Rice Middle School eNews
Keep It Calm Week, December 9-13
“Keep It Calm Week”
Rice has partnered with our AMAZING PTA to plan daily activities to teach ALL students (6th, 7th and 8th grade) about the importance of taking good care of ourselves and our mental health.
All Next Week Long: Rice Ravens will learn more about the importance of mindfulness with brief, relaxing breathing exercises during their core classes. Students can also post their favorite ways to de-stress on a poster in the rotunda.
Please see the attached “Keep It Calm Week” flyer for more information, and encourage your kids to participate!
Monday - Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
Exercise increases your overall health and well-being, which puts more pep in your step every day. But exercise also has some direct stress-busting benefits by pumping up production of your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins.
• Walk or bike to school to get a healthy start to the day
• PE programs will be practicing yoga
• Celebrate “no homework” night by supporting our basketball team at our Pack the Gym game at 6pm
What can you do at home? Discuss the importance of recognizing signs of stress, and brainstorm enjoyable physical activities that kids can use in stressful situations.
Tuesday - StarBOOKS! Read and Relax with a Good Book and Cocoa
Finding ways to unwind is a great way to reduce stress when life gets crazy. Losing yourself in a book, enjoying a warm, soothing beverage, and spending quality time with friends and family are all great ways to find your inner calm.
• Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa in the rotunda from 7:45-8:10am
• Visit our library and find a quiet reading nook
• Staff will enjoy their own “read and relax” station in the teachers’ lounge
What can you do at home? Make a list of 10 relaxing activities that you can do as a family to chill out when stress hits during finals week.
Wednesday - Music Day - Celebrate Your Unique Rhythm
Music is one of the oldest and most universal stress relievers known to mankind. From classical to hard rock and everything in between, your peace of mind is just a song away.
• Band, orchestra, and choir will perform in the school throughout the day • Fun music will be played during the day
• PE programs will have a dance party
What can you do at home? Put on those headphones, close your eyes, and find your zen with your favorite music while working or studying.
Thursday - Random Act of Kindness Day
Random acts of kindness do more than just help others; in fact, you feel good when you do good! Serving others helps us recognize our place in the world and see the big picture of what’s truly important.
• Students will enjoy inspirational quotes posted around the school, and will be encouraged to do their own random acts of kindness
• A “Be the I in Kind” banner will serve as a photo op in the rotunda
• A thank you note station will be available so kids can recognize their most supportive teachers
• Collections for the Christmas Cops Toy & Food Drive and/or the MSA Food Bank will be accepted in the rotunda
What can you do at home? Discuss why helping someone else can help you feel better and how that can impact the world. We also encourage, if you are able, to donate to Christmas Cops OR the MSA Food Bank collections.
Friday - Sleep Away Your Stress PJ Day
Teenagers need around 9 hours of sleep per night, and many of our kids are not getting enough rest, which can cause mental and physical problems.
• Roll out of bed and wear your PJ’s to school
• We will discuss the importance of a good night’s sleep and encourage our students to go to bed early
• Students will enjoy a wide variety of wellness-themed activities during Block Lunch
What can you do at home? Create a nice calm environment (maybe ask your child to put those electronics away earlier?) and discuss ways to ensure the whole family is getting enough rest consistently.
Helpful Links!
Thank you for reading the eNews!
** TO UNSUBSCRIBE From ENEWS
To unsubscribe from Rice eNews or change your email address, please go to: http://elist.pisd.edu/ If you are getting eNews because you use Parent Portal, please go to: https://parentviewer.pisd.edu/ to revise your subscription