Parents

Parent Presentation Handout

 

Tips for Helping Your Child Be Successful

In 2020, SD42 launched a new resource for parents https://success.sd42.ca

This website provides brief and concise information on a variety of issues that indirectly and directly impact a child’s educational success.

  • For example, the page on Screen Time talks about balancing screen time with sports, hobbies, creative, and outdoor play.
  • The page on Social Media talks about using social media from a positive, negative and addictive point of view.
  • The page on Finding Information talks about being skeptical, listening to your gut, and thinking about why you want to believe and why you don’t want to believe information you come across online.

 

FAQ

  • What is the purpose of the Inquiry Program?
    • The grade 6/7 Inquiry Program has a few main priorities:
      • Provide all students with easy access to personally meaningful resources
      • Work with students to develop healthy digital habits
      • Allow students to more easily practice their learning in a real world setting
  • Why iPads?
    • The type of device (iPad, tablet or laptop) doesn’t make much difference. The important part is that each child has access to the resources they need when they need them.
    • Having a device such as an iPad creates a more equitable learning environment where everyone looks the same while working at their level – whether their work is much easier or much harder than others.
    • Having an iPad makes it easier for the teacher to connect students to current information and resources (eg. WorldBookOnline)
  • What filters are on the iPad for Internet Safety?
    • The iPad browsers have strict filtering on by default. In addition, all browsing from a school is filtered through additional firewalls. These filters are not 100% effective and you should reasonably monitor your child’s use of the internet.
    • At home, you can add addional filters to your home network. Some popular options are https://www.qustodio.com/en/ and https://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/. Please read the details and TOS before agreeing to add this product to your network.
  • What are the typical rules for students while they use their iPads at home?
    • When an iPad goes home, the parent makes the rules about when and where and if the iPad is used.
    • iPads should not be used in the bedroom, especially not overnight.
    • Help your child develop a routine for safely recharging the iPad every night.
    • Many parents have a lot of success with some technology free time built into the family’s weekly schedule.
  • What health concerns are associated with iPad use?
    • The Canadian Paediatric Society recommendations for screen time.
    • Bedtime access to a device is associated with many health problems. JAMA Article. School District 42 recommends that you do not allow students to have bedtime access to a device.
    • The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated their screen time recommendations to < 2 hours of entertainment time each day.
  • Does my child need an Apple ID?
    • Depends on the classroom. Creating an Apple ID is helpful in a classroom when the classroom teacher works with students to use their Apple ID appropriately. Students using an Apple ID without guidance from the teacher can create issues that interfere with their learning.
    • Using an Apple ID allows students to use iMessage, download apps not in the SD42 Self Service Catalogue, and the ‘Find my iPad’ feature.
  • How does my child get the free Microsoft Office Suite downloaded onto our home computer?
  • How often do they use the iPad at school?
    • This varies greatly. You will need to check with your child’s teacher. In general, students use the iPad when the iPad provides an advantage to their learning.

Age Appropriate Expectations

  • Internet Safety Tips for 11 – 13 year olds
  • Please start the conversation with your child about developing a healthy use of technology. Many parents find that grade 6/7 is a very effective age for helping their child develop positive and productive habits. You may want to use these recommendations from the Canadian Paediatric Society to hear your child’s thoughts about these guidelines.
    • Balance screen time with sports, hobbies, creative and outdoor play.
    • Make a rule that homework and chores must be finished before screen time.
    • Make sure late-night online chatting, surfing and texting with friends doesn’t cut into important sleep time.
    • Ask your child or teen to give you their cell phone at a certain time at the end of the day so they aren’t interrupted with phone calls or text messages during family time.
    • Children learn from what they see. Be a good role model with your own screen time habits.
    • When possible, co-view media with your kids to help them learn from what they are doing, seeing, and saying online.
    • Get involved in your child’s media use. Find out what they enjoy and why. Encourage them to talk about what they watch.
    • Help your child recognize and question advertising messages. Educate them about the strategies advertisers use to sell products to children and teens.
    • When helping to choose content, pay attention to messages about gender, body image, violence, diversity and social issues. Explain why certain programs are not appropriate. This is a chance to share your own beliefs and values.
  • Common Sense Media (Excellent for determining age appropriate recommendations on books, video games, movies, apps, Internet use, etc)
  • Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy has these tips for talking with your child about media
  • Discussion suggestions for parents, from the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

Internet Safety

Apple ID (if needed)

  • How to create an Apple ID without needing to enter credit card details. (Link)
  • How to remove credit card details from an existing Apple ID. (Link)
  • How to change settings to help prevent accidental spending. (Link)
  • How to set up an Apple ID with Family Sharing. (Link)

Note: Students who bring a personally owned iPad instead of using a school owned iPad, can download the SD42 Self Service app to download paid apps for free (Link)

  • These apps are: Notability, Book Creator, Inspiration Maps, Tayasui Sketches Pro