February 16, 2016
Good afternoon. I hope you enjoyed the recent Valentine Day/Presidents Day weekend.
Before beginning with the bulk of this message, I have been asked to put out an appeal for facial tissues. If you can spare some, and send a box in with your child, it would be greatly appreciated. I will assume that these can go to their period 1 teacher.
CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS
We would like to welcome two new additions to the LMS family:
- Congratulations to Ashley Arnold, SSD school psychologist, and her husband Aaron on the birth of their daughter Savannah on February 12.
- Congratulations to Rachel Perkowski, LMS Spanish teacher, and her husband Theron on the birth of their son Trevor Knox on February 15.
Thank you to the Ladue Middle School Parent Association for the purchase and installation of new signage at the front of our building. This is the “legacy gift” from last year’s 8th graders and the Parent Association. It looks wonderful. I am attaching a picture below.
CALENDAR ITEMS
Monday, 2/15
Presidents Day; No School
Friday, 2/19
Ski Trip #4 to Hidden Valley; After School
Wednesday, 2/24
LMSPA Special Evening Lecture: "Social Media for Parents”; LMS Library; 7 – 8 PM
Thursday, 2/25
LMS Musical; LHWHS Performing Arts Center; 4:30 – 6 PM
Friday, 2/26
Ski Trip #5 to Hidden Valley; After School
LMS Musical; LHWHS Performing Arts Center; 7 – 8 PM
Friday, 3/4
“I Am LMS Day”
Early Release Day; 12:40 PM
Tuesday, 3/8
LMSPA Board meeting; 1 PM
Wednesday, 3/9
Full day for students
Parent Portfolio Conferences
Thursday, 3/10
End of Quarter 3
Early Release day for students; 12:40 PM
Parent Portfolio Conferences
Friday, 3/11
No School
Monday, 3/14
Spring Break (through Friday, 3/18)
CORRECTIONS
HEALTHY THOUGHTS (from Nurse Patrick and Coach Wojtow)
You've probably read about it in newspapers and seen it on the news: in the United States, the number of obese children and teens has continued to rise over the past two decades. As a parent or other concerned adult, you may ask: What steps can we take to help prevent obesity in our children?
Doctors and scientists are concerned about the rise of obesity in children and youth because obesity may lead to the following health problems: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and social discrimination. Childhood obesity is associated with various health-related consequences and weight-related health problems in adulthood.
What can I do as a parent or guardian to help prevent childhood overweight and obesity?
To help your child maintain a healthy weight, balance the calories your child consumes from foods and beverages with the calories your child uses through physical activity and normal growth. Increase activity! The goal for overweight and obese children and teens is to reduce the rate of weight gain while allowing normal growth and development. Children and teens should NOT be placed on a weight reduction diet without the consultation of a health care provider.
NURSE NOTES
There have been some immunization changes required by the state of Missouri that will affect students going into 8th grade next school year. Students entering 8th grade will now be required to have a meningitis immunization and a TDap immunization prior to starting 8th grade. Here is a link to the DHSS site reflecting these requirements.
2016-2017 Missouri School Immunization Requirements
Your child may have already had both of these immunizations! Please check with your pediatrician to see if these have been completed and, if not, get an appointment scheduled. Please send the updated immunization records that reflect that your child has these immunizations. The nurse's office will accept these records immediately - no need to wait until summer!
You may email, fax, or send in a copy of the record to the nurse's office.
cpatrick@ladueschools.net (email)
314-983-5965 (fax)
NEW ITEMS
Book Drive
Trey Fruend, LHWHS freshman, is sponsoring a book drive for children and teens of patients at Siteman Cancer Center. Trey, who is working on his Eagle Scout Project, wishes to collect new or gently used children and teen books. A collection bin is located in the LMS lobby, by the Welcome Center, with a final pickup of donated books scheduled for April 15, 2016.
Lecture for Parents on Social Media
As noted in the calendar section above, the LMSPA will sponsor a Special Evening Lecture entitled "Social Media for Parents.” This event will take place on February 24, from 7 – 8 PM, in the LMS Library.
UPDATED ITEMS
Ski Trip revised dates
· Jan 15 – Ski Trip #1
· Jan 29 – Ski Trip #2
· Feb 5 – Ski Trip #3
· Feb 19 – Ski Trip #4
· Feb 26 – Ski Trip #5
REPEAT ITEMS
Spring Parent Conferences
Our Spring Portfolio Parent Conferences are scheduled for March 9 (3:40 - 7 PM) and March 10 (1:40 - 7 PM). PLEASE NOTE: Conference times and format are different than in the fall.
An information sheet was sent home with students on Monday, February 1, as well as information about the spring conference format. Please follow instructions on the sheet to sign up online. The system opened on Monday, February 1 at 6:30 PM. Please sign up ASAP as slots fill quickly. We look forward to seeing you.
LMS Yearbooks
Don't get left out of this year’s school memories. Order your 2015/16 yearbook today. You can place your order online at https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/8647
You can also place an order by phone at 1-866-287-3096.
The price of the yearbook is $28 and orders can be placed through winter break to guarantee that pricing. After January 3, prices will increase to $35.
Any questions about yearbook purchases can be directed to Sharrie Cognac at scognac@ladueschools.net
LHWHS Renovation Initiative Information
For your information, the Ladue Schools Today - High School Renovation Initiative segment is now online.
LMSPA eBlasts
If you are not currently receiving LMSPA email news blasts but would like to, please click on the following link to subscribe:
Board Briefs
Information regarding Ladue Board of Education meetings and work sessions can be found on boardbriefs.blogspot.com
Have a great remainder of your week.
Greg
