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!
Today, Friday, February 14th all Olympia schools will begin one hour late due to the extreme cold.
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.
Family Tip 3: Role-play.
If kids feel like they might have trouble removing themselves from digital drama, experiment with some different ways they can make a graceful exit. Talk through words they can use, ways they can steer conversations in positive directions, etc.
Congratulations to Mrs. Jennings and Miss Clarke from Olympia West, they are the recipients of a PNC First Grant! Mrs. Jennings and Miss Clarke will use the grant money to create a sensory path for their students.
Q&A Time: Is there any way to make sure my kid won't become a cyberbully?
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/cyberbullying/is-there-any-way-to-make-sure-my-kid-wont-become-a-cyberbully
Now for something completely different
Video: bit.ly/OlyCBV2
As kids grow, they'll naturally start to communicate more online. But some of what they see could make them feel hurt, sad, angry, or even fearful. Help your students build empathy for others and learn strategies to use when confronted with cyberbullying.
Family Tip 2: Check in about online life.
Just like you'd ask your kid about their sleep, exercise, and eating, stay on top of their online life. Who are they chatting with? How do people treat each other in the games and on the sites they're using?
Getting ready for our Big Jump Rope For Heart Event
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Let's face it: Some online spaces can be full of negative, rude, or downright mean behavior. But what counts as cyberbullying? Help your students learn what is - and what isn't - cyberbullying, and give them the tools they'll need to combat the problem.
Family Tip 1: Define your terms.
Make sure kids understand what cyberbullying is: repeated and unwanted mean or hurtful words or behavior that occurs online (through texts, social media posts, online chat, etc.).
Once kids go online, their chances of finding cyberbullies, haters, and trolls is, sadly, quite high. Find age-specific guidelines, videos, and articles to help with tough conversations -- whether your kid is a bully or is being bullied. Common Sense Media addresses your cyberbullying questions, offering age-appropriate advice, school resources, and more from parents and experts.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/cyberbullying
5th graders and Kindergartners are enjoying playing BINGO together this afternoon!
Lots of bingo winners at West!
Mrs. Castleman is the bingo caller at West.
Fam Tip 5: Choose a Variety of Sources
Show kids how you get news & information from different places, & explain how you make your choices. Use words like "credible," "trustworthy," "respected," and "fair." As kids get older, introduce the ideas of bias, satire, and clickbait.
Have you been keeping up with our News and Media Literacy suggestions? Here are some questions that you could use as discussion prompts to see how things are sinking in!
bit.ly/OlyNMQ
Due to slick roads and dense fog, Olympia schools will have a one hour late start today (Friday, Jan. 24, 2020)
Family Tip 4: Discuss Fact vs. Opinion!
Play with ideas and decide which are facts and which are opinions. Ask: How tall are you? What's the best food in the world? Do you like dogs? Point out that both fact and opinion show up in the news, but opinion is usually(!) labeled.