Vikan News
Vikan Knights, ARMOR Up!
From Principal Velez
The use of technology has increased significantly since the day I went to school. At Vikan, students utilize technology (Chromebooks) to access information, to share information and to learn. While there are many advantages to the use of technology, there are also many dangers...social media being one of them.
Social media allows teenagers to create online personas (identities) that they can use to communicate with others and build a community through a virtual platform. These virtual networks provide teens with important support and social interactions. Teenagers also use social media to stay informed, to be entertained and to express themselves and their incredible uniqueness. Unfortunately, these exact same platforms can also expose your student to dangers including anxiety, bullying, sleep disruption, unrealistic expectations of self-image, peer pressure, exposure to inappropriate content and many others.
A recent study by TIME Magazine found that:
- 95% of teens have access to smartphone
- Top social media platforms are: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook
- 36% of teens say they spend too much time on social media
Another study by ExpressVPN Survey found that:
- 85% reported negative effects on self-esteem
- 85% reported negative effects on self-image
- 83% reported an increase in anxiety
- 81% reported an increase in loneliness
- 79% reported an increase in depression
You, as the guardian, are the greatest influence on your child. A Healthline.com article provides these helpful tips:
- Find balance: It’s vital for young people to find a balance between the online world and the real world, and parents can lead by example. Model appropriate screen time and social media use.
- Real world activities: Encourage kids and teens to engage in activities with family and friends in the real world. They can go to the movies, a local park, a public pool, or even make video calls to friends and family who are far away.
- Create phone-free zones: Designate a specific place or two in the home to be 100% phone-free. This can be the dinner table to encourage mealtime conversation or the bedroom to support healthy bedtime habits.
- Make it a game: Rather than penalizing kids for too much social media use, you can incentivize them to use less. With tracking apps like Social Fever and StayFree, you can see just how much time you and your family spend on social media. You can offer rewards to the family member who uses theirs the least, like getting to choose the next restaurant for takeout or what you’ll do for the weekend family outing. This empowers youth to get involved in the management of their social media use and gives them a positive alternative, like their favorite eats or some quality family time.
- Take a break: Ever heard of a social media detox? You and your family can try one together. You simply set an amount of time you’ll be taking a break from social media and stick to it, kids included. It could be just one day to start. As you and your family find yourselves reaching for your phones, you can support each other in choosing other connection-based activities instead. Break out the board games, take a walk around the neighborhood, or cook a meal together.”
I believe that the most important advise I can give you is to always communicate with your child about your expectations around technology and that you can and will check their social media activity. Monitoring your child's social media is within your purview. As a school we do not have the capacity or authorization to monitor this.
As always, thank you for partnering with us in ensuring the safety and well being of your Knight.
Principal Velez
Brighton Rotary Teacher of the Month
Congratulations Ms. Iacino!!
The Pledge of Allegiance Guided by a Knight
8th Grade Class Picture Ordering Information
Hello 8th-grade families,
We had the 8th-grade panoramic class pictures taken this week and they turned out great.
Please use this link to order your panoramic class pictures: http://bit.ly/BestClassPicture.
All orders will be online through the website. Pictures will be mailed to the address specified in the order form in about 4 weeks.
The order deadline to get the best price is February 26th. After February 26th there will be a $10 late order fee.
Please email the photographer, BestClassPicture@gmail.com, if you have any questions.
Thank you for your support
THERE IS STILL TIME to GUARANTEE a yearbook for your student!
Hi Parents!
Show your student some LOVE by ordering the Vikan Middle School Yearbook while it’s still available!
Order by February 24th to GUARANTEE a copy!
Click here: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A00896800
Staff West Parking Lot
Use the entrance marked “ENTER”. Follow the painted lines that designate the drop-off and pick-up of students. When dropping off or picking up students please do so in front of the trash/recycle bins. Also, please be patient and stay in single file as you drive through and exit the parking lot. Follow the same procedures when picking up students after school. We ask that you do not park behind cars in parking spaces.
If you need to park, you may do so along 8th street.
Thank you for your help with this matter.
Soccer and Track Parent Meeting
Attention all 6th/7th/8th grade Boys and Girls interested in playing Soccer or Track this year! There will be an informational parent meeting on Tuesday, February 28th at 5:00pm in the cafeteria. Please have at least one parent attend this meeting with you, if you are interested in playing soccer or track this year.
Vikan Athletics Registration 2022-23
These are the requirements for participation in athletics this year at Vikan Middle School:
1. Current Athletic Physical (normally they are good for up to 1 year)
2. Athletic Fee of $150 ($25 for Free and Reduced). Fees need to be paid by the start of the first practice on Tuesday, March 14th in order to participate.
3. Register on 27J Vikan Athletics Google Form: Vikan Athletics 2022-23 Registration
8th Grade Field Trip
Thank you in advance!
8th Grade End-of-Year Activities / Continuation Ceremony
Some of the activities we are planning are:
- 8th Grade Field Day | May 19th
- 8th Grade Field Trip (TBD) | May 23rd
- 8th Grade Breakfast | May 24th - 8:30 AM
- 8th Grade Continuation Ceremony | May 24th | 10:30 AM (Time could change slightly)
Attending the Continuation Ceremony and end-of-year activities are a privilege not a right. The criteria to be allowed to participate in the 8th Grade Continuation Ceremony is as follows:
- Students cannot have more than ONE "F" or TWO "Ds" during 4th Quarter
- Students cannot have any major discipline referrals or suspensions (fights, violent or disrespectful behavior, drugs/alcohol)
Students who are not meeting the criteria by May 18th and are in danger of not being allowed to participate in the May 23rd and 24th activities will have one more opportunity to make up their work on May 19th during Field Day. Students who do not meet the criteria will not be allowed on campus on May 24th. Their last day will be may 23rd.
Thank you for your continuous support and understanding as we get our Knights through their middle school years.
Upcoming Events
Vikan Clubs and Events Calendar
FIT Team Meeting | Feb. 22 @ 5:00 PM
Spring Sports Parent Meeting | Feb. 28 @ 5:00 PM
Book Fair | Mar. 7 - 10
Music Concert | Mar. 8 @ 7:00 PM
Choir Concert | Mar. 9 @ 7:00 PM
End of 3rd Qtr | Mar. 10
7th Grade Vision & Hearing Testing | Mar. 14
8th Field Trip to Museum of Nature and Science | Mar. 16
Vikan Middle School
Website: https://www.sd27j.org/vikan
Location: 879 Jessup Street, Brighton, CO, USA
Phone: (303) 655-4050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VikanMiddleSchool/?ref=pages_you_manage