Week of January 4

Welcome back! Hopefully everyone had a restful and fulfilling break.  It is exciting having A day students in the building today and we are looking forward to seeing B day students tomorrow.  Our students are the heart of LMS and we truly miss them when they are gone.  To get up to speed, please read the latest edition of the Scout Shout which dropped over winter break.  It's very well written. 

The end of the first semester is close at hand. The last day of the semester is Friday, January 15th.  All work that is being turned in for credit must be in by the end of I/E on the 15th.  Teachers will post first semester grades no later than 7:00 am on Wednesday, January 20th.  Report cards will be mailed out by Monday, January 25th.  If your student needs additional assistance, please have them come in this Friday and next Friday from 8:00-11:00.  We're here to help. 

Students have a four day weekend at the end of the first semester as there is no school on January 18th and 19th.  Classes resume on Wednesday, the 20th which is an A day.  We will be taking the WYTOPP winter interim on the 20th and 21st.  Students will report to S4S for testing and we will follow an alternative schedule on both the 20th and 21st with testing in the morning and classes in the afternoon.  School will begin and end normally on these days. Friday, the 22nd, is an I/E day.  We have having an incentive tied to the first semester grades students earned on the 22nd. 

We are looking forward to great things in 2021 and although we are happy to put 2020 behind us, we have learned a lot.  If you had told me we'd be doing blended learning, wearing masks, and social distancing a year ago today, I would not have believed you.  But we're making it work and students are learning. Thank you for your continued support.  We couldn't do it without you. 

Upcoming Events:

• January 15               End of 1st semester 

• January 18-19         No school

• January 20 Second semester begins

• January 20-22         WYTOPP Winter interim

• February 15            No school 

Week of December 14

It's the last Monday of the year and we are so excited about our progress up to this point. Back in August we weren't sure if we'd make it to Labor Day in person, let alone until winter break.  COVID conditions in our community are still troubling and we have to remain dedicated to preventing community spread, but we are so thankful for the dedication and support of our students and families.  We are in this together and we will continue to do our best in what has become our new normal. 

Our student leadership team keeps coming up with ways to brighten the day and celebrate. This Wednesday and Thursday are ugly sweater days.  We encourage all students to wear their most beautiful holiday sweater.  No sweater, no problem! Some of the best sweaters I've ever seen have been created in under 5 minutes by pinning random holiday themed items to a shirt or sweatshirt. We hope all students will show their Scout Spirit on Wednesday and Thursday.  The grade with the best participation will earn points towards the Scout Cup.

The first semester ends on January 15th.  We will have I/E from 8:00-11:00 that morning.  All work that is going to be submitted for credit, must be in by 11:00 on the 15th.  Report cards will be mailed out the following week.  There are three I/E days before the end of the semester. We encourage all students to come in on Fridays, stay after school, and do whatever else it takes to demonstrate their learning.  All teachers and staff are here to help.  Please email me if you have any questions or need to sign your student up for additional support. 

We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.  The next two weeks are a time for us to collectively exhale, spend time with loved ones, and prepare to sprint towards the end of the first semester.  Have a great winter break and we can't wait to put 2020 behind us and excel in 2021.  The race for excellence has no finish line and we are thankful to be running this race with everyone. 

Upcoming Events

• December 17           Orchestra concert 
• December 21           Winter break begins
• January 4                  Classes resume
• January 15                End of the 1st semester 
• January 18-19          No school
• January 20                Start of the 2nd semester 

Week of December 7

We have two action packed weeks before the collective exhale and relaxation of winter break.  Our schedule for the next two weeks is A,B,A,B,I/E.  Students are encouraged to come in for extra help and enrichment from 8-11 on I/E days (Fridays).  It is our hope that all students will be caught up on their work before the end of 2020 and start the new year with a clean academic slate.  

Our Student Leadership Team has planned some spirit days to get us in the holiday mood before the break as well.  This Wednesday and Thursday are holiday socks and flannel days.  Next Wednesday and Thursday are ugly sweater days.  Please encourage your student to participate.  As you can see from last year's staff picture, ugly sweater day is a big deal and a lot of fun.  The grade with the best participation also earns points towards the Scout Cup. 

We are hosting a virtual family night this Thursday from 6:00-6:30. Please go to the LMS Facebook page to participate.  We will be reviewing the information from November's family presentation and answering questions related to blended learning, the end of the semester, and whatever else comes up.  We hope to see everyone there.

Meals are available for students the winter break.  The break runs from December 21 through January 3rd.  Families who would like to sign up for meal service should call food services at 307-721-4482 by December 14th.  Meals will be distributed on December 22nd and 29th between 11 am and 1 pm from our central kitchen at 419 S. 8th Street.  Meals can be picked up behind the building in the alley located off of Custer Street between 9th and 9th Streets.  Delivery can be arranged if transportation is not available. 

Upcoming Events

• December 7             Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 
• December 7             Band concert 
• December 10           Wyoming Day
• December 10           Virtual family night
• December 17           Orchestra concert 
• December 21           Winter break begins
• January 4                  Classes resume
• January 15                End of the 1st semester 

Week of November 30

We hope you all enjoyed a restful and safe Thanksgiving break. We are excited to have students back in the building for the push until winter break.  Our schedule for the next three weeks will be A,B,A,B, I/E.  Please remember that our school does not have a soft start or release. Students can enter the building at 7:45 and classes begin at 8:00.  Classes dismiss at 3:05. Students are in the building on I/E days (usually Fridays) from 8:00-11:00 and the buses run their normal routes.

The student leadership team hosted a successful food drive prior to Thanksgiving break. We are so proud of their leadership and the great response from our school community  It was very satisfying to take the items shown below, and many more, to Interfaith and help out those in need.

Every month we share information related to virtual and blended learning.  Please use this link to access this month's presentation.  Although it covers virtual learning, the suggestions are resources are very applicable to blended learning as well. We will be hosting a live Facebook meeting at 6:00 on December 10th to discuss this information and answer any questions you have.  We hope you will join us online a week from Thursday.  

COVID cases are increasing in our community.  We are continuing to do everything we can to limit transmission in the school setting and our efforts have been largely successful.  It is imperative that families complete the health screener every morning and keep students home if they are experiencing symptoms.  We know this is a stressful time, but we are in this together and we will make it through.  Thank you for your continued support and feedback.

Upcoming Events

• December 2             Choir concert
• December 7             Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 
• December 7             Band concert 
• December 10           Wyoming Day
• December 10           Virtual family night
• December 17           Orchestra concert 
• December 21           Winter break begins
• January 4                  Classes resume
• January 15                End of the 1st semester 

Week of November 16

Twelve week progress reports will be mailed out at the end of the week.  Please review your student's report with them and discuss their progress up to this point.  Teachers are available after school and from 8:00-11:00 on most Fridays to assist students who need extra support and enrichment.  We are committed to the learning of all students, even during this pandemic.  Let's continue to work together in support of students.

It is imperative that students shut down their Chromebooks each night and bring them fully charged to school each day.  This gives the Chromebook the chance to install updates, new features, and any new programs that ACSD#1 has added.  Students use their Chromebooks throughout the day and if it's not updated, or charged, it's not very useful. 

The Student Leadership Team is hosting a food drive this week to benefit Laramie Interfaith.  Students are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to Mr. Miller's room before school.  Hero points will be awarded for each item and the grade that brings in the most items will earn Scout Cup points.  Bonus points are given from items related to Thanksgiving, but all donations are appreciated. 

With holiday breaks right around the corner ACSD#1 Central Kitchen has been working hard to put together a couple of extended meal options for students in order to ensure that they are still able to receive meals even while schools are closed for the holidays. 

For Thanksgiving, students will receive their regular weekend food bag as usual and will also receive an additional backpack with non-perishable food items. For winter break, students will receive their regular weekend food bag as they go into the break. Then on December 22nd and December 29th families have the option to pick up meal bags on either or both days from Central Kitchen. Meal bags will consist of both perishable and non-perishable food items. There is a meal delivery option if needed. 

If you would like for your student/s to participate in these meal options please fill out the bottom half of this form and return it to Laramie Middle School or you can contact Lisa Theis at ltheis@acsd1.org or 721-4430 with your information. Please be sure to sign up by November 20, 2020 in order to help Central Kitchen know how many meals to plan for. 

COVID is on the rise in our community and state.  So far, the measures we've put in place have limited transmission in the school setting.  Please continue to do your part by social distancing, using face coverings in and out of school, practicing good hand hygiene, and modifying your routines, plans, and activities to reduce transmission.  If you have not done so already, please complete the stakeholder wellness survey that Dr. Yennie sent out and let us know how you're doing. 

Upcoming Events

• November 18           12 week progress reports
• November 25-27     No school 
• November 30           Virtual family night 
• December 2             Choir concert
• December 7             Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 
• December 7             Band concert 
• December 10           Wyoming Day
• December 17           Orchestra concert 
• December 21           Winter break begins

Week of November 9

It's a busy week at LMS.  This week we have wrestling at home, basketball at home, and Math Counts is starting to hit their stride.  Band, choir, and orchestra are preparing for performances next month as well. Activities are an important part of the school experience.  We encourage all students to participate in at least one sport, club, or fine art.  More information about activities can be found on the LMS website. 

From Dr. Yennie's Blog: COVID-19 cases in the county are increasing exponentially, and the school district has been affected by the increases due to many of our families and staff being in close contact with a person who has tested positive.  As of Monday morning, November 9, 2020, the school district has 10 students and 5 staff members who have tested positive.  In addition to these 15 cases, there are over 100 students and staff quarantined as a result of someone in their household who has tested positive (86 students and 21 staff). It is important to know that there has not been a case of transmission in the schools.  Students and staff have been affected through community spread outside of the schools and mostly due to close contact with a member in the household. Please read more about COVID-19 in our community and how we can help keep each other safe and our schools open

Many of our students are doing exceptionally well.  Others need additional time and support. Some students fall into both categories depending on the week and the class. Please remember that students can work with their teachers after school until 3:30 on their in-person days. Additional help is also available on most Fridays from 8:00-11:00 and students can sign up to come in on their virtual days from 8:00-11:00.  We are committed to the success of all LMS students. Please email me if your student would benefit from extra help. 

Upcoming Events

• November 3             No school 
• November 11           Veterans Day
• November 18           12 week progress reports
• November 25-27     No school 
• December 7             Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 
• December 10           Wyoming Day
• December 21           Winter break begins

Week of November 2

We have a more unique than usual schedule this week. Since there is no school on Tuesday, our schedule this week is A, off, B, A, B. There will not be I/E this Friday since that day is an in-person day for B cohort students.  Students will be dismissed at 3:05 each day they are in attendance this week. 

The obstacles we all face can either stand in our way or provide us new opportunities for growth. November is a great time to grow an attitude of gratitude to help frame our obstacles appropriately. We as adults have the unique opportunity to help our students grow by modeling gratefulness, encouraging them to find positives each day, and creating moments for them to affirm and build others up. If we learn to see the good, even in difficult times, we will inevitably grow an attitude of gratitude together. There are many ways to grow an attitude of gratitude. 

One way is to start a gratitude journal with your student and encourage them to record one thing each day that they are grateful for: a kind act, a funny moment, a special friend, or even the smell of freshly baked cookies. Your student can record these with a drawing, a poem, or a quick sentence. Keep one of your own and share them as a family periodically. It may seem small but writing about positive experiences can have a major impact.

You can also practice growing as a family through positive affirmations. At dinner, or during the day sometime, give affirmations to each other and share the good things you see. Take it to the next level and think of someone outside of your family who you could affirm. Challenge each member of the family to handwrite a note to thank that person and send them in the mail. 

These strategies are similar to some that we use at school.  Students share good things in classes, affirm each other, and do other activities to sustain a culture of respect and belonging at LMS.  This work directly ties to our theme, The Race For Excellence Has No Finish Line.  Each day we work to be our best, whether we are in school or not.  Pursuing excellence in all aspects of our lives in support of continuous improvement. Doing similar things at home that we do in school connects students' worlds and is a lot of fun. We hope you'll try it. 

Upcoming Events

• November 3            No school 
• November 25-27    No school 
• December 21          Winter break begins