TJs Tidbits
Greetings LMS Families,
Speaking of recognition, we are about to start celebrating our students for all of their hard work this year. We have several programs on the horizon: NJHS Induction Ceremony, Diversity Cadre AA Recognition Night, Citizenship Honor Roll Ceremony, and the LMS Farewell Assembly to name a few. While these events are about student accomplishments, we must not forget to show gratitude to the parents and guardians who send these very special youngsters to us. Without you they would not be able to reach their full potential.
A great deal goes into getting the students here to school each day. Trust me, I know. I can barely get my first grader ready in the mornings without losing my mind. I can just about imagine what a typical morning is like with a middle schooler. Sprinkle in a little evening fun to top it off (homework blues and shuffling to and from extra-curricular activities and sports). It has to be challenging, but it's so worth it. I know you wouldn't trade it for the world. Neither would I.
We are so thankful to have such committed families at LMS. You are absolutely AMAZING and deserve a MAJOR pat on the back! So...please do me a huge favor. If you attend any of the special ceremonies/events in the upcoming weeks, when your student's name is called, applaud. If you're like me whistle/scream. Do whatever you need to show your student how proud you are. However, when you finish, do not forget to do a happy dance for yourself. Whether at that moment, on the way to the car, or at home, be sure to do it and do it well. You certainly deserve it!
Have a wonderful week!
NEW INFORMATION
MAP TESTING UPDATE
We are coming up on our yearly MAP testing for all of our students and wanted to take a moment and share a few reminders:
It is important for our students to be present each testing day to complete the assessment. This will reduce the number of make-ups necessary.
Please be sure that students get a full night's sleep, as well as eat a good breakfast/lunch on their testing days.
The state also issued specific directives about personal electronic devices, including cell phones, smart watches, etc.
- Students may not have them on them at any time during the testing period. Phones/smart watches/devices must be locked in lockers, left at home, or relinquished to the teacher in the testing room. Please remind your child of this important guideline, it can impact how their test scores are reported if they are found to have them with them. We appreciate your help with this matter
- This year for MAP, we will provide wired headphones to students who do not bring their own, but please ask your students to bring their own. They must be WIRED headphones. They are not allowed to use wireless/Bluetooth headphones, per testing guidelines.
The testing schedule is below- 7th grade is the only grade to have testing in the afternoon, so please plan all appointments, trips, etc. accordingly.
MAP TESTING SCHEDULE
LMS students are preparing for annual MAP testing, April 19-27. The specific grade-level schedule is as follows:
Grade 7 - Thursday and Friday, April 19-20 (Lunch at 11:00, testing in the afternoon)
Grade 8 - Monday thru Wednesday, April 23-25, 8:10-11:00 a.m. (Monday will also test one period after regular lunch)
Grade 6 - Thursday and Friday, April 26-27, 8:10-11:00 a.m.
If you have any questions about testing, please contact your grade level counselor or administrator for answers.
STUDENT RECOGNITION
YOU BE THE CHEMIST WINNERS
This past weekend three of our middle school students competed in the state You Be The Chemist competition at Lindenwood University. Our students represented us very well, all placing in the top five! Please congratulate 8th grader- Adi Kondepudi for finishing fifth, 8th grader- William Bender for finishing second, and 7th grader- Yuvan Chali for winning the competition. Yuvan will now compete at the National You Be The Chemist competition in Washington D.C. in June. A picture of the winners was attached to the Parent Link that was sent on 4/16/18.
MASL 2018 BOOK TRAILER CONTEST WINNERS
The following 7th grade Olympians were among the winners of the 2nd annual Missouri Association of School Librarians 2018 Book Trailer Contest: Leah Mockler, Laura Armbruster, Samuel Deutsch, Ava Harmon, and Claire Fredman. The winners were selected from 174 submissions, more than double the number received the previous year. The winning trailers will be featured on the 2018-2019 Readers Awards DVD, available for purchase in the MASL online store.
NIGHT OF PERCUSSION
Congrats to our LMS Percussion Students and Mr. Mike Faris on a dynamic Night of Percussion! The evening was so entertaining with a wide array of performances. It’s amazing what our students can do. I especially enjoyed the 6th grade selection, “Rhythm Rocket” and our very own, Mr. Steve Graef’s arrangement of “Movin Out.” Check out the pics that are included in Sunday’s Parent Link!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
NEW BEFORE SCHOOL FITNESS OFFERING
Before school weight room will be starting this week and will run every Wednesday. Before school weight room will be offered to all grade levels from 7:30-8:00 a.m. Students that are interested must sign up the day before with Coach Theodosiou. The sign up sheet will be on his desk. Spots will be limited and will be a first come first serve basis.
SCHOOL IMMERSION
Ladue Middle School is part of a partnership with St. Louis University and their Building Leadership for Change through School Immersion Program for Saudi Arabian Educators. (click on the link for more info). We are very excited to share with the participants, all educators in Saudi Arabia, but also for what they will bring to Ladue Middle School. The educators toured the district a few weeks ago, and for the next 4 weeks, we will welcome different groups of program participants on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Their purpose is to become oriented to American schooling, observing in classrooms and experiencing what a typical day looks like at Ladue Middle. A little later in the fall, we will have 2-3 educators assigned to Ladue Middle School for an 6 week period.
UPCOMING PARENT EDUCATION EVENT
Please click on this link: https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/484407/schools/93187 for a flyer about a parent presentation on vaping and juuling that will be held at LHWHS on April 24 from 7:00-8:15 in the HS PAC.
CONCERT TIME CORRECTION
PLEASE NOTE: The time advertised for the Vocal Music Spring Concert has been incorrect. The concert on 4/18 DOES NOT start at 7:00 p.m. It's starts at 6:30 p.m. I apologize for any confusion that this has caused. COURAGEOUS DIALOGUES
The LMS Diversity Cadre will host our second Courageous Dialogues session for parents on April 16, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the LMS cafeteria. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WILL BE A REPEAT OF THE SESSION HELD ON 1/16. Due to the weather and conflict with a HS meeting we were asked to repeat the session since attendance was low. A flyer was attached to the Parent Link that was sent on 4/2/18. Please join us as we continue our dialogue about differences and what we can do to be more accepting and understanding of each other's differences. This adult only event is open to all. We hope you join us! If you plan on attending, please RSVP no later than April 13th by emailing Steve Graef at sgraef@ladueschools.net or calling 314-983-5502. Questions: Contact Dr. Tiffany Taylor-Johnson or Ms. Beth Heuermann at 314-993-3900. Light refreshments will be served.
UPCOMING CURE MEETING
The CURE Committee is comprised of parents/guardians of African American students. CURE (Community, Understanding, Respect, Education) meets four times a year with the superintendent at the Administrative Center.
The final meeting of the 2017-2018 school year will be on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School Library. Even if you have never been to a CURE meeting, we encourage you to come to this community event.
We are planning to offer dinner and childcare for this meeting, so your RSVP is REQUIRED! Please email me by clicking on the link at the bottom of this message, and if you are bringing children, please share their ages.
Whether or not you plan to come to the final meeting, we need your input to help plan for next year's meetings. Please take a few moments and fill out the survey at this link by April 30:
Thanks! Hope to see you on the 24th!
USE OF HIGH DOWNS LANE AND THE BANK PARKING LOT
We have been asked to remind families not to drive around the Admin Center and go in or out of High Downs Lane (the lane on the east side of the MS) during morning drop off or afternoon pick up. This is very dangerous and can lead to accidents and collisions with residents and employees who work at the Admin Center. We also have students walkers and athletes utilizing that area. Along the same lines, please do not park at the bank and let your student out on Conway Road in the morning or park and have your student meet you at the bank in the afternoon.
We understand the challenges that come as a result of the morning and afternoon rush. Again, your student’s safety, along with the other 1000 students in attendance, is our number-one priority. We appreciate your assistance in reinforcing this critical message. I was told that citations will be written beginning next week for those who continue to park there. Please take this request into consideration and plan accordingly, so that we can not only ensure student safety, but also continue to maintain a cooperative relationship with one of our local community businesses. Thank you in advance for your support!
LMSPA NEWSLETTER
The LMSPA newsletter contains some very important (and entertaining) information for parents. You should be receiving it every Wednesday in your inbox. There have been a few issues with some parents not receiving the email even though they are signed up. If you ARE NOT receiving the newsletter every Wednesday, and have registered, please send an email to Audra Harrold ataeharrold@gmail.com so we can fix the problem. If you are not signed up, please go to http://www.mylmspa.com/eblast-newsletter/ to register.
PLEASE REVIEW OUR CELL PHONE and TECHNOLOGY DEVICE POLICY WITH YOUR STUDENT.
I would like to also ask families to please remind students about our cell phone policy: Unless otherwise directed by a teacher, who is incorporating technology into the curriculum, all cell phones and technology devices should be turned off and remain out of sight during regular school hours including lunch and passing time. Students should store these devices in their school assigned locker (LOCKED). Furthermore, students should express themselves using technology and social media in a way that aligns with our school policy on digital citizenship. This includes taking pictures and filming others without their consent at any time, especially in areas that are private such as the locker room and in restrooms. At no time should a student have his/her device out taking pictures or video in the PE Locker Rooms or the Restroom. Doing so is an invasion of privacy. This school expectation has been communicated in multiple ways and multiple times throughout the school year. Unfortunately, we are continuing to see an increase in cell phone and digital citizenship violations. Our LMS Student Handbook outlines our school and district technology usage expectations. Again, disciplinary actions may vary whether it is a first offense or a subsequent offense, the severity of the incident or other individual circumstances, but most often technology violations result in a REFOCUS assignment or out of school suspension. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child's grade-level administrator or counselor. Thank you for your continued support!
MATH PLACEMENT AND ACCELERATION UPDATE
Math Acceleration and Placement Information is now available on the LMS website under the curriculum tab (click here to view). A small number of LMS students may be developmentally prepared to accelerate through a grade level math course. Math acceleration is defined as being enrolled in a course that is one or more grade levels above. Math 6 Extension and Math 7 Extension are not accelerated courses and require no special testing. Students who want to enroll in math courses on the accelerated pathway must demonstrate mastery on a math skills inventory in order to qualify. Acceleration testing dates for summer 2018 are June 5 and July 31. No other dates are available for testing, so please plan accordingly. If you have questions regarding the information above or the math acceleration document, please contact Mrs. Sarah Schwartz, Assistant Principal and liaison to the math department, at saschwartz@ladueschools.net
Enjoy your week!
NURSE NOTES
Attention 7th grade parents. Immunization notifications will be mailed on January 23, 2018 to all students who still need the Meningitis and/or Tdap vaccine. All students entering the 8th grade are required to have a Meningitis and Tdap on file prior to the start of the school year.
Many students received these vaccines during their 6th grade year. Majority of the time parents get this notification simply because we don't have record of these shots on file. Please check with your physician to see if your student has had these immunizations. If so, simply have the office fax me a copy to (314)-983-5965. If your child still needs to have these vaccines, now is great time to get an appointment!
If you do not receive a notification letter, your child is up to date and good to go for 8th grade. Please don't hesitate to call/email me with any questions or concerns! Contact info is below:
Dani Bernholt RN, BSN
Ladue Middle School Nurse
Email: dbernholt@ladueschools.net
Nurse's Office: (314)-983-5965
Clinic Fax: (314)-983-5965
INFINITE CAMPUS MOBILE APP
We are excited about how the mobile app puts the power of Infinite Campus into the palm of your hands! Many things that you need as a partner with us in your student's education are available there (grades, missing assignments, etc.). Please use the mobile app to keep tabs on your student throughout the year. To assure the mobile app is fast and responsive, not all data from the portal is pushed to your phone. Some items can only be seen through the full parent portal on a Web browser. An example is a comment a teacher may make on a score your student receives. These comments must be viewed through the Web browser portal and are not visible in the mobile app.
BUILDING EXPECTATIONS REMINDERS
Please take a minute to review the building expectations and procedures that are listed below. It is my hope that by periodically sharing a few expectations in my Family Update, families will become aware and can work in partnership with us to establish an optimal learning environment and ensure the safety and well being of students while at school.
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY PICK UP
For safety reasons, if picking up your student from an after school activity prior to the 4:15 bell, please stop by the Welcome Center so that he/she can be checked out of the building. Once you notify the office that you are here to pick up your student, the Activity Coordinator will have the student sent down ASAP. We appreciate your assistance with this as it helps us tremendously with attendance monitoring and reporting.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY CARPOOL
PLEASE NOTE: We are asking parents who pick up students from after school activities to please pull into a parking spot or pull over to the outer curb until your student comes outside at dismissal. This allows the curb nearest the school to remain open for bus arrival. We have to get five (5) late buses into our parking lot and parked. Buses are currently unable to pull into the circle drive to park because cars are stopped in the middle of the lot or parked right in front of the school. We thank you in advance for your assistance.
BEFORE SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS
For safety reasons, when students arrive to school at 7:30 in the morning, we ask that they enter the building at 7:30 and remain in the lobby until dismissed to their grade level assigned area at 7:50 (Cafe-6th, Boys' side of the gym-7th, girls' side of the gym-8th). Students should NOT go to their lockers or other areas of the building unless prearranged with a staff member. While in their assigned grade level area, students should sit and remain seated until the supervisor dismisses them to class. BREAKFAST PROCEDURES
We are fortunate to serve breakfast in the mornings for LMS students. Students wanting to purchase breakfast should report to the cafeteria immediately upon arrival to school (do not go to lockers or class first). If arriving before 8:02, regular breakfast will be provided. Students arriving after 8:02, will be served “grab and go” items. Breakfast is not considered “social time.” Students participating in the breakfast program are expected to eat as quickly as possible and head to class.
DISTRICT APPROVED SNACK LIST
Below is a link to the Board approved Healthy Snack Guidelines and Snack List for the 2017-18 school year. It is also posted on the district's website. All things that are served to students during the school day prior to 4:30 p.m. must follow these guidelines effective immediately. This includes parties/social events and recognition ceremonies. Link: Healthy Snack Guidelines and Snacks List
EARLY PICK UPS
We are having an inordinate amount of early pick ups during the last period of the day, particularly the last 10 minutes of school. If at all possible, we ask families to allow students to finish out the school day in class. If a student has an appointment that is unavoidable, please make every effort to email or call the front office (Danna Anderson-983-5513 ordanderson@ladueschools.net) ahead of time. Calling into our classrooms, multiple times a day, especially in the afternoon interrupts instructional time. If you call ahead, the front office will get a slip to your student to leave class and head to the Welcome Center at the specified time. We realize that emergencies do arise, however if you know ahead of time that you need to pick up your child, this small request makes a huge difference for the teachers and students that are in class. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and understanding that our uninterrupted learning time is very valuable.
ELECTRONICS AT SCHOOL
Please remind your student that electronics, including cell phones, headphones/earbuds, speakers, etc. should remain out of sight for the duration of the school day from 8:10-3:10. This includes lunch. If these items are seen, they will be confiscated as noted in our LMS Student Handbook. We strongly encourage families not to send personal technology devices to school unless requested by the classroom teacher for educational purposes. Note: If there is an urgent message that your child needs to have, please contact the office and we will get the message delivered as soon as possible. Thank you for your help with this matter.
Please remind your student that electronics, including cell phones, headphones/earbuds, speakers, etc. should remain out of sight for the duration of the school day from 8:10-3:10. This includes lunch. If these items are seen, they will be confiscated as noted in our LMS Student Handbook. We strongly encourage families not to send personal technology devices to school unless requested by the classroom teacher for educational purposes. Note: If there is an urgent message that your child needs to have, please contact the office and we will get the message delivered as soon as possible. Thank you for your help with this matter.
FRONT CIRCLE PARKING AND CROSSWALK
Over the summer, we made some changes to our front circle. The changes were made to provide better access to our building for individuals with disabilities and to help alleviate the congestion in the morning especially on Conway Road. This will only work if families park and walk in. For the safety of our students and families, we ask that families no longer pull over to let students out of the car in the morning or afternoon or pull into a parking spot to let them out. The only time the crosswalk should be used in the morning is if a parent needs to come into the building with their student(s). Thank you for helping keep our community safe.
MORNING DROP OFF/AFTERNOON PICK UP
For safety reasons, students should not be dropped off prior to 7:30 a.m. We do not have any adult supervision prior to 7:30 and our building is locked. Students who arrive prior to this time will have to remain outside. Parents/guardians of students consistently on campus in the mornings without supervision will be contacted by administration.
At the end of the school day (3:10), students should either ride the bus home, walk, get picked up, or participate in the TAS (Teens After School) Program. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, after school supervision is unavailable after 3:30 unless special arrangements have been made with a staff member to supervise in their classroom. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, after school activities are provided from 3:10-4:10. Students who stay after for activities should be picked up at 4:10, no later than 4:30. As in the morning, parents/guardians of students consistently on campus in the afternoons without supervision will be contacted by administration and may also be taken to TAS and charged a fee.
In previous years, we have been able to be a little more flexible with this. Unfortunately, we are unable to do so this year due to staffing. PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THIS CHANGE as we would want to avoid having students sitting outside in extreme hot and cold weather conditions.
SPECIAL TREATS FROM CHARTWELLS
Our building policy does not allow consumption of food by others for safety reasons and to promote healthy living. Chartwells Food Service is offering treats for purchase to families that want to do something special for a birthday or other milestone. We appreciate Chartwells for providing alternative options to families that want to have celebrations at school during lunch shifts. Check out the flyer that is attached to this update.
TRAFFIC REMINDERS
The following is a reminder to some, and new information for others, regarding our morning and afternoon traffic patterns and drop off/pick up procedures.
Our school day for 2017-2018 will be 8:10 am to 3:10 pm.
If you plan to transport your child to school by car in the morning:
- Please be aware that students cannot enter our building until 7:30 am when someone on duty to monitor the front doors and lobby.
- Students may be dropped off at the front of the building prior to bus arrival (they typically begin appearing around 7:45 am). Please follow the designated traffic flow arrows as you enter our campus from either Conway or Clayton roads.
- There will be staff members at locations 1, 2 and 3 to help with traffic flow and supervision. Please follow their directions.
- After buses begin arriving, car traffic will be routed to the rear of the building. The person at location 2 will notify drivers.
- Please proceed down the right-hand drive all the way to the Maintenance Building (end of fencing), then circle back to the rear of the building through the parking lot, staying to the right. Students will be dropped off at the designed area (ONLY along the sidewalk) and enter the building through the east back door to the Gym.
- Cars will then exit the campus using the lower drive (two-way traffic) onto Clayton Road. Please, please, (and please) turn right onto Clayton Road. A left-hand turn onto Clayton, at this time of morning, is potentially dangerous and causes a backup for cars attempting to exit our campus.
If you plan to pick up your child from school by car in the afternoon:
- Please be aware that buses begin lining up in our front Circle Drive around 2:45 pm. Cars parked in the Circle Drive have the very good chance of getting blocked in as more buses arrive. If you have the need to pick up your child before dismissal, I would highly suggest parking in one of the marked parking spaces in the lower drive.
- Cars will be directed to the back of our building to form a “carpool line” as indicated in the second photo. NOTICE:This year the carpool line will begin lining up backwards to previous years. Please drive all the way down the right drive to the Maintenance Building. If there are students on the parking lot (fenced in area), please wait at the gated entrance until students leave. Then, pull into the lot on the LEFT side and begin a line at the recycling bins (along the fence INSIDE the parking lot). When the line reaches the gate at the back, begin a new line just to the right of the existing line. This should keep the lower drive from backing up and blocking cars wanting to leave. A staff person will be located at area A to assist with this.
- At dismissal, students who rides buses will be dismissed first, while students who are picked up by car and those that walk will be held in the lobby (until about 3:20 pm).
- Please do not instruct your child to leave the lobby with bus riders and walk through our lots to meet you at your car. This is potentially dangerous as students do not always watch for traffic. It also puts the child in an awkward position as he/she is not following school rules and can be assigned a consequence for not doing so. If you need to pick your child up before buses leave, please notify your student’s grade level administrator and meet your child at the front of the building so that he/she is accompanied while walking through our parking lot. Students are NOT to exit through the doors near the Gym or in the 6th and 8th grade halls.
- Buses are typically loaded within 10 minutes of the 3:10 pm dismissal. Once buses are released, then the staff member at location A will signal cars to approach the front of the building. Students waiting in the lobby will then be released to be picked up by car. Most students are gone by 3:30 pm.
If your student will ride a bus to and from school:
- Please make sure your student knows his/her assigned bus number.
- Bus riders will have a maximum of 10 minutes after the 3:10 pm dismissal to gather their belongings and exit the front of the building.
- Students must check the “bus board” located near the Circle Drive at the end of the sidewalk leading from the Main Lobby doors to determine the location of their assigned bus.
- Students should board the bus quickly, rather than loiter in the front of the building.
Bus passes:
A temporary bus pass may be used for a student to ride home on a different bus. Passes are available on the district website and the Welcome Center and must be completed and approved BEFORE the date of use. Drivers should be given a copy of the completed and approved bus pass as the student boards the bus.
Thanks for your patience with all of this. It is much easier to verbalize than to communicate in writing. Everyone typically gets the hang of this within the first fews days of school. Our goal is to get students delivered and picked up safely, while also trying to keep traffic flow moving.
STUDENTS/PARENTS CUTTING THROUGH PICARDY LANE
When school is in session a number of cars have been cutting through Picardy Lane (northeast corner of Conway/Warson) causing traffic to back up at this intersection. We are asking families for assistance as a courtesy to the residents in this neighborhood. Please do not use Picardy Lane as a cut through to get to the school in the mornings. We have been advised that there will be police presence in that neighborhood to deter those who use it as a means of avoiding the intersection at Warson and Conway Roads.
USE OF HIGH DOWNS LANE AND THE BANK PARKING LOT
We have been asked to remind families not to drive around the Admin Center and go in or out of High Downs Lane (the lane on the east side of the MS) during morning drop off or afternoon pick up. This is very dangerous and can lead to accidents and collisions with residents and employees who work at the Admin Center. We also have students walkers and athletes utilizing that area. Along the same lines, please do not park at the bank and let your student out on Conway Road. We understand the challenges that come as a result of the morning and afternoon rush. Again, your student’s safety, along with the other 1000 students in attendance, is our number-one priority. We appreciate your assistance in reinforcing this critical message.
LMSPA INFO (FROM THE LMSPA NEWSLETTER)
LMSPA DUES
The LMSPA relies on your support to fund teacher grants, field trips, student parties, equipment and supplies, and much more! If you haven't paid your dues yet, you can drop off a check in the front office or pay online. Just click the link below and select LMSPA from the pull-down menu.
You can subscribe to email blasts from the Ladue Middle School Parent Association at http://www.mylmspa.com/eblast-newsletter/
The LMSPA can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LadueMiddleSchoolParentAssociation/ and on Twitter @mylmspa
BOARD BRIEFS
Information regarding Ladue Board of Education meetings and work sessions can be found at http://boardbriefs.blogspot.com
CALENDAR ITEMS- (New Events in Red)
4/16 Courageous Dialogues meeting (6pm - 8pm)
4/18 NJHS Induction Ceremony (8:30 - 9:30)
Choir Concert 6:30 p.m. HS PAC
4/19 MAP Testing begins and continues through 4/27
African American Recognition Night 6pm - 8:30pm
4/20 6th Grade Band Rehearsal at HS PAC 9-10:30
4/24 M&M Club End Of Year Celebration 3:20
4/25 Band Concert PAC 7 - 9pm
That’s all for now. Take Care!
Dr. T-J
Principal, Ladue Middle School
