Bear Blast
For the Week of Nov 20, 2023
Working together; succeeding together.
Not That Different After All
This morning, I was lucky enough to be part of some professional development with Madison Cameron, the youth director at The Center for Trauma Informed Practices. Her session was on Understanding the Psychodynamics of Social Media for Children and Youth. Put simply, how does social media impact young people. I wanted to share a couple of things that she shared with us that are think are of particular interest to parents.
We went through everything that kids are going through, it just looked different.
Madison spoke of how "likes" and "followers" are the modern social currency, kids strive to collect these things. We too had social currency, but our was how many friends did we have, how many people came to our birthday party, etc. She also spoke of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). In a modern setting this becomes very apparent when our kids are disconnected (lack of wifi, dead device, or (gasp) device taken away). This disconnect manifests as anxiety as the youth fears what they are missing. We to had this, but again ours was more tangible. For us FOMO came when we couldn't go to a party or when we weren't invited to an event. In our breakout group we discussed our own FOMOS and it became very clear that FOMO was a markedly rural phenomenon back in the day. If you lived too far from town, you were kind of in a perpetual state of missing out, especially if the roads were bad.
Essentially, she wanted us to realize, that although the problems our kids face seem unique to their generation, they aren't; they just look different. What this means, thankfully, is that we are equipped to help our kids navigate this strange world, we just need to find the commonalities.
Let them know that we can handle the truth.
Here is a scary stat, the amount of child exploitation happening online went up 88% during the pandemic. Isn't that a cheery thought. With this in mind, however, it is our number one job to let our kids know that we can handle the truth. When kids find themselves in over their head, 55% of NESD students report that they would be willing to tell an adult or a friend. Madison frames this well when she said "Do we want 12 year olds raising 12 year olds?" Of course we don't. What she was getting at is that we need our kids to come to us, not their friends. Friends are good for lots of things, but helping out youth when they get in over their head is not one of them. If students find themselves in too deep online (whatever that might mean), they need adult help and the only way they will seek adult help is if they think we can handle the truth of what has occurred. As a parent, this is terrifying. Luckily, Madison's Dad (Kevin Cameron) had some great advice, he said "always remember that following the pandemic, regression is the norm", that is to say that students have been set back 1-2 years because of the pandemic, so what we used to expect, may not be what we can expect, in terms of healthy choices, in our current environment. He also said, "approach it with a sense of forgiveness". Our kids are never in too deep that we can't get them out, and we need to make sure that they know that, that they know we are able to handle the truth.
It was truly enlightening and empowering to hear her speak. I would invite all of our parents, care givers, and community members to come out Dec 13 at 7:00 to hear Madison for yourself. This event IS NOT for students, they will receive their own presentation that afternoon. Come out and listen to Madison, she can help us to be better equipped to support our kids and to bridge the perceived differences between when we grew up and today. I hope to see you there.
Edsby
Edsby allows you to check on your child's current progress in their classes. Check our family handbook (link below) for a key to the completion codes that you will see in Edsby.
If you are having trouble accessing Edsby for any reason, contact the school and we will do our best to problem-solve with you.
Around PPCS
Save the Date (Dec 1)
Grades 7-12.
$30 entry fee (Team of 5 or 6)
Sign up at the office by Nov 21.
Making Ice Cream In Science 7
Did you know that you can make ice cream in a bag?
Did you know that it will only work if you put salt on the ice around the back of milk, sugar and vanilla?
Do you know why?
The grade 7 science students do. We have been studying solutions and the impact that a solute has on the properties of solutions (colligative properties). We have made reusable ice packs and wrapped up our discussion with making ice cream. They learned that salt depresses the freezing point of water (as does any solute) and so the ice (and water) surrounding the bag of milk, sugar, and vanilla can only get cold enough (below 0) if we add salt. It was a yummy way to learn some science.
Click the button below to access the instruction for making ice cream in a bag.
Are You Worried About Your Kids and Social Media?
We all are. To help us navigate this new world, we have booked Madison Cameron, a renowned speaker on the topic, to speak at PPCS on Dec 13.
This presentation is developed for parents and caregivers to help give them a better understanding of how kids use and perceive Social Media. In this presentation parents and caregivers will gain insight into apps that youth are using that adults may not be aware of as well as some of the ways Social Media can change the way youth perceive themselves and the world around them. It will also highlight that the differences in the human experience between youth and their parents/caregivers is not as great as what many believe. The wants and needs of children and their parents/caregivers (when they were children) have not changed. It is the adult perspective and thoughtful strategies that need to change in order to strengthen connections with those lost in their handheld devices.
This presentation is for parents, caregivers, and community members only. Due to the nature of the content, Madison has asked that students not attend the parent session. Students will have their own session that afternoon.
Next Staff vs. Student is
Family Calendar
Volunteers and Athletes of the Month
Volunteer of the month.
Ms. Fendelet is new to Bears Athletics but has been quick to pick up the ball. She been adding her experience with volleyball by helping out coaching as well as officiating. She demonstrates the benefits of what extra curricular activities can bring to students, school and the building of lifelong relationships. Thank you for your help and good luck in your future in teaching and athletics.
Athletes of the Month
Amanda Mielke is one of our athletes of the month through her outstanding work in volleyball. Amanda is a skilled player but her biggest asset is her attitude, work ethic, refusal to quit, and motivation she brings to her squad. She is the type of player others respect her craft and listen to. Good work Amanda.
Ava Tiedjens is a very hard-working athlete. She always gives her full effort both at practice and during games. She is a positive leader on her team and helps build her teammates up to help them play better. She is always working to improve her play and takes feedback well. Nice job Ava.
Community Events
Hot Lunches
Check Your Punch Card Balance
Please note, as we get used to this new system, please be aware that punch card balances may be up to 1 week behind.
Once you click the link below and find your child's account number, you will see a number to the left of their account number (i.e. 17). That number will not change, so you only have to remember that number going forward.
We hope that this will help our families.
Scan me to check your punch card balance.
Jigs and Carolines are Back
Wednesday - Jigs
Corn Dogs & Mac N' Cheese Bites
(served with ketchup)
$7.00
Friday - Carolines
Soft Taco with chips
$6.00