Mrs. Law's Lexington Junior High Blog

I recently watched a live Q&A with Dr. Laurie Santos. Dr. Santos teaches courses on the psychology of happiness and well-being at Yale University. In the video below, she shares a lot of useful and practical information regarding these strange times.  Click HERE for the video! Here is a description and outline of the topics covered (complete with time stamps if you do not have time for the entire video).  "We’re living in an unprecedented time as COVID-19 impacts lives everywhere. As we navigate and adjust, how can we manage the many emotions we’re feeling? Dr. Laurie Santos hosted a Facebook Live Q&A to help us all find ways to cope and process. The video covers the following topics: Reducing tension in a relationship while sheltering in place (1:11) Consuming news without increasing anxiety (3:24) Supporting healthcare workers and helping them prioritize self-care (5:19) Remaining positive when living alone (8:51) Staying focused and producti...

Overwhelmed by all of the resources, advice, and help that is floating around out there? ODE released a wonderfully concise document about how to help your child through this tough time. I like it because it is simple and complete, and all in one document! How to Support Your Child’s Health and Well-Being During Ohio’s Ordered School-Building Closure Even though I am providing you with yet another resource to consider, I want you to know that no one is expecting perfection. If all you can do right now is focus on loving your kids and providing a safe home for them, that is enough! As parents, you already live with this deep sense of parental guilt. Am I doing this right? Am I doing enough? In my experience, the most important thing is that a child knows they are loved and safe ! There are a lot of things we tell kids that parents need to hear too! Nobody is perfect. Don't compare yourself to others.  Love yourself and others.  Don't give up.  Take care of you...

  Over the first two weeks of school I work diligently to introduce myself to all students, explain my job, what I do, how to see me, etc. While doing this, I also make a point to work in some character education:) This year, I found an incredibly interesting article listing all of the academic benefits of kindness. For years we have preached to the students that kindness matters, be nice, treat others with respect, etc. We do this because we want them to be good, decent people, who care about others. However, the academic benefits of kindness have been largely overlooked! Here is the list I recently shared with our students: THE BENEFITS OF KINDNESS! Improved concentration Increased serotonin (feel-good, mood balancer) Less stress Improved focus Greater creativity Increased cognitive function Increased collaboration Improved self-esteem Greater empathy and peer acceptance More meaningful connections with others More healthy and productive collaboration with oth...

Hello! It has been awhile since I have posted anything on the blog! For my faithful followers, I apologize. I have been using Schoology much more this year and parents now have access to that as well. So the blog was put on the back burner:( However, there are some things that I would like to communicate with parents that are perfect for this format. Today's topic is just that.   Vaping We have been blessed with a long period of time where smoking was NOT the popular thing to do. The New York Times reports that smoking was even at a 40-year low! Now, there is something new to worry about. Vaping has been around for a few years now, but it is becoming more prevalent in young people. Below is a link to an article published by the New York Times earlier this year. It does a great job of helping with this difficult conversation, while taking the teenage mindset into consideration. Please take some time to check it out and start this conversation with your children. ...

Today I am working with 7th grade History classes to register for classes for the 2018-2019 school year! Some notes about scheduling:   Choir now requires teacher signature to enroll. In addition, both parents and students are required to sign the contract/expectations on the back of the registration form. This course will be limited to 50 students per section.  Other classes that require teacher signature: English 8+, Foreign Language, Choir, Metal/Glass Work Courses taught at (or above) the high school level: Foreign Language and Enriched Algebra I **NEW Art Courses for 2018-2019!** Next year, Mrs. Fraizer is excited to offer two additional art courses! In addition, she has made some changes to the Art 8 curriculum that will give students more freedom and choice. Art 8 Exploration Through this course, you will have the freedom to choose from different mediums (materials) for each of your projects. You will develop your artistic skills by choosing th...

**Attention Parents** In our professional and personal lives we all have people we admire and trust. For me, that person is Norman Shub.  Norman Shub is an author, teacher and psychotherapist with the ability to expertly guide individuals, couples, families and communities toward solutions. His clear, compassionate, and practical style of teaching makes him a joy to listen to and you will come away with many clear and specific ideas . For more than 35 years, Norman has been clinical director of Gestalt Associates and the Gestalt Institute of Central Ohio. Throughout the year, he offers workshops on many of the topics that affect our daily lives. These workshops are offered in the evening, at a very reasonable price, and I can not express how beneficial I have found him to be.  Please consider attending a workshop. You will not regret it. Here are the current offerings! Developing Your Child's Self-Esteem - February 13, 2018 Parenting From Your Heart - April 1...

Anxiety Workshop for Parents! Anxiety  has become a growing issue in our changing world, especially with increasing terrorism, violence and more.  Parents often struggle to manage anxiety that develops in their children. While occasional anxiety is normal, constant anxiety can look a lot more like fear. Fear is being afraid of something real. Anxiety can become irrational and an everyday part of a child’s life, prohibiting them from truly enjoying childhood.  If you are a parent and are confused about how to help your child grow beyond their anxiety, you are not alone.   In this workshop, parents will learn skills to mitigate anxiety and help their children navigate anxiety. Why Should You Attend: -Is your child feeling too much anxiety? -Do you know what parents do that inadvertently causes anxiety in children?  -Are you modeling too much anxiety?  -Do you know how to help your child feel less anxiety through the parenting proces...

Happy Friday! There may be snow on the ground, but SPRING BREAK is nearly here! I am sure many families are looking forward to a fun and relaxing break! For many students, after a break, the return to school is difficult due to symptoms of anxiety. We see a growing number of students dealing with anxiety. Anxiety is often unpredictable and can be a challenge for the whole family. If you have a child who struggles with anxiety, I urge you to make the return to school a priority on April 17th. Try not to schedule any appointments or have any tardies in that first week back. If an appointment is necessary, make it as late in the day as possible. This way it does not disrupt the morning routine.  If anxiety is something your family struggles through, there is an upcoming workshop just for you!  Norman Shub, Ph.D. is the Clinical Director of the Gestalt Institute of Central Ohio.  Norman Shub is an author, teacher and psychotherapist who is a leader in the guiding of ind...

Yesterday in 8th Grade Science classes, the High School Counselors and I spent some time trying to explain to students how you earn credits in high school.  It is a valuable reminder for everyone. High school is different than elementary and junior high.  In junior high, you take classes and each year you move on to the next grade and take all the classes for that grade.  In high school, you must earn credits for specified classes and you earn credit each time you pass a class. So, for example, all students must earn 4 credits of English to graduate.  When you pass English 9 during your freshman year, you move on to English 10 during your sophomore year.  If, unfortunately, you failed English 9 then you are going to have to make that up before you can progress on to English 10.  Students who fail a class will be able to make up the course either by repeating the class over the summer or by retaking it during your sophomore year.  The bottom line is...

Attention Students and Parents: This year, we are offering a Pre-College planning meeting for 8th and advanced 7th grade students. This meeting will take place at 6:30 in the HS auditorium, Feb 6th. This meeting will cover many of the new terms you will hear as you begin to develop a plan for high school and college courses.  We hope to see you there!

Underage Drinking: How Can You Help? Research shows that parents are the leading influence on their child’s decisions about alcohol. Although it may not seem like it, when parents talk about underage drinking, their children do hear them. Around 9, children begin thinking alcohol may not be just for adults. By 15, many young people are drinking. Young people who start drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol problems as adults than those who begin drinking at 21 or older. The “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign aims to: 1. Increase parents’ awareness of the prevalence and risk of underage drinking 2. Equip parents with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to prevent underage drinking 3. Increase parents’ actions to prevent underage drinking Here are some links you may find helpful: YouTube Videos! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBXgZMI_zqfTBdPhFWRi7UajR4WTztWLM More info about the campaign! http://www.samhsa.gov/underagedrinking Th...

It has been awhile since my last post! Like many of you, I have been scrambling to get this year off to a great start! I hope everyone is settling in to a nice homework and study routine. Here are some important dates coming up this month: THIS Friday, September 30th is the last day of the first grading period!  If you are like me, this totally snuck up on you. A six week grading period goes SO FAST! This is one of the significant differences between elementary and junior high. It is important to build a good foundation for your grade in the first couple of weeks. If not, you spend the entire 6 weeks trying to bring your grades up. Students: make sure you are turning in ALL of your work - even if it is not completely finished. Half-credit is SO much better than a zero! And don't forget to do your math corrections! These can raise your math grade by an entire letter grade, or more. Parents: Grade cards will be sent home with students about a week after the end of the grad...

If you have been following this blog for a while now, you may remember me raving about Norman Shub at the Gestalt Institute. I have heard Norman speak and attended his workshops at multiple conferences. He is a wonderful resource, and located in Columbus! I just received information about a parenting workshop coming up. I would encourage everyone to take a look at this! He is excellent and you will not regret it. Here is the information! Parenting From Your Heart Workshop Come and Learn How to Be the Best Parent You Can Be   Building successful families and being a great parent takes more than just learning intellectual concepts and ideas. In Parenting From Your Heart, you will deepen your abilities as a parent through experiential learning, sharing and exploring how to apply and integrate skills into your parenting and family life. Our next workshop will be held on Tuesdays, October 18, 25 and November 1, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Attendees will learn something new during...

LOCKERS & SCHEDULES! Tomorrow is the first schedule pick up day and, if past years are any indication, it will be a hectic and fast-paced day in the main office.   Lockers:  If you are having trouble with a locker, staff will be present in the building to help. If a locker needs fixed/adjusted, please fill out the locker slip available in the main office. We will look at these throughout the day and fix them. You do NOT have to wait to see someone. Once the locker is fixed we will put your original locker slip in the "Fixed Lockers" tray in the main office.  Schedules: If something is wrong on your schedule, you will have to fill out a schedule change request form.  You do NOT have to wait to see me - if I am able to make the adjustment, I will make it and you can pick up your revised schedule anytime between now and the first day of school.   Remember, as in the past, you will need your parent's signature indicating that they authorize the cha...

I'm Back! I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer! I spent my summer working, traveling, reading, and spending as much time as possible with family and friends. With school just around the corner, I have been thinking about the unique nature of middle school. It is a weird and wonderful time, that can become difficult to navigate. Below is a link to a wonderful article discussing the importance of resiliency, grit, and failure. Failure can be a scary word, and many junior high students will tell you they have a fear of failure. In reality, failure is an important part of life! I hope you enjoy the read as much as I did! F is For Failure: Helping Kids Develop Grit and Courage

SPORTS!    One of the great things about Junior High is the ability to join a school sport! Junior High is the first chance students have to do this and it is an opportunity that should not be missed! What are you interested in? We have A LOT of things to choose from! Fall Sports:                 Winter Sports:          Spring Sports: Football                       Swimming                Track Volleyball                     Wrestling Cross Country             Basketball Cheer                         Cheer PHYSICALS! Free physicals available at MedCentral on 4th street! Boys: May 24th, 5-630 pm Girls: May 31st, 5-630 pm Forms available in the office! ...

Social Media Articles Social Media continues to be an issue for many of our students.  It can have implications far beyond the present day and so it is a common topic for many articles: 3 points to discuss with teens about anonymous messaging The 12 apps every parent of a teen should know about Lots more college admissions officers are checking your Instagram and Facebook Boost college applications with a positive online presence To the well-intentioned but ignorant parents of teenagers Teens are using secret hashtags to share dangerous habits What do college admissions officers look for on Facebook pages? Teens and technology use Cyberbullying risk is much higher for young women and moderate internet users Does social media affect college admissions, how to prepare your profiles Study: college application process gets social College admissions: using social media during admissions process Why many kids are leav...