March 16, 2016
Good evening.
I hope that you and your family have the opportunity to enjoy at least a portion of Spring Break next week. I can assure you that our teachers and staff look forward to it at least as much as the kids do.
I have included MAP testing dates below in the Calendar Items section. Please be aware that these dates are tentative, as we work on finalizing how much time will be needed for the required grade level exams. Once these plans are finalized, I will let you know. Student attendance on these testing dates is important, so please try to avoid making appointments for your child that will keep them out of school during this two-week period, if possible.
CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU’s
We wish to welcome Ryleigh Sue Grossbauer to the LMS family. Ryleigh was born to Megan Grossbauer and her husband Jake on March 12.
Congratulations to Martin Long, Hugh McMonigle, Kathy Murphy and members of the LMS Science Bowl teams for their performance at the regional competition last Saturday at Washington University.
The 8th grade team took first place, earning themselves a trip to Washington DC to compete in the national finals. Members of the team are Harry Chen, Jason Ding, Stephen Jiang, William Pan and Eric Yin.
The 6th and 7th grade teams did very well too. Both teams made it through their first rounds undefeated. The 7th grade team members are William Bender, Aditya Kondepudi, Arya Bhushan, Samuel Chen, and Anthony Wang. The 6th grade team is composed of Yuvan Chali, Richie Jiang, Josh Yin, Max Yang, and Bryson Liang.
The 7th and 8th grade orchestras participated in the SLSMEA Orchestra Contest on Wednesday and represented LMS very well. The 7th grade orchestra earned a rating of II+ and the 8th grade orchestra earned a rating of I. The panel of judges were impressed with the musicianship and energy of both groups. Congratulations to both teams for their hard work and achievements.
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our first night of spring portfolio conferences last night, as well as those who we will see this evening. Dr. Taylor-Johnson and our AP secretary Mary LoBosco deserve a big thank you for all the work they have put into planning this. In addition, we appreciate the contributions of our technology coordinator Karl Kindt, our outstanding office staff and TAs for helping in the setup and working the tables, and to our wonderful custodians for getting everything ready and tearing it down after everyone leaves.
A special thanks as well to Ann Parish, Kelly Becker and the LMSPA for providing our staff meals on both days. It is greatly appreciated.
CALENDAR ITEMS
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
4/5/17
LMSPA evening meeting and speaker Julie Smith (see below); 6 pm; LMS Library
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
4/18/17
MAP testing; grade 6, English Language Arts (tentative)
4/19/17
MAP testing; grade 6, Math (tentative)
LMS Choir concert; 7 pm; LHWHS Performing Arts Center
LMS Diversity Cadre Courageous Dialogue
4/20/17
MAP testing; grade 7, English Language Arts (tentative)
4/21/17
MAP testing; grade 7, Math (tentative)
4/24/17
MAP testing; grade 8; English Language Arts (tentative)
4/25/17
MAP testing; grade 8; English Language Arts (tentative)
4/26/17
Administrative Professionals Day
MAP testing; grade 8; Math (tentative)
LMS Band concert; 7 pm; LHWHS Performing Arts Center
4/27/17
MAP testing; grade 8; Science (tentative)
NEW ITEMS
UPDATED/CORRECTED ITEMS
Fill The Barrel
Fill The Barrel is a district-wide fundraiser that is held yearly to benefit the efforts of Operation Food Search. This effort concluded Tuesday of this week. I am happy to share with you that LMS collected enough food items to fill nearly all eight of our barrels. In addition, we collected donations of $337.54. Thank you to Roger Scherck for coordinating this and for everyone who helped with contributions and time.
REPEATED ITEMS
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: 314-997-8736
HEALTHY THOUGHTS
With spring around the corner...
Did you know you can eat your way to allergy relief? Many common foods have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties that soothe allergy symptoms. Fight your flare-up with these everyday foods:
- Apples (contain flavonoids that fend of inflammation)
- Red grapes (boast antioxidants and resveratrol; both fight inflammation)
- Citrus fruits (their dose of vitamin C does wonders for cold and allergy symptoms)
- Collard greens (rich in carotenoids which reduce allergic reactions)
- Fish and nuts (both have properties that boost immunity and fight inflammation)
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
Happy Spring Break!
Greg
Gregory Baber B.S.Ed., M.Ed., Ed.S.
Principal, Ladue Middle School
