Shepherd Middle BlueJay Bulletin

Shepherd Middle School Families,

Halloween brought out some awesome costumes from our students and staff while Mr. Wolf and Mr. Farley spent hours on their costumes and pulled a switcheroo—or did they really switch? It was wonderful to see the creativity and Halloween spirit in full force!

This afternoon, we hosted our BlueJay Rally to recognize and celebrate our students’ achievements in academics, attendance, and positive attitudes. We had an impressive 274 qualifiers for the rally, including 69 Gold Qualifiers who went above and beyond!

Looking ahead, please remember that Tuesday is a Professional Development day, so there will be no school for students. We’ll also be holding picture retakes on Thursday, so make sure your student comes prepared if they need a second photo opportunity.

As we step into November, a month that often encourages reflection and gratitude, we invite you to help us spread positivity within our school community. If there’s a member of our school community you’d like to affirm, please share your messages using our Gratitude & Affirmation Form: https://forms.gle/tDJv9EbYk7GeeaJV6. Your affirmations will be shared to uplift our school community, building an atmosphere of encouragement and appreciation.

With a spirit of gratitude, we are grateful for your ongoing support of the Shepherd Middle School community.

• What’s a family tradition or habit that you’re thankful for? How does it make our family feel connected?
• What’s something small you often take for granted that you’re grateful for today?

November

• 5: No School for Students: PLC/PD Day for teachers
• 7: Picture Retakes
• 8 & 9: MS Musical: Charleston!
• 11: Veteran's Day Assembly
• 12: Immunization Clinic
• 15: No School-Deer Day
• 27-29: Thanksgiving Break-No School

BlueJays of the Week! Staff and students have the opportunity to write affirmations to each other here at SMS and from these, we have selected BlueJays of the Week.

MS Musical November 8th and 9th at 7PM!

With the digital world growing every day, kids are naturally drawn to explore online spaces. As parents, our role is to guide their digital journey and ensure their online experiences are safe.

One helpful tool is parental controls, which are features on devices and apps designed to help manage what children access online, limit screen time, and monitor activity. Here’s a quick look at how they work and some common myths:

• Types of Parental Controls:

  • Network-level controls filter content across all devices connected to home WiFi.
  • Device-level controls (like Qustodio) protect smartphones, tablets, and laptops, even outside the home.
  • Application-level controls are built into specific apps, like social media, and can be managed in app settings.

• What They Can Do:

  • Block inappropriate content.
  • Set screen time limits.
  • Track device locations.
  • Disable specific features like in-app purchases.

• Addressing Myths:

  • “It’s spying on kids.” Parental controls are safety tools, not for surveillance.
  • “Kids will bypass them.” Tampering often triggers alerts and opens opportunities to talk about online safety.
  • “They’re hard to set up.” Many controls offer support and tutorials, making them user-friendly.
  • “My kids won’t like it.” Kids may initially resist, but parents often find that open conversations about safety lead to understanding.

While parental controls can be useful, they’re only one piece of the puzzle. Ongoing conversations about healthy online habits, empathy, consent, and mental health are crucial to supporting kids as they grow into responsible digital citizens.The above is a summary of the article and video found here. https://shepherdschools.onlinesafetyhub.io/parent/articles/navigating-the-need-for-parental-controls

Camille Gerace Nitschky introduces us to mindful walking, a way to stay present while on the move. Often, we walk without thinking, but mindful walking invites us to slow down and appreciate each step as a moment of gratitude.

To begin, Camille suggests starting with squared breathing: inhale for three counts, hold for three, exhale for three, and hold again for three. Then, as you walk, focus on the sensation in your feet, the colors around you, the air on your skin, and the scents of the season. Mindful walking allows us to step away from stress and embrace the present moment.

Try finding a quiet spot for mindful walking, and notice how it changes your day.

https://midlandareawellbeing.org/lifehacks/life-hack-in-action-44-inspired-by-mindful-movement/