Miller Place Fifth Graders Learn About Online Safety

Fifth-grade students at Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School, in the Miller Place School District, welcomed Detective Delfina Rivera of the Suffolk County Police Department's Hate Crime Unit for an engaging discussion about bullying, respect, kindness, and inclusivity. The visit gave students practical tools for treating others well and making safe choices, both in person and online.

"As our students approach middle school, it is especially important that they understand how to treat others with respect and make safe, responsible choices in person and online," said Dr. Jean Marie D'Aversa, Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School Principal. "As many students are gaining access to cell phones, social media, and online video games, conversations about respectful, safe communication help students recognize the impact of their words and actions, identify cyberbullying, and understand when and how to seek help from a trusted adult."

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Through real-life scenarios, students explored how to respond to teasing, exclusion, and hurtful comments, as well as situations in which others are treated unfairly because of their differences.

Detective Rivera also addressed the growing impact of social media, cyberbullying, and online interactions, including those that happen while playing video games. Students were encouraged to think carefully before posting or sending messages, to protect their privacy, and to remember that respectful behavior matters online just as much as in person.

Throughout the discussion, Detective Rivera emphasized the importance of being an upstander and speaking up when something is wrong to help others feel safe and accepted. The visit gave students valuable opportunities to reflect and ask questions to build the awareness and skills needed to foster a school community rooted in kindness, empathy, and inclusion.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District's website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and 'like' our Facebook page.