VPSD is so proud to be able to help provide support to our students and their families through generous donations and the volunteer work of our community. Please contact me if you and your family has a need (ie, coats, shoes, clothes, personal hygiene, etc...) At this time, we also have a number of backpacks and school supplies. You can contact me via email or phone call, or fill out this Google Form!

VPSD Care Closet Referral

If your child is in need of small snacks or meals, please check out this FLYER for our Packs For Pals program.

We want all students to be successful in school, and that means supporting and encouraging their whole development. While excelling in academic classes is important, students also need skills for learning challenges, making good decisions, handling strong emotions, and getting along with others.

This next week, we will be our Second Steps Middle School Program, a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve students' social-emotional skills, such as emotion management, impulse control, problem solving, and empathy. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to help students both in and out of school. These include:

• Mindsets and Goals: Students learn how to develop a growth mindset and apply research-based goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.
• Recognizing Bullying and Harassment: Students learn how to recognize bullying and harassment, stand up safely to bullying, and respond appropriately to harassment.
• Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions: Students learn how to recognize strong emotions and unhelpful thoughts, and apply strategies to manage their emotions and reduce stress.
• Managing Relationships and Social Conflict: Students learn strategies for developing and maintaining healthy relationships, perspective-taking, and dealing with conflict.

If you have any questions about Second Steps, please don't hesitate to contact me for more information. Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe, supportive community together.

Some parents are great about checking in with their child on what's being posted, texted or which SnapChat group they are a part of...others don't know the first thing about SnapChat, Instagram (or FortNite!).
There are plenty of great opportunities to be found online as well as a few things that we can only wish would go away (ask.fm, Kik and Yik Yak are at the top of my list).

The number of preteens using social media is climbing. Kids age 8 to 12 spend an average of 18 minutes a day on social media, while teens spend about an hour and a half. Watching online videos on platforms like YouTube or TikTok is also a popular activity among kids and teens.

Whether your kids are already using social media or asking to get started, it's a good idea to teach them some basic rules. Here are some guidelines for helping middle school kids use social media safely and responsibly:

Follow the rules. Many social sites have an age minimum of 13 by law and for reasons of safety and privacy. Encourage kids to stick to age-appropriate sites.

Tell your kids to think before they post. Remind them that everything they post can be seen by a vast, invisible audience (otherwise known as friends of friends of friends). With middle schoolers, it's a good idea for parents and caregivers to have access to what their kids are doing online. That way, you can be sure that what they're posting is appropriate, and help your kids avoid doing something they'll regret later.

Make sure kids set their privacy settings. Privacy settings aren't foolproof, but they can be helpful. Take the time to learn about default settings and how to change the privacy settings on your kids' favorite sites and apps, and teach them how to be in control of what they share.

Kindness counts. Lots of sites have anonymous features, such as Q&As and discussion channels, that allow users to tell their friends what they think of them. Rule of thumb: If your kids wouldn't say it to someone's face, they shouldn't post it.

The most common parental concern is how to make it through the middle school years. Don't worry...you will!
Our best advice is to encourage cooperation and collaboration - making connections allows students to find their place and gives them support. Check out this article for more information.

Supporting collaboration in middle schoolers (today.com)

As a school counselor, the most important part of my 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 school counselor and parents is vital. If you have a concern about your child, you may call and/or e-mail. I will usually respond within the same school day to discuss your concerns.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year to help your child have a successful Middle School experience!