Olympia CUSD 16

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.

Fourth graders at West practiced some challenging skills today as they shared reasons, evidence, and proof to support their answers. Awesome work, Spartans!

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.

Mark your calendars for March 11!

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!

Email amanda.hapgood@olympia.org by March 7 to reserve your spot!

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!

Varsity boys with a regional game win over Dee-Mack on a last minute shot from Adam Swartzendruber. Congrats boys!

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.

Q&A: How can I explain why teens shouldn't create fake profiles to tease their friends and/or peers? https://www.commonsensemedia.org/facebook-instagram-and-social/how-can-i-explain-why-teens-shouldnt-create-fake-profiles-to-tease . . Photo from Rober Monkada

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.

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!

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!

Congratulations to Neil Alford on his All State Choir recognition and honor!

The Illinois State Scholars were recognized at the Board Meeting tonight and at a reception prior to the meeting. We are so proud of these students!

Congratulations OHS Speech!

Video: bit.ly/OlyCBV7 As humans, we thrive on social connections and group associations. But this tendency can also lead us to be suspicious of people outside our group. This fear -- xenophobia -- can be overcome by more exposure to people who are different from us. However, the internet can often make this more difficult. Help your kids recognize this challenge and find strategies for navigating content online.

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.