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Shepherd Middle BlueJay Bulletin

Shepherd Middle BlueJay Bulletin
Shepherd MiddleBlueJay Bulletin

April 19, 2026 April 19, 2026

From the Principal's Desk: From the Principal's Desk:

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Last week was a busy time for our students. Eighth graders completed the PSAT and, by all accounts, approached the assessment with focus and effort. We look forward to sharing results when they become available. Looking ahead, MSTEP testing for all grades will begin in the coming weeks.


On Friday, our student planned dance was a success. Students not only had fun, but those involved in organizing gained experience in planning and teamwork while creating a fun time for their peers. A few group dance videos are included below for families to enjoy.


This week, sixth grade students will release the salmon they have been raising at the Chippewa Nature Center. Seventh graders will visit Career and Technical Education programs in Mt. Pleasant as they begin thinking ahead to high school opportunities.


Please note that this is a short week, as there will be no school on Friday and Monday in observance of the Maple Syrup Festival.


This week, we are reminding students that progress and personal growth take time. Struggle is a natural part of learning, and perseverance helps us move forward one step at a time.
Try this at home: Share a personal story with your child about something that took time and effort to accomplish.

2026 SMS Dance 1
2026 SMS Dance 2
2026 SMS Dance 3
2026 SMS Dance 4
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Upcoming Dates Upcoming Dates

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April 24 - No School - Maple Syrup Festival

April 27 - No School - Staff PD

May 25 - No School - Memorial Day

June 4 - Last Day of School- Half Day

Counselor's Corner Counselor's Corner

Building Distress Tolerance 🌿

Welcome back to the Counselor’s Corner! Continuing with our “April Showers Bring May Flowers” theme, this week we’re focusing on distress tolerance — the ability to sit with difficult emotions and get through tough moments without turning to harmful or self-destructive behaviors. You might also hear it called resilience, toughness, or grit.

Just like flowers need a little rain to grow, we all face challenges that can help us build strength and emotional endurance. Developing distress tolerance is key to handling life’s “storms” in a healthy way. Those who struggle with it may react impulsively or turn to unhealthy coping strategies, while those who build it tend to recover faster and feel more balanced.

The good news? Distress tolerance can be learned and practiced! One effective strategy is movement — taking a walk, riding a bike, running, or hiking. Physical activity helps release tension, boosts mood, and gives the mind space to reset. The goal is progress, not perfection — just keep moving forward. 🌱

Learn More

  • Distress Tolerance Skills – DBT Tools

  • What Is Distress Tolerance? – Verywell Mind

  • Living with Low Distress Tolerance – Grouport Journal

Peer 2 Peer Peer 2 Peer

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BlueJays of the Week BlueJays of the Week

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Semper Fit Semper Fit

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Sick Guidelines Sick Guidelines

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BlueJay Wellness Center BlueJay Wellness Center

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Food Pantry Opportunities Food Pantry Opportunities

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25/26 School Calendar 25/26 School Calendar

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PA 57 of 2023

PA 57 of 2023 requires districts to provide all students in grades 6–12 with the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Information Guide, the district’s Title IX coordinator contact information, and the district policies on sexual assault and harassment. This information, for Shepherd Public Schools, is linked below.

SHSA-Info-Guide.docx

SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL ASSAULT INFORMATION GUIDE What is Sexual Harassment? Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual remarks or behaviors. It can be verbal, physical, or visual. Here are a few examples of sexual harassment. Verbal: Making sexual jokes, comments, or sp...

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Contact Us Contact Us

Email: sps_sms_office@shepherdschools.net

Phone: (989) 828-6605

Shepherd Bluejay Athletics
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David Farley
sps_sms_office@shepherdschools.net
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