For our elementary schoolers, group chats often start in places we might not expect—like the text boxes in Roblox, Minecraft, or Fortnite, or even a first group text with classmates. These "digital playgrounds" are exciting, but they can move very fast. To keep things safe, teach them the "Billboard Rule": if you wouldn’t want your message printed on a giant billboard for the whole school to see, don't type it!

When Chats Get Out of Hand

Because kids are still learning social boundaries, group chats can get "noisy" fast. You might see "spamming" (where kids send dozens of emojis or random letters) or messages flying in at late hours. This "notification noise" can be stressful for a child who feels they must view or  reply. The best way to combat this is to establish a "Bedtime for Devices" rule. By keeping tablets, phones, and gaming consoles in a common area (like the kitchen) overnight, you ensure that a buzzing chat doesn't interfere with their sleep or create late-night drama.

Simple Strategies for Success

• "Friends Only" Mode: Help your child check their game settings to ensure they are only chatting with people they know in real life.

• The "Yucky Feeling" Check-in: Tell them, "If a chat ever gives you a 'yucky' or 'weird' feeling, come find me right away." Assure them they won't get in trouble for what someone else said.

• Keep it Public: Encourage gaming and chatting in common areas of the house. This makes it easy for you to "overhear" the digital vibe and offer a helping hand if things get heated.

Respect the Clock: Teach your child to be a "Good Digital Neighbor." Just because they are awake doesn't mean their friends are. Remind them not to send messages very early in the morning or late at night, as it can wake up their friends or their friends' parents! 

October 2025 Elementary Parent Tech Talk: 

Our school uses the Clever Portal as an easy way for students to access all the digital learning applications they use at school. With Clever, your child does not need to have a user-name and password for each application.  Your child can login to Clever with a QR code badge OR by typing in their Google user-name and password.  You can find your child’s Google credentials on eSchool Data. If you need a copy of your child’s badge for home, please reach out to your classroom teacher.  

If your child doesn’t have a district device: K-4

Laptop or Chromebook:

1. Open Chrome browser and go to www.clever.com and click: “Login as a student”

2. Search for your school: “(Guilderland CSD)”

3. Use the Clever Badge to log into Clever or type in your child’s Google login information.

iPad:

1. Go to the App Store and download the Clever App (Blue & white C)

2. Scan the Clever Badge (QR Code below) 

OR

3. Instead of scanning, click “Log In with Username/password.Click “Log In with Google” and enter the username/password below

If your child has a district device: 5th grade

Your child will log into the chromebook at home using the Clever Badge (QR Code) or by typing their Google Username and Password. This depends on how the device is configured. 

If you need help with accessing Clever or any of the apps within Clever, please contact the Instructional Technology Specialist, Trish McLean mcleant@guilderlandschools.net or your child’s classroom teacher.