California Trail Middle School
January 2018 Parent News
Notes from Mr. Wiley - Why I want my middle school daughter to struggle
Hello CT Parents,
You may or may not know, but my wife and I have three daughters, one in high, one in middle and one just starting elementary school, which I claim is the reason so many of my hairs are “lightening…” Anyway, I shared in a previous newsletter about my oldest having surgery that left her with physical pain, leading to some emotional struggles. Getting through those physical, and the associated mental struggles, have had a lasting impression on her and have been a blessing to her in the areas of perseverance and grit. She now knows she is much stronger than she thought and can look back and say she learned a great deal about handling difficulty. Going through a tough time has helped her gain perspective and she is better able to handle smaller difficulties, knowing she will get through it.
While I would never wish for any of my kids, or yours, to have to go through a similar situation. To “struggle” through things is a very important part of growing up. I’ll admit that I am a “fixer” by nature and helping others is why I am in my chosen profession, but Susan and I are rethinking a few things as a parents. I do know that being able to fail in a safe environment, talk through and try again, is an approach that builds confidence. It is hard to watch my daughters struggle with changing friendships, forgetting things at home, doing poorly on a test, etc., but it does build life skills that they will need as they mature and deal with so many outside influences. Once they work through them, we spend time talking through what they did to resolve the issue and brainstorm ways to approach similar situations in the future. When we are able to take this approach, we can definitely see growth in them, and have hopes that at some point, they will move out and become independent contributors in society.
Susan and I are far from experts at parenting. We get a few things right and a few wrong, but we are trying. We do know the more we can support our daughters as they try, fail, and try again instead of jumping in to remove obstacles for them, we too are growing.
If any of this has piqued your interest, here is an article (written much better than mine) that gives the “Train Analogy” as a way of helping our kids through difficulties. https://pickanytwo.net/the-train-analogy-that-will-change-how-you-see-your-crying-child/
Have a wonderful break! Mike
Final Science Olympiad Team Members
Congratulations and good luck to the
Science Olympiad Team Members below:
Nolan Burris
Sahitha Chunduru
Andrew Dai
Bousso Drame
Nithya Kailad
Sareena Kandalkar
Anshika Kapoor
Lasya Maganti
Katelyn Moore
Tanmay Patil
Meirah Paul
Aarushi Pore
Austin Seher
Liana Stowell
Sam Swails
Screen Based Addiction from AMEND Neuro-Counseling-Susan Dunaway
Addiction - gaming taken precedent over other interests & activities
*Continues despite negative consequences
• Screen use has tripled for ages 0-8 since 2013.
• Kids are trading “family time” for gaming.
• Parents, peers and teachers used to be the #1 source of information. Now it is on-line.
• Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter – designed to keep you on-line
• Too much screen time disrupts the functioning of the structure of the brain. Namely in myelin (white matter) and dopamine. Pre-frontal cortex of frontal lobe. This houses – attention, motivation, anticipating consequences, organizing, planning, time management and good decision making.
• Dopamine surges & losses in brains of gamers are similar to that of substance addicts.
• When kids are bored they need their dopamine fix.
• When kids are on-line, the gaming companies (i.e., FortNight) are collecting data on them.
The data analysis gives them information on how to keep them on-line longer.
• There is an addiction cycle – beginning with a vulnerable teenage brain.
• Signs of problematic use: social, physical, emotional, academic & behavioral
• Prevention is the key to not being addicted:
*Avoid electronics at a young age (i.e. iPads, cellphones)
*92% of 2 year olds play video games
*Low income; lower education has higher rates of use
*Kids don’t know the difference between education & entertainment
Educator Advice:
*Familiarize yourself with relevant, peer-reviewed research
*Be willing to change based on new information
*Offer in-services to teachers on the effects of screens on brains
*Teach children what screens do to their brains
*Develop district policies that:
*Place screen time limits per grade for during and after school
* Offer alternatives for those who react strongest to screens
*Limit or block exposure to distractive apps and websites
▪ Hint: www.coolmathgames.com has nothing to do with math!
Parent Advice:
Teach TECH Parenting to Promote Effective Media Management, Joy Gabielli, Pediatrics, July 2018
* T-Talk to your kids about their media use
▪ Ask questions about what they enjoy and what their friends enjoy
*E- Educate about wrong behavior
▪ Point out negative/realistic consequences often not shown in media
*C- Co-View
▪ Actively watch media with your child
▪ Comment when you observe risky behavior or use as future talking points as kids take parental silence as consent
*H- House Rules
▪ No screens in bedrooms or bathrooms
▪ What type of content is allowed
▪ Consequences
Teach & Model Moderate, Controlled, Positive Use:
*Check your Checking – Notice & Reduce
▪ (Monitor Screen Time on iPhone)
*Set Time Limits
*Where/When/What devices are allowed
*Digital Detox/Sabbath/Vacation
*Practice Presence
www.FacetoFaceMovement.com (Excellent Website) Face to Face Movement is made up of mental health experts in the Kansas City Area with almost 100 years' collective experience helping individuals, couples and families. We are independent therapists and college professors drawn together for a common cause: educating communities about technology with the goal of improving individual mental health and building stronger relationships. We offer large group conferences, seminars, small group presentations and informal expert panels to help you manage the impact technology is having on your community. We acknowledge the positives and support the concerns that technology has in all areas of our lives. We have amassed hours of research and therapy sessions dedicated to technology's impact on our lives from brain development to relationships to addiction and everything in between. As professionals who have devoted our lives to helping people improve theirs, we cannot turn away from what we have researched and observed. We feel compelled to help communities find the right balance of useful, creative, constructive (and fun!) technology while avoiding the pitfalls that can accompany them.
ATS HeartCheck
Few parents can imagine the pain of losing a child, but that is what Al & Angelina Essuman live every day. They lost their son, John Lee, while he was attending a NIKE basketball tournament 1,200 miles from home. Now imagine having the ability to foresee if your child could be 1 in 100 with a heart condition. Wouldn’t you do everything in your power to assure the same fate doesn’t happen to them?
On Saturday, January 26th and Tuesday, February 12th, ATS HeartCheck will be in the Olathe School District providing comprehensive heart assessments. Through a special arrangement, Olathe District families are being offered the ATS HeartCheck for the low-priced offer is only $129, normally $1500.
Click here to learn more or SCHEDULE NOW
Pre-registration is required
If cost is an issue, CLICK HERE and complete the form to request a discount and see if you qualify (you will be notified by email of your final cost). You can also schedule your child’s appointment at www.ATSHeartCheck.com. Select "Make an Appointment" from the menu bar to access the list of events.
Math Counts
Congratulations to the CT 6th and 7th grade Math Counts teams on their 1st place finish at December's Middle School Math Competition. The 6th grade team members were Gracie Cowman, Alex Pannier, Aarush Dronavalli, and Carrie Wong. The 7th grade members were David Burda, Ricky Li, Tanmay Patil, and Anshika Kapoor. Again, congratulations team members.
Middle Years January 2019
Socs and Greasers
Thank you parents, staff, and students for dressing up and having fun as a soc or greaser last week. Mrs. Bruse and Miss Higbee loved seeing all the enthusiasm and making connections to The Outsiders. The engagement throughout the novel has been outstanding. We appreciate the community involvement from the beginning during preparing for the mock trial through the positive feedback we got on Friday.
7th grade Girls Basketball
The 7th grade Lady Bulldogs A team finished the season tied for 5th, finished with a record of 8-8. The B team finished the season 13-1. Every game were very close, only losing by 3-4 points. Both teams worked very hard throughout the season. I am very proud of everyone. I can't wait to see how much they improve next season.
Happy Holidays. Coach Green
8th grade Girls Basketball
The 8th grade CT 8th grade Girls Basketball A Team finished with 10 wins and 6 losses and 5th in the city tournament. The 8th grade B Team finished 6 and 8 and 6th in the City Tournament.
Coach White
Calendar Update
Sign Language Interpreters
Notification Statement of Non Discrimination
California Trail Middle School
Office Hours:
Monday- Thursday 7a.m.-4p.m.
Friday 7a.m.-3:30p.m.
https://www.olatheschools.org/Page/6524#calendar10121/20180827/month
Website: https://www.olatheschools.org/californiatrail
Phone: 913-780-7220