Open Forum on Electronic Media at Forest Hills

Dear parents,

At Forest Hills School, our highest priorities are the safety and learning of all students. As a response to further engaging parents in this effort, we are holding a meeting on:

MONDAY, APRIL 21 6:30 pm Middle School Library

The focus of this meeting will be to address the issues of Electronic media, privacy, violence as entertainment, and publication of school/student photos.

This meeting is intended for parents who have questions and concerns around these issues. It will be an open forum where we will work together as partners to become better informed, and therefore better equipped to address some of the emerging issues that are resulting from the very easy access to electronic publication devices (cameras, phones, computers, internet sites).

All schools in district 8 are governed by a provincial policy 311 regarding the Acceptable Use of Computers, as well as a district policy on Cell Phone and Other Electronic Devices.

It is a universal concern, and is presenting itself as a particular concern to Forest Hills. Our concern is that children are disregarding the ban on access to electronic devices and cell phones during school hours. As a staff, we had considered ourselves to be VERY vigilant in this area. We are alarmed at how easy it is for students to hide these devices and still use them. While this practice may seem as innocent entertainment in many instances, it has ultimately led to the publication of violence, of demeaning and private situations/locales, and has increased a level of stress on the whole school community.

Our parents are our partners, and we need to begin a discussion about how to address this growing phenomenon. The particular issue is currently pertaining to our middle school students, but we welcome all grade level parents as we take this issue seriously and know that electronic media will be a permanent part of our culture, and long-term solutions will be needed.

We hope to have you attend. Susan Holmes, guidance learning specialist, will be in attendance as well. Our focus will be mainly to bring this issue to light, and to hear the voice of parents. We want our students to learn in a safe environment, secure from privacy invasion and the broadcasting of peer violence. The school plans to do sessions with our student body as well.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.