September 20, 2013

Good afternoon and Happy Friday:

     Another week down.  It is good to sit here and watch the rain fall as I type.  My tomato plants have needed this.

     This is a lengthy message, so get comfortable.

Upcoming Calendar Events:

Monday, September 23

Recognition of Nancy Chambers, Grade 7 Mathematics: Excellence in Education Award, Ladue Board of Education Meeting – 7 p.m.

Thursday, September 26

LMSPA’s Lunchtime Lecture Series; LMS Library, 12 – 1 p.m. (see below)

Monday, September 30 through Wednesday, October 2

6^th Grade Camp – Session 1

Wednesday, October 2 through Friday, October 4

6^th Grade Camp – Session 2

Kansas City Parent meeting - October 30, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, October 9

Picture Re-Take Day

Thursday, October 10

Fundraiser Kick Off Assemblies (see below)

Friday, October 11

Early Release Day – 12:40 p.m.

End of Quarter 1

Fundraiser Post Card turn in (all lunches)

Wednesday, October 16

Fundraiser Turn In day 1 (all lunches)

Monday, October 21

Scholastic Book Fair (in the Library, all week)

Wednesday, October 23

Fundraiser Turn In day 2 (all lunches)

Red Ribbon Week (through October 31)

Parent Conferences 3:50 – 7:40 p.m.

Thursday, October 24

Early Release Day – 12:40 p.m.

Parent Conferences 1:00 – 6:40 p.m.

Friday, October 25

No School

Monday, October 28

Fundraiser late order turn in

Wednesday, October 30

7^th Grade Parent/Chaperone meeting re: Kansas City Trip (6:00 – 7:00 p.m., LMS Cafeteria)

Thursday, October 31

6^th Grade Party 3:10 to 4:10, LMS Cafeteria

Sixth Grade Camp Notice (new)

     The following is from Mark Biernbaum, Industrial Technology teacher and Sixth Grade Camp Coordinator:

     Camp is right around the corner.  Next Thursday (September 26), your child will be given a “parent final reminder sheet” that he/she should bring home.  That paper will include a reminder of what to pack for camp as well as the three choice activities that he/she will be participating in.  There will also be a colored ribbon that will act as your child’s luggage tag.  Please attach it to your child’s luggage, so your child’s belongings are sent to the correct cabin.  If the luggage ribbon gets lost, extra ribbons will be available when your child gets to school the morning of camp.

LMSPA/Lunchtime Lecture (new)

     “Help, My Middle Schooler is Drastically Disorganized!”

Thursday, September 26, noon to 1 p.m., LMS Library

     Have a smart kid who can’t keep track of their stuff?  Worried about how your Middle Schooler is going to handle the challenges of balancing assignments and projects from all of their classes?  Learn strategies for teaching your children how to be independent and organized.

     It’s an hour that could change your life with recognized learning strategist Joanne Curran.  Bring your lunch and learn some great new information.  This presentation is part of our LMSPA’s Lunchtime Lecture Series.  More amazing speakers to help you parent – coming in February.

Fundraiser (new)

     Don't forget the Magazine sale is coming soon to LMS.  Remember to hold your renewals until the sale or place them online through the following website so the school gets the credit.

     Orders/Renewals can be placed any time at gaschoolstore.com.  Enter the school code 2652758 and indicate the student.  In addition to magazines there are many gift items available on the website.  

     New this year, we will offer Cookie Dough - just in time for all of your holiday baking.

Fundraiser Dates

Thursday, October 10 – Kickoff Assemblies, periods 1-3

Friday, October 11 – Postcard Turn In during lunches

Wednesday, October 16 – Order Turn In #1 during lunches

Wednesday, October 23 – Order Turn In #2 during lunches

Monday, October 28 – Fundraiser Late Order Turn In

Breakfast Smoothies (new)

     Beginning Monday, breakfast smoothies will be served in the Cafeteria.  For those students that need a quick pick-me-up, this is a quick way to do so.  Breakfast is served each morning from 7:40 – 8:10 a.m.

LMSPA/Grade Level Parent Parties (repeat/additional information)

     Mark you calendars for our grade level parent parties.  Our parent parties give you an opportunity to meet and/or catch up with other parents in your child’s grade.  These parties are graciously hosted by LMS parents.  Everyone should bring their own beverages and an appetizer or dessert to share.  These are PARENT ONLY events.

6^th Grade Parent Party – Friday, September 27, 7 – 9 p.m.

Hosted by: Julie and Rich Lane

19 Maryhill Drive

Ladue, 63124

Please rsvp to Julielane@sbcglobal.net if you can attend.

A – L bring an appetizer to share.  M – Z bring a dessert to share.  Everyone should bring their own beverages.

7^th Grade Parent Party – Saturday, September 21, 7 – 10 p.m.

Hosted by: Jodi and Mark Blucher

31 Heather Hill Lane

St. Louis, 63132

No rsvp necessary.  Email Jodi at blucher6@me.com with any questions.  Bring an appetizer or dessert to share.  Everyone should bring their own beverages.

8^th Grade Parent Party – Friday, October 18, 7 – 9 p.m.

Hosted by: Jill and John Farmer

12 Winfield Pointe Lane

Creve Coeur, 63141

No rsvp necessary.  Email Jill at jill@jillfarmercoaching.com with any questions.  Bring an appetizer or dessert to share.  Everyone should bring their own beverages.

PE Department Recognition (repeat/additional information)

     As previously communicated, LMS has been recognized as one of three Character Fitness Model Schools by Character Plus (Cooperating School Districts) and the St. Louis Rams.  As a result, we had a celebratory assembly last spring with Rams Tackle Rodger Saffold in attendance and Jason Theodosiou, one of our PE Department members, presented at the Missouri Character Education Conference in the summer.

    This past Tuesday, Jason and Stephanie O’Neal had an opportunity to present different examples of character fitness embedded in our physical education program to local teachers and administrators at Rams Park.

     Congratulations again to all the members of our Physical Education Department for an outstanding job.

PE Department/LMSPA – Climbing Wall (repeat? – can’t remember)

     Due to the efforts of our PE Department, spearheaded by Jason Stendeback, and the generosity of the LMSPA, our climbing wall in the Gym should be completed within the next month.  This will offer a great alternative to our students in terms of our overall fitness program and curriculum.

Yearbooks On Sale (repeat)

     Yearbooks are on sale now.  Orders can be placed by going to www.yearbookordercenter.com and entering #8647 to order (or there is a link under the Activities tab on the LMS webpage) or they can be ordered by phone at 1-866-287-3096.  Please email any questions to Sharrie Cognac, one of our yearbook sponsors.

Parent Teacher Conferences (repeat)

     Fall Parent Conferences are scheduled for October 23 and 24.  If you have not done so already, you may be able to sign up for open time slots through our LMS website at http://www.ladue.k12.mo.us/lms/

School Picture Re-Takes (repeat)

      If for some reason your child is absent on August 28, we will have a Re-Take Day on Wednesday, October 9.  Should you need another order form, there are extras in the Welcome Center Office. 

     If you have questions, concerns or special requests, please direct them to Wagner Portrait Groups at 314-567-5900.   

Bus Passes (repeat)

     As previously communicated, please be aware that we cannot issue bus passes for the following buses until further notice:  L3, L5, L7, L9, L10, L16, L17, and L20. 

Morning Supervision/Student Drop Off (repeat)

     Please be aware that our building is not accessible to students, and the Welcome Center Lobby is not supervised, until 7:25 a.m. in the mornings.  As such, we appreciate you not dropping students off at the front of the building until that time.

As always, my apologies if I have made mistakes or omissions.  I hope you and your families have a great weekend.  Go Mizzou. 

Best,

Greg