December 16th

Dear Bryan Middle Families,

As we enter the final week of the semester, I want to reflect on the incredible progress our students have made during the first semester. Together, we’ve achieved so much, and I am proud of the hard work, dedication, and growth shown by our Bryan Bears.

With just a few days remaining, let’s finish strong! Encourage your student to:

• Attend school daily this week to wrap up the semester successfully.
• Complete any outstanding assignments and take advantage of teacher support as needed.

Looking ahead, we are excited to continue building on this momentum during the second semester. Let’s make it another period of learning, growth, and success for all our students.

Important Reminders:

• The last day of the semester is Thursday, December 19.
• There is no school on Friday, December 20.
• Winter break runs from December 20 through January 5.
• Students will return to school on Monday, January 6 to begin the second semester.

Thank you for partnering with us to support our students’ success. Wishing you and your family a safe and joyful winter break, and I look forward to seeing everyone back, ready to thrive in the new year!

Warm regards,
Mr. Karmazin
Principal, Bryan Middle School

YEARBOOK DEADLINE EXTENDED - You can still order a yearbook for $25.00 until December 19th! Orders will be taken for $30.00 in January until the final deadline on January 24th!

Tuesday, December 17th

• 8th Grade Career Fair - 9:00 to 11:30 at the Boys and Girls Club

Friday, December 20th to Friday, January 3rd

• No School - Winter Break

Monday, January 6th

• School Resumes/2nd Semester Begins

CLICK HERE to buy online

Hello Bryan Middle School Families!

The holidays are fast approaching! If your family needs any holiday assistance, please contact our School Social Worker, Sara Riviera through one of the avenues below. She can help connect you with community resources.

You can also contact her if your student needs clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, or anything else to aid their success at any time during the school year!

Phone: 531-299-2313

Email: sara.riviera@ops.org

text: 402-739-9235

If you have had your pictures taken and want to order, use the QR code below or this link Scholastic Photography to order. You will need the student id number to view and order online.

We want EVERY student at Bryan Middle School to become a member of the Boys and Girls Club. They have activities for grades 6 to 8, provide mentoring to our students, and are a safe place to stay if students need to wait for a parent after school. They are open from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on school days. There is NO charge for Bryan Middle School students. Just put a 0 in the box when it asks for payment. Click the link here for more information and click here to sign up. Stop by the Club to check it out! You can also contact Tim 'Daniel" Ybarra, Club Director for more information at 402-853-5125 or

We are seeking family members to help start a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) that will support students, teachers, and staff at Bryan Middle School. As a PTO member, you will have the opportunity to become more informed about your child’s middle school experience and education as well as joining the amazing Bryan Middle community. If you would like to join PTO or would like to learn more about how you can help at our school, please use the link below to share your information. We are excited for the opportunity to work together to support our Bryan Middle School community.

Parent Teacher Organization Interest Form

Sign up for the APP by clicking HERE so you know where the bus is and what time it will arrive!

Surviving and Thriving During the Holidays

For many people, the winter months mean fun parties, festive food, and lots of extra time with family. However, the joys of the holiday season can also bring a lot of stress. If you are starting to feel anxious about the holidays, you are not alone. So how do you manage it? Here are 5 tips to survive and thrive during the holidays.

1. Breathe.

When we are anxious, we tend to take shallow or rapid breaths. This tells our sympathetic nervous system to be on alert, and activates our body so it’s ready to take action. This can make stress feel worse. However, we can use deep breathing to reverse this response and tap into our ability to relax.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Try a simple 4-8 breath: Inhale for a count of 4 and exhale for a count of 8. When you lengthen the exhalation, you allow your body to release tension. Just be sure to breathe through your belly (think of inflating it like a balloon) rather than your chest. Deep, slow belly breathing has a calming effect. It’s a quick and easy way to ease holiday stress.

2. Choose.

Instead of saying yes to every single holiday activity, prioritize the ones that are most important to you – and schedule down time for yourself. Although you may be expected to go to some family activities, you can talk to your parents or caregivers about giving you some freedom too. This will enable you to truly enjoy the things that are important to you while giving you space to take time for yourself.

3. Move your body.

Exercise is a well-known mood booster, and can help when you’re feeling anxious or stressed out. Try to build a little exercise into every day. This can mean taking a walk with a friend, shooting a few hoops, or putting on your favorite song for a family dance party. Need a quick exercise fix? Do 20 jumping jacks and then run in place super-fast – this has the added benefit of feeling silly, so you may just laugh out loud!

4. Connect.

For many people, the holidays are packed with family time. You may find yourself feeling disconnected from your friends. Plan ahead to see your friends over the winter break. If you can’t connect in person, schedule a video call instead. Taking breaks from family time to see your friends will keep you feeling connected and help you avoid feelings of family overload.

5. Practice gratitude.

Research suggests that people who practice gratitude tend to feel happier and more fulfilled. Each morning, pick 3 things that you are grateful for, and spend some time reflecting on how these things (or people) improve your life. Focusing on the things you are truly grateful for can be centering and uplifting.

The holidays can be the most wonderful and the most stressful time of year. And yes, it’s ok to feel both! Use these tips to stay grounded so that you can get the most out of your holiday time, your vacation time, and your family time.

Charissa Chamorro, MSW, is a clinical psychology intern at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center. This article is from Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center site