Trailblazer Tribune
Bridge Valley's Mid-Month News & Notes
May 15, 2013
Social Media & Technology Use in 5th & 6th Grade
5th & 6th Grade parents are invited to attend this information session on Thursday, May 23rd at 7:00PM in the LGI. Please RSVP by clicking here to let us know whether or not you are able to attend.
Over the past month, there have been a number of issues regarding some of our 6th graders using social media sites to post pictures and/or comments in school. More students have also been bringing ipod touches, cell phones, and tablet devices to school. While utilizing these devices as e-readers is acceptable (if the classroom teacher has approved them), taking pictures, posting photos from school, accessing internet outside of our network, etc. are not at all acceptable and violate school board policy. In fact, some of the sites they are using (Instagram, Facebook, Vine, etc.) have user agreements that specify a minimum age of 13 years old.
As our youth navigates a digital age many of us our unfamiliar with, we have reached out to NOVA to provide some education and information for parents. They provide information on topics including:
- Texting
- Social Networking
- Cyberbullying
- Digital Footprints
In addition the CB Cares Backpack Newsflash newsletter highlighted some important things to consider when discussing technology use with your child(ren). An excerpt is below:
- Establish Rules about Technology Use
- Establish rules about appropriate use of computers, cell phones, and other technology.
- For example, be clear about what sites they can visit and what they are permitted to do when they’re online. Show them how to be safe online.
- Help them be smart about what they post or say.
- Tell them not to share anything that could hurt or embarrass themselves or others. Once something is posted, it is out of their control whether someone else will forward it.
- Encourage kids to think about who they want to see the information and pictures they post online. Should complete strangers see it? Real friends only? Friends of friends? Think about how people who aren’t friends could use it.
- Tell kids to keep their passwords safe and not share them with friends. Sharing passwords can compromise their control over their online identities and activities. For more information visit: www.stopbullying.gov
Parents of 5th and 6th Graders
Please note that the website provided in the letter may not work as it is linked to our old website. If interested, please utilize the following website link below to access the necessary content you wish to preview.
http://old.cbsd.org/curriculum/elementary/elemhealth/Pages/default.aspx
Home & School Information
- Next Meeting - Friday, May 17th @ 9:30AM - Cafeteria
- Parent Education Topic - The Year in Review - "Look at What We've Done!!"
Officer Elections - Elections for the 13-15 school years will take place at this meeting. Candidates are as follows: Mrs. Leigh Vlasbloom for Co-President, Mrs. Laurie Landis for Treasurer, and Mrs. Kate Tate for Professional Staff Representative.
Dates that Rate!!!
Please be sure to remember the following upcoming events...
- Friday, May 17th - Volunteer Tea - 7:45AM - Cafeteria
- Friday, May 17th - Home & School General Membership Meeting - 9:30AM
- Friday, May 17th-Sunday, May 19th - District Art Show - Mill Creek Elementary School
- Tuesday, May 21st - Spring Concert - 7:00PM - Gym
- Thursday, May 23rd - NOVA iSmart Presentation for 5th & 6th Grade Parents - 7:00PM
- Monday, May 27th - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
- Thursday, May 30th - BV Day - Pep Rally & Tug of War - 12:45PM
- Friday, May 31st - Field Day
9/11 Heroes Run
THE 9/11 HEROES RUN UNITES COMMUNITIES INTERNATIONALLY WITH THE GOAL TO NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICES OF THE HEROES OF SEPTEMBER 11TH AND IN THE WARS SINCE: VETERAN, FIRST RESPONDER, CIVILIAN, AND MILITARY. JOIN US TO RAISE AWARENESS AND HONOR THE FALLEN.
Please join Central Bucks School District in supporting the 9/11 Heroes Run. Registration is now open for the September 15th event. Doylestown borough will once again host a 5k and 1 mile fun walk/run to raise support and awareness for all of the heroes of September 11th.
SCHOOL BOARD BRIEFS
At the May 14, 2013 School Board Meeting, the Central Bucks School District School Board:
1. Heard the CB West Chamber Choir performance before the school board meeting and via video, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Crotzer’s 2nd grade Barclay class.
2. Recognized Donna Radice, Certified School Nurse at Holicong Middle School, for being named PA School Nurse of the Year. Also recognized four students for winning an Aramark sponsored Nutrition poster contest for National Nutrition Month in March. The students are:
- K-3 Madison Gordon – Warwick Elementary
- 4-6 Sarah Hicks – Doyle Elementary
- Middle Steven Song – Tohickon
- High Grace Lenart – CB South
3. Heard the Academic Spotlight about Hearing Support Services by Jane Curtis and Jean Marie Perry. Ms. Curtis and Mr. Perry provide hearing support to our students with hearing impairments. These students require services to address needs primarily in the area of language arts, communication, accessing public and private accommodations and the use of assistive technologies designed for individuals with deafness or hearing impairment.
4. Heard the Superintendent’s Report, Communications, Curriculum, and Human Resources Committee Reports.
5. Approved the School Board Minutes.
6. Approved Construction Contracts as follows:
- Contract to S & H Landscaping to replace the parking lot, entrance drives, and student drop off loops at Pine Run Elementary School in the amount of $828,185.
7. Tabled School Board Policy #217 – Graduation Requirements, School Board Policy #217.3 – Awarding of Credit-Other Educational Experience, School Board Policy #302 – Employment of Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent, and School Board Policy #312 – Performance Assessment of Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent so that the proposed policies can be posted on the CBSD website.
8. Approved School Board Policy #210 – Use of Medications and the School Board Policy for Electronic Signatures.
9. Approved various personnel items, student trips, Foreign Exchange Student at CB West, Adoption of Courses of Study, Adoption of Textbooks and Staff Workshops. Included in the personnel items were the appointments of the following principals:
- Jason Bucher – Principal, Central Bucks High School – West
- David Bolton – Principal, Holicong Middle School
- Tim Donovan – Principal, Lenape Middle School
- Christina Lang – Principal, Unami Middle School
10. Received a Sabbatical Leave of Absence, Student Activities Quarterly Reports, and Board Calendar as information items.