October 20, 2013

Sorry for not getting this out on Friday afternoon.  I intended on doing so yesterday, but got involved in family activities.  I hope you have enjoyed the wonderful weather this weekend.

Upcoming Calendar Events:

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

Tuesday, October 29

7^th Grade Party, LMS Cafeteria and Gym – 3:10 to 4:10 p.m.

Wednesday, October 30

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

Thursday, October 31

Halloween

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

Friday, November 1

LMS Fall Play, LHWHS Black Box Theater – 4:30 p.m.

LMS Fall Play, LHWHS Black Box Theater – 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 6

7^th and 8^th Grade Orchestra Concert, LHWHS Auditorium – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8

7^th Grade Trip to Kansas City

Monday, November 11

LMS Penny War (all week)

Tuesday, November 12

6^th Grade Parents to Lunch, LMS Cafeteria – 10:38 – 11:08 a.m.

6^th Grade Parent meeting, LMS Library – following lunch shift

Wednesday, November 13

7^th Grade Parents to Lunch, LMS Cafeteria – 11:26 – 11:56 a.m.

7^th Grade Parent meeting, LMS Library – following lunch shift

LMS Vocal Music Concert, LHWHS Auditorium – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 14

8^th Grade Parents to Lunch, LMS Cafeteria – 12:14 – 12:44 p.m.

8^th Grade Parent meeting, LMS Library – following lunch shift

Friday, November 15

No School

Monday, November 18

LMS Canned Food Drive (through November 25)

Thursday, November 21

Anticipated delivery of fundraiser cookie dough

Tuesday, November 26

LMS Turkey Trot

Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29

No School

Book Fair (new)

The LMS Book Fair is scheduled for the coming week.  An amazing selection of books will be available – the latest and finest titles for kids, as well as books of interest to parents.  Over 400 additional titles are available online (at http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/laduemiddleschool) for your convenience.  And, you can also contribute books to your student’s classroom library by purchasing a book on the teacher’s wish list.

Parent Conferences (new)

As I hope you are aware, Parent Conferences are scheduled for next Wednesday (3:50 to 7:40 pm) and Thursday (1:00 to 6:40 pm).  Wednesday is a regular/full day for students and Thursday is an Early Release Day ending at 12:40 pm.

When you arrive, please come to the main Welcome Center Lobby to collect your student’s grades and any other information that we will provide.  Staff and students will be on hand to direct you to your conference location.

Conferences are scheduled with Core Team teachers (Communication Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science – all in one room) in 20 minute increments.  When you arrive for your conference, it is our plan to have you meet with each Core Team teacher for approximately 5 minutes.  A former administrator once described this process as similar to “speed dating.”  Although this does not provide an extended period of time, it should allow discussion regarding current performance and recommendations.  If more time is needed with a particular teacher or teachers, we will work with you to set up an alternate meeting date and time (our Core Teams share common plan periods).  Please be aware that Core Team teachers have a scheduled dinner break on Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:10 pm and on Thursday from 4:20 to 5:00 pm.

Elective/PE teachers will be located in the LMS Gym.  You may sign up on large easels for conferences with these folks on a first come, first served basis.  Please be aware that dinner breaks for Elective/PE teachers are 5:10 to 5:50 pm on Wednesday and 5:00 to 5:40 pm on Thursday.  This may affect whether you try to see these teachers before or after your scheduled Core Team conference.    

Report cards/Parent Conferences (repeat)  

The last day of Quarter 1 was October 11.  Report cards will be handed out at Parent Conferences on October 23 and 24.  If you would like to view your child’s grades prior to that date, you may access them through the Infinite Campus parent portal beginning on October 16.  Your student can also access this information as well for you.  If you are not able to attend Parent Conferences, your child’s grades will be mailed on October 28.  Should you not have parent portal access, please contact Peggy Briedenbach at 993-3900.

As a reminder, you may be still able to sign up for open time slots through our LMS website at http://www.ladue.k12.mo.us/lms/ if you have not done so already.   Signups have been available since August 9.

Red Ribbon Week (new)

Red Ribbon Week, LMS' annual campaign to promote drug-free living and positive decision-making, begins next Wednesday, October 23 and extends through Halloween.  Students may wear “spirit wear” each day in support of that day’s theme;

Wednesday, 10/23 - Wear red to promote drug-free living

Thursday, October 24 - “Slam Dunk, Drugs Are Junk” Day: Wear team jerseys, shirts, hats, etc. in the spirit of drug-free living.

Monday, October 28 - “The Hero in Me is Drug-free” Day: Dress like your favorite superhero, with capes, tights, face paint (no masks), comic book T-shirts, etc.

Tuesday, October 29 - “Don’t Let Drugs Into Your Dreams” Day: Protect your dreams by wearing cozy pajamas and/or carrying your teddy bear to school.

Wednesday, October 30 - “Drugs Are Tacky, Let’s Be Wacky” Day: Be your true self; don’t “dress to impress.”  Wear mismatched clothes and crazy hair.       

7^th Grade Kansas City Trip/Medications (repeat)

Mrs. Haley Pepper, our School Nurse, will be available during Parent Teacher Conferences in the 7^th Grade hallway to collect medication(s) for the upcoming Kansas City trip.  We encourage parents to bring medication(s) with you when you attend conferences.  Please bring medication in its original packaging and only enough for the trip.  If you have multi-dose medications, such as eye drops, nasal spray or inhalers, you may drop these off on the morning of the trip IF you notify the nurse at least one week in advance.  Over the counter medication(s) will need to have a physician’s order.  A current prescription label for all prescription medications will be accepted in lieu of a physician’s order.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Pepper at 314-983-5516.

Speaker Series (repeat)

The Girls in the Know speaker series will be available to LMS mothers and daughters this fall.  This educational speaker series is a unique opportunity for important ‘teen” information to be delivered by female professionals side by side to mothers and daughters.  When girls have positive communication at home they report it helps them establish individual values, make healthier decisions, develop a stronger sense of self while experiencing less depression and anxiety. 

After School Sporting Events/Games (upcoming)

There are some procedural items I want to bring up for your consideration in the next week or so regarding student supervision after school and attendance at LMS sporting events.  Time is short now and I would like to be thoughtful in how I communicate our questions or concerns.  Please look for this in coming communications.

Best wishes,

Greg