Hey all you OMS Spartans! The team forms are in, so do you know what that means? That means the 12th Annual Dodgeball Tournament is all set for Friday, March 4th at 6:15 p.m. in the OMS Gym. A portion of the proceeds from the tournament will go toward the Ms. Susan Schuber Scholarship.
Even if you aren’t on a team, you can come support the players and cheer on the teams! Admission into the event is $2. There will also be concessions available during the tournament.
Kung Fu Panda, Cars, and The Lego Movies are the movies being shown after school before the Dodgeball Tournament! Even if you aren’t going to the tournament, you can still stay to watch a movie and then ride the shuttle bus home! Tickets for the movie are $1, which will also go toward your admission price.
Concessions (gondolas, chips, candy, and drinks) will also be available to the OMS students at this time.
Please make sure all students are picked up by 9 p.m.
Please come on out to this wonderful family fun event; we love to see families there to support our players and cheer on the teams!
#olyspartanpride
Video: bit.ly/OlyCBV3
Chatting online can feel just like talking to someone in person, but it's actually quite different. It's all because of something called the "online disinhibition effect," which makes us more likely to share/communicate differently than if in person.
Family Tip 6: Review worst-case steps.
Walk through what to do if your kid is being bullied online. First, step away. Ignoring a bully can be very effective. If the bullying continues, take screenshots or print out evidence. Then block the person. If it gets worse, report the behavior to a trusted adult. Talk about who those people are and make sure your kid has their contact information.
Resources: bit.ly/OlyCBR1
There are A LOT of "social media" sites out there. You know about Twitter & Facebook, but what about Reddit, TikTok, Twitch, Sarahah, or Discord? Educate yourself with this list of short explanation videos from Common Sense media!
Video: bit.ly/OlyCBV4
For kids, miscommunication is a common occurrence online and on social media. Plus, being behind a screen makes it easier to say things they wouldn't say in person. So how do we help kids avoid the pitfalls of digital drama? Hear it from the source!
Family Tip 5: Take breaks
If you notice your kid getting pulled into digital drama, help them take a break. It's great if they can determine for themselves when they need to step back, but they might need some help setting limits.
Video: bit.ly/OlyCBV5
Digital harassment happens when teens use texts, instant messages, emails, and social media posts to keep tabs on or threaten someone else. It usually involves two people in a close relationship. Here are four ways to help teens avoid digital harassment.
Books that Teach Empathy: bit.ly/OlyCBB
Teaching kids character strengths and life skills such as empathy is one of the most important jobs of being an adult. These great books for all ages help make it easier by celebrating friendship, difference, and the importance of caring for one another.
Families & Students,
Due to the impending forecast that includes ice in the early morning and
heavy snowfall tomorrow afternoon, Olympia students will be doing remote
learning tomorrow, Thursday, February 17th. Elementary students will work
on the materials that have been sent home by their teachers. Middle school
and high school students should login to Google classroom tomorrow to
complete their work and / or participate in meetings with their teachers.
We realize there may be minor fluctuations in the weather but at this
point it appears as if our morning commute and our afternoon commute would
both be negatively impacted by weather. We will make an announcement
tomorrow regarding Thursday after school activities / practices.
As a reminder, students DO NOT have school on Friday, February 18th due to
a Teacher Institute Day. Monday, February 21st is a school holiday as well.
We will see students back in our buildings on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.
What an honor to have James Nottingham, creator of the Learning Pit, visit Olympia and share strategies to engage in the learning process. Thank you, Mr. Nottingham, for all the ways you teach us about challenge, learning, and leadership!
Family Tip 4: Encourage upstanding
Let kids know that supporting someone who is being bullied can make a big difference. If they feel safe confronting the bully, they should. If not, a PM can help someone through a tough time. Speaking up against hate speech is important too!
Video: bit.ly/OlyCBV6
Cyberbullying is something most families hope they never have to deal with. But if your kids are texting, sharing photos, and posting comments, it’s important to talk to them about how to deal with online harassment. Learn 5 ways to stop cyberbullies.
Family Tip 3: Role-play
If kids feel like they might have trouble removing themselves from digital drama, experiment with some different ways they can make a graceful exit. Talk through words they can use, ways they can steer conversations in positive directions, etc.
Sixth graders took their learning outside of the four classroom walls today as they examined a variety of different shoes in an activity to analyze and write about characters. Learning is fun!
What should I do if my kid is bullied online?
Finding out that your kid has been cyberbullied is emotional for parents. You or your kid might want to retaliate, but it's best to help your kid defuse the situation, protect himself, and make rational efforts to put a stop to the bullying. Here are the immediate steps we recommend for parents... Read More
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/cyberbullying/what-should-i-do-if-my-kid-is-bullied-online
OMS Families & Students will not want to miss this opportunity to learn from James Nottingham, the creator of the Leaning Pit. He is visiting Olympia to speak to families & students on how to engage in the learning process through questioning and a language of learning.
Family Tip 2: Check in about online life
Just like you'd ask your kid about their sleep, exercise, and eating, stay on top of their online life. Who are they chatting with? How do people treat each other in the games and on the sites they're using?
Family Tip #1: Define Your Terms
Make sure kids understand what cyberbullying is: repeated and unwanted mean or hurtful words or behavior that occur online (through texts, social media posts, online chat, etc.).
Parent Concerns: Cyberbullying
Once kids go online, their chances of finding cyberbullies, haters, and trolls is, sadly, quite high. Find age-specific guidelines, videos, and articles to help with tough conversations -- whether your kid is a bully or is being bullied. Explore answers to all your cyberbullying questions, age-appropriate advice, school resources, and more from parents and experts. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/cyberbullying
Families,
Due to the winds, the continued drifting and blowing of snow, and extreme temperatures, Olympia will not be in session tomorrow. Friday, Feb. 4th will be a snow day for Olympia. The road commissioners in the area are reporting that roads are impassable and are drifting over after being plowed.
As a reminder, there will be no activities / practices tonight, Thursday, February 3. Coaches and sponsors will notify families tomorrow morning regarding plans for Friday afternoon / evening activities as well as plans for Saturday scheduled events.
Thank you - stay warm!
Dr. O’Donnell
