Dear Parents,

A few weeks ago I wrote about the new word, iBored, that has entered our vocabulary as a result of all the technology that our young people have access to daily. Another new word, also related to our technological society, is sexting. Sexting refers to any sexually suggestive image or message sent electronically. Sexting becomes one more concern for us as parents, one more activity that requires our supervision, one more reason to maintain open communication with our children.

Several articles have been written to help parents deal with this very real, very scary issue. Every article emphasizes the need to have discussions with our children about sexting. The following questions were given in one article as a way to begin such a discussion with your child:

* Have you ever received a sexual message or naked picture on your cell phone?
* Has anyone ever asked or pressured you to send a nude or sexual picture?
* Do you think it’s OK to send “sexy” messages or images? Why?
* What could happen to you if you send or forward a sexual text message or naked picture with your cell phone?
* How likely is it that images and messages intended for one person will be seen by others?

Another article listed the following tips to prevent sexting.

* Think about the consequences of taking, sending, or forwarding a sexual picture of someone underage, even if it’s of you. You could get kicked off of sports teams, face humiliation, lose educational opportunities, and even get in trouble with the law
* Never take images of yourself that you wouldn’t want everyone – your classmates, your teachers, your family to see
* Before hitting send remember that you can’t control where this image may travel. What you send to a boyfriend or girlfriend could easily end up with their friend and their friends’ friends, If you forward a sexual picture of someone underage, you are as responsible for this image as the original sender. You could face child pornography charges, go to jail, and have to resister as a sex offender.
* Report any nude pictures you receive on your cell phone to an adult you trust. Do not delete the message. Instead, get your parents, teachers, and/or school administration involved immediately

I would like to add my own personal tip: check your child’s phone and home computer daily. You own this property, you have the right to check. You also need to check that the name that appears on the phone or computer screen is really that person, is “Susie” really a Susie!

Parents, it is never too early to start actively supervising your child’s use of technology. They need boundaries. It is our responsibility to set the boundaries.

Scary information, yes. Adult information only, no. It is never too early to start this conversation with your child.

GUEST SPEAKER:

The PTA will feature Anne Troy at their next meeting on Tuesday, March 16. Ms Troy will address the issue as how not to have a “child gone wild”. Ms. Troy is a very entertaining, direct teacher.

CONGRATULATIONS:

Jane Fiegel (8th) for advancing to the state competition in Baton Rouge in the Geography Bee. Jane also won the Knights of Columbus Council local and District free throw competition and is advancing to the state competition in Baton Rouge. Good luck!

Our junior boys’ basketball team finished second in the westbank playoffs and our senior boys’ finished first in the westbank playoffs.

PLACES TO BE SEEN:

* Mass (5-8) Tuesday March 9th, 8:30am
* Parent lunch 2K Tuesday March 9th
* Parent lunch 2M Wednesday March 10th
* Mass (1-4) Thursday March 11th, 8:30am
* Parent Lunch Thursday March 11th
* First grade read-in Friday March 12th
* PKG Olympics/parent lunch Tuesday March 16th
* PKP Olympics/parent lunch Wednesday March 17th
* PKW Olympics/parent lunch Thursday March 18th
* Family Math Night Wednesday March 24, 6:00pm for 5th grade
* Mass (1-4) Thursday March 25, 8:30am
* Holy Week Mass (PK-8) 8:30am