From the desk of Mr. Bolstad:
Dear Cossack Families,
As we transition into spring this month, I want to share some important updates and reflections with our school community.
Student Pick-Up After School
Ensuring the safety and supervision of our students remains a top priority. Please arrange for your child to be picked up promptly after school. For those participating in after-school activities, please ensure they are picked up at the designated time. If students are participating in afternoon lifting with Mr. Hughes, please ensure students are picked up by 4:15 PM when supervision concludes.
The Power of Thoughtful Communication
In our digital age, email has become a convenient tool for communication. However, it's essential to approach email with the same care and consideration as face-to-face interactions. Our staff has engaged in training inspired by Brené Brown's concept of "rumbles," which are courageous conversations at the source characterized by vulnerability and openness. I encourage parents and students to adopt this approach: seek first to understand, then to be understood. By fostering empathy and clarity in our communications in lieu of Facebook rants or quickly written and sent emails, we strengthen our community bonds.
Upcoming Events and the Importance of Extracurricular Participation
As we look ahead, I'm particularly excited about our upcoming Activity Fair on March 25th. This event offers students a unique opportunity to explore various clubs, sports, and organizations available at our school. Participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities has been shown to enhance feelings of connection within a school community, foster communication skills, foster friendships, and build leadership abilities. These experiences not only enrich students' academic journeys but also contribute significantly to their personal growth. Our Climate Team is excited to introduce this as a way of increasing student perceptions of feeling valued in our school.
Supporting Our Teens' Well-Being
Below, I linked an article I read recently that resonated with me. More and more, our teenagers are feeling intense pressure. Compounded with cell phone and social media use, the study's data is concerning. However, I take hope in the recommendations of the outliers of the study not feeling that level of burnout:
- They got more sleep;
- Were more likely to spend time outdoors;
- Had more open schedules;
- Watched less television;
- Spent less time on social media and the Internet.
Let's encourage our students to step off the fast track and embrace a more purposeful, balanced lifestyle.
Preparing for Standardized Testing
As we enter the standardized testing season, here are some strategies to support your child:
Maintain Open Communication: Discuss upcoming tests with your child to alleviate anxiety and ensure they understand the process.
Establish a Study Routine: Help your child create a consistent study schedule, focusing on areas that need improvement. Utilizing practice tests can be beneficial. Child Mind Institu
Ensure Proper Rest and Nutrition: A good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast can significantly impact test performance.
Teach Relaxation Techniques: Introduce methods such as deep breathing to manage test anxiety.
Encourage a Positive Mindset: Remind your child that standardized tests are just one measure of their abilities and to approach them with confidence.
With Cossack Pride,
Tyler Bolstad
6-12 Principal
Safe 2 Say Tip Line in Cossack Connection
Safe2Say South Dakota is a statewide tip line that allows South Dakota students, school staff, and community members to safely and anonymously report sensitive information that concerns their safety, or the safety of others, including mental health concerns.
How it Works
Safe2Say South Dakota operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone with information about a potentially dangerous situation can call the toll-free number at 1-844-3SD-SAFE/1-844-373-7233, make a web report by clicking the Submit a Tip Online button, or by downloading the mobile app and making a report from a smartphone or digital device.
A trained Safe2Say analyst will interact with the person reporting the safety concerns and forward the information to a multi-disciplinary team consisting of school officials, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. Safe2Say South Dakota was created to ensure that South Dakota schools and students remain safe. With Safe2Say South Dakota, our schools and communities are able to anonymously report student safety concerns in a safe and secure fashion.
Why Say Something
Research on those willing to do harm to themselves or others is startling. We know that in over 80 percent of school shootings, someone other than the attacker knew, but failed to report it. We also know that four out of five teens who have attempted suicide, have given clear warning signals that go unreported, and in the majority of cases, teens with mental health needs do not receive needed care.
Sioux Valley Middle School & High School
Website: https://www.svs.k12.sd.us/
Location: 200 Hansina Avenue, Volga, SD, USA
Phone: (605) 627-5657
Facebook: Sioux Valley Secondary
Instagram: Sioux Valley Secondary
X: @cossackcorner