April 29, 2016

TJs Tidbits

Greetings LMS Families,

We have gotten off to a fantastic start this year. Students and staff are making connections and building relationships. I’ve been able to get into many classes and have seen great lessons being taught. We started our after school activity program last week and attendance was high. There are many new offerings this year such as a Technology Student Association, Animal and Eco Action Club, STUCO, and Robotics Club to name a few.

Students are settling into the daily routine of knowing where they are actually going and getting to and from class on time. Our halls are pretty busy due to the fact that we are continuing to grow each year. We have close to 1000 students gracing these halls each and every day. When I started in the district in 2000 we had around 750 students.

In response to this growth, we are implementing new procedures and have added a resource that we believe will help students demonstrate safe behaviors while in the halls, manage their time more efficiently and get to class quicker. Something you may have seen, thanks to our wonderful Parent Association, are new countdown clocks that are hanging from the ceiling in various areas of the building. These clocks countdown once the bell rings and allow students to see how much time they have remaining when passing to and from classes.

As mentioned at Meet the Teacher Night, along with the clocks, we are implementing travel routes for students and specific times that students can access their lockers. The halls are much wider when the lockers are closed and students can get to their classes faster when traveling in specific halls that are designated for their team and/or grade level.

To aid with management of our new system, students will be issued a RAM card to either wear on a lanyard, attach to their tech tote with a 2 inch hook, or keep on their person (the choice in theirs). The RAM Card should remain at school along with the student's Tech Tote. Staff will stamp the card should students demonstrate unsafe behavior such as running, pushing, shoving, roughhousing while traveling in the hall or at lunch, access their locker at a time other than what's been designated, or travel in areas outside of their team/grade level travel route.

We have been intentional about teaching these expectations, having conversations, and giving reminders about what we expect from all members of our school community for close to a month. By now everyone should have a good understanding of how to travel safely and efficiently in our halls. Students have had the opportunity to travel through the building and develop a system for ensuring that they make it to class on time and follow the new procedures that have been established. They have been doing a fantastic job by the way, which makes us proud. 

We will begin implementing our RAM card procedures on Wednesday of this week. Please remind your student to carry his/her RAM card at all times and promptly hand the card to any staff member who may ask for it should it become necessary. Our 2019-2020 LMS Student Guidebook mentions the Ram Card on pages 17, 62, and 63. Please take time to review these expectations with your student at home to reinforce what we have covered at school. We thank you in advance for working in partnership with us to ensure safety and efficiency in our halls. Should you have any questions please contact your student's, grade level principal. 

That's all for now. See you soon!

NEW INFORMATION

WELCOME NEW STAFF

Please join me in officially welcoming several new staff:

Laura Bauer (Title 1 Math)- Laura has taught math for over twenty years. She began her career in Ft. Zumwalt. Prior to LMS, she worked at Truman Middle School in the Lindbergh District teaching eighth grade math. Laura has a BA in Secondary Math from UMSL and Middle School Certification from Lindenwood University. Welcome Laura! 

Stephanie Skube (Health Room Assistant)-Stephanie has been working in special education for the past four years. She most recently worked in Parkway School District as a para professional and has also worked at a middle school in IL. Stephanie started at LMS last week and has been training in the clinic alongside District Lead Nurse, Ann Body. Welcome Stephanie!

Nancy Williams (School Nurse)- Nancy has a BS in Math from Washington University and an RN license in nursing with a BSN from Saint Louis University. Nancy has been a school nurse for 22 years, serving students in Saint Louis Public Schools. She has also worked for hospitals, a women’s clinic, home heath and a children’s residential facility. Nancy will start next week. Welcome Nancy!

SCREENAGERS ARTICLE

Today’s children are born into a world filled with an exciting, but sometimes overwhelming amount of technology.  While technology can be great, it is our responsibility as adults to assist our children with how to properly navigate the digital world we live in. Research has shown that teenagers who have access to electronic devices in their bedrooms, are at a greater risk for sleep deprivation and the associated negative side affects. Please read this article from the Screenagers website that highlights the importance of monitoring your child’s screen time and the benefits of doing so: ELECTRONIC CURFEW ARTICLE 

PT CONFERENCES SIGN UPS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN

You can now sign up for Fall PT Conferences by clicking this link or by cutting and pasting this into your browser: https://www.myconferencetime.com/laduems

• Conferences are: Wednesday, 10/23 (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and Thursday, 10/24 (1:20 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.). Teachers will have a 40-minute dinner break at the following times on Thursday, 10/24: Core @ 4:20 p.m., Explo/Dual Team @ 5:00 p.m
• We STRONGLY encourage families to sign up ASAP as slots fill quickly.
• Registration at MyConferenceTime closes at noon on Friday October 18, 2019. Please contact Mary LoBosco, by email at mlobosco@ladueschools.net or by phone at 314-983-5512, to register or make any changes you need for conferences after that time.

8th GRADE CAR WASH- SATURDAY, 9/14 (10am-3pm)

Please support our 8th grade students while they fundraise for their 8th Grade End of Year Party.  The car wash takes place on Saturday, September 14 in the LMS parking lot from 10am-3pm. Stop by and while you wait for our students to wash and shine your car you can enjoy some baked goods and visit with other LMS families.   Donations are gladly accepted and highly appreciated!

8th GRADE CAR WASH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Calling all 8th graders!  We are looking for 8th grade student and parent volunteers to help run the car wash. Please click on the volunteer link to sign up. car wash volunteer sign up   

Please click on supplies link to donate or loan supplies.  donated car wash supplies

SIXTH GRADE CAMP MEDICATION DROP OFF (6th GRADE PARENTS ONLY)

Sixth grade parents should drop off all camp medication to the LMS clinic ASAP.  It was due on Friday, Sept.6.  If your child has a medication that is in a multidose format and needs to continue to use it before camp (such as an inhaler, nasal spray or eye drops) please contact Ann Body at annbody@ladueschools.net so she can make arrangements for drop off the morning your child leaves for camp.  All other medication needs to be dropped off in the LMS clinic immediately in order for it to be checked and processed prior to camp. Any physician orders can be faxed direct to Nurse Body at 314-983-5390. 

Also, in order for the nurse to be able to treat your child or administer approved over-the-counter medication at camp per our district standing orders, we must have your consent on file. The easiest and fastest way to do that is to get on the parent portal online and update your child's health information. Here is the link with information on how to do that: https://district.ladueschools.net/infinite-campus/.  If you run into difficulty doing it online, we will accept a paper copy and here is the link to the form.  Both sides must be completed for it to be valid. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8H3EaG0VJ9KQXdWQTM2YUZNVTA/view Working together to be prepared will help to make sixth grade camp 2019 the best ever!

LADUE SCHOOLS 2020-2021 CALENDAR 

Now that we have the 2019-20 school year well underway, this is just a quick heads up about the Ladue Schools 2020-21 school year calendar. This past spring, lawmakers in Missouri passed a bill which requires school districts to begin no sooner than two weeks before Labor Day beginning in the 2020-21 school year. As a result, district administrators are in the process of revising the 2020-21 calendar and we will share it with you and post it to the district website as soon as it is available. For now, here are a few calendar features of which we are sure for 2020-21…

• The first day of school will be Aug. 24, 2020.
• Students will still complete the first semester prior to Winter Break.
• High school graduation is anticipated to take place on Sunday, May 23, 2021. The time has not yet been determined.

Again, as soon as the final calendar has been developed and approved by the Board of Education, we will share it immediately.

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 Guidebook, which was sent home with all students and posted on our school website. I STRONGLY 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. 

BEFORE SCHOOL LOCATIONS 

When students enter the building at 7:30 a.m., they will be directed to the cafeteria until sent to their grade level areas. 6th grade will be in the multipurpose room, 7th will be on the boys side of the gym, and 8th will be on the girls side of the gym. This will be the expectation for the remainder of the school year. 

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). Breakfast is not considered “social time.” Students participating in the breakfast program are expected to eat as quickly as possible and head to class. Students not meeting breakfast expectations may lose breakfast privileges.     

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 in our Student Handbook, which will be sent home with each student in the near future.

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 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 (3:10/3:20), 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 3:20-4:20.  Students who stay after for activities should be picked up at 4:20, 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.

TRAFFIC REMINDERS 

The following is a reminder to some, and new information for others, regarding our morning and afternoon traffic patterns and drop off/pick up procedures.

Our school day for 2019-2020 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 3:10, 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.

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. 

BUS INFO

To find out more information about your bus route, you may access the Ladue School District website. Once you're on the home page, go to “for Parents > Bus Information” in the navigation at the top of the page. You will find links to the routes for all schools in the right column, as well as contact information should you have any questions or concerns.

LMSPA INFO 

LMSPA MEETINGS 

The Ladue Middle School Parent Association 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): 

Thurs. 9/12, 9-10:30am
Wed. 10/2, 6:30-8 pm
Thurs. 11/14, 9-10:30am
Wed. 12/11, 6:30-8 pm
Thurs. 1/9, 9-10:30am
Wed. 2/5, 6:30-8 pm
Tues. 3/10, 9-10:30am 
Wed. 4/1, 6:30-8 pm
Thurs. 5/14 (closed meeting for Exec Board only) 9-11am            

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 

http://www.facebook.com/LadueMiddleSchoolParentAssociation/ 

and on Twitter @mylmspa 

LMSPA SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE 
If you are doing any additional shopping for school supplies, please consider purchasing an extra binder or combination lock to donate when we return back to school. These items are always in demand and will be distributed to students who need them via the LMS counselors, Aundrea Johnson (6), Amy Balsavias (7) and Yvette Sykes (8). 

CALENDAR DATES (new additions in red) 

9/9-9/13     NWEA Testing (ELA)
9/10           Hairspray Musical Auditions
9/12           Hairspray Callbacks (If needed)
9/13           LHWHS First Home F-Ball Game Under the Lights (7:00 p.m.)

9/14  8th Grade Car Wash Fundraiser (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.)

9/16-9/18   6th Grade Camp Session I

9/18-9/20   6th Grade Camp Session II

9/24           School Picture Day (Absentee Only) 

9/27           PD Day- No School for Students

10/23-10/24 PT Conferences
10/25         Conference Compensation Day (No school for students or staff)

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)

CONGRATULATIONS ERIN HECKENDORN 

Congratulations to Ms. Erin Heckendorn who was chosen as our 2019-2020 LMS Excellence in Education awardee. Erin is a superstar. She has worked at LMS for over nine years as a math teacher and interventionist. Her greatest strength is her interpersonal relationships with students. She truly makes an effort to know what interests and motivates them. She has made numerous contributions to our school and district by serving on committees such as Character Education, Student Support, and MTSS. Erin was one of the teachers who worked on our National School of Character application last year, and if you recall, we received the honor. We are so very fortunate to have Erin on staff. We celebrated her last week with a cake. She will be officially honored at the School Board meeting on September 23. Job well done Erin!

LMS SCHOOL MUSICAL INFO- HAIRSPRAY

Interested in performing in a school wide musical?  Auditions for Hairspray Jr. will be held on Sept. 10th after school in the choir/theatre room with call backs (if needed) on September 12th.  Your child will need to pick up a packet from Ms. Alrutz before hand that will have all the info you need for the audition. Any questions- Feel free to reach out at at lalrutz@ladueschools.net for more information!  Looking forward to another great year of song, dance, and fun!

DISTRICT ANNUAL UPDATE

The beginning of every school year brings with it a great deal of information families need to make sure students get off to a great start.  Families should have received an email and phone message from the district that included instructions and deadline for completing the mandatory online census (Annual Update), which is September 12. If you have not yet created a parent portal account, you may request one by filling out the Parent Portal Request form on the district website. If you need assistance creating your Infinite Campus portal account, navigating the online process, or logging into your existing account, please email campus@ladueschools.net and/or Click here to view a short video tutorial, which explains more about how to complete each step. If you do not have access to a computer at home or work, you can complete this update at LMS where there is a dedicated laptop for parents to use in the office.  Any questions? Please don’t hesitate to call 314-983-5318.

SEPTEMBER 24 ABSENTEE PICTURE DAY INFO

If your student was unable to make Community Night or chose not to have a picture taken, Wagner Portrait Group will shoot absentee pics at LMS on 9/24. PLEASE NOTE: This day is ONLY for students who have not taken school pictures at all. Parents may either fill out the attached order form, click on this link http://bit.ly/2us0kyN or order online at www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com and use the password: LMS. Order forms must be turned in to the photographer on 9/24. 

NOVEMBER 6 PICTURE RETAKE DAY INFO 

Wagner Portrait Group will be at LMS on 11/6 to photograph students who were absent on the initial picture day or any student that needs his/her picture retaken. PLEASE NOTE: Students having a picture taken as a RETAKE, must return their picture package in its entirety, including the package insert sheet, to the photographer. (Please also attach a note to describe what you’d like Wagner to do differently). As a reminder, the school dress code will apply. Please direct all questions, concerns, or special requests directly to Wagner Portrait Group at (314) 567-5900.

EIGHTH GRADE PARTY FUNDRAISING- Saturday, 9/14 (10a.m-3p.m)

At LMS we have a tradition that brings all of our 8th grade students together to celebrate and commemorate their time together, the 8th Grade Party. Mark your calendars: this year the party is scheduled for May 2, 2020.  A committee of parents partner with our 8th grade students to raise money for the party which covers food, entertainment, and activities so that all 330 of our graduating students can join in the fun.

It is important that our students participate in raising funds for the party as it gives them a sense of ownership which makes the evening even more special...seeing some of their hard work pay off as they celebrate with their classmates.The first opportunity for student involvement in fundraising for the 8th grade party is the annual car wash which is being held at LMS on Saturday, September 14th from 10am-3pm.  Please click here and sign up your student (and, if possible, yourself) for a time slot to help run a successful event. Thank you for encouraging your student(s) to serve LMS and our community! Questions? Contact Becca Dauska, becca_dauska@yahoo.com

DIAPER DRIVE

This year the LMS student body and NJHS are teaming up to participate in National Diaper Awareness week and will be hosting a fundraiser for the St. Louis area diaper bank.  Our city has a significant need for diaper assistance. Babies that go too long between changes can suffer developmentally and have emotional issues. A donation of $1 will allow the diaper bank to purchase eight diapers to keep our city’s babies happy and healthy.  LMS will be collecting donations between the dates of September 18-27. Cash donations and checks made payable to Ladue Middle School will be graciously accepted. Thank you for considering a donation.

EARLY DISMISSALS

Please try to always call ahead to Danna Anderson 983-5513 or email at danderson@ladueschools.net for early dismissals. We will deliver a note to your child to ensure he/she is down in the office and ready to go when you arrive. This process allows the student to leave the classroom without the disruption of a phone call into the classroom.  We get very busy at the end of the day in the front office so it is extremely important that parents call ahead for late afternoon dismissals and try to limit them as much as possible. 

LEF ‘DUE RUN

The one-mile fun run will be on the campus of the High School  using the new McKenna Plaza and track. It’s fun for all ages! Runners will run through the Briarwood Subdivision adjacent to the high school, the campus of the HS, and new track as part of the course.

We hope to see LMS families there! Click here for the flyer: LEF DUE RUN FLYER

PLANNER AND TECH TOTE REPLACEMENTS

Planners- If students need a new planner (lost, damaged, etc.), they should see their school counselor in the Welcome Center to get a new one. Tech Totes- If students need a new tech tote (lost, damaged, etc.), they may get a replacement from the AP office (see Ms. LoBosco). Both items are $5 to replace.

PE UNIFORM SHIRT (FROM PE TEACHERS)

If your student placed an order with the PE staff and/or doesn’t have a blue PE shirt, the shirts were delivered on Friday.  Please have your child bring payment to school on Monday or Tuesday to purchase a shirt(s) for PE. As a reminder, the cost for the cotton shirt is $7.50 and for the dri-fit shirt is $9.50."

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES- Our After School Activities Roster is now posted on the LMS website.  Click on the: After School Activities 2019-2020 link to see what's offered. The list is also posted on the bulletin board in our main lobby. Activities run from 3:20-4:20 p.m. Students participating in after school activities should not leave at the 3:10 bell, but should instead wait to be dismissed at 3:20 with carpool. Transportation for after school activities scheduled from 3:20-4:20, is provided for district residents via late bus on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A list that tells students which bus they ride is posted in the lobby. Two after school supervisors will also be available to provide bus numbers in case students forget. PLEASE NOTE: Late bus numbers (1 WEST, 2 WEST, 1 EAST, 2 EAST, and 3 EAST) are different from regular after school bus numbers. Please notify your student. Should your student elect to participate, please review the following information below.

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

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 if 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. 

LMS STUDENT GUIDEBOOK

I am sharing a link to our 2019-2020 LMS Student Guidebook, which contains a wealth of information about our school program and expectations. Please take some time to review this information at home as a family to ensure both you and your student are familiar with its contents. Hard copies were sent home a couple of weeks ago. 

CITIZENSHIP GRADES

Teachers are beginning to enter academic and citizenship grades this year. As a parent, you have access to view these grades and assignments through the Parent Portal. A brief explanation of citizenship grades may be helpful as these grades are not calculated the same as academic grades.

There are four (4) citizenship grades and the citizenship grading curve is set up based on 25% for each of these grades

O - Outstanding 100%-75%

S - Satisfactory 75%-50%

I - Improvement Needed 50%-25%

U - Unsatisfactory 25%-0%

Most teachers assign a 0-3 grade for the week in citizenship, which would correspond to roughly one of the grades. As you can see, any percentage over a 50 would result in either a Satisfactory or Outstanding citizenship grade. Hopefully this helps as you view these grades. Should you have any questions, please contact your student’s teacher. 

CLASS MEETINGS

Class meetings are small, multiage classes that meet approximately once every three weeks throughout the school year on Thursdays. On class meeting days, students will start the day in class meeting groups and will attend all of their classes for a shortened amount time. Nearly all staff members will be assigned to a class meeting group including counselors and administrators. Many families have inquired about the purpose of class meetings. The benefits of class meeting are many. We believe that class meetings will enhance LMS school culture by:

...fostering a greater sense of belonging in our students

...building connections between students and staff from all grade levels and content areas

...providing ongoing discussions about character education, diversity, and bullying prevention

Class meetings are a huge part of what makes LMS such a special place. Our students and staff benefit tremendously from the time to connect and build lasting relationships. 

That's all for now!

Dr. T-J 

Principal, Ladue Middle School