Blue Jay Broadcast
News and Notes from the Hallways of MHS
Coffee talk with Mr. Guzman
In our global, technology based world, it’s important to acknowledge and understand what happens when people, especially young people, are online. So what is Digital Citizenship and how does it affect our students? Digital citizenship is being safe, respectful and responsible while online and using technology; it is understanding the impact that actions and words can have on our digital footprint. Many young adults are not aware that the things they post online can and will be attached to their names for the rest of their lives. It is becoming common for employers to research potential employees via online profiles.
Social Media can be a beneficial tool and a worthwhile experience when utilized appropriately. There are so many ways in which it can be used for the positive; here at Middlesex, we utilize technology every day, in classrooms, on Twitter and Instagram, Google classroom, Blue Jay Broadcast newsletters and so much more. We want our students to be comfortable and confident with technology in their life but in a world of Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and a number of other social media apps, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and not think of the long term impact of your decisions. We want them to be comfortable in a technology based world but we also want them to be responsible digital citizens in that world.
There is so much information available and it can be overwhelming and exciting for young people. It can also be overwhelming and confusing for parents. The below information is from the FBI website in regards to social networking sites and how you can be aware and involved in your child’s technological life.
“Children often don’t realize that they cannot “take back” the online text and images they post. They may not know that individuals with access to this information can save and forward these postings to an unlimited number of users. Kids also may not realize the potential ramifications of their online activities. They can face consequences for posting harmful, explicit, dangerous, or demeaning information online, including being humiliated in front of their families and peers, suspended from school, charged criminally, and denied employment or entry into schools.
What can you do to keep your children safe, especially if they are visiting networking sites?
Most importantly, be aware and involved:
- Monitor your children’s use of the Internet; keep your Internet computer in an open, common room of the house.
- Tell your kids why it’s so important not to disclose personal information online.
- Check your kids’ profiles and what they post online.
- Read and follow the safety tips provided on the sites.
- Report inappropriate activity to the website or law enforcement immediately.
- Explain to your kids that once images are posted online they lose control of them and can never get them back.
- Only allow your kids to post photos or any type of personally identifying information on websites with your knowledge and consent.
- Instruct your kids to use privacy settings to restrict access to profiles so only the individuals on their contact lists are able to view their profiles.
- Remind kids to only add people they know in real life to their contact lists.
- Encourage kids to choose appropriate screen names or nicknames.
- Talk to your kids about creating strong passwords.
- Visit social networking websites with your kids, and exchange ideas about acceptable versus potentially risky websites.
- Ask your kids about the people they are communicating with online.
- Make it a rule with your kids that they can never give out personal information or meet anyone in person without your prior knowledge and consent. If you agree to a meeting between your child and someone they met online, talk to the parents/guardians of the other individual first and accompany your kids to the meeting in a public place.
- Encourage your kids to consider whether a message is harmful, dangerous, hurtful, or rude before posting or sending it online, and teach your kids not to respond to any rude or harassing remarks or messages that make them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused and to show you the messages instead.
- Educate yourself on the websites, software, and apps that your child uses.
- Don’t forget cell phones! They often have almost all the functionality of a computer.”
Credit: https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/protecting-your-kids
Email: guzmana@middlesex.k12.nj.us
Website: http://www.middlesex.k12.nj.us/msd/HS/
Location: 300 John F Kennedy Drive, Middlesex, NJ, United States
Twitter: @MHSMiddlesexNJ
News & Notes
Lady Jays Cross Country
Congratulations to the Lady Jays Cross Country teamed - they placed fourth in the Central Jersey Group 1 Sectional Championships. Anne Vrubliauskas, Monica Barclay, Mara Dunsavage, Josie Basch, Jeanette Jones, Audrey Pettit and Haley Logue will compete at "The Bowl" at Holmdel in the Group 1 State Championship meet. The girls will be joined by Andrew Habeeb who ran a career PR of 16:45. The top five teams in each sectional race, and the top ten overall move on. Andrew's time earned him a 7th place finish!
Blue Jay Football
Congratulations to the Varsity football team on their 28-6 victory over Shore last Friday in the first round of the State Playoffs, moving their record to 8 and 1. The Blue Jays will play #1 seed Burlington City in the Semi-Finals this Friday, Nov. 17th, at 7pm. The game will be played at Wilbur Watts Intermediate School, 550 High Street, Burlington, NJ 08016-4589. Good Luck!
Did you order a yearbook yet?
Yearbooks can be purchased online or by check. The cost is $75 and the order forms are available in the HS Library. Now is the time to buy, the price will be going up to $80 in December. If you would like to order online, visit the following link: https://sites.google.com/middlesex.k12.nj.us/yearbook/home
Bad Seed
Congratulations to the cast & crew of Bad Seed! Thank you to all who came out to support our students and our theater program. In addition to watching a great show, the senior class won class points for attendance.
Halloween
Each year, the senior class enjoys a Halloween breakfast and parade around the school. In addition to showing off their costumes to the school, the teachers and staff vote on their favorite costumes. This years winners were:
Best Costume: Roller Coaster
Most Creative: Idioms (Oh Deer, Raining Cats and Dogs, Social Butterfly, Holy Cow) **
Best Group: Greek Gods
Funniest: Wacky Waving Red Inflatables
Scariest: Michael Myers from Halloween
Best Duo: Fairly OddParents**
We even had 2 students dress up as Mr. Brenner & Mr. Chismar!
**not pictured
Goonies
Michael Myers from the Halloween Movies
Greek Gods
Teachers & Coaches
Academic Highlights
Ms. Gitler’s Biology classes celebrated Halloween with a demonstration of sublimation using frozen carbon dioxide (dry ice).
Community Support
Haunted Hallways is a fairly new event that brings the fun and excitement of trick or treating to special needs children. To assist in keeping special needs kids safe on Halloween, MHS opens its doors for Haunted Hallways. The children trick or treat at designated classroom doors instead of houses in their neighborhood and are greeted by students, some of whom are in costume. In addition to trick or treating, they can visit the cafeteria where there are pictures to color or they can stop and take a break. Thank you to the National Honor Society for hosting this fun activity!
Did You Know?
Dr. Spang earned her Doctorate degree from Rutgers Graduate School of Education in Math Education.
Sights and Sounds of the Music Department
Canning to support the MHS Music Boosters
Saturday, 11/18 8am-12pm at Sal's Family Deli, 288 Lincoln Blvd, Middlesex
Listening Room 12.1: Rookies & Originals Night
Wednesday, 11/15 at 7pm
Tickets are limited and available through student performers only. Email Mr. I at mhsnjmusic@gmail.com for more info or visit http://www.mhsnjmusic.webs.com
MHS Music Boosters Night at Ellery's
Thursday, 11/16 from 6-9pm at Ellery's
Funds raised will be used for music department activities (courtesy of the MHS Music Boosters)
MHS Alumni Band, Remember Yesterday
Friday, 11/17 from 9:30pm-1am at 22 West, 1601 Route 22, Bridgewater, NJ 08805
Featuring Mr. I's cover band with MHS alumni Tom Farley, Jesse Gerbasi and Zack Seif. Other MHS alums will be guest performers throughout the night.
MHS Winter Concert
Thursday, 12/21 at 7pm in the MHS Auditorium
Shout Outs
Pvt. Galida completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training as one of 95 recruits and achieved Sharp Shooter. He will report to Camp LeJeune, N.C. for 2 months for Infantry Training Battalion Training then Military Occupation Specialty School.
Veterans Day
"For 98 years, Americans have remembered those who served our country in uniform on 11 November – first as Armistice Day, and then, since 1954 as Veterans Day." credit https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/
We thank you for your service:
Glen Couldron, Chef for Maschio's Food Service, United States Navy (E4 3rd Class Petty Officer)
Robert DeLude, Middlesex High School Biology Teacher, United States Navy
Gordon Opecko, Class of 1967, United States Army
James Powers, Middlesex Board of Education - Maintenance, United States Navy (3rd Class Petty Officer)
Martin J. Striefler, Class of 1976, Unites States Marine Corps (Sgt)
Martin J. Striefler, Jr., Class of 2009, United States Marine Corps (Sgt)
If you know a Veteran that you would like us to recognize in the next edition of the Blue Jay Broadcast, please send their information to Alaina Sviderskis at sviderskisa@middlesex.k12.nj.us