Mesa Newsletter
This is an Long Edition, but there is some great stuff!!!
DO NOT PASS THIS BY!!!! PLEASE REVIEW THE LINK!!!!!
COMING TO MESA MIDDLE IN JULY...
SOAR
A Unique Summer Program for any incoming 6th graders through current 8th graders!!!
Check out the link below to view all the amazing courses being offered
by Mesa Staff members and REGISTER NOW before courses get full!
Furnish Your Home at AFW and Support Mesa Middle School!
Mesa has partnered with American Furniture Warehouse in the “BETTER Your Home BETTER Our School!” campaign. This event in AFW stores is where anyone that purchases during Fri., Mar. 31st – Sun., April 9th has a chance to win $500. YOU CAN PURCHASE AT ANYTIME THOUGH TO HELP OUR SCHOOL! Use our code: MMS010. Up to 4% of sales will come back to our school after our event!
Mesa Winner! Please help me congratulate Mesa student Serina McCormick for winning 1st Place in Division III for the Student Election Art Contest held by Douglas County Elections Office. Her award was a brand new iPad.
Video from our Talent Show!!!
The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce Visiting Mesa and Our Students
The 3rd Annual Shine Summit
Mesa students at the Shine Summit.
Olympian Missy Franklin talking with students
Mesa students at the Shine Summit.
DCSD Students Pledge to be ‘Vape Free’ on National Kick Butts Day
CASTLE ROCK – Students at six Douglas County middle schools signed a pledge on Wednesday, promising that they won’t use electronic cigarettes or other tobacco products.
Schools across the country, including Cresthill, Castle Rock Middle, Mesa, Mountain Ridge, Ranch View and Rocky Heights middle Schools in Douglas County, held Kick Butt Day events on March 15, to highlight tobacco's toll and raise awareness of the tobacco problem in the community at-large, including the dangers of e-cigarettes or vaping.
Students say they worked with their school nurse consultants to organize the events, because they’ve seen first-hand the health impacts caused by cigarettes.
Mesa March Students of the Month, IB Profile Trait: Thinker
Atlas Seth Gentry Atlas Megan Zeigler
Glacier Alex Little Glacier Savannah Garrett
Kodiak Darryl Gelston Kodiak Emily Cavanaugh
Panda Josh Archie Panda Evony Casner
Polar Asher Thorson Polar Ceejai Bingaman
Sun Wyatt Booth Sun Ashleigh Estes
Counseling Corner: Mindfulness
What is mindfulness and why is it taking off in corporate settings, google, medical, chronic pain clinics, and even being taught in the military? Why do Oprah, Kobe Bryant, Goldie Hawn, and even Katy Perry practice mindfulness? Even Steve Jobs practiced mindfulness. Why are scientists who study the brain researching the effects of practicing mindfulness on the brain? Why are schools throughout the country incorporating lessons to students as young as elementary age into their lessons plans? So many questions! Well before you read the definition provided below, here are some questions for you! Have you ever heard, or said these comments? "Don't worry, calm down, pay attention, do something about your stress." Have you ever wondered how to do that? Getting our thoughts and emotions aligned with our actions,and behavior is incredibly challenging!
"Mindfulness means to pay attention on purpose to the present moment, to whatever is happening right now, without judgment and with kindness."
Sound's simple right? But paying attention is an active practice, especially these days. More then ever in this fast paced world both adults, and especially teens have to contend with endless distractions, including school, homework, work, peers, phones, social media, and 24 hour news cycles. The brain and nervous systems are constantly being over taxed and overstimulated. They were never meant to take in constant information or sensory overload. This can lead to more stress, tension, headaches, fatigue, other physical symptoms, anxiety, negative thinking, mood swings, impulse control, overeating, surfing, gaming, and trouble focusing, etc. The good news is that research shows that practicing just 5-10 minutes a day of simple exercises can significantly reduce stress and increase resilience, coping, and promote relaxation, ability to manage stress better, better communication and listening skills. We can cultivate gratitude in difficult times and even develop more compassion for ourselves and others. People can learn how to surf the wave of emotions, instead of drowning in them or becoming overwhelmed. We become more flexible and realize that we are able to navigate better both inner and outer challenges. We can respond instead of reacting. Mindfulness can help us slow down to have choices instead engaging in old habits.
Remember the scientists? Studies are showing people who practice mindfulness daily, have an increase in the prefrontal cortex activity which manages higher thought, planning, personality development, impulse control, resiliency, focusing and organizing emotional reactions, and the ability to cope with distractions better. The prefrontal cortex is also known as the heart/mind - a place where we feel contentment. They are also seeing in people with longer periods of practice an increase in gray matter and neuroplasticity. The brains ability to change and grow! Pretty cool!
The even better news! This past year there have been mindfulness groups that both parents and students have agreed to check out! Students have learned mindful listening, breathing, communicating, eating, moving, relaxation and focusing techniques, and even the brain science that explains why it works.They developed tools to put in their toolbox and use if they choose. The students at the end of the group all reported that they felt better prepared to manage their stress, anger, anxiety, self-judgement, as well as increased their ability to cope. By the end of the six week groups, students also felt more connected to each other and that the group really helped them!
Basketball Tournament
3 on 3 Basketball Tournament Winners
Basketball Tournament
District Robotics Competition
Important Dates
04/04/2017- DC/NYC 2017 Mandatory Meeting, 6:00pm, Room D102
04/05/2017-04/19/2017- PARCC testing - LINK
04/07/2017- End of second 6 week grading period, 2nd semester
04/07/2017- Spring Dance, 3:00pm-4:30pm
04/12/2017-04/15/2017- Spring musical Guys & Dolls performances,
LINK to purchase tickets
04/19/2017- SAC Meeting 5:30pm-7:00pm, Office Conference Room
04/21/2017- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Comp Day
04/25/2017- 8th Grade Panoramic Picture, 9:30am
04/26/2017- Culture Day
04/27/2017- Career Day