There has been some recent publicity about social media issues that pose a potential risk to students that we wanted to call to the attention of all Quincy Public Schools parents.  A popular app called Yik Yak is being used nationwide by high school, middle school and even some elementary students to post inappropriate and hateful posts.  Yik Yak use is growing as it appears to students that their posts cannot be traced back to them.  Students hide behind the perceived anonymity and post content involving nudity, profanity, and references to drug and alcohol abuse.  Students have been using Yik Yak as a vehicle for cyberbullying and the material has been so cruel that some school districts have changed their phone policies.  Users believe that there is no way to trace the source of messages but police have made arrests with the assistance of Yik Yak.  As they have in other cities, Yik Yak is in the process of enabling a “geofence” around all Quincy Public Schools so that the app cannot be used within our buildings.

We would like to remind parents and students that once a post is made on any social media site, the poster loses all control of where that information is sent so their message or photo is never private.  Parents can support their students in the following ways:

1. Share with your student your expectations of appropriate social media and internet use.
2. Check your students’ Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Vine, Ask, Tumblr, Reddit, and other social media accounts and text messages.
3. Remind your student of the consequences of inappropriate and threatening messages.
4. Report inappropriate content to the social media provider.  For Yik Yak, click on the comment button and select the report inappropriate button or e-mail a screen shot of offensive content to yikyakapp@gmail.com.

The second issue is specific to Facebook.  The MIAA is advising that a person using the name of “Manny Whelan” is contacting local student-athletes offering money to “compete in an underground wrestling club” held in local hotels.  If you know someone who has been contacted or have any information regarding this issue, please contact your school principal for assistance in making a formal report.

Additional information to assist parents in assessing the appropriateness of social media sites can be found at:

• Common Sense Media
• Connect Safely

Squantum School Parent Teacher Organization is pleased to announce we will be offering four scholarships this year to be awarded to graduating seniors who attended the Squantum School.  The scholarships include:

• Two $250.00 Squantum School PTO scholarships available: one male and one female recipient.
• Two $100.00 Virginia Marie Whalen Memorial Scholarships, in memory of Virginia Whalen who worked as a lunch matron at the school for thirty years.

Application forms are available in the guidance offices at North Quincy High School and Quincy High School.  Applicants can also pick up applications in the main office at Squantum School.  Applications must be completed and returned to the Squantum School on or before Friday, April 17th, 2014.  Scholarship winners will be chosen by lottery drawing under the direction of the Squantum School PTO.