Counselor Corner

Welcome!

We work as a team and individually to support the Wake Forest Middle School community in a variety of ways. Counselors provide lessons to classrooms on topics that are applicable to their needs and positive growth. We also plan and program small groups around subjects that will foster evolution and/or connection for students who might benefit from this type of experience. Recent small group themes have included being a better friend, dealing with grief, developing study skills, managing big emotions and more. We also see students individually to assist and support them with personal and academic challenges they are facing. Counselors collaborate with staff and families to share professional expertise in teen development and how their mental health impacts their relationships and learning. To learn more about the school counseling role in general, please click here.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 10/10

The teen years are challenging. It is hard for the young humans going through this time and for their parents, guardians, and larger community supporting them during this time of growth and change. Contrary to larger stereotypes, teens recognize and value the role that adults fill in their lives during this time; they hope to feel accepted by them, and that their growth is seen and validated. While they are pushing for independence, they recognize that there is a need for some established rules and boundaries in their lives; however, that developing sense of self and desire for more freedom makes them resistant to control for the sake of control. Teens are most likely to accept, and follow!, rules that they understand are about their safety. Teens are inclined to rebel when they feel rules are centered on their tastes and preferences, when they feel like judgment on “personal” choices they are developing, like style, music, friends, etc. and not about their overall well-being. Positive communication about rules delivered in a caring way helps teens to be more open to the message parents are sharing. The role of family remains a safe anchor, even while they start to sail further from shore.

Poster Contest.pdf

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message on 10/3

October is Bullying Prevention Month, and the counselors have planned a full month of learning opportunities for our students around this important topic. This month is dedicated to standing together to ensure we are creating a school culture where everyone feels safe, valued, and included. It is up to our whole school community to make this school a safe and positive place to come every day. Parents and guardians can contribute by sharing your values and experiences with your students around this topic, listening to your students’ experiences, promoting their own self confidence to show up as a friend to others, and to stay in communication with them around these topics and modeling kindness. Please find more information about Bullying Prevention on our website.

Please remind your student to wear blue on Monday in support of World Day of Bullying Prevention!

We’d like to highlight Ms. McIntyre, our School Social Worker, and Mr. Fleet, WFMS Data Manager, as a key members of the Student Services Team. They both support our students with school attendance. Ms. McIntyre works with families to ensure strong attendance in their students, as good attendance significantly impacts academic growth and achievement. Mr. Fleet is the person to whom you report any absences for your student, in order to have them excused. If your student will be/has been out of school, you can send in a note with your student to turn into a folder in the front office or you can fill out this easy Google Form. The Student Services website has more information about school attendance in general. Please check it out for that information and a host of other resources.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 9/19

Part of our work is to help students understand and celebrate who they are and to be curious to learn more about who their fellow students are, too. In that vein throughout the year, we will highlight some of the different identities, cultures, and religions in our larger school community when various important dates or celebrations occur. We are blessed to have a school community rich with people whose cultures come from all over the world, who have strong faith backgrounds in many of the world religions, and whose passions and interests are varied- we can all learn so much from each other!

9/15-10/15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month; a month-long celebration of the cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. WCPSS invites families to join us at our annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, Thursday, Sept. 25 at Millbrook Magnet High from 5 to 7:30 p.m. to come together to celebrate with the cultural staples: food, music, and dancing. The free event will feature student performances.

Our school community members of the Jewish faith are celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, next week. We wish those of you celebrating this holy time L'Shana Tovah Tikatevu , which is Hebrew for “may you be inscribed for a good year.”

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message on 9/12

One of the main priorities in the WCPSS Strategic Plan is that “By 2028, 90% of WCPSS students will demonstrate the social-emotional competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making and eliminate any disparities by race, ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status.” The counseling department at WFMS centers this goal in our comprehensive school counseling program in a variety of ways. One key way is that all students at our school will receive social emotional learning lessons through the Second Step program, selected by district leadership. Wake County Public School System offers this curriculum throughout our schools to ensure students are receiving critical learning about skills that will positively impact their ability to thrive and succeed. The middle school curriculum includes lessons for each grade on topics under the following themes: Mindsets & Goals, Developing a Positive Sense of Self, Thoughts, Emotions, & Decisions, and Managing Relationships & Social Conflict. Additionally, there is a unit on bullying prevention that will be taught in October, to coincide with other Bullying Prevention Month planning. We coordinate and support this learning in conjunction with our PE department who deliver the lessons as a part of the Health class planning.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 9/5

The beginning of a school year is both an exciting and a stressful time for students and families alike. Students are adjusting to a more rigid schedule and usually significantly earlier waking times, which means they are likely to be operating on less sleep. Students may feel academic pressure, especially after months of break, as they integrate into new classes and adjust to expectations in multiple different classes. Additionally, there will be social challenges as they are seated with people new to them, might be missing friends in other classes, and are spending many hours a day around lots of people. This can also be a hard time for parents who are helping their kid(s) get up in the morning and set new routines for the family around a school/after school schedule; this can be an especially expensive time of year with buying school supplies or having activity fees which creates its own pressure.

Some coping strategies for the whole family during this time of change that might be a help are:

-to have regular open conversations, discussing what a challenging time this can be so kids know it isn’t just them experiencing the discomfort of change

-set aside some time for fun, relaxing family time

-create routines that streamline getting out the door in the morning calmly, and be open to changing them until they work well for your family

Having extra patience and creating a supportive environment where it is safe to talk about any feelings or experiences can be the key to success during this time. If your child(ren) need support here at school, please reach out to their grade level counselor!

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 8/29

The counseling department and all of Student Services are excited to serve our students and school community. Please see some basic information about us that might be helpful at the beginning of this new school year!

Wake Forest Middle School Counseling Mission Statement:

The school counseling program at Wake Forest Middle School strives to create a data driven comprehensive school counseling program that helps all students reach their full potential. Our school counseling program works to inspire and prepare a culturally relevant and engaging program that allows all students access to academic, career, and social/emotional lessons, groups and activities. We use data to actively champion processes and procedures that impede student success. By forging strong partnerships with stakeholders we ensure students have access to an equitable, rigorous and holistic educational experience matching their individual needs to be effective communicators and innovators in the 21st century.

Grade level counselors:

6th grade Charlotte Purnell, cpurnell@wcpss.net, 919-554-8440 ext. 22428

7th grade Jamie Gordon, jbgordon@wcpss.net, 919-554-8440 ext. 22430

8th grade Rhonda Pertell, rpertell@wcpss.net, 919-554-8440 ext. 22429

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 6/13

We wish all our families a happy, healthy summer with some time for rest and relaxation together. Our mental health team is not available over the summer hours, but our Student Services website can provide some direction for support if you have a need. We look forward to serving you all again in August at the beginning of the next school year. Thank you!

Shared in Dr. Bradford's message on 6/6

This infographic shares a snapshot of some of the services and accomplishments of the WFMS School Counselors over this school year. It is a privilege to be of service to our students and school community.

Counseling dept. services 2024-2025.pdf

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 5/30

End of Grade testing occurs next week here at WFMS, and counselors have seen an uptick in students sharing their stress, concern, and feelings of anxiousness about doing well. Parents can be a source of comfort and encouragement during this challenging time by reassuring their child(ren) that their efforts to do well are enough. Often, students feel pressure to achieve a certain score and begin to overthink and worry about the outcome instead of focusing on their process and performance. Encouraging your student(s) to have a positive attitude about the test and their preparedness for it could promote their self-confidence. Help them to remember that this test is one step in their learning journey, and that growth over time is the goal.

Please check out Wake County Public School System’s parent guide for end of year testing here.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 5/23

As we near the end of the year, the counselor team would like to take a moment to send our endless gratitude to all the volunteers from families and the community who have spent time helping the students and staff of Wake Forest Middle School this year. An especially big THANK YOU to the PTSA officers and members who have spent thousands of hours here assisting in many different ways. Your time, effort, and commitment make a huge difference in our community.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 5/16

May 21st is the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, more commonly known as Diversity Day. Wake Forest Middle School community is blessed by having so many different cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds amongst our students and families. We all benefit from these varied experiences and perspectives every day, and the counseling department would like to highlight embracing this great opportunity our educational community has to learn from others. This day of recognition around these topics reminds us how we can grow as individuals by learning to respect and value other people’s perspective, faith, and norms. When we have the opportunity to meet with distinct others, it leads to greater understanding and connection. This insight can lead to more peace in our learning environment and also for the larger world. Simple ways to participate in expanding your own and your family’s awareness could include: watching an international film, learning another language, visiting a museum or exhibit centered on another culture, volunteering with an organization working to advance respect for diversity, and more. Please find more information about this here.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 5/9

Feel like your teen is always hiding out in their bedroom, and all attempts to get them out only make them retreat further? You are not alone. It is developmentally typical for teenagers to retreat to their rooms and live there- here are some of the reasons your child(ren) might be doing this.

They have spent all day around a ton of people at school with many different demands on their time and attention, and they have hit sensory overload. Hiding out in their room is a positive reset and coping strategy, not just avoidance or isolation seeking.

Often kids feel like conversations with parents always result in a lecture or disagreement, and their room becomes a neutral zone for them. Likewise, they might know they are not feeling emotionally stable and know they will blow up at their parents over nothing and feel bad or be in trouble for it. Sometimes choosing their room is a buffer zone to avoid conflict.

They are seeking independence at this age but also have very little control over much of their lives. They have to go to school, attend family functions, make good grades, their body is being flooded with hormones, etc… Their room is a space where they rule supreme, which feeds that need for some control.

They are figuring out who they are during this time of big change in adolescence and being in their private space lets them experiment and express themselves without observation or judgement from others. It is a space to just be themselves, in whatever wonky way that looks that day.

Here are some ways to help your child(ren) during this time: Respect their space and honor it is theirs as appropriate; knock to enter so they can see that in you. Have positive conversation with them after school before you ask about their homework and grades. Plan some chill, hang out time with them- without questions or lessons- to remind them you are there for them and a safe space. Remind them that all people need space sometimes and model that for them when you do, too.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 5/2

Next week is TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. The counseling department would like to share our deep gratitude for the teachers of our school and their tireless dedication to helping our students learn and grow. We feel lucky to team with them every day!

As the end of year approaches, there is more attention in classrooms on end of grade testing. Some students might begin to feel stress about these tests in advance. Families can help their child(ren) by discussing their concerns with them and collaborating with them on preparing in positive ways. Some examples of preparation in advance could include helping them to set up a good sleep schedule, providing positive reinforcement so they build their confidence, and more. Please check out Wake County Public School System’s parent guide for end of year testing here.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 4/15

April is Autism Awareness Month. We want to highlight understanding, inclusion, and acceptance for all people who identify along the autism spectrum this and every month. The Autism experience is different for everyone with this diagnosis and can impact social skills, self-regulation, and communication. Over the last twenty-five years, approximately 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder every year. We benefit from the insights and strengths, like creativity, intense focus on specific interests, and attention to detail, that our neurodivergent students bring to our school community and we are glad to highlight their experiences. (Source)

This month is a time for many religious observations and celebrations. We would like to honor all the cultures and faiths of our school community during this time.

Chag Pesach Sameach!

Happy Easter!

Eid Mubarak!

Just as the fields are blessed with a bountiful harvest, may your life be filled with abundance and happiness. Happy Baisakhi!

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 3/21

The counseling team has been working with all students to get them registered for their next year of school. Rising ninth graders have been registered for all classes with the high school they will be attending. Rising seventh and eighth grade students were introduced to all elective options and have made their choices in our system. Your child(ren) should have asked for your counsel and signature on the electives they hope to take next year. Elective classes give students a great opportunity to be exposed to new things and to consider career pathways that are connected to this information. The elective options are linked under each grade level on our Student Services website here, and if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your student’s current counselor.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Message on 3/8

Social media brings positive opportunities for students to connect with others, express themselves, and gain new information, but it also presents many risks. As counselors, we regularly discuss social media with students as they express frustration and pain about interactions with others there. As parents, the experts on your own child(ren), you will know what they will be ready to handle and what skills they might need to work on building. Below are some recommendations based on research and links to help manage student accounts.

Developing brains during adolescence are susceptible to higher sensitivity around receiving attention, and the opportunities on social media to receive “likes” and get “noticed” can activate the brain chemistry rewarding them for behavior to get more of it. Helping students to set limits with whom they are interacting and how often they are engaging on social media will make it more likely for this to stay a positive experience. Having a regular meeting with your child(ren) about their social media use, how those platforms work, and what the dangers might be will let them know you are a safe space to turn to if they are having an issue. In this and all things, parents are a model for their child(ren), so setting a good example for them is an easy and critical way to encourage them in their own use of it. Last, teach your child(ren) what to look out for to help reduce their risks.

Common Sense Media articles on Media use: HERE

Snapchat quick links including their family center policies: HERE

How to set up teen supervision on Instagram: HERE

iPhone parental supervisions: HERE

Supervision for Google accounts: HERE

Shared in The Principal's Message 2/28

The evening of February 28th is the expected start of Ramadan, a sacred month for Muslims. It is the most important time in the Islamic year and is a time of prayer, fasting, reflection, and family and community celebrations. Ramadan this year will run from sundown, February 28th to sundown, March 29th. We will be supporting our students who are fasting here at school and wish the rest of our school community of this faith, “Ramadan Mubarak”.

March is National Awareness Month for Developmental Disabilities. “Each individual, regardless of their abilities, has the right to be respected, embraced, and provided with opportunities to thrive, and this serves as a profound reminder of these principles, emphasizing the value, rights, and aspirations of those with developmental disabilities.” (Source) We celebrate our students of all abilities and celebrate the differences within our community.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's message 2/17

Research indicates that during these darker, colder days of winter, many people may feel less optimistic and energetic. Exercise is an easy way to combat typical “winter blues”, especially in teens, and to increase well-being overall. Exercise releases endorphins, which help to improve one’s overall mood. Regular exercise can also lead to increased independence and confidence, as one feels stronger, more capable, and creates a positive habit for oneself. Encouraging your child(ren) to find a way to move their bodies with cardio or to strength-train up to an hour several days a week is beneficial to their well-being. If students exercise in a community with others or with their families, it also creates an opportunity to build strong social connections- a DOUBLE WIN!

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 1/31

February is a time when nationally we celebrate Black History Month, also regularly referred to as African American History Month. This is a time of acknowledgement and celebration of the achievements and contributions of this population as being a key factor in our nation’s history, culture and success. “President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” (Quote source) Wake Forest Middle School will honor this month by having a “wax museum” of famous African American people in education, some classes will have lessons centered around applicable learning topics, and there will be a Career Day for students with a focus on black owned businesses and professionals speaking with the students about their experiences and expertise. A community celebration of our students’ talents will also be held to cap off this month. If you are interested in learning more about Black History, there are a wide variety of related topics, videos, and stories here.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 1/24

Change is exciting for some and more challenging for others. The start of the second semester is a time of change in a school setting. Student schedules shift in their elective classes, their drive time assignments, and sometimes are shifted in their Core classes, too. This can be challenging for them: losing a teacher with whom they may have been well connected, not being with the same friends, having to forge their way in a new group of students in a new class, figuring out new expectations for new teachers, and more. For many kids, this is easy, but for some, this is really challenging. Check in on your student after the first few days and listen to how their new semester is starting. They could be experiencing a wide range of emotions, like excitement, trepidation, anxiety, anger, grief, as they adjust to any changes in their school day. As you support them, remind them of all the times they have successfully navigated similar changes to bolster their confidence and of their strengths from previous experiences. If you have concerns, please reach out to the Student Services team, so we can be of support to them at school.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 1/17

This coming Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In honor of his legacy of service to others, Monday is a National Day of Service. Being of service to others, whether on this day or any day, is not only a benefit to the people receiving your gift of time and talents. When we are of service to others, it is beneficial to our own well-being. Research shows, especially for teens, that serving others highlights how one matters to their community and fosters one’s confidence and independence to know they might be able to positively impact others. The act of showing up and volunteering can shift a teen’s focus from negative to positive and help them feel more connected to others. This is especially true when they are able to choose what types of service reflect their passions and interests, so it is truly a gift of their skills, time and energy and not something they are being made to do. Encourage your students to investigate ways they might help out their community in a way that feels valuable to them, and they will benefit as they help others. (Source)

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 1/10

Happy New Year! This is often a time of year where people reflect and reset. This is a great opportunity to introduce young people to the idea of evaluating where they are and to contemplate areas in which they might want to continue to grow. Centering this reflection on questions like the ones below will help them to focus on positive things in their life. This is a great time to encourage your kids to focus on doing more of the things that make them feel good and will help them grow.

What went well last year that I want to do more of this year?

What is something new that I want to try this year?

Who is someone that you want to spend more time with this year?

What made you feel happy that you want to do more of in the next year?

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 12/15

Happy holidays! We are lucky to have a diverse school community, reflecting many different traditions, cultures, and religions. This year, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa all fall in the last week of December. There is information about these three celebrations of faith below, so that we can all learn more about the holidays our larger school community is celebrating during this month.

Christmas, observed on Dec. 25, is a time when Christian faiths celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In addition to the sacred religious commemoration, Christmas customs also incorporate some secular customs. The celebrations include gift giving, Advent calendars, listening to music, watching plays and movies, decorating spaces to reflect the holiday, and celebrating Santa Claus or Father Christmas.

Hanukkah is an eight day and night long celebration in the Jewish faith commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, is known as the Festival of Lights, and also celebrates freedom from oppression. Each night during Hanukkah, one candle is lit in a menorah, a candelabrum with seven lights, symbolizing the spreading of divine light throughout the world. Other festivities include songs, playing dreidel, giving gifts, and more.

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration from December 26-January 1 of African-American culture which ends with a feast. It highlights the seven principles of African Heritage: unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Symbols of this holiday are placed on a mat and include crops, corn, a unity cup, and a candle holder with seven lights.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 12/6

School counselors working with students often hear “I don’t know how I feel.”; students frequently mean that literally, in that they cannot name the feelings they are having. Helping our youth identify how they are feeling is often the first step towards navigating those feelings and understanding themselves better. It is easy to assume that people will just intuitively know how they are feeling, but this is really a learning process that requires teaching about the subject followed by practicing with that information. Helping your kid(s) name their emotions and talking with them about how to navigate those feelings in ways that feel safe is a critical life skill that will contribute to their overall well-being in these challenging teen years and for the rest of their lives.

Tools that may be of help:

Feelings Wheel

How We Feel app

CDC Essentials for Parenting Teens

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 11/22

The adults in young people’s lives have the privilege of serving as role models for them. While this is a privileged place, it can also feel challenging and sometimes even impossible, as adults are finding their own way, too. Adults often feel like they have to have it all together or present a perfect way of being for children, when youth actually benefit from seeing the adults in their lives problem solving as they navigate difficulties. This allows them to observe these skills in use and builds their idea of what resilience looks like. Parents and other adults are a model for what the healthy processing of emotions and coping with strong feelings during a stressful situation might look like. Sharing that you feel overwhelmed and need to think before you respond or take action is a great lesson for kids to learn. It normalizes appropriate and positive coping skills and teaches kids that not having all the answers is okay. Ultimately, this demonstrates to children that life at all ages will present challenges that they can navigate with self-confidence, not perfection.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 11/8

November is National Gratitude Month and is often a time when people reflect on what they are thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches. Gratitude is defined as a readiness to show appreciation for something and to return kindness. This readiness when practiced regularly has been proven to impact one’s life in significant ways. Much research has been conducted about how gratitude affects mental health over the last five to ten years and the data from it shows that regular practice of gratitude reduces feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Research has also shown that this simple way of approaching life improves sleep, mood and one’s immunity. Human behavior affects one’s biology, and in the case of gratitude, it has been shown to release oxytocin, a hormone that lowers stress, builds trust and leads to social connections. Some ways to practice gratitude include:writing down a couple of things every day for which you are thankful, a family tradition of sharing something positive from each day during the evening, possibly at dinner, or snapping a photo during moments of gratitude and saving it to an album. Talk to your kids about how being grateful every day is beneficial to their well-being and find ways to share this important protective factor regularly to promote kindness and good health for the whole family. (source s)

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 11/1

The beginning of November is a time filled with many celebrations from different cultures and is the start of American Indian Heritage Month.

Diwali is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism and lasts for five days. The festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Different regions of India and the different religions celebrate with unique customs that might include the lighting of small candles or lanterns, intricate patterns to decorate floors, fireworks, and homecoming or community events. (Source)

Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is a time to honor members of one’s family who have died and to celebrate their memory. It is rooted in Aztec culture and widely celebrated in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage globally. Often, family altars are set up with pictures of deceased ancestors and food and treasured items that they loved in their life. Skeletons are an integral part of the celebrations, including gifting skull candy to friends. This is a cultural event to both honor those no longer with us and to recognize that death is a part of life. (Source)

All Saints’ Day is a Christian celebration of those saints, known and unknown, who have passed from this life and live on in heaven. It has evolved over time in the unique branches of Christianity to include celebrating the members of the church that have passed over the last year or all Christians both living and deceased. (Source)

The month of November has been a celebration to honor Native American Heritage for many decades and is a time for all Americans to learn about the many different American Indian cultures, traditions, and people. North Carolina recognizes our great state as a home for eight tribes: the Coharie, the Eastern Band of Cherokee, the Haliwa-Saponi, the Lumbee, the Meherrin, the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, the Sappony, and the Waccamaw-Siouan. The North Carolina Museum of History has an annual celebration of American Indian Heritage every year in November; this year there is a virtual education day on Friday, November 22, and a huge in person festival on Saturday, November 23. The festival includes demonstrations of traditional native ways and cultures, performances that demonstrate scientific, artistic, and the cultural contributions of both the past and the present indigenous people in our state. More information can be found here.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 10/25

Parenting pre-teens and teens is an exciting and challenging time. As kids transition from childhood into adolescence, it is vital to shift with them and create an environment where they feel as though they are being listened to and feel understood. Psychological research indicates that this is a crucial time for children to start solving their own problems, so they develop those skills while they still have the safety net of families to help them as needed. It is tempting to want to jump in and solve problems or give advice on how to handle things they are facing, but providing them a safe space to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences helps them to develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills, while strengthening your relationship with them. One way of doing this is to ask questions that are centered around them, like “what do you think you are going to do next?” or “what do you think the solution to that is?”. This fosters their confidence in being able to handle challenges on their own. A parent actively listening helps them to become more self-assured and independent, guiding them towards navigating life successfully and capably.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 10/19

When a student’s unique identity is valued and appreciated, they are more likely to succeed in school. We have been sharing messages with students all month about bullying prevention, which include the need to try to understand one another and that we can learn and grow from relationships with others that are similar to and different from us. When we focus on a child’s strengths, it supports a positive sense of self in them. Families who emphasize listening to one another, having interest in each other’s passions and ideas, and are curious about each other’s experiences are helping to build confidence in their kids. When young people feel appreciated for who they are, they are more able to deal with challenges, are more likely to advocate for themselves, and are able to help and care for others. When families and the school work together to create a community where everyone feels seen, appreciated and safe, youth feel as though they belong, have value, and can develop a lifelong appreciation for themselves and others.

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 10/14

Our school celebration of World Bullying Prevention Day included making a kindness chain, where students wrote kind acts they have shared. The chain was 249 links long! We will continue to share information about the negative effects of bullying throughout the month.

October 10th was World Mental Health Day. We’d like to remind our school community how vital supporting positive mental health and wellness is for students, families, and staff alike. For our students, in adolescence with significant change and growth occurring, it is critical to support their emotional well-being. Developing a positive mindset now helps them to manage stress and build resilience to serve them well throughout their lifetime. Mental well-being is the foundation for academic success, allowing them to reach their learning potential. We encourage families to have open conversations about their values around mental health with their kid(s) and to be aware of the signs of struggles, including significant change in mood, withdrawing from activities or passions, significant fatigue or lack of motivation, and academic decline. Recognizing a change in mental health quickly can lead to early intervention and support. Your understanding will assure them they are not alone, and that they have help in facing mental health challenges. As always, if you need support in this, the WFMS counselors are here for you, so please reach out to us.

Poster contest.pdf

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 10/4

In support of data that shows absences from school, especially in the first month, leads to poorer academic performance throughout the school year, student services and administrative staff are working as a team and with students and families to improve regular attendance for all here at Wake Forest Middle School. Chronic absences in the elementary and middle school years are a key indicator of the likelihood that a student will drop out of school before high school graduation. When students miss school, they fall behind in learning and required work, which places extra stress on them to catch up while also trying to do current work. This can decrease student confidence in their ability to do well, even as they are putting in extra effort. We strongly encourage families to have their students attend school every day they are not ill. Next week we are hosting a fun student spirit week to share with students the importance of showing up to school every day! (Source)

Our school community members of the Jewish faith are celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday, on October 11, which is known as the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the two “High Holy Days” in the Jewish religion. We wish those of you celebrating this holy time L'Shana Tovah Tikatevu , which is Hebrew for “may you be inscribed for a good year.” (Source)

Monday, October 7, is World Day of Bullying Prevention and we ask all staff and students to wear blue to show their support of making our school a safe and kind place for all.

WFMS Attendance Spirit Week (1) 2.pdf

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 9/27

9/15-10/15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month; a month-long celebration of the cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. People are sometimes curious about the mid-month start to this celebration, and it is due to the significance of Sept. 15 being the anniversary of several Latin American countries, like Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and more, of their independence as nations. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days, within days of 9/15. (Source) WFMS has been highlighting information about Hispanic Heritage during our morning announcements for students to learn more. Click here .

Next week, with the start of October, we will be highlighting Bullying Prevention Month at school in a variety of ways, including: lessons on this topic taught through the Second Step program in advisory classes, morning announcements all month highlighting important information on this topic, celebrations for World Bullying Prevention Day and World Unity Day, and more. The Student Services website has resources about Bullying Prevention for our school community, found here. We encourage families to have discussions with their students this month about these topics, so students benefit from multiple viewpoints in their larger community about why kindness is valued, how we can be a support to one another as people, and how bullying behaviors negatively impact everyone, including the person choosing them.

Signs of Suicide lesson for 7th graders

Shared in Dr. Bradford's Family Message 9/20

Student Services will be presenting the Signs of Suicide program to seventh graders on October 1. This WCPSS program is given to all seventh graders across the county and is a part of their healthful living course standards. Letters about the program were sent home with seventh graders. The program has proven to be successful at increasing help seeking by students concerned about themselves or a friend and is the only school-based suicide prevention program listed by SAMHSA for its National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices that addresses suicide risk and depression, while reducing suicide attempts. SOS has demonstrated an improvement in students’ knowledge and adaptive attitudes about suicide risk and depression. It has also shown a 64% reduction in self-reported suicide attempts. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Jamie Gordon, seventh grade counselor, at jbgordon@wcpss.net. If you do not wish for your student to participate in the program, please fill out the bottom of the letter and have your student return it to school by Friday, September 27.