VPMS Counselor's Corner

October Character Trait: Respect

Parents - you set the tone and lead by example...you do make a difference! Take advantage of your influence and spend time with your children talking about the character traits you value and look for in others.
Remind them that although we may look different on the outside, we all have the same feelings on the inside. Encourage them to respect others by treating them the way they want to be treated. A good piece of advice might be to count to ten to avoid saying something mean or disrespectful to others.
To show respect, you may want to encourage:

Being kind to a sibling or friend when angry
Sitting down and talking with a grandparent
Answering the teachers politely and following directions

Not talking when someone else is talking
Remember to say Please and Thank You (it makes a huge difference!)

Optimistic October

Do You Know What Your Child Is Doing Online?

Check their phones often!

Some parents are great about checking in with their child on what's being posted, texted or which SnapChat group they are a part of...others don't know the first thing about SnapChat, Instagram, Tik Tok, Roblox, or FortNite. Many of these sites have age restrictions and our students are falsifying information in order to access them. Please make sure to check your child's devices, apps and game profiles for inappropriate usage or messaging from people they don't know. One of the scariest things to see is a child who can access online platforms without proper supervision. Its our job as parents to teach them how to use these devices appropriately.
There are plenty of great opportunities to be found online as well. As the year goes by, I will continue to post resources and articles to help you out.

Social Media Education

Parent's Guide to Respect Online

Our ability to communicate with anyone in the world, at any time, via the internet has grown at breakneck speed. For teachers and parents, it can feel impossible to keep up. Worrying about our young people is understandable, and not unjustified: in 2020, for example, one in five 10- to 15-year-olds experienced bullying online. Our tips highlight ways that adults can support young people’s positive online behaviors: by adopting and following ‘netiquette’, we can show them how to avoid getting into difficulty as they learn to negotiate the continually evolving digital landscape.

In the guide, you'll find a number of tips such as protecting yourself, replying wisely and being forgiving.- The National College Safety Board

Parenting 101

Tips for completing homework at home

Check out this short video and article to help support your child in completing homework and setting themselves up for success!

SCRED Life Skills - Homework_Parenting Tips

Raising middle schoolers is no joke. This ride is full of ups, downs, twists, turns, and corkscrews that make the most intimidating roller coasters look tame!

Take advantage of a new FREE email series by Boys Town USA and Parenting.org to help support parents. Each topic is a 4-6 week discussion on a specific parenting issue, which includes an activity for home and relevant social skills.

Parenting Email Series - Parenting.org

Where in the World is Mrs. Steinkamp?

Students (5th - 8th grade) this month will be focusing on respecting differences during our classroom lessons. We will be learning more about how to help others feel safe, respected, and included.

Unity Day is October 21st! Please encourage your child to wear orange to encourage kindness at our school.

Contact Info

Feel free to contact Mrs. Steinkamp at any time!

Email: esteinkamp@vp.k12.mo.us
Website: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Page/255
Location: Valley Park Middle School, Main Street, Valley Park, MO, United States
Phone: 636-923-3509
Twitter: @PCSErin

VPMS Counselor's Corner