Park Elementary Featured Archives - Hutchinson Public Schools

The World of Artificial Intelligence

May 10, 2023 By Hutch Tiger

What Parents Need to Know
about the World of Artificial Intelligence

By Jocelynn Buckentin, Technology Innovation Specialist

For many, the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) has played out on movie screens for decades, but this technology has recently become more prevalent in our daily lives. AI chatbots have taken center stage as ChatGPT and Snapchat’s My AI become popular. Chatbots work by using natural language processing to both understand and respond to human language. As this technology rapidly evolves, many people have mixed emotions about its potential impact on our society, particularly in the areas of education, health and safety, and the workforce.

In education, AI chatbots have the potential to complete everything from short answer questions to longer papers with the click of a button. However, educators are concerned about how this technology will affect important skills like critical thinking and creativity. Parents can help by asking students about how they use chatbots and reinforcing the creative process when completing schoolwork. This doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding AI completely. In fact, I encourage my own students to utilize chatbots to get feedback on their work prior to submitting it. AI chatbots can help to improve student writing and provide detailed and timely feedback, which can help to make our students better writers. Teachers continue to explore the potential pros and cons of AI use in education alongside their students.

In terms of health and safety, AI chatbots like Snapchat’s My AI can be customized with their own profile picture and brought into conversations and group chats, blurring the line between talking to a human vs. a computer. At Hutchinson High School, teachers have noticed students talking about chatting with “Al” or “My Al,” so we know the technology is here and currently in use. While the bot is designed to be harmless, parents need to be aware of their children’s use of this feature and have a discussion about expectations surrounding its use. It is especially important to emphasize the importance of keeping personal information out of AI-powered systems.

The advancement of AI technology may also lead to changes in the workforce, as jobs traditionally held by humans can now be completed by chatbots. However, new jobs will also be developed relating to this new technology, so it is vital to keep up with these changes in order to help guide students to future career paths that they may be interested in.

To prepare children for the world of AI, parents can start by discussing what AI is and is not, encouraging children to ask questions and share areas in their lives where chatbots are in use. By opening up a dialogue about AI, children will be more likely to approach parents with questions and concerns as the technology advances. It’s also important to discuss the pros and cons of AI usage and emphasize responsibility. Parents can teach children to be aware of the information they share online, as well as the potential good and bad of AI usage. Finally, parents can remind children of the importance of human connections and interpersonal relationships, as chatbots may be efficient and convenient, but nothing can replace meaningful relationships with others.

Thank you, Teachers!

May 3, 2023 By Alicia Roepke

Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you, Teachers!

Enjoy Hutchinson this Summer!

April 26, 2023 By Hutch Tiger

Get out, get active, and enjoy Hutchinson this summer!
By Lynn Neumann, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Education

It’s no secret that children today spend more time inside than ever before. Between screen time and sedentary activities, it can be challenging to encourage children to get outside and be active. However, research has shown that spending time outside and being active has numerous benefits for children’s physical and mental health.

One of the primary benefits of being active outdoors is the positive impact it has on a child’s physical health. Regular physical activity can help to reduce the risk of childhood obesity, strengthen their bones and muscles, and improve their overall health and fitness levels. Outdoor activities can also enhance children’s motor skills, coordination, and balance, all of which are essential for healthy physical development.

Spending time in nature has also been shown to have significant mental health benefits for children. Being outdoors and surrounded by green spaces can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve their mood, boost their self-esteem, and increase their creativity and imagination. Encouraging kids to spend time outside and be active can also help to foster their social skills and build their confidence.

Encouraging children to spend time outside and be active doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. Simple activities like going for a bike ride, playing in the park, hiking, or even having a picnic in a park can be great ways to get children moving and enjoying the outdoors. Hutchinson has 41 city parks that offer a variety of amenities and a vast trails system for everyone to enjoy!

There are also plenty of organized outdoor activities, such as sports teams or outdoor camps, that can help kids build their confidence and social skills while being active. PRCE Summer activity registration is currently open. To register, visit us online at www.hutchinsonprce.com, call the PRCE office at 320-587-2975 or stop in at the Recreation Center office. Please note that PRCE did implement a new registration system. Participants may need to create a new login to register for programs and facilities. Our goal is for everyone to have a summer filled with fun and safe programs and activities!

By encouraging kids to spend time in nature and participate in outdoor recreational activities, we can help them to develop healthy habits, build their self-esteem and social skills, and enhance their overall well-being. Let’s prioritize our children’s physical and mental health by getting them outside, being active, and enjoying the beautiful world around us. Hutchinson PRCE is dedicated to ensuring that every child has an opportunity to experience outstanding recreational activities and programs that enhance our quality of life by helping us stay healthy and fit, build relationships with family and friends, and develop a sense of community pride.

Get out, get active, and enjoy Hutchinson this summer!

The Importance of Playing Outside

March 7, 2023 By Hutch Tiger

By Dan Olberg, Principal, Park Elementary

When I think back about my childhood, I often remember the time that I spent outside. Although my indoor options were not as numerous as today’s indoor options, I do have vivid memories of my time spent outdoors versus the time spent indoors. With cabin-fever at its peak, we need to encourage our children to be outside for their physical and mental health.

Many parents and caregivers may be inclined to keep their children indoors. However, it is important to remember the benefits of outdoor play, even in colder weather. Here are five reasons why playing outside during the winter months is beneficial for kids.

Firstly, outdoor play is essential for children’s physical health. While it may be tempting to stay inside and watch TV or play video games, children need to engage in physical activity to maintain good health. Playing outside in the winter can help children build endurance, develop strong muscles and bones, and improve coordination and balance.

Secondly, playing outside in the winter can help children build resilience. When children play outside in the cold, they learn to adapt to different weather conditions, which can help them develop resilience and coping skills. Being outside in nature also helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which can be beneficial for children’s mental health.

Thirdly, outdoor play can help children develop important social skills. When children play outside, they have the opportunity to interact with other children, develop friendships, and learn how to communicate and cooperate with others. These social skills are important for children’s emotional and mental development, and can help them succeed in school and later in life.

Fourthly, playing outside in the winter can also help children develop a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. Winter provides unique opportunities for children to explore and discover new things, such as the way snowflakes form, how animals adapt to the cold, and how ice forms on ponds and lakes.

Finally, outdoor play can be a great way for families to bond and spend quality time together. Going for a winter hike, building a snowman, or having a snowball fight can be fun activities that the whole family can enjoy together. These shared experiences can help strengthen family relationships and create lasting memories.

In conclusion, playing outside during the winter months can provide numerous benefits for children’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Parents and caregivers should encourage children to engage in outdoor play, even in colder weather, and provide warm clothing and appropriate gear to keep them safe and comfortable. By prioritizing outdoor play, we can help children develop important skills and habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Second Step Lessons Support Our Students

December 28, 2022 By Hutch Tiger

By Mary Getzke, Licensed School Counselor, Park Elementary

Education is about providing learning opportunities to develop the whole child. Academics are important but so are the soft skills, such as cooperating with others and having a good work ethic. The Hutchinson school district uses a curriculum called Second Step. These lessons provide our children with opportunities to learn and practice their social and emotional skills.

For the past month at Park Elementary, students have been learning how to handle their strong emotions along with addressing recurring situations that cause them stress. Students learned that the emotional and logical part of our brain needs to be balanced to make positive decisions. When we are too overwhelmed, our feelings can influence our thoughts, which leads to how we act. When we struggle to self regulate our emotions, it can prevent us from making positive choices. We may say or do things that make other people uncomfortable around us or hurt our relationships with them.

In our Second Step Lessons, we discuss what stress and strong emotions may look like in others. This helps students learn to have patience and potentially get help for someone who is feeling they have more than they can handle. We also worked on learning to recognize our own body’s warning signs when we are feeling overwhelmed with strong emotions. When we recognize our body’s warning signs, it can be a signal to us to use some strategies to calm ourselves down before making potentially poor decisions.

In the past few years, we have all had to deal with some social isolation. For our children, this period of time may have them lagging in social skills and working well with others. As a community, we can help our children by giving them good eye contact when we talk to them. Show them good listening skills by leaning in and really concentrate on what they are trying to express. We can support them to understand the importance of controlling their impulsive behaviors and be more aware of how their actions may affect others around them. When we see children choosing good social skills such as patience, being respectful, kind, and responsible, let’s all make the effort to tell them we appreciate the good decision they made. Giving our children encouraging affirmation will motivate them to continue to make positive behavior choices.

It has been a pleasure to have this opportunity to teach these important social and emotional lessons to our students. When children learn to regulate their emotions this helps them to become better problem solvers, develop better self confidence, and build stronger relationships with others. Holidays, along with long winter days, can be stressful for all of us. Often we do not know what someone else is going through or feeling. Remember to be kind to others and yourself, take a deep breath, and do something that brings you happiness. You are worth it!