Canadian youth do more to protect their reputations than their information when they go online

Ottawa, ON (February 19, 2014) – Canadian youth worry about their online privacy and take steps to control who can see what they post, and more importantly, how other people see them, according to new research released today by MediaSmarts.

 

The not-for-profit organization surveyed over 5,400 students in classrooms across the country on their Internet behaviours and attitudes as part of its Young Canadians in a Wired World study. Online Privacy, Online Publicity, the second report from the survey, looks at the strategies young people use to control how they are represented online and how they protect their personal information.

 

Even the youngest students surveyed are sharing a substantial amount of information on social media sites. While students are willing to post information about themselves and their personal lives, the majority employ strategies to protect their privacy, including not posting their contact information, using a different identity, using privacy settings to block strangers, deleting something they posted or asking someone to delete something posted about them.

“While students have developed a number of strategies to help them manage their online reputations and stay safe, the research also shows that there are gaps in young people’s knowledge of online privacy,” says Cathy Wing, Co-Executive Director of MediaSmarts. “Their limited understanding of geo-location services, privacy policies, data collection practices and password sharing issues, suggests we need more effective privacy education, both in homes and schools.”

Key findings include:

·         97% of students would take steps to remove a photo they don’t want others to see.

·         68% mistakenly believe that a site with a privacy policy will not share users’ personal information with others.

·         59% would share the password to their social networking account, email account or cell phone. Girls are much more likely than boys to share their passwords.

·         The percentage of students who misrepresent their age online to register on a site rises from 18% in Grade 4 to 65% in Grade 11.

·         28% say police should be able to read their social media posts.

·         Parents are students’ main source of information about online privacy protection.

·         89% say it’s wrong for a friend to post a bad or embarrassing picture of them, and more than half think it’s also wrong for a friend to post a good picture of them without asking first. 

 

To view the Online Privacy, Online Publicity report, infographic, and slide show, visit http://mediasmarts.ca/ycww/online-privacy-online-publicity. Follow the conversation using hashtag #YCWW.

Post Secondary Information Days

Grade 11 & 12 students attended the annual info days at Red River College and the University of Manitoba on February 19 and 20.  Students participated in faculty presentations, tours, mini-university lectures, as well as, engaged in conversations at the Information Village of booths from each faculty to obtain publications, and speak with faculty representatives.  A great career opportunity!

Graduation 2014

The Graduation 2014 initial parent / student meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 19 at 7:00 pm in the Carman Collegiate Community Theatre.  Agenda and information can be accessed by going to http://carmancollegiate.pbworks.com/w/page/68182971/Graduation%202014.  Discussion will include the basic structure of the graduation, Safe Grad, committee formation, and other details around graduation.  Our new photographer will also be on hand to distribute information packages and answer any questions.  This meeting will be approximately one hour and is a great way for our graduation class and parents to get a better sense of the grad planning process.

Student Voice

Superintendent Terry Osiowy and Assistant Superintendent Ron Sugden will be meeting with 18 of our grade 7 to 12 students on Tuesday.  They are taking the opportunity to travel to all the schools to meet and hear from students regarding what they see as their needs for their education and their future ambitions. 

Post Secondary Information Days

Our grade 11 and 12 students will be travelling to Winnipeg on Wednesday and Thursday next week to the Post Secondary Information Days.  Wednesday will see students travel to Red River College to get a sense of that campus and programs that are offered.  Then on Thursday, students will get the opportunity to visit the University of Manitoba. 

The Blue Man Group

Congratulations to "The Blue Man Group" composed of Jourdan B, Alecia I, Madi S, and Katie TM for being featured on the front page of The Manitoba Technologist (The Official Publication of the Technology Professional).  They made the front page for being awarded the Best Construction Award at the 2013 Model Wind Turbine Competition back in November.

Great Weekend of Basketball for our Cougars

Silver for the girls and gold for the boys.  A great weekend for our Senior Varsity Cougar Basketball teams.  Our girls required an overtime win over the Elm Creek Cobras (46-41) to advance to the finals.  Our girls then pushed the Treherne squad to overtime in a back and forth match in the gold medal game.  Treherne eventually came out on top with a 56-54 win with our girls receiving silver.  Madi S was named game MVP and Janessa W was named tournament MVP.
The SV Cougar boys faced the Ste. Anne Lynx in their final.  After a close first half, our boys pulled ahead in the third quarter, and claimed gold with an 85-42 win.  Mason M was named game MVP and Tim D was named tournament MVP. 
Be sure to come out and catch more great basketball action as our Junior Varsity Boys host their tournament on February 14 and 15.  Action starts on Friday at 1:00 pm with our boys.

A Right Way to Protect Kids

The new speed limit in front of Carman Collegiate and Carman Elementary were visited by the Headingly RCMP traffic unit on Thursday.  A substantial number of tickets and warnings were issued during the course of that day.  The largest ticket came in just under $1000 for doing just over 100 km/h in the 30 km/h zone.
A recent article in the Valley Leader (February 6, 2014 edition, p. 6) feels the Town of Carman got it wrong in their approach to protecting our students.  The answer comes down to 30 seconds.  That is the additional time it now takes to travel through the 30 km/h zone in front of the Collegiate.  The issues regarding the two schools are different.  Carman Elementary needs the reduced zone due to their playground being split in half by the highway.  With children using the play structures and grounds at all times and year around, it makes sense that the new speed limit be in effect at all times.  Carman Collegiate was having issues with vehicles not yielding to pedestrians at the crosswalk.  Since the speed limit has been decreased, drivers are more aware of their surroundings, and there has been improvement with the rate of vehicles stopping for pedestrians at the crosswalk.  The Collegiate has events that take place on all days of the week and weekend, and at any time of the year.  Pedestrians use the crosswalk as this leads from the Collegiate to both businesses, the Sunnyside residential area, and during large events our overflow parking.
Travelling 30km/h in this day and age may feel like a snail's pace, but an additional 30 seconds onto our travel time is worth keeping everyone safer.  To the Town of Carman, thanks for getting it right.  Also note, the RCMP Headingly traffic unit have stated that they will be back. 

Basketball Action!

Our girls started off our Cougar Basketball tournament with a 60 to 32 win.  They play Saturday morning at 10:30 am at the Carman Collegiate gym.  Our boys are currently at half with a solid lead over Rosenorte and will play tomorrow at 12:00 pm at the Collegiate.  Come out and cheer our girls and boys on.  Go Cougars!

Remembrance Day

Congratulations to Kolton T. for being awarded first place in the Remembrance Day poster contest in the Intermediate Black and White Category.  Kolton received his certificate in January. 

An Entertaining Week Coming Up...

Hockey, an MTC production, great basketball action, or a host of events next weekend with Blizzard Fest, there is no shortage of things to do, regardless of your interests.  Miami is hosting their annual Hockey Day in Canada, and our Cougar Hockey team is starting off the festivities by hosting the PCI Trojans.  Puck drops at 7:30 pm Friday night at the Miami Arena.  Tuesday has GPAC hosting the MTC production "Miracle on South Division Street" at the Carman Collegiate Community Theatre.  Showtime is 7:30 pm.  Then next Friday is the start of the SV Cougar Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament.  Our girls start off the tournament at 1:00 pm, followed by our boys at 2:30 pm.  And inbetween basketball action, be sure to check out the many Blizzard Fest events happening around town on Friday and Saturday.  Stay warm by staying busy!

Invitation to Attend an Industry Career Presentation

The Mid-Canada Marine and Powersports Dealers Association will be hosting their annual career presentation during the 2014 Boat Show.  The 2014 Career Presentation will take place on Friday, February 28th at 1:30 pm at the Winnipeg Convention Centre Theatre.  Students and parents are welcome to attend to learn more about the career opportunities available in this industry.  All attendees will receive free admission to tour the Boat Show and view the newest boats, motors and personal watercraft on the market today!
This presentation will provide students and their parents with some insight into the career opportunities and apprenticeship options available within the marine and powersports industries.
The Marine and Outdoor Power Equipment Technician trade is an exciting, dynamic and challenging line of work.  If your students enjoy boating, snowmobiling or quading, are mechanically inclined, like power and like to repair their own power sport equipment, they could turn their passion into a career.

Gr. 9 to 12 Exam - Jan. 28 to 30

Grade 9 to 12 Final Exams are this week.  The last day for Grade 9 to 12 first semester regular classes is Monday, January 27. Regular classes continue for grade 7 & 8 students right through exams.   The exam schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, January 28
9:00 am - ELA 10, Essential Math 20, ELA 30
1:00 pm - French 10, Applied Math 30, Biology 30

Wednesday, January 29
9:00 am - Soc. St. 10, Intro to Applied and Pre-Calc Math 20, Chemistry 30, Physics 40
1:00 pm - Trans Math 10, Science 20, Accounting 30, Biology 40

Thursday, January 30
9:00 am - History 30
1:00 pm - Essential Math 30, Pre-Calculus Math 30

There is no school on Friday, January 31 for students.  Second semester starts on Monday, February 3.  Grade 9 to 12 report cards are scheduled to be sent home on Friday, February 7.

Ag Days

Our grade 8's travelled to Brandon on Thursday to attend the Brandon Ag Days Event.  Our students were first involved in a presentation giving them a global realization of urban and rural population trends.  The students then toured the many different booths, having the opportunity to explore the diverse range of careers in agriculture.  Our students were very respectful, asked lots of questions, and had a great day.

Cougar Hockey Team Earn Silver

Zone IV hockey teams captured the top three spots at the 45th Annual Carman Collegiate Cougar High School Hockey Tournament.  Our Cougar Hockey team made it to the Gold Medal Final Saturday night against the Morden Thunder.  The Cougar's advanced to the final with two decisive victories earlier in the tournament.  They started off Friday morning with an 8 - 0 victory over Glenboro, and then followed in up with an 8 - 4 win over Hamiota that evening.  The final saw Carman go down 2 - 0 early in the game before settling down defensively.  Our Cougars could not overcome a stingy Morden defense that only allowed one goal in the tournament.  The Mountain Mustangs defeated Hamiota 5 - 1 to capture the Bronze Medal.  Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and our many sponsors for a great tournament.

45th Annual Cougar Hockey Tournament

Our Cougar hockey tournament was delayed by 12 hours, but our Cougars started off well with a big opening game win this morning.  They next play at 7:15 pm, hoping to punch their ticket through to the finals Saturday evening.  Go to the sports page for more information.

Exams

Grade 9 to 12 Final Exams are quickly approaching.  Regular classes continue for grade 7 & 8 students right through exams.  The last day for semester 1 Grade 9 to 12 regular classes is Monday, January 27.  Exams take place from January 28 to 30.  The exam schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, January 28
9:00 am - ELA 10, Essential Math 20, ELA 30
1:00 pm - French 10, Applied Math 30, Biology 30

Wednesday, January 29
9:00 am - Soc. St. 10, Intro to Applied and Pre-Calc Math 20, Chemistry 30, Physics 40
1:00 pm - Trans Math 10, Science 20, Accounting 30, Biology 40

Thursday, January 30
9:00 am - History 30
1:00 pm - Essential Math 30, Pre-Calculus Math 30

There is no school on Friday, January 31 for students.  Second semester starts on Monday, February 3.  Grade 9 to 12 report cards are scheduled to be sent home on Friday, February 7.

Cool Jewelry made in CHD class

Grade 10 & 11 Clothing, Housing, and Design students participated in a Chain Maille Jewelry workshop on January 10th, 2014. Julia Hamm, a grade 12 student from Riverton, Manitoba taught the class a short history lesson on the evolution of chain maille. She then lead students through the steps and techniques needed to complete a "European 4 in 1 bracelet". Check out Julia's amazing work on her webpage at www.bonniemaille.com !

Parenting Tweens and Teens in the Digital World

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is committed to providing Canadians with age-appropriate information and resources to help educate parents / guardians about how to keep children safe.  They have created a new website with excellent resources to help with the following increasing common issues:

• Steps individuals can take to remove inappropriate pictures from the internet.
• How to get help when needed.
• How to cope with a difficult online situation.

This user friendly site can be accessed at the bottom right corner of the school website, or go to directly at www.needhelpnow.ca. 

Get Your Yearbook!

The deadline to order your 2013-2014 yearbook is less than a month away. Please place your order at the office before Feb. 1. The cost is $40. We need to know how many yearbooks to order by then because the covers are pre-printed. 

 

Design of the yearbook is already underway and will be a 112 pages full of photos and memories of this school year. You can check out some of the photos in the library in our yearbook corner.