As kids grow, they'll naturally start to communicate more online. But some of what they see could make them feel hurt, sad, angry, or even fearful. Help your students build empathy for others and learn strategies to use when confronted with cyberbullying.
https://d1pmarobgdhgjx.cloudfront.net/education/PowerOfWords_NewBumper.mp4
Are you ready for some learning? 2nd graders in Mrs Loyer’s class are gearing up for the big game on Sunday with some extra fun! In science they’re designing and creating using Legos, in math they’re measuring their throws using inches and centimeters and determining the difference in team scores, and in reading they’re creating player profiles about book characters! 🏈
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?
Video: bit.ly/OlyCBV1
Let's face it: Some online spaces can be full of negative, rude, or downright mean behavior. But what counts as cyberbullying? Help your students learn what is - and what isn't - cyberbullying, and give them the tools they'll need to combat the problem.
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
Most kids will encounter mean behavior at some point in their digital lives. For some kids, this experience is a blip that's easily forgotten, while for others it can have deep, long-lasting effects. For parents, the key is staying involved in kids' lives -- both online and off -- so they can step in and offer help if necessary. With guidance from parents and educators, kids can learn how to dodge the drama and stand up for others.
Throughout February we will be sharing 6 different tips for families to encourage best behavior when approaching the topics of Cyberbullying, Digital Drama, and Hate Speech with your families.
Define your terms.
Check in about online life.
Role-play.
Encourage upstanding.
Take breaks.
Review worst-case steps.
Due to the forecasted storm that includes large amounts of snowfall and high winds, students WILL NOT report to school on Wednesday, Feb. 2nd or Thursday, February 3rd. Wednesday will be a remote learning day and Thursday will be a traditional snow day. Wednesday - elementary students should work on materials that have been prepared and sent home; middle and high school students should await information from teachers regarding assignments and online class meetings. Thursday is a traditional snow day, there will be no expectation of new / additional school work. This day will be added to the end of the school calendar. The last day of school will now be Tuesday May 24th, 2022 if no additional traditional snow days are utilized.
There will be no extra curricular activities or practices on Wednesday or Thursday, and all Olympia buildings will be closed.
Due to the forecasted storm that includes large amounts of snowfall and high winds, students WILL NOT report to school on Wednesday, Feb. 2nd or Thursday, February 3rd. Wednesday will be a remote learning day and Thursday will be a traditional snow day. Wednesday - elementary students should work on materials that have been prepared and sent home; middle and high school students should await information from teachers regarding assignments and online class meetings. Thursday is a traditional snow day, there will be no expectation of new / additional school work. This day will be added to the end of the school calendar. The last day of school will now be Tuesday May 24th, 2022 if no additional traditional snow days are utilized.
There will be no extra curricular activities or practices on Wednesday or Thursday, and all Olympia buildings will be closed.
The kids have been working hard on showing kindness this week so they were rewarded with fun lunchtime activities including popsicles and conversation starters! Some students will receive their treat tomorrow!
Oly North Super Heroes “leveled up” their kindness by writing thank you letters during recess. Way to be the “I” in Kind!
Kindness ROCKS at Olympia North!
Miss. Dierker kicks off Kindness Week with small group assemblies discussing what it means to be kind and ways to show kindness.
Join us as we celebrate Kindness Week January 24-28!
Wikipedia.org is where millions of people stop first for information. Tools like it are what make the internet so valuable. But they also teach an important lesson, one you can start teaching your kids now: don’t believe everything you read. Family Tip Sheet: bit.ly/OlyNMFR2
Olympia is now officially on Instagram! If Instagram is your social media platform of choice, follow your favorite Olympia sites using these handles:
bit.ly/ConnectWithOly
Check out this list of trustworthy resources to help you learn what's true (and what is not!) on the web. You can even use one of them to look back in time and what was on a website in the past!
Tip #5: Choose a Variety of Sources.
Show your children how you get news and information from different places, and explain how you make your choices. Use words like "credible," "trustworthy," "respected," and "fair." Ask them where they get their information, and if they think about those same words when choosing. As kids get older, introduce the ideas of bias, satire, and clickbait.
During this holiday season the 4th and 5th graders at Olympia North Elementary gathered 721 total canned goods to be donated for the local community. These canned goods will be donated to the Stanford and Danvers Food Banks. We are very proud of our students!
