Week of October 20

Families, we need your help.  In order to sustain a respectful school culture and help everyone feel safe at school, our students need to understand that their words matter.  Unfortunately, some very hurtful phrases have found their way into common language amongst some of our students.  When a student makes a mistake or is having a bad day, they might exclaim “I should just kill myself.”  Or if another student might say “you should kill yourself” in jest when something embarrassing happens, such as dropping a lunch tray, or to another student as an insult. The use of the R-word and autistic as a descriptor or insult have occurred as well.  For example, saying “I’m so autistic” when a student feelings awkward.  Using these words in these ways is not OK in any context

Our school will be addressing this unfortunate trend and we ask that you reinforce the seriousness of this issue with your student.  It’s never going to be OK to say these things to someone else. Please also remind your student that this includes any electronic communication and that we monitor everything that is put into an email, a document, or a Google search.  Together we can help our students make better choices and create a safe and welcoming environment for all Scouts. 

On a much brighter note, we’d like to celebrate our 8th grade B volleyball team.  They concluded their season by winning the conference championship.  Way to go girls!  Our cross country team also has a very successful season winning three races at the state meet and taking 2nd place in another. Congratulations to our JV boys, JV girls, and boys varsity teams on your victories and to the varsity girls for finishing second.  Wrestling and girls basketball are now underway.  The Scouts never rest!

Fall conferences are coming up and they are a great time to collaborate with your student's teachers.  Conferences are on Wednesday, October 29th from 3:30-7:30 and Thursday, October 30th from 8:00-7:00.  PTC Fast opened at 8:00 am this morning.  Please use this link to sign up for conferences with your student’s teachers.  Students will be released at 11:30 on the 29th and there is no school for students on the 30th or 31st due to conferences.  Students also do not have school on Monday, November 3 due to professional development. We hope to see everyone at conferences. 

We finally received the hard copies of your student’s WYTOPP scores from the state.  They are being scanned into your student’s file as we speak.  Once that is completed, we will mail them home.  We plan to have them in the mail today. Please review them with your student.  They are very informative and there are many areas to celebrate.  

We have the opportunity to make it a great week. Let’s make the most of it . Thank you for your continued support and feedback. Go Scouts!

Upcoming Events

• 10/25 Make a Difference Day 

• 10/29 Early Release-Conference

• 10/30 No School-Conferences

• 10/31 No School

• 11/3                 No School-Professional Development

• 11/4 November PAC Meeting 

Week of October 6

 

Fall has definitely arrived and we are excited for the cooler weather and new opportunities that the changing of the season brings.  Football and volleyball are wrapping up their seasons this week, while wrestling is starting and girls basketball will get underway next week.  The mountain bike, debate, and greenhouse clubs are currently in full swing and our music classes are preparing for their first performances.  Our band is ahead of the game.  They participated in the UW Homecoming Parade last Saturday and will be on campus again this Saturday for band day. We encourage all students to get involved in one or more activities.  Please reach out if you have any questions about how to get your student more involved in our school. 

The best way to stay involved in school is to be here every day.  With materials available on Canvas and the changes to the world of work since COVID, you might wonder if it still matters if students come to school every day.  It absolutely does. Students who attend regularly learn better, have better mental health, and have improved overall outcomes.  Being here really matters. Read more about the importance of daily attendance in this article. 

Our theme for this month is Self-Direct. We’re challenging students to envision future goals and take intentional steps toward who they want to be. We are partnering with you to grow and develop your student’s ability to self-direct. We can model self-direction by celebrating the positive in each day, seeking the good in others, and emphasizing our responsibility to make positive choices. One way to help students self-direct is by using a planner or calendar. If your student doesn’t already use a planner, empower them to start using one to manage their time better. Have a weekly meeting with your student to share what they have added to their planners. You can help them add family gatherings, school events, and due dates. Read more about self-direction in this month’s CKH newsletter. 

Progress reports went out at the end of the day last Friday.  Please review your student’s report with them and identify areas of need and areas of celebration.  Fall conferences are coming up and they are a great time to collaborate with teachers in support of your student’s learning.  This year, conferences are on Wednesday, October 29th from 3:30-7:30 and Thursday, October 30th from 8:00-7:00.  Teachers will be reaching out to the families of students who are struggling beginning on Monday, October 13th to schedule conferences. PTC Fast will open to families to schedule conferences on Monday, October 20th.  Students will be released at 11:30 on the 29th and there is no school for students on the 30th or 31st due to conferences.  We hope to see everyone there!

The Laramie Middle School Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) will be meeting for the first time this year on Tuesday at 6:00 pm in the LMS library.  All LMS caregivers are encouraged to attend.  The primary purpose of the PAC is two-way communication and feedback.  We also discuss ways that families can interact with and support our school.  Fundraising is not required!  We hope to see a lot of new and familiar faces on Tuesday night. 

We have the opportunity to have another great week ahead of us.  Let’s make the most of it as we continue to work together in support of our students. Make it a great week.

Upcoming Events

• 10/6 National Coaches Day 

• 10/7 PAC Meeting 

• 10/11 Band Day at UW

• 10/14 Picture Retakes

• 10/25 Make a Difference Day 

• 10/29 Early Release-Conference

• 10/30 No School-Conferences

• 10/31 No School