A Note From Principal Danielson
Dear Families and Friends,
As the leaves continue to fall and the air grows crisper, November offers us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many things we are thankful for. This month, our school community is focusing on themes of thankfulness, kindness, and the importance of staying involved in your child's education.
Embracing Thankfulness
November is the perfect time to practice gratitude. At school, we are encouraging students to express their thankfulness in various ways. From writing thank-you notes to teachers and peers to sharing what they're grateful for during class discussions, we're helping students recognize the importance of appreciation. We encourage families to extend this practice at home by sharing daily moments of gratitude at the dinner table or through family activities.
Spreading Kindness
Kindness is a cornerstone of our school values, and November is an ideal time to reinforce this message. Our students are participating in "Random Acts of Kindness" projects, where they can perform small acts of kindness for others. Whether it's helping a friend, saying a kind word, or volunteering their time, these acts help build a supportive and positive school environment. We invite parents to join us in this initiative by modeling kindness in your interactions and encouraging your children to do the same.
Preparing for Colder Weather
With colder weather approaching, it's important to ensure our students are prepared. We understand that middle schoolers sometimes dislike dressing for the weather, but it's essential for their comfort and safety. Please remind your children to dress warmly with appropriate winter attire, including coats, hats, gloves, and scarves. Despite the chill, we will be going outside for recess and other activities if the weather is above 15 degrees. Staying prepared will help us all transition smoothly into the winter months.
Staying Active in Your Child's Education
Parental involvement is crucial to a child's success in school. As we head into the second part of the school year, we encourage you to stay actively engaged in your child's education. Here are a few ways to stay involved:
- Communicate Regularly: Stay in touch with your child's teachers to monitor progress and address any concerns. Feel free to call the school or email your child's teachers directly.
- Support Homework and Study Habits: Create a dedicated study space at home and establish a consistent homework routine.
- Attend School Events: Participate in parent-teacher conferences, school meetings, and other events to stay informed and connected.
Upcoming Events
- November 7 & 12: Parent-Teacher Conferences
- November 11: Veteran's Day Assembly (10:00AM)
- November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
As we navigate through November, let's remember to cherish the moments we share with our children and foster an environment of gratitude and kindness. Your partnership and support are invaluable to our school's success, and we are grateful for your continued involvement.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Danielson
Principal
Dear SMS Families,
The holiday season approaches is the perfect time to reflect on the importance of gratitude in our lives. Practicing gratitude - the act of reflecting on the positive things in our lives - can have profound effects not only on our well-being and outlook on life, but also on our children’s. This month, please join us in fostering a culture of gratitude at home, not just during the holidays, but throughout the entire year.
Why Gratitude Matters
Research consistently shows that gratitude can lead to increased happiness and satisfaction. According to a study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, individuals who regularly practice gratitude report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, and even physical health (Wood, Froh, & Geraghty, 2010). For our middle schoolers, who are navigating complex social dynamics and emotional growth, cultivating gratitude can provide them with resilience and a more optimistic perspective.
Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude
Here are some practical strategies you can implement at home, for both you and your student:
Gratitude Journals: Write down three things each day to be thankful for in a journal or notebook. This simple practice can help focus on the positives in life and offer a point of supportive reflection when the day is rough.
Thank-You Notes: Consider starting a tradition of writing appreciation or thank-you notes. Doing so helps express appreciation and understand the value of acknowledging and receiving kindness. Leave them wherever the person it is meant for can easily see it.
Family Traditions: Take turns sharing what you’re grateful for during dinner or before bed. Or, if this seems too face-forward, during commercials breaks on TV or in the car. This not only fosters gratitude but also strengthens family bonds.
Community Service: Consider volunteering in the community. Helping others can enhance feelings of gratitude and empathy and teach children to appreciate what they have. Research has demonstrated that when we give of ourselves, it reduces our stress and increases our mood, as well as give us a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
Mindfulness Practices: Become acquainted with mindfulness exercises for both you and your child. Focusing on things that we are grateful for helps us appreciate the present moment and the positive aspects of their lives.
While the holiday season is a great time to start these practices, we encourage you to continue nurturing gratitude throughout the year. Regularly engaging in gratitude exercises can help embed these values into your child's daily life, making them more resilient and emotionally intelligent individuals.
Other Ways to Practice Gratitude
- Create a 'gratitude jar' and place one thing in it each day. At the end of the year, select a few to review and reminisce on.
- Begin to say 'thank you' more.
- Pay it forward for someone, in helping them without asking, paying for a meal/order, etc.
- Simply tell someone what you're thankful for about them.
As we gather with family and friends this holiday season, let’s be a model for our children and reflect on what we are thankful for - then, ask the same of them. By cultivating gratitude now, we’re equipping them with a valuable tool to navigate life’s challenges with positivity and grace.
Wishing you and your family a joyous and gratitude-filled holiday season!
Warm regards,
Rachel Dobben
School Counselor
Shelby Middle School
LET’S TALK SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY FOR TEENS WITH DEPUTY SIMON
Let’s face it, raising a teenager is tough. On one hand, you want to respect boundaries, giving your child the freedom to make choices and learn from their mistakes. On the other hand, you want to protect your child from all the dangers in today’s world.
When it comes to online and internet safety, it can be very difficult for parents and teens alike. That is why it’s important to be involved with your teens’ online and social media activity. Not every parent uses social media. If your teen is using social media, that is a good reason why you, as a parent, should be too. Even if you aren’t using social media actively, you should be friends with your teen so you can routinely check in and see what they are posting. This may give you another opportunity to see what is going on in the mind of your teenager. Also, it gives you an opportunity to see any inappropriate behavior or posts, such as posting personal information. Some teens are likely to express their problems on social media instead of openly facing them at home.
Most kids will go to social media sites their parents are not using or don’t even know about. There is a way to keep tabs on your kids’ social media without ever going online. Through parental controls on their kids’ devices, parents can restrict and monitor the use of social media apps. Talk to your child and make sure you know every site they are using and how those sites are used. A helpful tool for this is a site called DFINOW.org. It is free and has a directory of social media sites. The directory also tells parents what they need to know about each site and how safe they are. Also, whatever apps you are allowing your kids to use, you want to make sure to educate them on the privacy settings for those apps. Cybercriminals are everywhere. We want to educate our kids to use strong passwords and make sure they never give a password to anyone except a parent.
During the difficult teenage years, your child will want to test boundaries. They will want to do and say things that you would not approve of. This is basic human nature. It’s important that you understand and respect this while letting them know they can talk to you about anything. At the same time, lead by example and initiate those difficult discussions with your teen. It establishes a comfortable environment for open communication in your home.
It is very important to have a discussion about cell phone safety and boundaries. Establishing rules and boundaries early will help when kids are outside the watchful eyes of parents. Establishing how much time in a day is allowed on social media will be beneficial for your kid also. Too much time on social media can affect a kid’s mental health and well-being.
Finally, by having open communication and working to keep your kid safe on social media, you will be able to promote positive interaction in the online world.
Deputy Tim Simon
Shelby Public Schools SRO
