Shepherd Middle BlueJay Bulletin

September 20th, 2024

Shepherd Middle BlueJay Bulletin September 20th, 2024

November 14, 2024

From the Principal's Desk:

This week, we were honored to begin with a meaningful Veterans Day assembly. We were able to honor Staff Sergeant John Priest, a Shepherd High School graduate and oldest living World War II Veteran in Isabella County. Mr. Priest was unable to join us due to illness, but his biography was shared with our attendees. Staff Sergeant Priest served as a combat engineer, bravely handling some of the most dangerous responsibilities in the war, from clearing minefields to preparing beachheads. We are grateful for Mr. Priest’s lifelong contributions to our community, and we encourage our students to reflect on the legacy of those who have fought for our freedoms. He and his generation set an enduring example of bravery and sacrifice.


As we head into the weekend, please remember that tomorrow is “Deer Day,” so there will be no school. Best of luck to our students heading out to the woods—stay safe, and don’t forget to wear bright orange!


As we continue through November, the month of gratitude, we invite families to share their appreciation for members of our school community by submitting affirmations here. Your kind words will help us spread positivity and foster a culture of gratitude at Shepherd Middle School.


Lastly, a reminder that students are asked to send a weekly grade report to parents during their SOAR classes. If you’re not receiving this email, please check in with your child and reach out to their SOAR teacher to ensure you’re kept up-to-date.


Thank you for your continued support in making Shepherd Middle School the exciting place that it is!

Family Conversation Starters

  • Can you think of a time when someone thanked you? How did it feel, and how can we make others feel appreciated like that?
  • What’s a family tradition or habit that you’re thankful for? How does it make our family feel connected?

Upcoming Dates

November

  • 15: No School-Deer Day
  • 27-29: Thanksgiving Break-No School

BlueJays of the Week!

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.

Mr. Byrne and Mr. Terburgh

For their efforts in planning our Veteran's Day Assembly

Lucian

For always being so happy and positive and sharing that energy with everyone everyday.

Tweens, Teens and Technology

Decoding the A to Gen Z of Digital Lingo


  • Learning Gen Z's lingo will help you connect with (or embarrass) your teen so you can better understand their online world.

  • Deciphering slang and abbreviations is key to understanding your teen's social media posts, texts, and chats.

  • Keeping up with evolving trends helps you stay relevant and engaged in conversations with your teen.


no cap! just saw you in my FYP periodt.

Don’t worry – if you have no idea what this sequence of seemingly random words and letters means, you’re certainly not alone. For many parents with Gen Z offspring, deciphering slang and emoji combinations in an attempt to understand their teen’s online communications is an ongoing challenge, especially with so many different social media, gaming, and chat platforms all giving rise to a unique culture of colloquialisms. To help, here’s our ever-evolving A to Z translation guide to enable you to better understand your digital native.

Life Hacks

Create a Bedtime Routine for a Smoother Tomorrow

McKenna Burns, Public Relations Assistant for the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition, shares how Life Hack, Create a Bedtime Routine, supports her wellbeing. For McKenna, a relaxing bedtime routine helps her unwind, prepare for the day ahead, and reduce future stress. She includes tasks like making lunch, setting out clothes, and creating a peaceful atmosphere for sleep.

She recommends creating your own bedtime routine to help you unwind and start each morning with less stress. It’s a simple way to support a busy schedule and improve daily wellbeing.

https://midlandareawellbeing.org/lifehacks/life-hack-in-action-45-create-a-bedtime-routine/

Counselor's Corner

This week we are so grateful to all of the Veterans that served our country. If you haven’t already, consider talking to your child about the sacrifice that veterans make to help keep our nation free. Understanding the true cost of anything, especially our freedom, can help students feel more grateful for things they consider everyday activities.


And Good Luck to all those hoping to get a deer this weekend! Stay safe!

David Farley