95 replies to this topic

[dnell]

I'm on here (obviously) and I have an account on MySpace. I think to lump the two together as dangerous is wrong.

This has got to be one of the nicest forums around. I can't tell you how much I have learned from reading the pages on here, and it seems most everyone is friendly and ready to help you out or support you when talking about something.

MySpace isn't a horrible thing, but it is completely unmoderated and I've seen people bully others or just be complete jerks to one another. Some people on MySpace lack the tact that people on myfolsom.com have, and it can get frustrating.

If anything I think this site should be recommended for teens and people to join. It's a great resource for the community.

[folsom500]

I would bet that after that info in the newletter - new guests and membership will increase quite a bit...

Right now we have 25 quests viewing... that seems higher than normal

Cheers
F500

Edited by folsom500, 30 March 2006 - 12:06 PM.

[Chad Vander Veen]

My sweet ninja skills are dangerous, but I don't think that translates to a dangerous environment here.

[tessieca]

I wonder if Mr. Richards has actually visited our site.

He indicates that he read two of the more inflammatory threads that were discussing aspects of the high school (one being the thread about the post-dance melee that I believe was blown way out of proportion). I had not come and read this particular thread before contacting the principal, but sent him a note questioning why he was concerned about myfolsom. He gave me a copy of his reply to stevethedad. He appears to be concerned about negative comments made here that have the potential for causing fights at school (some comments might be considered to be negative bullying).

In the long run, the point should be well-taken by families, and they should do as zach and forumreader said and simply be aware of what sites your students are viewing and posting on. I do wish he had not lumped the site by name with predators and myspace. My kids are not allowed on myspace, but my FHS daughter is registered on myfolsom.

P.S. There are several teachers, principals, and administrators who are regular readers of myfolsom.com. None have ever expressed any concern to me about the site's influence on kids.

[FolsomBarb]

I'm on here (obviously) and I have an account on MySpace. I think to lump the two together as dangerous is wrong.

This has got to be one of the nicest forums around. I can't tell you how much I have learned from reading the pages on here, and it seems most everyone is friendly and ready to help you out or support you when talking about something.

MySpace isn't a horrible thing, but it is completely unmoderated and I've seen people bully others or just be complete jerks to one another. Some people on MySpace lack the tact that people on myfolsom.com have, and it can get frustrating.

If anything I think this site should be recommended for teens and people to join. It's a great resource for the community.

Absolutely agree with you dnell.....

Putting this board in the same category as MySpace.com does this board a huge disservice. I hope that those FHS parents who saw the newsletter (and don't belong to Folsom Forums already) will check us out and discover how different we are from how we've been portrayed and make up their own minds. Perhaps they'll even let Mr. Richards know their opinion as well.

[FolsomBarb]

I sent Mr. Richards an email, and I suggest we all do the same. Although it is true that anyone can post on this site, there have been very few problems, and it's not the kind of place a predator would cruise. What for? There is no way of knowing who you are talking to, and most of the topics are adult in nature.

Write Mr. Richards at

prichards@fcusd.k12.ca.us

Just a note.....I also sent Mr. Richards an e-mail to the above address, and received it back as an incorrect address. I checked the FHS website, and this is his correct e-mail...

prichard@fcusd.k12.ca.us

(not prichards)........

[mylo]

My sweet ninja skills are dangerous, but I don't think that translates to a dangerous environment here.

I don't have any skills

MySpace.com is like the pedophiles home shopping network. I think it's rather unfair to put them in the same paragraph with MyFolsom.com

Is MyFolsom potentially dangerous to children? Yes.

Are crayons potentially lethal? Yes.

I think this broadcast was ill thought out. The Internet is a dangerous place for children and adults alike, and a more general warning of "keep your kids off the net, especially places like MySpace.com" would have been more wise.

I agree, John, take this opportunity to publish the benefits of MyFolsom.com. Talk about how well (perhaps overly) moderated it is, and how it's a safe place for kiddies to discuss local issues like in your Teen forum without the harass and abuse anonymous websites like MySpace.com and MyFolsomRapist.com

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

He indicates that he read two of the more inflammatory threads that were discussing aspects of the high school (one being the thread about the post-dance melee that I believe was blown way out of proportion). He appears to be concerned about negative comments made here that have the potential for causing fights at school (some comments might be considered to be negative bullying).

You can't avoid coming in contact with negative comments. If the bullies and instigators want to create a hoopla, they'll do it wherever they can -- online and in person. The fact that some people sometimes say negative or inciteful things in an online community is not justification for issuing a warning about the danger of that site. I would like to see a retraction/clarification made in the next Bulldog newsletter. JMHO



It would be wise to alert parents to the fact that even though they may not allow their children to use MySpace at home, their children may still have MySpace pages. Because of access to the Net at school, at the library, at copy centers and at the homes of friends, rules and limitations at home do not prevent students from actively using the site elsewhere.

Edited by Resume Lady, 30 March 2006 - 03:01 PM.

[john]

Folks, I urge you to email the principal and let him know how you feel about this. I agree with almost all of these comments.

If it's one thing I've learned - 1 email from 1 person is one thing, but dozens of emails from various sources get noticed a lot more.

[FolsomBarb]

I would like to see a retraction/clarification made in the next Bulldog newsletter. JMHO

I agree with you Resume Lady......I forgot to mention that in my previous post, but you said it very well.....Thanks.

Everyone....if you agree with this issue, e-mail Mr. Richards at prichard@fcusd.k12.ca.us and let him know. John's comment was spot-on! "If it's one thing I've learned - 1 email from 1 person is one thing, but dozens of emails from various sources get noticed a lot more."......Well said, John.

Just a side note......I don't post much on this board, but I'm always lurking and reading. This particular issue really pushed my button, and I feel very strongly about the portrayal of this site as "dangerous". (Hard to tell, I know..... ) As a member, I took this characterization very personally, as I think we all should.

[dlutz]

Folks, I urge you to email the principal and let him know how you feel about this. I agree with almost all of these comments.

If it's one thing I've learned - 1 email from 1 person is one thing, but dozens of emails from various sources get noticed a lot more.

Just to make things easier for those of use who want to help, would you have the principal's email address handy?

[folsom500]

Just to make things easier for those of use who want to help, would you have the principal's email address handy?

was in a previous post-
prichard@fcusd.k12.ca.us
Also send to the president of the PTA at MM985@aol.com
Cheers
F500

Edited by folsom500, 30 March 2006 - 03:40 PM.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

was in a previous post-
prichard@fcusd.k12.ca.us
Also send to the president of the PTA at MM985@aol.com
Cheers
F500

Do you have the PTA President's name?

[folsom500]

Do you have the PTA President's name?

President


Gloryvette Lichtman

[FolsomBarb]

I got a response back from Mr. Richards.....here it is:


I have read "myfolsom.com". I have read some things that concerned me because of the negative potential impact these anonymous comments might generate on our campus. I did not denigrate your website. I merely repeated warning I have received from concerned parents and law enforcement officers. Under the title of "Parent Caution", I suggested that parents might want to check on what their students are putting on their site and/or see what else is on that website.

Thank you for reading our PTSA newsletter.

Sincerely,

Paul J. Richards
Principal


He also cc'd Teresa Stanley'" <tstanleylaw@netzero.net but I'm not sure who that is.....anyone know?