April 1, 2016
Happy Friday.
I would like to make a clarification regarding my previous message/rant regarding students and cell phones. Our current LMS Student Handbook includes the following on this topic:
Technology devices that fall outside the purview of the section title “Ladue Internet/Technology Usage” may be confiscated and later returned if their presence or use creates a disturbance to the maintenance of an atmosphere
for orderly learning. Students are encouraged to use technology devices to enhance their learning. However, some guidelines are set forth to ensure an atmosphere for orderly learning. Unless otherwise directed by a teacher, who is incorporating the use of technology devices into his or her curriculum, all cell phones and electronic devices shall be turned off and remain out of sight during regular school hours (8:15-3:05) including lunch/recess. At these times, students must comply with the requested directions of proper technology usage for that
teacher or risk consequences set forth below and/or from the section titled “Ladue Internet/Technology Usage.” It is recommended that these devices be kept in a locked locker for safety reasons.
So, cell phones do not have to be placed in secured lockers during the school day, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this practice for at least two reasons:
- It reduces/eliminates the temptation for a student to check their phone when they receive a call or text while their phone is on vibrate.
- It eliminates the possibility of phones being left around and taken, or loaned to another student (and then we have to track it down).
Our current practice/procedure, as outlined above, is being reviewed by administrators and department chairs for possible modifications for the coming school year.
Our MAP testing schedule for grade 8 has been modified to allow for a fourth day of testing, based upon recommended time parameters. This new schedule is posted in the UPDATED ITEMS section below.
CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS
Thank you to Mary Morgan and the members of the LMS Partners Club. They were involved in a service project at the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry on Tuesday, March 29.
CALENDAR ITEMS
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
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, Science
Tuesday, 4/19
National Library Worker Day
MAP testing; Grade 8, Math
Choir Concert; LHWHS Performing Arts Center; 7 PM
Wednesday, 4/20
NJHS Induction; LMS Cafeteria; 8:30 AM
MAP testing; Grade 8, English/Language Arts
Thursday, 4/21
Grade 8 Trailblazer team to Springfield, IL
Friday, 4/22
MAP testing; Grade 8, English/Language Arts
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
Just to clarify, the Rhythm & Hues LEF Fundraiser will occur on Friday, April 8, from 7 - 11 PM.
HEALTHY THOUGHTS (from Nurse Patrick and Coach Wojtow)
Did you know that teenagers are America’s most sleep-deprived group?
According to most sleep experts, the average teenager needs about nine hours of sleep per night for healthy growth and functioning. Fewer that 10% of US teens get that much on school nights, which is why teen sleep deprivation is often called a national public health epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly two-thirds of American high school students get under eight hours, and as many as two-fifths get six hours or fewer of sleep on school nights.
This is an epidemic with consequences that go far beyond nodding off in class. Chronic sleep loss in teenagers is associated with increased auto accidents, depression, suicide, sports injuries, diabetes, substance abuse, risk-taking, and a host of other health and behavioral issues.
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
The PE Department had a visit from Susan Harris of the American Cricket Academy this week. The goal is to get more kids involved with the program. The department plans to implement a cricket unit into the PE program this year. Visit www.americancricketacademy.org for more information.
UPDATED ITEMS
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
English Language Arts, 11:12 AM to 1:31 PM
Tuesday, 4/12
Math, 11:12 to 1:31 PM
Grade 7
Wednesday, 4/13
English Language Arts, 8:15 to 11:26 AM
Thursday, 4/14
Math, 8:15 to 11:26 AM
Grade 8
Monday, 4/18
Science, 9:06 AM to 12:14 PM
Tuesday, 4/19
Math, 9:54 AM to 12:14 PM
Wednesday, 4/20
English Language Arts, 9:54 AM to 12:14 PM
Friday, 4/22
English Language Arts, 9:06 to 10:38 AM
Makeup Exams
Will be held during the week of 4/25
REPEATED ITEMS
Heroin Presentation
The LHWHS parents association is hosting an evening with a NCADA community educator. The educator will present a 10-15 minute film and a powerpoint presentation on Heroin usage in High School. It will be followed by a 30 minute panel question and answer session. The panel will include the educator, David Tabscott (LHWHS counselor), Kelly Ross MD (parent and pediatrician) and hopefully some parents. We would like to extend an invitation to LMS parents to attend. The event is April 18 at 7 PM in the LHWHS Performing Arts Center.
Autism Awareness
According to Autism Speaks.org, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that in the United States 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) have been diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This means that anyone reading this post either has been, or knows someone, that is directly affected by this condition.
To bring awareness to the global public health priority that Autism presents to our world today, Autism Speaks commissioned every April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. On this day, people are asked to wear blue in support of those affected by Autism.
This year, Ladue Middle School will Light it Up! Blue to show our support for the World Autism Awareness Day on Monday, April 4. The impetus to commemorate this day began with a LMS student who has a brother diagnosed with Autism. This student recently approached Mr. Quentin Alimayu (7th Grade Social Studies teacher, with a son diagnosed with Autism) to inquire about establishing an Autism Awareness day at school this year. Together, with the administration, our counselors, and other teachers at LMS, we chose Monday, April 4 to celebrate this day (since there is no school on April 2). Students will be encouraged to wear their Ladue blue in honor of the millions of individuals and families affected by Autism, including those in our school community.
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
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 9 & 10. Please mark the DVD with your child’s name.
To allow enough time to produce a slide show, please submit your pictures by April 4. If you have any questions please e-mail Julie Eastlund at: lms8thgradeformal@gmail.com.
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
Have a great weekend.
Take care,
Greg
