April 29, 2016

TJs Tidbits

Greetings LMS Families, 

Sixth grade camp went well! Thank you Mark Biernbaum, Scott Lackey, LMS and District Staff, and LHWHS student counselors. I went down for a quick visit on Wednesday evening and was joined by school board member Kisha Lee. We were able to participate in evening activities that included a hayride and dancing and had a blast. I am always amazed by all that happens over the course of three days. The staff goes all out to ensure a memorable experience for all. Each and every minute is planned with something fun and the days are extremely organized. The camp video will be shared later this week on the camp website. Thank you Mr. Alimayu for staying up into the wee hours each night while at camp putting it together.

A tremendous amount of bonding occurs at camp: student to student, staff to student, and staff to staff. Everyone returns home changed. Everyone also returns home EXHAUSTED! If I were to guess, the kiddos were worn out and ready to hit the sack. I hope families took advantage of that moment. It's definitely a rare occasion. 

Although camp was super fun, I am very excited to get back to a normal week of school. 

See you soon! 

STUDENT RECOGNITION 

MUSIC HONORS

Micaela Chyu, 8th grade orchestra, and Charles Randle, 7th grade band, auditioned for and won spots in the prestigious St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. (SLSYO). The SLSYO is open through audition to musicians ages 12 to 22. Obviously, middle school students don't typically compete well against 22 year olds. To say we are proud of them doesn't begin to describe it.  21 (out of 98) members of the SLSYO are Ladue students, including Micaela and Charles. What a fantastic representation for Ladue. More information about the SLSYO can be found here.

KIDS BAKING CONTEST

LMS 8th Grader Tarek Husseini finished competing last week in the Kids Baking Championship. Although he did not win first place, he did a fantastic job and made us all proud. Congratulations! 

NEW INFORMATION

WEAR YOUR SIXTH GRADE CAMP SHIRT TOMORROW

As mentioned on Friday during school announcements, in honor of the success of 6th Grade Camp, we are asking all students and staff to wear a camp shirt on Monday, 9/23. It does not matter which year your shirt is from, just wear one if you have it.

SIXTH GRADE CAMP VIDEOS

Sixth Grade Camp was quite warm, but was very successful again this year. In the next few days the camp videos will be shared with all 6th grade parents. Thank you students for a fantastic week of growth and thank you parents for your ongoing support!

CONGRATULATIONS ERIN HECKENDORN 

Congratulations to Ms. Erin Heckendorn who was chosen as our 2019-2020 LMS Excellence in Education awardee. We are so very fortunate to have Erin on staff as she is a true superstar and does so much for our students and school community. She will be officially honored at the School Board meeting on Monday September 23 at LHWHS. We welcome anyone who wants to join us for the presentation. 

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 click this link http://bit.ly/2us0kyN or order online at www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com using the password: LMS. Order forms are also available in the Welcome Center. 

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.

ZIP-LINE TRIPS OPEN SPOTS for 10/10 and 11/1

Parents, do you want your student to join us for one of our last two Hidden Valley zip-line experiences that are not full? We have some spots left for our Thursday, Oct. 10 and Friday, Nov. 1 outings.  Please email Mark Biernbaum if you are interested or have any questions.

DIVERSITY STUDENT LEADERS

Applications are now available for Diversity Student Leaders for the 2019-2020 school year.  Students that are passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and interested in learning more about increasing religious, cultural, and racial understanding are encouraged to apply.  Applications are due to the Welcome Center by Monday September 30th. Twenty five students will be selected to participate in planning school wide events and will receive four separate training sessions through Educational Equity Consultants. If you have questions, please contact your student's grade level counselor. 

RED RIBBON WEEK TRAINING

Last week, ten LMS students attended Red Ribbon Week Training by NCADA (National Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol).  During this training, students were able to learn about the side effects and long term risks associated with drug use and plan a Red Ribbon Week for our school that will be both informative and fun.  We look forward to celebrating Red Ribbon Week October 28th-November 1st.  The national theme is “Send a Message.  Stay Drug Free.” For more information about Red Ribbon Week, please visit: www.RedRibbon.org.

AUTHOR VISIT- APRIL HENRY

The popular young adult mystery writer, April Henry, will be here to visit LMS on October 3 to do a presentation on the writing process and has offered to do a book signing after the visit. Any students who bring a copy of one of April Henry's books on October 3rd will be able to meet the author and have a book signed!

If your child already owns an April Henry book, he/she may bring one book to school and participate in the book signing. If your child does not have a book, but wants to get one to have signed, you may obtain a copy of one of her books anywhere that books are sold. Want to know more? You can find information about her here. http://www.aprilhenry.com/

LEF BREAKFAST

You're Invited to the LEF's 13th Annual Community Breakfast on Saturday, 10/12 9:00-11:00 a.m. Please click on the link for more info: LEF Breakfast

8th GRADE CAR WASH- SUCCESS

The eighth graders had an extremely successful car wash last Saturday. There was a steady flow of customers throughout the day and the students raised $1,800. They were surprised by special guest, Vladi Tarasenko, who took a picture with everyone (see Parent Link). The students and party committee is extremely excited and grateful for all the support received from the community. Thank you!

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. So far students have raised over $650.00. We have a goal of $4000.00. 

BUS PASS INFO
This Bus Pass form is required at those times when your child must ride a bus not covering his/her usual route. In order for your request to be considered, the bus pass form must be completed and returned to Danna Anderson 24 hours prior to the requested change. Please note that bus passes may not be available on all routes if there is concern about having available space.

• Bus passes will no longer be accepted on the following buses due to capacity concerns: L1, L2, L3, L5, L9, and L10, L12, and L19.

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): 

Wed. 10/2, 6:30-8 pm (LMS Library)
Thurs. 11/14, 9-10:30am
Wed. 12/11, 6:30-8 pm (LMS Library)
Thurs. 1/9, 9-10:30am
Wed. 2/5, 6:30-8 pm (LMS Library)
Tues. 3/10, 9-10:30am 
Wed. 4/1, 6:30-8 pm (LMS Library)
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) 

9/18-27      Diaper Drive
9/23           6th Grade Camp Spirit Day (Wear Camp Shirt)
9/23           Ms. Heckendorn Recognized at Board Mtg. LHWHS

9/24           School Picture Day (Absentee Only)

9/26 M&M Club Mtg

9/27           PD Day- No School for Students 

9/28           LEF Due Run 4 Education Event at LHWHS
9/30           Diversity Student Leaders Application Due
10/2           LMSPA Evening Mtg  6:30 p.m. (LMS Library)

10/3           Class Meetings, Author Visit- April Henry
10/10         Zip Line Trip

10/11         ER/RecordsDay

10/12         LEF Community Breakfast

10/15         Hearing Screening (7th, New to Ladue, students receiving SSD services)

10/17 Field Trip Special Olympics Bowling

10/18 Field Trip: 8th Grade Musical Theatre Field Trip

10/21-24 Scholastic Book Fair

10/23-24    PT Conferences

10/25 Conference Compensation Day- No School for Students or Staff)

10/28-11/1 Red Ribbon Week
10/29 M&M Club Mtg

10/30 Orchestra Concert at PAC 7pm

11/1 Zip Line Trip

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)

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 

RAM CARD

We have begun implementing our RAM card procedures. 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. 

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.

GRADE LEVEL HAPPENINGS
Please click the links below for the most current grade level updates: 

6th Grade Level Happenings

7th Grade Level Happenings

8th Grade Level Happenings

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 at the start of the school year. 

That's all for now!

Dr. T-J 

Principal, Ladue Middle School