Our Olympia CUSD 16 app keeps getting better and better! Parents/guardians who have already created a Rooms account can now access new app features like chat and class streams via web and in the app.
Download for Android https://aptg.co/ZDkmVX
Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/49q8Hl
Property Tax Stability: How will this happen?
Approximately 35% of purchases in McLean County are made by people who do not live here. This means non-property owners and visitors will help fund local schools, easing the burden on property tax payers. This funding source provides additional revenue to schools to reduce the reliance on property taxes.
Learn more about how this referendum can make a difference by visiting our webpage www.april1cent.info or contact us!
#april1cent
Discuss Personal vs. Private Info
Talk about the difference between what's OK to share online (favorite color) and what's not (home address).
How does Olympia approach the protection of student data? We have an entire page of our website dedicated to how this is handled. From FERPA to COPPA to SOPPA, you can learn it all here:
https://www.olympia.org/page/student-data-privacy
When kids start to go online, whether they're playing multiplayer games, using educational apps, or just following their curiosity on Google, it's important that they understand the basics of online privacy and safety. With some general guidelines around what information is and isn't OK to share, and some help from parents when they're unsure, kids can have fun and learn a lot in the digital world.
When kids go online, whether they're playing multiplayer games, using social media apps, or posting their latest creative expressions, it's important that they understand how to keep their private information safe. With tips on how to avoid scams and protect their personal data, tweens and teens can travel all over the digital world -- and still be in charge of their digital footprints.
We will expand on these tips throughout the month during our Family Tips series!
Article: bit.ly/olyDSA1
If you're not ready to #deletefacebook, here are 13 simple things you and your kids can do on your social accounts, phones, and devices to keep data safe. By Caroline Knorr
5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids: bit.ly/OlySPV1
Sharing photos, posting comments, playing video games -- these are just a few of the ways that kids interact online. But when sharing goes beyond friends and family, it can be risky.
What’s Taxed and What’s Not Under the One-Cent Tax Proposal
Did you know? The one-cent tax proposed for McLean County only applies to items that are currently subject to Illinois sales tax. Here’s what won’t be taxed:
🍞 Groceries / Unprepared Food
💊 Prescription medications
🚗 Vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, RVs, mobile homes)
🚜 Farm equipment, parts, and inputs
💈 Personal/professional services (haircuts, accounting, legal services, etc.)
📊 Wholesale purchases
What will be taxed? Only items that are currently taxed under Illinois law. For example:
🍜 Prepared foods
📺 Retail purchases (clothing, electronics, etc.)
📦 Online sales
If approved, this tax will help fund critical improvements for our schools while minimizing impact on essential purchases. Learn more about how these funds would impact our school community by attending our community information meeting on March 10th @ 5:00 p.m. in the Media Center at Olympia High School, visiting our webpage www.april1cent.info or contacting us directly.
🗣️Community Meeting Tonight!📅
Our community meeting to discuss the One Cent Tax referendum will be held tonight. Join us to learn more and ask questions.
📍
Tonight! March 10th, 5 PM, OHS Media Center
RSVP and details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/958190719740166
🗣️Upcoming Meeting📅
Join us this month as we share information on the One-Cent Tax referendum. Learn more and ask questions!
📍Meeting:
March 10th, 5 PM, OHS Media Center
RSVP and details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/958190719740166
#april1cent
Did you know? When you shop in other counties, you may already be contributing to their local schools. Many neighboring counties, including Sangamon, Peoria, Champaign, Logan and Macon, already have the one-cent tax. Now, McLean County voters will determine if the tax is approved for local schools.
If approved, the proposed One-Cent Tax will provide funding for safety upgrades, facility improvements, and property tax stabilization.
Learn more about the sales tax by attending our community information meeting on March 10th @ 5:00 p.m., visiting our webpage www.april1cent.info or contacting us directly
#april1cent
Rooms Notifications; Stay In The Know!
Once you are all set up in Rooms, make sure that you turn your app notifications on so that you don't have to open the app to check for messages. Follow the steps in the image to get prepared!
460 Olympia guardians have accepted their invite and joined Rooms. Now it's your turn!
Check your inbox for an email from @edurooms.com, click "create a password", and connect your account with your student. Finish your registration by creating a unique password. Download our Olympia CUSD 16 app, toggle over to "Classes", and sign in using the account you just created!
Now enjoy the ability to message back and forth with teachers and activity leaders no matter the grade level or activity they participate in!
We've been making first grade shimmer for 120 days!!
Today, 1st graders at South celebrated their celebrity status and all that they have learned so far this year! Students dressed as their favorite pop stars/celebrities and enjoyed a day of stations.
There was singing. There was dancing. There was learning, and there was fun!!
Our brains are great at using past experiences to make quick decisions on the fly, but these shortcuts can also lead to bias. "Confirmation bias" is our brain's tendency to seek out information that confirms things we already think we know. Help your students learn to recognize this when they encounter news online, as a way to examine competing opinions and ideas and to avoid drawing questionable conclusions.
Family Tip Sheet: bit.ly/OlyNMFR2
Wikipedia.org is where millions of people stop first for information. Tools like it are what make the internet so valuable. But they also teach an important lesson, one you can start teaching your kids now: don’t believe everything you read.
Some escaped and some did not, but everyone seemed to have a great time at Olympia South's Family Reading Night! Students and parents worked together through 5 different challenge rooms to "escape". When they reached the end, they enjoyed a story "under the sea", had a snack, and entered their name into a raffle for gift cards. Winners will be announced in an email to families and gift cards will be sent home with students. The hit of the night was definitely our dancing Sharky! Thanks to all who came out. It was a great night.
Sharing the Investment
Did you know? Approximately 35% of purchases in McLean County are made by visitors and travelers.
If the One-Cent Tax is approved, revenue from these purchases will directly support our local schools—helping fund safety improvements, facility upgrades, and property tax stabilization.
This means non-residents contribute to our schools, easing the financial burden on McLean County property taxpayers while ensuring our students and community benefit.
Learn more about the sales tax referendum by attending our community information meeting on March 10th @ 5:00 p.m. in the Media Center at Olympia High School, visiting our webpage www.april1cent.info or contacting us directly.
#april1cent
Check out this list of trustworthy resources to help you learn what's true (and what is not!) on the web. You can even use one of them to look back in time and what was on a website in the past!
Say hello to two-way messaging and classroom announcements in the Olympia CUSD 16 app! With the addition of Rooms, our district app keeps getting better. Parents/guardians check your email/text for instructions to sign up and access new features.
