A Word from Officer Williams
There are numerous benefits to technology that we have grown to appreciate. Many of the children I work with enjoy the gaming and connectivity they feel with their friends through the numerous social outlets that are available to them. This month, I wanted to share some tips and reminders regarding technology use for you to review to help keep our children safe.
1. Keep Personal Information Private
- Don’t share personal details: Encourage children not to share personal information like their full name, address, phone number, school name, or family details online.
- Limit location sharing: Teach them not to share their real-time location on social media or messaging apps.
2. Use Strong Passwords
- Create strong, unique passwords: Encourage kids to use passwords that are hard to guess and different for each account. A combination of letters, numbers, and symbols is recommended.
- Never share passwords: Children should never share their passwords with friends, even if they think they can trust them.
3. Set Privacy Settings
- Review privacy settings: Help children understand how to use privacy settings on social media and apps. Ensure they know how to make their profiles private so only trusted people can see their content.
- Check location settings: Teach them to turn off location tracking on apps and devices unless it’s absolutely necessary.
4. Know Who They’re Communicating With
- Talk to trusted adults: Encourage children to reach out to a parent, teacher, or school resource officer if they encounter someone online they don’t know.
- Limit online interactions: Advise them to only communicate with people they know in real life, and to be cautious when accepting friend requests or messages from strangers.
5. Cyberbullying Awareness
- Recognize signs of cyberbullying: Educate children about the signs of cyberbullying and make sure they know what to do if they or someone they know is being bullied online.
- Speak up: Encourage children to talk to a trusted adult if they experience or witness bullying online.
6. Balance Screen Time
- Set time limits: Promote a healthy balance between screen time and other activities like outdoor play, homework, and family time. Excessive screen time can have negative effects on physical and mental health.
- Encourage educational use: Encourage children to use technology for educational purposes and explore safe websites that help them learn and grow.
7. Know the Dangers of Online Games and Apps
- Monitor gaming activity: Online games can expose children to potential dangers such as inappropriate content or chatting with strangers. Check for age-appropriate games and limit their exposure to unsafe environments.
- In-app purchases: Remind children about the dangers of making accidental or unauthorized purchases in apps or games.
8. Teach Respect and Responsibility Online
- Be kind online: Teach children to always be respectful and kind when interacting with others online.
- Understand digital footprints: Help them understand that anything shared online can be permanent, even if it’s deleted. Encourage them to think carefully before posting anything.
9. Use Parental Control Tools
- Set up parental controls: Use parental control software to monitor and limit your child’s online activities. This can help you block harmful content and ensure they are safe while browsing.
- Regularly check devices: Have regular check-ins to review the apps, websites, and games they use to ensure they’re engaging in safe online behavior.
10. Report Suspicious Activity
- Know how to report issues: Teach children how to report inappropriate behavior, whether it's cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or contact from strangers. They should know how to report incidents to their school, the platform, or law enforcement if necessary.
11. Teach Them to Trust Their Instincts
- If something feels wrong, speak up: Teach children that if they ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe online, they should immediately tell a trusted adult. Instincts can often guide them in recognizing potential dangers.
By educating children on these safety tips and maintaining open lines of communication, you can help protect them while they navigate the online world.
March 12th - Troubadours Assembly
We are excited to be bringing back the Troubadors from the Flint Institute of Michigan to Hyatt on March 12th! This talented group of musicians weaves together storytelling and music to bring the arts to life for the children. This is one of our favorite assemblies for our children each year! This year's theme is The Circus of Wonder: Where Music, Dance, and Theatre Come Together.
Foertmeyer & Sons - P.A.L.S. Fundraiser
P.A.L.S.' annual spring flower fundraiser is coming and informational flyers were sent home for you to preview. The sale will begin March 3rd and end on March 17th. All plants will be delivered to Hyatt on May 22nd for families to pick up. The monies raised will support future field trip costs and bringing assemblies to our school.
Health Safety
We are definitely in the cold and flu season; please remind your children the importance of washing their hands, trying to keep their hands off their faces, covering their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and not sharing their food with others. These are proven strategies to reducing the spread of illness. Remember, a child with a fever or who is physically ill must stay home for at least 24 hours and be symptom free without medication before returning to school.
Also, please remain cognizant of student allergies in your child’s classroom. Due to the severity of the reactions to some allergies we ask that all snacks, treats, are store purchased. If your child exhibits any symptom, you will be called to pick your child up from school.
Popcorn Updates
3/7
3/21
4/25
5/16
