School Counseling News
Bridgewater Middle School: 2021-2022 Quarter 4
Talking to Your Child about the War in Ukraine (or any difficult topic)
Just as we have discussed talking to your child about COVID-19 in the past, it is important to keep the lines of communication open to talk about other world events as a family. Rather than shy away from the topic, consider your child's curiosity about war and what it means for them as well as others. Showing empathy for families going through a crisis is a wonderful way to model caring and respect for others. It is also an opportunity to discuss existential issues which middle schoolers are beginning to explore like, what is worth fighting for?
Start by asking your child what they have heard. Students, especially those prone to anxiety, may wonder about their own safety. Reassure your child about measures your family takes to ensure their safety. Monitor and limit social media exposure to the war or other sources of anxiety. Discuss how the war may affect them or people they know, including relatives in the military and families from Russia or Ukraine. You may also make connections with your own family history. Focus on resiliency as well, like how Ukrainian Americans in Michigan are mobilizing to provide aid.
Not up on Russian politics? Not a problem. You don't have to have all the answers. All you need to do is be able to show your child reliable resources to search for the answers (media literacy skills) and discuss the issues that come up openly and honestly. Sometimes children express opinions that may shock you or directly oppose your own values. Rather than react emotionally and harshly, consider that your child is still gathering information, thinking things through, and that this is a process that should be encouraged. Adolescents are developing their critical thinking skills and discussions about serious issues can help. The lesson here is not to teach your child that he/she must agree with you in order to have a discussion, rather it is to learn how to respectfully discuss a matter and support their arguments with facts.
For more information visit: HealthyChildren.org, apa.org, and pbs.org.
Books and movies about war and displacement: Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Encanto, The Book Thief, The Diary of Anne Frank, A Little Princess, Empire of the Sun, Gettysburg, War Horse
Bridgewater 101: Welcoming our Rising 6th Graders
Thanks to all faculty, staff, and students who made our Bridgewater 101 event a success. We welcomed rising 6th graders from Keene's Crossing, Windermere, and Independence elementary schools on 2 nights. On each night, there were performances from the music department and representation of clubs and elective classes. Tours of the campus were provided by National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and Student Government (SGA) student volunteers. In addition, several faculty members opened up their classrooms to meet and greet families. Many future Bobcat parents and a few students expressed how nervous they were about middle school next year. However, they also expressed appreciation for the event and the personal connections they were making with the Bridgewater staff and students for the first time.
Fostering Resilience in Adolescents
Research on resiliency has shown that resilient adults have parents that:
- provide unconditional support. This means providing reassurance and acceptance even when their child didn't make decisions they like.
- hold them to high expectations. Rather than demanding particular grades, they celebrated their child's strengths, held them accountable for their decisions and actions, and expected a good faith effort in all their pursuits.
- demonstrate positive coping strategies to manage stress. They model self-care.
- allow for mistakes within safe boundaries. In fact, the parents themselves model how to learn from their own mistakes and bounce back up again.
New Math Progression
OCPS has recently announced new guidelines for middle school math progression based on data as to student performance in the District. School counselors will place students in core courses based on all data available including teacher recomemnndations, grades, and test scores. If students show a keen interest in math and would like to take an accelerated pathway, then the following optons are available, whereby students take additional OCVS coursework (usually over the summer) to support potential content gaps.
Please see this information flyer about how to enrol in a math course through OCVS. After students complete coursework over the summer, their tentative Bridgewater schedule may be amended to put them in the appopriate math course.
Welcoming our New Principal
For more about Ms. Klaber see this article from the OrangeObserver.com.
Announcements
Quarter 4 begins March 21.
Wednesday March 23 - no early release
April is: Autism Awareness Month and School Library Media Month
April 4-8 is National Assistant Principals Week
May is Mental Health Month
June is National Internet Safety Month
Last Day of School is May 25.
If you have not selected your elective classes for next school year, please email your counselor ASAP.
If you would like to waive out of the Physical Education requirmeent next school year, please fll the form found on the school website and send it to your counselor.
8th graders interested in taking the HOPE high school requirement over the summer, please see the Virtual School Registration Guide and email your counselor after requesting the class. It will be under High School classes.
Please send any immunization documents, change of address, email or phone numbers to the Registrar at Jessica.Schulte@ocps.net .
Please forward all absence notes and attendance inquiries to adam.miller@ocps.net .
School Counseling Team
Ms. Gina Jacobson
Room 687
Ms. Seante Borden
Dr. Lydia Barza
Ms. Allison Brohawn
P25
Mrs. Carmen Madison
Room 687
Ms. Patricia Lagos
Room 687