Dear Team Success Families:

Recently, our administration has experienced an increase in students sending disrespectful messages to one another on their cell phones using apps such as Snapchat, Instagram, or TikTok. Students have been referring to these groups as “study groups”. However, those groups seem to be an outlet for students to spread rumors, insult one another, and/or deliver threats. Although, these incidents occur after school hours, they also carry over to school. Therefore, some of our teachers are using valuable instructional time to address these incidents or clean up the aftermath.

Please talk to your student about appropriate social media behavior, the impact disrespectful messages/ behavior could have on others, and the potential consequences associated with making online threats, or posting inappropriate images. Also stress that anyone who is found participating or encouraging inappropriate behaviors, risks significant disciplinary consequences. Some of those consequences could include the involvement of law enforcement, and/or school reassignment.

Students should additionally be reminded of the digital footprint they leave each time they post on social media such as Snapchat, Instagram, or TikTok. It may also have an impact on future college admissions or employment. Our goal is to always help Team Success students learn and grow so that they are prepared for future success.

Listed below are a few tips that may help you assist your child in avoiding inappropriate online activity:

• Teach your child the appropriate use of social media apps.
  

• Monitor any time spent on smartphones or tablets by installing parental monitoring apps such as ScreenTime, mSpy on your child's device.

• Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.
  

Please feel free to contact our Dean of Students, Mr. Cannon (6th-12th grade) or Mr. Ayala (K-5th grade) with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continuous support!