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Message from Principal Lynne Beattie March, 2010 |
Dear CMS Families,
One of the most common dilemmas facing middle school parents involves privacy and independence, and how much or how little to give to a middle school student. Parents trying to do their best for their children often ask school staff, "Do I have the right to...?" Among parents who have set policies in their homes, philosophies range from, "As long as I pay for it, and they live in my house, there is no privacy," to "I never go into his room, backpack, etc. That would be an invasion of privacy." The reality is that for most kids something in between is best, and frequently there is a need for flexibility. There is always a need for children to understand the responsibility that comes along with independence.
When asked, my advice to parents has always been to judge what their child demonstrates an ability to handle, and to set standards accordingly. A child who completes all of his work and receives solid grades has, to my way of thinking, demonstrated himself to be a responsible learner, able to work independently and without tight supervision. Conversely, one whose progress reports note a lack of quantity or quality of work may not be ready for independence. Here, an agreement between parents and children that homework and assignment books be monitored, and that backpack and binder organization is a team effort, may yield a more positive result. For the child, the lesson that independence is earned based on responsibility and follow through is important.
Enter technology: The world of cell phones, IM, and Facebook beckons to our kids. Left to their own devices, middle school children using these tools can instantly communicate without the ìburdenî of a thoughtful exchange of ideas. Young fingers fly across keypads, hitting the send button before they can even process what they wrote. ìGoodî kids get caught up in making hurtful statements to one another, teasing, or excluding others online. When asked if they would conduct themselves the same way in person, the answer is inevitably, "No." On a positive note, these technologies open doors to a global connection, inviting collaboration. Within minutes, kids can photograph, video, and post to the Internet for all to see. Kids can participate in deliberately thought-provoking
discussions with other students across town or across the world. However, as when determining independence and the right to privacy with their backpacks and homework, children need guidance and monitoring as they demonstrate their level of understanding and responsibility. For parents, being savvy enough to know what their children are up to becomes a much more daunting task when technology is involved.
Donít be mistaken; I am a huge proponent of technology of all kinds. I will often acquire the newest gadget soon after it is released, and I never cease to marvel at how tasks that used to take hours or days can now be accomplished in minutes. At CMS, staff is integrating new technologies into the school day using Google Docs, Wikis, Moodles, to name just a few. School Advisory Council is researching a variety of interactive tools, sharing their capabilities and conducting initial discussions of the impact at home. Critical to this work is to determine how to help students build an understanding of what it means to be mindful of others in the community, and the difference between use and misuse.
As with many aspects of life, we continue to ask the questions: How much is too much, and how much is enough for our children? We strive to help them find the right balance in order to meet with success.
Sincerely,
Lynne Beattie, Principal
978.341.2490 x6110
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Sanborn Building 835 Old Marlboro Road, Concord, MA 01742 Main Office: 978.318.1380 |
Peabody Building 1231 Old Marlboro Road, Concord, MA 01742 Main Office: 978.318.1360
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