Getting Along in Middle School
Greetings, Colonel Richardson Middle School families!
As our students navigate the exciting yet challenging journey through middle school, they inevitably encounter interpersonal conflicts. These moments provide valuable opportunities for growth and learning. Engaging in open and supportive conversations with your child about these conflicts can foster resilience, empathy, and effective communication skills. Here are some tips to help guide your discussions:
Create a Safe Space: Establish an environment where your child feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences. Emphasize that your goal is to understand and support them rather than placing blame on them or others.
Listen Actively: Encourage your child to express their feelings and perspectives. Listen attentively without interrupting, allowing them to feel heard and validated. Remember, there is another side to the conflict, so be in control of your own responses to what your child explains.
Empathize and Validate: Acknowledge your child's emotions and let them know that their feelings are valid. Empathy helps build trust and strengthens your connection.
Ask Open-ended Questions: Foster deeper discussions by asking open-ended questions that encourage your child to reflect on the situation and consider alternative perspectives.
Teach Conflict Resolution Skills: Guide your child in brainstorming constructive solutions to the conflict. Help them understand the importance of compromise, communication, and finding common ground.
Emphasize the Learning Experience: Remind your child that facing conflicts is a natural part of growing up. Encourage them to view challenges as opportunities to learn more about themselves and others.
By actively engaging in conversations about interpersonal conflicts, you empower your child to navigate the complex social landscape of middle school. Together, we can support their emotional intelligence and resilience, laying the foundation for positive relationships and personal growth.
Thank you for your commitment to the well-being and success of our students.
We wish you well,
Dr. Yolanda Holloway, Principal
CRMS Music Department Shout Outs
Sixty instrumental students from Colonel Richardson Middle School and Colonel High School participated in the Eastern Shore Band and Orchestra Directors' Association's District 5 Solo and Ensemble Festivals over the last two weeks. Students ranging from 6th grade through 12th grade played a variety of solos ranging from violin to snare drum, from clarinet to euphonium, and played in small groups varying from clarinet choir to string trio. Our Colonels represented us well through their behavior and musicianship. All students were GOOD, most students were EXCELLENT, and a few qualified for States with their SUPERIOR performances. March is MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH and there will be more good music news coming out of both schools throughout the next few weeks!
UPCOMING DATES
March 8th--1/2 Day of School: Teacher Professional Development
Week of March 11th-- 8th Grade MISA Science testing
March 13th-- Junior Achievement 8th Grade Field Trip
March 25th--Junior Achievement 6th Grade Field Trip
March 27th-- No School; Teacher Professional Development
March 28th-April 1st--Spring Break
Free Resource: Vaping Information
If you don’t know the first thing about vaping, this is for you! As vaping continues to impact the lives of today's youth, staying informed is more critical than ever. In the Cook Center’s January Newsletter: Clear Lungs, Bright Futures (English/Spanish), they highlight the latest insights, trends, and essential information about vaping. Discover why it's crucial for parents to be in the know about this pressing issue and how you can safeguard your children's health.
Also be sure to check out the ParentGuidance.org where you can access free resources including courses led by licensed therapists on more than 50 topics like "Parenting with Purpose." To access the course, simply navigate to ParentGuidance.org and click On-Demand Courses.
Not at School=Absent
Good attendance for your student begins on the first day of the school year. Consider the following facts:
STUDENTS ARE CONSIDERED CHRONICALLY ABSENT WHEN MISSING 10% OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR. For example, if a student has been absent 8 days already, he/she is already considered Chronically Absent by the State of Maryland. EXCUSED and UNEXCUSED absences COUNT AS ABSENCES!
Chronic absenteeism may prevent children from reaching early milestones.
Chronically absent students have difficulty keeping up with the pace at which they are expected to learn and grow.
Students who are absent even a day or two every few weeks fall behind their peers.
Irregular attendance can be a better predictor of whether students will drop out before graduation than test scores.
Consistent, on-time attendance is a habit that lasts into adulthood.
We closely monitor absences because Maryland law requires that children ages 5-18 attend school. Students may be withdrawn if not attending school regularly; students not enrolled or attending will be considered truant.
Students who are absent for 10% or more of the school year (based on a running tally), are considered chronically absent. For example, if we have been in school for 110 days and your student has 11 absences, they are now considered chronically absent.
An absence is an absence. Parent notes, doctors' notes, court notes, suspensions are all examples of CERTIFIED or EXCUSED absences; however, they STILL COUNT as an absence.
How Can Parents Encourage Good Attendance?
Build good attendance habits early so children know that getting to school on time every day is important!
Set a regular bedtime & morning routine, laying out clothes and backpacks the night before.
Avoid scheduling appointments & trips when school is in session.
Don't let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick.
Consider that sometimes a stomach ache or headache is a sign of anxiety. If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to the school about helpful resources.
For more information: https://www.carolineschools.org/page/enrollment-attendance#attendance
Counselors' Message--8th Grade Updates
8th grade field trips to CRHS and to CCTC were successful! Counselors went into classrooms this week to continue preparations for 8th graders transitioning to the high school. Counselors talked with the 8th grade students about high school schedules and completed class registratio for next year.
CRMS Contact Information
Dr. Yolanda Holloway, Principal holloway.yolanda@ccpsstaff.org
Mr. Neil Lambert, Assistant Principal lambert.eric@ccpsstaff.org
Mrs. Charlene Sanders, Community Schools Coordinator sanders.charlene@ccpsstaff.org
Ms. Jennifer Blunt, School Counselor 8th Grade and 6th Grade blunt.jennifer@ccpsstaff.org
Mr. Jarrod Moaney, School Counselor 8th Grade and 7th Grade moaney.jarrod@ccpsstaff.org
Mrs. Jane Towers, Enrollment Secretary Towers.Jane@ccpsstaff.orgMrs. Heidi Plutschak, Administrative Secretary plutschak.heidi@ccpsstaff.org
Email: holloway.yolanda@ccpsstaff.org
Website: https://www.colonelrichardsonms.org/
Phone: 410-479-1462