11/20/24

Cyberbullying and the misuse of social media platforms like Instagram, especially among our students, is a growing concern.

Here are some key points to consider:

• Cyberbullying: Bullying that occurs online can be just as harmful as traditional bullying. It can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and even self-harm. Cyberbullying is also a Chapter 19 Class A offense in Hawaii public schools.

• Anonymous Accounts: Creating anonymous accounts to bully others is cowardly and unacceptable. It doesn't absolve individuals from the consequences of their actions.

• Impersonation: Creating fake accounts to impersonate others is another harmful behavior that can lead to serious consequences, including legal action.

• Age Restrictions: Many social media platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, and Discord, require users to be 13 or older. It's essential to ensure our students are adhering to these guidelines.

• Parental Supervision: We encourage parents to be actively involved in their children's online activities. Monitor their social media use, discuss responsible online behavior, and keep open lines of communication. Don’t believe everything you see posted.

• Reporting: If your child experiences cyberbullying or witnesses it, please encourage them to report it to a trusted adult, whether it's a teacher, counselor, or parent. Report inappropriate posts and accounts.

In addition, we strongly encourage you to consider delaying your child's introduction to social media. Recent studies have shown a strong correlation between increased social media use and negative mental health outcomes in adolescents, including anxiety, depression, and decreased self-esteem. By limiting or eliminating social media use, you can help protect your child's mental well-being.

Our school is committed to fostering a safe and positive learning environment. We have policies in place to address cyberbullying and will take appropriate action when incidents are reported.

We encourage you to have open conversations with your children about the responsible use of social media and the potential consequences of cyberbullying. By working together, we can create a safer online community for students.

11/15/2024

Stemworks Parent Night: All parents and students are invited to join us for Stemworks Parent Night on Thursday November 21 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM in the ʻĪao School Cafeteria. There will be hands-on activities, student projects, hula, and more. Pizza, drinks and cake will be provided to all attendees. A flier and rsvp information can be found HERE.

Performers Wanted: The Baldwin High School Performing Arts Learning Center & Baldwin Theatre Guild are seeking actors, dancers and singers for their upcoming performance of “Mary Poppins”. ʻĪao School students of all grades are invited to audition next week on November 20, 21, 22, and 25. Please see this FLIER for more information about auditions. Show Director Linda Carnevale can be reached at linda_carnevale@baldwin.k12.hi.us or (808)727-3297.