March 10, 2017


Good afternoon.  I hope that your week has gone well.
  
CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU’s

    Congratulations to Winston Chen, who took first place in our recent LMS Geography Bee.  Winson has qualified to compete in the Missouri Geography Bee on Friday, March 31.  This is the second level of the National Geographic Bee competition, which is now in its 29th year.  

    Congratulations to the LMS MathCounts students, who did very well Missouri MathCounts Competition last Saturday.  The 4-person team of Stephen Jiang, Jason Ding, Anthony Wang, and Will Bender placed 1st in the team competition.  In the lightning-quick Countdown round, Anthony Wang took 2nd place and William Pan placed 4th.  Nine LMS students participated in the Individual competition, all of whom placed in the Top 20.  Seven of the top ten Math students in the state are from Ladue.
    Here are the students and their final positions. Note that the Top 4 finishers (3 from Ladue) make up the Missouri team that will compete in the National MathCounts competition in Orlando, Florida in May.
1) Stephen Jiang, 2) Anthony Wang, 3) Jason Ding, 5) Will Bender, 7) William Pan,
9) Samuel Chen, 10) William Xie, 16) Marina Sha, and 18) Iris Zhou.

    At the risk of leaving someone out, thank you to everyone who had a hand in making our rescheduled I AM LMS Day last Friday a success:
  • Roger Scherck for overall coordination and planning
Sub Committee members:
  • Janey Worthington - Schedule and Class Meeting Lesson Plans
  • Quentin Alimayu - African Dance, Voices of LMS Activity and Videos
  • Ms. Alimayu - Dance Team and Dance Instruction for 7th Grade Students
  • Alimayu Family and Friends- Dancing and Drumming
  • Leah Alrutz and Leah Scheidt - Variety Show
  • Melshonda Lowe-Dobbins - Art Project
  • Kelly Arl - Coding Project
  • Kathleen Mercury and Matt Strayhorn - GSA Presentation
  • Karl Kindt- Technology
  • LMSPA - Funding
  • Members of the LMS Diversity Cadre

    Congratulations to the ten Ladue Middle School students who competed at the Gateway Chess League Class Tournament held on Saturday, March 4.  The LMS 6th Grade And Under team of Andy Stappenbeck, Gil Weiss, and Samuel Loiterstein finished in 2nd place in their division.  The 8th Grade And Under team of Benjamin Liu, Joshua Fundler, Katie Eisenman, Daniel Ye, Roshen Chatwal, Arya Bhushan, and Alex Rybak won their division.
    In this tournament, players also competed in divisions according to their US Chess Federation rating.  Benjamin Liu won the 1000 and above division, Daniel Ye was 18th, and Roshen Chatwal was 25th.  In the 800-999 division, Joshua Fundler was 2nd, Katie Eisenman 8th, Arya Bhushan 20th, and Alex Rybak 27th.  Gil Weiss finished in 16th place in the 600-799 division.  In the under 600 division, Andy Stappenbeck finished 19th and Samuel Loiterstein was 47th.  For information on how other Ladue district students did in the competition, check out this week’s "Spotlight on Ladue Schools":  http://www.ladueschools.net/spotlight/2017/03/08/thirty-students-compete-in-gateway-chess-league-class-tournament/#more-6358
    Congratulations and thank you to Leah Alrutz, Leah Scheidt and the cast and crew of the Seussical Kids musical for a truly wonderful and entertaining performance this past Tuesday evening.  
    Cast members were:  Jenna Boltzman, Ron Weiss, Kaden Missey, Josh Rosen, Udonne Eke-Okoro, Benjamin Rose, Joshua Goldman, Erika Maguire, Victoria Webb, Anika Speicher, Lucy McGrosso, Sarah Pernik, Vyomini Vakil, Bronte King-Levine, Jackson Proper, Sophie Guilbeau, Ale Pinon-Dickey, Sydney Patterson, Jahnavi Vishnubhotla, Julia Joseph, Miriam Thames, Clayton Coughlin, Gil Weiss, Sabrina Fritts, Katie Marks, Samuel Baker, Quinn Calvert, Kathryn Schneider, Zoe Zych, Jane Derdoy, Demi Rosenthal, Alexis Monsey, Caroline Powell, and Angela He.
    Crew members were:  Annie McNutt, Rose Coughlin, Kaitlyn Thornton, Kade Vetter, Adam Freidman, Sophia Hillman, Theo Miller, Noah Marut, Gramm Raedeke, Mate Daus, Liv Weinstock, Tessa Davis, Atlas Bernier, Scarlette Maier, Nyeal Biedenstein, Camila Del Cid, Mary Vetter, Jazmine Johnson, Fiona Hayreh, Avery Anderson, Sarye Francis, Zoeya Khan, Shreeya Ravindranath, Jameson Falconer, Julia Monsey and Caroline Edgar.

    Congratulations to Tom Lowery and the members of the LMS 8th Grade Choir.  The group received a "1" (Superior) rating at the Large Ensemble Festival this past Wednesday.   
    Members of the choir are:  Tessa Davis, Anna Demkovitch, Lauryn Donovan, Hayley Douthit, Udonne Eke-Okoro, Jameson Falconer, Lilian Fisher, Sabrina Fritts, Connor Gunn, Qingyang He, Julia Joseph, Jerry Overton, Ale Pinon-Dickey, Hali Salvatori, Reese Schuler, Marina Sha, Miriam Thames, Chase Thompson, Ron Weiss and Nia Whitley.

    Congratulations to Joan Shacklette and our LMS Yearbook staff.  According to Ms. Shacklette, they have put together a great book and have just completed their final deadline.  
    Members of the yearbook staff are:  8th grade - Nariah Moorer, Macy Kerner, Claire McMahon, Katie Holland, Leo Bocchicchio, and Talia Warticovschi; 7th grade - Varsha Arun, Shelby Coates, Caroline Cislo, and Emerson Linden; 6th grade - Rory Bland, Ben Horwitz, Ayanna Currie, Claire Fredman, and Addie Kerner.

CALENDAR ITEMS

3/14/17
LMSPA Executive Board meeting; 1 pm
3/15/17
Spring Portfolio Parent Conferences; 4 - 8 pm
3/16/17
Early Release day; 12:40 pm
Spring Portfolio Parent Conferences; 1 - 7 pm
  • Explo/Elective teacher dinner break; 4:20 - 5 pm
  • Core Team teacher dinner break; 5 - 5:40 pm
3/17/17
No School; Conference Compensation day

3/20/17 - 3/24/17
SPRING BREAK!

3/29/17
Jazz Band concert; LHWHS Performing Arts Center; 7 pm

4/4/17
No School; District professional development
4/8/17
Science Olympiad State competition; Westminster University; Fulton, MO

4/11/17
National Library Workers day
LMSPA Executive Board meeting; 1 pm
4/12/17
LMS Percussion concert; LHWHS Performing Arts Center; 7 pm

NEW ITEMS

Fill The Barrel Fundraiser
    The district will once again participate in the Fill The Barrel fundraiser to benefit Operation Food Search (http://www.operationfoodsearch.org/).  The food drive, formerly known as Fill The Bus, will occur this year from March 6 through March 15.  Our district goal is to collect 8,400 pounds of food, which equates to about 48 barrels.  Each school will have large, blue plastic barrels located in easily accessible locations - ours are in the Welcome Center lobby.  Everyone can wear a hat on Friday, March 10 in exchange for bringing in a can of food.
  
UPDATED/CORRECTED ITEMS

REPEATED ITEMS
    
Spring Portfolio Conferences
    Spring Portfolio Conferences are March 15 (4:00-8:00 pm) and March 16 (1:00-7:00 pm).  The information sheet was sent home with students on Friday, January 27.  Please follow instructions on the sheet to sign up.  The online signup system opened on Monday, January 30 at 8:00 am.  Please sign up ASAP as slots fill quickly.  We look forward to seeing you.  If needed, here is a link to our school website:

The Secret Language of Digital Media
    As a follow up to the Ladue Education Foundation’s presentation of “Screenagers”, the Ladue Middle School Parent Association has procured an excellent speaker to help educate parents about raising children in this digital age.
    Julie Smith is a media professor, national and international presenter, and author of “Master the Media.”  In her fun and engaging talk, she will share what she thinks is missing in digital citizenship education, the secret language parents need to know about, and tips & tools to help our kids protect their digital identities.  Knowledge is power.  
    Please join us on Wednesday, April 5 from 6 to 7:45 pm in the LMS Library.  We will begin with a brief LMSPA meeting (no more than 15 minutes), followed by our captivating speaker, Julie Smith.

Girls In The Know
    There will be a culminating event and celebration for program graduates and the community on April 22 at Clayton High School from 9:30 to 11 am.  Activities will include a yoga session, injury mobility screens, cupcakes and an inspirational speaker.  The event is free but is limited to the first 200 registrants.  To register, go to the Girls In The Know website and click on the Be You image.
Schedule Questions for 2017-18?
    The link Schedule FAQs may address some questions you may have about our programs and schedule for the coming year.  

A message from the 8th Grade Party Committee
    The 8th grade party committee needs your help! This is a parent funded event based on donations. We have raised 1/3 of our goal so far through car wash and raffle ticket sales. Here’s how you can help.....
1. Donate online on myschoolbucks.com
2. Drop off a check in the welcome center made out to LMSPA with 8th grade party noted.
3. Purchase raffle tickets during conferences. Prizes are front seats at the end of the year assembly and reserved parking. $1.00 each.
    Money raised will go towards DJ, photo booth, games, decorations and food. The slide show will be presented as well so please submit your photos of your kids from Kindergarten to current to lms2017slideshow@gmail.com. We prefer school related activities, please.

8th Grade Slideshow
    As a part of celebrating the accomplishments of 8th graders next spring, a slideshow) is shown at the 8th Grade party and at the Farewell celebration. We would like to ask for your help in contributing photos for the slideshow. We’re looking for good-quality photos (preferably taken with a digital camera instead of a cellphone) of school-related activities…sports events, field trips, musical performances, classroom experiments, etc. Our goal is for every LMS eighth grader to be included in the slide show!
    If you have any photos to share, please email them to lms2017slideshow@gmail.com. If you’d prefer to put your photos on a flash drive, there will be a couple in the LMS office, designated for parent use, after winter break. Simply pick one up, load your photos, and return it to LMS.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Schuster at lms2017slideshow@gmail.com

NURSE DANI NOTES

Immunization Requirement Changes
​     In the past year 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 verify if these have been completed. If not, please begin making appointments at your earliest convenience. Take advantage of the upcoming breaks to get this requirement out of the way. Do not wait until August when physician offices are booked.   
    You can 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.   
​​​Email: ​ dbernholt@ladueschools.net
​Fax:  314-9​97-8736​
HEALTHY THOUGHTS

    Kids benefit physically and academically when they begin the day with a healthy meal.  In honor of National School Breakfast week, let’s jump start our metabolism and get the day off to a great start with these easy breakfast items:
Fruit Smoothie - Add your favorite fruit to a cup of greek yogurt, with a dab of honey.
Egg Sandwich - Scramble a couple of eggs and add some cheese or veggies for a great source of vitamins and protein.
Slow Cooker Maple-Berry Oatmeal -
    Ingredients: 8 cups water, 2 cups steel-cut oats, ½ cup dried blueberries, ½ tsp salt, 1 cup dried cranberries, ¼ cup maple syrup.
    Directions: The night before, combine water, oats, blueberries and salt in a slow cooker.  Cover and cook 7 - 8 hours until oats are tender.  Stir in cranberries and syrup.
 
LMSPA
    You can access the Ladue Middle School Parent Association website at http://mylmspa.com and subscribe to email blasts from the LMSPA at http://www.mylmspa.com/eblast-newsletter/
BOARD BRIEFS
    
    Information regarding Ladue Board of Education meetings and work sessions can be found at http://boardbriefs.blogspot.com


Thank you for your time.  

Greg

Gregory Baber  B.S.Ed., M.Ed., Ed.S.

Principal, Ladue Middle School

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