Today at Olympia
Welcome back Olympia! If your OMS student is taking art this semester, please provide them with a sketchbook and a set of watercolors before 1/12. Recommendations can be found at the link https://tinyurl.com/y24rdedn If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Johnson.
Video Link: bit.ly/olyRCv2
"It's complicated" can describe many of our relationships with others, both romantic and otherwise. Add digital devices and social media to the mix, and things get complicated even further. Help students take the first step toward building healthy and rewarding friendships and romantic relationships, both online and off.
Students listen to other teens' thoughts and feelings about having and maintaining boundaries in friendships online, in a world of being constantly connected.
Help kids learn to trust their guts so they can suss out creepy or otherwise unsafe online situations. Be aware that some kids (even "good" kids) will explore iffy stuff online out of curiosity. But the minute they feel uncomfortable, they need to shut things down.
Congratulations to these ten students who were nominated by their peers to the OMS Sixth Grade Hall of Fame! These students exemplify what it means to be a Spartan and follow the Honor Code established by the sixth graders earlier this year. Way to go, Spartans!
Video Link: bit.ly/olyRCv5
It's natural for teens to be curious about their emerging sexuality. But most children aren't prepared for the risks of exploring this in the digital age. Help your kids think critically about self-disclosure in relationships and practice how they'd respond to a situation where sexting -- or a request for sexting -- might happen.
In this video, kids can hear other teens' honest -- and sometimes frank -- thoughts about the pressures and risks that come with sexting, then consider how they might react in similar situations.
Tweens and teens might feel pushed into sharing a sexy photo for different reasons: a dare, fear of damaging a relationship, or just because "everyone else is doing it." But this one is nonnegotiable. Tell them that you understand how bad it can feel to disappoint a friend.
Video Link: bit.ly/olyRCv6
For most kids, being on social media can mean connecting with friends, sharing pictures, and keeping up-to-date. But it can also mean big-time distractions, social pressures, and more. Help your kids navigate the different feelings they may already be experiencing on social media.
In this video, kids hear what other teens have to say about using social media to connect with friends, consider the complications and distractions that can happen, and think critically about how social media affects their own relationships.
Congratulations to our OMS artists! 🌈💙
All OMS artwork can be viewed on artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=73488
This community continues to show up for our kids! Blessed to be a part of Spartan Nation!
OMHS Angel Tree Deadline Friday!
Video Link: bit.ly/olyRCv3
Students hear from teens about the benefits and drawbacks of presenting themselves differently (or even anonymously) to others online, and consider what it means to "be yourself" in digital spaces.
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.
Sixth graders at OMS were forensic interns for the day in ELA. They performed a "character operation" to gather evidence to determine whether a character was static or dynamic. "Surgery" will be performed tomorrow, and presentations of the diagnoses will be given on Friday.
Tweens and teens have unique communication styles -- especially online. As much as possible, keep an eye on what they're saying and doing online to understand the norm in their worlds. Don't police everything they say, but keep an ear out for aggressive trash-talking, hate speech, rude images, or anything hurtful. If you see stuff that crosses the line, speak up. Kids need to understand that their words have consequences.
When we talk about our personal beliefs and politics, passions can run high -- especially when we're online. These intense moments can often lead to tit-for-tat insults, or worse. But, if addressed calmly and coolly, they can be an opportunity to find common ground and deeper understanding. Teach your children to keep disagreements civil so their ideas will be heard and so they can advocate for positive change.
In this video, you will hear from Cameron Kasky, Parkland school shooting survivor and March for Our Lives activist, on what he learned about civil discourse online and how to foster common ground with others, even in disagreement.
Video Link: bit.ly/olyRCv7
Video Discussion Activity: bit.ly/olyRCda2
Parenting can be hard! Holidays can add stress. Find hope, answers, and stay current on parenting trends. Check out this Spartan parent resource: https://parentguidance.org/
This resource is available to all parents, grandparents and staff.
The Olympia Middle School and High School bands performed their annual Holiday Concert tonight at Olympia High School. Led by OHMS Band Director, Jimmy Spencer, these very talented musicians played a wide variety of holiday classics including "Jingle Swing," "A Christmas Cannon," and "All I Want for Christmas is You." Great job, Spartans!
Parenting can be hard! Holidays can add stress. Find hope, answers, and stay current on parenting trends. Check out the Spartan parent resource: parent guidance.org. This is a resource available to all parents, grandparents and staff.
Kids learn about appropriate verbal and physical communication from watching you. But online conversations can be invisible. Occasionally, narrate as you're writing texts or social media comments when your kids are in earshot.
So much of kids' social lives happens online. Whether they're texting with their study group, flirting on social media, or voice-chatting on game platforms, middle and high schoolers can learn to communicate in safe and healthy ways. These skills will help kids -- and the people they're communicating with -- have positive experiences online.
Give them the right words.
Learn about their worlds.
Empathize with the pressure to overshare.
Develop their instincts.
