November 16, 2017
Dear Ramsey and Saddle River Families:
As the superintendent for the Ramsey Public Schools and the father of two teenagers, I recognize both the pros and cons of social media. It can provide important information quickly, share the great work going on in our classrooms, and serve as a tool to promote positive social change. In the past, a family would have to wait for the occasional newsletter or paper update to know what was happening in their child’s school. Today, with the easy access and instantaneous reach of social media, students and families are in a continuous loop of information. BUT, recent local events should serve as a reminder that this same benefit could potentially become a tremendous liability to the work of the district and/or a community, causing unnecessary distractions and spreading misleading information.
I ask all parents and community members to please read and think about the following points as it relates to the use of social media.
We are setting an example.
James Baldwin’s quote that “children have never been good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them” is truer today than ever. Every time we are just “checking our phones” during a meal, at a concert, or on the sideline we are sending a message. Every single time a parent takes to social media and makes a comment they are sending their child a message. Many of us have seen and, unfortunately, have been the target of absolutely vicious personal attacks on social media. Please do not forget that our children are watching.
There is a fine line between venting and being toxic.
As citizens, our community members absolutely have the right to make public comments about what is going on in our world. This even includes the right to comment upon our school systems. However, please remember that there is a fine line between appropriately sharing a frustration regarding a situation and using that situation to unload on someone or something. Please do not forget that our children are watching.
Don’t trade in rumor/half-truths/lies.
Winston Churchill once wrote, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” We have seen this happen time and time again on social media. A lone person will make an inaccurate statement with no support or truth, other people will pick up on it, spread it via their accounts, and all of a sudden what was untrue is assumed to be fact and has now become part of the public conversation. Before accepting anything as the truth, please take the time to make sure that what you’re passing on is true and accurate. If it does not appear accurate, it probably is not. Not only does it damage the individual, but it can also do irreversible harm to the morale of a community and district. Who would want to be part of a community where there is such vile discourse? Please do not forget that our children are watching.
Just because it is in print, does not mean it is true.
It is easy to write, print and publish just about anything these days, and sometimes readers fall into the trap of thinking a clean, neat and slickly produced website or email must be telling the truth. Don’t fall into that trap. Instead, take the time to look into the sources and facts that support what you are reading. Don’t assume that because something looks professionally produced means that it’s accurate. Please do not forget that our children are watching.
Don’t be mean – We need more KINDNESS.
Cruelty is the lowest form of behavior. We do not tolerate meanness from our students, and we wish it were not so prevalent on social media. Our schools are filled with hard-working, well-intentioned and dedicated professionals. Our communities are filled with hard-working, well-intentioned, dedicated friends, family, and neighbors. There is no need to be unkind to each other. This does not mean that disagreements will not occur from time to time. After all, having different viewpoints and working through them respectfully is a hallmark of our democracy. When you resort to attacking the messenger and not the message, you have already lost. Please do not forget that our children are watching.
Stick with traditional communication channels.
Over time school districts have established traditional channels of communication and have also embraced newer ways to reach out to the public. Still, the best source of accurate, authentic and factual information comes from those traditional sources. This does not mean that a curious public should not question and ask for more information. It does mean that official communication channels remain the best way to learn about what is going on in the district. Sometimes a phone call or a parent conference is a better mechanism than firing off an email or posting a question on Facebook. Please do not forget that our children are watching.
Consider going device free over Thanksgiving.
Social media, in so many ways, has been a tremendous benefit to our community and is not going away. The Ramsey Public Schools have recognized this. In my time here, we have revised our curriculum to include Digital Citizenship and our Parent Academies are designed to help you deal with these very complex issues. In school, we are continually emphasizing to students the importance of a HEALTHY digital presence. Over Thanksgiving – think about a device-free day, night, or if that is too much how about a device-free meal? Please do not forget that our children are watching.
We can not do this alone. We need your support! We have an incredible community and school district. Let’s keep the positive momentum going by choosing kindness and always remembering that our children are watching.
Very truly yours,
Matthew Murphy, Ed. D.
Superintendent
Ramsey Public Schools
Dr. Matthew J. Murphy 