Election season stressing you out? This article from The Chicago School syncs up nicely with many of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills that we teach at Olympia; practice mindfulness for self-awareness, take mental health breaks, set boundaries, etc... These skills will help kids and parents alike navigate the media landscape during stressful (or even day to day) events.
Meal prepping for the week? Let Community Claus help you. The spaghetti dinner fundraiser is THIS Thursday, November 7 from 4:30-6:30 at St. John's Faith Fellowship Hall. Dinner includes spaghetti, salad, bread, and cake. Hope to see you there!
All proceeds help purchase Christmas gifts for families in need within the Minier, Armington, and Hopedale communities.
Kindergarten had a blast participating in Halloween themed math, reading, writing, and science activities throughout October.
In November Olympia will be focusing on finding the right balance between our devices, an onslaught of media, and our own personal well-being. Read more of our philosophy around this topic here: bit.ly/OlyMediaBalance
Mark your calendar for November 7th. This will be a fun event and a great way to raise money for Community Claus.
Article: New Healthy Media Habits for Young Kids
Now that screen-time recommendations are more flexible, it's time for new rules. | Caroline Knorr
https://bit.ly/OlyMBCK
Kindergarten took turns walking the red carpet and striking their best pose!
AM Pre-K came all dressed up for Hollywood Glam Day!
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.
PM Pre-K practiced clapping and counting syllables using Halloween words.
Article: bit.ly/OlyCBA5
Other than straight-up cyberbullying, what are some other reasons our kids might be bummed by others' online behavior? Read more about ghosting, subtweeting, griefing (plus more), and learn some simple tips on how to handle these situations.
5th Grade paired with their Kindergarten Little Buddies today for some Halloween activities.
Halloween Fest is on Sunday, Oct 27 from 1-3 pm at Olympia High School. Wristbands are $5 at the South Athletic doors. Halloween Fest is sponsored by the Olympia National Honor Society. All proceeds go to Toys for Tots.
Questions? Email Mrs. Hapgood: amanda.hapgood@olympia.org
If you notice your kid getting pulled into digital drama, help them take a break. They might need some help setting limits. Putting devices to bed at a specific time, plus breaks for mealtimes and face-to-face connection, can help kids recharge.
At tonight's New Teacher Academy, veteran teachers from across the district came together to share their best practices for a successful classroom environment and student learning. The theme of conversation was that "We are all in for our students!"
Resources: bit.ly/OlyCBR2
There are A LOT of "social media" sites out there. You know about Twitter & Facebook, but what about Reddit, TikTok, Snapchat, or Discord? Educate yourself with these "Parent's Ultimate Guides" from Common Sense media!
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!
Let kids know that supporting someone who is being bullied makes a 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!
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.
5th grade spent the morning doing activities based around art and science, through the Children's Discovery Museum. Thank you to the parent volunteers who came in to run the stations.
