February 6, 2014



Good afternoon everyone.  Although snow days are good in the short term, it is good to have everyone back at school/work today.

Tomorrow appears like it will be hectic, with our last full day of DE Testing, Ski Trip, and Science Olympiad leaving around mid-day for a competition.  Rather than risk putting this together in a hurry, or running out of time, I thought it best to send this out when I had time to think a bit.  If I have omitted anything below, I will put out an update tomorrow.

CALENDAR ITEMS

Monday, February 10
DE Testing Make Up Day
Pennies for Patients fundraiser (through February 13)
Wednesday, February 12
Hoops for Heart during PE classes (through February 13)
Friday, February 14
No School; Professional Development for Staff
Monday, February 17
No School; Presidents’ Day
Tuesday, February 18
Patriot Team field trip to Springfield, IL
Thursday, February 20
Trailblazer Team field trip to Springfield, IL
Friday, February 21
Hidden Valley Ski Trip; 3:00 – 9:30 pm
Tuesday, February 25
6th Grade Party 3:10 – 4:10
Thursday, February 27
Pioneer Team field trip to Springfield, IL
7th Grade Party 3:10 – 4:10
Friday, February 28
Hidden Valley Ski Trip; 3:00 – 9:30 pm (make up day)
Tuesday, March 4
Vocal Concert, Grades 5 - 12; 7:00 pm
Wednesday, March 5
Jazz Band Concert, Grades 7 – 8; 7:00 pm
Friday, March 7
I Am LMS activities
Early Dismissal; 12:40 pm

CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS

A word of thanks is needed for our Custodians (Milan Rakic, Steve Bell and JB Tate) and two of our TAs (Katie Rahmoeller and Jennifer Cerame) who brave the elements each morning performing crossing guard and traffic duties.  They perform these tasks cheerfully and without complaint (at least not around me).  We depend upon them a great deal and appreciate their efforts.

CORRECTION(S)

NEW ITEMS

Hidden Valley/Energy Drinks
A concern has been voiced by a parent that some students participating in our Hidden Valley Ski Trips may be consuming more than a reasonable amount of energy drinks through their concession stands.  Although we don’t have much if any control over what they offer for sale, and can’t monitor each student’s purchase, I wanted to bring this to your attention in the event that you want to address this with your child.  Mark Biernbaum, Industrial Technology teacher and also Ski Trip Coordinator, has made/will make a call to Hidden Valley to request that only one energy drink be sold to students at a time (hopefully, preventing the situation in which a student loads up on several at once).  This system will not be perfect or foolproof, but by 1) bringing this to your attention, and 2) making Hidden Valley aware of the concern, we can impact this in a positive manner.

Friday Wear Red Day
Tomorrow (February 7) is National Wear Red Day, which supports the fight against heart disease.  In an effort to raise awareness for this effort, the LMS Physical Education Department would like to encourage all students and staff to show their support by dressing in their favorite red clothing.

UPDATED ITEMS

REPEAT ITEMS

Hidden Valley ski/board pass info:  Just a reminder, if you purchased a Friday pass from through LMS from Hidden Valley for your child, you will receive an actual card IF/WHEN your child goes to Hidden Valley on a Friday that LMS is not there. On that Friday, your child will need to go into the office, show them some identification and they will take their picture and print a pass.  Therefore, if your child only goes to Hidden Valley on the five school Fridays, he/she will NOT receive an actual pass card. 

NJHS Fundraiser
The National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring a Pennies for Patients fundraiser from February 3 through February 21 to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  This fundraiser is in memory of former NJHS President Michael Reifsteck, who died in 2012 from leukemia. Michael would be a junior at Ladue High School this year.
Students will bring home penny boxes and are encouraged to collect spare change over the next three weeks. (We will also accept cash and checks should be made out to Ladue Middle School).  On Friday, February 21 students will return their penny boxes to any team teacher.  
In addition to the penny boxes, National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring a hat day on Friday, February 7.  Students can pay .50 cents to wear a hat to school. They will get a sticker and have their name put on our Help Beat Cancer!   
Also the week of February 10 through February 13, NJHS members will be selling candy grams before school.  Students can pay $1 to have a lollipop and a note delivered to a friend in class.  
Our school's goal is to raise $1,500!  Thank you in your efforts to Help Us Beat Cancer!!

Rams Club
A new club is starting next Tuesday for 8th grade students who are interested in staying after school to watch home basketball games but need supervision.  The Rams Club is a club that provides a place for 8th graders to stay after school, get homework done and have a snack, and then go to the game. This club will be  supervised by 8th grade teachers.  It will meet only on the days that there are home basketball games (February 4, 6, 13 and 20).  The first game is next Tuesday, February 4.  A signed permission slip is required to be a part of this club and must be turned in before the afternoon of the game.  Permission slips are available in the Welcome Center or AP Office.  If you would like an electronic copy of the permission form or more information, contact Sarah Schwartz: saschwartz@ladueschools.net

8th Grade Dates of Interest
The following are dates specific to parents of current 8th grade students in order to make plans for this spring:
May 2 7:30-10 8th grade dance
May 19 and 20 (all day) 8th grade boat building
May 21 (all day ) 8th grade boat races
May 22 (all day ) 8th grade to Six Flags
May 23 8th Grade Promotion 12pm

Program to support Cardinal Glennon
Please support two of our own, Jessie and Sara Eastlund and their dance company for the 4th Annual Pazazz Gala to be held Saturday, February 8th at 7:00 pm at the Touhill Theater. Fifty-percent of the proceeds from the Gala will be donated to Drea's Dream Dance Therapy Program at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.  It will be a great night of dance for a phenomenal cause.

Girls on Track
This program is for 6th -8th girls, general registration will open at 8:30 a.m. on January 27th and close at 5:00 p.m., February 12th.  The cost is $150. We want all girls to be able to participate regardless of their financial circumstance, payment plans and scholarships are available.  Flyers are available in the office. Please visit the web site below for additional information and to register:    
Any questions contact Lisa Witzofsky at blwitz@charter.net

LMSPA eBlasts
If you are not currently receiving LMSPA email news blasts but would like to, please click on the following link to subscribe:

LMS Lunchtime Parent Lecture Series
The following lectures are sponsored by the LMSPA.  It’s information that will make you a better parent!  Bring a bag lunch, or just bring yourself, your curiosity, and your desire to learn from the best and the brightest.  Note: All of our speakers will begin promptly at noon and end promptly at 1 pm to respect the time of our busy parents.
Advocating For Your Child – Why, When, and How
Wednesday, February 12; 12-1 pm; LMS Library
As parents it is natural for us to help and support our children, yet we may be denying them the ability to advocate for themselves.  Why is that we advocate for our children?  When should we take the lead in the advocating process and when should we follow?  How can we help and support our children without being too emotional?  Learning how to step in and out and really listen to our children can help both parents and their children navigate the world.
Peggy Fiala, M. Ed., LPC is in private practice.  She focuses on adolescent counseling specifically around school issues (academic, social, and emotional transition and adjustment).  She also is a Parent Coach and educational consultant.  Before going into private practice, she worked for 32 years at John Burroughs School as a teacher, middle school principal and counselor.
Parenting, how it changes as they grow!
Wednesday, February 19; 12-1 pm; LMS Library
Come hear national speaker MJ Corcoran introduce the three main parenting stages, along with tips on how to get the most out of your relationship with your teen.  If you are sick of reminding, coaxing or simply being responsible for your teen’s life, join MJ in a lively discussion on how to be more coach-like for a winning relationship with your teen.
MJ Corcoran is a National Speaker, Certified Parenting Coach and M. Ed. strategist.
Stepping Off the Hamster Wheel – Tools for Frenzied Families
Wednesday, February 26; 12-1; LMS Library
Feel like there’s never enough time to do it all?  Jill Farmer will give you tools for unraveling the business in your lives.  Learn how to replace the craziness in your house with some calm.  Tips for overscheduled parents and middle schoolers.
Jill Farmer is the Author of “There’s Not Enough Time . . . and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves” and is a Master Certified Life Coach and speaker.

MAP Testing
Please note that MAP testing will be held on Monday, April 7 through Thursday, April 10.  If possible, please try to avoid scheduling doctor appointments or other time away from school during this period for your children.  We would appreciate it very much.

Yearbook Order information
Yearbooks will be on sale until February 14, 2014.  After that date, pre-orders will no longer be available.  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).  You can also order by phone at 1-866-287-3096.

Board Briefs
Information regarding Ladue Board of Education meetings and work sessions can be found on boardbriefs.blogspot.com

Thanks for your time.  We hope you have a great Friday and weekend.

Greg

Popular posts from this blog

April 29, 2016

Friday Ski Club Sign Up