A new school year brings a fresh start for everyone so let's start it off with a POSITIVE attitude! Antonio the Bear, our Las Flores Middle School mascot says it's going to be a GGRREEAATT year!

Our Student of the Month awards focus on three qualities - Academic Excellence, Outstanding Effort, and a Leadership focus in the area of our monthly PRIDE theme. Teachers and staff will be looking for students who portray excellence in one of these areas. Students of the Month will be recognised during PRIDE time. The 1st Quarter Leadership expectations, theme and focus are highlighted in this edition's newsletter.

August

Pride Theme and Expectation: Positive

Positive is defined as something that is good or useful.

Theme: The focus for August is to build positive relationships. Students can build positive relationships by demonstrating positive communication skills and being a positive role model with their teachers and peers. Students who show a positive attitude and good behavior in their classes help others build positive relationships with their teachers and peers as well.

If you asked your child to name a role model they would like to aspire to be or someone they admire, who would they choose? After determining who that may be, ask them what traits does this person have that made them select them as a role model. The role model they choose should be someone that inspires your child to make changes and establish goals to strive for. A good role model should be someone who has high moral values, projects confidence without being arrogant, demonstrates commitment to succeed in reaching their goals, shows respect for others regardless of differences, is optimistic about life and finds creative solutions to hurdles they encounter (Silver, 2017).

No one is flawless, says Zwilling (2010) but the qualities one looks for in someone they look up to usually include particular characteristics. What qualities should someone aspire to have in order to become a good role model? A good role model may be satisfied with their achievements but they are also always striving for more and challenge themselves to continually learn and improve. They are confident in their role and comfortable being unique rather than following what others believe they should be. Good role models are active listeners and consistent communicators that show respect to those they meet along the way to meeting and achieving their goals. They are not afraid to accept responsibility when they make mistakes nor hesitate to correct what they can when they do. (Zwilling, 2010).

Choosing a positive role model usually results in becoming a good role model as people seek to emulate the same traits and qualities. Positive role models help children gain self-esteem, perform better in school, avoid use of drugs and alcohol, manage anger, be respectful of others, overcome difficult obstacles, and develop good work/study habits (Hewitt, 2017).

References:

M.Zwilling (2010, October 14) The Seven Traits of a Role Model. Retrieved from

https://www.caycon.com/blog/2010/10/seven-actions-of-a-true-role-model-entrepreneur

D. Hewitt (2017, August 14) Effects of Good Role Models. Retrieved from

https://www.livestrong.com/article/58883-qualities-good-role-model/

F.Silver (2017, June 13)

https://www.livestrong.com/article/68593-effects-good-role-models/

September

Pride Theme and Expectation: Respectful

Respectful means to show consideration or regard for someone or something; to show admiration for someone; to be morally correct.

Theme: This month's focus is about respecting differences. There are many ways students can respect differences. Students can respect differences by understanding that others may have different views or opinions about things especially if they are from a different culture or background than their own. Taking care to listen to others and valuing and accepting differences is one way.

October

Pride Theme and Expectation: Integrity

Integrity is the quality of being honest and fair; adhering to a code of moral values by knowing and doing what is right.

Theme: This month's focus is about making good choices. Having integrity means people trust you to be reliable in making the right choices. It is easy sometimes to be influenced by peers and go along with what others are doing. Good choices are harder to make than poor ones.

Mark your calendars for the following parent informational evening events sponsored by our Tesoro Family Schools Parent Teacher Student Associations. All events are open to our Tesoro Family School parents.

Tuesday, October 23rd – What You Need to Know About “Vaping” - Ladera Ranch Middle School - 6-7 PM MPR

Tuesday, November 5th – The Signs of Suicide Parent Awareness Night– Ladera Ranch Middle School MPR 6-7 PM

Tuesday, December 11th – Topic TBA - Las Flores Middle School MPR 6-7 PM

Tuesday, January 8th – Topic TBA – Las Flores Middle School MPR 6-7 PM

Tuesday, February 12th -Topic TBA –Las Flores Middle School MPR 6-7 PM

Tuesday, March 12th - Topic TBA - Las Flores Middle School MPR 6-7 PM

Tuesday, April 9th – Topic TBA – Las Flores Middle School MPR 6-7 PM

Tuesday, May 14th – Topic TBA –Las Flores Middle School MPR 6-7 PM

Additional dates may be added. More information on future events will be posted on the Las Flores Middle School website as it becomes available.

The School Counselor will conduct a minimum of quarterly classroom guidance lessons to all grade levels during the school year.

6th grade lessons in Quarter 1 will focus on Working in Groups.

7th graders will have bi-weekly classroom guidance lessons through their social science classes throughout the school year. Lessons for Quarter 1 will include Working in Groups, Disagreeing Respectfully, and Negotiating & Compromising.

8th graders will have lessons during the 1st quarter on De-escalating a tense situation.

In addition to the many classroom guidance lessons provided by our school counselor, a variety of small groups will be offered throughout the year. Students will be screened and identified for specific groups using data collected throughout the school year and through Needs Assessments completed by students, parents, and school staff. Groups may include Stress Management, Student Success Skills, Girls Groups, Self Regulation, High School 101 and other groups as needs are identified.

Guidance Workshops shall be advertised at various times throughout the school year. Previous year events have included Chalkwalks based on monthly themes, College and Career Fair Competitions, Career Exploration workshops, and more. Homework Club and Peer Tutoring are additional activities that shall be offered during the school year by your Guidance Team.

The Guidance Team is seeking input and interest in offering Career Exploration workshops known as 'Career Cafe' throughout the school year. Career Cafe workshops will work with students on identifying their interests and helping them discover careers they may find an interest in. This is the first step in identifying a plan for their future. Discovering possible careers will help them determine the next step in their education whether it be specialty college/trade schools, intern/apprenticeships, 2 year or 4 year colleges or military service. Some Career Cafes may have invited speakers from a variety of Job Families which will supplement our Career Day to be held later in January. Students attending may earn Bear Bucks and 5* points. Please complete the interest survey below.

Please follow this link to show your interest in participating in Career Cafe Workshops.

Guidance Webpage Information and/or links on the Academic Domain such as study skills, test taking, tutoring resources, and useful links for help with English writing and Math skills

Counselors Corner Resource Personal-Social Domain including stress management, conflict mediation, grief, and social skills

College and Career Guidance Information about high school graduation requirements, college admissions, and career choices.

The Board of Trustees desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the district’s academic and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any District school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student based on the student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.