SMS Scoop
February 17, 2020
New Principal Search Underway
We will celebrate her 25 years of service to the district later this spring but we are preparing for the transition and embarking on the task of finding a new principal now. Our district leadership team (Dr. Slaton and Mr. Brewster) are seeking feedback from staff, parents, and students in order to sharpen their search focus.
Please share your priorities for the next SMS leader by completing the SMS Principal Search: Student Input survey that will be on the Canvas Community Page today and tomorrow. Thanks!
ID Badge Update
Any student needing a new lanyard ($1) or a new badge ($5) can get them in the office. If you have any questions, ask Miss Nass or Mr. Smith.
Executive Skill: Response Inhibition
If you can inhibit responses and this is a strength area for you, you can
- think about the consequences of your actions,
- think about how your actions impact other people,
- take a moment before making decisions,
- walk away from confrontation, and
- say no to things that do not align with your values or plans.
If this is a weakness for you, you are likely to
- break rules or laws,
- disrupt class,
- get poor grades because you skip assignments,
- get into fights/conflicts about things that you later realize were silly, and
- jump ship on an obligation to do something that sounds more fun.
If you are trying to improve in your response inhibition, remember that you are normal if the presence of peers influences your impulsivity. When we are with friends, we tend to jump right into things without thinking them through. Also remember that it is normal to WANT to do fun things instead of challenging or nonpleasurable things! Would you rather play Xbox than finish an assignment? Who wouldn't??
Strategies for improving your response inhibition and being less impulsive are listed below. If this is a growth area for you, pick one or two to try this week.
- Plan ahead. Think about key decisions before you meet a friend at Java or post something on Snapchat. What is right and wrong for you? And what will you do if someone offers you a vape or asks for an inappropriate picture on social media. Think about your clear boundaries BEFORE you are faced with a decision.
- Use "First, Then" thinking. When you see an opportunity for fun or adventure, think what do I need to handle/finish/do FIRST and then, I can do the fun thing. First, I'll finish reading this chapter, then I'll check out Insta.
- Set goals. If your goal is to improve your math grade by completing all of your Study Island assignments for the quarter, make a specific goal that you can celebrate when it is achieved. When the quarter ends and you are a stronger math student, what will you do to celebrate?
Think about response inhibition this week. Find times when you get an impulse to do something fun/daring/outrageous, and then STOP yourself from a bad choice. And then congratulate yourself when you use a little inhibition to help yourself and others!
*from Smart but Scattered Teens by Guare, Dawson, and Guare, The Guilford Press, 2013
Eventlink Challenger Team Store
Eventlink is offering free shipping on any order over $50 for the next week. SMS Athletics gets 5% back on all orders to help fund team uniforms and equipment. The Eventlink mobile app does not currently support the store but it should be app-available later this spring!
Spring Sports
Softball tryouts will be held this Wednesday and Thursday from 5-6:30 in the East Gym.
Baseball tryouts will be held Monday, Feb. 24 and Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 6:30-8:00 PM in the West Gym.
Girls Tennis tryouts are Mon-Tue-Wed, March 16-17-18 from 3:00-4:30 at the SMS courts.
Golf tryouts will be scheduled and announced soon.
Students planning to participate in sports should sign up on the Canvas Community page. Physicals must be on file with Mrs. Manns in the office. Swimmers and wrestlers may participate in tryouts but should finish their current seasons before starting the next.
This Week...
Mon. Feb. 17: B day, Archery, Science Olympiad, Builders Club Officers
Tue. Feb. 18: A day, Archery, Yearbook, Winterguard, Science Olympiad (opt.), Swimming @ Switzerland County, Wrestling v. Charlestown
Wed. Feb. 19: B day, Archery, Science Olympiad
Thu. Feb. 20: A day, Archery, Science Olympiad (optional)
Fri. Feb. 21: B day, Winterguard
Sat. Feb. 22: Winterguard Contest
Scottsburg Middle School
Email: knass@scsd2.k12.in.us
Website: www.sms.scsd2.k12.in.us
Location: 425 South 3rd Street, Scottsburg, IN, United States
Phone: 812-752-8926
Facebook: facebook.com/ScottsburgMiddleSchool/
Twitter: @ScottsburgMS