School Bells – Current Affairs – Grade Eight – Week 15
Speaking up – Responsible use of social media
This class has been discussing the high cost of medication in the United States, some of the related issues and how each of us can be responsible citizens regarding this and other issues. We wrote a letter to our Congresspersons suggesting they explore or revisit some of the issues. Additionally, we decided to consider starting a Facebook page where we could post some of our concerns starting with a copy of the letter to our congresspersons. My assignment was to talk to the principal. Today we will continue that discussion.
Here comes the class now.
Me: Good morning class.
Class: Good morning Mr. Jim. Cookies?
Me: Yes, I brought cookies. You might want to thank Paul who helped me bake them.
Class: Thank you Paul.
Me: Ann and John will you pass them out please?
They do so.
Me: I am eager to hear what your parents thought of your letter and what they thought of the idea to start a class Facebook page. First let me tell you what I found out. I talked to the principal who then talked to the superintendent. It just happened that the school board was scheduled to meet last week and they agreed to allot some time to discuss the request. The school board was very impressed with the letter and appointed Mrs. Stanford to work with you. As you may know, Mrs. Stanford is a retired teacher and often has published letters to the editor in the local newspaper. If you as a class decide to do this project, she will meet with you to go over each proposed post. If she is not sure if a particular post should be published she will take the matter to a meeting of the School Board president and three other members of the school board. I am very pleased that they are being so supportive.
I also brought the letters for everyone to sign. How about we start with you John. I have set out the letters here. One person at a time can come up and sign the letters.
What was the reaction of your families to the letter and the proposed Facebook page?
Abdul: My parents were very happy that in this country one can do this. They also liked the idea that we are doing it as a class so that it is not the opinion of just one person.
Susie: My family was a little worried about people getting on the site and harassing us. They wanted to know if our names will be on there.
Me: Great questions. Actually, Mrs. Sanford’s and my name will be the only two names on it. Only Mrs. Sanford has permission to respond to questions. People can like the page and comment on a post but they cannot reach any of us individually. Mrs. Sanford will block anyone who is being inappropriate.
Amena: My family was also worried that we could post something which could affect our application to become citizens. Since my name will not be on the page, then it is okay. They said it was okay for me to sign the letters to the Congresspersons.
Will: My parents belong to a group called Black Lives Matter. They think we need to speak out about what we think is injustice. They are proud of our class. They also feel good about it being a class project.
Me: That is great. I am glad that the families are being so supportive and letting us know their concerns.
Paul: My parents really liked the fact that the letter was very positive and offered concrete suggestions. They are very discouraged about the fact many people are still being very negative instead of working for positive changes.
Me: Yes, I have experienced the same thing. It seems that nearly every day I get a request from some person representing a group whose messages seems to be very negative. I mean they seem to want to say such and such is wrong rather than saying or doing something to show people that one has a positive solution or approach.
Tom: My parents were not familiar with Facebook and asked if we were going to be tweeting like some of the presidential candidates. When I showed them Facebook they thought a lot of things on there were not very interesting or important. For example some people post selfies or “I got dressed in my new pink sweater which I bought from A&F store.” I then showed them some of the event or group pages. They too were concerned about just being mean or nasty. One of the pages we saw was one which has been wanting to buy up all the tickets to hear someone talk so only anti-people were there. They did not like that. I agreed that it was not good and assured them we are not going to do that.
Me: I am again impressed that you and your families are so good about really discussing issues. Seems as if we near Thanksgiving all of us need to be thankful that we can legally discuss issues and have families who want to be responsible, active citizens.
Goodness, the time has again disappeared. How about next week each of you brings at least one issue and positive suggestion or question you would like to post on the Facebook page?
Has everyone signed the letter.? Great. I will give to Mrs. Sanford to mail. Will and Susie, will you pass out another cookie to everyone?
Happy Thanksgiving.
Class: Happy Thanksgiving Mr. Jim.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Written November 22, 2016
Speaking up – Responsible use of social media
This class has been discussing the high cost of medication in the United States, some of the related issues and how each of us can be responsible citizens regarding this and other issues. We wrote a letter to our Congresspersons suggesting they explore or revisit some of the issues. Additionally, we decided to consider starting a Facebook page where we could post some of our concerns starting with a copy of the letter to our congresspersons. My assignment was to talk to the principal. Today we will continue that discussion.
Here comes the class now.
Me: Good morning class.
Class: Good morning Mr. Jim. Cookies?
Me: Yes, I brought cookies. You might want to thank Paul who helped me bake them.
Class: Thank you Paul.
Me: Ann and John will you pass them out please?
They do so.
Me: I am eager to hear what your parents thought of your letter and what they thought of the idea to start a class Facebook page. First let me tell you what I found out. I talked to the principal who then talked to the superintendent. It just happened that the school board was scheduled to meet last week and they agreed to allot some time to discuss the request. The school board was very impressed with the letter and appointed Mrs. Stanford to work with you. As you may know, Mrs. Stanford is a retired teacher and often has published letters to the editor in the local newspaper. If you as a class decide to do this project, she will meet with you to go over each proposed post. If she is not sure if a particular post should be published she will take the matter to a meeting of the School Board president and three other members of the school board. I am very pleased that they are being so supportive.
I also brought the letters for everyone to sign. How about we start with you John. I have set out the letters here. One person at a time can come up and sign the letters.
What was the reaction of your families to the letter and the proposed Facebook page?
Abdul: My parents were very happy that in this country one can do this. They also liked the idea that we are doing it as a class so that it is not the opinion of just one person.
Susie: My family was a little worried about people getting on the site and harassing us. They wanted to know if our names will be on there.
Me: Great questions. Actually, Mrs. Sanford’s and my name will be the only two names on it. Only Mrs. Sanford has permission to respond to questions. People can like the page and comment on a post but they cannot reach any of us individually. Mrs. Sanford will block anyone who is being inappropriate.
Amena: My family was also worried that we could post something which could affect our application to become citizens. Since my name will not be on the page, then it is okay. They said it was okay for me to sign the letters to the Congresspersons.
Will: My parents belong to a group called Black Lives Matter. They think we need to speak out about what we think is injustice. They are proud of our class. They also feel good about it being a class project.
Me: That is great. I am glad that the families are being so supportive and letting us know their concerns.
Paul: My parents really liked the fact that the letter was very positive and offered concrete suggestions. They are very discouraged about the fact many people are still being very negative instead of working for positive changes.
Me: Yes, I have experienced the same thing. It seems that nearly every day I get a request from some person representing a group whose messages seems to be very negative. I mean they seem to want to say such and such is wrong rather than saying or doing something to show people that one has a positive solution or approach.
Tom: My parents were not familiar with Facebook and asked if we were going to be tweeting like some of the presidential candidates. When I showed them Facebook they thought a lot of things on there were not very interesting or important. For example some people post selfies or “I got dressed in my new pink sweater which I bought from A&F store.” I then showed them some of the event or group pages. They too were concerned about just being mean or nasty. One of the pages we saw was one which has been wanting to buy up all the tickets to hear someone talk so only anti-people were there. They did not like that. I agreed that it was not good and assured them we are not going to do that.
Me: I am again impressed that you and your families are so good about really discussing issues. Seems as if we near Thanksgiving all of us need to be thankful that we can legally discuss issues and have families who want to be responsible, active citizens.
Goodness, the time has again disappeared. How about next week each of you brings at least one issue and positive suggestion or question you would like to post on the Facebook page?
Has everyone signed the letter.? Great. I will give to Mrs. Sanford to mail. Will and Susie, will you pass out another cookie to everyone?
Happy Thanksgiving.
Class: Happy Thanksgiving Mr. Jim.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Written November 22, 2016
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