
bit.ly/OlyNMV2
All media comes with an author and an agenda. Help kids think critically about any media they view with critical questions that dig below the surface. And to really empower kids, have them create their own media with these same questions in mind.


Tip #1: Encourage Healthy Skepticism. Help your children analyze the info around them, from toy packaging to Instagram posts to news headlines, and question the purpose of the words and images they see. Teach kids how to use fact-checking tools like Snopes and FactCheck.org.


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


Today Oly North had a special visitor lead us in some mindful movement!!
Huge thanks to Abby Lyons from the Yoga Lab for helping us take a break from our SEL curriculum to practice being mindful!





The Olympia National Honor Society is hosting a Princess Tea Party on February 12th from 1-3 PM at Olympia High School. Proceeds from the event will benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. RSVP to amanda.hapgood@olympia.org by February 6th to reserve your seat!


We were DREAMING of kindness today! The snowy day was perfect for pajamas❄️
Students celebrated at lunch today with conversation starters and a popsicle for working so hard at spreading kindness this week!
They were also hard at work writing notes to teachers at recess!
Tomorrow we have super hero day to show that we are POWERED by kindness!🦸🏻♂️🦸🏾♀️





Oly North kicked off The Great Kindness Challenge with a whole-school assembly this morning! Each student received a wristband to help celebrate kindness week. Students will be able to participate in these recess centers all week to practice spreading kindness!
Tomorrow is CRAZY for kindness. Help us continue celebrating by wearing mix/match clothes!🤪





Elementary Families, Spartan Swim returns this Friday, Jan. 20th 6-8 PM. Please use the southeast doors at the high school. Please contact michelle.maris@olympia.org with questions.


5th grade band started this week for 35 Olympia elementary students. The kids are thrilled and so is Mr. Spencer! An exciting addition to our music program!


Fun night at the Spartan Swim!! Thanks to everyone that came out!


Spartan Swim tonight 6-8 PM for all elementary students and families! Join us!


Families, join us for some winter fun! Free event for ALL Oly students, families and staff. Mark your calendar!


Families, looking for something to do over break... Spartan Swim returns January 3rd, 6-8 PM at Oly High School Pool. Adult must stay with students for this FREE event.


:: 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. 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 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?


Oly North students took a break from our SEL curriculum today and practiced a new coping tool.
Miss Dierker led students through a mindfulness activity where they were encouraged to imagine themselves inside a snow globe. Students then thought about something that may bring chaos to their lives and imagined that shaking up their snow globe. Finally, they thought about different things that bring them peace and calm as they imagined the snow in their globe settling back to the bottom.
Ask your student to share this new coping tool and what helps bring them peace and calm!❄️



Phone outages from yesterday (12.12.22) have been resolved. Thank you for your patience!

Video: 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.


Fifth Grade Baby Photos are due to Mrs. Boots by December 16! Please see the flyer for additional information.
