Skyblue Mesa Newsletter

From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

The Internet is truly a wonderful resource for our children. It allows them to see what the Hubble space telescope is zeroing in on, and watch video footage of animals in the wild. No matter what children are

interested in, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of sites available to help them follow their curiosity into new levels of learning. However, there are frightening aspects of the Internet as well, which is why families need to be involved. These tips are a great place to start:

Limit their access. Through your Internet service provider, set up parental controls on your child’s screen name to prevent him or her from venturing into inappropriate sites. Also make sure that he or she can’t get around those controls by going online through your screen name (or the name of another, older sibling). Keep your passwords secret and protected.

Create your own version of “Never” land. Make sure that your children understand the “never” rules of using the Internet. Never give out any personal information for any reason to anyone on the Web, no matter how innocent the request may seem. Unless instructed otherwise, children are too

often eager to give out their names and addresses to get free gifts through the mail or access to “fun” sites.

Cut out spam. Install a virtual filter on your home computer to prevent unsolicited e-mail and other potentially harmful materials from being delivered. If your e-mail service doesn’t already include a spam filter, you can buy and install software to help.

Freedom of information. Children use the Internet to communicate with peers. They create MySpace profiles and blogs. Kids consider this information private and believe that it’s only accessed by their friends and those close to them—but the reality can be far different. Explain to your children that, because whatever they post online is available for anyone to see, they should have no problem with you reading it.

Be “Checkpoint Charlie.” Keep your family computer in a public area, and periodically check over their shoulder to see what sites they’re on and which windows they quickly minimized as you approached.

Learn the lingo. If you don’t know what a blog and a chat room are, among other Internet terms, find someone who can bring you up to speed. The only way you can be an effective ally for your child on the Web is to understand the language.

Imposters are lurking. Sadly, you must strongly stress that your children cannot trust anyone on the Web who they do not personally know through family or school.

Calling for help. Explain to your children that they absolutely must tell you if a “person” from the Internet wants to call on the phone or meet them in person. Such meetings or calls never can be allowed to take place without a parent’s presence.

(See www.safekids.com/kidsrules.htm for more rules that children and their parents should agree to abide by.)

Be understanding. Although some children deliberately seek out “off-limits” Web content, many times they stumble upon them while trying to find legitimate information. If your child comes to you and tells you about a disturbing image or site, understand that people are misdirected in their searches all the time, and that it was unintentional.

Read more about it! Check out some of the many Web sites that help parents keep their children safe on the Internet. One of the best is www.NetSmartz.org, developed by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

 

Debbie Bohn, Principal

Help the Children

For the month of January, we will collect rice and pinto beans. Thank you.

Santa Clarita Safe Routes to School

                 Parent Survey

In an effort to make walking and bicycling to school safer for our kids, we’d like your input! Please take 5-10 minutes to complete this survey about walking and bicycling to school. Your input will be extremely valuable! To take the survey, follow this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ParentWalkBikeSurvey

 

Ms. King’s & Ms. Magon’s Class

      Broadcast on KHTS AM
Click the links below to hear Ms. King’s and Ms. Magon’s broadcast on KHTS AM-1220:

http://hometownstation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19033:stump-the-politician-1-15-10&catid=95:khts-special-broadcasts&Itemid=163 

http://hometownstation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19034:stump-the-politician-1-15-10&catid=95:khts-special-broadcasts&Itemid=163 

 

Gas Assistance Fund

Between February 2010 and April 2010 or until funds are depleted, the Gas Assistance Fund may help qualifying customers who are having difficulty paying their gas bills.  If you think you qualify please call

Tammy Amezoa:  English / 1-800-427-2200

                              Spanish / 1-800-342-4545 

 

Dates to Remember

Tuesday, January 26

   PTO McTeacher Night @ McDonalds

                    4:00pm-8:00pm

Wednesday, January 27

   Variety Show Rehearsal/Dancers

   3:00pm-5:00pm/Big MPR

 

   Adult English Class Meeting

   6:00pm-7:30pm/Big MPR

 

Thursday, January 28

   Variety Show Rehearsal

   Singers & Musicians

   3:00pm-5:00pm/Big MPR

 

Monday, February 1

   Sixth Grade Parent Promotion Meeting

   6:30pm-7:30pm/Little MPR

Wednesday, February 3

   Variety Show Rehearsal/Dancers

   3:00pm-5:00pm/Big MPR

 

   Fifth Grade Parent Preview Night

               Parents Only

       7:00pm-8:00pm/Big MPR

 

Thursday, February 4

   Variety Show Rehearsal

   Singers & Musicians

   3:00pm-5:00pm/Big MPR

  

 Friday, February 5

   Student Store/During Lunch

 

Saturday, February 6

   PTO Father/Daughter Sweetheart Dance

                 7:00pm-8:30pm

 

Monday, February 8

   Selling Weebles for Valentine’s Day

    9:30am-10:30am/Little MPR

 

Tuesday, February 9

   Selling Weebles for Valentine’s Day

    9:30am-10:30am/Little MPR

 

Wednesday, February 10

  Selling Weebles for Valentine’s Day

    9:30am-10:30am/Little MPR

 Variety Show Rehearsal/Dancers

   3:00pm-5:00pm/Big MPR

Thursday, February 11

   Variety Show Rehearsal

   Singers & Musicians

   3:00pm-5:00pm/Big MPR

  

Friday February 12

   NO SCHOOL

   Lincoln’s Birthday

 

Monday, February 15

   NO SCHOOL

   President’s Day

 

Wednesday, February 17

   Variety Show Rehearsal/Dancers

   3:00pm-5:00pm/Big MPR

 

Thursday, February 18

   Variety Show Rehearsal

   Singers & Musicians

   3:00pm-5:00pm/Big MPR

 

Friday, February 19

   MINIMUM DAY

   Grades 1-6/Dismissal/12:26pm

   All Kindergarten/8:00am-11:20am

 

   Muffins for Men / 7:30am

Monday, February 22

   Site Council Meeting / 4:00pm

 

   PTO Board Meeting / 6:30pm

 

Tuesday, February 23

   PTO Mimi’s Café Night

 

Wednesday, February 24

   Variety Show Rehearsal/Dancers

   3:00pm-5:00pm/Big MPR

  

Thursday, February 25

   Variety Show Rehearsal

   Singers & Musicians

   3:00pm-5:00pm/Big MPR

   City of Santa Clarita Parent

   Presentation on Bully Prevention

   6:30pm – 8:30pm /Big MPR

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