Congratulations to our March Spartan Spotlight winners! These students are demonstrating Self-Advocacy everyday!
Click on the link below to see this month's video:
https://bit.ly/3k9TsOF
Second graders at South are giving shout-outs to their classmates as they recognize one another demonstrating characteristics of a Marigold. A Marigold is someone who protects them, helps them thrive, and encourages their growth. Look at all of these awesome Marigolds at Oly South!
Help Kids Navigate Online Friendships
In the beginning, you might limit all communication with strangers online. As kids get older, you can monitor any online chatting. And once they're more independent, you can discuss which methods of communication are appropriate as well as which types of information to keep private from online-only friends.
Play a Game of Telephone
Discuss how messages can change depending on the person delivering it or the delivery method. Ask a question like "What are you doing?" with different tones of voice. Talk about how emoji and punctuation can help communicate tone and emotion in texts.
The Olympia Middle School 6th Grade Team and Administration are visiting each Oly Elementary building to introduce themselves to the current 5th grade students. This is a great opportunity for students to meet the 6th grade teachers, Administrators, and ask important questions about what to expect at OMS next year.
Chatting Safely Online
Video Link: bit.ly/olyRCv3
Games, social media, and other online spaces give kids opportunities to meet and chat with others outside the confines of their real-life communities. But how well do kids actually know the people they're meeting and interacting with? Help students consider whom they're talking to and the types of information they're sharing online.
Students hear from teens about the benefits and drawbacks of presenting themselves differently (or even anonymously) to others online, and consider what it means to "be yourself" in digital spaces.
Video Lesson Activity: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UOkBAabgQthEAxHAMmu_H_7ZE6pHXeNEqrS7nDi-hCs/edit
Spartan Swim coming later this month. Be sure to sign up! A parent must stay for this elementary event!
Children who will be 5 years old by September 1st can pre-register for Kindergarten TONIGHT!
Olympia South second grade classes just completed their habitat projects. They researched a given habitat, made a visual project of their habitat and gave a speech to their peers. They then shared their newfound knowledge and their projects with the rest of the school. Great job, everyone!
Keeping Games Fun and Friendly
Video Link: bit.ly/olyRCv1
Social interaction is part of what makes online gaming so popular and engaging for kids. Of course, online communication can come with some risks. Show your kids how to keep their gaming experiences fun, healthy, and positive.
Video Activity Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HQQ_lgKj5SVL5aGWYOrIfDfcwtxxjK9sI9-hJmSs3XY/edit
Family Activity: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kcPvJC1Qv6ZYAvecIb7k1ZJOBOOVAqoELAqMqSCybUA/edit#slide=id.g5e76c0c0a6_0_0
The Bunny Bop Easter Egg Hunt is this Sunday the 10th! Reservations are recommended, but walk-ups are welcome!
**Give Them the Right Words**
Kids learn about appropriate verbal and physical communication from watching you. But online conversations can be invisible. Occasionally, narrate as you're writing texts or social media comments when your kids are in earshot.
Elementary parents open Spartan Swim coming later this month! Parents need to stay and sign-up with michelle.maris@olympia.org
**Help Kids Make Friends and Interact Safely Online: Elementary**
Soon after kids start reading and writing, they often begin interacting with others online. Whether they're chatting within games or texting family members, kids need the skills to interact respectfully. These skills will help kids -- and the people they're communicating with -- have positive experiences online. Throughout April, be on the lookout for these 4 Family Tips for elementary families who are looking to build a strong foundation for online relationships and communication!
- Give them the right words.
- Play a game of telephone.
- Help kids navigate online friendships.
- Develop their instincts.
Family Tip 5: Skip quizzes.
Help kids identify and avoid clickbait, quizzes, special offers, and anything that asks for personal or private information. This helps keep information secure and devices safe.
Join us for the Bunny Bop Easter Egg Hunt!
Article Link: bit.ly/olyDSA5
Help keep your kids' online experiences positive and productive by learning the truth (and ignoring the rumors) about what really makes them safe.
Article Link: bit.ly/olyDSA3
Do you need parental controls? What are the options? Do they really work? Here's everything you need to know about the wide array of parental control solutions, from OS settings to monitoring apps to network hardware.
Video: bit.ly/olyDSv2
Today's kids spend lots of time posting and sharing information online. Learn five surefire ways to protect their privacy.
