Templeton Middle School

Principal’s Weekly Communication

Middle School Years

On Sunday we all moved our clocks ahead by one hour. Many parents are now facing the daunting task of waking up sleepy children to try and get them to school on time. It’s a real struggle. Many researchers believe daylight saving time is not good for us. Our bodies evolved, over millions of years, to be attuned to the sun’s rhythm. Daylight savings is an artificial jump forward from standard time, which is more aligned with the path of the sun. Sunlight in the morning dumps different chemicals into our brains that coordinate mental and physical health. 

The artificial shifting of our clocks each year may be good for outside BBQs and working later on the summer nights, but it does not fool our bodies. The shift raises stress levels and inflammation, shortens our sleep, and increases depression. A recent traffic study found a 6% increase in fatal car crashes in the week after we spring forward. Adults also see an increase in heart attacks during that same time period. 

This change can be very hard on your middle schoolers.  They have a natural delay in their biological clock. This phenomenon is seen across cultures—and even across species—and may be evolution’s way of giving teenagers more independence. Their melatonin—the drowsiness hormone—rises later in the evening, prompting them to go to sleep later and wake up later than the rest of us. The darker it is in the morning and the sunnier it is later in the day, the harder it is for them to get to bed on time. The result is shortened sleep, an increase in accidents, and a higher risk of depression.

Due to a number of causes, this generation is already one of  the most sleep-deprived populations in human history and sleep is vitally important during all the physical and mental changes that happen at this time in your middle schoolers life. A sleep-deprived brain is slower to react and makes more mistakes. Lack of sleep may also lead to increased sadness and depression.  A new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health finds that for kids ages 11 to 14, “sleep was one of the top predictors of positive mood and protectors against anxiety and depression during the pandemic.”

Registration for Current 6th and 7th Grade Students 

Be on the lookout for registration documents that will be emailed to students and parents on March 21, 2023 following our registration assemblies.  Following the assemblies, our students will be spending time in class selecting their electives. We will send you a list of our elective choices for next year so you can have a discussion with them about their choices. Registration will be completed by filling out a Google form prioritizing course choices.  We will be hosting a question and answer session on March 21, 2023 at 6:30 PM. Forms are due March 24, 2023.

8th Grade Promotion Gowns

Information was sent out to parents last week via USPS about gowns for promotion. Gown orders are due Thursday, March 23! Here is the link to the letter that was mailed - Promotion Letter. Here is the link to the - Gown Order Form. Just in case you cannot find your copy, a separate ParentSquare will come out tomorrow with the letter and the order form.Our promotion is on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 7:00 PM. That’s the day before the THS graduation!

PowerSchool Grades

We have found that a few of our students have figured out how to increase their grades…and it’s not by studying and turning in homework! They have figured out how to manipulate the screens on the phones and on their chromebooks with the inspect function. Most of our kids are great, but we have already had a few calls from parents about the grades being different ion their parent portal from what their student is showing them. Here’s a YouTube video that shows students how to do it. This does really change the grade in the system, but it can fool you.  In order to defeat this nefarious plot, simply refresh the page on their computer or phone.  Better yet, check their grades using your own login on the parent portal to check the grades.  You can always contact us to get up to date grades if there is a question. 

Spring Forward

Please be aware that it’s time to Spring Forward! Oftentimes, this can cause our middle schoolers (and staff) to be a bit grumpy for the next few days or weeks as our bodies adjust to the new wake up times.  

Dates to remember:

March 21, 2023 - Registration Q & A Night. 6:30 PM

March 24, 2023 - 6th and 7th Grade Registration forms due.

March 28, 2023 - Suicide Prevention Parent Forum. 6:30 PM

March 28, 2023 - Suicide Prevention Parent Forum

Dr. Gene Miller

TMS Principal

 Here are some resources you may find useful:

 Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Educators (National Association of School Psychologists)

 Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Counseling Association)

 Helping Children Cope With Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)

Helping Young Children Who Have Experienced Trauma: Policies and Strategies for Early Care and Education (Child Trends)

Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma (Child Trends)

Talking to Children about the Shooting (Child Trends)

 TMS Counseling Form - When your student needs extra support from Mr. Heinen or Mrs. Leopard with a variety of issues.

Student Health and Well Being