Horizon High School News
#BeKind
From the Desk of Mrs. Kemp
WELCOME TO MARCH (and dare I say Spring)!
Our 3rd semester ends on Friday, March 13, 2020. The students are working to ensure the best semester grades possible. Please encourage them to attend school regularly and complete their work.
With the unpredictability of March weather, I would like to remind you that Millard Public Schools may call a snow day, an eLearning day or a two-hour late start should we face inclement weather. If a late start day is called, students will report to school at 10:00 am. Buses will pick up students two hours later than the regularly scheduled time.
MARCH 2020
MARCH 16 - 20, 2020 - Spring Break (no school)
MARCH 30, 2020 - Semester 4 begins!
Assessments
Your student needs to be in person to complete these assessments. Please see the upcoming assessments below.
No school for 9th and 12th grade students.
ACT testing all Juniors
Please review this letter for further instructions.
Pre-ACT testing all Sophomores
Please review this letter for further information.
April 2nd
All students present-regular school day
AWA Testing all sophomores
Please review this letter for further information
SENIOR NEWS
Students planning to participate in the graduation ceremony at their home high schools need to order a cap and gown from School Traditions
12100 West Center Road
"Right Behind Nobbies"
(402) 733-0300
College Planning
For free help with college planning, contact EducationQuest Foundation:
402-391-4033
EducationQuest.org
Fostering Resiliency: Learning to “Struggle Well” in the Face of Adversity
Resilience is an important aspect of mental well-being. It is the ability to bounce back from stress, adversity, failure, challenges or even trauma. Resiliency enables individuals to effectively cope with, or adapt to, stress and challenging situations. Resiliency allows one to grow from the adverse experience and the ability to move forward with strength and be more equipped to deal with future challenges.
Children and teenagers are not exempt from stressors and hardships. Focusing on young people’s strengths and helping to nurture resilient traits can help reduce the effects of significant adversity on their health and well-being. Identifying a youth’s “social resources” is also a key concept of resiliency. Several studies highlight the idea that resilience is more than individual traits. Environmental interactions with school, family, community and culture are also important ingredients.
According to the Mayo Clinic and the American Psychological Association, resilience won’t make a person’s problems go away, but it can help to channel one’s inner strength and mobilize coping skills. When we lack resilience, we might be more prone to dwell on problems, feel victimized, become overwhelmed or turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, like substance abuse. The good news is resilience can be nurtured and skills to help a young person become more resilient can be taught. When kids have the skills and confidence to work through their problems, they learn that they are strong and capable of managing difficult issues. It is important to remember that resiliency isn’t about “toughing it out” or managing stress and problems alone. In fact, being able to reach out for help and ask others for support is a key characteristic in being resilient.
According to Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, “the single most common factor for children who develop resilience is at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive parent, caregiver, or other adult”. Building positive relationships, teaching social and emotional skills, fostering positive emotions, identifying strengths and building a sense of meaning and purpose are positive steps in building resilient youth. In a book titled, Building Resilience in Children and Teens, the American Academy of Pediatrics focus on the 7 C’s that they note as essential building blocks of resilience:
1. Competence: When we notice what young people are doing right and give them opportunities to develop important skills, they feel competent. We undermine competence when we don’t allow young people to recover themselves after a fall.
2. Confidence: Young people need confidence to be able to navigate the world, think outside the box, and recover from challenges.
3. Connection: Connections with other people, schools, and communities offer young people the security that allows them to stand on their own and develop creative solutions.
4. Character: Young people need a clear sense of right and wrong and a commitment to integrity.
5. Contribution: Young people who contribute to the well-being of others will receive gratitude rather than condemnation. They will learn that contributing feels good and may therefore more easily turn to others and do so without shame.
6. Coping: Young people who possess a variety of healthy coping strategies will be less likely to turn to dangerous quick fixes when stressed.
7. Control: Young people who understand privileges and respect are earned through demonstrated responsibility will learn to make wise choices and feel a sense of control.
It should be noted that developing resilience is a personal journey. An approach to building resiliency that works for one child might not work for someone else. Turning to someone for guidance such as a psychologist or mental health professional may help youth who feel overwhelmed strengthen resilience and persevere during times of stress and trauma.
Reference: American Psychological Association; Building Resilience in Children and Teens; Harvard University: Center on the Developing Child; Mayo Clinic; The Child Mind Institute.
Summer School
Offering STEM, robotics, photography, math, language arts and so much more, Millard's Summer School is a wonderful place for students to stay engaged and get ahead. Students who are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals are also eligible for tuition scholarships.
Registration began on February 1, 2021 at 8:00 am.
Register Online at:
Current MPS Students:
HTTPS://WWW.MPSOMAHA.ORG/DEPARTMENTS/CURRICULUM/SUMMER-SCHOOL