February 22, 2015

Good afternoon.  I am having issues with posting my Update email through Blackboard Connect.  A copy of my text has just been sent to Dr. Taylor-Johnson, Mrs. Schwartz and Mr. Lackey to see if one of them have any more luck.  

I hope you didn’t have any difficulties if you had to be out this past Friday evening. 

As mentioned in my messages on Friday afternoon, we have a built-in Ski Trip make up day this coming Friday.  I hope we can get this trip in.  The long-range forecast doesn’t indicate any potential issues, but we all know how things can change weather-wise around here.  If, for some reason, we need to cancel the trip for Friday, please be aware that purchased passes can be used for any Friday at Hidden Valley during the current season. 

On a related note, there were about four backpacks/bags remaining in the Welcome Center Lobby at 4 pm on Friday.  I moved these to an office across from Counselor Beth Mothersbaugh and locked the door.  I thought you should know in case one belongs to your child and you want to pick it up on Monday or have them take it home after school.  

I will be away from work tomorrow/Monday to work a Teacher Job Fair at Mizzou.

CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS

Continuing on the Ski Trip theme, thanks go out to Mark Biernbaum (LMS Industrial Arts and Ski Trip Coordinator) and Scott Lackey (LMS Assistant Principal, Grade 6) for monitoring the weather forecast and having a recommended plan in place prior to my arrival at school on Friday at 7 am.  They got on top of the situation in a very timely manner.

Congratulations to the LMS Science Bowl Team, comprised of Seema Patil, Moses Schindler, Felix Hu, and Nevin Giuliani.  They took first place in the Science Bowl Competition held at Washington University yesterday.  This victory sends them on an all expense paid trip to Washington D.C. this May for the National Finals.  The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science sponsors the event.  According to Coach Martin Long (LMS Grade 8 Science), these four students “were truly amazing and left the audience stunned more than once with their brilliance, ability to reason, content knowledge and sportsmanship.” 

CALENDAR ITEMS

Friday, 2/27

Hidden Valley Ski Trip (makeup date)

Thursday, 3/5

End of After School Activities for Quarter 3 (3/10 Activities at the option of sponsors)

Friday, 3/6

Early Release Day; 12:40 pm

Tuesday, 3/10

LMSPA Board meeting; 1 pm

Wednesday, 3/11

Student-Led Portfolio Conferences; Please see below

Thursday, 3/12

Last day of Quarter 3

Student-Led Portfolio Conferences; Please see below

Friday, 3/13

No School; Conference Compensation Day for staff

Monday, 3/16 through Friday, 3/20

No School; Spring Break

CORRECTIONS/ADDITIONS

NEW ITEMS

NJHS Fundraiser Reminder

A reminder from National Junior Honor Society that if your child has a penny box to turn in for the Pennies for Patients Fundraiser, this coming Monday will be the final day to turn one in. Thank you for all your support!  

Grade 8 Spring Sports

Grade 8 students who are interested in participating in track and field (co-ed) or field hockey (girls only) will be able to sign up to participate on Friday, March 6 during lunch.  This program is free and no-cut.  The first track practice will be Tuesday, March 10 and the first field hockey practice is to be determined. Students who participate must have all forms turned in before practice in order to participate.  Forms are available in the Welcome Center or can be printed from the LMS web page under the “Activities” tab.  Students who want to participate must meet academic eligibility requirements for Quarter 3.

Tissues

I have been informed that we are running low on tissues.  If you can help, students can bring boxes to the Welcome Center.  Thank you.

UPDATED ITEMS

REPEAT ITEMS

Spring Student-Led Portfolio Conferences

Spring Portfolio Conferences are scheduled for March 11 (3:50 – 7:10 pm) and March 12 (1:20 – 7 pm).  A handout with specifics is attached to the Blackboard Connect update email and will be sent home with students on Tuesday of next week.  Information will also be posted on our school website. 

Sign ups are online and can be accessed through the following website:  https://www.myconferencetime.com/laduems/ 

Please sign up ASAP as appointments fill up fast.  The deadline for signing up is March 6, 2015. 

To ensure your conference runs smoothly here are a few reminders:
1.  Plan to be at conferences for at least an hour.  Your child will review his/her portfolio for a total of 20 minutes with a brief check-in provided by the team teachers. The other time will be spent meeting with the elective and/or off team teachers following a similar format.  Plan to arrive on time. If you arrive late, we may not be able to accommodate you.  

2. Please bring your child with you, as he/she will be leading the conference.   Teachers do not facilitate the conference as in the fall. 

3. Upon arrival, please stop at the table in the lobby to pick up a Conference Room Location sheet. This will help you know where you are going.

4. Note the meal break for teachers/staff and plan accordingly. All teachers will have a 40-minute dinner break on 3/12 from 2:40 - 3:20 pm. 

MAP testing

All MAP testing will be completed online, using laptops in our building this spring.  A portion of the exam will utilize audio files/components.  As such, all students will be encouraged to bring their personal headphones or ear buds to school on their assigned testing date(s), if possible.  If this is not possible, we will have a supply of headphones available for student use.

Just as a reminder, our scheduled testing dates for MAP are:

8^th Grade: April 22, 23, and 24

6^th Grade: April 27

7^th Grade: April 30

LMSPA Nominations For 2015-2016

The Parent Association is beginning to plan for 2015-16.  If you would like to nominate yourself or another person for a position on the LMSPA Executive Board, please print out and complete a nomination form and return it to the LMS Welcome Center by Friday, March 6th.  Paper copies are also available in the LMS Welcome Center.  Board position descriptions are also included on the Nomination Form, which can be accessed through the LMSPA website at

http://mylmspa.com/online-forms/

(Jodi Blucher will provide updated/correct form link.)

Current 7^th grade students/Immunizations for next year

Students entering 8th grade in the state of Missouri are required to receive the TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) immunization.  This is usually given by a doctor at age 11 or 12.  If your child has not received this immunization, please consult your physician.  If you have records showing that your child has received it, please provide them to the nurse's office.

LMSPA eBlasts

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

http://mylmspa.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8186aab01aeae3b063b04d395&id=3b63071451

Board Briefs

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

I hope you enjoy the remainder of your weekend.

Greg