Shepherd Middle BlueJay Bulletin

Halloween is Friday, and we will hold a costume contest during SOAR. Please review the costume guidelines included in this update to ensure a fun and appropriate celebration.

Do you receive a grade update each Thursday? These reports are a great way to start meaningful conversations with your child. Ask about their goals, what they are proud of, and where they see room to improve.

This week, we are emphasizing making good choices and staying the course. Our students are encouraged to reflect on their progress and recognize the power their choices have in shaping their future.

How you can help at home:
Ask your student, “What is one small choice you made today that brings you closer to your goals?”

October

• 31- Halloween

November

• 7 & 8- Middle School Musical

7:00 pm - HS Auditorium

• 14- 1/2 DAY OF SCHOOL
• 17- NO SCHOOL

As we’ve stated before, mindfulness works best when practiced daily (kind of like brushing your teeth!), so this week we’re sharing two additional methods to practice mindfulness. Hopefully you’re able to find one that works for you!

Mindful Breathing:

1. Lie on your back with your legs flat on the floor and your arms by your sides. If you like, you can close your eyes. Feel the back of your head touching the floor. Now, one-by-one, notice the feel of your shoulders, your upper back, your arms, your hands, your lower back, your legs, and your feet touching the floor.

2. Notice what it feels like to breathe in and out. There’s no right or wrong way to breathe. It doesn’t matter if your breathing is fast or slow, deep or shallow.

3. Now, pay close attention to your in-breath. Can you notice when you first start to breathe in and then follow the feeling of your in-breath all the way to the very first moment of your out-breath? If it’s hard to keep your mind on your in-breath, silently say the word in every time you breathe in. Do this for a few breaths.

4. Notice when you first begin to breathe out and then follow the feeling of your out-breath all the way to the very first moment of your in-breath. If it’s hard to keep your mind on your out-breath, silently say out every time you breathe out. Do this for a few breaths.

5. Now, put it all together and pay attention to the entire breath, taking care to follow every moment. Follow the rhythm of your breathing. Do this for as long as you need.

6. When you feel ready, open your eyes and sit up slowly. Notice how you feel.

Counting Breaths

1. Sit with your back straight and body relaxed. You can rest your hands gently on your knees.

2. Breathe in naturally and say one in your mind. Then, as you breathe out, relax your forehead.

3. Breathe in naturally and silently say two in your mind. Then, as you breathe out, relax your eyes and nose.

4. Breathe in and say three in your mind. Then as you breathe out, relax your jaw.

5. Continue this pattern counting to ten and relaxing the following body parts: neck and shoulders, arms, hands, chest, abdomen, legs, and feet.

These activities come from the Mindful Games Activity Cards by Susan Kaiser Greenland and Annaka Harris. Check them out for more ideas on how to practice mindfulness!

Social media and unrealistic beauty standards can make it hard for kids to feel good about themselves. Filters and photo editing lead to idealized images that don’t reflect reality, creating pressure to look “perfect.” This can cause anxiety and low self-esteem, sometimes even leading to unhealthy behaviors like seeking cosmetic surgery.

As parents, you can help by:

• Monitoring your child’s social media use and having open conversations.
• Watching for signs of social withdrawal or comparison to others.
• Limiting social media use at night, when emotions can be harder to manage.
• Encouraging positive role models based on character, not appearance.

Starting early conversations about body image and self-worth can help your child navigate social media’s pressures with confidence.

The above is a summary of the following article. https://shepherdschools.onlinesafetyhub.io/parent/articles/body-image-and-the-quest-for-online-validation

On October 31, Halloween, Shepherd Middle School students will be permitted to wear costumes. During SOAR, we will hold a costume contest. We want to promote the students to participate and encourage them to do so, considering these guidelines are followed:

1. Costumes cannot be offensive in mocking or resembling another student, school staff member, religious preference, or ethnicity.

2. Costumes cannot feature inappropriate themes, characters or reference to drugs, alcohol, or sex.

3. Masks may be worn only during the contest. For the remainder of the day, these items will be kept in lockers.

4. No “look-alike” or fake weapons are allowed in any manner. If brought to school, these items will be held in the office until a parent or guardian can pick them up.

5. Blow up/Inflatable costumes are discouraged. While students may wear them, they will be deflated during class.

6. Nothing is to be brought to school that has a possibility of staining (dye, make-up, face paint, hair color spray, etc.), but these things may be worn if put on at home. Time will not be allocated for removal of paint/dye etc during the school day.

7. Dress must meet our current School Dress Code.

8. Teachers retain every right to ask students to remove any item during class that is a distraction.

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.

Email: sps_sms_office@shepherdschools.net

Phone: (989) 828-6605