• Reflections from Mrs. Silvis
• Parent Resources
• Social Media Spotlight
• Important Dates to Remember

The Summer Break Countdown is officially in play! With summer comes a different type of hustle, bustle and busy for some, while for others it is filled with endless days of routine and boredom. For me, it's also a time to dive into learning even more about this age of adolescence (for both the kids I work with, but also for the ones who live in my own home). As a parent, summer means more time with my own tweens and teens, which also leads to more wonderings about what in the world they are thinking half the time. This month's newsletter is chock full of insights from others.

Before we get into that though, I want to wrap this school year up with reflection and apologies. Though my very best intentions were at heart, this winter proved to be extremely heavy and difficult, making it feel impossible to keep up on, and have follow through with, some of the important plans I had laid the groundwork for. It was my goal at the start of the year to build a foundation of communication with my Hemingway Middle School families by way of this very newsletter. I have truly loved the time I have been able to set aside to research and plan them out. Before I knew it, it was May and my last newsletter was sent out in DECEMBER! I am embarrassed to admit that, but even more determined to have a better run at it next year! There is always room for improvement.

Additionally, I had found an amazing group curriculum geared toward Anxiety and Depression and was beyond thrilled to put it into action. I had several referrals for an anxiety group that was intended to begin in January. That too got hijacked by life and individual student needs/crisis that had to be front and center. I do, however, have my list of referrals, my group curriculum and my desire all in tact and ready to jump into this group experience at the START of next year. Taking a proactive approach in hopes it may lead to less reactivity.

This year has reminded me that there are times that our 'best of intentions' simply are not enough to get all that we intend to accomplish actually done. This winter I found myself doing far more mental health and behavioral crisis intervention than I ever have had in the past. I have my own theories as to why this is, but I'm still mulling those over. The bottom line though is that our students have been struggling and this year for some, it reached a boiling point. I am honored and feel privileged to be in a position to dive in and help these kids in literally any way I can. I will continue doing this work but will also plan next year with crisis and trauma interventions in mind. I will be more proactive with my foundational work and work even harder to have systems and responses laid out before they are needed. There's that saying about building the plane while in the air....well, more than a few times it has felt just like that.

Thank you for all the patience, insights and collaborations I have had with many of you. It's been a year, no doubt! I am excited as ever to get some downtime this summer and to be back at it next year with my Hemingway family!

~Amanda Silvis

Let's be real, it's not just our kids on social media and devices. If reading a long article doesn't get you where you want to be fast enough, maybe you'll find some value in one of the social media accounts or websites below. Next time you're scrolling, try these out!

Instead of placing focus on ONE app this month, I am including a website that offers a review on most all the popular or problematic social media apps that you may find on your child's device. They're definitely not all age appropriate!

Be on the lookout for email communication from BCSD some time in Mid July. Instructions will be provided at that time.

Middle School Counselor

Email: asilvis@blaineschools.org
Website: https://www.blaineschools.org/domain/1446
Phone: 208-578-5054