Dear HKMS Families,

Long time readers of this newsletter know I love studying the growth and development of adolescents.  One of my favorite sources of new adolescent science is the book and podcast, This is So Awkward (2023), by Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett.  This is So Awkward is all about what is going on in adolescent bodies and brains from ages 11 - 23, with a focus on the middle school years.  The podcast episode from this November 1st is titled Handling Lies! Lies! Lies! with Betsy Brown Braun.  Betsy Brown Brown (BBB)  is a child development and behavior specialist who tells it like it is! Here is the good and bad news from this episode (you can decide which is good and which is bad), from ages 6 until 96 all humans lie.   However, lying peaks between ages 11-18 and tapers off as we grow into adulthood.  Adolescent lying is normal and is important in their development.   Part of growing up, is their desire for independence, and lying can satisfy that desire.  The limbic system in the brain, which is fired up during adolescents is all about the risk/reward feedback.   Risky behaviors are"rewarded" with a hit of dopamine, which feels great.  Lying to an adult is risky and if successful is rewarded and reinforced.  There are three basic types of lying our teens will use;  avoidance, omission, and commission (intentionally reporting mistruths).  Often we set up children to lie by the type of questions we ask.  "Did you brush your teeth?" is an easy question to ask and an easy one to lie about.  Taking the time to frame your question into, "I wonder how your friends will react to that breath?" takes lying out of their response.  To be clear, lying is not okay and absolutely needs to be addressed, but the harsher and more confrontational we are about the small things, the more likely lies about the big things become.  Let them know that you know, without confrontation, which can keep dialogue open.  Ms. Braun ends the show with these words of wisdom, “The surest way to make life difficult for your kids is to make to easy for them now.”  Check out the episode, I'd live to know what you think.  

Next week we will celebrate our veterans on Tuesday 11/12.  We are honored to have two veterans on our staff.  Lieutenant, J. G., Retired, Paul D’Agostino United States Navy and Petty Officer First Class Kevin Rogers, United States Navy.  Lieutenant D'Agostino and Petty Officer Rogers will be joined by over a dozen other vets from our community to share their military experiences.   We hope you can join our Peer Leaders and the 300 Boodles Brigade in donating items to stuff dozens of care packages for service members overseas this holiday season.  Please see the "Happenings" section for flyers that list requested items and ways to "adopt a box." 

Not a lie, it was another amazing week here at Keller.  I hope you take a few minutes to check out all the fantastic teaching and learning, community building, and extra curriculars throughout this newsletter. 

Wishing you all a great weekend and sending a heart full of appreciation to all of our veterans! 

Sincerely,

Steve Clapp, Ed.D.

Dr. Baca's scientists are seen here preparing for Friday's debate on which is better, naturals or synthetics?  Students examined both beef and sugar products and their alternatives for this debate! 

Students in health are giving and receiving constructive teacher and peer feedback to improve their presentations about personal hygiene.  

The HKMS School Climate committee had it's first official meeting this week!  This is a committee made up of student, staff and parent representatives.  They are an advisory panel that talks openly about the climate of our school.  They follow a student-centered approach.  Their goal is to empower open and honest input from our student reps in order to address concerns and to celebrate the positive.  Their ultimate mission is to seek out what is going right and help that to grow while also being willing to have brave conversations about areas of concern.  They are an advisory panel that aims to gather this insight and pass along suggestions and ideas to different groups within the school to raise awareness.  It was a fantastic first meeting!