Weekly Communique
May 20, 2022
Thoughts from Dr. Pacatte
As we wind down towards the close of the school year, we start to see student behaviors change. This has happened every year of my career. Summer is coming and everyone is excited. Teachers and staff have always been able to prepare and respond to "spring fever." Unfortunately, the pervasive use of social media has added an element to this season that has interfered with the learning for students and the operations of our schools.
On a daily basis, our administrators are contacted by students and parents as a result of something posted on a social media platform. Parents are requesting the school to respond or intervene. Certainly, if there is a safety issue, we will do what we can to notify parents of the students involved and monitor our environments to keep everyone safe. We do not have the capacity to respond to situations that are the result of postings on personal devices outside of school.
We have seen posts where students are making fun of other students, sharing rumors about other students, sharing inappropriate pictures of themselves, and we have seen inappropriate posts where parents make negative or hurtful comments about another student. Our role is to provide an education for students and lately that has had to take a back seat to addressing behavior on social media or behavior resulting from a social media post. We are finding when we ask a parent to block an app, they refuse and expect the school to solve an issue created the night before, on personal devices, while under the parent's supervision.
As parents you control your child's access to social media. If you are unable to monitor your child's use of social media, they should not have access to it. Our staff can help you to block apps on personal devices, just call the school. The best consequence to inappropriate or hurtful social media posts is to shut the social media platform down. Access to a social media platform should be a privilege not an expectation, especially if it is causing problems for the student or for the family. Our students can survive without social media. If your child isn't using it appropriately, please take it away. If a contact of your child isn't appropriate, please block them. It is so important that parents partner with the schools on this issue. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the building principal.
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Returning Student Registration 2022-2023
Returning Student Enrollment Checklist 2022-23
The 2022-23 Returning Student Enrollment Checklist will be available for parents and guardians as an ONLINE FORM in Skyward Family Access starting on Monday, April 25, 2022. It is provided for your convenience to keep your informed during the enrollment process. Please click on the link below to view more information.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TK2LYXq5IBkqHkhjFli9DtCZGFKsz0js/view?usp=sharing
Read Beyond the Beaten Path with WNPL This Summer!
The Warren-Newport Public Library is very excited about the library’s many programs for children, tweens, teens, and families. To keep up to date as programs are added, please visit the library’s online events calendar at https://calendar.wnpl.info/events.
Online registration for WNPL’s 2022 Summer Reading Program, Read Beyond the Beaten Path, began May 1. Read Beyond the Beaten Path continues from June 1-August 8, with logging of minutes beginning June 1. As a community, we’re trying to reach ONE MILLION minutes read this summer. Can you help us reach this goal?
Special Visitor at Spaulding School
Mayor Hood activates his Superpowers by reading a chapter in the Superkids book during Mrs. Hendrick's 1st grade reading class. The Mayor also shared how much he cares about the staff and students in Gurnee by spending time in Spaulding’s hallways talking and encouraging teachers and students.
Preschoolers Artist
Ms. Sutter's preschoolers took care of the weeds at the playground this week. They made dandelion bouquets and painted with them too.
Spaulding School Variety Show
Several Spaulding School second grade students showed their talents to fellow students recently. Acts included singing, gymnastics, cup stacking, basketball shooting, bike tricks, playing the piano, and others.
Tech/Stem Class at River Trail School
Students in Ms. Zimerfeld’s Tech/STEM classes worked across grade levels to create these Geometry Cities. All grades contributed and 7th/8th grade compiled the pieces to meet a checklist of requirements. Great Collaboration!
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Working as a School Resource Officer, you never know what the day ahead will bring. Officer Smits arrived at Viking Middle School to find a welcoming surprise on his office door with teachers and staff recognizing the hard work Officer Smits does each day at each school at Gurnee School District 56!
SRO Smits plays an active role within the school district by connecting with students and working as a valuable resource for teachers and staff.
Ike's Fish for Fun
I Outran The Cops Run/Walk
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