Please read-re: the kids

I just want to let all of you know that the intention of allowing my kids to comment in this forum is to let each of us know the passion that children hold. I think that as adults, we lose some of our passion and are very casual about things. I feel like, as a teacher, it is my job to build strong citizens. Part of this, in my opinion, is to educate the children about ways to stand up for what they believe in. How lucky are we to live in a country (USA citizens) where we can have these freedoms? I just don't want to feel the weight on my shoulders when this generation is taking care of the rest of us. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to help my students know that it is ok to disagree but to do so with grace and respect.
At any rate, this forun was here long before my kids. Please dont change anything you do. They dont have the freedom to roam the net at school, and I have the thread up for them. I really enjoy the conversations that occur here and don't want that to change. Thanks!

J - I for one amd greatly impressed by the comments and passion that your children are showing. It is more than important for children to learn of others and their needs. Good life lesson!

I know most of the people on this site have children and that anyone can lurk or post. I am not trying to offend anyone, but is this about to become Romper Room?

KK - no! I think that this has become a temporary place for these children to express their opinions on a subject and feel that they are helping. They do not have their own sign-on - they are using their teachers. What exactly are you concerned about?

KrazyKat- That is not the intention. To be perfectly honest, the entire purpose of this was to show support for Max and his cause..hence using the forum of a "cat" website. I made the choice to introduce this topic to my children, they made the choice to respond. However, since they wrote letters to the DA re: this topic, and because I wanted ADULTS to see how children can be inspiring, I decided to go this route. I didnt intend to offend everyone. However, after viewing a large amount of the posts about Max, or when Max has been included in discussion, AND THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION, everyone seems so "oh well" about it..I take that back, not everyone, but a large # of people. I just wanted to inspire others. I can very easily alter my children's actions if that is what the majority wants. It seems though, that I have gone through the appropriate channels, covered all of my bases, and the response has been positive. Again, if the majority objects- Party over. Very simple.Thanks.

I think your idea of including the children is a great idea. You have my total support!

I think your idea is great. I surely enjoy reading their letters,it's so nice to see their enthusiasm. I find it very refreshing in these days when all we hear is the problems with our schools and the kids therein.

The problems here really have nothing to do with you or them.

KrazyKat, aren't you being a bit "harsh"?? I don't think romper-room is such a bad thing either, is it??? Kids are our tomorrow, our future, the most innocent of beings, and pure angels. And I for one am honored that Juicelyn0527 is willing to let her students give us their input here at TCS. Hats off to you Jocelyn!!! I am looking forward to all their posts and input. I love children.

IMHO, I think it's great that these kids with the help of their teacher are supporting the Cat/Kitty Race. I don't think we should leave the kids behind. For they are our future too, they deserve our love and respect, so they can grow up to be well rounded adults and not in a Jail Cell doing time.

Actually,

It is my understanding that kids can't post here unless they have permission from their parents, that being by way of a singed something from them. I say this because of a message that Anne posted a while back about a child who was posting here.

Do I agree with the intent of the kids.. heck yeah I do, BUT

This is not our board... It's Annes, and as far as I know, the rules haven't changed.

Ken

Ken, Anne and I have discussed this. She has no issues with it at this point (it is my understanding). She did approve the sticky and has stated that as long as I follow what I say I will do, she is in support. Thanks!

PS..I do have internet permission slips for all of my children, and photo release forms. I live in the land of CYA...my boss is the queen. Trust me, its covered!

While they may have permission slips to have interent access, I really don't think it would cover Annes backside IF a parent or two decided top get bent about it...

But if you've already worked this specific issue with Anne then that seems to be a moot point...


Ken

Ken, they are not registering themselves..nor are they searching the site. They are simply typing a message into the post reply screen (which I have up prior to them coming to the computer!). I of course let them view it, but I keep a birds eye on them. They are only allowed to access 2 computers which are in plain sight in my room. I do appreciate your concern.

I am really surprised to know that all those parents didn't have concern about thier kids pictures being on the internet. With all the media about children being stalked and possibly whisked away by internet "freaks". Just this week in Groton, A sailor on the subase was arrested for meeting and being in a hotel with 2 young girls. I guess he had talked to them and exchanged pics on the internet. The parents had no clue. It scares the life outta me.

Ok, I have kept quiet about this issue, as I am largely aware that I am probably not the most popular member on this site currently.

However, I am a teacher. I also have graduate coursework in school law and am steps away from administrative certification. I am familiar with all the internet permission forms and releases signed by parents for photography and videotaping.

Speaking strictly on a professional level, I foresee some potential problems with introducing elementary school children to an internet site such as this one. The content is not controlled to an extensive degree. There are topics and language that parents may not approve of having their children exposed to. I understand that the kids are not accessing the remainder of the site at school, but now that they know of its existence, there is nothing to prevent them from visiting at home. I completely agree with parental monitoring from home, but the truth is, if a parent doesn't and then complains, the blame will be pointed to the teacher who granted access to the site to begin with. When, as a parent, I sign internet forms, I expect educational sites. When I sign photo and videotape releases, I expect those to be used at the school level. I don't expect to have my child's picture posted on the internet.

I strongly support the children getting involved with the animal abuse issue. The letter writing campaign is great. But I truly believe the bounds have been overstepped by allowing them knowledge of and access to this site without specific prior parental consent.

I think concern could have been avoided if the letters had been typed and posted by Juicelyn herself without giving the children direct access to the site.

The picture posting...

While I don't think that some wack job is going to see the pix of the kids and whisk them away..(Possible yes.. likely... nowadays i'm not certain of anything..) I can see some real issues about that, mostly from a parent of one of those kids.

For instance..

I now know what those kids look like,

I also know they go to West C****** Elementary in P*****, GA.

Ya'll do the math..


Ken

... Some of ya are probably thinking I'm an idiot... but...

Here in Ct there was a 4th grader taken right off the steps of a school... actually not taken by force either.. the girl willingly went with some unknown person, at least unknown to anyone but her..

Sandie just pointed out that this 22 year old sailor just got arrested for having sex with 2 under 16 girls he met on the net... they were sisters by the way..

So the possiblity is out there.... probably more real than we'd like to think.


Ken

I don't get your point about the photos. I have my students pix on my own webpage. We are creating a class webpage. I did not allow my kids to post their last names..at any rate, this battle is more annoying than dealing with my administrator. It seems to me that people are worrying more about something that isnt their concern. You're wearing me down to be perfectly honest. My entire goal was to introduce my children to ways of expressing themselves about current events. Most of my kids dont even have a computer at home and to be perfectly honest, couldnt they find this page simply by searching? I guess I am not following the conventions of a "teacher"...I just do what it takes to make a difference. Will people be upset? Yes, isnt someone always upset? I am so sorry that I have caused problems for everyone. It seems that perhaps I need to create a page for my kids to deal with Max. Maybe that would be more to everyone's liking?