Broadalbin-Perth Elementary School is hosting its first Digital Citizenship Week, Feb. 8-12, as a way for B-P teachers and students to recognize the importance of using technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. The district’s technology coach, Allison Renda, is overseeing and implementing the initiative, which is a requirement for B-P’s ongoing “Digital Citizenship School” designation.
The digital citizenship curriculum, which was developed by Common Sense Media, includes online safety and privacy, respectful online behaviors, and tools to help students filter information by identifying sources and understanding potential biases.
“It is vitally important that we teach our students at the elementary level how to incorporate these valuable lessons into their everyday online life,” Renda said. “We can do our part by encouraging them to think critically and helping them learn how to stay safe and make informed, smart choices online.”
BPES Principal Dan Casey reiterated the importance and timeliness of the week-long recognition, especially for students at the elementary level.
“Because of the pandemic, online learning has become a necessity for our students this year,” Casey said. “We can’t protect them from every danger, but we can give them a solid foundation and a set of tools to help them navigate tricky situations they might encounter online.”
Every classroom at BPES, grades K-6, will use the digital citizenship curriculum next week, with teachers presenting lessons on age-appropriate topics like cyberbullying, media balance, friendly gaming, and distinguishing between real and fake news and images. Classrooms that participate in at least three 30-minute lessons during the week will be entered into a drawing for a set of five Chromebooks for their classroom.
Each day, students will share what digital citizenship means to them or provide a digital citizenship tip during the morning and afternoon announcements. Students will also have the chance to participate in a poster contest that will be judged at the end of the week, with all participants entered into a drawing to win prizes.
BPES will also host a Digital Citizenship Spirit Week, with students invited to wear outfits that correspond with each day’s specific theme:
- Monday (2/8):
Kick-Off “Digital Citizenship Week” by celebrating CommonSense Education and Digital Citizenship and wearing GREEN - Tuesday (2/9):
Stomp out bullying and be kind! Show your support by wearing BLACK - Wednesday (2/10):
Understand media balance and know when to unplug – it’s MIX & MATCH DAY - Thursday (2/11):
Be an internet hero and dress up as your favorite SUPERHERO - Friday (2/12):
Stand together by wearing RED, WHITE and BLUE