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

Week of November 4

It was so great to have our students back in the building today.  While the fall break was enjoyable, it’s just not the same without them.  Thank you to everyone who attended conferences last week.  We had a great turnout.  A special thank you to the LMS Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) for coordinating snacks for teachers and for all who contributed.  We truly appreciate all of the tasty treats.  

Our Student Leadership Team kicked off our annual food drive trick or treating for canned goods on Halloween.  Our entire school is now invited to participate by bringing in nonperishable food items to the cafeteria each morning from now until November 15th.  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.  Please consider helping those in need in our community.  All collected items will be donated to Laramie Interfaith. 

This month we’re challenging students to work together toward a common goal and shared purpose. We are partnering with you to grow and develop teamwork in your student.  We can do this by modeling gratefulness, acknowledging positive moments, and affirming each other.  One way to model teamwork is doing something nice for someone else when someone does something nice for you.  Doing this is a wonderful way to to continue the cycle of gratitude.  “Paying it forward” is a way of showing kindness to others. It could be as simple as holding the door open for someone or even buying coffee for a stranger.  Once a week this month, share as a family one time you “paid it forward” during the week.  You can read more about teamwork in this month’s CKH newsletter. 

We are grateful for another week to work alongside you in support of your student.  November is always a time for reflection and expressing gratitude.  Thank you for sharing your student with us and for your continued feedback and support. Make it a great week!

Upcoming Events

• 11/4-11/8 School Psychology Awareness Week

• 11/13 World Kindness Day

• 11/18 12 Week Progress Reports

• 11/19 PAC Meeting

• 11/27-11/29 Thanksgiving Break

Week of October 28

 Fall conferences are on Wednesday and Thursday.  Please use this link to schedule conferences. The link will be live through 11:30 on Wednesday. If you need to schedule a conference after registration is closed, please email the teacher directly. Teachers will be available from 3:30-7:30 on Wednesday and 8:00-5:00 on Thursday.  Our appointments are 10 minutes long.  Please think about travel time between classrooms when you are scheduling.  You may need to wrap up a conference a few minutes early if you schedule them back to back or allow some time for transitions. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 on Wednesday so teachers can prepare for conferences. We hope to see all families at conferences. 

At the October Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting, the group decided to organize snacks for teachers during conferences.  Please use this Signup Genius if you’d like to contribute.  Donations can be dropped off in the attendance office on Wednesday until 3:00.  Your support is greatly appreciated. 

Members of our student leadership team will be trick or treating for nonperishable food items on Halloween.  All collected items will be donated to Laramie Interfaith Good Samaritan.  In other Halloween related news, since the holiday falls on a day we don’t have school this year, we will not be wearing costumes at school.  When Halloween is on a school day, we rock out best Halloween outfits.  We don’t want to take away from the magic of the day by celebrating early.  

Fall conferences combined with some vacation days and professional development create fall break for students.  After they are dismissed on Wednesday, students will not be back in our building until Wednesday, November 6th. Our school and offices are closed on November 1st and 4th and we have professional development on the 5th.  We hope all of you enjoy a restful and productive fall break. 

It’s going to be a busy, shortened week as we close out October.  We are having a great school year due to your encouragement and feedback.  Thank you for sharing your students with us.  We are honored that you entrust us to support their learning and growth. Make it a great week!

Upcoming Events

• 10/30     Early release for students

• 10/30    Fall conferences 3:30-7:30

• 10/31    Fall conferences 8:00-5:00

• 11/1         No school-LMS offices closed 

• 11/4          No school-LMS offices closed

• 11/5          No school- professional development 

Week of October 21

Fall conferences are on October 30th and 31st.  Please use this link to schedule conferences. Teachers will be available from 3:30-7:30 on the 30th and 8:00-5:00 on the 31st.  Our appointments are 10 minutes long.  Please think about travel time between classrooms when you are scheduling.  You may need to wrap up a conference a few minutes early if you schedule them back to back or put in some time for transitions. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 on the 30th and there is no school on Friday, November 1st.  We hope to see all families at conferences. 

At our recent Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting, the group decided to organize snacks for teachers during conferences.  Please use this Signup Genius if you’d like to contribute.  Snacks can be dropped off in the attendance office on the 30th until 3:00.  Your support is greatly appreciated. 

At LMS students store their backpacks in their lockers during the school day.  Students generally carry a binder or folder along with their Chromebook throughout the day.  Personal items, such as crossbody bags, have been growing in size and other items such as lunch boxes and instruments are finding their way into classrooms where they are not needed.  Too many items creates clutter in classrooms and interferes with learning.  Last week during S4S we provided students with some reminders and guidelines for items they can take with them to class.  An organizational tool, such as a binder, and a small personal item, like a crossbody bag, are OK.  Lunch boxes, instruments, tote bags, and other larger items should be stored during the school day.  Personal items must be small enough to fit into a pencil case in order to be carried.  Students can check the size of their items in the attendance office if they are unsure if they are allowed. 

We are almost to the halfway point of the first semester.  Thank you for supporting your student and our school.  We’ve had a lot of success in all aspects of our school already.  We’re excited to build on that and make the second half of the semester even better.  Make it a great week!

Upcoming Events

• 10/23               Choir concert  

• 10/30     Early release for students

• 10/30    Fall conferences 3:30-7:30

• 10/31    Fall conferences 8:00-5:00

• 11/1                 No school-LMS offices closed 

• 11/4                 No school-LMS offices closed

• 11/5                 No school- professional development 

Week of October 14

We are doing picture retakes on Tuesday.  If your student was absent on picture day, they can get their picture taken on Tuesday morning.  If your student had pictures taken, but doesn’t love them, they can take another picture.  If you ordered pictures and are getting a retake, please bring them to return.  Pictures can still be ordered from the first picture day or from retakes by going to mylifetouch.com.  Use code F202410OFF to receive 10% off your order.  

Fall conferences are on October 30th and 31st.  Teachers will be available from 3:30-7:30 on the 30th and 8:00-5:00 on the 31st.  Students will be dismissed at 11:30 on the 30th and there is no school on Friday, November 1st.  Families can sign up for conferences through PTCFast beginning at 8:00 am on the 21st.  We hope to see all families at conferences. 

Six week grade reports were sent out on Friday via email.  They can also be viewed in PowerSchool.  Please review these with your student and identify areas of celebration and areas of growth.  If your student is struggling in a class, be sure to schedule a conference with that teacher. 

This is our last chance to opt into Rhithm.   It is an invaluable tool for our school. In order for your student to use Rhithm, they need your permission. Please watch this presentation to learn more about Rhithm and then use this form to give your student permission to use it.  Please don’t hesitate to contact Kevin O’Dea at kodea@acsd1.org or 307-721-4430 if you have any questions. 

The October meeting of the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC, formerly known as PTO) is on Tuesday at 6:00 pm in the LMS library.  All LMS families are cordially invited.  We will be discussing conferences, our school colors, and school to home communication.  We hope to see you there.  Make it a great week! 

Upcoming Events

• 10/15       Picture retakes

• 10/15     PAC (parent advisory committee) meeting

• 10/30     Early release for student

• 10/30    Fall conferences 3:30-7:30

• 10/31    Fall conferences 8:00-5:00

• 11/1         No school-LMS offices closed