DRE Weekly Newsletter
The Week of February 20-26
Monday- No School (President's Day)
Tuesday- No School (PD Day)
Wednesday- 2
Thursday- 3
Friday- 4
February 1-24 - Young Leaders Club: Art Supply Drive benefiting St. Louis Children's Hospital (see flyer below)
February 6-24 - Kids Heart Challenge (see flyer below)
February 17-21- At Home Movie Night
February 20 - No School (President's Day)
February 21 - No School (PD Day)
February 24 - Yearbook Orders Due (see flyer below)
March 1 - Spring Picture Day
March 5 - Shirt orders due for the DRE at the Cardinals game due (see flyer below)
March 17 (or until sold out) - Cardinal Game ticket orders due (see flyer below)
Looking Ahead...Save the date! DRE Day at the Cardinals game on April 2, 1:15 pm
2/20- Seth C.
2/20- Griffin I.
2/20- Evelyn S.
2/20- Julianah W.
2/24- Noah H.
2/24- Charlie S.
2/25- Mikayla G.
2/26- Camden H.
What's New with the DRE PTO?
Jessica Carpenter
636-561-2354 Ext. 48221
Kelly Griffin
636-561-2354 Ext. 48222
Don't forget your water bottle!
Personal water bottles are highly encouraged; please send one with your child.
Click the button below for medication and health forms.
Encouraging Healthy Tech Habits in an Age of Technology
February
Encouraging Healthy Tech Habits in an Age of Technology
We live in a time when technology is all around us, even from the moment we are born. Various experts, such as The American Academy of Pediatrics, make recommendations based on age and time of use. These ideals, however, are not always practical or realistic when it comes to daily nuances set forth by our world and can also be overwhelming to implement. The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes the limited guidance provided by the basic outline of developmental time constraints and offers that “...instead of focusing on how much time a child spends on digital media, parents should consider the content of that media and the context in which they’re using it.”
Don’t overreact. It won’t help your child if you set overly restrictive limits or send the message that technology is something to fear. Instead, focus on teaching healthy habits that will stay with your child for a lifetime.
Teach kids about technology from a young age. Explain that tablets, computers, and other media devices are not toys. Discuss with kids not only the many benefits of technology but also the risks. and teach the importance of respecting privacy and protecting personal information in age-appropriate ways. These conversations should be ongoing.
Use your judgment. Consider the context when establishing your family’s rules for technology use. Video chatting with grandparents is different from playing a video game, for example.
Protect bedtime. Studies show that using digital media at night can interfere with sleep quality. Consider restricting the use of phones, tablets and computers for at least 30 minutes before bed.
Pay attention. Have open, honest discussions about what sites and types of content are off-limits. Do your research to understand the media your child is using, and check out your child’s browser history to see what sites they visit. Explore software to filter or restrict access to content that’s off-limits.
Teach good online behavior. People often say things online that they’d never say to someone’s face. Talk to your children about the importance of being respectful in their digital interactions. Encourage them to come to you if they witness cyberbullying or other troubling information online.
Discuss digital decision-making. It can be hard to discern whether some websites are reliable sources of information or not. Have conversations with your child about how to evaluate authenticity and accuracy online. Explain why they shouldn’t download unfamiliar programs, click on suspicious links or share personal information on unknown apps or websites. Also, teach your children not to respond to unsolicited messages from strangers — and to tell you if they get them.
Foster real-life friendships. Some kids who find it difficult to connect with peers spend more time online than playing with friends in real life. But digital friendships aren’t a replacement for the real thing. Help your child develop social skills and nurture their real-life relationships.
Adapted from an article by American Psychological Association: Digital guidelines: Promoting Healthy Technology Use For Children and https://www.haverford.k12.pa.us/departments/department-of-pupil-services/guidance/elementary-counseling-newsletter