This Message is a Little Disturbing

It was sent to (apparently) Parents in the school district.  I’m not sure if this response is warranted or appropriate, which is why I’m doing it before I think to hard about it. The reason for the message is obvious to me.  However, not for the surface reason we might think.  There is this thought that there is an epidemic of a serious nature that our kids are involved in and they may need to be controlled or cured.  No, that’s definitely not the reason.  It is PURELY for the School’s “Public Information Officer” to show that she has control of our kids and is asking for “Help” protecting them.

OK, here’s the real problem: My kids have cell phones for emergencies and for the simple fact that if and when they need to make contact with us, the RESPONSIBLE parents, they can.  My son received so many unwanted text messages from a single girl last spring that I had that service turned off.  Did you know you can BLOCK text messages?  Really!?  Why don’t you then!? OK, not my problem.  If you’re NOT a responsible parent, it’s also NOT my problem until it affects my family or crosses some other threshold.  Is there some LAW in the works here?  Did the school want to stop this “behavior” without help from the Local, State, or Federal authorities? Why present this to the Kids?  Was it to show them how good kids can make a mistake that they can help them avoid, or is it like sex education and were just explaining it so they can take better pictures???  I’m not being obscene or pig headed, I just want to know who gave these IDIOTS a degree, a job, and the RIGHT to infect MY KIDS with this garbage!?!?  If my kids knew anyone involved in this crap, I’m 90% sure I would have heard about it already.  If not, then I’m NOT the responsible parent I espouse to be.

Here is the lesson kids should be taught in school: Education!!!

OK, next: Teach them about Religion, the Founding Fathers, the History of the World, Science, Technology, ENGLISH FIRST, “Foreign” languages of their choice, and Mathematics. Don’t teach kids who shouldn’t be engaging in sexual activities about sex.  Send them home or call the parents and get them involved if there’s a problem.  In Fact, ask the Parents for help if there is an epidemic affecting more than a few kids.  That’s not what this message says.  It says:

“We hope that these messages will start you thinking about and talking to your child about the use of the internet and cell phones and how to handle the responsibility of today's technology”.

In other words, they didn’t ask permission to speak with our kids on the subject but they’re asking for us to talk with our kids.  OK, ask us.  Leave Our kids out of it.  By the way, I like to teach my kids about the REAL dangers in school.  It’s the predators that dominate the public education system to spread left leaning principles to young minds, to help bring about the downfall of liberty, the family, capitalism and replace it with the Nanny State.  The haven’t quite figured it out yet but kids eventually grow into adults, and those with brains, a strong sense of self, ambition and ability will become conservative leaders of tomorrow’s society.  The rest continue to be Libtards and vote for the Kenyan born “usurper” who grew up Muslim, only to worship in a Marxist Church.  Since they couldn’t find one of their own, naturally born, they voted for the next best thing…a face who can read a teleprompter, and has an unnaturally deep voice because he smokes and hides his disgusting habit.  Tell the kids who you voted for, what your Union spends money on and why, why you can’t be fired and everyone else can?  Go ahead, tell them.

Education?  What another crock of [four letter expletive].  What are your kids doing in school this week?  The last day of school of the year is “Movie Day.”  Of course the kids NEED to go to school so the school gets funding, and so they can “hang out” to be indoctrinated a little more.  My kids are too smart to drink the Kool-Aid.  I hope yours are too. From one Parent to another, Lets help each other take back our schools in the years to come.  The state of education will not change for the better until Liberty is restored in Washington and then to the States.  Communities and grass roots are changing the landscape and thanks to all those corrupt pukes in politics for awakening the sleeping giant in the American Majority.

Campus Messenger by Infinite Campus

Sexting (Sexual pictures + texting):  What the Superintendent and the Saratoga County District Attorney want you to know.

Recently, your child attended an educational presentation about teenagers and "sexting" as part of a pro-active partnership between Shenendehowa School District Superintendent Dr. Oliver Robinson, Saratoga County District Attorney Jim Murphy and the Shenendehowa Community Coalition. We are fortunate that we have not had any serious incidents of "sexting" in our district, and we want to prevent "sexting" in our school and community in the future. While school districts around us have encountered unfortunate incidents of "sexting", and have had to involve law enforcement after the fact, we think it's important to be ahead of the curve. That's why we invited the district attorney to speak to our 7th and 8th graders. He presented information from actual cases involving poor choices that teenagers have made, some of which resulted in criminal consequences. He spoke about the dangers of on-line social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, as well as the life long ramifications that result from a student "sexting". His presentation was especially created for middle school students and and was a message of prevention and helping kids make positive and healthy choices.

Unfortunately, sexting is a reality in today's world of cell phone cameras and your child could be a click away from posting or forwarding a nude or semi nude picture of him or herself on the web. A recent survey of middle schoolers in our state showed that 20% have posted or forwarded an inappropriate text message over their cell phone or on the internet. Parenting in the 21st century presents a new set of challenges that require new solutions. Like their parents before them, today's parents have to help their kids navigate school, friends, crushes, extracurricular activities and sexuality. But they also face a bewildering new world, driven by technology and media.

These tips may help you start a discussion with your child or help you make your own personal decisions for your family about the internet and access to cell phones:

Set limits on cell phone usage: While many parents have a hard time regulating the number of texts per month and have surrendered to "unlimited texting", you can control the hours that your teen texts. DA Murphy suggests determining a time when cell phones come out of the pocket or out of the bedroom and are placed in a central location on a charger along with your cell phone. Kids who are permitted to keep their cell phones in their room overnight on average get less sleep and are often times texting in the middle of the night. Limit the hours that your teen has phone access and set rules on when texting is appropriate.

Take laptops out of your child's bedroom: While computers and the internet provide wonderful educational opportunities and help teens study, they also provide 24 hour access to social networking sites, instant messaging and email. By removing computers from the teen's bedroom and placing them in a central location, like a family room or kitchen, teens are less likely to have inappropriate contact through the computer and are more likely to notify a parent about an unusual or disturbing email.

Keep computers in a common area: Studies have shown that teenagers are less likely to engage in risky behavior if they are accessing the internet in a common room or area where others are likely to be present. This is even true if no one is standing over their shoulder. Just the fact that you can glance at what is on the screen is enough to make kids think twice before going to inappropriate internet sites or having conversations with individuals who they may not know. Keeping the computer in a common area will help your child make safe decisions about their on line travels.

Know your child's username and password: While some parents and kids will groan at the idea of allowing you access to their social networking page, email account or instant messaging, it really is important. The fact that you have access to the information, despite the fact that you may never actually look, protects kids from making bad choices. What's more, in the unlikely event that something should happen to your child, you can quickly access your child's personal internet conversations and contacts in a matter of seconds rather than wasting valuable time while law enforcement obtains subpoenas or search warrants. In nearly all cases, a missing child has been returned or someone who is targeting a child has been apprehended once law enforcement is given the access to the on-line material. It's a small piece of information that can have remarkable results if necessary.

Talk to your child about cyberbullying: Today's bullies are no longer the stereotypical "tough kid" in school, but can often times be a physically small child or a straight A student. Cyberbullying can be round the clock with the internet and cell phones. It used to be that children could go home to be safe and get away form the bully. Today, that is no longer the case. With 24 hour access to technology bullying can continue no matter where the victim goes. That is why it is important to talk to your child about the ramifications about bullying and being bullied. If you feel your child is the target of cyberbullying notify law enforcement immediately.

Remember, once you push the send button it is in cyberspace forever: An unfortunate case of a girl who sent a semi nude picture of herself to her "boyfriend" resulted in him sending to his "friends" where it travelled the world in cyberspace and ultimately landed permanently on a Dutch pornography site. No one, including this poor girl, thought this would happen. Talking to your child about the consequences of pressing the "send" button is important.

We hope that these messages will start you thinking about and talking to your child about the use of the internet and cell phones and how to handle the responsibility of today's technology. We will continue to work with the district attorney and law enforcement in making our school as safe as possible and a model for other schools to follow. Please join us in keeping your children safe as they travel through cyberspace.

Kelly DeFeciani
Public Information Officer
Shenendehowa Central Schools
[Direct number removed] (518) 371-6000

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