Character Word of the Month: Self-Control

Doing what’s best despite short-term temptations; Strength of will

“The most important scientific discovery about self-control is that it can be taught.”

—Walter Mischel

Why does self-control matter?

Sometimes, what makes you happy right now isn’t good for you in the long run. For instance, junk food tastes great but isn’t healthy. Self-control powerfully predicts academic and professional achievement, physical and emotional well-being, positive social relationships, and financial security.

Pulse Check

Think about how your day is going. How many of these things are true?

I got to work right away, rather than procrastinating.

Instead of getting distracted while working, I stayed focused.

Because I planned ahead, I was prepared for what I needed to do.

I didn’t do things I knew I’d later regret.

How do I encourage self-control in others?

Model it. Resolve to accomplish a goal of personal significance, then talk about obstacles and your plans to overcome them. Emphasize strategies you’ve found work especially well for you: “I’m not super motivated to exercise, but I now take the stairs instead of the elevator—that’s a start!”

Celebrate it.

Praise children for waiting patiently. Notice when they plan ahead: “Great job getting all your stuff organized!” Appreciate ingenuity in navigating self-control dilemmas: “Keeping your cell phone in a different room is such a clever idea!”

Enable it.

Establish family rules, like no cell phones at mealtimes. Create quiet, distraction-free areas for study and work. Keep fruit on the kitchen counter and hide junk food on a high shelf.

CharacterLabs

VPMS will be hosting our annual Career Fair on April 17th.

We would love to have as much parent participation as possible! Please consider signing up to talk to our students about your career, your responsibilities, and what goes into your job. Use the Google Form below to sign up - we will be sending out additional information when we get closer to the event.

Thank you for helping us create meaningful experiences for our students!

VPMS strives to to provide experiences and an environment geared towards "building high quality humans". Please review our VIBES with your child at home and talk about how you can help him/her make these a part of their daily lives!

One of the ways we work on our VIBES is by participating in the Second Steps program during Hawk Time. Starting 4th quarter, all Hawk Times will be focused on Managing Relationships and Social Conflict. As we discuss and practice positive relationship skills, students will also have opportunities to use our Peer Mediation Program to help solve problems and use the skills they are learning!

We can access new music and movies in seconds. We can get products delivered to our door the very next day. We can chat or play games with people on the other side of the planet. For all of the remarkable benefits the digital age has brought us, however, it’s also presented us with a whole new raft of pressures and anxieties that, in truth, we’re all still learning to cope with.

From continual notifications inflaming a fear of missing out to the risk of public embarrassment or slanging matches on social media, today’s children and young people have stresses to manage that previous generations simply never encountered. Our #WakeUpWednesday guide examines these uniquely modern worries, highlighting ways to reduce the anxiety that digital devices can bring.

In the guide you'll find tips on reducing push notifications from apps, avoiding social media arguments and spotting when a child’s been upset by something online.

It's that time of the year again! We are diligently getting our 8th graders ready to move over to the high school.

Over the past few months, we have been working hard on completing our 8th grade ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan) and will be using those to help navigate the next steps in scheduling for our freshman year.

Mr. David Cook (VPHS School Counselor) will be talking to all 8th graders NEXT WEEK about their freshmen schedule - be on the lookout for more information!

As a school counselor, my most important job is to help students succeed in school. I am in charge of looking out for your child's academic progress, personal/social development and emotional well-being.

Communication between the school counselor and parents is vital. If you have a concern about your child, you may call and/or send an email. In addition, there is a link to schedule an appointment listed on my website.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year to help your child have a successful middle school experience.

If you or your child would like to schedule time to meet, please consider using this form:

VPMS Counseling Request

OR any of the following:

Email: esteinkamp@vpschools.org
Website: VPMS School Counseling
Phone: 636-923-3509