April 29, 2016

TJs Tidbits

Greetings LMS Families, 

We enjoyed seeing many of you at PT Conferences last week. Meeting with hundreds of families takes a great deal of energy, but it's time well spent as it strengthens the partnership between home and school. Having the Friday off to recuperate is greatly appreciated.  

We are continuing to celebrate Red Ribbon Week and will bring it to a close on Halloween Day with costumes. This is always such an exciting day at LMS. Almost everyone participates. I'm not quite sure what my costume will be this year. I am thinking 70s...Be on the lookout for pics of all the fun! 

The District's Career Fair on Saturday was very successful. Over 170 people attended and MANY were there for middle school positions. We have 11 people retiring this year. If I were to imagine, there may be an additional position or two open due to normal circumstances (people moving, etc.). It's great knowing that so many people want to join our team. Why wouldn't they? We are a FANTASTIC school! With so many people leaving, it is critical that we hire people who are passionate about working with children, fully understand and want to educate middle school students and have strengths and talents that will ensure LMS maintains its reputation of excellence. Our administrative team takes the hiring process VERY seriously. We only want the BEST!  

I don't have many new bits of information this week because I shared so many timely items last week in my Parent Link email. I encourage families to take a few minutes to look through the items in the Repeated Information section this week just to make sure you have not forgotten anything. 

NEW INFORMATION

RED RIBBON WEEK

LMS students and staff are celebrating drug-free and alcohol-free living during our annual Red Ribbon Week events, October 23-31. Remaining spirit days include:

Monday, 10/29- “Double Up Against Drugs”- Dress Like Friends
Mr. Nathan Hart, an LMS parent and agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration will speak during PE/elective classes about illegal drugs and police efforts to stop them.

Tuesday, 10/30-”Wish Upon a Star and Don’t Do Drugs”- Disney or Dress Like a Movie Star

Wednesday, 10/31- Stay Clean on Halloween (Costumes-NO masks or costume weapons)
Students in PE/elective classes may participate in "Slam Dunk-Drugs Are Junk" competitions in the gym.  It's always fun to be a participant or just a part of the audience!
 

VETERAN'S DAY SLIDESHOW

Do you have a family member or friend who is a veteran of the armed forces? Please have your student

help LMS recognize the service of veterans by providing the name, photo, branch of service, and any

other important info that you would like to share. To participate, please click on the following

link:  Veteran's Day Slideshow and add your information.

Thank you to PE Teacher, Tricia Wideman (twideman@ladueschools.net),

for organizing this for us every year.

LMS MUSICAL 11/28- “ALADDIN KIDS”

Our Ladue Middle School Theatre Company will be putting on Aladdin Kids at LMS on Nov. 28 in
the Cafe Theatre at 6:30 pm.  Tickets will be $5.00 and can be purchased at the door.  
They will also be touring the district and performing at Conway, Reed, Old Bonhomme, and Spoede
to share their hard work with the elementary students in the district. We hope to spark interest in our
future stars of LMS.  Don't miss the opportunity to come see our 45 student cast and crew put on an
incredible evening of singing, dancing, and magic. Thanks in advance for your support!

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

Thank you to the LMSPA, Suzanne Epstein-Lang, and Anne Leidenfrost for faculty and staff dinners on Wednesday and Thursday evening during Parent Teacher Conferences!  We appreciated the wonderful food selection provided and an opportunity to sit and eat with our colleagues for a quick break each evening. Thank you to all of our NJHS and Character Council Students who volunteered each evening working tables and guiding parents around the building. Also, thank you to the parents who were able to come join us each evening to learn about your child’s successes at school.  If you were unable to attend, report cards will be mailed home and you can contact your teachers via email if you have additional questions/concerns.

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)

10/29-Diversity Student Leaders Training

10/29-Spanish Club Field Trip

10/30-Orchestra Concert LPAC 7-9pm

11/1- Class Meetings

11/5-8th Grade Ski Club Sign Ups (7:00 a.m.)

11/6 No School (Voting and PD Day)

11/7-7th Grade Ski Club Sign Ups (7:00 a.m.)

11/7-Choir Concert LPAC 7-9 pm

11/8-6th Grade Ski Club Sign Ups (7:00 a.m.)

11/8- Diversity Cadre Screening of Day 1

11/9- Ski Club Sign Up Make Up Day (7:00 a.m.)

11/12-11/20-Canned Food Drive

11/13- LMSPA Mtg (noon)

11/13- Vision Screening

11/13- SSD Bowling Tournament

11/13-NJHS Field Trip

11/13-LPAC Meeting (LMS Library)

11/14- NJHS Field Trip

11/15-Class Meetings

11/15- LMSPA Lunch and Learn Parent Mtg. (noon)

11/15- M&M Club

11/15- Fall 7th Grade Party

11/19- ELL Pie Night

11/20- LMS Turkey Trot

11/21-11/23- Thanksgiving Break

11/28- Aladdin Jr. Musical (6:30 p.m. LMS Cafe)

11/29-11/30- Aladdin Jr. Musical Tour

12/4- CURE Mtg. (Location TBD)

12/5- LMSPA Mtg (6:30 p.m. LMS Library)

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

12/7- ER Day (12:40 Dismissal)

12/10-Diversity Student Leaders Training

12/18- LPAC Mtg.

12/21- ER Day

12/21- End of Qtr.

12/24-1/2- Winter Break for Students

DISTRICT INFO  

BOARD BRIEFS

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

REPEATED INFORMATION- (The information below is a review of information already communicated. No need to read if you read my last update or received my last Parent Link Update)

DIVERSITY STUDENT LEADERS

Diversity Student Leaders is a group of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who are committed to diversity, equity,
and inclusion at LMS. This year the group will participate in four, two-hour trainings about social justice
led by Dr. Phil Hunsberger of Educational Equity Consultants.Trainings will occur on 10/29, 12/10, 1/11
and 3/11. Student leaders will use what they learn to lead an activity on “I am LMS” Day in March, where
the whole school celebrates how different cultures, races, religions, abilities, and identities contribute to
a better world for all.

All students were invited to attend an introductory meeting with Dr. Phil during lunch periods in
September, and interested students completed applications which asked them to seek out someone
they didn't know and sit with that person at lunch one day. Those who were reluctant to take that
challenge could alternatively write about the importance of diversity.

This year's Diversity Student Leaders are: Amanda Armbruster, Kathy Bian, Jian Choi, Ayana Currie,
Nyla Edwards, Tanvi Genti, Anjana Goli, Zakiah Haman, Tyler Hofer, Zahra Khan,
Graham LaBonte, Scarlette Maier, Tamara Munoz, Jeremiah Pinex, Kourtney Player,
Amisha Poojari, Sofia Tripp, Kayla Wallace, and Charley Welsh.
Congratulations students! We look forward to your work.

STUDENT LAPTOP UPDATE

We are very excited about the opportunity we have had to provide all students a laptop to use in
all classes in which they are needed all day long. Teachers no longer have to scramble to locate a cart
of laptops and hope they get one for their lessons. It is so much better than having to get carts and
borrow a different one each period each day. We hope our students appreciate this opportunity and
make the best use of it!

Our staff have instructed students that they should only use their laptops for school work, as directed
by a teacher. We have Web filters in place to block inappropriate content, a system we refine daily to
improve its already strong security. In addition to this, if a teacher or principal is concerned about how
your student is using a laptop, our technicians can run a full report of everything students have done
with their laptop. All teachers may ask to check students' browsing history at any time, if they are
concerned about how students have been using their laptops. Students do not have the ability to delete
their browsing history, so this can be checked at any time to assure the students are staying on task.

We want you to know that this does not mean your students are using laptops every day all day each
period. The purpose of having a laptop in each student's possession is so that teachers can use this
tool when they need it, not just whenever they happen to be able to get it. It gives our staff maximum
flexibility to create lessons that engage students whenever and however these tools might be needed.

TRANSPORTATION  

Late Service

Late buses are provided on Tuesday and Thursday, with buses leaving LMS between 4:30– 4:40 p.m.
Five buses provide transportation for the entire district. Students may be assigned to a different bus that
what they ride at 3:10.

Bus Pass

A bus pass (click on the underlined link above) is required at those times when students must ride a
bus not covering their usual route. In order for your request to be considered, this form must be
completed and returned to Danna Anderson in the Welcome Center 24 hours prior to the requested
change. Bus passes may not be available on all routes if there is concern about having available space.
PLEASE NOTE: Bus passes will no longer be allowed on the following buses due to capacity
concerns: LMS 1, LMS 2, LMS 3, LMS 5, LMS 9 and LMS 12.

FOOD SERVICE SURVEY

Chartwells at Ladue Schools is conducting a short survey to gather feedback on school food service.
This is a great chance to give you input on ideas to make food service better! Please follow the link
below to give us your input before the end of October so we can pull the results together in November.
We appreciate all feedback! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DS5TJTC"

LMS CANNED FOOD DRIVE

We are about to start our annual Canned Food Drive. Last year we donated, between cans and money,
a total of 18,999 cans.  We will take donations of either cash, checks, or cans. Every dollar donated is
counted as 2 cans, so $10 dollars is counted as 20 cans. Because the shelter is a non-profit charitable
organization, they can buy a lot more food for the same money we can. We have become the largest
single donor to the Gateway 180 Shelter and Food Bank and they have come to rely on our donations.
The drive will start on Monday, November 12th, and continue until Tuesday, November 20th. More info
to come!

PARENTS TO LUNCH

Looking for an excuse to come up and spy (oops, I meant to say spend precious time) with your student? We invite families to attend Parents to Lunch on the following dates:

November, 7 (6th)- 10:56, November, 8 (7th)-11:52, November, 9 (8th)-12:48

Lunch is 30 minutes. It is recommended that families come at least 5 minutes before each lunch shift
begins to give yourself time to beat the stampede of middle schoolers rushing to the cafe. Please keep
in mind our food allergy policy and ONLY bring lunch for your student.

VISION SCREENING 11/13

We will have vision screening on 11/13 for all sixth graders, New to Ladue students, and students who
receive special services. Students should bring or wear their glasses/contacts for the screening.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES QUARTER 2 ADDITIONS

We have several new activities starting this quarter. Just sharing the list in case you have students who
are looking for something to do after school. Here are a few that are starting: Art Club, Book Battle Club,
Diversiteam, Model UN, Partner’s Club, and Science Bowl 6,7,8. For details about any of these clubs
and all other clubs, please click on this link that is posted on our school
website: LMS After School Activities.

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, disabilities, 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.

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

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