With so much media and information coming at us through the television, phones, social media, and more, it's more important than ever for kids to understand the basics of media literacy. When kids can identify different types of news and media and the methods and meanings behind them, they're on their way to being critical thinkers and smart consumers.
Throughout the month, we will be sharing a set of five tips to help your children become critical thinkers of news and media. Here is a short video to get those conversations started!
bit.ly/OlyNMV5
If you want to know if someone is trying to trick you with a headline, think through a few of these five questions each time you read a shocking story. Don't let them pull the wool over your eyes Spartans!
Video: bit.ly/OlyNMV1
Family Activity: Decoding Images. bit.ly/OlyNMFR1
Kids find and read news in lots of different ways. But studies show they're not very good at interpreting what they see. How can we help them get better? Teaching your children about the structure of online news articles is an important place to start.
Kindergarten celebrated the 100th day of school today! Students worked on various tasks throughout the day to unlock a secret code. Once they completed all the tasks, they earned a glow party!
The NHS sponsored Princess Tea Party will take place on Sunday, February 2 from 1-3 pm at the Olympia High School cafeteria. The event features games, crafts, bouncy house, face painting and a ROYAL RUNWAY! Come dressed in your finest royal outfits and meet the princesses! Cost is $5 at the door. Reservations recommended. Email amanda.hapgood@olympia.org
Reminder - Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
No School on Monday, January 20, 2025.
Today is the last day to sign up for the Mini Dance Clinic! See the attached flyer for more information!
There are two days left to sign up for the Dance Mini Clinic! Join the OHS Dance Team for a clinic to learn dance technique and a routine to perform at a basketball game. Any student PreK-5th grade is welcome to sign up. See the attached flyer for more information or email coach Emily Weyl at Emily.Weyl@Olympia.org with any questions. We hope to see you there!
Don't forget to sign up for the Mini Dance Clinic by Friday, January 17th! Please see the attached flyer for more information or email coach Emily Weyl at Emily.Weyl@Olympia.org with any questions. We hope to see you there!
Join the Olympia High School Dance Team for a Mini Dance Clinic and an opportunity to perform with the dance team at a basketball game! See the attached flyer for more details and email Coach Emily Weyl at Emily.Weyl@Olympia.org with any questions. Registration must be completed by Friday, January 17th to participate. We hope to see you there!
Kindergarten students earned a Polar Express Day by working hard throughout December to complete various tasks!
Video Link: bit.ly/olyRCv2
"It's complicated" can describe many of our relationships with others, both romantic and otherwise. Add digital devices and social media to the mix, and things get complicated even further.
:: Develop their instincts ::
Help kids trust their guts so they can exit iffy or inappropriate online conversations. Discuss different scenarios and ask how they would feel and what they would do.
:: 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. Once they're more independent, you can discuss which methods of communication are appropriate.
Video Link: bit.ly/olyRCv6
For most kids, being on social media can mean connecting with friends, sharing pictures, and keeping up-to-date. But it can also mean big-time distractions, social pressures, and more. Help your kids navigate the different feelings they may already be experiencing on social media.
In this video, kids hear what other teens have to say about using social media to connect with friends, consider the complications and distractions that can happen, and think critically about how social media affects their own relationships.
5th Grade joined their Kindergarten Buddies for some fun holiday activities.
Fifth-grade students had the opportunity to ask Olympia High School role models questions during today's DARE session.
:: Play a game of telephone ::
Discuss how a message can change depending on the person delivering it or the delivery method. Read a question like "What are you doing?" with different tones of voice. How do emoji and punctuation help communicate tone and emotion in texts?
Video Link: bit.ly/olyRCv3
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.
Join us for a heartwarming evening tonight at Olympia West for a Christmas concert, where students in kindergarten - second grade will showcase their talents through festive songs and performances. Doors open at 5:30. Concert begins at 6:00. Come celebrate the holiday season with music and joy.
