ARE YOU "CYBER-WISE"? DIGITAL RESOURCES & SAFETY
June 12, 2014 Edited by Liz Phillips
Parents ask me, rather frequently, how to decide if there is a way to monitor what is safe and what is not when the Internet and all it has to offer changes every minute of every day. The answer to that question goes with an expression of angst because the complexity of technology means there is no absolute or easy response. There are plenty of websites that tell you how to lock your Internet, block sites, or even track the users in a household. There is also a site that tells people how to get around those features and services, so what's the point? Many parents are simply choosing to disconnect the Internet while other parents are simply unaware (ignorance is bliss attitude) or leave it up to somebody else to decide. There is a downside to both these stances; kids never learn to filter what they see. If we expect our children to behave appropriately online, they need guidance. That guidance does not come from school. If it came from me, students would not be at all aware of online gaming or social networking unless that was tied to English Language Arts 7 or reading/critical thinking skills that transfer to careers and a well-rounded education! What fun would that be? The truth is, there is a delicate balance between education and entertainment, safe and dangerous, responsibility and reckless abandon. Parents want to help, but they don't know how. Parents want to know what's out there, but they don't have time.
Finally, a collaborative group has come up with a way for parents and teachers (and students) to learn the ins and outs of online safety. The site recommends places to go online and places to avoid. It gives real-time information about the latest--so you find out what you want to know. Without wasting time or becoming embroiled in controversy, everyone learns responsible cyber-behavior. Everyone knows where to set limits so they can be respected. While I talk about cyber-manners and cyber-bullies in class, I cannot teach a unit on the subject. Students do not have school email accounts, and their lack of self-control has much to do with that. It is important for Internet users at home to understand Cyberspace, so I offer this one website as your general go-to place. Cyberwise offers training on how to surf the net wisely, how to stay safe, and how to recognize appropriate (good) and inappropriate (not good) websites and activities. While I do NOT endorse products, I recomment Cyberwise to everyone--those who think they know everything and those who admit they are in cyber-darkness. Just click the cyberwise logo at the top of this article to begin your quest. If you like the site, bookmark it or subscribe.
Parents ask me, rather frequently, how to decide if there is a way to monitor what is safe and what is not when the Internet and all it has to offer changes every minute of every day. The answer to that question goes with an expression of angst because the complexity of technology means there is no absolute or easy response. There are plenty of websites that tell you how to lock your Internet, block sites, or even track the users in a household. There is also a site that tells people how to get around those features and services, so what's the point? Many parents are simply choosing to disconnect the Internet while other parents are simply unaware (ignorance is bliss attitude) or leave it up to somebody else to decide. There is a downside to both these stances; kids never learn to filter what they see. If we expect our children to behave appropriately online, they need guidance. That guidance does not come from school. If it came from me, students would not be at all aware of online gaming or social networking unless that was tied to English Language Arts 7 or reading/critical thinking skills that transfer to careers and a well-rounded education! What fun would that be? The truth is, there is a delicate balance between education and entertainment, safe and dangerous, responsibility and reckless abandon. Parents want to help, but they don't know how. Parents want to know what's out there, but they don't have time.
Finally, a collaborative group has come up with a way for parents and teachers (and students) to learn the ins and outs of online safety. The site recommends places to go online and places to avoid. It gives real-time information about the latest--so you find out what you want to know. Without wasting time or becoming embroiled in controversy, everyone learns responsible cyber-behavior. Everyone knows where to set limits so they can be respected. While I talk about cyber-manners and cyber-bullies in class, I cannot teach a unit on the subject. Students do not have school email accounts, and their lack of self-control has much to do with that. It is important for Internet users at home to understand Cyberspace, so I offer this one website as your general go-to place. Cyberwise offers training on how to surf the net wisely, how to stay safe, and how to recognize appropriate (good) and inappropriate (not good) websites and activities. While I do NOT endorse products, I recomment Cyberwise to everyone--those who think they know everything and those who admit they are in cyber-darkness. Just click the cyberwise logo at the top of this article to begin your quest. If you like the site, bookmark it or subscribe.
SUMMERTIME BACK-TO-SCHOOL ROUTINE READINESS
June 11, 2014 Edited by Liz Phillips
You don't need to tell me that we are still in the month of June and that I should wait another month before posting an article about getting ready for the upcoming school year. But I am a teacher, so I cannot enjoy the July 4 holiday until I post this for everyone to ponder. There is not incentive to think about the ideas presented here--unless you value peace of mind. Maybe you get so stressed out about parting with your children until Christmas, and it is physically daunting to think about August 14th. Maybe you just want to ignore opportunities to get organized because you don't mind the chaos of getting your students out of bed, dressed and fed, and on the school bus on time this fall! Maybe you are blessed with perfect children and do not need to read this article. That's okay. It's not like there is a multiple choice quiz with drag and drop features!
What is it about the freedom of summer that causes us to live every last second before First Day of School Eve? Like everybody else, I like eating when I want to, sleeping as long as I want to, and wearing whatever I feel like wearing--and no shoes! Although my idea of having fun is doing online research, reading reference books and great fiction, drinking copious pots of English tea, and baking homemade bread every few days, I value my time out of the classroom to learn, be artistic, visit family and friends, design lessons, and participate on various state testing committees . I like to drive on the Interstate with the radio on and sing like I am a rock star. No laughing! I like to look at the mountains, listen to the birds, spend time with my dogs and cat, and not work on a tan that will make my hair look white as snow! But I have to plan ahead so that you can enjoy your summer to the max!
Here are some great ideas about getting ready for the rigors of school:
You don't need to tell me that we are still in the month of June and that I should wait another month before posting an article about getting ready for the upcoming school year. But I am a teacher, so I cannot enjoy the July 4 holiday until I post this for everyone to ponder. There is not incentive to think about the ideas presented here--unless you value peace of mind. Maybe you get so stressed out about parting with your children until Christmas, and it is physically daunting to think about August 14th. Maybe you just want to ignore opportunities to get organized because you don't mind the chaos of getting your students out of bed, dressed and fed, and on the school bus on time this fall! Maybe you are blessed with perfect children and do not need to read this article. That's okay. It's not like there is a multiple choice quiz with drag and drop features!
What is it about the freedom of summer that causes us to live every last second before First Day of School Eve? Like everybody else, I like eating when I want to, sleeping as long as I want to, and wearing whatever I feel like wearing--and no shoes! Although my idea of having fun is doing online research, reading reference books and great fiction, drinking copious pots of English tea, and baking homemade bread every few days, I value my time out of the classroom to learn, be artistic, visit family and friends, design lessons, and participate on various state testing committees . I like to drive on the Interstate with the radio on and sing like I am a rock star. No laughing! I like to look at the mountains, listen to the birds, spend time with my dogs and cat, and not work on a tan that will make my hair look white as snow! But I have to plan ahead so that you can enjoy your summer to the max!
Here are some great ideas about getting ready for the rigors of school:
- Review the school readiness routine with your children who attend school. Do this TWO WEEKS BEFORE the first day of school. It's not just about bedtime. It's about what time to take that shower or bath, what time you turn out the lights, when the technology gets turned off for the night, collecting the cell phones if your children have kept their texting devices with them all summer, setting clothes out the night before, and establishing the time to get out of bed, get dressed, eat breakfast, grab the backpack, and get to the mode of transportation that will take them to school. Schools have fire drills, so maybe your household can have back-to-school drills. I wish I had thought of that when my children were school-age! I could have had a bull horn or a whistle and coached them Coach Quatrini-style (reference to THE WEDNESDAY WARS by Gary D. Schmidt) by hollering, "Faster, you slugs!" We could have trimmed out time and had a points system. Oh, well. Maybe you can try it and let me know how it goes. Watch for room-darkening window shades to go on sale so you can hang them in rooms where children cannot fall asleep if it's still daylight outside!
- Establish the School Year Schedule. Decide each child's bedtime and wake-up time. What time is lights-out? What time is breakfast? What time is dinner? When will lunches get packed? When is Homework time? Recreation time? When will your family exercise or read together? By creating a schedule and hanging it on the wall for everyone to see, there will be less confusion about when things take place--especially if bedtimes and mealtimes have been drastically different this summer.
- Get ready for the Registration Day Paperwork. Before you go to registration, make sure you have everything you need. If you have to send medicine to school, make sure your pharmacy gives you an empty bottle with the prescription on it so you can deliver medications to school in time for the first day. IDEA #1: If you send pain relievers to school in case our child gets a headache, cough drops in case your child catches a cough, or toothache gel for angry molar eruptions, buy new containers and put your child's name on them. Put all medications in a large Ziploc bag that has your child's name written on it in bold permanent marker. IDEA #2: If your child has to have proof of immunizations, make sure you are up-to-date on shots NOW; then make sure you have a copy of the shot record from your doctor or the health department. IDEA #3: If you have something going on in your family that has been upsetting to your child, you might think about letting the principal or guidance department know. You might qualify for a day counselor while your child adjusts to changes and the anxiety of returning to school. IDEA #4: Make sure you have proof of residence if you have moved over the summer. All this requires is a piece of mail addressed to you that shows our new address. This will also help the transportation department plan for your child's school bus ride to and from school. IDEA #5: Take a look at your family budget. Our school has a free and reduced lunch program, and you should seriously consider completing the paperwork for making sure your child gets a good breakfast and lunch at school without breaking your budget. Prices have gone up, and most likely income has not! IDEA #6: Use the school calendar you will receive on registration day to record due dates and doctor appointments. Keep it handy. If you have two calendars, you can keep one at home and one in your car. If you have gone digital, enter the calendar in your smart device. You are pretty save putting the academic calendar in for August through December. If you get in the habit of maintaining an accurate calendar now, you won't abandon it this fall.
- Shopping for clothes and following the School Dress Code. Before you go shopping, declutter your student's wardrobe. Get rid of anything he/she will not wear or has outgrown. Then look at the school dress code. There are rules about what can and cannot be worn to school. You can find our school dress code on this webpage [click here] so that you can refer to the guidelines while you shop. Basically, a student should come to school dressed for learning--not for getting a date, making a fashion statement, defying authority, or distracting classmates. When in doubt, take it out of the closet. If you have to ask if something will break the dress code, don't buy it. You have most of the summer to hunt for things so that you don't suffer sticker shock. Ultimately, middle school children grow like weeds, so you don't want to sink a car payment on wardrobes that might not last till October!
- Adjust eating habits. This may sound silly, but it is important to adjust food choices before school starts. As you know, there are no fried foods, no sugar-filled drinks, and no junk foods heavy in salt and fat in the school cafeteria. Likewise, parents need to take a serious look at food and beverage choices for packed lunches. Pack a well-balanced meal with a healthy beverage each day. There is no room for sodas or energy drinks, fatty or sugary snacks, or other junk food items. While there is no microwave oven for student use, there are insulated containers that can keep some foods hot. Insulated lunch bags and boxes can be found on sale this time of year, so if you are going to pack lunches, consider the proper containers for foods you send to school. If you do not have time to pack a healthy school lunch, try the school lunch for a while. If your child needs "extras" like an extra serving of chicken nuggets or a fruit drink from the cooler, don't forget to send extra money. By adjusting your food choices at home the week or before school starts, you can transition your children from summer fun foods to school fare.
- Create a cool Homework Zone. Sure, your children do not have homework right now, but do it anyway. If you don't have a set place for children to do homework, try preparing a milk crate of full of art supplies, writing paper, a dictionary if you still have one, coloring books, sudoku puzzles, kenken puzzles, crossword puzzles, and word searches. When school starts, add school supplies. Store these crates in one place--like in your kitchen near the table where children will do homework once school starts. If you have a desk, give each child a drawer. Do whatever works for you. One of the nice things about a Homework Zone is the having a bulletin board or a dry-erase board where notes are color-coded by child. You can even have post-it notes that match each child's marker color. Go get some stickers. Give a reward sticker when your child uses the Homework Zone and gets a task completed properly in a timely manner. When the Homework Zone is not being used, make sure all materials are stored properly and all messes are cleaned up without your nagging. By establishing this routine and making the expectations clear, you will have one less battle this fall.
- Pack those backpacks in July. Take advantage of school supply sales! Get your supply list and watch for items that are on sale. As you buy items, check them off, put your child's name on the items, and pack them in the backpack that will go to school on the first day. Stick them in the closet or on a shelf so that no one is tempted to use the new box of crayons! When you have everything accounted for, you can shrug at all the last-minute shoppers. If you know someone who was in your child's grade last year, you might ask the parents if there is anything else to find that did not appear on the list that was helpful once school started. Sometimes it's something small like a capped pencil sharpener or crayon sleeves to keep tight grips from snapping Crayola wax in half. That is helpful if you have no idea yet who your child's teachers are.
- Plan ahead when you make doctor appointments. If you go see a doctor, a dentist, or other specialist this summer, let the receptionist know that you want to vary what time of day you visit during the school year. Some employers will not allow you to flex your time away from work, but if you can, please do so. If your child always misses the first half of the day for his/her orthodontist appointment every two weeks, that's around 15 hours of missed class time in two classes! If you vary the times you have students out for appointments, it greatly improves their chances of a successful school year. Many doctors will not take patients after 3:30 pm, and if that is your situation, take a look at how to work around transportation, work, and pull-out time from school. When you cannot work out a flexible schedule, letting a teacher know is always a good plan.