Sixth graders took their learning outside of the four classroom walls today as they examined a variety of different shoes in an activity to analyze and write about characters. Learning is fun!
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.
https://d1pmarobgdhgjx.cloudfront.net/education/PowerOfWords_NewBumper.mp4
This week is National School Counseling Week. The 2022 theme, “School Counseling: Better Together,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), focuses on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do.
At OHS, we are blessed with an exceptional group of counselors: Allison Baker, Alex Castillo, and Lisa Steve. Thank you for your tremendous impact in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. We are thankful for you!
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?
Spanish 4 just wrapped up a unit about giving directions. They created their own maps and gave directions to each other to practice speaking and listening. To show off their skills, the students completed a speaking summative with a lot of cultural value. They used Google Maps to virtually explore a location in Mexico City paid attention to what they saw - people, houses, nearby stores, and plazas. Then, they described how to get to a nearby restaurant by giving the directions. Awesome work, Spartans!
Video: bit.ly/OlyCBV1
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 occur online (through texts, social media posts, online chat, etc.).
Parent Concerns: Cyberbullying
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. Explore answers to all your cyberbullying questions, age-appropriate advice, school resources, and more from parents and experts. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/cyberbullying
Families,
Due to the winds, the continued drifting and blowing of snow, and extreme temperatures, Olympia will not be in session tomorrow. Friday, Feb. 4th will be a snow day for Olympia. The road commissioners in the area are reporting that roads are impassable and are drifting over after being plowed.
As a reminder, there will be no activities / practices tonight, Thursday, February 3. Coaches and sponsors will notify families tomorrow morning regarding plans for Friday afternoon / evening activities as well as plans for Saturday scheduled events.
Thank you - stay warm!
Dr. O’Donnell
Snow Day Ideas:
Most kids will encounter mean behavior at some point in their digital lives. For some kids, this experience is a blip that's easily forgotten, while for others it can have deep, long-lasting effects. For parents, the key is staying involved in kids' lives -- both online and off -- so they can step in and offer help if necessary. With guidance from parents and educators, kids can learn how to dodge the drama and stand up for others.
Throughout February we will be sharing 6 different tips for families to encourage best behavior when approaching the topics of Cyberbullying, Digital Drama, and Hate Speech with your families.
Define your terms.
Check in about online life.
Role-play.
Encourage upstanding.
Take breaks.
Review worst-case steps.
Due to the forecasted storm that includes large amounts of snowfall and high winds, students WILL NOT report to school on Wednesday, Feb. 2nd or Thursday, February 3rd. Wednesday will be a remote learning day and Thursday will be a traditional snow day. Wednesday - elementary students should work on materials that have been prepared and sent home; middle and high school students should await information from teachers regarding assignments and online class meetings. Thursday is a traditional snow day, there will be no expectation of new / additional school work. This day will be added to the end of the school calendar. The last day of school will now be Tuesday May 24th, 2022 if no additional traditional snow days are utilized.
There will be no extra curricular activities or practices on Wednesday or Thursday, and all Olympia buildings will be closed.
With the 2022 Winter Olympics right around the corner, the OMS staff is kicking off the festivities tomorrow with a “Lighting of the Torch”. Staff will give their colleagues a little extra “spark” by writing an encouraging/uplifting note to them. Let’s go Spartans!
Varsity Girls Basketball falls just short against Williamsville in the Illini Prairie/ Sangamo Conference Shootout 61-59. Taylor Nowaskie led the Spartans with 27 points.
Oly South Pre-K students are learning about emotions and how to express their feelings.Teaching students the vocabulary needed to describe how they’re feeling encourages them to express themselves productively. Great work, little Spartans!
OHS seniors, Grace Castleman, Erin Dederich, and Shae South virtually attended Senator Sally Turner's Youth Advisory Council this morning to discuss mental health and school safety.
The Algebra 2 classes are off and running this semester making connections with exponential functions and problem solving strategies. They have investigated bacteria that multiplies, money that doubles, and are writing equations that model all of it! Keep up the great work!
Friday Market is this week! High School students come to high school cafe. Middle School students come to the back hallway behind the middle school gym. We encourage students to take what they need and need what they take. Don't forget your reusable Friday Market Bag.
Varsity Wrestling with a 52 to 21 win over GCMS/Fisher tonight to bring their season record to 22 and 8.
The OHS Speech Team competed at Glenwood High School this weekend. They placed 4th in team sweepstakes with 3 JV and 11 Varsity Finalists! They have one more regular season tournament before the IHSA Series in February!
