Olympia South

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

Help! My Kid Wants to Use Social Media! Get your child -- and yourself -- ready for the next step with these conversation starters. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/help-my-kid-wants-to-use-social-media

Oly South 5th graders put their STEM skills to the test to today as they create their own balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Students had to build a structure that was at least two feet tall and could stand up straight without toppling over. As evident in these pictures it was a great success! We are so proud of all of the hard work they put into their designs. Way to go 5th grade!

Check out this short video for your elementary kiddos around what a digital footprint really means. We already K-5 students posting and interacting online, so let's start some good habits early! http://bit.ly/OlyDFV2

Shoes for any students! Registration deadline is November 21st!

As soon as you share the first photo of your kid, you're establishing their digital footprint. As kids get older and start creating their own content or engaging with others online, it's important for them to understand the tracks they're leaving behind and what those tracks might reveal. Parents can help guide kids toward creating the kind of footprint they can be proud of. https://www.commonsense.org/education/family-tips/k-5-digital-footprint-and-identity

Oly South 4th graders read a passage about going to a carnival and acted as “verb detectives”, circling different types of verbs they noticed. Then, they practiced writing alternatives to these verbs. Awesome work, Spartans!

Video: bit.ly/OlyDFV1 Many kids are already posting and sharing information about themselves. But in a world where oversharing might seem like the norm, it’s important for kids to think about their digital footprints. Listen to what these teens have to say about sharing on social media. Are you making the right sharing decisions?

Do you need shoes for your kids? Registration deadline November 21.

Thank you to everyone for another successful Step It Up year!

Congratulations to Kiernan Sanford for winning our final Step It Up prize, an Amazon Gift Card!

Miss Tressemer’s 5th grade “took a trip” to the Decimal Diner today! Students worked on rounding, comparing, adding and subtracting decimals. Practicing these skills at the Diner was a treat!

Congratulations to Harper Schmidgall for winning a set of Apple AirPods! We have one more give away tomorrow, good luck to everyone!

In a time of 24/7 connectivity, do the benefits of online sharing outweigh the risks? In Nov. our digital citizenship focus will be on the topic of Digital Footprint & Identity. Look for posts throughout the month to use as discussion points with your family!

Congratulations to Addisyn Minder for winning a pair or Apple AirPods!

Our 4th and 5th graders joined forces today to solve Math and Science tasks.  The Witches Brew, Plummeting Pumpkins and Glowing Ghosts were a hit.  Multiplying and graphing allowed for great collaboration.  It was a Fang-tastic morning!

First graders at South were a little batty today! Miss Zurcher and Mrs. Gray’s firsties enjoyed Bat Day! The day included being nonfiction authors as they created bat books, using engineering skills to design and create free standing bat caves along with learning the parts of a bat and participating by in other bat themed activities! Everyone had a blast working all day in the bat caves!