Shuksan @theLibrary
sending out middle school news that matters for families
@theLibrary with Tech and Gear Up
To build on those great conversations, we would like to offer you a regular newsletter. There are many exciting resources for families that can support students' learning and skills. We would love to provide you with just a few ideas to spark conversations and explore new solutions. Thanks for reading!
Ms. Larson, Ed Tech Coach
- specialty: helping students and teachers integrate technology to create and share their learning.
- background: 14 years teaching science, technology and AVID; 2 years EdTech Coach.
- enjoys: spending time outside with my family, traveling, learning new things
Mrs. Fisher, Library Media Specialist
- specialty: linking people with the text they need, asking good questions
- background: 18 years at SMS working as a LA7, AVID and Core6 teacher
- enjoys: walking, reading, cooking, cozying up with my family
Ms. Neisinger, GEAR UP Coordinator
- speciality: helping students find their pathway and connecting them with resources
- background: 8 years in Alaksa as a high school counselor, 5 years in corporate wellness
- enjoys: mountain biking, hiking, running, skiing, and hanging with my family
Winter Break -- Snow Better Time To...
Read!
We ask families to play a big role in this. What can you do?
- Talk with your student. "What book are you reading?"
- Provide support. "You can use your screen after you finish your reading..."
- Supply with titles. "Let's go to the public library... let's look at the Shuksan catalog"
- Read with your student. Get a copy of their book and have your own family book club.
- Bribe. "When you finish __ books, we can..."
- Encourage. Ask your students to show you Winter Break Reading Challenge forms and to participate.
Where can we find book recommendations?
- Shuksan Library Webpage. Check out the New Book newsletters. The catalog also has great "Visual Links."
- Book Titles recommended by other SMS students
- Bellingham Public Library
- Mrs. Fisher! Send an email to me and I can help match you with a title that could work for you
Snow Better Time to....
Family Media Agreement Resources
Not sure where to begin? Check out the variety of agreements/contracts below. Use a pre-made version or customize one of to fit your family.
- Family Media Use Plan – from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Family Online and Mobile Device Agreement – from Yahoo Safely and the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI)
- Family Media Agreements - from Common Sense Media
After creating your Family Media Agreement, post it as a visual reminder of your plan. Continue the conversation and check in regularly with your student about what they are doing with their technology.
Wondering about additional resources? Feel free to email Ms. Larson for suggestions!
Snow Better Time To.....
We all want to help youth make good choices. Building on your won experience is a great place to start. Do you remember who helped you find your path?
Young people respect honesty; they want to know that what they are feeling isn’t so different from what you felt at their age.
What was your path to where you are now?
Take a few minutes to think about your career path, your interests and passions and how those connect to where you are now. Think back to the way you saw your future when you were a teenager. What comes to mind and who helped you?
Remember, along any journey there are always unexpected turns, pit stops and even a few speeding tickets! You can use these stories from your own life as an opportunity to have your child think about their own plans. It is a good time to talk about a backup plan- a “Plan B.”
How and why do people choose careers?
While everyone is different, there are some common reasons people choose their careers.
- · Passion- a lifelong passion turns into a career
- · Inspiration- someone or something inspired them along a path or into a career
- · Experience- travelling, working or starting a family can lead you along a certain path
There is no right or wrong path, just the path you are on and the next one you might take. For youth finding a path they are passionate about, fits their interests and builds on their skills is key. Being there for them along the way and sharing what you have learned can really make a difference.
BRAINSTORMING INTERESTS AND PASSIONS
Helping teens find their passion can start by building on something they love to do. IF your child wants to be a musician or basketball player, use these ideas and questions to think about other careers they could be interest them?
· What are some of things they like about that career?
· What other careers have basketball players gone on to after basketball, and do any of those interest in?
· When a musician makes an album and goes on tour, what are some of the other careers involved?
BUILD ON THEIR INTERESTS AND HELP THEM EXPLORE ALL OF THE OPTIONS THAT MIGHT FIT.
Shuksan Middle School
Email: cj.fisher@bellinghamschools.org
Website: https://shuksan.bellinghamschools.org/
Location: 2717 Alderwood Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 676-6454
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shuksanmiddleschool/