Week of March 30

Welcome to the second week of school closure due to COVID-19.  We have been working hard preparing to serve our students and families virtually.  As you heard from Dr. Yennie yesterday, all ACSD1 schools are now closed through Friday, April 17th.  This week students should focus on completing any missing or late work from the 3rd quarter and working on the posted extension and enrichment activities.  Please review your student's progress in PowerSchool.  Teachers will be reaching out via email and are available during office hours from 1:00-3:30 today if your student has work that needs to be completed. 

As we move into the virtual learning environment, your students will be receiving content and instruction primarily through Canvas and Schoology.  The Student leadership team put out a great video last week that showed students how to access Canvas through Classlink.  Families can also sign up as an observer to monitor student's progress and activities in Canvas.  Our friends at LHS prepared these instructions and this video to assist families in signing up. 

Many people have been asking how students can retrieve materials from the school.  Band instruments were handed out last Friday and Saturday.  If your student left an orchestra instrument at the school, please contact Mr. Ryan if you have not been in contact already.  At this time, access to the building to retrieve materials from lockers is not possible.  We realize that many students have materials in their lockers that they need.  However, at this time the risks associated with building access outweigh the benefits.  In the event of a long term building closure we will develop a plan to get students' materials back to families.  If you have questions about building access, please email me. 

In addition to the enrichment and extension activities teachers have created for their classes, teachers have created other resources for students and families during the closure.  Ms. Meyers, 8th grade math teacher, created these helpful hints to stay busy when working from home.  Our school psychologist, Mrs. Grimes, had been creating videos on mindfulness. Finally, check out the video below from Mr. Townsend, 7th grade social studies teacher, on how to work out from home.

Upcoming Events

• March 30          Enrichment and extension opportunities available
• March 30          Teacher office hours begin
• April 1               ACSD1 School Board meeting 

Week of March 23

It is a very unique time in our country's history. Please know that the staff of Laramie Middle School, and all of ACSD1, remains committed to supporting students and families.  Our school is currently closed through April 6th.  In the interim, teachers are working on a variety of activities to keep students as engaged in learning as possible.

Beginning today, LMS teachers will be contacting the families of students in their Scouts for Scouts (S4S) advisory classes. You may receive a call from a restricted or unknown number as a result of this.  Many teachers are using an app called Google Voice to make calls.  The purpose of this call is to make contact with families and check in.  We miss our students and wish we were all in school.  Teachers are working to make virtual extension activities available online to students starting next week.  Students should log into Canvas and Schoology on Monday to see what activities are available.  These and other other applications can easily be accessed through Classlink which is found at the bottom of the ACSD1 web page.  Students should also check their school emails periodically.

At the present time, students should work on any missing or late assignments from the third quarter. Please have your students log into PowerSchool if they're not sure if they have any missing work.  Teachers will reach out to families regarding missing work next week as well. If you have questions for teachers, they will be holding virtual office hours starting on Monday.  LMS teachers will be actively responding to email from 1:00-3:30 on Monday and Wednesday and 8:30-12:00 on Tuesday and Thursday.  Although it can be challenging, we encourage families to maintain a structured routine at home where students get up, eat breakfast, etc. at predictable times.

Thank you for your continued support.  Interacting with students virtually is not an ideal scenario, but it is our reality for now. The district will be sending out a survey on Friday to assess families' needs in the event schools are closed after the 6th.  Please be on the lookout for this and take a few moments to complete it.

Upcoming Events

• March 23          S4S teachers begin contacting families
• March 27          District technology survey
• March 30          Enrichment and extension opportunities available
• March               Teacher office hours begin

Week of March 9

It's Spirit Week at LMS.  Students and staff are dressing up all week to show their school spirit.  The themes for each day are as follows:

• Monday: Cozy comfy day
• Tuesday: Twin day
• Wednesday: Vacation day
• Thursday: Sports team/movie day
• Friday: School spirit day 

Scout Cup points will be awarded daily to the grade with the highest participation.  Part of Spirit Week is family pizza and trivia night on Wednesday from 6:00-7:30.  Attendees will be treated to delicious pizza as they test their wits against each other in a variety of trivia games.  There is no cost to attend.  Please view the video message from the Student Leadership Team below for more information.

As you can see from the picture below the lost and found is overflowing.  We will encourage students to clam their belongings throughout the week and will clean out the lost and found over spring break.  Please ask your student to check for their missing items this week before they are gone forever. 

Many students are being checked out between 2:30 and 3:00.  While we understand this may be unavoidable at times, it is very challenging to call a large number of students to the office during 8th hour.  We ask that you do your best to allow students to stay in class until the end of the day, or if they must be checked out during 8th hour, communicate with your student in advance so they come to the office at the appropriate time on their own.  

It's going to be a fun, exciting, and productive week.  If your student is missing work, please help them take advantage of Scout Learning Lab after school this week so they can go into the break all caught up.  There is no Scout Learning Lab or late bus on Friday. Thank you for your support in continuing to make LMS a great place for students, families, and staff. 

Upcoming Events:

●        March 9-14                         Spirit week

●        March 11                             Family night

●        March 13                             No SLL or late bus

●        March 16-20                       Spring break

●        March 27                             Spring dance

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