TJs Tidbits
August 1, 2018
Hello Ladue Middle School Families,
Greetings from your building principal Dr. T-J! I am so excited to start my second year at LMS as principal and to welcome everyone, especially our new sixth grade class to our wonderful school. I really missed seeing everyone over the summer. Don't get me wrong. The break was needed and appreciated, but it feels good getting back into my normal routine. I truly enjoy being around students and having an opportunity to interact with the school community as a whole each and every day.
I am pumped and excited to be back at work with my team of administrators and support staff. We have been meeting regularly to prepare for your arrival. I am anxiously awaiting the return of our dynamic teaching staff as well. If I were to guess, most of them did something school related over the summer in addition to enjoying vacation with their families. We have such a dedicated staff.
I am emailing to share MANY back to school updates since we are getting closer to the start of school. Returning families, please bear with me as some of this information is review for you, but new for those who are completely new to LMS. Even if you are returning, I encourage you to read each section as there have been some tweaks in how some things are handled.
As suggested in survey feedback last year, I am considering formatting my updates differently and making them more concise. I have some limitations in what I can change due to formatting and the type of program that I am allowed to use. These first few weeks will be trial and error. In the meantime, I encourage families to read the Intro, NEW INFORMATION, LMSPA, DISTRICT INFO, CORRECTIONS, and CALENDAR ITEMS sections and skip the REPEATED INFORMATION section as this is information that has already been communicated. You would only need to refer to this section if you can't remember something from the previous update. Hopefully, this will help.
Before closing, I want to remind everyone of three events that I hope you are able to attend:
Back to School Summer Meeting- 8/8 (Students may attend WITH a parent/guardian) 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Community Night- 8/15 (Students MUST attend WITH a parent/guardian) 4-7:00 p.m.
New Student Orientation- 8/17 (7th and 8th Grade New to Ladue students only) 8:30 -10:00 a.m.
NEW INFORMATION
SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
We are now on our regular five-day work week schedule. Our office is open 7:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday.
LOCKERS/TECHNOLOGY TOTES/STUDENT PLANNERS
We will be issuing lockers, technology totes, and student planners during Community Night. Please pay close attention to the steps that MUST be followed to get all three.
- Lockers assignments are printed at the TOP of student schedules that will be mailed on 8/3. Example: Academic Locker A76
- Students should bring their schedule and a combination lock to Community Night.
- Upon arrival, students should locate their ASSIGNED locker, pull the note card off the locker and write his/her locker combination down legibly. Building maps will be available that indicate locker zones in the lobby. Locker zone signs are in the ceiling to assist with locating lockers. In most instances, lockers are near the team location.
Students may only place their things in the locker that is assigned. A spreadsheet has been made in advance with all locker assignments, therefore students should not attempt to place belongings in a different locker or move taped cards to a different locker.
- Students should return the note card to the designated locker station in the LMS Library, where a staff member will issue a LMS Student Planner and Technology Tote in exchange.
If someone has placed a lock on your assigned locker by accident or if you have a question/concern, please notify the staff member and indicate that on your card. We will not be able to address significant concerns at Community Night. Someone will have to follow up with you later.
Students that are unable to attend Community Night, may hand in their locker combination in exchange for their tech tote and student planner on 8/17 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. or 1:30-3:30 p.m. Those unable to pick up at either of these times may get their items on the first day of school. Office staff will be unable to hand out items on other days and times.
SCHOOL PICTURE INFORMATION (PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY)
School pictures will be taken in the LMS Gym on Wednesday, August 15 during Community Night from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Wagner Portrait Group will be photographing students for portrait packages, the yearbook, and school records. All students are STRONGLY encouraged to take pictures during Community Night. This new format prevents interference with instructional time during the school day and allows students to take pics in a more leisurely fashion.
Students should take their picture according to the schedule listed below. We will rotate students through alphabetically by last name during grade level times:
6th Grade- Last Name (A-L) 4:00-4:30 (M-Z) 4:30-5:00
7th Grade -Last Name (A-L) 5:00-5:30 (M-Z) 5:30-6:00
8th Grade -Last Name (A-L) 6:00-6:30 (M-Z) 6:30-7:00
To ensure a quick and efficient process, it is critical that families stick to the designated time windows. We thank you in advance for your patience should we experience any kinks. A picture packet will be mailed home with the student schedules on 8/3. Should you prefer to pay online,
CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW: http://bit.ly/2us0kyN. Order forms must be turned in to the photographer on picture day. Families may either fill out the order form OR order online at www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com and use the password: LMS
PLEASE NOTE: The school dress code will apply. Please direct all questions, concerns, or special requests directly to Wagner Portrait Group. They are happy to help: 314-567-5900
6TH GRADE ORIENTATION/7TH AND 8TH GRADE “NEW TO LADUE” ORIENTATION
All sixth grade students will be involved in an orientation with their grade level principal, counselor, and team teachers on the first day of school. “New to Ladue” seventh and eighth grade students will also participate in an orientation, scheduled on Friday, August 17 (8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.) This orientation is facilitated by the grade level counselors and is only for students that have transferred into Ladue School District.
MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT
Parents/Guardians please plan to attend Meet the Teacher Night on August 29th at 6:30 p.m. This will be an opportunity for you to follow your child’s schedule and meet the teachers. A general meeting will be held that evening with information about the LMSPA, Dad’s Club, Ladue Education Foundation, and much more. We hope you can join us.
6TH GRADE CAMP MEETING
Please mark your calendars for September 5 for a parent meeting about Sixth Grade Camp at 7:00 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria. Camp this year will be the week of September 24. Students will either go to camp Monday – Wednesday of that week or Wednesday – Friday. For more information about camp, please visit the camp website at: https://sites.google.com/a/ladueschools.net/biernbaum/6th-grade-camp
7TH GRADE MEMPHIS TRIP (October 18-19, 2018) Register today. No payment needed to register!
Who/Why: For the last two years we have taken a trip to Memphis, Tennessee because we believe that educational travel can enhance the effectiveness of our 7th Grade curriculum, and this fall we will continue this tradition. This trip is a crucial component of the school year, and we would like all students to attend.
What: While on this trip we will engage in a river walk (to discuss the importance of watersheds to our region’s geography), and visit historical museums and sites like the Civil Rights Museum and the Rock and Soul Museum.
When/Where: We will be going to Memphis, October 18th - 19th and the cost is $235 per student. This price includes accommodations, transportation, events and most meals on this trip.
How: We encourage you to register early at www.tinyurl.com/lmstrip. You do not have to pay when you complete your registration form. However, you can pay at that time if you prefer. The sooner you register, the better we can support any accommodations you need and make sure that your child is on the list.
Next steps: All attendees of the trip must be registered and paid in full by September 5th, 2018. For any questions or concerns, please contact Quentin Alimayu, the trip coordinator via email at qalimayu@ladueschools.net.
The registration process is entirely online, however, to support this process, we will have a table set up at Community Night on August 15th at 4:00 pm for anyone that would like to register at that time. Additionally, our trip coordinator will be available to answer any questions about the trip.
Chaperones are needed! Please review the chaperone information on the website and register. A flyer with more specific information is attached to the Parent Link email.
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.
PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THIS as we want to avoid students having to sit outside in extreme hot and cold weather conditions.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
We began the scheduling process in the spring. Since that time, work has been invested in making team placements based upon parent and staff input and information. Team compositions are balanced and extensive time has been dedicated to grant top choices for elective course requests as they were received in our office. Please keep in mind that we do this while working within class size requirements.
Student schedules will be mailed on Friday, August 3. Student schedules are finalized and no changes can be made. We are unable to address scenarios as we approach the first day of school such as:
- “I have changed my mind about my elective choice(s).”
- “I want to be with my friend(s) in _________ class or on _________ team.”
In order for us to maximize our efforts and time in preparation for the beginning of school and given the parameters of our new master schedule, it is imperative that we hold firm to “no schedule changes.” We thank you in advance for partnering with us on this decision and understanding the need for this practice.
TRAFFIC REMINDERS (Returning families: Please note afternoon dismissal change)
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 2018-2019 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. 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 at 3:20, while students who are picked up by car and those that walk will be held in the classroom (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 classroom 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 in 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 are tempted to cut 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.
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.
LMSPA INFO
ARE YOU GETTING OUR EMAIL BLASTS AND NEWSLETTERS?
If not, visit our website: www.mylmspa.com. Under COMMUNICATION you will find the Register for Eblast Newsletter tab. Enter your information in order to receive important information and timely reminders throughout the year. You don’t need to do this if you already receive eblasts.
ANY CHANGES TO YOUR CONTACT INFO?
Our Buzz Book (Ring-A-Ram) Directory will be printed for all our families to take home in September. If you have new contact information or want to ensure that a secondary household is listed, please email us at lmspa@gmail.com or ask for a form in the office.
LMS SPIRIT WEAR- AVOID THE LINES!
Order your LMS spirit wear now and pick it up at Community Night on August 15. Orders MUST be placed by August 14th at noon and must include "pick up at community night" in the comment section if you would like them to be ready for this event. Simply go to www.laduespiritwear.com and place your order.
COMMUNITY NIGHT WED, 8/15 (4-7 PM)
Siblings are welcome at Community Night, and Kona Ice will be provided! Past large turnouts result in some crowding, so we ask that the following schedule be followed if at all possible: Sixth Grade (4-5 pm), Seventh Grade (5-6 pm), Eighth Grade (6-7pm). Please be aware that teachers will not be in classrooms during Community Night.
- Bring a lock for your child’s locker and their schedule to walk their classes (we still have a limited number of locks available for purchase)
- If you ordered school supplies, you can pick them up in the gym
- Students will receive their technology totes and student planners in exchange for their locker combinations
- Remember that pictures will be taken during Community Night (This is STRONGLY encouraged).
- Logowear will be available for purchase
- Learn about volunteering opportunities and check to make sure you are signed up for eScrip
- Siblings are welcome at Community Night, and Kona Ice will be provided! Students should attend Community Night with parents/guardians.
FALL PARENT COFFEE-FRIDAY, 8/24 FROM 8:30-9:30 AM
It’s a great time to meet and reconnect with other parents and learn about volunteer opportunities.Hosted by The LMSPA Executive Board. We hope to see you there!
Co-Presidents: Marissa Rosen, Jocelyn Fundoukos
Treasurers: Aletta Martin, Laura Whalen
Secretary: Reann Ratterman
PDC Reps: Jill Settler, Becky Marbarger
6th Grade VPs- Lorie Keller, Catherine Hamlin
7th Grade VPs- Becca Dauska,Melissa Garza
8th Grade VPs- Stephanie Walker, Trish Saleeby
Fundraising VP- Julie Stappenbeck, Co-chair Denise Christen
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion VP- Lolita Flinn
Electronic Communications- Audra Harrold
Website Coordinator- Jodi Blucher, Co-chair Lisa Hirshberg
DISTRICT INFO
BOARD BRIEFS
Information regarding Ladue Board of Education meetings and work sessions can be found at http://boardbriefs.blogspot.com
Have a great rest of your summer and stay cool!
CORRECTIONS
PLEASE NOTE: The cost of the Uniform PE t-shirt was incorrect in my last update. It costs $7.00 NOT $5.00.
CALENDAR ITEMS (items in red are new)
8/3 Schedules Mailed
8/8 LMS Back to School Summer Mtg for Families; 6:00 p.m. (LMS Gym)
8/10 District Opening Mtg. (Welcome Center closed until 12:30 p.m.)
8/13 LMS Breakfast/Back to School Staff Mtg.(Welcome Center closed until 9:45 a.m.)
8/15 Community Night; 4-7 p.m.
8/15 School Pictures (Community Night at designated grade level time)
8/16 All District Professional Development (Welcome Center closed until noon)
8/17 New 7th and 8th Grade Student Orientation; 8:30-10:00 am
8/20 First Day of School
8/24 LMSPA Sponsored Parent Coffee; 8:30 - 9:30 am (LMS Cafe)
8/29 Meet The Teacher Night; 6:30 - 8:30 pm
9/4 Start of After School Activities
9/5 Sixth Grade Camp Parent Meeting; 7:00 pm
9/14 Early Release; 12:40 Dismissal
10/16 Picture Make Up Day
That’s all for now. Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.
Take Care!
Dr. T-J
Principal, Ladue Middle School
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REPEATED INFORMATION- (The information below is a review of information already communicated. No need to read if you read my last update)
STAFF UPDATE
We have several new teachers joining our LMS Team this school year and a few returning staff that are serving in new roles. Please join me in welcoming and congratulating:
New to LMS
Ms. Sherra Daughhetee School Nurse
Ms. Addie Larson Registrar
Mr. William Layher World Language (German)
Ms. Payton Murphy 7th ELA
Ms. Jennifer Riesenmy ELL
Ms. Hannah Shayer Math Off-Team
Mr. Bradley Wallace 6th ELA
Ms. Karin Wallace 6th ELA
Ms. Ashley Strobel 7th Grade Science
New Assignments
Ms. Laura Megargel ELA Off-Team (7th)
Ms. Leah Scheidt ELA Off-Team (7th)
Mr. Greg Schmitz 8th ELA
NURSE NOTES- IMMUNIZATIONS
Attention 7th grade parents. 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 doctor's office fax 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 did not receive a notification letter, your child is up to date and good to go for 8th grade. PLEASE NOTE: Students who do not have up to date immunizations will not receive their schedules in the mail. We are also prohibited from allowing any 8th grade student from beginning classes until the necessary immunization information is provided. Please be sure to get that taken care of ASAP. Please don't hesitate to call/email our District Nurse Coordinator, Ann Body with any questions or concerns at (314)-983-5560 or annbody@ladueschools.net
IMPORTANT 2018-2019 BACK TO SCHOOL DATES
For those of you who like to get a head start on planning, I am sharing a few important back to school dates. More information will be provided as we get closer to the start of school and throughout the summer.
Schedules Mailed - Friday, August 3
Back to School Summer Meeting-Wednesday, August 8
Community Night - Wednesday, August 15 (School Pictures Taken)
First Day of School for Students - Monday, August 20
A few important things to note: Due to the fact that all back to school annual update forms are not electronic, We WILL NOT have Packet Pick Up and will instead mail schedules and info from the LMSPA to families.
Students will take school pictures during Community Night, on August 15. This is to avoid interfering with instructional time during the school day. Photographers will be available and pictures will be taken in suggested windows of time by grade level. Retakes for those who do not make it to Community Night will be in late September/ early October (TBD). Families should make every effort to take pics during Community Night if at all possible. This is STRONGLY encouraged.
BACK TO SCHOOL SUMMER MEETING
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our back to school meeting on August 8 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will begin with all grade levels together in the LMS Cafe and then split into grade level specific groups. This is an opportunity for students and their parents/guardians to meet administrators, ask questions, and hear pertinent back to school information. The meeting is very informal, so please don’t worry if you cannot attend. We especially encourage “New to Ladue” families to attend. More information about the meeting is included in grade level back to school letters that are attached to this email. Students are welcome and encouraged to attend.
PE UNIFORM CHANGE
The LMS PE Department will be implementing a uniform t-shirt this year for incoming sixth graders. Seventh and eighth grade will grandfather in the policy, thereafter. The department is excited about this change as it will create more uniformity and aligns with best practices learned at recent professional development workshops. The cost of the shirt will be $7.00. Shirts will be available for purchase in the PE Coaches office and through the LMSPA.
EIGHTH GRADE SPORTS PHYSICALS
Eighth graders have the opportunity to play sports with other local middle schools this year in a play, no cut, free program. The sports offered are: volleyball (girls) and cross country (co-ed) in the fall; basketball (boys and girls) in the winter; and field hockey (girls) and track (co-ed) in the spring. All students who would like to participate must turn in a physical that is dated on or after February 1, 2018. Fall sports start a few weeks after school begins, so please schedule your child's physical if he or she needs one and would like to participate. More information about sign-ups will come out when school begins.
AFTER SCHOOL CARE
After School Care is offered at the Fifth Grade Center and Ladue Middle School. This program is designed to provide 5th-grade and middle school students with a safe, well-supervised after-school environment. The on-site program runs after school at each location until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday when school is in session. The afternoon schedule includes structured activities, homework time and a snack.
Registration for Before and/or After School Care
for the 2018-19 school year is available online at
or
LMSPA INFO
LMSPA Meetings
The LMSPA will have both day and evening meetings to accommodate varying schedules -- all are encouraged to attend! Meetings will be held on the following dates at LMS (room TBD):
Tues. 9/4, 12-1:30 pm
Wed. 10/3, 6:30-8 pm
Tues. 11/13, 12-1:30 pm
Wed. 12/5, 6:30-8 pm
Tues. 1/8, 12-1:30 pm
Wed. 2/6, 6:30-8 pm
Tues. 3/5, 12-1:30 pm
Wed. 4/3, 6:30-8 pm
Tues. 5/7 (closed meeting for Exec Board only) 12-2 pm
You can subscribe to email blasts from the Ladue Middle School Parent Association at http://www.mylmspa.com/eblast-newsletter/
Siblings are welcome at Community Night, and Kona Ice will be provided!
Past large turnouts result in some crowding, so we ask that the following schedule be followed if at all possible: Sixth Grade (4-5 pm), Seventh Grade (5-6 pm), Eighth Grade (6-7pm)
Please be aware that teachers will not be in classrooms during Community Night. Students should attend Community Night with parents/guardians.
SCHOOL SUPPLY PICK UP
If you ordered school supplies through the LMSPA. Supplies will be available for pick up at Community Night in the LMS Cafe from 4-7 p.m.
