Meeting Minutes October 14, 2009
“TextED: What You and Your Children Need to Know”
President Lori Stevens called the meeting called to order at 7:30 pm and requested officer reports.
Ms. Stevens introduced the new LEAP logo, indicating that the design was donated by a graphic artist
Phaedra Edwards and was commissioned to commemorate the 20th anniversary year of the Loudoun
Education Alliance of Parents.
VP Communications Karen Cholakis alerted delegates to a NY Times article regarding kids, texting
and multitasking. The article is posted on the LEAP Blog: LEAPforLoudoun.org.
Secretary Kristen Thatcher was absent and Past-President Maura Walsh-Copeland substituted.
Walsh-Copeland stated last month’s minutes are posted on the LEAP website, and asked delegates to
ensure their email addresses were submitted to receive LEAP reports.
Treasurer Ed Myers reported the LEAP account balance is $308.04 and that 6% of schools have
remitted annual dues. Additionally, 30 of LCPS’ 76 schools were represented at the September
meeting.
Ms. Stevens introduced the speakers for the program:



David Spage, LCPS Director of High School Education
Deputy James Spurlock, Crime Prevention Specialist, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office
Dr. Amy Gordon, Ashburn Psychological Services
Ms. Stevens turned remainder of meeting over to First Vice President of Communications, Karen
Cholakis.
David Spage, LCPS Director of High School Education
Mr. Spage was the former principal at Potomac Falls High School, and he has two phones – one is
purple (with 28 text message he has never deleted), and the other is the LCPS assigned blackberry,
which he uses for email. Mr. Spage asked all delegates to put their phones on vibrate during the
meeting – for proper phone etiquette.
1
Mr. Spage provided definitions and an overview of LCPS policies:
Texting – the exchange of brief text over a cellular phone
Sexting – the sending of sexually explicit photos and/or videos over a cellular phone
The School Board has defined and published policy 8-34 for student conduct related to beepers,
personal communication devices and laser pointers, to be in compliance with the Code of Virginia
Section 22.1-279.6. Terms of LCPS policy 8-34 include:





Students are prohibited from operating beepers, cell phones or other personal communication
devices during school hours, either while on school property, under school control or attending any
school function or activity of any elementary, middle or high school unless expressly authorized to
do so by school personnel.
Such devices may only be operated by students before or after school hours.
School officials may confiscate such devices in any instance where a student violates the
provisions of this policy.
Any violation of this policy by a student may result in the student’s loss of privileges of possessing
such devices while on school property, under school control or attending any school function or
activity and may result in further disciplinary action.
Student use of such devices for unlawful or other prohibited purposes while on school property,
under school control or attending any school function or activity may result in seizure of the device
by school officials and disciplinary action, including expulsion.
Many Loudoun schools require phones to be off, put away and preferably in lockers. The reason is
that students become distracted when cell phones are allowed in classrooms, either when they use
them or see others using them.
If a student is found cheating, bullying, sexting or conducting any other inappropriate communication
the schools will investigate, work with law enforcement and/or social services (the latter mostly for
incidents of sexting). Consequences include a warning for a first infraction and calls to parents,
removal of the cell phone, detention, or in-school restriction for repeat infractions. Mr. Spage stated
that school policies will need to evolve as technology evolves.
Statistics provided include:
 35% of students have cheated using cell phones
 Teens send on average 2500 texts per month (more if on unlimited text service plans)
 22% of girls and 18% of boys have taken and/or sent nude photos
 Drivers are 23 times more likely to have an accident if texting while driving.
Texting is not ALL bad. It can be useful in emergency situations and school drills. However, parents
should also be aware of the downside of hyper-connectedness, mainly social inhibition.
Mr. Spage asked how many parents have said routinely to their child, “Leave your laptop and cell
phone when you go to bed, because I’m going to check it?” Parents NEED to be proactive to ensure
that their child is using technology responsibly and safely.
2
Sources parents can use to do this include:
 Become versed on “chat” and texting acronyms. Google “Part I Guide to Understanding Online
Chat” for a list of acronyms you should know.
 Also check out www.WiredSafety.org for more education and tips for the proper use of cell
phones.
Teens are bombarded by technology in a “parent free” world in which they create a social image of
themselves. They need to fully understand the impacts of the image they create that could damage
their chances of getting into the college of their choice or be hired for the job they want most –
because the images they upload now are will be out there FOREVER.
Deputy James Spurlock, Crime Prevention Specialist, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office
Kids are using technology in ways it was never intended to be used. Law enforcement is 3 to 5 years
behind the curve, and parents need to fill the gap.
Deputy Spurlock’s Power Point presentation can be found on the LEAP website, October 2009
minutes. WARNING: Dept. Spurlock’s presentation contains example photos of sexting.
Below is a summary of key points from his presentation:

Definition: Text messaging, or texting, is a colloquial term referring to the exchange of brief
written messages between mobile phones, over cellular networks. This is most commonly done via
the SMS (Short Messaging System) but also included messages sent via the MMS (Multimedia
Messaging Service).
o Did you know that kids now use their phones to access the internet to send IMs instead of text?
They do so because IM’s are harder to check (therefore harder for parents to monitor).

The average American teen sends and/or receives more than 100 messages every day.

Some experts feel that texting can effect the development of face to face social skills that are
largely developed during the teen years.

Text Messaging Problems and Challenges
o Bullying
o Image Distribution: with or without the subject’s knowledge. Images can find their way to
international websites
o Domestic /Relationship Abuse: constant checking up and controlling behavior
o Separation Anxiety: when your child cannot put their phone down because they are afraid
they’ll miss an important message, or are concerned messages will be about him/her.
o Superman Complex: when your sweet, shy child sends messages via texting that they would
never say in person. Distance provides anonymity.

Sexting: The act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, primarily
between cell phones.
o In 2008, a survey among teen revealed that approx. 22% of teenage girls and 18% of teenage
boys had taken nude or semi-nude self-photos and sent them to someone or posted them on the
internet.
o The same survey revealed that 37% of girls and 40% of boys have sent sexually explicit text
messages.
3
o
The transmission or sharing of these images can lead to arrest and prosecution under felony
child pornography laws, including possession, manufacturing, and distribution of child
pornography.

Sexting Dangers
o Loss of control of the image.
• Sharing, posting, selling images
• Caching: The file is dumped in a repository and held so that it can be accessed even
after the primary image has been erased from the original location)
o Harassment
o GPS Locating (geotagging). Students likely don’t know that phone logs can show where a
photo was taken, and therefore help authorities find out who was in the photo.

Warning Signs
o Withdrawn from family life or outside activities.
o Does not use cell phone around family members or parents.
o Hides when using cell phone.
o Use cell phone late at night.
o Will not share content of messages or show you their cell pics.

What should parents do?
o Don’t allow cell phones or laptops in a child’s bedroom or other unattended location.
o Bluetooth vs. Messaging
o Know the lingo… ( Chat Decoder)
o Check with your cell service provider. Are photos cached? Can you retrieve them?
o Learn more about cell phone technology.
o Know the capabilities of the cell phone before you hand it to your teen.
o Talk with your cell service provider about filtering certain services.
o Have and maintain an open dialogue with you teen.
o Check their name via web browsers and social networking sites.
o When in doubt ….. Remember you are the parent, you have the final say.
Dr. Amy Gordon, Ashburn Psychological Services
“Infomania” can be a debilitating state for children and teens, especially those who go to the lengths of
keeping their phones on their pillow and answer at all hours during the night, impacting sleep habits.
Parents should make a phone use contract with their children to establish clear rules for phone use,
such as no phone use at dinner, in teen’s bedroom, after a specific time of day, and “don’t send
anything you wouldn’t want me or the world to see.” Kids can actually show signs of anxiety when
they are without their phone, because they fear they are missing something if they are not getting their
calls and texts “real time.”
Phone use can also be a double edged sword. A self-conscious student could open up, however, they
also may say things via a text message that they would never say in person, thereby violating their
own moral code. Excessive texting may also remove a child from the family environment, missing out
with parents and siblings. Parents need to take charge to help foster appropriate means of gaining
independence.
4
5
Phone use can become a constant distraction – at home, at school – with no time for a student to think
on his or her own. The term “digital autism” has been coined to describe students who are “absent yet
present” to “explain how technology is muting the quality of our social lives and our capacity to
engage fully – not just for our kids and teens but also for us as adults.”
Talking about sex is nothing new – what’s new is how the “talk” is communicated, via text, photos
and videos. Kids need to be aware of the concept of their “digital footprint” and know that photos are
out there forever and can impact their college and job prospects.
It’s not clear quantitatively whether sexting leads to increased sexual activity, however teen
pregnancies are still on the rise. There appears to be no impact on spelling proficiency due to texting
(and acronyms) but students who text a significant amount tend to write shorter sentences and
paragraphs.
Parent communication is key. Parents should talk to their children about sex and the impact of cell
phone use and misuse before they get a phone. Parents also need to remember to model good behavior
and turn off their own laptops and cell phones during family times.
Question and Answer Session:
Q: To Mr. Spage – Can’t we teach how to use cell phones and other technology for good educational
uses?
A: Spage: Texting is not all bad. Colleges use texting to check understanding during and after
lectures. As technology changes, LCPS will evolve as well.
A: Gordon: Examples of good texting uses are coaches utilizing cell phones to distribute plays and
nursing students downloading medical references “real time.”
Q: What are the policies that apply to YAS (Youth After School) program workers’ ability to monitor
and/or police texting “harassment” after school while on school grounds?
A: Dep. Spurlock: For a text to be considered “harassment” it must be sent TO the individual and the
student must in turn fear for his or her safety. Two people talking about another is not harassment
(it may just not be nice). Many kids don’t know what they’re doing is wrong, which is why
parents must help teach proper technology use. Regarding photos, there is no right to privacy
when an individual is in a public place. That’s how the paparazzi gets away with taking so many
photos in public places.
Q: To Mr. Spage: What about collecting phones at the beginning of class? Wouldn’t that take care of
some texting/sexting issues of using phones during class and at lunch?
A: Students do use phones at lunch. They can lose possession of their phone if they continuously
violate policy. Keep in mind that we’re trying to have the students abide by the rules – teachers
and staff don’t want to be responsible for taking possession of student’s property.
Q: Regarding the problems with texting and cell phones – how far down (age/grade) does this go –
Middle School? Elementary School?
A: Spurlock: It’s getting lower and lower every year. Audience members acknowledged issues is
both middle and elementary school grades.
6
Q: To Ms. Gordon: Why were nude photos published by Jessie Logan herself so psychologically
damaging to her, eventually causing her to commit suicide?
A: It wasn’t only the photos that caused Ms. Logan psychological stress. She was also severely
harassed by students and younger girls, disrupting the “balance” (rank/order). Her attempt to
proactively address her mistake (by appearing on the “Today” show) made her very vulnerable and
she became despondent when her open communication didn’t work.
Q: To Dep. Spurlock: Regarding cacheing, is there a legal standard for who can access previous text
messages and photos from a phone?
A: As a parent – whoever OWNS the phone or service contract has legal authority. This includes any
phone (including Tracphone-type instruments with card service plans) purchased or given to a
child as a “gift,” as minors under 18 do not hold title to property. In addition, texting and photos
are admissible evidence.
LCPS Assistant Superintendent, Sharon Ackerman, for Dr. Hatrick:
LCPS is required to include Internet Safety lesson plans in all grades, but nothing specific to cell
phone use is included at this point. Regarding leveraging phones for education, the management of
devices is still in progress. There is no consistency for use of the instruments; however, with the
budget constraints we are looking at how to use phones more effectively to augment school
technology.
Budget Update:
The 2011 budget process is underway. As of Sept. 30th LCPS had 606 students above the anticipated
2500 new students for the 2009-2010 school year. Next year LCPS is projecting 3200 new students,
times $12,000 per student equals almost $39 million needed just for the new students alone. Three
scenarios have been requested 1) receiving the same funds as this year, resulting is a $69 million
deficit; 2) An equalized tax rate funding level, which would result in a $107 million deficit; and 3) A
5% reduction in funding, which would result in a $140 million deficit. Mrs. Ackerman said to keep in
mind that even if last year’s Tiers 2 and 3 budget items were cut, the savings was only $53 million,
indicating that even deeper cuts would be needed for the three scenarios under investigation.
H1N1 Update
LCPS will be offering H1N1 vaccinations (shots or mist). Elementary school consent calls and forms
are going out starting this week, with vaccinations beginning 10/19. Middle and High school student
notifications and consent form distribution will start the week of 10/26 with vaccinations taking place
11/4 through 11/13. There will be NO fee for the vaccinations. Every school has the consent forms
on their websites.
Vice President Cholakis concluded the meeting by recognizing Tom Reed, School Board Member AtLarge, and thanking the guest speakers and Ms. Ackerman for their updates. She encouraged delegates
to share their opinions and post any remaining questions on the LEAP Blog, and reminded all that the
next meeting will be Wednesday November 11, 2009 on the topic, “Moving the Mountain – How to
Motivate Your Child.”
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.
Submitted by Maura Walsh-Copeland, substituting for Secretary for Kristen Thatcher
7