote Learning: January 28, January 31, February 11

PTO Meeting: February 1, 6:30 p.m.

Zoom link: https://mpsomaha-org.zoom.us/j/95486421064?pwd=TlA1b0hVZGdWamxDamVSdlVsdHFjZz09

Conferences: February 10, 15, 16