Dear Families and Friends

Well with 4 weeks to go and reflecting on what a challenging, different and interesting year it has been I am reminded of a poem written by a teacher. It describes how she sees her job and it reminded me how seriously we take our role as educators here at Dayboro and that educating is not always just about the pursuit of academic achievement but also about unlocking the potential for all children to succeed and fulfil their own dreams.   

Our Prep Orientation morning was a huge success. We welcomed students from Barefoot, LEAD and our local Community Kindy. We can’t wait until our Prep class of 2021 join us!

Also a reminder that we will not be holding the planned Monday visits this year.  See below.

Social Media and Primary School Students

Many students use or have access to some form of social media. Many visit these sites every day. There are plenty of good things about social media — but also many risks and things students should avoid. They don't always make good choices when they post something to a site, and this can lead to problems. So it's important to talk with your children about how to use social media wisely. It is also important to note that many apps have an age restriction of 13+ for very good reasons.

What's Good About Social Media

Social media can help kids:

• stay connected with friends and family
• volunteer or get involved with a campaign, nonprofit, or charity
• enhance their creativity by sharing ideas, music, and art
• meet and interact with others who share similar interests
• communicate with educators and fellow students

What's Bad About Social Media

The flipside is that social media can be a hub for things like cyberbullying and questionable activities. Without meaning to, children can share more online than they should.

• post photos of themselves online or use their real names on their profiles
• reveal their birthdates and interests
• post their school name and the town where they live

This can make them easy targets for online predators and others who might mean them harm. In fact, many children say they have:

• been contacted online by someone they didn't know in a way that made them feel scared or uncomfortable
• received online advertising that was inappropriate for their age
• lied about their age to get access to websites

Concerns and Consequences

• Besides problems like cyberbullying and online predators, children also can face the possibility of a physical encounter with the wrong person. Many newer apps automatically reveal the poster's location when they're used. This can tell anyone exactly where to find the person using the app.
• And photos, videos, and comments made online usually can't be taken back once they're posted. Even when a child thinks something has been deleted, it can be impossible to completely erase it from the Internet.
• Posting an inappropriate photo can damage a reputation and cause problems years later — such as when a potential employer or college admissions officer does a background check. And sending a mean-spirited text, even as a joke, can be very hurtful to someone else and even taken as a threat.
• Spending too much time on social media can be a downer too. Seeing how many "friends" others have and the pictures of them having fun can make children feel bad about themselves or like they don't measure up to their peers.

What Can Parents Do?

It's important to be aware of what your children do online. But snooping can alienate them and damage the trust you've built together. The key is to stay involved in a way that makes your children understand that you respect their privacy but want to make sure they're safe.

Tell your kids that it's important to:

• Be nice. Mean behavior is not OK. Make it clear that you expect your children to treat others with respect, and to never post hurtful or embarrassing messages. And ask them to always tell you about any harassing or bullying messages that others post.
• Think twice before hitting "enter." Remind children that what they post can be used against them. For example, letting the world know that you're off on vacation or posting your home address gives would-be robbers a chance to strike. Children also should avoid posting specific locations of parties or events, as well as phone numbers.
• Follow the "WWGS?" (What Would Grandma Say?) rule. Teach children not to share anything on social media that they wouldn't want their teachers, future bosses — and yes, grandma — to see.
• Use privacy settings. Privacy settings are important. Go through them together to make sure your children understand each one. Also, explain that passwords are there to protect them against things like identity theft. They should never share them with anyone, even a  best friend.
• Don't "friend" strangers. "If you don't know them, don't friend them." This is a plain, simple — and safe — rule of thumb.

Make a Contract

Consider making a "social media agreement" with your children — a real contract they can sign. In it, they agree to protect their own privacy, consider their reputation, and not give out personal information. They also promise not to use technology to hurt anyone else through bullying or gossip.

Parents also can help keep children grounded in the real world by putting limits on media use. Keep computers in public areas in the house, avoid laptops and smartphones in bedrooms, and set some rules on the use of technology (such as no devices at the dinner table). And don't forget: Setting a good example through your own virtual behavior can go a long way toward helping your kids use social media safely.         

WRITING AT DAYBORO

At Dayboro we value creative, authentic and engaging writing for a purpose. Our goal for 2020 has been to lift the engagement of our students in writing in all its’ forms and to celebrate successes in writing. Our teachers work hard to embed the teaching of high quality writing practices in their classrooms. Teachers meet regularly to discuss and share writing samples of students and it is pleasing to see our students working so diligently on their writing goals and becoming better writers! 

Having a clear goal for making our writing better has certainly been working in Year 1.  Below are two stories written by Yr.1 students. They had to write an imaginative event to add into a well-known story “Alexander’s Outing” by much loved author, Pamela Allen. Below are their outstanding efforts. It’s hard to believe they are only Year 1. Imagine what amazing authors they will be by Year 6!!!!!

The Whirlpool

After one eerie, overcast night, Alexander the hopeless duckling was waddling on the muddy banks of the clear blue water of Sydney Harbour. Suddenly, hopeless Alexander slipped off the muddy banks into a fast flowing whirlpool. Then hopeless Alexander was pinned to the bottom of the clay river. Hopeless Alexander’s heart was beating non- stop and his beak was quivering with fear. Then the whirlpool got faster and faster until…. Alexander got knocked out cold. Alexander’s mother and four brothers and four sisters began to get worried and began to search everywhere and anywhere. It began to get dark. Alexander’s mother heard a “patter, patter” of feet. “Could it be Alexander?” she thought. Then she saw a flicker of lights as a person hopped in the Vet van and drove off towards the pond.

The big vet van drove to the beautiful pond then the whirl pool stopped and Alexander floated to the top. He was still unconscious. The vet carefully picked him up and drove him to the Vet. In a few weeks the surgery was done and Alexander learnt to stay close and take care.

By Jonah 1/2A

Alexander Saves a Bear

One clear day, Alexander the kind, caring duck was helping his kind mum in the bright pond in Sydney. Suddenly there was an earthquake. The ground boomed and banged. It even shook! It shook so wildly that Alexander’s siblings fell down an earth hole. “Help!!!” Alexander’s siblings quacked from underground. “Quack! Quack! Quack!!” Alexander’s mum quacked very sadly.

Tilly, Milly, Chilly and Flappy were very worried. Then Alexander saw what was making the BIG earthquake. Alexander’s mum asked, “What is it?” “It is a big, brown, fluffy ……BEAR!” Then Alexander quacked and the Bear climbed  down. “Now to get my brother Flappy and my sisters Milly, Tilly and Chilly out.” One minute later Bear found them and returned. “Thank you! Thank you!” Milly, Tilly , Chilly and Flappy cried and they were safe.

Bear never could say goodbye. HE did not want to leave but he had to go back to his family.

BY Abbie 1/2A

Now that the days are starting to get warmer please remember that it is an expectation that all children wear hats during play times and PE lessons. The rule is “No Hat, no Play!”

Children that do not wear hats are expected to be in the CSA areas during break times.  

Collect your child’s medication from school

Rember to collect your child's medication from school before the holidays begin and store them correctly at home.

Learn more about storage of medications such as asthma inihalers and adrenaline auto-injectors (for example, EpiPens) at the NPS Medicinewise website.

You should also check the expiry dates before taking medications back to school after the holidays.

BOOKLISTS 2021

Kookaburra Educational Resources will be supplying our Student Packs for the 2021 School Year.  Please note all orders take place through Kookaburra and can be ordered online or through emailing forms and payment details to Kookaburra. Booklists are also on the Kookaburra Website. Please note that our school and office staff do not handle any Booklist requests and any enquiries should be made directly to Kookaburra Educational Resources.

DATE CLAIMER: Senior Swimming Carnival: Tuesday 24^th November.  (all day) Please make sure children have hats, sunscreen and water bottles. The canteen will be opened for children to purchase food, if needed.

Junior Swimming Carnival: Friday 27^th November. Children will be walking down to the pool in the morning with their class groups.  Please make sure children have hats, drink bottles and sunscreen. Children are to bring own food for the day. The canteen will be available for snacks only. Children will return to school about 12:30pm. Parents can pick children up from school at this time, if needed.

Thank you from Mrs Ryan

Our Vision: “To inspire students to reach their full potential in a safe, caring and educationally challenging environment.”