Falcon Family Weekly Newsletter
October 13, 2024
Dear Lakelands Park Middle School Families:
This is a 4-day week with no school on Friday, October 18th.
- The Scholastic Book Fair runs until October 17th. We are in need parent & caretaker volunteers everyday through October 17th.
- Please consider purchasing your child(ren)'s school portraits. This is a very important fundraiser for our school. Proofs and ordering were sent home with your child(ren) a couple weeks ago. See below for more details.
- Does your child want to get outside and move during lunch? Starting this week, GYC student members can join GYC staff on Tuesdays & Thursdays for Between the Bells, weather permitting for basketball and other games during the last 20 minutes of every lunch. Scroll down for more details or to join the GYC.
- Tuesday, October 15th: Last day to submit a Hispanic American Heritage Month poster and earn SSL.
- Tuesday, October 15th: Cross Country vs Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at home.
- Thursday, October 17th: We will have a Boys Softball game at Cabin John and Girls Softball vs. Neelsville at Ridge Road Park.
- Thursday, October 17th: Our Minority Scholar Program (MSP) is sponsoring an anti-racism spirit day. Students and staff are invited to wear Red & Black as a way of showing that they stand against racism. Look for an MSP sponsored anti-racism & No Place for Hate poster contest coming soon.
- Thursday, October 17th is our first PTSA Bingo Night from 6-7:30pm. This is a really fun night for the whole family to benefit our Media Center and your last chance to shop the Book Fair. Every year first-time Bingo families remark how great it is to see the kids (and adults) having screen-free, old-fashioned fun. Come on out! Food, gift-card, and drink donations and student (SSL) and parent/caretaker volunteers need. Sign-up HERE. Thank you for supporting our Media Center!
- Friday, October 18th: No School. GYC has spots left for a trip to Sky Zone for the day. Scroll all the way down for registration information.
Looking ahead to next week...
- October 21st-26th is Mental Health Awareness Week. Have fun participating in our spirit week to raise awareness about mental health.
- October 21st is our 2nd Safety Day. More drills and practices to get ready for emergency situations.
- October 25th is the PTSA sponsored Halloween Dance. See more details below to learn more, donate, and volunteer.
- October 26th is the Mental Health Awareness and Student Forum from 10am to 2pm at Seneca Valley HS. Students earn 4 SSL hours by participating. More information below. Click here to RSVP.
- October 26th is also the Game Changer Conference for Young Males and Parents from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at Montgomery College, Germantown Campus. Click here to read more and RSVP.
Thursday's Power Outage
On Thursday of last week we experienced a power failure in parts of the building for about two and a half hours due to water leak on a main electrical panel. Our building has a back-up generator to power emergency lights in every location, and we also have the benefit of natural light in most spaces. Our staff, students, and parent volunteers did an outstanding job of quickly adapting and teaching, learning, and the book fair continued on schedule. Take a look at a few pictures below to see for yourself.
Let's have a great week!
Sincerely,
Rose Alvarez
Principal
Para traducir este boletín, seleccione "español" en "Translate Newsletter" encima.
Between the Bells at LPMS
- Not a member of GYC? It's only $20 for the entire school year. Click here to learn more and to join.
- Between the Bells is weather permitting. Additionally, GYC maintains a 15 to 1 student to staff ratio, so if we have too many interested students, we will implement a rotation between Tuesday and Thursday.
- Thank you to our PTSA for advocating for this activity to support our children's physical and mental health!
No Power, No Problem!
Science
Mr. Kengor's class learned about photosynthesis. The class used textbooks and Mr. Kengor used a small branch of leaves to provide a real example.
Math
Ms. Doe's class learned about scale drawings. The class used our curriculum workbooks and Ms. Doe used her whiteboards.
Spanish
Coach Waterfield, substitute teacher, taught vocabulary. This classroom has no windows and was only illuminated by the emergency lights.
Book Fair
Third Floor Bathroom
All bathrooms have one back-up light.
Third Floor Hallway
Our hallway transitions were uneventful. Here you see Ms. Bourdet monitoring the hallway during transition. Multiple back-up lights illuminate the hallways.
Upcoming Events
PTSA Halloween Dance on October 25th
This is a fun social event for LPMS students. We need your help to make it a success.
- Volunteer and Donation Sign Up
- Click here to learn more about the Halloween Dance.
Upcoming Civic Engagement Lessons
We recognize that teaching about the democratic process during presidential elections can lead to strong emotional reactions from our students. MCPS is committed to integrating social-emotional activities into instruction and discussion of the election to help support and prepare students to respond respectfully and thoughtfully to issues and one another. To this end, LPMS will have civic engagement lessons in the first week of November, prior to the elections. This important learning will happen through the Social Studies department. More details about this learning will be shared in future newsletters prior to Election Day.
For more details from the MCPS Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs, please read this letter from the Associate Superintendent.
Support Our School
The Scholastic Book Fair Starts Runs Until October 17th
LPMS Families--the book fair is coming! In just a few short weeks (October 10-17), the LPMS library will be filled with Scholastic books, posters, lots of fun knick knacks and, of course, dum dum lollipops! But, in order to put on a great book fair, we need YOUR help! Sign up to volunteer at the book fair HERE: https://signup.com/go/USWtPGb
And, get prepare to shop (e.g., set up your e-wallet) here:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/lakelandsparkmiddleschool
See you at the book fair this October!
Falcon Bucks Store
Parent and Caretaker Volunteer Sign-up for Falcon Bucks
October 25th dates available. Please sign up to support our Falcon Bucks stores in each grade level area every other Friday morning. This opportunity does not involve the exchange of actual money. Volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4EA5A928AA8-51042751-falcon#/
Donate Items
Thanks to everyone who has donated already! This year we have a new system to encourage our students' to encourage positive behavior and interactions. Thank you to everyone has already donated by buying items on our Amazon Wishlist. Click here or below to see the wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/NC8EIRQQZGBL?ref_=wl_shareSupport the PTSA
PTSA believes that together we can make every child’s potential a reality—but we need more believers like YOU. We need YOU. Will you join us?
Click here to Join or Donate to the PTSA
Direct Appeal Donation is our PTSA's primary fundraiser, accounting for about 35% of our PTSA budget. It is, quite simply, a straight-forward request for donations directly to the PTSA in lieu of more traditional fundraisers which involve selling products in exchange for a small portion of the proceeds.
With Direct Appeal, 100% of your contribution goes directly to funding the LPMS PTSA's programs and events. Please make your contribution today.
100% benefits LPMS PTSA
Zero overhead
No selling
Tax deductible
Resources and News
MCPS 2025-2026 School Calendar Feedback
MCPS is seeking input about the 2025–2026 school year calendar! Please take a moment to complete the MCPS School Calendar Feedback Survey. Your input will be used to select the first and last day of school, as well as other important dates for the coming school year.
A message from the LPMS Environmental Club
You may have seen these posters outside at drop-off or pick-up. As part of our application to become a Green Ribbon School, our Environmental Club is asking parents & caretakers to turn off their car engines when they are arrive in front of school before arrival drop-off or dismissal pick-up begins. Thank you for your consideration!
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Holiday Help for Families
Each year, we connect our families with the Montgomery County Holiday Giving Project which supports families experiencing financial hardship during the holiday season. If your family is facing financial challenges or if you have any questions about the program, please reach out to our Counseling Secretary and Registrar, Denise Perez, at Denise_F_Perez@mcpsmd.org or call 240-740-6460. Rest assured, the identities of participating families will remain confidential. Please contact Denise before the deadlines listed below. Unfortunately, the program does not accept late referrals.
- Friday, October 25 – Last day for Thanksgiving referrals
- Friday, November 22 – Last day for December referrals
Meals and Free and Reduced Meals Application
Students who choose to eat the school breakfast and/or lunch must purchase these items this year or receive them free by applying for FARMs. Students will use their student ID number to access their lunch account at mealtime. Breakfast is $1.30 and lunch is $2.80. There are also a la carte options for purchase. Menus are updated regularly at the MCPS Food and Nutrition Services website.
Online PrePayments with MySchoolBucks
English | español | 中文 | français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ
MySchoolBucks is an optional service for parents to view recent purchases and make prepayments to your child's cafeteria account for breakfast, lunch and a la carte meals via the Internet with a credit/debit card. This service is offered as a convenience for interested families. By creating a secure online account, parents can manage their child's account. Click here to sign up or access your child's account: www.MySchoolBucks.com.
Students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income. They may also qualify if they are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medicaid benefits. Families may apply for meal benefits by completing an Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals for the current school year. Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged that cost - meaning that reduced-price students will eat for free. Families that qualify for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs) are encouraged to apply now to avoid longer processing times in the Fall. Click here to apply: https://www.myschoolapps.com/. Several family food programs are tied to FARMS status.
How-to videos for the online FARMS application:
Spanish Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsdCrtCIFJc&t=4s
English Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJUapGLarBo
Athletics and After School Activities
After School Activities
Lakelands Park Middle School offers an exciting variety of after-school opportunities from 3:15 to 4:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (excluding half days and unscheduled early release days). Some of our activities are starting this week! Our clubs are open to all students in all grades and no pre-registration is necessary. We encourage our students to show up on the first day and learn more.
On the days we have after-school activities, students will report to the Cafeteria at 3:00 pm. We will serve a hot meal from 3:00 to 3:15 pm, and students will be dismissed at 3:15 pm to their activities.
While participating in after-school activities, students can practice leadership skills, improve their academic, musical, and athletic abilities, and participate in other endeavors that suit their creativity and personal interests. Under the supervision of a supportive, caring, and competent professional staff member or volunteer, a student will often develop an avocation that will remain a lifelong interest and source of enjoyment.
Clubs/teams starting:
- The Math Team with Mr. Cohen starts this Tuesday, October 15th.
- Our eSports Team started last Thursday. Students must have a signed permission slip (English - Spanish) to participate.
Click here to visit our Activities webpage to learn more about this activities and others! You can also see our activity bus calendar and routes. Activity busses typically run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Athletics
SSL and Community Resources
George B. Thomas Saturday School
All About Student Service Learning (SSL)
- Student Service Learning (SSL) is a Maryland state graduation requirement. Students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school. Click here to learn more.
Gaithersburg Youth Club
GYC Trip to Sky Zone, Friday, October 18th
Jump!! Bounce! The trip will depart from the Gaithersburg Youth Center (GYC) at 9:00am. Participants will be returned to the GYC by 2:00pm. Participants are welcome to stay at the GYC until it closes at 6:00pm. $30 members, $35 non-members.
Click here to register: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/gaithersburgmd/activity/search/detail/13260?locale=en-US
Future Events
Tuesday, October 22nd: Cross Country & Girls Softball at Ridgeview, Boys Softball at home.
Thursday, October 24th: Cross Country & Girls Softball at Poole, Boys Softball at home.
Friday, October 25th: PTSA Sponsored Dance, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Monday, October 28th: Basketball Registration Opens on Synergy ParentVue
Tuesday, October 29th: Girls Softball at Forest Oak
Wednesday, October 30th: Boys Softball at Kingsview, Cross Country & Girls Softball at home
Friday, November 1st: Last Day of Marking Period 1
Monday, November 4th: No School, Professional Day
Tuesday, November 5th: No School, Election Day
Thursday, November 7th: Make-up Pictures (AM)
Monday, November 11th: Open House and Veteran's Day Celebration
Wednesday, November 13th: Marking Period 1 Report Cards distributed
Monday, November 25th: Early Release Day, Parent Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, November 26th: Early Release Day + Wingspan Day
Tuesday, November 26th: Basketball Registration Closes
Weds-Fri, November 27th-29th: No School, Thanksgiving
Contacting Us
Email: Rose_S_Alvarez@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/lakelandsparkms/
Location: Lakelands Park Middle School, 1200 Main Street, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Phone: (240)740-6450
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LPMSPTSA/