Personal Best Parent Update
...from Donald F. Gately Ed.D.
January 25, 2017 Volume II No. 7
Use of digital devices at the middle school
Device-free Wednesdays: The Shared Decision Making committee, in response to concerns from various stakeholders, is studying the impact of allowing students to use their phones in the cafeteria during lunch. Hence, Wednesdays are device free days during the lunch periods. I will keep you posted on how this study proceeds.
As you know, over the past several years we have become increasingly open in our views towards students’ use of cell phones and digital devices. Many teachers have found appropriate, meaningful, and educationally significant ways to incorporate the use of personal electronic devices into their classroom instruction. Additionally, parents have come to rely on students’ use of a personal cell phone to keep in touch with their children before and after the school day.
As a result, we have been allowing students to use personal electronic devices before and after school, during lunch and in classrooms at the discretion of teachers (please see note below).
If you need to contact your child for any reason during the school day, please do not contact them via a cell phone. Usually students are in class and they feel compelled to answer their phone if they see that a call or a text message is being sent from a parent. If you need to contact your child during the school day you can call any office and we will be sure to get your message to your child.
Education in digital citizenship and internet safety is ongoing at the middle school. I have arranged an assembly program through the Nassau County DA's office and we are planning Digital Learning Week for early March. I have included some helpful links to materials for parents below.
Note: Each teacher is in control of his or her classroom. If a teacher does not want students to have electronic devices out at a certain time, students must comply with directions. Failure to do so will result in the device being confiscated on the first instance and returned to the student at the end of the day. If the phone is confiscated again, a parent will be asked to come to school to pick it up.
Useful and relevant information through Common Sense Media
Code of Conduct Review
Mr. Wiener and I created a short narrated slide presentation to review schoolwide expectations for the rest of the school year. The student team advisors arranged for the students to view the presentation in class. I have attached a link to the presentation if you wish to take a look. We missed the deadline for this year's Academy Awards but, maybe next year!
School Spirit Days
The school store sells some amazing spirit wear. Here are the dates when the school store will be open:
February 17th
March 17th
April 7th
May 19th
June 16th
Here are the dates for spirit days:
March 17th
April 7th
April 28th
May 25th
June 16th
Jericho Middle School
Email: dgately@jerichoschools.org
Website: Jerichoschools.org
Location: 99 Old Cedar Swamp Road, Jericho, NY, United States
Phone: (516) 203-2600
Twitter: @JerichoMS