Principal P's Friday Message
Important Message as we kick off February Break
Dear CMS Families,
I am writing to you today to provide some clarity in response to recent social media posts about behavior at Camillus Middle School.
While I am not in denial that there are inappropriate, rude, and mean behaviors occurring here at Camillus Middle School, these behaviors are not exclusive to Camillus Middle School.
I remember being in middle school and being a target myself of rumors and people being unkind. I think most of us have some memory of something that was done to us at some point in our school age years that was negative and stuck with us.
Unfortunately, in this day and age social media only adds another layer to the long term and sometimes devastating impact cruel behavior can have on our children.
Mr. Curtin and myself do not take these matters lightly. We work everyday to create a positive and uplifting environment for our students. We show them care, compassion, and empathy. However, we have a building of 700 amazing students who sometimes make poor choices because they are eleven, twelve, and thirteen year olds, who are still learning. So along with creating a positive and uplifting environment we always hold students accountable when they make a mistake that causes harm to someone else.
What this accountability looks like is dictated by the West Genesee School District's code of conduct. We follow progressive discipline. Where the progressive discipline process starts is dependent upon the infraction.
In addition to traditional discipline such as In School Suspensions, Out of School Suspensions, lunch detentions, etc. we approach discipline from an educational standpoint. We work to help the student understand the impact their behavior had on those affected.
We also provide support to the students who are victims. This is often working with a trusted adult in the building such as a teacher, a school counselor, or with myself or Mr. Curtin.
I assure you we listen to parents, staff and students whenever concerns are brought directly to our attention and address issues in a timely manner. We can not address behaviors we know nothing about. We fully appreciate and understand the difficulty for a middle school child to have the courage to speak up if they are being picked on or bullied. And we are so proud of the students who have the courage to come forward and report inappropriate behaviors.
My purpose of this week's Friday message is two fold. One it is to provide some clarity about our approach to discipline and assure you students are being held accountable for their actions.
Second, I ask for your support in what is being posted on social media. Social media can be the cause of perpetuating a climate of negativity. Before you post something please think about the following: Is it true, is it kind, or is it necessary? Will this cause more harm and toxicity or bring resolution and peace? These are the same things we talk to our students about when they post something that causes harm.
We are better together when we work together. Anyone interested in joining forces to continue to cultivate a safe, welcoming, affirming environment for all students so that we continue to grow and learn please join our CMS Better Together Parent Coalition on March 8th @6:00 PM in the library. If you plan to attend email parent Sarah Kane. We will meet in person as well as send a Zoom link for those of you who prefer joining virtually sjkane83@yahoo.com
Lastly, please take the break as an opportunity to talk with your student about the importance of kindness, compassion and empathy. We never know what someone's daily struggles are.
I am proud to be the Principal of CMS and I am proud of our students. They are learning and growing everyday.
Thank you to the many families who come to us with concerns, ask questions, offer their perspective and listen to understand our perspective. We appreciate you!
Have a safe and wonderful break!
Better Together,
Principal P