Dear La Entrada Community,

 

We are about to start the official planning phase for the 2013-14 school year.  One of the first things we do in this phase is have the students (who will be in 6th-8th grade next year) sign up for their elective courses. The information we get from this allows us to start planning our master schedule.

 

During the weeks of February 25 - March 8, I will meet with all current 5th-7th grade students and provided them with a "Course Catalog" which includes important registration information. 

 

If your child will be in 6th grade next year, you are invited to come to an "Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information" meeting on Monday, March 4 at 7pm in the MUR.  At this meeting, I will be talking about the structural transition between 5th and 6th grade.  In addition, I will go through the registration process.

 

Spring Conferences are scheduled for March 13-15. 

 

Parent-teacher conferences are designed so that information and questions can be shared. Open and ongoing communication is highly valued by our staff and community.  For the spring, we are allotted three days for conferencing.  To make the most of this time, spring conferences are considered optional and can be requested by the teacher or the parent.

 

Conferences in grades 4 and 5

Your child's teacher will contact you regarding conferences.  The teacher may request a conference with you, or you may request a conference with the teacher.  Whether you conference or not, you will receive an updated report card that outlines important information regarding your child's progress.

 

Conferences in grades 6-8

There are 45 spots for conferences during March 14-16.  Teachers may have three times as many students as there are conference slots. (For example, a math teacher may have 150 students, but still only has 45 conference slots!)  Conferences are optional and we ask that you keep in mind the limited slots and only sign up for a conference if you feel it very necessary. 

 

6th - 8th Grade Teacher Conference Sign Ups will be Online!

 

Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on March 13-15.  

 

PTC Wizard is a web based parent/teacher conference scheduling system.  Parents can create and manage their conference schedules in an easy and time efficient manner.  

 

Here is what you need to do to schedule a parent/teacher conference:

• Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 27.
• Login to https://llesdms.ptcwizard.com
• You will first need to register and enter the names of your 6th-8th grade children.
• Follow the steps and the program will instruct you on how to choose a child, choose a teacher and set a time for the conference.
• When you have finished scheduling, a confirmation email will be sent to you.
• Conference availability closes at 2pm on the school day prior to the conference.  
• If a teacher's time slots are full, please call the office. We will keep a wait list.
• If for any reason the online system does not seem to be working for you, please call the office and Mrs. Rudge or Mrs. Stosz will assist you.
• Because space is limited, please login and cancel any conference that you will not be able to attend.  If you need to cancel after registration has closed for that day, you will need to call the school office.
• The school office number is 650-854-3962.

Technology in the Classroom

 

As some of you may be aware, we are looking for ways to increase the use of technology at La Entrada by staff and students.  In line with District Strategic Plan, increased technology use  is our next step toward creating 21st Century Classrooms and learning experiences for our students.  Since the beginning of the 2nd semester we have done the following:

• Some 6th grade teachers have been experimenting with different devices in their classrooms. 
• The District leadership and I called together a student focus group to ask the students questions about technology use. 
• We met recently with a parent focus group.
• I spoke to parents at the Principal's coffee about the use of a "tablet" in the classrooms and how the technology supports the new state assessment (replacing STAR in2014).
• The Superintendent and other District Office staff met with multiple parent groups.
• Teachers and administrators attended multiple trainings and conferences focused on "One to One devices" most recently a "Tablet Showdown" held at the San Mateo County Office of Education. 

As a result of the experimentation and the conversation around increased technology use, questions around the security and access to the internet in classrooms and on campus have been raised. Until we have an articulated plan for a pilot program, the rules for technology use at La Entrada are to remain as outlined in the handbook, "Personal Electronics such as cell phones, compact disc players, Game Boys, iPods, pagers, and radios are not allowed to be used or out during the school day. If a device is needed for a class assignment, it must be used only in the classroom with teacher permission."  If you have any concerns about the technology use or the interpretation of the handbook, please don't hesitate to contact your teacher, Ms.Dineen or me.

 

In the meantime, stay tuned as we continue to meet over the next month with groups of teachers, students and parents.  The Superintendent, Lisa Cesario, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Deborah Roden, Director of Technology, Suzanne Mitchell, and the LE staff are all excited to see where and how increased technology use will impact learning.  

 

Warm Regards,

 

Shannon Potts

Principal

This month the ABC volunteers are reading the book My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig.  This story  is a story about a little girl named Monica who is bullied by someone she thought was her friend.  Monica faces her fears of betrayal and social isolation and reclaims her power from the bully with the help of a supportive adult- her mother.  
 

The goal of the lesson was to: 

Did you know 37% of the youth at La Entrada feel they do not receive support from three or more non-parent adults.  While 86% of our youth believe their best friends model responsible behavior.  Who are your kids talking to and confiding in? This month the ABC readers in the 4-6 grades are poising themselves as a caring adult your kids can go to.  Please make sure you know who they are.
 

First Friday. This Friday, March 1, Dads (and any other interested adults) are invited to come and connect with kids at lunchtime.  Come  build a team of caring adults who volunteer to build relationships with youth by playing games, listening, reading... just being "there" for kids.  If you would like a reminder email, send an email request to Anna Plume at aplumemom@yahoo.com.

• Dates: 4/5, 5/3 and 6/7.
• Time:  4th/5th grade 11:35 am -12:15 pm; 6th-8th grade 12:15 am - 12:50 pm

HE ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT (ELD) PROGRAM RE-DESIGNATION CELEBRATION 

Please join us as we celebrate the success of our English Learners who have graduated from the ELD Program and are now Re-Designated Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) on Thursday March 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the MUR.

There will be a presentation followed by refreshments. All English Learners and their families are invited to attend. Come and meet your fellow English Learners!

Please RSVP if you plan on attending to Mimi Sabo at msabo@llesd.org or (650) 854-3962 ext. 151.

 

CYBERBULLING

by Katie Luce, LMFT Site Director at Redwood High School & Jordan Middle School

This article is intended to educate parents and families about a serious issue affecting adolescents known as cyberbullying. My hope is to provide information, highlight some of the emotional issues that arise from cyberbullying, and offer suggestions regarding what families can do to communicate with their children and to address this problem.

 

Adolescents today are growing up online. Kaiser Family Foundation studies (www.kff.org) show that almost every school child has been online, and three-quarters of young people can access the Internet from their homes.  The National Crime Prevention Council (www.ncpc.org) reported in 2011 that cyberbullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens.

 

According to The Cyberbullying Research Center (www.cyberbullying.us), cyberbullying is defined as bullying by electronic means, and usually occurs through social-media websites, text/picture messaging, chat rooms, gaming sites and email.  A cyberbully can be a person who the victim knows or an online stranger. A cyberbully can be anonymous and can solicit involvement of other people online who do not even know the target.  The National Crime Prevention Association lists tactics often used by teen cyberbullies:

• Pretend they are other people online to trick others
• Spread lies and rumors about victims
• Trick people into revealing personal information
• Send or forward mean text messages
• Post pictures of victims without their consent

Studies on the psychosocial effects of cyberspace have begun to monitor the impacts cyberbullying can have on victims, and the consequences it can lead to.  Among the destructive consequences of cyberbullying are lowered academic achievement and aspirations, increased anxiety, loss of self-esteem and confidence, depression and post-traumatic stress, general deterioration in physical health, self-harm and suicidal thinking, feelings of alienation in the school environment, such as fear of other children, and absenteeism from school (www.thehill.com, Davis, 5/11/2011.)  If you are aware that your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, it would be a good idea to consult a psychologist, school counselor or other mental health professional.                   

Many teens that are cyberbullied online are overwhelmed by the emotional pain due to either the continuity or intensity of the harassment. Therefore, responding to the cyberbully's attacks in a productive manner often seems extraordinarily difficult. The anticipatory anxiety often prevents a teenager from reporting the bully. Since the distress seems unbearable, the victim cannot muster up the strength to confide in a trusted adult. Of course, there is always the fear that a victim may be labeled a "tattletale." However, if the victim attempts to cope with the bullying without external assistance, the intensity and frequency of the bullying online can increase.  Victimized teens first must realize they are not to blame for the way they have been treated. No one deserves to be harassed in any environment, whether it is on the Internet or in the real world. They need to know effective strategies that can be implemented to help fend off cyberbullies.

Here are suggested tips that can be shared with children who are victims of cyberbulling to help them stand up for themselves:

• Any communication from the bully should be printed out immediately and shown to an adult. Keep evidence of cyberbullying. Record the dates, times, and descriptions of instances when cyberbullying has occurred. Save and print screenshots, emails, and text messages. Use this evidence to report cyberbullying to an organization that can help or law enforcement.
• Block the account that the sender uses. That way the child can't see what is being sent to them.
• Do not reply to them or forward the messages. That gives them no power over the victim, even if they keep bullying.
• Alert the appropriate law enforcement if a child is in immediate danger caused by cyberbullying. There are ways to impose consequences for the cyberbully. The California laws can be accessed at www.stopbullying.gov.

Cyberbullying may be difficult for both parents and children to discuss, but it is very important to keep the lines of communication open.  Parents and children can agree to clear family rules about what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behavior on a cell phone or other wireless device. Developing a written contract is sometimes helpful in order to make these rules clear and be able to refer to them as needed.  For example, be clear about what sites they can visit and what they are permitted to do when they're online.

Children need to feel comfortable talking with parents about messages and images that are sent and received on cell phones or other wireless devices.  It can be hard for parents to react appropriately to a cyberbullying situation without a complete understanding of all sides of the situation. So it is important for parents to know the facts before reacting.

Help children to be smart about what they post or say. Tell them not to share anything that could hurt or embarrass themselves or others. Remind them that once something is posted, it is out of their control, whether someone else forwards it or not.  Encourage children to think about whom they want to see the information and pictures they post online. Tell them to keep their passwords safe and not share them with friends. Sharing passwords can compromise their control over their online identities and activities.

There are other ways to support children if they are cyberbullied.  Help them to participate in activities, interests, and hobbies they like such as volunteering, playing sports, singing in a chorus, or joining a youth group or school club. These activities give young people the opportunity to have fun and meet others with similar interests that can build self-confidence and friendships that will help to protect them from cyberbullying.

Finally, parents can model how to treat others with kindness and respect.  Children learn from adults' actions. By treating others with kindness and respect, adults show their children that there is no place for bullying. Even when it seems like they are not paying attention, children are watching how adults manage stress and conflict, as well as how they treat their friends, colleagues, and families.

We need to teach our children that silence, when anyone is being hurt, is not acceptable. If they don't allow the cyberbullies to use them to embarrass or torment others, cyberbullying will quickly stop. It's a challenging task, but in the end, our children will be safer online and offline. We will have helped children to control the technology instead of their being controlled by it.

 

Additional Resources

For more information, go to www.wiredsafety.com, www.cyberbullying.com, or www.stopbullying.gov.

Founded on May 1, 2011, the "End to Cyber Bullying" (ETCB) is a non-profit organization aimed to combat cyberbullying in this modern age (www.endcyberbullying.org.)

 

Adolescent Counseling Services is a community non-profit, which provides vital counseling services on eight secondary campuses at no charge to students and their families. To learn more about our services please visit the ACS website at www.acs-teens.org or call Rom Brafman, PhD, Site Director at La Entrada at (650) 854-3962 ext. 218.   ACS relies on the generosity of community members to continue offering individual, family, and group counseling to over 1,500 individuals annually.  ACS provides critical interventions and mental health services, building a better future for tomorrow. If you are interested in helping to support our efforts, do not hesitate to call to make a donation. It goes a long way in helping teenagers find their way!

 

Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) Wants You!

Do you care about local teens and families?  Are you interested in making sure accessible mental health services are available to the community?  ACS is currently looking for individuals to serve on our Board of Directors.  For more information, please contact Janet Chaikind, ACS Vice President, at governance@acs-teens.org. 

 

FREE Prevention Offerings from ACS

Take advantage of ACS' FREE Substance Abuse Prevention Workshops offered monthly at the Palo Alto Family YMCA.  For more info, please visit www.acs-teens.org. ACS also offers the Substance Abuse Info Line (SAIL) where trained therapists are ready to answer your questions or provide you with resources related to teens and substance abuse.  Operating Monday-Friday from 5PM to 7PM, you can reach SAIL at (650) 384-3094.

 

M-A PARENT EDUCATION SERIES

"The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It"

Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., Lecturer

Stanford University

 

Thursday, March 7, 2013, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

M-A Center for the Performing Arts (PAC)

 

Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University and a leading expert in the new field of "science-help." Her most recent book, The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It (Penguin, 2012) explores the latest research on motivation, temptation, and procrastination, as well as what it takes to transform habits, persevere at challenges, and make a successful change. 

 

Tickets will go quickly for this event! Parents, students, faculty/staff, and SUHSD community members are welcome to attend. 

 

Ticket Registration: http:/kellymcgonigalmenloatherton.eventbrite.com

 

M-A Parent Education Series events are FREE and sponsored by the

Menlo-Atherton PTA and the Sequoia Healthcare District.

 

For more information, please contact Charlene Margot, M-A Parent Education Series Program Director, at cmargot@csmconsulting.net or 650.868.0590.

Make Dreams Come True...Donate Dresses or Accessories to The Princess Project!

Donate your new or gently used long or short clean party dresses or accessories! With your help, over 3,000 girls will be served in dress giveaways through The Princess Project this Spring in San Francisco, Oakland, Silicon Valley, and San Diego!

Where to Donate: Menlo-Atherton High School Front Office at 555 Middlefield Rd, Atherton

When: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm through the end of February

Contact: If you would prefer for us to pick up your donations or need a donation receipt please e-mail Aditya Sinha at aditya.sinha96@gmail.com or Emily Carlson at emily@carlsonland.com.

For past issues, visit the PTA Newsletter archive.

MJ Crousore and Lucia Tedesco
Leopard's Spot Editors