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Welcome/Bienvenidos McMurray Mustangs!

Classes of:

2030

2031

2032

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Some great advice for families of middle schoolers…

Join them for school lunch!

Keep showing affection… hug them in public!

Chaperone everything…

Encourage craft making!

Listen to music together. (yours AND theirs…)

Keep hanging out with them.

and get to know their friends!

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Raising a middle schooler can be challenging…...

“It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.”

-Ann Landers

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Middle School Transition

Changes

Physical
Intellectual
Social
Emotional

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We are bringing up the “Whole Child”

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Anna

resilience — the ability to overcome hardship and stress — is something we can learn and grow at any age.

We can't prevent our kids from experiencing sadness, stress, or setbacks.

We can nurture their ability to cope and grow from difficult experiences.

Aim for warm, nonjudgmental connections

Teens may act like they feel immortal, but at bottom they still want to know that everything will be ok. Having honest discussions of your fears and expectations can help your child learn to express their own fears. If your teen struggles with words, encourage them to use journaling or art to express emotions.

Help practice skills for coping and emotional regulation

Encourage problem-solving for issues big and small. Explain how you tackle problems in your own life and see if they can brainstorm solutions for theirs.

Shift their attention to the here and now, rather than the past (which can't be changed) or the future (which has many unknowns).

Try to encourage healthy thinking patterns

Help children accept uncertainty instead of fighting it. Acknowledging that uncertainty and change are an inherent (though stressful) part of life allows us to be more flexible, focus on what we can control, and move forward.
Exercise control where you can. We may not be able to do everything we want right now, but that doesn't mean we can't do anything! Even when things are hard, kids can still choose to do something that feels good, such as a hobby they enjoy, taking a movement break, connecting with a friend, or helping out a family member.
Recall with your child when they have gotten through difficult times in the past, and remind them that things will change: "This is really hard, and it won't be like this forever."

Make meaning together and find reasons for hope

Reflect on your family values and try to draw strength and inspiration from them. Whether you prioritize being brave, giving back, or family time, your child can feel good about what they stand for.
Participate in activities that connect your family to society and your cultural or religious communities. Knowing you are part of something larger feels comforting and safe.
Cultivate joy. Celebrate important milestones, even in a modified form. Create new rituals with your kids that they will remember long after the pandemic is over.
Highlight your child's strengths. Identify ways they've grown during this time and how they can use their strengths to carry on.

Model healthy coping habits

In hard times, kids look to their caregivers for cues. When you use coping skills, you not only attend to your own needs, but you encourage them to try these skills out, too.
Encourage consistent routines, which offer a reassuring sense of structure and normalcy for the whole family during turbulent times.
Prioritize your physical health: try to get enough sleep, eat a healthy(ish) diet, and find ways to stay active.

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Communication

Stay informed and stay connected.
Less talking, more listening. Strive to understand.
Timing is important
Stay calm when your child “tests the waters”
Be open, don’t be afraid to apologize
You don’t have to fix every problem – your child may just want to process out loud

“Would you like for me to just listen, or would you like to try to figure this out together?”

Conversation starters:

Did you hang out with anyone at lunch today? Who?
What did you talk about/do in Homeroom today?
What is something you are feeling proud about right now?
What is feeling challenging for you right now?
What are you looking forward to about tomorrow?

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Working With Your School

Partner/communicate with your school
Seek supports as needed (Counseling, Health Care, Academics)
Work with the school (teachers, counselors, admin) to resolve concerns/issues
Stay connected!

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Help Your Child Succeed

Encourage your child to become involved in school activities
Encourage independent problem solving

If your child has a question/problem, try to help them figure out how to solve it on their own

Provide academic support

Offer assistance on assignments, but do not do the work for your child.
If your child is struggling in a class, contact their teacher and ask what you can do to help your child succeed.

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Office Staff,

Attendance and more

Terri Vickers

Office Manager

Every absence matters! Please help support your student by helping them to:

Attend every day (but stay home if genuinely sick)
Arrive on time and ready for the day

Absences can be reported through our online form (QR code)

by phone, or by emailing mcmattendance@vashonsd.org.

A wealth of information is available on our website at mcm.vashonsd.org! Under forms, find our Cheat Sheet, First Week Forms and More, and Student Handbook.

If you can’t find the answer to your questions there, feel free to email office staff at awidmer@vashonsd.org or tvickers@vashonsd.org. We’re here to help!

Office Staff: Terri Vickers, Office Manager / Alicia Widmer, Registrar

Attendance Reporting!

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When in doubt…

WE are here for you!

Yvette Butler (last names A-K)

ybutler@vashonsd.org

Office: (206) 463-8576

Call/Text: (206) 530-0555

Anna Waldman (last names L-Z)

awaldman@vashonsd.org

Office: (206) 463-8619

Call/Text: 206-530-0269

School Counselors:

Family Liaison

Nidia Sahagun

nsahagun@vashonsd.org

206-463-8611

School Counseling Intern

Leigh Anne McKeen

206-463-XXXX

School Psychologist

Christopher Caldwell

206-463-8559

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Vashon is full of supportive community partners…

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VISD’s School-Community Partners