April 8, 2016



Good morning.

I will be away from school/work next Monday through Wednesday to attend the National Conference for Supervision of Mathematics.

MAP testing will begin next week for 6th and 7th graders.  8th graders will begin MAP testing the following week.  
Please be aware that there are very strict testing requirements regarding cell phones and other personal electronic devices that can access the internet (such as Apple watches).  Such devices CANNOT be in a student's possession, or in a book bag or binder, during MAP testing (unless there is a medical reason approved by administrators).  Teachers serving as testing proctors MUST collect any devices that can connect to the internet before testing can begin.  
Because of this, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that students place cell phones and Apple watches in their secured, locked locker on days you are scheduled for testing.
During portions of the English Language Arts testing, students will need headphones or earbuds to listen to audio selections.  I encourage students to bring headphones/earbuds to school for MAP testing on these days.  We will have a supply on hand for those who cannot.

CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS

Thirteen LMS students participated in the MCTM (Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics) State contest at Selvidge Middle School last Saturday.  They competed with 231 students from 64 schools across the state.  The results were:
6th Grade Individual:
1st - Will Bender; 5th - Samuel Chen; 10th - Iris Zhou.
7th Grade Individual:
1st - Jason Ding; 2nd - Stephen Jiang; 3rd - Harry Chen; 8th - William Xie; 9th - William Pan.
8th Grade Individual:
1st - Jeremy Ouyang; 5th - Anna Zhong.
Team Competition:
1st place team - Jason Ding, Stephen Jiang, Jeremy Ouyang, and Anna Zhong; 2nd place team - Willam Bender, Harry Chen, Samuel Chen, and William Xie.
Congratulations to Nancy Chambers and our students.  This is outstanding.

Good luck and best wishes to the Science Olympiad students and coaches as they make their way to the State Finals competition.

CALENDAR ITEMS

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)

Selecting the best Chocolate
Recent findings suggest that chocolate’s naturally occurring phytochemicals, called flavanols, may help to prevent high blood pressure, improve heart health, and increase insulin sensitivity.  But all chocolate is not created equal, and not all types of chocolate offer these health benefits.  Here’s how to make sure you’re getting your currency’s worth when you shop for a chocolate bar.
  • Dark chocolate has the most flavanols, so look for a product with at least 70 percent cocoa.
  • Milk chocolate has less flavanols because less cocoa powder is used; but it does contain some.      
  • White chocolate is really not chocolate at all, rather it is cocoa butter (the fat). It has zero flavanols.       
  • Cocoa powder has more flavanols than does Dutch processed or alkalized cocoa powder.
  • Most chocolate milk is made with Dutch cocoa, since it mixes better with cold liquids; but that means much of the flavonoid content has been removed.

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

Guest Speaker in PE
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.

Day of Silence
Friday, April 15 is the National Day of Silence, a student-led national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying, and harassment in schools.  Students can participate in this optional activity by taking a vow of silence to illustrate the silencing effect of bullying and harassment of LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT students.  Students will be able to sign up in advance, and teachers will be notified that they will be participating.  Students may be asked by teachers to participate in academic activities.

Color Run
I have scheduled the Color Run fundraiser reward for those qualifying students to throw colored powder on me and other staff members on Friday, April 15, period 8 (this is an Early Release day).  The number of students who sold enough items to qualify are: 6th - 38, 7th - 22, 8th - 9.  This should be fun.

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.

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.

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
 
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


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