The 3rd graders participated in many engaging STEM activities today. Students were able to create and experiment using Legos, biodegradable packing peanuts, clay boats, sound makers, slime, and launchers.
Article: bit.ly/olyDSA1
If you're not ready to #deletefacebook, here are 13 simple things you and your kids can do on your social accounts, phones, and devices to keep data safe. By Caroline Knorr
5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids: bit.ly/OlySPV1
Sharing photos, posting comments, playing video games -- these are just a few of the ways that kids interact online. But when sharing goes beyond friends and family, it can be risky.
Don't miss out on this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase your very own Olympia Spartans Stuffy. Each Stuffy is $20. The deadline to order is March 21, and it will arrive before the end of the school year. These will make great gifts for people of all ages.
What’s Taxed and What’s Not Under the One-Cent Tax Proposal
Did you know? The one-cent tax proposed for McLean County only applies to items that are currently subject to Illinois sales tax. Here’s what won’t be taxed:
🍞 Groceries / Unprepared Food
💊 Prescription medications
🚗 Vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, RVs, mobile homes)
🚜 Farm equipment, parts, and inputs
💈 Personal/professional services (haircuts, accounting, legal services, etc.)
📊 Wholesale purchases
What will be taxed? Only items that are currently taxed under Illinois law. For example:
🍜 Prepared foods
📺 Retail purchases (clothing, electronics, etc.)
📦 Online sales
If approved, this tax will help fund critical improvements for our schools while minimizing impact on essential purchases. Learn more about how these funds would impact our school community by attending our community information meeting on March 10th @ 5:00 p.m. in the Media Center at Olympia High School, visiting our webpage www.april1cent.info or contacting us directly.
This past week, students explored nonfiction texts using a range of engaging strategies. They explored how authors structure their content to deepen comprehension. One highlight involved reading about the "wicked problem" of food insecurity and its impact on students, after which they creatively crafted news reports to respond to the issue.
🗣️Community Meeting Tonight!📅
Our community meeting to discuss the One Cent Tax referendum will be held tonight. Join us to learn more and ask questions.
📍
Tonight! March 10th, 5 PM, OHS Media Center
RSVP and details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/958190719740166
Get ready to bid on amazing silent auction baskets at our school fundraiser- Family Fun Night! There’s something for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to win big while supporting our students! Mark your calendars for Friday, March 14, and join the fun—every bid makes a difference!
The Cake Walk is a popular event at Family Fun Night. We need baked goods to have a successful night! If you can provide something, please sign up on the link. Cakes, cupcakes, donuts, and prepackaged baked items are all welcome. Donations can be brought to the school office on March 14.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094DA4AF22A6F58-45565624-family
Volunteers are needed to help serve food at Family Fun Night on March 14. Sign up now for a shift:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094DA4AF22A6F58-55223885-family
🗣️Upcoming Meeting📅
Join us this month as we share information on the One-Cent Tax referendum. Learn more and ask questions!
📍Meeting:
March 10th, 5 PM, OHS Media Center
RSVP and details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/958190719740166
#april1cent
Did you know? When you shop in other counties, you may already be contributing to their local schools. Many neighboring counties, including Sangamon, Peoria, Champaign, Logan and Macon, already have the one-cent tax. Now, McLean County voters will determine if the tax is approved for local schools.
If approved, the proposed One-Cent Tax will provide funding for safety upgrades, facility improvements, and property tax stabilization.
Learn more about the sales tax by attending our community information meeting on March 10th @ 5:00 p.m., visiting our webpage www.april1cent.info or contacting us directly
#april1cent
Rooms Notifications; Stay In The Know!
Once you are all set up in Rooms, make sure that you turn your app notifications on so that you don't have to open the app to check for messages. Follow the steps in the image to get prepared!
460 Olympia guardians have accepted their invite and joined Rooms. Now it's your turn!
Check your inbox for an email from @edurooms.com, click "create a password", and connect your account with your student. Finish your registration by creating a unique password. Download our Olympia CUSD 16 app, toggle over to "Classes", and sign in using the account you just created!
Now enjoy the ability to message back and forth with teachers and activity leaders no matter the grade level or activity they participate in!
Pre-K loves book buddy day!
Our brains are great at using past experiences to make quick decisions on the fly, but these shortcuts can also lead to bias. "Confirmation bias" is our brain's tendency to seek out information that confirms things we already think we know. Help your students learn to recognize this when they encounter news online, as a way to examine competing opinions and ideas and to avoid drawing questionable conclusions.
Family Tip Sheet: bit.ly/OlyNMFR2
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.
Sharing the Investment
Did you know? Approximately 35% of purchases in McLean County are made by visitors and travelers.
If the One-Cent Tax is approved, revenue from these purchases will directly support our local schools—helping fund safety improvements, facility upgrades, and property tax stabilization.
This means non-residents contribute to our schools, easing the financial burden on McLean County property taxpayers while ensuring our students and community benefit.
Learn more about the sales tax referendum by attending our community information meeting on March 10th @ 5:00 p.m. in the Media Center at Olympia High School, visiting our webpage www.april1cent.info or contacting us directly.
#april1cent
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!
Say hello to two-way messaging and classroom announcements in the Olympia CUSD 16 app! With the addition of Rooms, our district app keeps getting better. Parents/guardians check your email/text for instructions to sign up and access new features.
