Sonora Middle School
STUDENT WEEKLY REPORT FEBRUARY 24-28, 2020
Sonora Middle School
Kimberly Bowerman, Assistant Principal
Brett Unger, Assistant Principal
Email: mdodson2@sdale.org
Website: sms.sdale.org
Location: 17051 E Hwy 412, Springdale, AR, USA
Phone: (479)750-8821
Facebook: facebook.com/Sonora-Middle-School-371956066199751
Twitter: @SMSspartans
Principally Speaking
How to Survive Middle School as a Parent
by Laurie McLean
Ah, middle school. The most awkward time of one’s development as an in-betweener. Out of those carefree days of childhood but not quite a seasoned, confident teenager (is there such a thing?)
Middle school can be such a confusing time, for both kids and their parents. These years are a hormonal roller coaster!
It is likely impossible to get out of this phase of parenting unscathed. But there are definitely some strategies to help you survive middle school as a parent.
Give opportunities for independence
Clearly middle schoolers still need guidance and protection, but they also need opportunities to make their own decisions and handle their own conflicts.
In an age of helicopter parenting it can be hard to loosen the reigns, but sometimes we have to step back, recognize a growth opportunity, and coach them on how to best rise to the challenge.
I will admit that it is not easy to allow my kids to learn lessons the hard way. But I am making a concerted effort to allow them to experience natural consequences and productively struggle so that they learn how to persevere.
My own perfectionist tendencies make this difficult, but I know that it will make them stronger in the long run and more prepared to meet challenges.
Don’t take things personally
I never know what to expect when my kids walk through that door after school.
Bubba Man usually gives a factual report of what happened, grabs a snack and disappears for a bit to regroup.
Punkie Lou is a wild card. She can be sullen and withdrawn, bubbly and full of energy or broody and irritable.
While I do not tolerate outright rudeness or disrespect, I also know not to take it personally when my kids are not in the mood to talk to me about their day.
Because of their hormones, middle schoolers can display a full range of emotions in a matter of minutes! During those moments of insanity, they will probably say hurtful things. They will roll their eyes, huff, sigh, or completely blow you off.
This is not a time to take things personally. Parenting these unpredictable humans tends to bring up things from your past and you may find yourself stooping to their level.
While tempting, it’s a much better approach to avoid arguments with your middle schooler. I try to lower my tone when I feel like yelling. Surprisingly, it actually works (sometimes). Nobody’s perfect.
Get them connected
Middle school is a time when kids are trying to figure out where they belong. Their peers become the center of their lives.
It’s important to get your middle schooler connected to the right people. They can’t navigate this time on their own. They need people in their lives other than their parents.
If possible, connect your kid to a trusted adult such as a coach, play director, dance teacher, or church small group leader. Having a mentor during this complicated period of growth can be a safe and consistent source of comfort to your middle schooler.
If you find your child hanging with the same kids all the time and they are hesitant to do things without those people, it’s time to make a change. Extracurricular activities offer adolescents a chance to grow, blossom, and be with different people.
Teach your child to be his/her own advocate
Middle school is a time when academics become more challenging. They are expected to manage multiple classes and navigate the hallways with all of their materials.
This also means that adolescents should be learning how to advocate for themselves and how to ask teachers for help or clarification.
Encouraging them to self-advocate coincides with giving your middle schooler more opportunities for independence and letting them learn from natural consequences. Don’t give in to the temptation to save them. Guide them to take responsibility and make things right when they have made mistakes.
Act like the parent
Your child will pull away from you during this time. They will turn to their friends and others for support and advice.
While it can be tempting to adopt the mindset of “I’ll let them figure it out,” the truth is, they still need your guidance. It is a fine balance between letting them experience natural consequences and enforcing boundaries.
Although they may not admit it or show it, middle schoolers need their parents more than ever. They are still looking to us to set boundaries and clear limits. They may not like them and may try to push them, but it is our job to provide them.
Adolescence isn’t easy, but with a little planning, preparation, and a strong sense of humor, you can survive middle school as a parent.
https://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/how-to-survive-middle-school-as-a-parent
GOT TALENT? AUDITION WITH MRS. LEBLANC
Springdale Schools EAST, Council Women Williams, and the City of Springdale are hosting Springdale's Got Talent: A 2020 Census Rally on April 4th at the Jones Center.
We are looking for local talent for our 2020 Census Rally. Please email SpringdaleGotTalent2020@gmail.com if you are interested and available to perform on April 4, 2020 between 11 am and 3 pm. We would love to have performances lasting 10 min - 30 minutes. Community leaders will speak between performances.
STRONG POINT WEEKLY WINNERS!
6th Graders: Angel Kumtak, Corbin Sandy
7th Graders: Stephany Ledezma, Gerald Samuel
PICK UP YOUR PRIZE IN ROOM 501
Breakfast Club February 28 @ 7:50-8:30
7th Grade Spartan Awards
SMS Spartan Staff Winner for February
Breakfast Club Perforrmance
OPENINGS FOR MORE STUDENTS AVAILABLE NOW! Monday-Thursday 3:15-5:45
ATTENTION SMS FAMILIES IN NEED
THE FIRST DATE PARENTS MAY PICK UP BOXES IS THURSDAY, MARCH 12 FROM 10:00-3:00.
BREAKFAST
LUNCH
SMS Spartan's Birthday's this week
February 25 - Jason Knauf, Joselyn Tamez
February 26 - Daniel Elizalde
February 27 - No Birthday's
February 28 - Liah Tovar
February 29 - Ingrid Aguilar, Baby Limkary
Meets Begin at 3:30
WANT TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS FOR NEWS OR EMERGENCY ALERTS?
Fill Out Your link: English: http://bit.ly/2lMTkKc Spanish: http://bit.ly/2kfkR6z
The school district will no longer be using Robo calls for announcements. This will be the method used. Sign up today!
Download the Springdale APP to connect & get notifications
Please take a moment to fill out the Springdale Parent & Family Engagement Survey
APPLY FOR CAMP WAR EAGLE THIS SUMMER!
WHAT: Camp War Eagle, a premier summer camp located on Beaver Lake in Rogers, Arkansas. Each summer we serve thousands of children and teenagers from Northwest Arkansas who come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.
WHY: Camp War Eagle offers amazing programming and can be affordable for all families with our sliding-scale tuition rates. We also encourage scholastic performance and community involvement all year around through our “Qualification” portion of our application.
WHEN: Applications for Summer 2020 have already been released and our priority enrollment deadline is December 15th! Even though applications will be accepted all year, it is important for families to turn in their applications early to increase their chances of placement.
Nominate your teacher for the Monthly Super Spartan Staff Award
Nominate Your Teacher Today
KNWA’s Golden Apple Award Contest, sponsored by Post Consumer Brands, is back for its 3rd year. This contest highlights the efforts of our NWA teachers/ coaches/ classroom instructors that go above and beyond the normal duties of teaching within a classroom and how they “Make Better Happen” for their students. If you know someone like this, we would love to hear about them.
Once a month, one teacher/coach from NWA school districts (traditional and non-traditional settings) will be chosen for an amazing prize package (Golden Apple Award, $150 Walmart Gift Card, and $50 restaurant gift card). The winner will also have a surprise classroom visit from our very own Tavares Jones, a Post Consumer Brand rep, and a camera crew. On the last Wednesday of the month the story will air. (Visits will be organized and confirmed through winning schools principal’s office).
Below you will find the link to our Golden Apple online submission page. Please share this with all of your teachers in your district. This contest will run through the entire school year and our first teacher will be chosen in September. Thank you for your assistance with this wonderful opportunity.