News in the Middle

News in the Middle

January 20^th, 2012

Submitted by Shannon Donnelly

Everywhere you go these days you are promised to see how technology has impacted every facet of our lives.  It is inescapable, overwhelming, and exciting!  I never imagined that I would be able to make dinner reservations, check the weather, keep up on my celebrity dirt, take photos, buy a birthday gift, read a book, and listen to music all on my cell phone.  Oh, I do use it to actually make a phone call once and a while too!  Yes, technology has quickly changed how we function in our everyday lives and technology is changing how we deliver education in our schools just as quick.

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Calling all 4K Parents and Guardians

The district will be holding an informational parent meeting in early March to share how the transition between 4K and 5K will take place.  If you'd like to let us know what date and time works best for you, please complete this survey.  Thanks!

Empty Bowls Project at SCC

The Empty Bowls Project is coming up fast. February 20th to be exact.  This year, the community is urged to get involved by making bowls for Empty Bowls.
Head over to the middle school art room Sunday January 15th, 22nd and 29th between 1 pm -4 pm to Make A Bowl for Empty Bowls.  You don’t have to have any experience. There will be demonstrations given on how to make a bowl on the potter’s wheel and how to hand build a bowl. The bowls will be fired and then on Sunday  February 5th , the public will be invited back to the middle school art room to Paint (glaze) A Bowl for Empty Bowls.
All bowls made will be for sale for a minimum donation at the Empty Bowl Event. Included in the donation are a meal and a chance to bid at auction on local and regional artist’s bowls.
All proceeds will go to the local food shelf.
 

Ongoing Fundraisers Need Your Help

PLEASE KEEP THOSE BOX TOPS , LABELS, AND MILK CAPS COMING!!!!

Your trash does add up to St. Croix Central Cash!  A check for $1,717.30 was received from Box Tops For Education.

Thank you for your continued support!

Our World, Our Community

"Our World, Our Community” is an exciting event being held on April 21st, 2012 at the SCC High School!  The event is being sponsored by the St. Croix Central Diversity Committee and will celebrate the wonderful cultures represented not only our community, but around the world!  The “Our World, Our Community” culture fair will feature food, music, art, and other entertainment created by our students, staff, and wider community.  View the flyer here. If you would like to be a part of this true celebration of diversity within the Hammond and Roberts communities, please contact middle school teacher Shannon Donnelly at sdonnelly@scc.k12.wi.us or 715-796-2256.

Cyber Bullying & Your Student

Suzie checks her Facebook using her iPod at least 5 times a day. John sends 20 text messages a day to his friends and family. Mary posts to her YouTube channel once a week and gets 5,000 views for each video. Our kids are connected to others in ways we never thought possible ten years ago. They want to share themselves with the world and use the online tools available to them to showcase their ideas and personality, but also to hear back from people like them. However, sometimes this connectedness our children have can receive negative reactions.

Cyber bullying is defined as the electronic posting of mean-spirited messages about a person, often done anonymously. It can be as simple and direct as a text message or email. As quick as a YouTube comment. Or it can have far reaching exposure, such as a Facebook post, a YouTube video, or a Twitter post which can be seen by hundreds of people.

The fifth grade students at SCC learn all about cyber bullying in their guidance and library classes. Students learn what cyber bullying is, how it affects others, and what the consequences of it could be. Students discuss how they feel when they are bullied face-to-face and how they might feel if they were bullied online.

There are three easy ways that you can help your student protect themselves from being a victim of cyber bullying.

1. Know what your child is accessing and posting online. Ask where they are going and have them show you how a site works if you don’t know.
2. Let your child know that if they are being cyber bullied they should tell you or someone they trust about it.
3. Talk to your child about how their online presence. Do they have positive things out there or are they posting negative comments and pictures? What would they like college admission officers and future employers to see?

If you would like to find out more about cyber bullying, visit the links here.