Lucille Brown MS Parent Newsletter
Week of October 29, 2023
Greetings from Dr. Gaines
Hello, families!
Welcome back for another weekly communication. This week's newsletter is packed with information, so please take a few moments to read it carefully. Here are a few key reminders:
- Tomorrow is Picture Day. Please use the link below for more information.
- Representatives from regional specialty schools will visit 8th-graders this Tuesday from 10:10 - 11:40 to advertise their school and explain the application process. See below for more information.
- Costume day is Tuesday, October 31st. Students may wear costumes, but may not wear masks, hats, revealing/suggestive clothing, or bring props, such as swords, etc.
- Hearing screenings for 7th graders begins this Wednesday through November 7th.
- After-school tutoring and Saturday Academy begin this week. Please see the schedule below, as well as information about how to sign up for this free opportunity!
- All RPS schools will be closed Tuesday, November 7th, for Caregiver/teacher conferences. A link to sign up for an in-person, phone, or virtual conference will be provided on Tuesday via Remind.
As always, thank you for our continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at sgaines1@rvaschools.net or 804-229-8426. Have a great week!
Dr. Stacy Gaines
Principal
Our Schedule This Week
Monday, October 30th
- B Day
- Picture Day
- Girls Basketball: Brown vs Dogwood @ Brown
- After-school Tutoring Begins!
Tuesday, October 31st
- A Day
- Regional Special School Visits
- Costume Day (No masks, props, hats, or revealing clothing)
- No Games or Practices
Wednesday, November 1st
- B Day
- Hearing Screenings (7th-Graders)
- No Games or Practices
Thursday, November 2nd
- A Day
- Hearing Screenings (7th-Graders)
LMBMS Girls Basketball Tournament (Location TBD)
Track Practice
After-school Tutoring
Friday, November 3rd
- B Day
- Amended Friday Schedule
- Hearing Screenings (7th-Graders)
- *Basketball Practice
*Cheer Practice
Saturday, November 4th
- Saturday Academy (9:00-12:00)
*All practices and games from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Please meet your child at Door 19, our Bus Loop.
Parents, please use the REMIND app to receive announcements, updates, and cancellation information from our Athletic Coordinator, Mr. Rennalls.
IB Learner Profile Trait: Principled
The IB learner profile trait for the month of November is PRINCIPLED. Students who are PRINCIPLED have a sense of fairness and are honest with themselves and with others. They understand that sometimes there are rules and they follow them. They have an understanding of moral reasoning. How can parents help to develop students who are Principled at home?
- Involve your child in deciding on the rules for a game or activity and then ensure that they stick to the ones that have been decided upon.
- Encourage your child to play games that involve teams. Discuss with your child the qualities of a team player. What sort of person would they want on their team?
- When your child wins a game insist that he or she is a well-mannered winner. They might thank their opponent or shake hands with them if it’s appropriate.
- When playing a game, don’t change the rules or let your child win. Being a gracious loser is just as important as being a good winner.
This Week's Birthdays
LMBMS News
After-school Tutoring: Families, we are excited to begin Extended Day tutoring for all grade levels in reading, science, and math, beginning October 30, 2023. Tutoring will begin promptly at 3:15pm and end at 5:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays (1st & 3rd only), and Thursdays. RPS transportation will be provided. Our Saturday Academy tutoring will begin on November 4th, 2023, from 9:00 am until 12 noon. Parents must provide transportation for Saturday sessions. Click on this link to access the parent permission form. Simply print, complete, and have your child return it to the main office right away!
Attendance Incentive: All students present on Monday, November 6th will enjoy a funnel cake from Treat Shop! Students who arrive to school on time November 14th will be eligible to spin the wheel and receive a prize. These are just some way we want to reward students who come to school each day. Thank you for making your child's school attendance a top priority!
VCU's CISTEME and CSO Programs: Virginia Commonwealth University's Center for Innovation in STEM Education, (CISTEME), is excited to share information about CISTEME, located within the School of Education at VCU and exists to bring innovative STEM opportunities to students, faculty and staff of schools, as well as our surrounding communities. One of several opportunities that is offered is the Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program. The CSO program is an opportunity for 6th-12th grade students who are interested in STEM to serve in a leadership role for their school. Use the sign up link, (located at the bottom of the CISTEME flyer), to join the email list for future communications.
Fall Picture Day: Lights, camera, action! Picture Day is finally here. We look forward to students wearing their biggest and brightest smiles tomorrow! Please use this link for more information.
Costume Day: Tuesday, October 31st, is costume day! Students may wear costumes and makeup to school; however, they may not wear masks, revealing/suggestive clothing, hats, or have props (i.e., swords or anything that can be viewed as a weapon).
Specialty School Visits: This Tuesday, from 10:10 a.m. - 11:40 a.m., representatives from regional specialty schools will visit us to share information about their schools and the application process with our 8th graders. The following regional specialty schools will present to students on October 31st:
- Appomattox Regional Governor's School
- Code RVA
- Maggie Walker Regional Governor's School
UPDATE Hearing Screenings: We will offer free, mandatory hearing screenings for all 7th-graders November 1st - November 7th.
COVID-19 Communication Protocol: With COVID-19 cases on the rise, we anticipate this will impact our students as well. If your child is diagnosed with COVID-19 or has any of the symptoms, please notify our school nurse, Karen Davis, immediately.
Monthly Drills & Crisis Preparedness: We will conduct monthly safety drills, including fire and/or lockdown, during the month of November to be in compliance with local and state regulations. The following links in English and Spanish also provide information about crisis preparedness and procedures we will follow in the event of an emergency at school.
RPS News
Upcoming School Closure: All RPS schools will be closed for students on Tuesday, November 7th for Caregiver/Teacher Conferences. Parents may request a conference by phone, Google Meet, or in person. A link to sign up for conferences will be made available this Tuesday via Remind. When you sign up, please provide your phone number and specify the type of conference you would like to have.
UPDATE--Maggie Walker International Language Fair: The Maggie Walker International Language Fair Committee, we are thrilled to announce that the fair will be held on Saturday, February 24th, 2024, from 9 am to 12 pm at Maggie L. Walker! For more information, visit the MW Language Fair Official Website and see the informational flyer.
New Protocols for After-School Events: New security protocols are in place, effective immediately, for all after-school academic and athletic activities. Please review the new protocols on the RPS website at rmd.me/UEanyGgeHKL
Parent Access to Student Records: We are thrilled to inform you about two data platforms that will provide you with easy access to your child's academic records with just a few clicks. Follow the link to access the instructions to access your student's portal accounts. rmd.me/qdCgwZEGM5s
Student Wellness and Mental Health Support: As we prepare to kick-off the 2023-24 school year, I want to remind everyone – students, staff, and families – that your mental health continues to be a top priority. Please note the resources below and remember that we love you here and you are not alone.
- Students who need emergency mental health support should call the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority at (804) 819-4100 or the ChildSavers Immediate Response line at (804) 305-2420 (or send a text to 741741).
- Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center provides education, advocacy, and support to Spanish-speaking individuals affected by violence. The 24/7 hotline in Spanish is (888) 969-1825.
- The Trauma Healing Response Network is a coalition of grassroots, community-based organizations and mental health partners that provide support services to families and communities impacted by gun violence. The network can also facilitate the distribution of emergency relief funds to help those in crisis. For more information, email traumahealingresponsenetwork@gmail.com.
- RPS employees in need of emergency support should contact the Cigna 24/7 Crisis Line at (833) ME-CIGNA, or (833) 632-4462. Additional counseling and support services are also available through the Cigna Employee Assistance (EAP) program by calling (800) 544-6931.
Ways Caregivers Can Support
Student success for ALL is our goal here at LMBMS. I believe with our dedication to high quality instruction, rigor, relationships, and student engagement, every student will learn to his or her full potential. I ask that you please recognize that in order for your child to be successful in school, we need your support in the following ways:
- Expect your child to attend school daily, arrive on time, and be ready for the day’s learning experience. Please provide a written note for all absences. Also, call the school so we are aware of the absence.
- Ensure your child completes all homework and other assignments and reads for pleasure 15-20 minutes daily.
- Ask your child to share school experiences with you daily so that you are aware of his/her school life.
- Inform the teacher if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject.
- Honor instructional time in each class by limiting interruptions during the school day so instructional time is maximized.
- Please read your child’s course syllabi for each class.
- Review the RPS Student Code of Responsible Ethics S.C.O.R.E. It is also listed on the district webpage.
Be in the Know
It is important for caregivers to receive real-time information from our school and division. Please use the following links to stay in the know!
- RPS 2023-24 Calendar
- RPS Direct-Sign up for the Superintendent's daily community messages.
- REMIND-Sign up to receive Dr. Gaines's weekly Sunday newsletter and RPS messages.
- RPS Website
- Lucille Brown Middle School Website