|
|
|
|
|
Elysian Charter School
Weekly Newsletter
A Positively Different Public School
May 30, 2017 Vol. 12 Issue 36
The school newsletter is sent out on Mondays. When there is a holiday, the newsletter is sent the following day.
| |
| Harry's Corner
Should You Spy on Your Kids?
A version of this article appears in print on November 10, 2016, on page D1 of the New York edition with the headline: The Spy Who Loved Me.
| |
|
Credit Laurent Cilluffo
SEATTLE — In the middle of a long bicycle ride several weeks ago, I pulled over for a rest and took out my iPhone to send a text message to my wife. I had a feeling she might be watching me.
“If you’re checking my location, I’m not dead,” I wrote to her. “I’m getting coffee on Mercer Island.”
As it happens, she was not keeping tabs on where I was, but she could have — and has in the past — because I have allowed her to do so using the location-tracking capability in my phone. Whenever she’s curious, she can see me represented as an orange dot on a digital map on her phone. An unmoving dot could be a cyclist husband who got a flat tire, grabbed a beer with a friend or was hit by a car (hence the reassuring text).
Now and again, I, too, check my wife’s location so I know when she leaves work and can time dinner with her arrival. She and I have both tracked the whereabouts of our 13-year-old daughter using her phone to reassure ourselves that she was on her way home from school or a trip to the store.
When did you start working for the National Security Agency, I’ve asked myself in jest.
Most Americans don’t like the idea of their government spying on their internet activities, and a lot of them have misgivings about companies tracking their online habits for commercial purposes. But when they are presented with the tools and opportunity to play Big Brother with others in their family, it’s tough for some to resist.
I’m not just talking about family members who register on the creepy-stalker side of the spectrum, although there are certainly jealous spouses and overbearing parents out there who surveil their partners and children with an unhealthy vigilance. Digital monitoring — from tracking those whom loved ones communicate with to snooping on their social media accounts to checking their locations — is becoming common even among people who view themselves as mindful of the boundaries with their children and partners.
Is there such a thing as responsible spying on loved ones?
The answer depends on whom you ask. Strong believers in privacy reject the premise of the question outright, while others believe it is possible if consent, trust and respect are involved.
“It comes down to power dynamics,” said Mary Madden, a researcher at Data & Society, a nonprofit research organization. “You can imagine a scenario where, in a family, it’s an unhealthy dynamic.”
| |
|
Credit Laurent Cilluffo
Parents now routinely keep tabs on their children’s digital behavior in one form or another. A Pew Research Center survey of adults with children 13 to 17 years old published this year found that 61 percent of parents checked the websites that their teenagers visited, 60 percent visited their social media accounts and 48 percent looked through their phone calls and messages. The portion that tracked their teenagers’ whereabouts through their cellphones was 16 percent.
“We’re moving closer to a world in which parental surveillance becomes opt out instead of opt in,” Ms. Madden said.
The prevalence of parental tracking is the logical outcome of a world in which children spend so much of their lives in the digital realm, for entertainment, communications and information access. Smartphones and tablets, the advent of social media and the explosion of newer forms of communication like texting have made digital technology an even deeper part of the fabric of adolescence.
As these digital phenomena have proliferated, so, too, have tools for controlling access to them for health and safety reasons. Since the ’90s, start-ups have pitched filtering software to parents for preventing their children from seeing sexual content and other material.
Then smartphones came along, and the major wireless carriers began marketing services for controlling access to content, apps and those whom children could communicate with, along with tools for tracking a phone’s location using the wireless communication chips in the devices.
One carrier, T-Mobile, says it has four million customers using a free service that blocks their children from viewing sexual content, graphic violence and crude humor. It also has 375,000 customers who pay $4.99 a month for something called Family Allowances, which lets parents block their children from texting and calling certain phone numbers, shut down their phones during school and homework hours, and monitor how much they are texting.
T-Mobile has about 100,000 subscribers who pay $9.99 a month for another service, FamilyWhere, which lets families keep track of the location of all phones on their accounts.
More recently, phone makers like Apple have made capabilities like family location tracking even more accessible by building them into their phone software free. Activating the function on an iPhone also helps one locate a misplaced device.
One danger of these technologies, of course, is that many parents will be tempted to overuse them, and in intrusive ways. A parent who constantly micromanages a teenager’s life — Why did you stop here? Why did you go there? — risks stifling the independence needed to develop into an adult.
Lee Tien, a senior staff lawyer at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit focused on online rights, is among those who are skeptical about digitally monitoring children.
“It’s really hard for me to imagine that a parent who had been trying to be rational and understanding would do that,” said Mr. Tien, who has two children in their 20s. “My approach to parenting is at a certain point, long before the age of maturity, you treat them like adults.”
Danah Boyd, the founder of Data & Society and a visiting professor at New York University, said that sharing digital information, including location, is viewed as a sign of trust and respect between people with close relationships, but that it can be easily twisted into an abuse of power.
“The game changes when we’re talking about a 16-year-old who feels ‘stalked’ by their parents,” Dr. Boyd wrote in an email. “This is because the sharing of information isn’t a mutual sign of trust and respect but a process of surveillance.”
In her fieldwork with teenagers, she said, she was disturbed to find that the privacy norms established by parents influenced their children’s relationships with their peers. Teenagers share their passwords for social media and other accounts with boyfriends and girlfriends.
“They learned this from watching us and from the language we used when we explained why we demanded to have their passwords,” she said. “And this is all fine, albeit weird, in a healthy relationship. But devastating in an unhealthy one.”
The same goes for adult couples who use digital technologies to keep tabs on each other.
In my case, it has a mundane use.
My wife and I have found that tracking each other’s locations makes some of the logistics of busy family life easier and safer. We don’t need to text each other from our cars to say we’re on the road, except if one of us makes an unplanned stop, as I did.
Sarah McQuade, a stay-at-home mother in Kittery, Me., worked out a similar arrangement with her boyfriend, who lives about 70 miles from her. They use an app called Glympse that allows people to share their locations for defined periods of time.
When her boyfriend drives to see her, the app lets her know he is still moving, especially on treacherous winter roads. “If you’re doing it for verification purposes instead of safety and convenience, then maybe you need to rethink why you’re using it,” she said.
| |
|
Garden Club Schedule Change
Please note that there will not be a Garden Club meeting this week due to the 4th grade trip.
Instead, Garden Club will be held next Wednesday (June 7) and Thursday (June 8) from 3:00 - 4:00 PM.
| |
|
Safety at Drop Off and Pick Up
I received the following letter the other day, when it was raining during pick up. "I am not sure if I should reach out to you or Harry, but wanted to bring attention to the madness that is dismissal especially during the rain. With cars being double parked and reversing while children are trying to cross. My mother-in-law was picking my son up yesterday and a double parked car started backing up and nearly hit them. If the kids were alone they would have for sure been injured. Was hoping if possible some staff could help advise parents not to double park and of course to be extremely careful as they reverse. I am getting very nervous children will get seriously injured. Understand there is a small space for pickup but want to make sure it is the safest for all the children. Really appreciate you taking the time to listen to my concern." While we do have staff downstairs, it is critical that all drivers are extra vigilante and follow a few common sense procedures. - Cars should not be double parked.
- Children should not be let off or picked up except by the curb.
- Children should not be motioned to cross the street to get into a car facing 15th Street.
- If you will be by the school for any length of time, please leave your car elsewhere so as not to cause congestion.
Harry
| |
|
PTSO Corner
ELYSIAN'S YEAR-END PICNIC
This year’s school picnic is set for Wednesday, June 7th, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Columbus Park. Bring your blankets and your appetites!! It is a potluck, so we ask that you bring food according to the grade(s) of your kid(s).
|
|
Entrees – pasta, pizza, sandwiches, chicken, etc.
| |
|
| |
|
Dessert, Water, Juice Boxes
|
We are looking for volunteers!!
| |
|
Thank You!
I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Elysian community for the clothing drive. Elysian's contributions are helping numerous families in our larger community. On behalf of All Saints Parish, thank you to everyone for your tremendous support!
| |
| Donate a New Book, Blanket or Stuffed Animal for a Kid's Tote Bag After reading, Crenshaw, about what is it is like for children to live in homelessness, our students in third and fourth grade English Language Service classes decided to collect books, stuffed animals and blankets to fill tote bags that kids can take wherever they may be living. We chose to do this through Project Night Night and the York Street Project in Jersey City. York Street provides housing and services to homeless families in our area. Project Night Night, which links with shelters throughout the U.S., is based in San Francisco, provides tote bags kids can take with them wherever they may find themselves.
Starting on Thursday, June 1, three boxes at Elysian's entryway will be for donations. Please donate a new book, blanket or stuffed animal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Alicia Weinstein, English Language Services Teacher
| |
|
Campaign For Elysian, Update #3
Thank you to everyone who donated this past week! Here’s our status update:
ANNUAL APPEAL AMOUNT: $43,340
GRAND TOTAL so far: $91,485!
(Includes auction, previous donations and fundraisers)
Our goal is $125,000 by June 15.
We have only about three weeks to raise $33,515.
Elysian needs your support! Funds raised this year are designated for ongoing utility and maintenance costs; support for reserve fund for emergency situations; AND a public address system, which is a vital security measure if a lockdown is ever needed.
We are “All In” this together! Let’s finish strong in this third and final year of the Campaign! Every little bit makes a difference. We are at 31% participation right now, and our goal is at least 75% by June 15.
| |
|
A FEW SPORTS BAGS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! We still have about 10 Elysian sports bags left, so please donate today (or this week)!
PAYMENT
ONLINE: You may make a secure on-line donation by going to:
MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMS!
A number of companies match employee gifts, so be sure to check whether your company will match your donation. We will provide any information needed to complete your request form. (Any questions, please email friends@ecsnj.org.) Company matching has been a huge part of the Campaign’s success, so please keep it in mind! Our thanks to the following donors for their generosity (as of 5/28/17):
The Auld family
Jeanine and Brian Blake
The Craft family
Eva and Rob Harag
Milly Lee and Wasim Choudhury
Stacy and David Mello
Masha Pyshkina and Michael Volpert
Angela Soo-McDermott and Brian McDermott
Jillana Watson
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
| |
|
Two Elysian graduates tie the knot! (From the left) Calhoun Lawrence, Damian Ruiz, Cassie Rosner, Vanessa Haas (bride), Charlotte Azaceta (seated) David Harris (groom), Eman Elshafey, Charlen McNeil and Alex Cortina. All but David (class of 2005) are from the class of 2006. How nice to have friends from early school days!
| |
|
Please Help Elysian Raise Funds By Joining the "Swing Fore The Schools Fundraising Golf Tournament” For the seventh year in a row, Elysian Charter School will be participating in the "Swing Fore The Schools Golf Outing". This is Hudson County's largest golf outing benefiting six local schools which serve over 1,400 students. Last year our school earned over $10,000 by identifying sponsors and registering enthusiastic golfers.
This year's tournament will be held on Thursday, June 8th (beginning with lunch at 11AM) at the Crystal Springs Golf Resort in Northwest New Jersey. Tee off is 1PM. Bus transportation to and from Hoboken will be provided.
Please consider being one of the 300 golfers who will play 36 holes, participate in fun contests, win prizes and enjoy a delicious lunch and dinner while raising money for our schools! We are hoping for at least 20 golfers from Elysian so we can do our part with this fundraising event.
We also need sponsors and have several sponsorship packages available that provide for great visibility for companies interested in reaching families in Hudson County. Please contact Jeff Joss (jeff.joss@gmail.com) or Malin Kallberg-Shroff (malinkallberg@yahoo.com), chairpersons for the tournament, for more details.
Thank you for your support!
| |
|
Upcoming Track Meets: Saturday Races: June 3 Participants should arrive by 9:30 / 9:45 AM
Sunday Races: June 4 Participants should arrive by 9:30 / 9:45 AM
The 1st race begins 10:00 AM. Races should end no later than noon. We do not Run in the rain. Blue Running Track, Lincoln Park, J. C./ Entrance - Duncan Ave. near Route 440. Parking is Available.
| |
| ELYSIAN SUMMER CAMP 2017 - TIME IS RUNNING OUT...
- Spots still available for each week
- Registration open to ALL students both in & out of the Elysian community currently in kindergarten through 5th grade
- Registration ends on Thursday, June 1st
- Daily activities include arts & crafts, cooking, sports, woodworking, science, outside vendor visits, Idlewild Pool Club, field trips and much more
- Camp staff will be primarily Elysian teachers, coordinated and run by John Rutledge (5th grade teacher/rugby coach) and Pam Gorode (Business Office and Club Coordinator)
- 2 one week sessions - the weeks of July 31st and August 7th - you can sign up for one or both weeks
- Hours of fun, air conditioned classrooms, familiar counselors....and no one hour bus rides there and back!
- Registration forms and more information about the camp at www.ecsnj.org/elysian-summer-camp/camp-registration-form/
- Questions can be directed to John and Pam at summercamp@ecsnj.org
HELP SPREAD THE WORD TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO JOIN US FOR WHAT PROMISES TO BE A HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CHILD'S SUMMER!!!
| |
| Elysian Collects Box Tops and LABELS for Education: Look for the container near Deb's desk in the office! Thank you!
| |
|
As per state law, we no longer publish the exact location of trips for security reasons.
Please read the calendar weekly, as changes are updated regularly. MAY CALENDAR
Tuesday, May 30- 6th and 7th grade all day trip.
- Exhibition, 3rd grade illuminated manuscripts, Morgan Library Book Project. All are welcome!
Wednesday, May 31- Grades 4 and 8 NJ ASK Science test
JUNE CALENDAR Thursday, June 1- 4th Grade Overnight Trip
- 2nd Grade Trip
- Donations boxes at Elysian's entrance for new books, stuffed animals and blankets to fill tote bags for children (in conjunction with Project Night Night and Jersey City's York Street Project).
Friday, June 2- 4th Grade returns from overnight trip.
Tuesday, June 6- 2nd Grade Trip (Melissa's class)
Wednesday, June 7- Garden Club Meets, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
- Annual Picnic
Thursday, June 8- 2nd Grade Trip (Abra's class)
- Garden Club Meets, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
- Swing Fore The Schools
- Raindate for Annual Picnic (if Picnic was rained out day before)
Friday, June 9- 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade concert, 9:00 - 10:15 AM
Tuesday, June 13- 3rd Grade Trip
- 5th Grade Overnight trip
Wednesday, June 14- 5th Grade on overnigh trip
Thursday, June 15- 1st Grade Trip
- 5th Grade returns from overnight trip
Friday, June 16- Community Meeting. Everyone invited to attend!
- 5th Grade Spanish lunch.
Monday, June 19- 8th Grade Trip
- Board of Trustees meeting, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, June 21- Half Day of School, 12:30 dismissal. Afterschool Program as usual.
- 8th Grade Graduation, 7:00 PM, DeBaun Auditorium, Stevens Institute of Technology
Thursday, June 22- Half Day of School. 12:30 dismissal. Afterschool Program ends at 3:00 PM (tentative time, more info to follow),.
Friday, June 23- Half Day of School. 12:30 dismissal. No Afterschool Program today.
- Last day of school
- Report Card distribution
| |
|
|
1460 Garden Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Harry Laub, Ph.D., Director
|
harry.laub@ecsnj.org
|
Phone:201.876.0102
|
Fax:201.876.9576
|
|
|
