Shepherd Middle BlueJay Bulletin
Last week, our students had the opportunity to attend the SMS Musical, Kokonut Island. What an excellent production! Congratulations to all of our students and thank you to the musical crew, including our Drama teacher, Mrs. Byrne, for their hard work and creativity.
We are getting close to the end of the trimester. At your child’s most recent grade check, which is sent every Thursday, were they meeting the goals they set for themselves? This is a great time to review progress and make a plan for finishing strong.
This week, our school will observe Veteran’s Day with an assembly on Tuesday. All veterans are welcome to attend as we honor their service and sacrifice.
Friday will be a half day of school, and there will be no school on Monday, November 17.
If your student is preparing to go hunting, please remember to be safe and good luck.
This week, we are emphasizing open communication and cooperation, two essential ingredients for strong team relationships. Our students are learning to listen, appreciate different perspectives, and work together toward shared goals.
How you can help at home:
Consider praising your student when you see them compromise or collaborate to solve a problem.
November
- 11- Veteran's Day
- 14- 1/2 DAY OF SCHOOL
- 17- NO SCHOOL
- 21- End of 1st Trimester
- 26-28- Thanksgiving Break
Navigating Kids’ Digital Lives: A Guide for Parents
The Impact of Smartphones on Middle School Students: Insights from Jonathan Haidt's Research
As smartphones have become a central part of daily life, concerns about their effects on children and adolescents have grown—especially for parents of middle school students. The transition from childhood to adolescence is a pivotal stage in a child’s development, marked by the exploration of independence, identity, and social relationships. However, the introduction of smartphones into this developmental period raises important questions about mental health, social dynamics, and cognitive growth. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist and author, has extensively researched the intersection of technology, psychology, and well-being, offering valuable insights for parents navigating this new landscape. The Adolescent Brain and Smartphone Use: A Sensitive Period Haidt, in his book The Coddling of the American Mind, examines how technology, particularly smartphones and social media, impacts adolescent development. The adolescent brain is particularly sensitive to social rewards and punishments, which are delivered constantly via social media. According to Haidt’s research, the constant barrage of notifications, likes, and shares activates the brain’s reward system, which can be addictive. During the middle school years, when a child’s brain is undergoing significant changes, this level of constant stimulation can have profound effects on mood, attention, and behavior. Middle school students are still in the process of developing executive function—the cognitive skills needed to manage attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation. The instant gratification that smartphones provide can short-circuit this developmental process, leading to difficulties with focus, an increase in impulsivity, and struggles with emotional regulation. Social Comparison and Mental Health Haidt’s research also delves into the psychological effects of social media on adolescent self-esteem. For middle school students, who are in the throes of forming their social identities, the curated, often idealized versions of peers’ lives on social media can be especially damaging. Haidt highlights that adolescents are more prone to social comparison, and seeing peers' "highlight reels"—carefully edited and filtered images of success, beauty, or happiness—can lead to feelings of inadequacy or low self-worth. A key finding from Haidt’s research is the rise in mental health issues among adolescents, particularly depression and anxiety, which correlate with increased social media usage. Haidt and co-author Greg Lukianoff argue that the rise in anxiety and depression, especially among girls, is tied to the advent of smartphones and social media. These platforms amplify negative emotions, as middle schoolers may feel excluded, bullied, or rejected based on the virtual interactions they have with their peers. In fact, studies suggest that the rates of self-harm and suicide have increased significantly among adolescents since the widespread use of smartphones and social media began around 2012.
