Week of November 26

We are thankful to be back in session after the Thanksgiving break.  The holiday is a wonderful opportunity to connect with family and friends as we reflect on what we are grateful for.  Vacation breaks provide natural milestones within the school year.  Looking at the calendar, we have four weeks of school until our next big milestone, winter break.  We are excited to work with all students to make the next month challenging, engaging, and fulfilling.  The first semester ends two weeks after the winter break, so now is the time to solidify our learning for the first half of the year and to lay the foundation for a strong second half.

The LMS student newspaper, The Scout Shout, has been released their latest publication.  Mrs. Baas, Mrs. Thomsen, and the dedicated students who make up the Scout Shout newsroom have been working hard to put together an informative and quality publication. Please click here to access the first edition of the Scout Shout for the 2018-19 school year.

As wrestling and girls basketball wind down, nordic skiing is set to begin.  Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades can participate in nordic skiing.  Students must have a sports physical on file, a signed code of conduct, and provide their own equipment to participate in nordic skiing.  There is a nordic skiing informational meeting for students and families on Thursday, November 29th at 5:30 pm in the LMS cafeteria.  All students planning to participate in nordic skiing and their families should attend.

Upcoming Events: 

• November 29                 Nordic skiing informational meeting 
• November 29                 Nellie T. Ross' birthday 
• December 24                 Winter break begins
• January 7                       Classes resume after winter break 

Week of November 19

The Thanksgiving Break is upon us and we head into the holiday with heavy hearts.  Our condolences go out to the all those in the ACSD1 and Laramie communities who are grieving.  It is in times of tragedy that we are made acutely aware of all that we are thankful for.  Thank you for sharing your students with us and for your support.  We hope the Thanksgiving break provides an opportunity to spend time with your friends and loved ones.  As a school, we are looking forward to the break so we can recharge our collective batteries for the sprint to the end of 2018.

During professional development and Scouts for Scouts, we have been focusing on the cultivation and application of a growth mindset.  We believe that all students can learn and perform at high levels.  Intelligence and ability are not fixed qualities, but something that can be developed over time.  It's just like getting in shape to run a race.  In the beginning you can't run very fast or very far, but when you stick with it the miles can cruise by with ease.  Often we hear students say "I'm not a math person." or "I'm not creative."  The concept of neuroplasticity provides the scientific basis for adding yet to the above statements changing them to "I'm not a math person, yet."  With practice and support we all have the capability to build new skills and knowledge.  The short video below explains neuroplasticity and how we can used brain-based strategies to support increased student learning.

Twelve week grade reports are coming in the mail this week.  Grade reports are send out at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and semester.  Students who earn a failing semester grade may be required to attend summers school, which is tentatively scheduled June 3-20.  If your students is earning a failing grade, please contact her/his teachers to make a plan for them to improve their performance. 

Upcoming Events: 

• November 20                 Twelve week grade reports mailed 

• November 21-13            No school-Thanksgiving Break

• November 29                 Nellie T. Ross' birthday 
• December 24                 Winter break begins
• January 7                       Classes resume after winter break 

Week of November 12

As we reflect on Veterans Day, we'd like to take a moment to thank those who have served or are currently serving.  Our country was founded when the bravest among us rose and up in defiance of tyranny.  Today we continue to live under the blanket of freedom that is protected by the men and women of our Armed Forces. LMS extends a heartfelt thank you to our Veterans.  Your service is deeply appreciated.

Unfortunately the use of e-cigarettes, commonly referred to as vaping, is on the rise in Laramie and across the country. Many of these products are manufactured to specifically appeal to young people.  Big tobacco needs to replace traditional smokers to maintain their bottom line, and vaping is one way they are doing it.  Why else would vaping fluid be made to look like candy and vaping devices made to look like school supplies? Juuling is a particularly popular is a type of vaping.  The juul resembles a flash drive and can be plugged into a USB port to charge.  The juul has two parts, the bottom part contains a battery and the temperature regulation system and the top part is the nicotine cartridge.  As you can see below, the juul, and other e-cigs, are designed to be concealed and used covertly in schools and other places.

Although vaping has been marketed as a safe alternative to cigarettes, that is not the case.  Nicotine is nicotine and the addictive properties and health risks of nicotine are well documented.  Vaping can also be used to deliver THC and other narcotics.  Many other chemicals are inhaled and exhaled when vaping and the long term impact of these chemicals, such as formaldehyde, is unknown. Bottom line, vaping is not safe, it's addictive, and it's against school policy.  Please review this presentation put together by Mr. Qualls and this article written by a high school principal to learn more about vaping. If your student is vaping, we're here to help.  We want all of our students to live healthy lives now and in the future, and that includes a life free from vaping.  Please let us know if you need assistance talking to your student about the dangers of vaping or helping them kick the habit.

This Friday, November 16th is Hathaway Scholarship day.  The Hathaway Scholarship makes a college education both affordable and possible for Wyoming high school graduates.  It is an enormous benefit of being a resident of our great state.  It's never to early to learn about the Hathaway Scholarship and the opportunities it may bring to your family.  Please click here to learn more about the Hathaway Scholarship.

Upcoming Events: 

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• November 16                 Hathaway Scholarship Day

• November 21-13            No school-Thanksgiving

• November 29                 Nellie T. Ross' birthday 
• December 24                 Winter break begins
• January 7                       Classes resume after winter break 

Week of November 5

We are especially excited for this week as we are kicking off the LMS Fall Food Drive.  All students are encouraged to bring in nonperishable food items.  Items that are collected will be donated to the Interfaith Food Pantry.  The grade that brings in the most food will earn points towards the Scout Cup.  The Scout Cup is a contest between the grade levels where grades earn points based on their participation in various school activities.  The winning grade for the food drive will earn 50 Scout Cup points and a pizza party.  Students who bring in a canned food item will also earn a $1 discount on admission to this Friday's dance.   Watch below to learn more about the food drive.

A question teachers often hear is ‘Why do I have to learn this?’ It’s a great question and one that we will endeavor to answer throughout the year for various subject areas.  This month we are looking at English.  In 6^th grade, students are learning to identify theme and to use evidence to support a theme in a complete summary. Theme is a universal message that applies to multiple areas of our lives.  Students apply themes when interpreting literature and visiting and interacting with students of other cultures.  Theme is an important part of movies and songs as well.  So why do 6^th graders need to learn about theme?  They need to learn about it so they can understand movies!

Seventh graders are studying characters and looking at consequences of their actions.  They look at how they are affected when they choose to be confident in themselves and let what others say roll off their back versus letting what others say get under their skin and define who they are.  Students are asked to think about their own decisions regarding peer pressure and the consequences regarding those decisions. All students will have to deal with peer pressure in appropriate ways to navigate the world.  Developing self-confidence and determining what feedback is valuable is important in school, sports, and the world of work.  Seventh graders need to learn how the choices characters make in literature impact their lives so they can apply those lessons to their lives both in school and beyond.

Students in the 8^th grade are learning to determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meaning.  They are analyzing the impact of specific words choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts. The understanding of figurative language provides students with tools to be better speakers and writers in order to better communicate and express themselves in today’s world.  No matter what career choice students ultimately make, effective communication will always be essential for  success. If you can’t communicate you can’t get a job. So without mastering communication in 8^th grade English, students might not be able to afford a house, car, food, Wyoming Cowboys tickets, and other essentials for living. 

Upcoming Events: 

• November 5-9                LMS food drive

• November 6                   No school-professional development 

• November 9                   Fall dance

• November 16                 Hathaway Scholarship Day

• November 21-13            No school-Thanksgiving

• November 29                 Nellie T. Ross' birthday