Middle School Principal’s Letter
Dear Parents,
Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s version of the News and Views. Being out of your routine and coping with the stress of having the kids home, and helping them with their school work can make it hard for you to focus. It can also be tough on your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. I am sharing somethings you could do to help you get through these challenging times.
Shift your mindset: The good news is that there are things you can do to feel more grounded and calmer. Perception plays a big role in how stressed we feel and how well we’re able to cope. Focus on what you can do instead of on what’s out of your control. Calming the mind through meditation, journaling, and designated “worry time” can be helpful in preventing stress from hijacking your brain
Eat for Balance: Blood sugar management plays a key role in our emotional and mental state in addition to physical energy and satiety. Having balanced meals and snacks spaced evenly throughout the day will help you feel alert and stable—and less susceptible to compulsive snacking.
Move: Movement is essential to our overall well being, but it can feel challenging to make it part of your day when you’re suddenly stuck at home and out of your routine. Be flexible. If you can, take a walk or try at-home workouts.
Safeguard your sleep: Sleep is one of the first things to take a hit when we’re stressed, but it’s super-important to get adequate rest to support the immune system and boost work performance.
Here is a link that will help provide you with some guidance on how to speak to your child about their learning.
It has been an unusual week for us all. For me, it has been important to I realize that my leadership is no longer face-to-face, it is virtual. I no longer get to give students entering the building a smile, or a high-five to start their day. I miss that, but now I have to be creative and let them know I am still here for them. As parents, you are also going to learn about yourself, and about your child as a learner. You must remember to take this time to connect with friends and get involved in what the school is doing to support you.
Here is a tweet that was sent to me recently that I am going to share with you. I would encourage you to read it several times and reflect on it.
“These are unprecedented times and we are all bound to make mistakes and blunders. It’s how we acknowledge them, learn from them, and move on from them that will shape who we all are when all is well again.”
Have a safe, active and fun spring break, and thank you for all you do to support the middle school.
Thank you for your continuous support of the middle school.
In Partnership,
Courtney Bailey
Middle School Principal
From the MS/HS Library
Sora is open 24/7
The CAC libraries will be closed for the duration of the spring break, but you can still access hundreds of ebooks and digital audiobooks through Sora, the online reading app.
Download Sora, find our school (type in Cairo and you’ll see it), use your CAC single-sign on when asked for your Follett account, and explore our options.
You can customize your experience by clicking on the Preferences button of the Explore page (the one with the binoculars).
Due dates extended
All MS students who had books due from March 11, now have an extended due date of May 5. You can return books to the library’s drop box during the break, and we’ll check them back in on April 5. (Books that were due back before March 11 are still overdue. You can’t blame COVID-19 for your failure to return those.)
Three Cheers
Three Cheers to our teachers for their efforts to shift to an e-learning platform so quickly.
Three Cheers to all our parents and students for making the adjustment to continue learning from home.
Three Cheers to our tech department for their outstanding work in supporting teachers, students and parents with the learning from home.
Three Cheers to the leadership team for keeping the mood light on campus during these unprecedented times.