Shepherd Middle BlueJay Bulletin
Trimester 1 report cards will be sent home on Monday. Each week, students should also be sending a Grade Check during their SOAR class. If you are not receiving that weekly update, please check with your child and contact their SOAR teacher with any questions.
Our seventh and eighth grade girls basketball teams conclude their seasons this week. If you have not yet attended a game, the players would appreciate your support at the final home contest. The seventh grade game begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, with the eighth grade game following its conclusion.
This week, we are emphasizing responsibility and initiative. Students are learning that responsibility includes following through on expectations and that initiative means choosing to do the right thing without waiting for reminders. They are reflecting on their choices and identifying ways to make a positive contribution to their school and community.
How you can help at home:
Consider praising your student when you see them meeting their responsibilities or taking the lead to solve a problem without being prompted.
We also ask that families take the Capturing Kids Hearts Survey for Shepherd Middle School. The survey link is https://iheartckh.com/public-survey/rpxtxa8z
December
- 11- Winter Band Concert - 6:30pm High School Auditorium
- 15 - Choir Concert - 6:30pm High School Auditorium
- 22 - Holiday Break begins
January
- 6- School resumes
December is often a month of both celebration and reflection. As we move through these final weeks of the year, it’s easy to get caught up in the to-do lists, schedules, and special events that fill our days. Amid the activity, finding moments of stillness can help us reconnect with ourselves and those around us.
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated—it can be as simple as taking a deep breath before starting the day, noticing the way the winter light filters through the window, or really listening during a conversation. These small pauses help us slow down, reduce stress, and appreciate the present moment.
As we reflect on the year behind us, mindfulness invites us to notice not only what we’ve accomplished but also how we’ve grown. Each challenge met and each moment of gratitude adds to our story. May this month offer you and your family gentle opportunities to reflect, be present, and carry that sense of calm and awareness into the new year ahead.
Constant Companion: A Week in the Life of a Young Person's Smartphone Use
The 2023 Common Sense Media Smartphone Research Report highlights key trends in youth smartphone usage and its implications. It emphasizes the increasing integration of digital devices into children's lives, showing both opportunities and challenges. The report explores how smartphones affect mental health, relationships, and daily routines, with a focus on the balance between potential benefits like connectivity and risks such as overuse and social comparison.
Here are a couple of conversation starters for families based on the report: Technology Boundaries: How do we decide when and where it’s okay to use smartphones at home? Impact of Social Media: How does social media make you feel about yourself and your friendships?
