What a Homecoming Week it has been! Today, we wrapped up the week with two spirited assemblies: one for our Middle School and another combined with our Middle/High School students. It was awesome to see the energy and enthusiasm of our students as they celebrated their BlueJay pride. We also want to extend a congratulations to 7th grade as the winners of the spirit competition. Your school spirit shined this week!

Looking ahead, we invite you to join us for Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 17th and 18th. These conferences are an excellent opportunity to partner with your student’s teachers to discuss their progress and set goals for the rest of the school year. Here’s what you need to know:

• Thursday, October 17th: Students will have a half day. Conferences will be held in an "arena" style format in the High School gym from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and again from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• Friday, October 18th: There is no school for students. Conferences will take place from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM in teacher classrooms.

• Teachers will be available without appointment during these times.

We also have some exciting news—Shepherd Middle School is now on Instagram! Be sure to follow us at @shepherdmiddleschool for updates, events, and highlights from our students’ achievements.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and school community. Together, we are working to build a culture of excellence and care.

• If our family was a sports team, what would our name be? How do we work together as a 'team' at home and in the community?
  
• What do you think it means to be a leader? How can you show leadership at school or in your friendships?

Onward Shepherd! Onward Shepherd!

Raise our banner high!

BlueJay pride with blue and gold, the colors that we fly.

Onward Shepherd! Onward Shepherd!

Stand up and be bold

So Fight, BlueJays, FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

For Blue and Gold!

October

• 17: Half Day of School-Parent Teacher Conferences 12-3PM, 4-7PM
• 18: No School for students-Parent Teacher Conferences 8-11AM

BlueJays of the Week! Staff and students have the opportunity to write affirmations to each other here at SMS and from these, we have selected BlueJays of the Week.

Since the early 2010s, the rates of anxiety among youth have rapidly increased. One way to help your adolescent manage their anxiety is through mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of observing the present moment (your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, your environment) without passing judgment about any of your observations. One way that you can practice mindfulness is by doing the Mindful Music activity. While listening to music, think about the emotions the song evokes, your thoughts while listening to the music, and any body sensations you might have. You could even come up with your own title for the song! Here is a chart from TRAILS to Wellness that can help you practice this method: https://storage.trailstowellness.org/trails-2/resources/mindful-music-activity.pdf

In today's digital age, it's common for people, including teens, to turn to the internet and social media for answers about mental health. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become hubs for sharing personal mental health experiences, but there are risks involved.

While openly discussing mental health helps reduce stigma, it can also blur the line between professional advice and casual opinions, especially from influencers who aren't trained. This trend, called "social media therapy," can sometimes lead to misdiagnosis or encourage harmful behaviors as young people may resonate with certain symptoms and self-diagnose inaccurately.

It's important for parents to understand that while social media can spread awareness and normalize conversations about mental health, it shouldn't replace professional care. Social media should be a starting point for discussions but not the final source of advice. Parents can help by guiding their children towards qualified professionals for proper diagnosis and treatment.

https://shepherdschools.onlinesafetyhub.io/parent/articles/the-risks-of-social-media-therapy

Join us for the 4th annual Harvest Art Fest and Food Truck Alley!

🗓️October 19 from 10 AM to 6 PM

🗓️October 20 from 10 AM to 4 PM

🆓Entry is FREE!!!

🛍️-50+ Talented artists selling their handcrafted goods and wares

🏰-A gym packed full of bounce castles, games, slides, obstacle course, velcro wall and more

Bounce House Pricing

$5 - 30 minutes

$10 - 1 hour

$20 - unlimited wristband (daily)

🍴- Popular local food trucks featuring an array of various cuisines

-🎨 - Face painting

✍🏽-Caricatures

and more!

All proceeds support Shepherd middle and high school theater programs. Shepherd Community Arts Support Team - CAST

Trisha Fenby, a member of the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition and a community advocate, shares how engaging with nature is one of her go-to strategies for boosting mood and reducing stress. Whether it's stepping outside for fresh air in the morning, walking in the woods, or gardening, Fenby finds that connecting with nature helps her refocus and stay grounded. She encourages others to start small—by simply opening a window, walking outside, or spending a few minutes in the yard—stating that even brief moments outdoors can significantly improve wellbeing.

https://midlandareawellbeing.org/lifehacks/life-hack-in-action-41-engage-with-nature/