SEPTEMBER RESOURCES: 
DIGITAL FOOTPRINT AND IDENTITY

During the month of  September, many of our fifth and ninth grade classrooms  engaged in digital citizenship learning related to creating and maintaining one’s Digital Footprint & Identity. Our digital footprint, or online presence, has long-lasting implications, and it is important for children and young adults to realize that digital footprints are often public and potentially accessible by anyone. This month, you can help your child(ren) learn how they can contribute to a positive digital reputation, both for themselves and for others, by using these resources:

Monthly Motto

We define who we are.

Discussion Question for School and Home

How can I cultivate my digital identity in ways that are responsible and empowering?

Digital Footprint & Identify Family Activities

• Grades 3-5: English  Spanish

• Grades 6-8: English  Spanish

• Grades 9-12: English

Family Tips Sheet

• Grades K-5: English  Spanish

• Grades 6-12: English  Spanish

Additional Family Engagement Resources

Common Sense Media Resources

Jeffco’s Tech for Ed Website

OCTOBER RESOURCES:
CYBERBULLYING

Did you know that October is National Bullying Prevention Month? Both the overall increased use of social media platforms in our culture and our students' use of the TechForEd 1:1 devices have given us a new perspective on this topic.

During the month of  October, many of our fifth, sixth, ninth and tenth grade classrooms will engage in digital citizenship learning related to Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech. Unfortunately, many students will encounter mean behavior at some point in their digital lives.  Some of these experiences are easily forgotten, while others can have deep, long-lasting effects. For families, the key is staying involved in your children's lives -- both in the physical and online worlds -- so you can step in and offer help if necessary. 

Within the remote environment, children can be exposed to increased risk of cyberbullying.  Here are a few ways that household members can support learners at home:

• Establish rules: Families can set limitations on screen time while staying aware of the online class schedules. Tools like parental controls are crucial in the case of younger children but in the case of teenagers, families need to connect and encourage their children to be open about their online activity.

• Try to minimize distractions: Find a quiet area, keep pets away, and use noise cancelling headphones to help kids focus. Keep trying new ideas until something works for your family.

• Get a routine: Set a schedule for waking up at the same time each day, have brain break/recess, and have an end time each day. Make the schedule visible for everyone in the house.

• Communicate: Discussing openly the online risks and staying alert to signs of cyberbullying are some of the ways in which families can keep their children safe. Guiding children on how, when and where to use learning platforms and social media while at home helps in curbing the risk of cyberbullying. Keep checking in with your child about their learning and also how they are feeling. Contact your child’s teacher with concerns. Teachers are learning and adapting during this time, too, and want to help. 

Additional Family Resources

What you should know about COVID-19, distance learning & Cyberbullying

Parent Tips and Tricks for Distance Learning

Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning

November 2020 RESOURCES:
news & media literacy

Dear Families, 

Jeffco Public Schools now provides families the ability to monitor and control their student’s Internet and app activity on district devices at home via the Securly Home app. This app offers parents the ability to both monitor and control students’ internet activity outside of the Jeffco Public Schools network.

Families can see their child’s online activity in the Activity Feed. You can create Rules for your child’s device while they are connected to your home WiFi, as well as block categories or specific sites. Flagged Activities will notify you of any potential alarming searches. You also have the ability to Pause Internet and set usage timers on your child’s device.   Once your student is back on Jeffco WiFi, the district filter will override the Home preferences. Reconnecting back at home, the SecurlyHome app setting will begin again.

To get the app: 1. Download the SecurlyHome app 2. Enter the email that is registered with Jeffco Connect and tap “Get Instant Access” 3. You will get a confirmation email. Click on the link and you are ready to begin! 4. Apply Rules and use the features as previously mentioned

During the month of November, many of our 5th, 6th, 9th, and 10th grade classrooms will engage in digital citizenship learning related to Media Literacy.  Media Literacy addresses important concepts such as bias, opinion, author’s purpose, and critical thinking. It also includes asking specific questions and backing up your opinions with facts. 

Monthly Motto:

We are critical thinkers and creators.

Discussion question:

How can I be a critical consumer and creator of news and media?

News & Media Literacy Family Activities:
Kindergarten  English 
Grade 1  English
Grade 2  English
Grades 3-5  English Spanish
Grades 6-8  English Spanish
Grade 9-12  English 

Family Tip Sheets:

 English  Spanish

Additional Family Engagement Resources:

Common Sense Media Resources

Jeffco’s Tech for Ed Website

December 2020 RESOURCES:
privacy & Security

During the month of December, our 5th, 6th, 9th, and 10th grade classrooms will engage in digital citizenship learning related to Privacy & Security. These lessons will introduce students to the concept of online privacy and the potential implications of sharing private information with friends, the public, app providers, and more.

At home you can assist your student in understanding Privacy & Security in a variety of ways; especially when creating online profiles with gaming websites, social networking apps and other sites. When supporting your child in setting up an online account, consider the following:

Use a family email address for your child’s first accounts. This will ensure that the account can be monitored and managed by an adult in the family. 

Create a secure password - Passwords need to be easy enough for kids to remember but not easy for others to guess. Use at least 10 characters, use both uppercase and lowercase letters, and use a number too. 

Choosing a profile picture - If a site offers avatars, it is best to use them. When using an actual photo make sure the image does not reveal personal information like a school shirt, street address or other identifying elements in the background. 

 Monthly Motto: We care about everyone’s privacy.

 Discussion Question for School and Home:  How can I keep my personal data safe and secure?

Digital Wellness for Families

january 2021RESOURCES: 
media balance & well-being

During the month of January, our fifth, sixth, ninth and tenth grade classrooms will engage in digital citizenship learning related to Media Balance & Well-Being. These lessons focus on agency, not addiction, and quality time, not simply total screen time. 

At home, you can support your students in understanding Media Balance & Well-Being, especially in the areas of texting and using Google Chat. 

Regular communication: Begin conversations about Internet safety as soon as you allow your kids on the Internet. You can use block filtering and monitoring for kids ages 6-9 to prevent them from going onto an adult site, for example. Once kids are 12, 13, or 14, they know how to get around “Net Nanny” type programs and turn them off, as well as how to change browser history, so you need to have those conversations — the sooner, the better!
Set up family rules: Adults have ultimate decision-making power over when, how often, and where devices can be used. Bedrooms and nighttime is often when kids are vulnerable. Consider taking up phones, Chromebooks, and other devices at bedtime. Have screen-free times like dinner and after school work is completed, so they can have time to decompress from screens and interact with those around them. If you have a child who engages in risky behavior, insist on getting their passwords and “spot checking” their profiles. As a parent, you need to factor in your child’s personality and then decide how closely you will monitor their online activities.

Join the same networks: If your child is on social networking apps like  SnapChat, you might want to join, too. This will allow you to see what the privacy features are. If your child has a public account, this is a good time to discuss how others see them and how this could affect decisions like employment and college acceptance in the future. Help them understand that they should not be sharing personal information, become “friends” with people they do not know, and how online words and images are long-lasting, even if they seem deleted. 

Help identify emotions: Ask your child how they feel when on certain programs and apps. Check in with them to help them identify anxiety and give them permission and encouragement to take a device break. Anxiety could also be a sign of cyberbullying, in which they will need your help. Teens need to know that not everyone online is who they say they are. They should always report inappropriate material or conversations to you and to the website immediately. 

Monthly Motto

We find balance in our digital lives. 

Discussion Question

How can we help students use media in healthy ways?

Media Balance & Well-Being Family Activities
Kindergarten  English
Grade 1  English
Grade 2  English
Grades 3-5  English Spanish
Grades 6-8  English Spanish
Grade 9-12  English 

Additional Family Engagement Resources

7 Surprising Apps Kids Can Use to Chat with Friends

How to Handle Disturbing Content you Find on your Teens Phone

Help Kids Make Friends and Interact Safely Online

Digital Wellness for Families

Jeffco Student Use of the Internet agreement

february 2020 RESOURCES: 
relationships & communications

Dear Families, 

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, relationships are in the spotlight everywhere you turn. In the TechForEd program, we’re looking at relationships, too, specifically how they play out online. 

During the month of February, our fifth and ninth grade classrooms will engage in digital citizenship learning related to Relationships and Communication. Through this unit, we will explore how to build positive relationships, avoid risky online talk, and understand why some topics and conversations are not suited for digital platforms. Students will also gain an understanding of how to communicate effectively online, including on social media platforms, by using both intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.

At home, you can support your students in understanding digital Relationships and Communication in a variety of ways. Not every child is ready to use social media. If your child is asking to be, have a conversation with them about the responsibility needed and what online relationships and communication should and should not look like.  If your child already uses social media, ask them how they are making real, positive connections. Try sharing your own experiences to open up the conversation. 

Monthly Motto: We know the power of words and actions. 

Discussion Question for School and Home: 

How can I digitally communicate effectively and positively to build relationships? 

Relationships and Communication Family Activities: 

• Common parent concerns addressed
• Family conversation guide

Family Tips Sheet

Help kids build positive relationships and boundaries

English  Spanish  More Languages

Additional Family Engagement Resources

Common Sense Media Resources

Jeffco’s Tech for Ed Website   

“Active mentorship is crucial for kids in the digital age. We want to teach kids to do the right thing, not "catch" them doing the wrong thing.” ~ Devorah Heitner, PhD

march 2020 RESOURCES: 
privACY & SECURITY

Dear Families, 

No doubt you’ve had conversations with your children to warn them about “strangers” or “tricky people”: Don’t talk to strangers, tricky adults that you don’t know might offer you food or gifts, don’t get into a car with strangers, etc. But when was the last time you talked to your children about “strangers” or “tricky people” online? 

The prevalence of internet scams has soared in recent years and while scams can seem difficult to decipher--especially for children--many of the rules we have taught them about avoiding and/or being safe during physical encounters with “strangers” can apply to being safe when encountering “strangers” or scams online. Here are some common sense discussion points to use as conversation starters and reminders:

• If something seems too good to be true (like free) then it probably is
• Check the authenticity of a social media account before ordering online
• Do not click on any links you are not certain about.Never share personal information on social media
• Do not accept friend or conversation requests from unknown people  
• Read app reviews and ask a trusted adult before downloading 

It’s easier to protect your children from online scams when you are educated on the types of scams currently floating around the internet. Being “in the know” can certainly help you provide useful information for your child and prevent potential threats. Families can sign up to get FTC scam alerts by email to maintain awareness of new or perceived scams. 

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their techniques so they can target anyone at any age. While you can install parental control software onto your child’s phones and computer, no software can replace the guidance you can provide. Be honest about some of the dangers of the internet, as this will prepare children for the digital world and enable them to use it wisely. Encourage them to think critically and do not underestimate them. If they can browse online, they can also understand when you explain scams to them and what can happen if they are not careful.

Additional Family Resources

Common Sense Media Resources

Jeffco’s Tech for Ed Website

Jeffco’s Data Privacy Page

april 2020 RESOURCES: 
digital footprint & online identity

Dear Families, 

Everything we post online creates a permanent trail of information. Today, it is not uncommon for employers and colleges to rely on simple Google searches to make initial judgments about applicants. According to Metropolitan State University, 70% of recruiters have admitted to denying a potential candidate due to information found on their social media accounts.   

During the month of April, many of our fifth and ninth grade classrooms will dive deeper into digital citizenship learning related to creating and maintaining one’s Digital Footprint & Identity.  Students in 2020 tend to be heavy internet users and it’s important for them to understand that WE should both shape and then protect our own digital footprints.   As an adult in a student’s life, you can help guide positive choices in this direction. 

Talk to your student(s) about what is NEVER okay to share online. The image, above, from www.kathleenamorris.com, is one way to engage younger students in a conversation about digital footprint.

With older students, it is okay to be more specific and to have detailed conversations around their digital footprint.

The image, above, from www.kathleenamorris.com, is an example of what students should keep in mind while navigating their digital lives. 

Additional Family Resources

Jefferson County Parent Resources

FBI Family Resources

Common Sense Media