Ms. Holzhauer is back from maternity leave...
& planning for a Career Fair in June!
If you or someone you know is interested in sharing your career with MESMS students drop me an email or a phone message. I look forward to hearing from you!
Have a great day!
Hello! My name is Ms. Holzhauer and I am the new grades 5-8 Guidance Counselor for Michael E. Smith Middle School. As a Guidance Counselor my job is to work with students, teachers and families to ensure a positive, successful school year. My focus is primarily on the areas of Academic and Career Development. I am excited to begin my work here and look forward to meeting each and every one of you. Be on the look out for updates on my page about upcoming Guidance afterschool events, important dates to remember and tips for a succesful school year.
Sincerely,
Ms. Holzhauer
If you need to reach me you can email me at CHolzhauer@shschools.com
Mix It Up Day
BREAKING BREAD BUILDS BRIDGES TO BUDDIES
If you’ve ever found yourself wanting the cafeteria setting in your child’s school to become more advantageous to making friends and meeting new students, your wish is about to come true. On November 13, the Michael E. Smith Middle School will join thousands of other schools in the celebration of National Mix-It Up Day. With the approval from the Administration, the Raising Respect Task Force is moving forward with this upbeat crusade. On this day, students will be encouraged to sit in a new seat during their lunch. Classroom discussions, added lunch supervision, conversation starters and survey results are just some of the supports that will be implemented in the upcoming days to aid in the successful promotion of this innovative campaign.
While some students will look forward to trying this experience, others, may feel a little out of their comfort zone. As conversations may spring up about their feelings, here are some thoughts to share with your child:
v There is strength in numbers. Everyone will be participating.
v A new friend may be waiting on the other side of a 15-minute dialogue.
v Support from students and adults will be available throughout the day.
v Familiarity with others can reduce the bullying that exclusion negatively relies on.
v Out of the 175 (give or take) lunches your child will eat this year, this small act of
kindness may optimistically encourage the outcome of the rest of the lunches.
v This one act of kindness does not cost any extra money, nor require established talents
or skills.
v Adolescence is a time to encourage independence in small steps. This small step will
foster a sense of pride and commitment.
v Follow up ideas and activities will be presented throughout the year.
By accepting others,
we'll become sisters and brothers.
By finding common ground,
peace will be found.
By putting yourself in other's shoes,
none of us will lose.
It starts with each one of you,
and spreads the whole world through.
