March 10, 2016



Good morning.  With Spring Break almost upon us, I thought it best to get this out before thoughts of trout fishing (and possibly some ugly golf) overwhelmed me.  The family will be out of town for a portion of the break, in a location with limited email/internet access.  I will attempt to get caught up with messages upon our return.   
Please be aware that Infinite Campus will be unavailable on Friday March 11 from 7 AM - 7 PM, due to system maintenance.

CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS

Thank you to everyone who scheduled Spring Portfolio Conferences.  I think that last night went well, I enjoyed seeing everyone in my section of the building, and look forward to seeing those who have appointments this afternoon and tonight.
 
Having coordinated Parent Conferences at LHWHS before coming to LMS, I know how much of a job it is to make everything work.  Special thanks to Associate Principal Dr. Tiffany Taylor-Johnson for coordinating each year’s fall and spring conferences.  Special thanks also to AP Secretary Mary Lobosco for her magnificent organization; our building Teaching Assistants for the preparation work; our Custodians Milan Rakic, JB Tate, and Steve Bell for the setup; building Tech Coordinator Karl Kindt for the online scheduling system; and our wonderful Parent Association for providing food for the staff.   

Congratulations and good luck to Ashna Chali (Grade 7, Olympian).  Ashna advanced through the semi-final round of the St Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee this past Saturday, March 5 at McKendree University.  She will compete in the final round of the competition on March 12.

The LMS Science Olympiad teams had an outstanding day last Saturday at the regional event.  The Competition Team placed in the top 5 in every single event and took first place in 15 of 22 events.  The Training Team was on the medal stand in 19 of 22 events and placed first four times.  The Competition Team will be heading to Westminster University for the State finals, which will be held on Saturday, April 9.  The top two teams from Saturday will compete in the National finals in Wisconsin.  Great job to all the student team members and coaches.

CALENDAR ITEMS

Friday, 3/11
No School (Conference Compensation day)
 
Monday, 3/14 through Friday, 3/18
Spring Break

Wednesday, 3/23
LMSPA Evening Lecture on Social Media; 7 PM (rescheduled from 2/24)  
Thursday, 3/24
Jazz Concert; 7 PM; LHWHS Performing Arts Center

Tuesday, 4/5
Election Day; LMS Library (this will affect parking in our front lot)
Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) testing
Wednesday, 4/6
Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) testing
Friday, 4/8
Science Olympiad team leaves for State Finals (on Saturday, 4/9)
Rhythm & Hues (LEF Fundraiser); 7 - 11 PM

Monday, 4/11
MAP testing; Grade 6, English/Language Arts
Tuesday, 4/12
MAP testing; Grade 6, Mathematics
LMSPA Exective Board meeting; 1 PM
Wednesday, 4/13
MAP testing; Grade 7, English/Language Arts
Thursday, 4/14
MAP testing; Grade 7, Mathematics
Percussion Concert; LHWHS Performing Arts Center; 7 PM
Friday, 4/15
Early Release Day; 12:40 PM

Monday, 4/18
MAP testing; Grade 8, English/Language Arts
Tuesday, 4/19
National Library Worker Day
MAP testing; Grade 8, Science
Choir Concert; LHWHS Performing Arts Center; 7 PM
Wednesday, 4/20
NJHS Induction; LMS Cafeteria; 8:30 AM
MAP testing; Grade 8, Mathematics
Thursday, 4/21
Grade 8 Trailblazer team to Springfield, IL

Monday, 4/25
MAP testing; make up exams (through Friday, 4/29)
Grade 8 Pioneer team to Springfield, IL
Tuesday, 4/26
Grade 8 Patriot team to Springfield, IL
Wednesday, 4/27
Administrative Professionals Day
Band Concert; LHWHS Performing Arts Center; 7 PM
Saturday, 4/30
Dogwood Parade and Festival

CORRECTIONS
HEALTHY THOUGHTS (from Nurse Patrick and Coach Wojtow)

The annual La'Due It Run will take place on Sunday May 1st. Hosted by the Ladue Schools Physical Education Department and District Wellness Committee and open to everyone. Tell your friends and family and come join in the fun!
Here is a link to register online.

NURSE NOTES

Immunization Information
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. 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 the records immediately - no need to wait until summer!
You may email: cpatrick@ladueschools.net, fax (314)-983-5965, or send in a paper copy of the record to the nurse's office. For more information please go to:
Christina Patrick, MSN, RN
Ladue Middle School Nurse
Phone: 314-983-5530
Fax:     314-983-5965

Spare Clothing
While spring cleaning, please consider the LMS Nurse’s Office when purging outgrown or unwanted clothing.  Larger sizes are especially appreciated, with elastic waistbands.

Student Medications at School
This is a reminder that students are not permitted to carry any medication (over the counter or prescription) to, from, or during school. All medication must be transported by an adult. All medication (over the counter and / or prescription) requires a doctor's note or prescription label. See link below for further information on Ladue Schools’ medication policy.

NEW ITEMS

Rhythm & Hues
The Ladue Education Foundation will provide an evening of music to benefit the students of the Ladue School District.  This event will occur on April 8, from 7 to 11 PM, at Majorette in Maplewood (7150 Manchester Road).  More information and the purchase of tickets can be found at www.laduefoundation.org

UPDATED ITEMS

LMSPA Evening Lecture  
The LMSPA evening lecture on Social Media with Professor Julie Smith, that was canceled due to the last Snow Day, will now occur on March 23.  The time remains at 7 PM.  

REPEATED ITEMS

Dads Club
The Ladue Middle School Dad's Club, in partnership with the Ladue High School Dad’s Club, is sponsoring a Trivia Night on Friday, April 1 at 7 PM at the JCC in Creve Coeur.  The event is sure to be a fun evening and is intended to provide LMS parents with an opportunity to socialize with other LMS parents, while also creating an opportunity to begin building new relationships with parents and administration of the Ladue High School community.
The event is designed as a “friend-raiser” and is very affordably priced at $15 per person, or tables of ten for $150.  There are only 18 tables available and they are selling quickly.
Registration for the event and additional information can be found at http://laduedadsclub.com/2016-trivia-night.  The Dad’s Clubs of LMS and LHS will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday March 8 at 6:30 PM in room 116 at Ladue High School to discuss the event further and how you can participate as a table captain, registrant or volunteer for the event.  Questions can be directed to LMS Dad’s Club President Joe Mulligan at 314-503-4384 or joemulligan910@gmail.com

Cardinal Glennon fundraiser
Two of our own Jessie Eastlund (8th grade) and Christina Von Ruecker (6th grade), will be participating in the 6th annual Drea's Dream Gala at the Edison Theater on April 2, 2016 at 7pm.  Proceeds from the Gala will benefit the dance therapy program at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for kids with cancer and other special needs.  Tickets can be purchased through the following link:  Drea's Dream Gala 2016

8th Grade Slide Show
This year, our goal is to have every child represented with at least 1 photograph.  The slide show is intended to be a stand alone activity at the party and will be around 10 minutes long.
We would love to have your photos from 6th, 7th and 8th grade school activities such as school parties, ski club, field trips etc. Group pictures with higher resolution are preferred.  We would appreciate you including as much detail as possible (childs names, activity and year photo was taken). Please submit your photos to lms8thgradeformal@gmail.com.
If you have a large amount of group photos we can accept DVDs during our Spring conferences March 9th & 10th. Please mark the DVD with your child’s name.
To allow enough time to produce a slide show, please submit your pictures byApril 4th.  If you have any questions please e-mail Julie Eastlund at:  lms8thgradeformal@gmail.com.

MAP Testing schedule
MAP testing will occur in April.  We ask that parents avoid the following dates in terms of planned absences, appointments, etc.
Grade 6:  Monday, 4/11 and Tuesday, 4/12
Grade 7:  Wednesday, 4/13 and Thursday, 4/14
Grade 8:  Monday, 4/18; Tuesday, 4/19; and Wednesday, 4/20
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.

Challenger Baseball Program
Does your child enjoy helping others, playing baseball or need volunteer hours for activities, such as National Junior Honor Society?  My Name is Maya Wasserstrom, and as part of my Girl Scout Gold Award, we are continuing to expand our LMS partnership with Challenger Baseball. Last year, LMS students provided over 100 hours as buddies or special event help.  Challenger Baseball is a program for children and adults with developmental disabilities, and they are always in need of buddies to help out players during the games.  We welcome volunteers ages 10 to 20 and no baseball experience is required.  Most games are at Tilles Park and you can attend once or come weekly.  Starting in April, Challenger Baseball will have games every Saturday at 9 AM and 10:30 AM.  You can register (takes 2 minutes) or learn more about Challenger at: www.challengerbaseball.org.  Please feel free to contact me at,  mayaerin1@gmail.com and I would be happy to answer questions.  I am also tracking LMS hours for special projects and would love to record them for you.
WANTED:  Gently used baseball gloves (especially adult size).  I will be collecting these during the LMS Spring Parent Portfolio Conferences to provide to players with the Challenger Baseball Program.

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

If you and your families are traveling over Spring Break, please be safe and enjoy your time.  

Take care,

Greg

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