Dear Onteora Middle School Families,

On January 8, our students in grades 6 through 8 will attend an assembly from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm featuring guest speaker Thomas Grimes. His presentation will address a topic that carries real weight in the lives of young adolescents: the dangers tied to social media use.

Social media is woven into daily life for many students, and with that comes responsibility and risk. Mr. Grimes will speak directly to our middle school students about:

• Practical steps for staying safe online and protecting personal information.

• Recognizing and addressing cyberbullying.

• Making thoughtful, responsible choices as digital citizens.

This is a good opportunity to talk with your child about their online activity. Conversations at home help reinforce the expectations we set at school and support safer habits.

We will also host a parent and guardian CyberAwareness session with Mr. Grimes on January 8 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm in the auditorium. This session will focus on what families need to know about current online trends, risks, and protective steps you can take at home.

Mr. Grimes has extensive experience teaching students and families about online behavior and the real-world consequences tied to digital choices. His presentations are clear, direct, and relatable for a middle school audience.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Sincerely,

Don N. Solimene, Ed.D.