Week of January 13

This Friday is the last day of the first semester.  It is an early release day for students and they will be dismissed at 11:30.  All first semester work to be considered for credit must be submitted by 11:30 on Friday.  Students can attend Scout Learning Lab after school Monday-Thursday if they need extra assistance to finish the semester strong.  Please review your student’s grades with them and make a plan to address any missing assignments before the end of the week.  

Students will receive a hard copy of their second semester schedules in S4S on Wednesday.  If they are interested in a second semester schedule change, the schedule change request form can be found on the Counseling Canvas Page.  We will do our best to honor all schedule change requests, but we may not be able to accommodate all requests.  Please remember we do not make schedule changes related to teacher choice, preferred time of day for a class, or to put students in classes with their friends. There is no school next Monday, January 20th due to professional development, so the first day of the second semester for students will be Tuesday, January 21st.  Our schedule next week is no school, odd, even, all, all.

Many students received personal technology items as gifts this holiday season.  A reminder that our away for the day policy applies to cell phones, tablets, earbuds, and smart watches.  These items need to be powered down and stored in lockers from the time students enter the building until 3:05.  We are seeing more students bringing tablets and their Chromebooks to class. While students can provide their own device, that needs to be in place of their Chromebook, not in addition to.  Students cannot bring a personal device and their school device to class. If students wish to use a personal device, it must have the same functionality as the school device (i.e. a keyboard).  We strongly recommend that students use the Chromebook provided by the school.

It’s hard to believe that the end of the first semester is here.  The first half of this school season has been great and we have many things to celebrate throughout our school.  Our students have done amazing things in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, in the halls, and the community.  Thank you for sharing your student with us and for your continued support and feedback.  Make it a great week. 

Upcoming Events

• 1/14                Orchestra concert 

• 1/16                Beginning band concert 

• 1/17                 End of the first semester (early release for students)

• 1/20                 No school-professional development 

• 1/21                 Second semester begins 

• 1/21                 PAC meeting

• 2/10 Rising freshmen family night at LHS

Week of January 6

Welcome back!  It’s great having all of our students back in the building as we celebrate the arrival of another year.  It’s going to be a great one and we can’t wait to walk alongside you in support of your student.  The first semester ends on Friday, January 17th.  Students are dismissed at 11:30 on that day.  All assignments to be considered for credit must be submitted by 11:30 on the 17th. First semester report cards will be sent out through PowerSchool on Wednesday, January 22nd. 

Please join us this Thursday, January 9th,  from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in our cafeteria for an open viewing of the LMS Art Show! This is a great chance to see some of the amazing drawings, crafts, paintings, and digital art projects created by our very talented students.  All LMS students and families are encouraged to attend. 

Many students received personal technology items as gifts this holiday season.  A reminder that our away for the day policy applies to cell phones, tablets, earbuds, and smart watches.  These items need to be powered down and stored in lockers from the time students enter the building until 3:05.  We are seeing more students bringing tablets and their Chromebooks to class. While students can provide their own device, that needs to be in place of their Chromebook, not in addition to.  Students cannot bring a personal device and their school device to class. If students wish to use a personal device, it must have the same functionality as the school device (i.e. a keyboard).  We strongly recommend that students use the Chromebook provided by the school.

This month, we’re focusing on respect, which comes in many forms: respect for classmates, for property, for parents, for elders, for teachers, for nature, and for the beliefs and rights of others. Respect includes being courteous and polite, as well as respecting yourself by avoiding self-criticism. We can model respect for our students regarding how we speak to and treat them. Respect is not only an important character trait, but it can also be a source of real joy! Respect implies a certain appreciation, which makes us more aware of other people’s needs and feelings. One way to show respect is by showing appreciation. Celebrate members of our community who lead through service to others. Write “Thank You” notes to someone that has helped or served your family. Consider people in your community like veterans, teachers, nurses/doctors, ministers, bus drivers, police officers, firefighters, mail carriers, etc.  Please read more about how to cultivate respect in this month’s CKH newsletter. 

Thank you very much for your continued support and feedback as we sprint into 2025.  It’s an exciting start to the school year with new activities (boys basketball, nordic skiing, and girls wrestling) and other new beginnings. Make it a great year!

Upcoming Events

• 1/6 Classes resume

• 1/6 Boys basketball begins

• 1/6                   Girls wrestling begins

• 1/9                   Art show

• 1/14                Orchestra concert 

• 1/16                Beginning band concert 

• 1/17                 End of the first semester (early release for students)

• 1/20                 No school-professional development 

• 1/21                 Second semester begins 

• 1/21                 PAC meeting

Week of December 16

Winter break is rapidly approaching.  We have a festive week ahead with a concert, a dance, and many exciting learning opportunities.  Thank you for helping us make the most of it by delaying your winter break plans until after school is dismissed on Friday.  These days really do matter.  Our most recent attendance newsletter can be found here.

The holidays are a great time to reflect and connect with those we care about.  You can use the following conversation to jumpstart the process.  Describe this year in three words. Why did you choose those words? What is one thing you want to learn to do next year? What is your favorite memory from this year?

Our Holiday Dance is Thursday from 3:05-5:00 in the LMS gym.  All LMS students in good standing (not serving ISS or OSS) are encouraged to attend.  Admission is $5 and concessions will be available.  Students attending the dance must provide their own transportation and they need to be picked by 5:15.  Once a student has entered the dance, they cannot leave before 5:00 unless their caregiver is at the school to pick them up. We hope all of our students will come and show their holiday spirit at the dance this week. 

Our away for the day policy applies to cell phones, tablets, earbuds, and smart watches.  These items need to be powered down and stored in lockers from the time students enter the building until 3:05.  We are seeing more students bringing tablets and their Chromebooks to class. While students can provide their own device, that needs to be in place of their Chromebook, not in addition to.  Students cannot bring a personal device and their school device to class. If students wish to use a personal device, it must have the same functionality as the school device (i.e. a keyboard).  We strongly recommend that students use the Chromebook provided by the school.

A few final housekeeping items for your information before the break.  We will be cleaning out the lost and found at the end of the week.  Please have your student look for their missing items before the end of the school day on Friday.  There will be no Scout Learning Lab, after school activities, or late bus on Wednesday due to a staff meeting.  All students should go directly home after school on the 18th and students must be off campus by 3:15.

Thank you very much for your continued support and feedback as we close out 2024.  This year has been filled with joy, growth, and teamwork. We are looking forward to an even better year in 2025.  We wish you a safe and joyous holiday.  

Upcoming Events

• 12/17              Choir concert 

• 12/18              No SLL due to staff meeting

• 12/19 Holiday Dance

• 12/23 Winter break begins

• 1/6 Classes resume

Week of December 9

Last week the 8th grade cooking classes held a cake decorating contest.  All of the cakes looked and tasted great. In first place with Chick-Fil-A were Myah Johnson, Leela Keller, Chloe Osborne, and Jessie Roylance.  Earning second place with their Bear Beach cake were Kash Athey, Tyler Beck, Addison Hennebry, and Isla Mahon. The third place cake was Christmas Mistake by Kimberly Almanza, Delaney Hardwick and Emma Montgomery. Congratulations to all of our contestants and especially to our winners.  

The weeks leading up to winter break are filled with activities and celebration.  Girls basketball will be concluding this week.  Band and choir have concerts, we have a dance next week, and students and teachers are working hard to address essential learning before the break.  Please check in with your student to make sure they are on track to finish assigned activities before break.  Our semester doesn’t end until January 17th, but winter break feels like the natural midpoint of the year.  The break will be so much more enjoyable if students go into it with no missing assignments.  Teachers are available during Scout Learning Lab Monday-Thursday to help students.  Let’s add to the holiday cheer this year by celebrating having every assignment possible completed before the break. 

A couple of housekeeping items for your consideration. We will be clearing out the lost and found on the 20th.  Please encourage your student to check for any missing items before winter break.  The December PAC meeting has been cancelled.  We will meet again in the new year on January 21st.  We would also appreciate your feedback on how we are doing in regards to creating and sustaining a welcoming environment in our school.  Please use this link to complete a quick survey.  It will only take a few minutes.  

The holidays are definitely something to look forward to.  I hope we can all take a moment this week to reflect on the good things that have happened this school year and on the great things to come.  As we dash towards winter break, let’s make the days count and not worry as much about counting the days. Make it a great week. 

Upcoming Events

• 12/11              LMS presentation to ACSD1 School Board 

• 12/12              Band concert

• 12/17              Choir concert 

• 12/18              No SLL due to staff meeting

• 12/19 Holiday Dance

• 12/23 Winter break begins

• 1/6 Classes resume

Week of December 2

A new week and a new month begin on this frosty Monday morning.  We hope everyone had a safe and fulfilling Thanksgiving break. The next three weeks before the winter break are crucial to student learning.  When we return in January, there are only two weeks of school before the first semester ends.  It’s imperative that students are current on their learning before the break, as it will be very difficult for them to try and catch up in January.  Let’s work together to make these coming weeks productive and engaging. 

This month, we’re challenging your students to reflect on their experiences and take responsibility for how they choose to learn and grow from these experiences. We are partnering

with you to grow and develop your child’s sense of responsibility. As you reflect as a family, celebrate your accomplishments, identify areas you may want to improve, and consider new ways to serve others in the days ahead. One fun activity you could try is 100 Family Memories. Challenge your family to list 100 family memories from the year, big and small. As memories come to mind, add them to the list. At the end of the month, share and reflect on these memories as a family. Celebrate the good ones, talk about the lessons you may have learned from the hard ones, and think about how you have grown this year. Please read more about responsibility and building community in this month’s CKH newsletter. 

As we move further into winter and more consistent winter weather, please encourage your student to dress appropriately for the conditions.  We recognize that wearing a coat and putting the shorts away is totally cringe, but the Wyoming weather can be brutal.  Buses can get stuck and the roads can close during activity trips, so even if your student is only going from the bus or your car into the school, it’s still wise to be prepared.  Please also remember that our doors do not open until 7:30.  Students who arrive prior to 7:30 can wait in the front vestibule, but it’s best if they do not arrive on campus before our doors are open.

December is such a great time for reflection and celebration.  We’ve had a great school year so far with many accomplishments to celebrate.  Let’s continue to work together to improve and grow.  Thank you for your support and feedback. Make it a great week. 

Upcoming Events

• 12/6 Parade of Lights

• 12/17              PAC meeting

• 12/18              No SLL due to staff meeting

• 12/19 Holiday Dance

• 12/23 Winter break begins

• 1/6 Classes resume

Week of November 25

Family Fun Fitness Night is on Monday from 5:30-7:30 in the LMS cafeteria and gym.  Local organizations that support healthy living will be there along with activities such as cornhole, hands-only CPR training, weight challenges, other fun games, and back by popular demand, the Parent Pacer Test!  Local Laramie Businesses—there’s still space available for booths! If your organization is interested in hosting a booth at the event, please reach out to the event manager at tmiller@acsd1.org.  All LMS students and their families are encouraged to attend Family Fun Fitness Night. We can’t wait to see you on Monday for a fun and active evening!

As we prepare to take time off from school on 11/27-11/29 for the Thanksgiving break, we are grateful for everyone who has helped to create and sustain a routine for showing up to school ready to learn every day.  It takes families, teachers, students, bus drivers, and everyone else who works in our school to help get students to school and engaged in their learning each day.  We understand that many families are traveling for the holiday.  Please make every effort to have your student in school on Monday and Tuesday so we can maximize student learning before the holiday.  Every day matters. 

Thanksgiving is a time for reflection and expressing gratitude.  We couldn’t be more thankful for our students and families.  Middle school is a time of growth, learning, and unique challenges.  In 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, students are changing physically, emotionally, and socially at a rapid rate.  We are so very thankful that you have chosen to share your student with us during this special time.  We appreciate them for who they are and who they are becoming.  Have a safe, and happy Thanksgiving.  We are already counting the days until our students are back in the building on December 2nd and we begin the mad dash to the winter break.  Make it a great week.

Upcoming Events

• 11/25 Family Fun Fitness Night

• 11/26                       NFL Day (wear your jersey or other team gear)

• 11/27-11/29 Thanksgiving Break

Week of November 11

Our fall food drive is well underway.  Students have until the end of the day on Friday to bring in nonperishable items.  Prizes will be awarded to the grade that brings in the most items, the S4S class that brings in the most items, and individuals who bring in the most items. Sixth grade is currently in the lead.  Please consider helping those in need in our community.  All collected items will be donated to Laramie Interfaith. 

Wednesday is World Kindness Day.  Please take this opportunity to spread kindness in our community.  This could be as simple as holding the door open for someone, using a bit of extra courtesy or something bigger like buying coffee for a stranger.  Think about how as a family you can spread kindness on Wednesday. Here’s a link to some additional resources and ideas. 

If your student would like some extra protection for their Chromebook, we can help.  We’ve purchased some external protectors that students with Dell Chromebooks can check out from the library.  If students choose to check out a protector, it’s important that they do not put any stickers on it.  If they do, they will have to purchase it.  If your student is interested in an extra layer of protection for their device, please have them see Mrs. Heuschkel in the library.  Protectors are on a first come, first served basis. 

It’s nice to be back in the rhythm of a regular week. Our students are working very hard and our teachers and staff are there to help them every step of the way.  Thank you for sharing your students with us. We are grateful for them.  Make it a great week!

Upcoming Events

• 11/13 World Kindness Day

• 11/18 12 Week Progress Reports

• 11/19 PAC Meeting

• 11/27-11/29 Thanksgiving Break