Week of August 30

Welcome to week two.  The energy last week was amazing as our students filled up our building. We are in the second year of using tools from Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) at LMS.  These tools help us create and sustain a culture of respect and belonging in our school. A big part of CKH are the social contracts students will help create in each of their classes and celebrating each other.  This aligns well with our vision statement where we commit to celebrating everyone's journey.  Read more about giving affirmations in your neighborhood and more in this month's CKH newsletter.  

Back to school night is this Tuesday from 5:30-7:15.  Families will come and follow their student's schedule and meet all of their teachers.  Your student will be given a copy of this form tomorrow in S4S so you know what classes they have.  Maps of the school will be available as well. For those interested, a vaccination clinic will be held in our cafeteria from 4:30-5:30 before back to school night begins. If you need assistance with your annual online registration described below, our fabulous registrar Mrs. Yost will be available to assist families in our library from 4:30 to 5:30. 

All families need to complete the annual online registration in the Parent PowerSchool Portal.  This will allow students to receive their Chromebooks on August 31st and travel for field trips and activities.  Students whose online registration has not been completed will not be issued a Chromebook on the 31st and will not be able to go on field trips or travel for activities.  Instructions for completing your student's annual online registration can be found on the ACSD1 website. 

Tuesday is also picture day.  All LMS students will have their picture taken on the 31st. If you would like to order pictures, please go to mylifetouch.com and enter our picture day ID: EVTZTRMCB. 

Upcoming Events

• August 31- Student Chromebooks checked out
• August 31- Picture day
• August 31- Back to School Night
• September 6- No School: Labor Day
• September 27- No School: professional development 

Back to School 2021!

The excitement in our building is reaching a fevered pitch as we prepare for the first day of school this Thursday.  Students will attend school from 8:00-11:23 on the first day.  Our building opens at 7:30.  Students arriving before 7:45 will go to our cafeteria.  At 7:45 students will head to their S4S (Scouts for Scouts) class.  Students will stay in their S4S groups all day as we build community and review our expectations and procedures.  We will have copies of all students' schedules available in the morning and we ask that students pick up a new copy of their schedule in the cafeteria as changes may have been made. Friday, August 27th will be a normal 'all' day.  Students will attend school from 8:00-3:05 and go to all eight of their classes. 

All families need to complete the annual online registration in the Parent PowerSchool Portal.  This will allow students to receive their Chromebooks on August 31st and travel for field trips and activities.  Students whose online registration has not been completed will not be issued a Chromebook on the 31st and will not be able to go on field trips or travel for activities.  Instructions for completing your student's annual online registration can be found on the ACSD1 website. If you need assistance completing the annual online registration please all our amazing registrar, Mrs. Yost at 721-4430 for assistance. 

Tuesday, August 31st is a big day for several reasons.  As previously mentioned, students will be assigned their Chromebooks that day.  It is also picture day.  All LMS students will have their picture taken on the 31st. If you would like to order pictures, please go to mylifetouch.com and enter our picture day ID: EVTZTRMCB. As if getting a Chromebook and your picture taken weren't exciting enough, Back to school night is also on the 31st from 5:30-7:15.  Families will come and follow their student schedule and meet all of their teachers.  For those interested, a vaccination clinic will be held in our cafeteria from 4:30-5:30 before back to school night begins. 

At the Aug. 23 Board of Trustees Special Session, our board voted to approve an interim mask requirement for all students grades K-8 while inside a building. The interim mask requirement is from Thursday, Aug. 26 through Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. Masks are also required for every person, regardless of grade or age, on a district school bus. We will continue to practice social distancing as much as possible, utilize increased ventilation, and promote hand washing in schools to help stop the spread of the virus.  Should you wish to be exempt from the current mask policy, our district requires a note from a licensed physician indicating the reason for such an exemption and the approval of such from the Albany County Health Officer. In the absence of this all students are required to wear a mask over their mouth and nose inside of our school. I understand not everyone agrees with this decision.  However, I trust that everyone understands that my job, and the job of teachers, is to implement the policies of our school board. As such we are obligated to insist that all students in attendance honor mask expectations. 

If you wish for your student to attend LMS virtually for the 2021-2022 school year, please complete this form. I will be reaching out to those families who select this option next week. Virtual students will work independently using a program called Edgenuity.  Students must be self-directed learners to be successful in our virtual option.

Our staff has been engaged in two days of incredible learning and collaboration to prepare for a great school year.  We are pumped up for the first day of school and can't wait to see everyone.  

Upcoming Events

• August 26- First day of school
• August 31- Student Chromebooks checked out
• August 31- Picture day
• August 31- Back to School Night
• September 6- No School: Labor Day
• September 27- No School: professional development 

Last Week of School

We made it!  Thank you for your flexibility, support, and feedback this year.  It's been the best year we never want to do again. With your help, our students have not only made it through this school year, they have thrived.  Our students grew academically, won conference and state titles, made new friends, became better artists and musicians, and grew as individuals this year.  We have an action packed week on tap before we head into the summer break. 

All students will checked in their Chromebooks and chargers on Tuesday, June 1st during S4S. Students who need access to a device to finish missing assignments will be provided access to one during the day.  Students who do not turn in their Chromebook or charger will be assessed a fine.  

Final grades are due at 7:00 am on Thursday June 3rd.  Students have until the end of the day on Wednesday, June 2nd to submit work for credit.  There will be Scout Learning Lab after school through Wednesday this week.  The late bus will run on both days.  Report cards will be mailed out the week of June 7th.  

There are some celebrations this week to mark the end of the school year.  The end of the year dance is Wednesday, June 2nd from 3:05-5:00.  Admission is $4.  All LMS students in good standing are eligible to attend.  Students attending the dance need to be picked up by 5:15.  No school transportation is available for students attending the dance.  Friday, June 4th is the last day of school.  Students will be dismissed at 11:23.  Our student leadership team is putting together a field day with fun activities for the morning of the 4th.  It's going to be a great day and we hope to see everyone there.

There are a limited number of yearbooks still available.  They are $40 and can be purchased in the main office on a first come, first served basis.  Payment can be made with cash or check.  Please make checks out to Laramie Middle School.  

We hope everyone has a restful and fulfilling summer.  Thank you again for all of your support.  We wish our 8th graders well at LHS next year.  We know they're going to do great things.  We're excited for our upcoming 6th graders to join our school and to work with our rising 7th and 8th graders next year.  Make it a great week.

Upcoming Events

• June 2 End of year dance

• June 4 Last day of school

• August 20 Sixth grade orientation

• August 26 First day of school

Week of May 24

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and Spring is in the air. We are excited to work with you to make every day count until the end of the school year.  This is such an exciting time as we close out one year and plan for the next.  We are especially excited for our 8th graders as they transition to the high school and our 5th graders as they prepare to join us at LMS. 

Our PTO will be celebrating our 8th graders with an ice cream social this Thursday from 2:30-3:05 in the LMS cafeteria.  We want to recognize their hard work over the last three years and celebrate them becoming Plainsmen in August.  This event is for all 8th grade students but is not open to the public. 

The rumors are true, we will be having an end of the year dance on Wednesday, June 2nd.  The dance is after school from 3:05-5:00.  All LMS students in good standing are encouraged to attend.  Admission is $4.  Students need to be picked up by 5:15 after the dance.  No school transportation is available.  We hope to see all of our students dancing their hearts out on the 2nd. 

We have our final two concerts of the year this week.  Our choir is performing tonight and our orchestra is performing on Thursday.  Both concerts are in the auditorium at Laramie High School.  Our students have worked hard to prepare and we are eagerly anticipating these concerts.  Make it a great week!

Upcoming Events

• May 24 Choir concert

• May 27 8th grade ice cream social

• May 27 Orchestra concert

• May 31 No school- Memorial Day

• June 2 End of year dance

• June 4 Last day of school

Week of May 17

The end of the school year is coming quickly, but there is a lot to do between now and June 4th. We need to stay focused and finish the school year strong. There will not be Scout Learning Lab, or a late bus, on Tuesday, 5/18.  LMS staff will be at a staff meeting after school and will not be available to work with students.  SLL will resume on Wednesday, 5/19.  All students need to go home directly after school on Tuesday. 

Seventh and 8th grade students will be taking the baseline portion of the Impact test between now and the end of the year. The Impact test is conducted by LHS trainers in conjunction with Premier Bone and Joint.  It helps identify early symptoms and recovery for concussions. More information about the Impact test is attached.  If you do not want your student participate, please return the opt out form to the student's PE teacher or LMS Activities Administrative Assistant, Debbie Clay. If you have any questions regarding impact testing, please contact Mrs. Clay at 721-4430. 

Staying hydrated is important and we encourage students to drink water throughout the day.  However, the sport water bottles with the squirt top have become problematic.  In and effort to keep our school safe and clean, we ask that students do not bring water bottles with a squirt top to school.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

It's going to be a fun filled three weeks up until summer break.  Students will continue to work hard in all of their classes and it's important that they are here every day.  Please help us finish the school year on a high note.  Thank you for your continued support and feedback.

Upcoming Events

• May 19 Rising 6th Grade informational meeting

• May 20 Band concert

• May 24 Choir concert

• May 27 8th grade ice cream social

• May 27 Orchestra concert

• May 31 No school- Memorial Day

• June 2 End of year dance

• June 4 Last day of school

Week of May 10

It's a satisfying feeling to be in the final stretch of the school year.  In August, none of us knew what the year was going to bring, if we'd be able to keep students in the building, how activities would work, the schedule, the list goes on and on. But the end is in sight and I'd like to thank all of our families for supporting your students and our school.  It's been a good year and we're going to have a strong finish.  Please read the updates below in preparation for a great end to the 2020-2021 school year.  

Due to a litany of unforeseen circumstances, the choir concert scheduled for this Thursday has been rescheduled for Monday, May 24th.  The concert will begin at 7:00 pm and will be held in the LHS auditorium.  Choir students need to arrive at LHS at 6:30 on the night of the concert.  

Over the last year, we've navigated blended learning and virtual learning.  We've shared a variety of information with families to help them support their students.  Please review our final presentation for the year.  Many of the strategies for a blended or virtual learning environment are applicable to in person learning, so they are helpful not only for the remainder of this year, but for next year as well. 

The last day for students is Friday, June 4th.  It is a half day, so students will be dismissed at 11:23.  LMS students will be checking in their Chromebooks and chargers on Tuesday, June 1st.  Students who fail to return their Chromebooks and chargers in good working order, may be assessed a fine. If you are concerned about the status of your student's Chromebook, please contact the school. 

Eventually the weather will warm and stay that way and true Spring will arrive.  Please help your student be prepared for school by remembering that many things are useful outside of school, but prohibited at school.  For example, many of our students take a multitool or pocket knife when enjoying the outdoors, but it is important they remember to take such items out of their coats and backpacks before returning to school.  Thank you again for your support and feedback. Make it a great week. 

Upcoming Events

• May 20 Band concert

• May 24 Choir concert

• May 27 8th grade ice cream social

• May 27 Orchestra concert

• May 31 No school- Memorial Day

• June 2 End of year dance

• June 4 Last day of school

Week of May 3

It's Teacher Appreciation Week and we'd like to celebrate the great teachers and other educators at Laramie Middle School.  Our teachers work tirelessly to meet the needs of students.  They are dedicated, professional, hard working, and care deeply about students.  Thank you to to all LMS teachers, and to teachers across the country.  You are valued and appreciated.  If you'd like to email a teacher to express your appreciation, you can find their contact information on our website. 

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing your child achieve their goals –big and small! Whether it is celebrating those first steps or graduation day, witnessing achievements gained by hard work are some of a families’ proudest moments. Hard work and determination are the ingredients of perseverance. As a family, identify times you experience frustration. Together discuss: Is frustration a bad thing? How can frustration be good for you? Ask each family member to identify three actions they can take next time they are frustrated to persevere instead of giving up! Read more about helping your student develop perseverance in the CKH April/May newsletter. 

It's been a tough day at LMS as we process the tragedy that occurred over the weekend.  Our hearts continue to go out to Gray's family.  We will continue to support each other during this difficult time.  If your student is in need of additional support, or you know of someone who is, please let us know.  We're here to help. 

Upcoming Events

• April 13-29 WYTOPP testing

• May 8 Hapi-ness 5K

• May 31 No school- Memorial day

• May 8th grade ice cream social

• June 2 End of year dance

• June 4 Last day of school