Schools
UCS staff recognized for promoting safe and effective use of technology
Media specialists, school earn certification for digital citizenship efforts
Utica Community Schools staff members are being recognized nationally for their commitment to promote a safe and effective use of digital resources by students.
UCS elementary media specialists have earned certification from Common Sense Media, a national resource for promoting digital skills in students. Common Sense has also awarded a schoolwide certification to Crissman Elementary and individual certification to five UCS media specialists.
The district began partnering with Common Sense Media four years ago to integrate digital citizenship concepts into its K-12 programs.
“We recognize that students use multiple digital devices in their daily lives, and there is a responsibility that goes with this technology,” Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. “We want our students to make good decisions when they use technology to access information or become part of digital communities.”
To earn certification, staff members and schools need to integrate digital citizenship skills into their weekly lessons and engage parents in activities that encourage them to promote the effective use of technology at home.
“We applaud Utica Community Schools for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students’ education,” said Rebecca Randall, vice president of education programs for Common Sense Education. “UCS deserves high praise for giving its students the foundational skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st-century workplace and participate ethically in society at large.”
Crissman Elementary has become the first UCS elementary school to earn schoolwide certification. In addition to school wide certification, Crissman Media Specialist Courtney Conley has also received recognition through Common Sense Media.
“I want technology to be a positive experience for my students that they thrive in,” Conley said. “Digital citizenship is a new life skill that we all need to learn and assert ourselves into positively. Being a Certified Common Sense school means that our community also holds these same beliefs.”
Certification is a standard that UCS elementary school media specialists have established for the school year. In addition to Conley, media specialists honored include Helena Foust of Burr Elementary; Holly Wolf of Havel Elementary; Linda Maison of Monfort Elementary and Jackie Zawierucha of Beacon Tree Elementary School. Other certification applications are pending.
At Burr Elementary, citizenship lessons include evaluating sites on whale watching or scientific research. Students have also been practicing sending e-mails to develop internet safety and “netiquette” skills.
“The biggest value of our Common Sense Media lessons are the application in our lessons and daily life,” Foust said. “We practice respectful use of others work, as we research and share in the digital world. Courtesy and safety are just as necessary on-line as they are in the face-to-face world.”
Beacon Tree Elementary students participate in anti-cyber bullying activities where they create Public Service Announcements and “Fake Book” on Discovery Science where they learn skills that promote privacy and safety.
“Students are immersed in technology at school and at home,” Zawierucha said. “They must have digital citizenship knowledge in their back pocket at all times so they are ready for any situation they may face. Whether it be cyber bullying, sharing personal information or understanding copyright they need to know how to handle every situation.
In addition to elementary schools, digital citizenship instruction have also been integrated at UCS secondary schools.
Junior high School students learn effective technology skills through a recently-introduced Digital Media and Literacy Design course. UCS high school health classes have also integrated Common Sense Media curriculum.
