Student TechBytes

From Common Sense Media

We all want our kids to grow up with strong values, but let's be real—between work, school, and everything else, it often feels like there's not enough time to teach them all the life lessons we want to. The good news? The movies, shows, games, and apps they love can actually help. With the help of our ratings and reviews, you can easily find media that teaches important lessons like empathy, courage, and perseverance. Research shows that digital media can have a big impact on kids' development, both in their early years and as they get older. By picking the right content and having meaningful conversations, you can use what they're already watching, playing, reading, or listening to as a way to build these essential skills.

What Are Character Strengths and Why Do They Matter?

Character strengths are the qualities that help kids become kind, thoughtful, and resilient people. These strengths shape how they act, make choices, and connect with others. The best part is that you can use the media they're already into—whether it's a favorite TV show, a video game, or a YouTube channel—to help them build these traits.

Using Media to Teach Character Strengths

You're already doing a lot as a parent, so why not make media work for you? Here are some ways you can use different types of media to teach your kids about these important character strengths:

• Teamwork
• Self-control
• Perseverance
• Integrity
• Humility
• Gratitude
• Empathy
• Curiosity
• Courage
• Compassion
• Communication

As a reminder, when there are issues at your site, the best way to get help quickly is through a Help Desk call (626-396-3699) or ticket (gopusd.com/helpdesk). Not following this process can result in a delay in resolving your issue.

Common Issues to contact the Help Desk for include:

• Application or Account issue with
• Aeries
• Canvas
• Clever
• Chromebook issue

Please remember to completely shut down your Chromebook at the end of every day! This will ensure your device has received all necessary updates and that you are able to connect to all PUSD applications without issue.

We are currently in the process of retrieving lost chromebooks. If your chromebook gets locked, please see your Librarian or Office Manager to get the device unlocked and/or submit a ticket with the device's service tag.

A reminder that Chromebooks are instructional materials, similar to textbooks. We have been receiving a large number of tickets from school sites and from students stating students have lost or damaged their devices. Chromebooks range in cost from $389 to $758. We understand that devices may be misplaced and that accidents happen, but please make every effort to take care of your devices as well as locate lost devices before submitting a ticket for device replacement.

Once a device has been reported lost or stolen, it will be locked and unusable.

• Are you ready to set up your Aeries Parent Portal account and don't know how to get started? Check out our series of how-to videos HERE.
• Are you an Observer in Canvas so you can see your student's assignments and grades? If not, check out this document with linked videos on how to become an observer in Canvas.