INTERNET SAFETY

Last weekend while I was trying to find a health focus for the week, I came across a lesson on "Internet Safety." I thought to myself, "Does this apply to my students, are they at that age yet?" The answer is yes, with more and more technology opportunities today, accessing the internet is as easy as turning on a T.V.

I focused the lesson on grades 3-5, as I figured they were my most applicable age range.  We discussed social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube, talking about how each has it's place in the world now but how you should proceed with caution.  I know that some social media outlets even have an age requirement for creating an account, this is to keep children from using them.

I found a list of Internet Safety rules that I want to share with you.  Internet safety starts with supervising and monitoring what activities takes place on the internet.

1.   I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number without my parents’ permission.

2.   I will tell my parents right away if I come across something that makes me feel uncomfortable.

3.   I will never agree to get together with someone I “meet” online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring a parent along.

4.   I will talk with my parents about posting pictures of myself or others online and not post any pictures that my parents consider to be inappropriate.

5.   I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away.

6.   I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online and using a mobile phone. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.

7.   I will not give out my passwords to anyone (even my best friends) other than my parents.

8.   I will check with my parents before downloading or installing software or doing anything that could possibly hurt our computer or mobile device or jeopardize my family’s privacy.

9.   I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

10. I will help my parents understand how to have fun and learn things online and teach them things about the Internet, computers and other technology

Please help to prevent internet crimes, they are real and happen everyday.  Go over these rules with your kids and make sure they understand each one and how it could effect them.

60 minutes a day keeps obesity away

While I was watching NFL football on Sunday I thought I would share a passion that the NFL and I have in common.  The NFL Play 60 initiave is a challenge to all children and to achieve 60 minutes of play each day.  The goal of this initiative is to make the next generation the healthiest generation ever.  The NFL is trying to tackle child obesity which is increasing at an alarming rate.

I too share the same passion to make the next generation the healthiest.  With all the technology that is out there it becomes too easy to stay inside and not be active. We need to challenge the youth of America to take responsibility of their health and educate them of the risk factors that come with a sedentary lifestyle.

Your child does get some of their active play time while at school.  On days that they have P.E. (45 minutes) and combined with recess (15-20 minutes)  they get the 60 minutes that are needed to achieve a healthy lifestyle.  But what if they don't have P.E. and what if it is raining outside causing indoor recess? The children have to find 60 minutes of activity outside of school.  This is going to sound like a giant number but the goal is for 420 minutes a week and they only get P.E. twice a week.

My CHALLENGE to every parent is to CHALLENGE your child to be active for 60 minutes a day.  The children are our future and their health can not be taken for granted.  If you would like more information about the NFL and their initiative you can go to www.nfl.com/play60.

Work hard today for an easier tomorrow.

Where would we be without P.E.?

I can't believe we are already in our third year at Sonora Elementary!!! I have been amazed by all of the progress we have experienced the past three years. Coach Body will no longer be part of the Sonora family due to relocating for job opportunities.  We are fortunate to have found a worthy replacement as our second P.E. teacher, his name is Kyle McGinley and he is super eager to join the team and make P.E. even better. Please welcome him and help make the transition smooth.

I was thinking today about how important Physical Education in schools is to every student and where we would be without it.  It is essential at a young age to receive the knowledge on how to live a healthy lifestyle.  So much goes into each day educating your children on how fitness is fun and we should all be eager to make our bodies the most fine tune machine we can.  In society today technology is taking over and the days of exercise and play are fewer and fewer.  We need to step up as parents and help our children better their lives, we should want the best for our children so help Sonora P.E. this year with more active lifestyles and less technology.  Make it a family decision to either play or exercise daily, it can be as fun as coming to the school and playing on the playground or you could find a family fun exercise that you can all enjoy .

Help us better the lives of our children by stepping up and taking away technology.  Feel free to contact me by calling the school or emailing me at ecole@sdale.org.  I am blessed to be in the position I am and will stop at nothing to achieve success in educating all children on the benefits and health and fitness.

Coach Cole