Superintendent's Update
January 5, 2024
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DESK
Hello Auburn Families and Staff,
I hope you all enjoyed the holiday break. I certainly did! I also suspect that like me, many of you are happy to be back in a routine and I know our students are as well. (Even though they might deny that!) 2024 has begun and on the Professional Development Day held on January 2nd, teachers continued to work to build their skill set with the tenets of Universal Design for Learning. The overarching goals of Universal Design for Learning recognize all learners should have voice and choice in their learning with multiple avenues for engagement in learning, representation of their learning, and action and expression of their learning. We believe that this approach will transform the learning of our students.
Below you will find a repeat presentation of an article regarding kids and social media from an advisory issued by the Surgeon General last spring. I share this with you again as social media continues to negatively impact the social development of many students. While there are benefits associated with social media access, for young people who are trying to establish their self esteem, confidence and positive social connections, social media can serve to disrupt and negatively impact those as well. I hope you find this information helpful as you work to monitor your own child's access and participation on social media.
I am also pleased to be able to provide you with an opportunity from the the United States Attorney’s Office District of Massachusetts. The Office will be holding an online webinar for adults that will bring awareness to the dangers children face online and to educate adults on how to keep children safe. There is an attached flyer as well as the registration link below. Space is limited and registration is required in advance.
I attended this training last year when it was offered and you will definitely find the information shared to be valuable in keeping kids safe online. I urge you to attend if you are able. It is held via ZOOM but you must register in advance. The flyer for this training is attached to this message.
Webinar topic:
Keeping Children Safe & Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents
Date and time:
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 6:30 PM | (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) Log in begins at 6:00 pm
Register link: (Copy and paste into Chrome browser for best compatibility)
https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r89884ccf204c605b8e466eb4be8aa854
Please direct questions to USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov
As resources become available, I will continue to share information with you regarding mental health supports. Last spring, the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. For more information, please see the FAQ.
Finally, remember there is a button in the APS Quick Links below related to inclement weather procedures that outlines the process if there is a school delay or cancellation. We have been fortunate thus far this school year and, sorry for you snow lovers, but I would prefer to have no snow days! That being said, we need to be prepared.
Thank you for your continued support of the Auburn Public Schools. I wish you all a healthy and happy New Year.
Best,
Beth
SOCIAL MEDIA AND KIDS-AN UPDATE FROM THE SURGEON GENERAL
I am sharing a link to an article from the Washington Post, What the Surgeon General's advisory says about Social Media for Kids in response to the Surgeon Generals recent report on the impact of social media on kids. I hope you find it helpful as we continue to work through the impact that excessive cell phone use and social media has on the mental health of our students. Below you will find two segments from the article. One outlines some of the dangers of social media and the other, some suggestions for parents on how to deal with social media at home.
Dangers of Social Media
- Children are commonly exposed to “extreme, inappropriate content” while on social media.
- Social media can perpetuate feelings of body dissatisfaction, especially among adolescent girls.
- These sites can become havens for predatory behaviors. Nearly 6 in 10 girls say they’ve been contacted by a stranger online “in ways that make them feel uncomfortable.”
- Social media may be overstimulating the brain in ways comparable to addiction.
- Excessive use of social media has been associated with problems sleeping and difficulty paying attention.
Suggestions for Parents
- Consider establishing “tech-free” zones. Draw boundaries around where or when the family can use smartphones to protect sleep, face-to-face interactions and physical activity. “It’s an invitation for us to think about moments when tech is going to be part of the equation and moments when we want to remove tech from the equation,” said Emily Weinstein, a researcher and principal investigator at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. “When our phones are within reach, it’s very hard not to look at the screen or check the notification.”
- Model the behavior you want to see. “Kids and teens are very sensitive to hypocrisy,” Weinstein said. Parents need to have the relationship with their smartphone that they want their kids to have, she said.
- Delay the age your children first get on these platforms. “That’s easy to say,” Murthy said. “It’s hard to do.” This rule may be easier to institute with like-minded parents who are doing the same for their children, he said.
- Ask them to turn off the smartphone before bed. Smartphones and tablets are keeping children awake at night, cutting into vital time for shut-eye, experts say. “Too many young people are robbed of their sleep,” Murthy said. “One in 3 adolescents are up past midnight on weekdays in front of screens.”
This is an issue we will be looking at closely over the summer to ensure we are doing all we can to support the mental health of our students. Summer vacation can be a time when students rely even more heavily on social media and much of the discourse is not positive. We will continue to work to educate our students about the dangers of social media, and we should all be aware of the impact it has on us, the relationships we form and how we feel about ourselves.
Teens say social media is stressing them out. Here's how to help them
IMPORTANT DATES
HALF DAY FOR STUDENTS-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF
Friday, Jan 12, 2024, 07:00 AM
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.DAY-NO SCHOOL
Monday, Jan 15, 2024, 07:00 AM
PRESIDENT'S DAY-NO SCHOOL
Monday, Feb 19, 2024, 07:00 AM
FEBRUARY VACATION FEBRUARY 19-23, 2024 NO SCHOOL
Monday, Feb 19, 2024, 07:00 AM
HALF DAY FOR STUDENTS-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024, 07:00 AM
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF
Friday, Mar 22, 2024, 07:00 AM
APS QUICK LINKS
AUBURN COMMUNITY EVENTS AND INFORMATION
BOOK SALE-AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Book Sale
Where: The Auburn Public Library
369 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA
Tables will be set up in the Merriam room
When: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10am-12:30pm
Payment: Cash, Check, Credit Card or PayPal
Notice will be on the library website, contact list email and Facebook if postponed.
The book sale is B.Y.O.B →Bring Your Own Bag!!
Questions? email: friendsofauburnplibrary@gmail.com
AYFS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Auburn Youth and Family Services (AYFS) has begun publishing a quarterly newsletter, the goal being to share with the community information about their ongoing efforts to support those in need. Enjoy reading this first edition AYFS Quarterly Newsletter - December 2023 and if you're willing to support AYFS in their efforts, there is information contained therein, along with a "Make a Donation" button. Thank you!
Association for Creatine Deficiencies Fundraiser
Each year the Association of Creatine Deficiencies (ACD) runs a Holiday Heroes fundraiser which provides the majority of the funding for research into treatments, and a cure for Creatine Transporter Deficiency. Please follow the link above to learn more and lend your support.
AUBURN WORCESTER YOUTH LACROSSE REGISTRATION
UNITED SOCCER REGISTRATION
AUBURN FAST PITCH REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
The Spring season runs April through June, ages 5 and older. Registration closes March 15th, 2024. Register before 12/31/23 for a $25 early bird discount !
For registration or for more information go to:www.auburnfastpitch.org
AUBURN LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. ~Helen Keller