Week of February 10

It's already time to start scheduling for the 2020-2021 school year!  Upcoming 6th grade students  (current 5th graders) have received their registration cards, visited with a principal and counselor, and had an informational night.  Upcoming 7th and 8th grade students (current 6th and 7th graders) will receive their registration cards next Tuesday, February 18th, during S4S and need to return them to their S4S teachers on Wednesday, February 19th.

Upcoming freshmen (current 8th graders) are meeting with staff from LHS during S4S this week and are encouraged to attend a welcome presentation with their families next Tuesday, February 18th at 7 pm in the LHS theater.  Attendees will learn about graduation requirements and course selection for their upcoming freshman year. After the presentation, the academic wings will be open and teachers will be available to answer questions.

Today at lunch we distributed student passes to bus riders that are compatible with the ZPass program.  ZPass is scanned when students get on and off the bus.  This allows families that set up an account to track where and when their student got off the bus, check bus locations for their student, and receive notifications via email or text related to their student's bus.  SafeStop allows families to see where a bus is located so student's can stay inside when a bus is running late do to weather and to stay informed of last minute bus changes. You can learn more about ZPass and SafeStop here.

This Friday is a half day for all students and staff.  Students will be dismissed at 11:23. Students not riding the bus need to make arrangements to be off campus by 12:00.  There is no SLL or late bus on Friday.  We are having an incentive day for students on Friday as well.  Students earning all C's or higher are eligible for the incentive.  Students with lower grades will have time to work on missing assignments and other activities to demonstrate their learning.  All students will conclude the day with an assembly.  There is also no school on Monday, February 17th.

Upcoming Events:

• February 10         PTO meeting
• February 14         Early release for all students (no Scout Learning Lab or late bus) 
• February 17         No school 
• February 18         LHS registration informational meeting
• February 19         7th and 8th grade registration cards due 
• March 9-13          Spirit week 
• March 11             LMS family night
• March 12             Spring dance 
• March 16             Spring break begins
• March 23             Classes resume 

Week of January 27

The second semester is picking up steam.  Report cards will be mailed out today, so families should have them on Wednesday.  First semester grades can also be viewed online.  It was a fantastic first half of the school year and we're looking to build on that success in the second semester.  Thank you for your continued support and feedback.  We are running an unique schedule this week to accommodate Days of Understanding. Students will have four block days (even, odd, even, odd) starting today and well finish the week with our 'all' schedule on Friday. 

Days of Understanding is being facilitated by renowned motivational speaker Keith Hawkins for all LMS students.  Keith is an international speaker that speaks and conducts programs to over 400,000 students, parents, educators, leaders, and businesses annually.  The purpose of Days of Understanding is to create and sustain a culture of connection, empathy, success, inclusiveness, appreciation and respect at LMS.  Students attended an assembly today and will participate in one, two hour session facilitated by student leaders later in the week.  Part of the experience during the Day of Understanding is the power of parenting community night from 6:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 29th.  All LMS families are encouraged to attend.  

Many students eat breakfast and lunch at LMS.  Please keep an eye on your student's account balance.  We try to keep families informed when balances become negative.  With the availability of a la carte options, students can go through their lunch funds quickly.  If you have question about your student's lunch balance, or need assistance with the free and reduced lunch application, please contact the school.

Upcoming Events:

• January 27-30:    Days of Understanding programming 
• January 29           Power of Parenting community night 
• February 10         PTO meeting
• February 14         Early release for all students
• February 17         No school 

Week of January 13

It's the last week of the first semester!  The first half of the year has gone by very quickly.   Grades will be final at the end of the week.  Students who are missing assignments, or need to complete activities to demonstrate their learning, should make arrangements to do so before the end of the day on Friday.  Scout Learning Lab will be held from 3:00-4:00 every day this week and a late bus is available.  There is no Scout Learning Lab this Saturday.  First semester report cards will be mailed out the week of January 27th.  Students will receive their second semester schedules in S4S this Wednesday.

We have some unique schedules over the next couple of weeks.  There will be a full day of school for all middle school students this Friday, January 17th.  The early release is for elementary school students only.  There is no school for students on Monday, January 20th due to professional development.  The second semester begins on Tuesday, January 21st.   We will follow the 'all' schedule on the 21st-24th. Students will have four block days (even, odd, even, odd) the week of January 27th to accommodate Day of Understanding programming. 

Renowned motivational speaker Keith Hawkins will be at Laramie Middle School January 27th-30th to facilitate Day of Understanding programming for all LMS students.  Keith is an international speaker that speaks and conducts programs to over 400,000 students, parents, educators, leaders, and businesses annually.  The purpose of the Day of Understanding is to create and sustain a culture of connection, empathy, success, inclusiveness, appreciation and respect at LMS.  Students will attend an assembly on Monday, the 27th and then one, two hour session facilitated by student leaders later in the week.  Part of the experience during the Day of Understanding is a community night on Wednesday, January 29th.  All LMS families are encouraged to attend the community night. 

Many students have appointments, or other commitments, during the school day.  We try our best to get student to the attendance office as quickly as possible when they are checking out. It is extremely helpful if students are prepared in advance to come to the attendance office at the time of their checkout.  This gets you and your student out the door as quickly as possible.  Please discuss check out times with your student if they are leaving early and plan ahead whenever possible. Thank you for helping us make the first half of the year a success and for your continued input and support.

Upcoming Events:

• January 17:         End of 1st semester
• January 20:         No school-professional development
• January 21:         Start of 2nd semester 
• January 27-30:    Day of Understanding programming 
• January 29           Power of Parenting community night 
• February 10         PTO meeting

Week of December 16

We are headed into the Winter Break at full speed.  First, we will have a series of dress up days this week to build community and show our Scout Pride.  Please encourage your student to show their school and holiday spirit by participating.  The themes for each day are as follows:

• Monday-Flannel Day
• Tuesday- Comfort, Cozy Day
• Wednesday- Ugly Sweater Day
• Thursday- Holiday Socks
• Friday- Holiday Hat Day ($1 donation to Interfaith Good Samaritan Required) 

In conjunction with our winter spirit week activities, the Student Leadership Team will also be hosting a chili cook-off on Wednesday, December 18th.  There is no cost to enter and there will be prizes for the winners.  If you are entering the contest, please bring your chili in a crock pot so it stays warm and bring a serving utensil.  You don't need to enter to attend.  If you are a chili connoisseur, please come to sample all of the delicious entries and to vote for your favorites!

There will be an incentive day for students on Friday, December 20th.  Students will be eligible to participate in the incentive day if they are effectively demonstrating their learning and getting to class on time on a regular basis.  The purpose of the incentive day is to build community and help students get caught up on their work before winter break.  To be eligible for the incentive students must have less than two tardies between 11/18 and 12/18.  They also must be earning all A's and B's.  If a student has C's they can still earn the incentive as long as they don't have any missing assignments after 11/18.  Students earning D's and F's, with more than two tardies, and/or with C's and missing assignments, will be given time to work.

Finally a few nuts and bolts related to the coming week.  The lost and found in the cafeteria has grown exponentially since fall conferences.  We will be cleaning it out over the winter break. Please encourage your student to look for their missing items this week.  Also, there will be no Scout Learning Lab or late bus on Wednesday and Friday this week.  We hope you all have a safe and happy winter break.  We are looking forward to great things in 2020 with your continued support.

Upcoming Events:

• December 18:     No Scout Learning Lab or late bus-staff meeting
• December 18:     Chili Cook-Off
• December 20:     No Scout Learning Lab or late bus
• December 23:     Winter break begins
• January 6:           Classes resume
• January 17:         End of 1st semester
• January 20:         No school-professional development
• January 21:         Start of 2nd semester 

Week of December 9th

It's another great week as we prepare for the final week of the year (2019 anyway)!.  I hope you had the chance to attend the band and choir concerts on Monday night.  The students put on a couple of amazing performances.  Special shout out to Mrs. Adamson, Mr. Sieger, and Mr. Hopkins for helping our students be great.  You can see a few shaky videos from the concerts on the LMS Facebook page.

Ms. Paytoe Gbayee's art class created the tree pictured here for the 27th Annual Happy Holidays Laramie Festival of Trees.  Museum and Mr. Brenneman crafted the Scout tree topper.  This beautiful tree earned the museum staff pick award and is now on display in the LMS library.  It's Scout-acular!

Our lost and found is over flowing.  Please encourage your student to look for their missing items before the break.  The lost and found will be cleaned out before students return in January.

In preparation for the winter break, we will have a series of dress up days next week.  Please encourage your student to show their school and holiday spirit by participating.  The themes for each day are as follows:

• Monday-Flannel Day
• Tuesday- Comfort, Cozy Day
• Wednesday-Ugly Sweater Day
• Thursday-Holiday Socks
• Friday-Holiday Hat Day ($1 donation to Interfaith Good Samaritan required) 

The Student Leadership Team will also be hosting a chili cook-off next Wednesday, December 18th.  There is no cost to enter and there will be prizes for the winners.  If you are entering the contest, please bring your chili in a crock pot so it stays warm and bring a serving utensil.  You don't need to enter to attend.  If you are a chili connoisseur, please come to sample all of the delicious entries and to vote for your favorites!

There will be an incentive day on Friday, December 20th.  Students will be eligible to participate in the incentive day if they are effectively demonstrating their learning and getting to class on time on a regular basis.  The purpose of the incentive day is to build community and help students get caught up on their work before winter break.  To be eligible for the incentive students must have less than two tardies between 11/18 and 12/18.  They also must be earning all A's and B's.  If a student has C's they can still earn the incentive as long as they don't have any missing assignments after 11/18.  Students earning D's and F's, with more than two tardies, and/or with C's and missing assignments, will be given time to work.

Upcoming Events:

• December 18:     No Scout Learning Lab or late bus-staff meeting
• December 18:     Chili Cook-Off
• December 20:     No Scout Learning Lab or late bus
• December 23:     Winter break begins
• January 6:           Classes resume
• January 17:         End of 1st semester
• January 20:         No school-professional development
• January 21:         Start of 2nd semester 

Week of December 2

Happy December!  It's a great week to be a Scout as we sprint towards the end of the calendar year.  Our Thanksgiving break was extended by a day due to the weather.  Students should plan to attend school on Monday, April 13th to make up the snow day.  This day was originally a professional development day.

We have some excitement on tap this week. The winter dance is Friday from 3-5.  All LMS students in good standing are encouraged to attend.  Admission is $4 and concessions will be available.  Please email Kevin if you would like to chaperone.  The middle school is also entering a float in Friday's parade of lights.  If you are downtown on Friday, please keep an eye out for the LMS float.

The Student Leadership Team will be hosting a chili cook-off on Wednesday, December 18th.  There is no cost to enter and there will be prizes for the winners.  If you are entering the contest, please bring your chili in a crock pot so it stays warm and bring a serving utensil.  You don't need to enter to attend.  If you are a chili connoisseur, please come to sample all of the delicious entries and to vote for your favorites!

There will be an incentive day on Friday, December 20th.  Students will be eligible to participate in the incentive day if they are effectively demonstrating their learning and getting to class on time on a regular basis.  The purpose of the incentive day is to build community and help students get caught up on their work before winter break.  To be eligible for the incentive students must have less than two tardies between 11/18 and 12/18.  They also must be earning all A's and B's.  If a student has C's they can still earn the incentive as long as they don't have any missing assignments after 11/18.  Students earning D's and F's, with more than two tardies, and/or with C's and missing assignments, will be given time to work.

Upcoming Events:

December 2                      PTO Meeting
December 6                      Winter dance
December 18                     No Scout learning lab-staff meeting 
December 18                     SLT family night
December 23                     Winter break begins
January 6                           Classes resume 

Week of November 25

It's Thanksgiving week and the LMS staff has a lot to be thankful for. We are thankful that you share your students with us each and every day.  We are thankful for your support.  We are thankful that you make your student's education a priority and we are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the LMS community.  We wish you a happy Thanksgiving and hope you have an opportunity to spend time with those you care about.

Twelve week progress reports have been sent out.  It's amazing to think that we are 2/3 of the way through the first semester.  If your student has one or more deficiencies in their grades, please contact their teachers to arrange for additional time and support in Scout Learning Lab (SLL).  There is no SLL or late bus on Tuesday, November 26th. The next Saturday SLL Is on 12/7.

The month of December will be a busy one. The LMS PTO will meet on Monday, December 2nd.  All LMS families are cordially invited. Please note the next dance is Friday, December 6th.  Admission is $4 and concessions will be available.  All students in good standing are encouraged to attend.  LMS dances are from 3-5 in the gym and are not date dances.  If you are interested in chaperoning, please email Kevin or call me at 721-4430. 

The Student Leadership Team will be hosting a family night on Wednesday, December 18th.  More details are to come.  Also, we will be having our next incentive day on Friday, December 20th.  Students will be eligible to participate in the incentive day if they are effectively demonstrating their learning and getting to class on time on a regular basis.  The purpose of the incentive day is to build community and help students get caught up on their work before winter break.  To be eligible for the incentive students must have less than two tardies between 11/18 and 12/18.  They also must be earning all A's and B's.  If a student has C's they can still earn the incentive as long as they don't have any missing assignments after 11/18.  Students earning D's and F's, with more than two tardies, and/or with C's and missing assignments, will be given time to work. 

Upcoming Events:

●        November 26                   No Scout Learning Lab or late bus 

●        November 27-29              No school-Thanksgiving

●        December 2                      PTO Meeting

●        December 6                      Winter dance

●        December 18                     No Scout learning lab-staff meeting 

●        December 18                     SLT family night

●        December 23                     Winter break begins