The Checklist for Middle School

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Nervous smiles will greet this year’s class of sixth graders. Many will be eager to finally meet classmates, merging from other elementary schools to form their future class of 2028. Students seeking friendships and information will ask, “What’s your name, and what school did you come from?” While the immediate tripling or quadrupling of classmates may feel overwhelming, students will discover a new phenomenon in attending a much larger school—hallway congestion. Don’t worry! Classroom rules, routines, and expectations are part of the learning curve! One of the best ways to feel leaps ahead of the class is to have a plan for managing time and organization. Here are a few tips to help students feel well-prepared and successful! Backpack Packing Guide: Many students will transition from “cubbies” to lockers, while others will miss the opportunity and live out of their backpacks. Well before day one, get to know the depth and width of every zippered area and pouch. Start thinking about where to place essential items, such as pencils, highlighters, erasers, index cards, and other class supplies. The goal isn’t to dig, but to reach in and extract with ease! TIP: Even if you have trouble finding shoes on school mornings, it’s wise to maintain a tidy backpack, expectedly placed by the front door. 1. Where Did that Paper Go? In elementary school, students learned in math and science how to utilize a spiral

notebook. The self-contained format prepared students for the next step—a three-ring binder. Parents can assist by using color to differentiate subjects. For instance, red could indicate math, while green connects to ELA. Teachers will model set-up by insisting that each page include a headline and date. Both are essential if the unspeakable happens— prongs remain open, and months of papers spill onto the floor. TIP: Don’t buy economy; instead, accept the expense and purchase durable binders! 2. The Handy-Dandy Planner: Yes, it’s rather large in size and cumbersome, but it has appealing aspects, such as that students can record assignments both long and short-term, and reminders, such as “wash gym shorts,” “bring in dryer lint for Wednesday’s science class,” or “math test on Friday.” One helpful feature is each month’s full-page calendar, which can help students better visualize long-term deadlines. It may be a life-saver! TIP: Save time by opening the planner to the day’s date at the beginning of class. As teachers call out reminders or instructions, a student can jot them down without having to rely on his or her memory. TIP: Each day, start by setting homework goals, especially for long-term assignments. Just remember, procrastination never results in a satisfying grade! 3. Homework Folder: Who wants the embarrassment of flipping through binders, folders, and a backpack in search of homework? The easiest solution is to designate one eye-catching or colorful folder for assignments.

Mark the left side as “assignments” by keeping handouts or directions for longterm projects. The right side will contain completed work. TIP: As students pack up at the end of the day, they should always remember to take home the homework planner and folder. 4. Homework Hour: Sitting down to begin homework can feel exhausting; therefore, organize your evening ahead of time. For instance, chose the hour to start. How about 4 PM? Many students will know how long homework takes most nights; so, choose to complete one subject before taking a ten-minute break! TIP: Always begin with the most challenging subject and finish with your favorite class. TIP: Eliminate distractions by completing homework in a semi-quiet place, such as the dining room table or den. Turn off or leave behind all technology during student sessions. Creating a “homework” schedule and using strategies for time management will most certainly help all sixth-graders be successful and prepare for new challenges and greater responsibilities! Have a great year!

HAPPY MAIL

THE VALUE BEHIND PERSONAL MAIL IN A DIGITAL AGE

BY TARYN JEREZ

Each day that you open your mailbox and pull out the infamous random assortment of junk mail, you find the same things. You fiddle through the perfectly addressed envelopes from random businesses; bills for which you already subscribed to the paperless option, yet keep receiving; the grocery store mailers that leave ink on your fingertips; and other pre-paid postage disappointments. Some days, before you toss the bulk of it in the trash, you may even let out a sigh, remembering when checking the mail was actually a bit exciting. Perhaps that was a long time ago, but a time nonetheless. The majority of our personal correspondence follows the rest of the digital age and meets us in e-mail inboxes, text messages, or social media direct messages. From party invitations to birthday wishes, it’s become more and more rare to receive a physical piece of mail from family and friends. Even outside of the big celebratory gestures, how often do we see care packages shipped any more or even a simple fourline postcard dropped in the mail? The way that we keep in touch, show we care, and give life updates has simply changed over time. It can be so easy to forget just how special it can feel to receive a little “happy mail” from someone we care about. Each generation has different memories around the experience of sending and receiving personal snail mail; the time we’re living in could use a reminder of just how valuable the experience really is. When we send someone something personal through the mail we’re showing we went the extra mile. Taking time to send something as simple as a birthday card really stands out, when you could have just written that 30-second birthday message on Facebook covered with emojis. It shows the person on the other end that you chose a card just for them, took time to write something personal, paid that small stamp price and made sure it got all the way to greet them at their home. Simple as it is, it makes a difference. Think about the height of the Pandemic, when most of the United States and other countries were on a strict lockdown. Now, imagine how a handwritten letter in a grandparent’s mailbox must have felt in those moments. How opening an envelope filled with printed photos of their grandchildren could change their entire mood! We often hear the sentiment “It’s the little things that count,” and when it comes to personal mail it really rings true! If you’ve ever had that special feeling of opening your mailbox only to be surprised by a little happy mail yourself, then you know exactly what it can do for your day. What if each of us started making it our mission to add that same excitement to someone else’s day once in a while? Grab some interesting stationary, a book of stamps, and some fun-colored pens and get started! Maybe you write a few personal letters to old friends or decide to send a birthday card to your sibling for the first time in years. Remember, it’s the little things! You don’t have to go overboard and create enormous, fancy care packages to make it exciting for someone--doodle a fun drawing on the outside of an envelope or a sticker to make the recipient smile when they pull the card out. In our technology-centered world of correspondence the act of sending something may not feel good only to them, but to you, too. There is so much value in going back to the basics and sending a little sunshine to someone you love. Challenge yourself this week to think of someone who could use some of that sunshine and put a little postage on it. You won’t regret it!

Success Starts with a Smile! BY MARTIE EMORY

When there’s talk of back-to-school, it’s hard not to feel energized and excited about the start of something new. While parents navigate new schedules for their kids, they may also be testing the waters of a new career path and looking to update their own confidence level a bit. Good news: Exploring the many options of orthodontics can be an “all in the family” experience! With the start of a new school year—and a brand-new season all around—take a look at just a few reasons Salem Smiles should become part of your family’s routine: * Let’s talk confidence! For kids who are self-conscious about their smile, and hesitant to join in school activities or engage in making new friends, a visit to the orthodontist can be life-changing. Parents, too, may need a little nudge in the self-care department, if having a less-than-perfect smile is holding them back from applying for a better job or exploring new opportunities. A popular option instead of traditional metal braces—and obviously less noticeable—

Invisalign can be the answer for parents and children alike, and Dr.

Shoaf has been treating patients with Invisalign since 1999. (She was trained in some of the procedure’s inaugural classes!) * More adults than ever before are seeing an orthodontist, realizing that misaligned teeth can cause other gum and total health issues. Not surprisingly, adult orthodontia may even be more effective than in the teens, since as parents, you may not need to be “nudged” as much as your children to keep up with proper daily dental care. * Is your family calendar already filling up, and August has barely begun? Salem Smiles makes it easy to schedule appointments, and the office is located close to several schools. They are also committed to seeing patients promptly and in an efficient manner—knowing your time is especially valuable during the busy school/work week.

Most adjustment visits last only 15-20 minutes, so you can keep to your efficient schedule without waiting. * Are you the parent of a sports enthusiast who’s ready to hit the ground running? Salem Smiles can fit children and teens with custom mouth guards to start their year off safely, and protect not only teeth, but also the mouth, gums, and jaw area. Parents—don’t overlook the importance of a mouth guard if you’re an avid cyclist, or if you experience teeth grinding while you sleep. * Care you can count on! Since opening in 2012, Winston-

Salem native Dr. Sarah Shoaf and the staff of Salem

Smiles Orthodontics have proven their dedication and compassion for patients. She is also the only American

Board of Orthodontics Diplomate in the area; and brings valuable experience with patients who struggle with congenital conditions such as cleft lip and palate. With their 10th anniversary approaching next year, they look forward to continuing to brighten smiles—and celebrate the fact that what they do can indeed change lives!

Salem Smiles Orthodontics is conveniently located at 1063 W. Northwest Blvd in Winston-Salem. Reach the practice to discover more about their services and schedule a free initial consultation at 336-725-5757, or visit them online at SalemSmilesOrtho.com.