Shepherd Middle BlueJay Bulletin
Are you getting the weekly grade report from your child on Thursday? If so, it’s a great chance to start a conversation about their goals and progress. If you aren’t seeing it yet, please check in with your student and their SOAR teacher, as it’s part of our Thursday routine.
This week, we’re focusing on taking initiative and honoring responsibilities. Students are encouraged to step up when something needs to be done and follow through without waiting for reminders, showing maturity and discipline in their choices. At home, consider praising your student when you notice them taking responsibility or completing a task on their own, as it’s a simple way to build lasting habits of accountability and initiative.
And finally, it’s going to be Michigan/Michigan State weekend! Students are encouraged to wear Maize and Blue on Friday to show their spirit, and because no rivalry is complete without both sides, those who must can wear Green. Go Blue!
October
- 21- Picture Retake Day
- 31- Halloween
November
- 7 & 8- Middle School Musical
7:00 pm - HS Auditorium
- 14- 1/2 DAY OF SCHOOL
- 17- NO SCHOOL
Mindfulness has many mental health benefits and becomes most helpful when you practice many times while calm. Then, if you use mindfulness while feeling stressed or anxious, it triggers calming feelings. One mindfulness activity you can use with your student is called “Pink Bubble.” In the pink bubble activity, we will imagine that a disappointment or another bothersome feeling is inside a pink bubble. As it floats away, we will wave goodbye and wish it well. Here’s how to do the activity:
Sit with your back straight and your body relaxed. You may close your eyes if you feel comfortable. Take a few calming breaths.
Think of a disappointment or any feeling that’s bothering you and put it inside of a pink bubble.
In your mind, watch the light, airy, pink bubble float away and imagine that whatever is bothering you is floating away with it.
Wave goodbye and wish it well.
After doing the Pink Bubble Activity, you might ask your child, “What types of things bother you? How did it feel to let go of something that was bothering you? How did it feel to wish it well? Is there anything else you’d like to let go of and wish well?”
There are no wrong answers to any of these questions! We just want youth to learn how to notice their emotions and be kind to themselves and others.
This activity doesn’t have to be just for kids! Adults can practice these skills too!
Helping Kids Develop a Healthy Body Image in the Age of Social Media
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:
Costumes cannot be offensive in mocking or resembling another student, school staff member, religious preference, or ethnicity.
Costumes cannot feature inappropriate themes, characters or reference to drugs, alcohol, or sex.
Masks may be worn only during the contest. For the remainder of the day, these items will be kept in lockers.
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.
Blow up/Inflatable costumes are discouraged. While students may wear them, they will be deflated during class.
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.
Dress must meet our current School Dress Code.
Teachers retain every right to ask students to remove any item during class that is a distraction.
