We're living in a digital age with technology everywhere. People use the Internet for school work, research, banking, entertainment and even shopping. Most likely, everyone you know uses the Internet for one purpose or another. Because of the increasingly wide use of the Internet, 2Webwatchers wants to promote student awareness that online activity leaves a digital footprint. A digital footprint is the amount of content that can be traced back to an individual, such as words, photographs, audio, or video. Students and their parents need to be aware that all photos and videos uploaded to sites like flickr and YouTube and all posts written on friend's MySpace and Facebook web pages become part of their digital footprint.

So why care about your digital footprint? Digital footprints can have a long-term impact that many students do not consider. Besides providing information to potential predators or identity thieves, students may unknowingly provide a negative image to potential college recruiters or employers, who will definitely “Google” their future applicants.

Q: What can you do as a parent to help your child understand the importance of their digital footprint?

A: Create an open dialog with your child about the danger of providing too much online information. Set aside the time necessary to do regular Google searches of yourself and your child.

Q: What can I do if my Google search turns up negative or slanderous information about my child?

A: Take a screen shot of the web page that has the negative or slanderous information. Save the file and then search for contact information from the website. Work with the company (e.g., MySpace, Facebook, YouTube) to remove the material.

Please visit us at http://2Webwatchers.edublogs.org to join in our blog discussion about digital footprints. The blog includes instructions on how to complete a screen shot. We value community input and welcome both your comments and questions.

Samuel Jackman Middle School Highlights
October – December 2008

William Del Bonta Principal

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Samuel Jackman Middle School has gotten off to a great start this year. The students and staff are getting to know each other and walking in and out of classes has shown me that the students are engaged and learning.

We are excited with our programs including not only the academic components but also our athletic and clubs. Students need to get involved in their school both academically and in activities. Please speak to your child about her or his interests and encourage him or her to get involved. Volleyball has gotten off to a great start and we are anticipating a wonderful eighth grade basketball season. Our clubs, including MESA are up and running and I'm sure that each student can find something that fits their interest.

Involvement makes the school experience a better one and research shows that involved students do better in their studies. We will continue our efforts to create a College Going Culture for all of our students.

Valley Hi Youth and Adult Coalition

The Valley Hi Youth and Adult Coalition is a group of youth and adults that live and working eh Valley Hi area who are working to build a safe and healthy future for our community. Please come and join them for one of their upcoming meetings and participate in some of our ongoing projects including: Addressing ways to prevent youth violence in the community; starting a community garden in Valley Hi Park (beginning Spring 2009); and addressing ways to prevent youth drug use.

Upcoming Meeting:
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Valley Hi Covenant Church,
8355 Arroyo Vista Drive Valley
(Just past Valley Hi Park)

Captions for Literacy

All it takes is to turn on the TV closed captions of your television set. Do this with the CC button on your remote control or by using the televisions' menu. When the TV captions are opened, they provide a reading tutor to your children whenever they watch television. TV captions (sometimes called subtitles) let kids hear the words being pronounced and see the words printed along with the picture of the action of the screen to explain and reinforce the meaning, all producing a multi-sensory learning environment. Yes, it's good to read to your children every chance that you get, but when you can't, let TV captions help out.

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