The SMS Press
December 14 2023
Counselors Corner
Counselors are here to support all our students.
Please reach out to:
Hallee Yon - 6th Grade
Cari Payne - 7th Grade
Maryann Bonneville - 8th Grade
12 Days of Self Care
The holidays can be a stressful time for students, staff, and families. This is why practicing self care is so important! Self care allows us to slow down, helps with stress management, and improves overall mood. Self care doesn’t need to be extravagant and looks different for everyone. Here are some ideas that you might consider trying out this holiday season.
1. Movement:
Movement is a very effective way to practice self care. This can take many forms, such as taking a walk, playing a sport, or stretching. Move your body in ways that you enjoy and you will thank yourself later!
2. Positive Affirmations:
Telling yourself positive things is a great way to affirm yourself and stay calm this holiday season. Try telling yourself these positive affirmations or create your own:
-I am cared for.
-I am calm.
-I deserve to relax.
-My hard work will pay off.
3. Fresh Air:
Fresh air improves your mood and increases your energy level. Try incorporating some fresh air into your daily routine and see how it impacts the way you feel.
4. Balanced Eating:
Eating a balanced diet around the holidays will allow you to feel your best and enjoy all the delicious foods that come with this time of year.
5. Call a Loved One:
When was the last time you called a friend or family member who you don’t see often? The holidays are a great time to connect with loved ones. You will likely leave the conversation feeling better than you did coming into it.
6. Listen to Music:
Listening to music is great for improving mood and reducing anxiety. This is something you can do while you are preparing food, wrapping gifts, or doing any monotonous activity. You can even make this self care tip festive by turning on some Christmas music!
7. Set Boundaries:
With all of the holiday obligations and events coming up, you might find yourself taking a lot of extra stress. Setting boundaries will look different for everyone. It might look like:
-evaluate what is meaningful to you and say “yes” and “no” accordingly
-create and stick to a budget
-keep up with some of your usual routines
8. Limit Screen Time:
Connection with others is a key component to enjoying the holiday season. Limiting your screen time will ensure you are living in the present moment and making the most of the time you are spending with loved ones.
9. Breathing:
Breathing is a great way to calm your body and mind down. Celebrate the holiday season with Hot Cocoa Breathing: hold out your hands and wrap them around an imaginary mug, smell the delicious hot cocoa, and blow on it to cool it off!
10. Journal:
Journaling has many benefits. It helps reduce stress, process emotions, and boost overall well-being. With the new year approaching, this might be a healthy habit to incorporate into your New Year’s resolution.
11. Read:
Reading is a great way to slow your body and mind down. Reading has a way of transporting you to another world and is known to reduce stress. Try reading a holiday themed novel, magazine, or whatever peaks your interest. The options are endless!
12. Sleep:
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can make it difficult to get quality sleep. Making sleep a priority comes with countless benefits for both your physical and mental health.
Yearbook Orders
Order your 2023/24 Superior Middle School Yearbook before April 12th.
- Visit ybpay.com
- Enter Yearbook Code 11398724
Orders will arrive and be distributed to students during the last week of school. A limited amount of extra copies will be available for purchase, but order now to guarantee your student gets a copy.
PTSA - Parent Teacher Student Association
Join in and help make SMS the best place to learn and grow.
Register here. Your fee helps our group give back to our school.
Follow their Facebook page HERE for updates, meeting locations, and opportunities on ways to help.
Find last month's meeting minutes here.
The next meeting is scheduled for:
January 24th at 5:30 in the SMS Library
Volunteers
Anyone (even PTSA members) volunteering during the school day will need to follow the District's volunteer process and complete the background check. If you plan to help out at Superior Middle School, please visit the link below and complete the 2 PART process. If you need assistance with the fee associated with the background check, please email leann.egnash@superior.k12.wi.us and she can help you. We do not want this fee to deter you from making a positive different at our school.
(Completing this process is valid for your help at multiple schools within the Superior School District)
PBIS
All staff hand out Spartan Tickets to students who are showing Work, Respect, Belong at SMS. They have the opportunity to "spend" their Spartan Tickets at a store that is now open. If you would like to help promote positive behavior at SMS, we have created an Amazon Wish List here. Any donations are appreciated.
SMS Dance Team
Our intramural dance team partners with the high school dance team once per week. Their first public performance was at the SHS Hockey home opener. They did a great job, and ON THE ICE! WOW!
SMS Music Makers
Save the dates for our spectacular concerts!
8th Grade ORCHESTRA - October 23rd WATCH HERE
7th & 8th Grade CHOIR - October 26th WATCH HERE
7th & 8th Grade BAND - November 30th WATCH HERE
6th Grade CHOIR - December 12th WATCH HERE
6th Grade BAND - January 11th at 2:15pm
7th and 8th Grade CHOIR - January 18th at 6pm
6-8th Grade ORCHESTRA - January 25th at 6pm
Find our full concert schedule here.
Healthy Minute
Preventing the Spread of Illness
With illnesses on the rise, it’s important to practice healthy measures in order to prevent the spread of sickness. Please stay home if you are unwell or unable to be learning effectively in school. If your child has a fever above 100.4, they need to stay home for 24 hours or until fever-free without fever-reducing medication. If they need to be home for an extended period of time please provide our attendance office with a medical note to excuse the absence(s). Also, please have the student or adult at home reach out to the teachers for missed work.
Have a safe and healthy winter break!
Food Service
Breakfast and dinner at SMS continue to be free for all students, but lunch is paid. We encourage all families to apply for free and reduced lunch. Even if you are not eligible, your application helps our school. You can apply multiple times throughout the school year, especially if your home situation changes. You can easily add funds into your student's lunch account through My School Bucks.
Attendance Matters!
Contact Ms. Charity at charity.gurovitsch@superior.k12.wi.us with any questions or assistance with attendance needs.
