Principal’s Message: Safety Awareness – Parents Please Read
Good Morning. This week I would like to address some issues we are observing within our Union school community in recent weeks. We have had a noticeable increase in the use of THC (marijuana) vape pens among students, particularly in the school bathrooms. This behavior is not only illegal but could pose serious health risks to our students. As a combined school community I am asking for your help to discuss with your student the seriousness of using a THC vape and also for their help in stopping the use of THC at Union. Many times students are using the restrooms to smoke their vapes. There have also been times when the student smoking the vape asks other students to hold the vape for them. This is causing problems for those students just holding the vape. If you are in possession of a vape you can be fined $50, and be suspended from school.
In recent weeks we have also noticed a disturbing trend of cyberbullying incidents involving our middle school students. Cyberbullying, defined as the use of electronic communication to bully or harass others, is a serious issue that can have profound effects on the mental health and well-being of our children.As a school community it is essential that we address this issue together and take proactive steps to prevent further harm. Cyberbullying can take many forms, including spreading rumors, posting hurtful comments or images online, and excluding individuals from online groups or conversation. It is imperative that we take decisive action to create a safe and supportive online environment for our students.
Please talk with your student concerning THC vapes and cyberbullying. We will be meeting with each grade level teams as an administrative team and our SRO Officer Hulet on Tuesday, February 13th to discuss these important issues.
These are some of the steps we will be taking at Union Middle School to address these issues:
- Increase monitoring: Our staff and administration will have increase monitoring around high traffic areas.
- Education and Awareness: We will be providing educational resources and organizing awareness campaigns to inform students about the dangers of vaping THC and the consequences of engaging in such behavior. We will be providing resources to educate students about the harmful effects of cyberbullying and how to recognize and respond to it appropriately.
- Counseling and Support: For students who may be struggling with addiction or bullying issues. We will provide counseling and support services. When counselors talk with students they will encourage them to report any incidents they witness or experience to a trusted adult immediately. We have counseling and support services available for students who have been affected by cyberbullying. Our trained professionals are here to offer guidance, support, and resources to help students cope with the emotional impact of cyberbullying.
- Collaboration with Parents: We encourage open communication between parents, teachers, and school administrators. If you notice any concerning behavior or have any information regarding vaping or cyberbullying incidents, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We urge parents to be actively involved in their children’s online activities and to have open and honest conversations about cyberbullying. Monitor your child’s social media accounts, set clear rules and boundaries for online behavior, and encourage them to speak up if they experience or witness cyber bullying.
Thank you for being such a caring and supporting community. If you have any concerns or questions please reach out to us at 801-826-7500.
Sincerely,
Union Middle School Administration
Don’t forget to purchase a yearbook!!
Yearbooks are on your Skyward account under PTSA Memory Book for $15 this year. Our yearbook club has been working hard to create a special yearbook dedicated to our first year in the new building. Don’t forget to purchase! *If you’re unable to purchase a yearbook due to financial constraints and would like one, please contact the main office.
Directions on how to navigate Skyward and Canvas
Parents and guardians, parent teacher conferences will be the end of this month. This is a great time to talk with teachers and get an understanding of how your student is doing. One of our amazing Achievement Coaches, Caitlin Barrus, created a slideshow that walks you through how to navigate Skyward and Canvas so you can check your student’s grades, attendance and assignments. Click here for the slideshow.
