Week of April 28

We are pleased to announce that Laramie Middle School has been named a 2024-2025 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School, a prestigious honor awarded to campuses that demonstrate excellence in building a culture where students feel safe, connected, and engaged.  This is the fourth year in a row that we’ve earned this honor.  The Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools Award recognizes schools that go above and beyond in creating an environment where students thrive academically and emotionally.  Capturing Kids’ Hearts tools are a big part of building and sustaining a culture of respect and belonging at LMS and we’re happy they are having the intended impact. 

All students will be taking  the math WYTOPP test this Wednesday. We will follow a modified block schedule  for testing and students should report directly to their S4S class.  Students will test with their S4S teachers. Our student leadership team made this video to help students be prepared for WYTOPP.  Preliminary results indicate that our students are rocking the WYTOPP.  We are very proud of the effort students, teachers, and families have put in all year and WYTOPP is a reflection of everyone’s hard work.  We ask that students continue to come prepared, do their best, and not put undue pressure on themselves.  WYTOPP is important, but it is also just one measure of student learning.  When we’re finished, we’ll celebrate our successes, identify areas for improvement, and move on. 

It’s officially yearbook season. Go to yearbookforever.com to order your copy.  Don’t wait as our yearbook sells out every year.  School years come and go, but the yearbook is forever.  If you’re not convinced that our yearbook is the best, check out this trailer.  Order today!

The 40th Annual Hapi-ness 5K will be held on Saturday, May 17th at 9:00 am.  The Happiness 5K began in 1987, started by the 9th grade class of Laramie Junior High School in memory of their classmate, Hapi Patterson, who passed away from leukemia that year. Since then, this event has helped numerous families facing medical challenges and other hardships. This year, we are dedicating proceeds to support an LMS teacher, Mr. Krysl. For those of you that don't know, Mr. Krysl has a brain tumor removed over Christmas Break.  Mr. Krysl has given so much to our students, staff, and school and this is our chance to give back. Please return this form with your entry fee to the LMS main office and support what we hope will be the biggest Hapi-ness 5K ever!

It’s a perfect week to be our best and sprint into the final part of this school season.  Please help us finish strong by continuing to send your student prepared and ready to learn each and every day.  Make it a great week!

Upcoming Events

• 5/2                  School Lunch Hero Day 

• 5/5-5/9            Educator Appreciation Week

• 5/8 School Nurse Day

• 5/17                 Hapi-ness 5K 

• 5/29 Graduate march 

• 5/30                 LHS graduation

 Students will be taking WYTOPP tests this Tuesday and Wednesday.  All students will take the ELA (reading) test on Tuesday.  On Wednesday, eighth graders will take the science test and seventh graders will take the writing test.  Weather permitting, 6th grade students will go outside for field activities on Wednesday.  In the case of inclement weather, they will complete other activities in their S4S classes.  On Wednesday April 30th, all students will take the math test.  We will follow a modified block schedule on testing days and students should report directly to their S4S classes on those days.  Students will test with their S4S teachers. Our student leadership team made the video below to help students be prepared for WYTOPP.

WYTOPP is important, but it is also just one measure of student learning.  We ask that students come well rested, with a charged Chromebook, and give their best effort.  Stressing out over the test isn’t helpful and will actually lower performance.  Usain Bolt said it best, “Worrying gets you nowhere. If you turn up worrying about how you’re going to perform, you’ve already lost. Train hard, turn up, run your best and the rest will take care of itself.” We’re prepared and we’re going to rock this test!

It’s officially yearbook season. Go to yearbookforever.com to order your copy today.  Our yearbook sells out every year.  Don’t miss out on your chance to own a piece of history.  If you’re not convinced that our yearbook is the best, check out this trailer.  Order today.

The 40th Annual Hapi-ness 5K will be held on Saturday, May 17th at 9:00 am.  The Happiness 5K began in 1987, started by the 9th grade class of Laramie Junior High School in memory of their classmate, Hapi Patterson, who passed away from leukemia that year. Since then, this event has helped numerous families facing medical challenges and other hardships. This year, we are dedicating proceeds to support an LMS teacher, Mr. Krysl. For those of you that don't know, Mr. Krysl has a brain tumor removed over Christmas Break.  Mr. Krysl has given so much to our students, staff, and school and this is our chance to give back. Please return this form with your entry fee to the LMS main office and support what we hope will be the biggest Hapi-ness 5K ever!

The Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program (Title IV-A) is a federal grant that intends to improve student achievement in three different ways. The first area is to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; the second is to improve school conditions for learning; and the third is to improve the use of technology in schools to improve academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. We are seeking input on how to best utilize Title IV-A funds from stakeholders.  Please use this link to provide us with feedback by 4/30/25.

We are excited to celebrate our students’ growth and progress on WYTOPP.  Thank you for partnering with us on their educational journey.  Make it a great week!

Upcoming Events

• 4/22 School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

• 4/23                 Administrative Assistants Day

• 5/5-5/9             Teacher Appreciation Week

• 5/6 School Nurse Appreciation Day

• 5/17                  40th Annual Hapi-ness 5K 

Week of April 14

Spring conferences are Thursday from 3:30-7:30.  Conferences are by appointment and space is limited, so we encourage you to schedule your conferences as soon as possible. Please go to https://ptcfast.com/schools/Laramie_Middle_School to schedule a conference with your student’s teachers.  This is especially important if they were struggling on the grade report that was sent out last Friday.  There is no Scout Learning Lab or late bus on Thursday due to conferences. 

The April Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting is tomorrow night at 6:00 in the LMS library.  All LMS caregivers are encouraged to attend. We will be discussing planning for the 2025-2026 school year and how we can finish this school year on a high note.  We hope to see you there. 

We are still accepting nominations for the 2025 Laramie Middle School Difference Maker of the Year. The Difference Maker Award goes to a paraeducator, administrative assistant, or custodian who is going above and beyond for our students and school.  We have so many great people in our community.  Please use this form to recognize a LMS classified staff member by nominating them to be our Difference Maker of the Year. 

The 40th Annual Hapi-ness 5K will be held on Saturday, May 17th at 9:00 am.  The Happiness 5K began in 1987, started by the 9th grade class of Laramie Junior High School in memory of their classmate, Hapi Patterson, who passed away from leukemia that year. Since then, this event has helped numerous families facing medical challenges and other hardships. This year, we are dedicating proceeds to support an LMS teacher, Mr. Krysl. For those of you that don't know, Mr. Krysl has a brain tumor removed over Christmas Break.  Mr. Krysl has given so much to our students, staff, and school and this is our chance to give back. Please return this form with your entry fee to the LMS main office and support what we hope will be the biggest Hapi-ness 5K ever!

It’s never too early to order the award winning LMS yearbook.  Go to yearbookforever.com to order your copy today.  Our yearbook sells out every year.  Don’t miss out on your chance to own a piece of history. Order today!. 

There is no school for students on Friday due to professional development.  We hope our students and families enjoy a restful long weekend as we prepare to start WYTOPP testing next Tuesday.  Make it a great week!

Upcoming Events

• 4/15                 PAC meeting 

• 4/17                 Spring Conferences 3:30-7:30 

• 4/18                 Professional Development (no school for students) 

• 5/17                 40th Annual Hapi-ness 5K 

Week of April 7

We are celebrating our Battle of the Books team.  The district competition was last week, and our team earned first place!  They worked very hard to prepare for this competition and it paid off. We are very proud of them.  Great work Scouts!

Speaking of celebrations, in addition to accepting nominations for the 2025 Laramie Middle School Teacher of Year, we are now accepting nominations for the 2025 Laramie Middle School Difference Maker of the Year. The Difference Maker Award goes to a paraeducator, administrative assistant, or custodian who is going above and beyond for our students and school.  We have so many great people in our community.  Please use this form to recognize a LMS classified staff member by nominating them to be our Difference Maker of the Year. 

The 40th Annual Hapi-ness 5K will be held on Saturday, May 17th at 9:00 am.  The Happiness 5K began in 1987, started by the 9th grade class of Laramie Junior High School in memory of their classmate, Hapi Patterson, who passed away from leukemia that year. Since then, this event has helped numerous families facing medical challenges and other hardships. This year, we are dedicating proceeds to support an LMS teacher, Mr. Krysl. For those of you that don't know, Mr. Krysl has a brain tumor removed over Christmas Break.  Mr. Krysl has given so much to our students, staff, and school—this is our chance to give back. Please return this form with your entry fee to the LMS main office and support what we hope will be the biggest Hapi-ness 5K ever!

Effective July 1, 2025 House Bill 0172 will officially repeal previously defined gun free zones in the state of Wyoming. This means that concealed firearms can be carried into school buildings by members of the public and employees. In order to comply with state mandates and ensure the safety of our staff and students, ACSD#1 will be establishing new policies to outline procedures moving forward. In response to this need, the ACSD#1 Board of Trustees will be holding a community forum to gather input from both community members and staff.  Input from this forum will be used to help draft and refine District policies. The Community Forum will be hosted at 5:30 pm on April 9, 2025 and take place in the Central Administration Board Room located at 1948 Grand Avenue. We invite all staff to attend and provide public comment on this important topic.

Please encourage your  7th or 8th grade students to consider attending the University of Wyoming Youth in STEM Conference Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 8:30-2:15. While on campus, participants will learn first-hand about careers in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology from accomplished professionals. Past conferences have typically provided unique and interesting workshops hosted by professionals in STEM fields. This will be a fun event to help build connections across the state as we explore the variety of awesome STEM professions. Transportation and. Lunch will be provided.  However, students with special dietary needs should bring their own lunch. Students will be expected to observe all UW COVID restrictions at the time of the event.  Interested students must fill out the Google Form on their science teacher’s Canvas page by Friday.  Space is limited so student should sign up right away. 

Spring conferences are from 3:30-7:30 on Thursday, April 17th.  This is a normal day of school for LMS students. Conferences will be by appointment just like they were in the fall.  We will open up the link to families on PTCFast at 3:00 on Friday, April 11th.  Space is limited, so we encourage you to schedule your conferences as soon as possible after the link opens especially if your student is struggling.  Conferences are a great time to make adjustments if necessary and plan for a successful conclusion to the school year. 

We have so many great things to celebrate and look forward to.  It’s such a fun time of the school year.  Thank you for sharing your student with us and your continued support and feedback. Make it a great week!

Upcoming Events

• 4/7                   Track practice begins 

• 4/8                   Orchestra concert 

• 4/7-4/11           National Assistant Principals Week

• 4/8                   National Library Day  

• 4/15                 PAC meeting 

• 4/17                 Spring Conferences 3:30-7:30 

• 4/18                 Professional Development (no school for students) 

• 5/17                 40th Annual Hapi-ness 5K