April 29, 2016

TJs Tidbits

Greetings LMS Families, 

I will be VERY brief this evening. I am helping my son with his "muscular system" project. The joy of parenting (smile). We have quite a bit coming up these next couple of weeks. Please pay close attention to all of the new information in the update.

Have a blessed week! 

NEW INFORMATION

MONTHLY GRADE LEVEL HAPPENINGS

Click on the link below for the new monthly "grade level happenings" update. 

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

LAST CALL FOR FALL CONFERENCE SIGN  UPS

Our Fall Conferences are: Wednesday, October 24, 2018, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, October 25, 2018, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

If you have already signed up for a time, thank you!  If you still need to sign up for a time, the portal will be open until next Friday, October 19 at noon. You can find online portal here.  After that time, you will need to call our office at (314) 983-5512 to schedule or change your appointment.

We thank you in advance for all your support you provide LMS and we cannot wait to see you to share the successes about your student!

BUS ROUTE CHANGES AND BUS PASS INFORMATION

In order to lessen the crowding issues on middle school buses 1, 3 and 12, we will be moving stops and will no longer accept bus passes for the following buses due to capacity concerns: LMS 1, LMS 2, LMS 3, LMS 5, LMS 9 and LMS 12. This change will be effective as of Tuesday, 10/16. Families impacted by route changes should be contacted by the transportation office. Should you have any questions, please contact Gene Kieczykowski at 314-983-5396 or at businfo@ladueschools.net.  

SEVENTH GRADE MEMPHIS TRIP INFORMATION

GENERAL PARENT MEETING INFO

We know that many parents were unable to make it to the Memphis Trip General Parent Meeting. For those unable to attend, here is a link to the presentation: www.tinyurl.com/Memphis-parents  (this is a Google slide presentation, a PDF was emailed earlier this week)

Please look through the presentation and see what needs to be packed, as well as information on medication, itineraries and other important items.  We will send out a parent link call when we arrive in Memphis, and another call when we leave Memphis. Students will also notify parents when they are about an hour outside of St. Louis.

SNACK UPDATE FOR TRIP:  ANY snacks that are brought for the trip to be eaten on the bus or in hotel rooms MUST be Peanut/Tree nut free, meaning it cannot have “May contain” or “made from Peanut free Factory” on it’s label.  This includes not bringing anything including candy/food/snacks with peanuts/peanut butter, etc.  Check the label, to be sure it says ”Peanut/Tree nut Free”.  We have students with severe food allergies that cannot be around students who have these items.  We appreciate you checking your child’s snacks and being mindful of that. We will also cover this in student presentations this week.

TRIP MEDICAL NEEDS

The 7th grade Memphis trip is coming soon. For students that need to take medicine while on the trip, please make sure an adult drops off all medication to the clinic.  For the 7th Grade Trip medicine drop off is due by Monday, October 15. If you have a medication that can not be split, then please call the clinic and alert them so they know to expect it the day that your child leaves for the Memphis Trip.  All medicine on the trip, including over-the-counter meds, will be distributed by our school nurse or a teacher chaperone. Again, the medication must be dropped off and picked up by an adult for the safety of all our students. It is school district policy that students cannot transport or carry medication at school.

LMS SKI CLUB INFORMATION

During science classes last Friday, students were offered two handouts about the LMS Ski Club. One handout was a yellow permission form that needs to be filled out on both sides and returned to LMS on the Ski Club turn in morning for your child's grade level. The second handout, which is blue, gives information and instructions on how to sign up for the trips. The link below is an electronic version of the blue sheet:LMS Ski Club Information

Should you have any questions, please contact Mr. Mark Biernbaum at mbiernbaum@ladueschools.net

LMS PICTURE RETAKES- 10/16

Fall Absentee and Retake School Pictures will be photographed at  Ladue Middle School on Tuesday, October 16, 2018!

Wagner Portrait Group will be at school to photograph any students who were absent on the initial picture day or any student that needs his/her picture retaken. If you are having a picture taken as a RETAKE, please make sure your student returns their package in its entirety, including the package insert sheet, to the photographer. (Feel free to attach a note to describe what you’d like us to do differently.)

FOR ABSENTEE STUDENTS, GO ONLINE TO ORDER NOW!     http://bit.ly/2us0kyN

Order forms must be turned in to the photographer on picture day! Parents may either fill out the order form OR they may order online at www.WagnerPortraitGroup.comand use the password:  LMS

Don’t forget to dress appropriately as the school dress code will apply. Please direct all questions, concerns, or special requests directly to Wagner Portrait Group. We are happy to help!  314-567-5900

LADUE PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (LPAC) MEETING-10/16

The next LPAC meeting is Tuesday, October 16th at 7p.m. Please note that we will be meeting at the HIGH SCHOOL (not Middle School, like last meeting). Our theme is “Partnership: How We Work Together.”  We will discuss how Ladue School District, SSD, and families work together to help our kids who receive special education services and tools. Bring your questions and join us at the HIGH SCHOOL on October 16th!

EARTHQUAKE DRILL AND FAMILY  RESOURCE

We will be participating in the Great Shakeout on October 18th.  You can find resources for your family and being prepared by going to this website: http://www.earthquakecountry.org/sevensteps/

RED RIBBON WEEK IS COMING!

Red Ribbon Week, Ladue Middle School's annual celebration of drug-free and alcohol-free living, begins this week with class meeting groups decorating classroom doors with creative, positive, and informative messages.  The daily themes encourage students to dress in the spirit of good health, as follows:

“­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­United We Stand For A Drug-free Land” (Oct. 23 - red/white/blue and patriotic clothes)

“Think Pink – Drugs Stink” (Oct. 24 - wear pink in recognition of the fight against drugs as well as breast cancer)

“Double Up Against Drugs” (Oct. 29 - dress like a twin or friend)

“­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Wish Upon A Star And Don’t Do Drugs” (Oct. 30, Disney or movie star wear)

“­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Stay Clean On Halloween” (Oct. 31 - costumes - no masks or fake weapons)

Arranged by the counseling and PE/Health departments, the week will include special speakers, "slam-dunk-drugs are junk!" games in PE, and prizes at lunch for participation.

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

As part of Red Ribbon Week activities, students and staff are allowed to wear costumes on Halloween. Costumes must be school appropriate and not interfere with learning or classwork.

Because we are a middle school, we do not allow weapons, masks or gruesome/gory costumes, as it can be too frightening for our students. Additionally, costumes may not be demeaning to any ethnic group, race, religion, nationality, abilities, gender, or individual.

Lastly, the issue of cultural appropriation and Halloween costumes has become a topic in recent years. Please keep this in mind when selecting costumes.

NWEA SCORE REPORTS MAILED TO FAMILIES ON-10/12

The Ladue School District uses the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) as our district benchmark assessment. This assessment is given to students in 1st through 9th grade district-wide three times a year and to kindergarten students twice a year. Students in grades 5-8 also take the science assessment. Student score reports were mailed to families on 10/12. We hope you find these reports informative. For more information about NWEA MAP Growth, visit:  NWEA.org/Parent-Toolkit.

CANCELLATION OF AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

During conferences week, many after school activities will be canceled to allow our LMS Team to prepare for conferences and spend time with our families since we will be here late on 10/24 and 10/25. Please note that several activities will be canceled on 10/23  and ALL activities will be canceled on 10/25. Cancellations will be communicated to students through school announcements.

NO SCHOOL ON 10/26

PLEASE NOTE: Due to PT Conferences on 10/24 and 10/25 we will NOT have school on 10/26. Please enjoy this day off. School will resume on 10/29.

QUARTER 1 REPORT CARDS

Report cards will be available for pick up at conferences on 10/24 and 10/25. Any remaining report cards will be mailed home after conferences. Grades can always be monitored through Infinite Campus if you would like to check them before you receive the report card. If you have not yet scheduled a conference, you may do so by going to https://www.myconferencetime.com/laduems or by calling Mary LoBosco at 983-5512.

LADUE SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER FAIR- 10/27

The Ladue School District has a high number of retirees that are leaving at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. To help us get a jump start on the hiring process, we are conducting our very own Ladue School District Career Fair to be held on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Further details are noted in the flyer that was attached to the Parent Link email. We encourage anyone interested to attend.

DIVERSITY CADRE FILM SCREENING- DAY ONE

On Thursday, November 8, the LMS Diversity Cadre will be hosting a screening of the documentary Day One as part of the St. Louis International Film Festival's Cinema for Students program.  The event will last from 2:25 until 4:20. The film focuses on a group of teens from war zones in the Middle East and Africa who are resettled in St. Louis and enrolled at Nahed Chapman New American Academy, a school for refugees in St. Louis City Public Schools.  Permission slips will be issued by social studies teachers beginning October 29, and attendance is limited to the first 20 students from each grade who sign up. The screening will be followed by a discussion in small groups, and parents are welcome to attend. Click this link for more information about the film:   https://www.cinemastlouis.org/sliff/2018/day-one

HS RENOVATIONS COMPLETE

Now that the Ladue Horton Watkins High School renovation is complete, the entire Ladue Schools community is invited to wander through the school's beautiful new learning spaces on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. There will be a brief celebration and ribbon cutting program in the Multipurpose Room at 6:30 p.m.

Visitors will have have an opportunity to:

• Check out all the new learning and gathering spaces
• Be entertained by student performances of the Chamber Ensemble and String Quartet
• View the Alumni Art Exhibit in the new Art Gallery
• High five “Horton,” the Ram mascot
• And enjoy refreshments in the Multipurpose Room

After more than two years of constant construction, the Ladue School District is proud to show our community the improvements that will benefit students for decades to come. The image attached below previews just some of what you'll see at the Open House!

We are so grateful to the taxpayers of the Ladue School District for their commitment to maintaining our tradition of excellence in education. Please take this opportunity to come see what we have accomplished together!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

GRAVEL AREAS- SAFETY CONCERN

Please assist us with keeping your student safe by giving a reminder that the gravel areas in the front of the school under the green roof and in the back by the Industrial Tech room are off limits to all students at all times- including before/during/after school. We are in the process of having a fence/barrier placed in those areas. Students should not be in those areas or playing with rocks, hanging out, etc. Students seen in those areas are subject to disciplinary action.

LMSPA INFO 

PARENTS LUNCH AND LEARN SERIES- Sponsored by the LMSPA

Lunch and Learn is an opportunity for parents/guardians to bring their own nut-free lunch to eat while listening to a presentation that hopefully offers beneficial information. The LMSPA invites all parents and guardians to attend. Let’s work together to help our children develop those organizational skills we all strive to achieve.

JENNY HOFFMAN-Recognizing Anxiety and Helping Your Child Cope-11/15 (noon) LMS Library

This presentation will help you identify common signs and symptoms of anxiety in your child and learn ways to help your child cope with this anxiety. In this lunch and learn presentation designed for ADULTS ONLY, practical strategies and mindfulness exercises will be presented. Additionally, resources within the school district and community will be explored. Jenny Hoffman is a therapist in private practice and a Professor at Washington University and Maryville University.Questions: stephaniewalker221@yahoo.com  We hope to see you there!

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.

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. 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/  

The LMSPA can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LadueMiddleSchoolParentAssociation/ and on Twitter @mylmspa

The LMSPA Executive Board:

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 

CALENDAR (Items in red are new)

10/16- Picture Retakes

10/16- M&M Club Mtg

10/16- Ladue Parent Advisory Council Mtg (7:00 p.m.)

10/18- Class Meetings

10/18-6th Grade Student Party

10/18-10/19-7th Grade Memphis Trip

10/19- 8th Grade Band Field Trip

10/19- 6th and 8th Grade Musical Field Trip

10/19- Essential Skills Variety Kids Field Trip (Little Mermaid)

10/22- Board Meeting- Kathleen Mercury Excellence in Education Recognition

10/22-10/25- Scholastic Book Fair (LMS Library)

10/24- PT Conferences (4-8 p.m.)

10/25- PT Conferences (1-7 p.m.) Dinner Break @ 4:20 Core, 5:00 Explo

10/30-Orchestra Concert LPAC 7-9pm

11/1- Class Meetings

11/7-Choir Concert LPAC 7-9 pm

12/6-Band Concert LMS 7-9 p.m.

DISTRICT INFO  

BOARD BRIEFS

Information regarding Ladue Board of Education meetings and work sessions can be found at http://boardbriefs.blogspot.com

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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)

1:1 INITIATIVE UPDATE

Students have been issued computers, and are bringing them to each class every day.  This has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage in content and stretch their thinking in all classes.  As with anything new, it comes with some predicted (and sometimes unpredicted) challenges. While we would like to think that a thousand 11, 12, & 13 year olds will be completely responsible every single day, that is sometimes not the case.  We have discussed, revised, and shared the grid below with our staff and students and wanted to make sure our parent community was aware of how we plan to handle some of these challenges. This grid is similar to the ones found in the student handbook and outlines how we plan to address certain issues.  We are going to ask students to leave their tech totes in the room they are getting their computer to eliminate as many obstacles to students and their learning. Please review the grid below with your child. Our goal is to ensure students are entering classrooms prepared with the necessary materials and tools to learn at high levels.

Student Computer Responsibility

Issue	Resolution	Consequence
Forgot computer in locker	Get computer from locker	Use privilege pass after first 10 minutes of class (Lunch Detention if out of privilege passes)
Took computer home / computer not at school	Send student with a signed pass to the library indicating the need for a computer	Lunch Detention Teacher to email Mary L. who will complete discipline form. Teacher to notify student of Lunch Detention (that day if before lunch, the next if after)
Using another student’s computer	Return computer to owner; Get assigned computer	Lunch Detention Teacher to email Mary L. who will complete discipline form. Teacher to notify student of Lunch Detention (that day if before lunch, the next if after)
Tech Tote not used/used inappropriately/tote lost	Reminder of expectations; Student will still take computer to class	Lunch Detention Teacher to email Mary L. who will complete discipline form. Teacher to notify student of Lunch Detention (that day if before lunch, the next if after) **pay $5 if it is lost for replacement
Excessive Issues	Parent Conference	As determined by grade level principal

EARLY PICK UPS/DISMISSALS

Parents/Guardians, we understand that there will be circumstances when you will have to pick your child up early from school.  We urge you to please call ahead or email our attendance secretary, Danna Anderson, so that she can get a note to your child ahead of time.  This process helps you by having your child in the office waiting for your arrival and this procedure also helps us avoid continuously calling into classrooms and disrupting teachers while they are instructing our students. Limiting early dismissals at the end of the day after 2:45 p.m. is extremely important. Our teachers and students are learning in our classrooms until the bell rings at 3:10. The constant early dismissals occurring at the end of the day has been very disruptive. Unless it is an emergency, please help us by following the normal dismissal procedures of carpool for bus riders at the end of the day.  We appreciate your efforts in helping us make learning a top priority here at LMS. Our attendance secretary is Danna Anderson. Her contact information is below: danderson@ladueschools.net or 314-993-3900.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES-  After School Activities have begun. Activities run from 3:20-4:20 p.m. Transportation is provided for district residents via late bus. Students may attend most activities on a drop in basis. The choice is theirs. Please consider having your student participate. Click on the 2018-2019 After School Activities Link  for more information. In addition to the link on our school website, the list will be posted in the lobby.  

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY PICK UP

For safety reasons, if picking up your student from an after school activity prior to the 4:20 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 will be 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.

BUILDING EXPECTATIONS REMINDERS

Please take a minute to review the building expectations and procedures that are listed below. It is my hope that by sharing expectations in my 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. These expectations are also in our LMS Student Handbook, which will be sent home with ALL students the first week of school and is posted on our school website. ISTRONGLY encourage families to read the handbook. We will cover key items at school, but the follow up should occur at home. This way both students AND parents/guardians have a solid understanding. Here is a link: LMS Student Handbook 2018-2019

AFTERNOON DISMISSAL PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS

Did you know that there is a method to the madness for how we dismiss students at the end of the day? Please take a minute to click here: Afternoon Dismissal Procedures and review what we will be sharing with students. It is extremely important that all students follow these procedures. Doing so allows us to get everyone (bus riders, carpool, and walkers) home safely and in a timely manner. Parents, please DO NOT circumvent these expectations. It creates major safety issues and puts students in a situation where they are not complying with school expectations. Should you have a special circumstance, please contact your child's grade level principal so an accommodation can be made. 

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.    

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. 

Technology devices are not allowed in restrooms or locker rooms. Students should not use the Internet or other digital communication devices to create disrespectful or harassing messages, take pictures or videos or make recordings of others without permission, or send or post materials that threaten or raise concerns about violence against others. All of these activities will be considered a violation of our school district's code of conduct which can be found on pages 30-33 of our Student Handbook, which will be sent home with each student the first week of school.

We strongly encourage families not to send personal technology devices to school unless requested by the classroom teacher for educational purposes. These requests will be minimal now that students have Chromebooks. It is our recommendation that technology devices technology devices brought to school are stored in a locked locker during school hours. 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.

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. 

More specific information about traffic patterns for dropping off and picking up has been provided in earlier updates and below. Please take time to review these procedures as well, which are noted in the REPEATED INFORMATION section of this update, especially if you are dropping off on Monday. MAPS are also provided for those who need a visual. Parents, please DO NOT circumvent these expectations. It creates major safety issues and puts students in a situation where they are not complying with school expectations. Should you have a special circumstance, please contact your child's grade level principal so that an accommodation can be made.

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. 

That’s all for now. Take Care! 

Dr. T-J

Principal, Ladue Middle School