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LMS Newsletter
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December 2023
Message From the Principal
Dear Lakeridge Families,
We hope all of our students and families had the opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving break. In just over two weeks students will be off for winter break as we close out the 2023 calendar year. As we look forward to the upcoming holiday season and the excitement of a new year, it may become challenging for students to stay focused on the last few weeks of the month. Please take time to reinforce with your child the importance of having a strong end to the semester and showing their Hawk PRIDE every day. Our students and staff have been working hard this year, and I’m looking forward to a positive and successful finish to 2023.
From all the staff at LMS, we hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to seeing you back in school on January 4, 2024!
Here is some important information for you to know. As always, we encourage you to contact us at any time if you have questions.
Toby Udager
Principal
December Calendar
Strong School Attendance Matters
Tuesday, Nov. 14
Did you know?
Starting in kindergarten, too many absences (excused and unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school.
Missing 10 percent of the school year is considered chronically absent. That's only two days a month or 18 days in a school year.
Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
Setting a regular bedtime and morning routines can reduce tardiness and absences.
By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
How can you help your child to have strong attendance?
Schedule non-urgent appointments to occur after school.
Only let your student stay home if they are truly sick.
Develop a back-up plan for getting to school in case of the unexpected.
Talk to your student about the importance of attendance.
Talk to your student's teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be signs of an underlying issue.
Update your student's information at school as your address and/or phone number(s) change.
If your student is going to be absent, please contact your school. If prior notice is not possible and you are notified that your child was absent through ParentSquare, please reply to the attendance notice, call or email your school, or send a written note upon the student's return to school.
State Law and Required Attendance
The district is committed to work with families to help ensure regular student attendance. Washington state law requires children who are between the ages of 8 and 17 to attend a public school, private school or a district-approved home school program.
Also by law, we notify parents/guardians when their student is absent. If a student reaches a certain number of unexcused absences, the school will contact parents/guardians to create a plan to support good attendance.
Find information about excused and unexcused absences, tardies and attendance procedures in SBLSD's Student & Family Information Guide and Policy 3122 Excused and Unexcused Absences.
Counseling
Friday Food Bags
Gina Rice - School Counselor, 8th grade, 7th grade L-Z
Mari Lysne - School Counselor, 6th grade, 7th grade A-K
Student Life
Food Drive
Wow! Once again our Hawk community showed strong support for the Bonney Lake Food Bank! Thank you to everyone who contributed and competed.
Final Totals:
Cranberry Sauce: 1,307 Cans
Total Items: 2,632 Items
Top 5 Classes:
Mr. Watkins
Mrs. McCollum
Mrs. Greer
Mrs. Adsit
Mr. Losinski
Hawkfest ASB Fundraiser Update
Funds Raised: $10,809.25
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Hawkfest ASB fundraiser in November. The money raised will go a long way in funding student programs like athletics, clubs, activities, and more.
Spirit Week
December 11-15, 2023
Participate Guide - Click here for more details!
Spirit Days
- Monday 12/11 Winter Break Wear | Comfy, cozy, PJ’s or get fancy! Whatever you’d wear for winter break.
- Tuesday 12/12 Winter vs. Summer | Bundle up for the winter weather or wear something inspired by summer.
- Wednesday 12/13 Grinch (green) vs. Barbie (pink) vs. Batman (black)
- Thursday 12/14 Ugly Outfit or Sweater or Holiday Gear
- Friday 12/15 Let It Snow! | Wear as much white as you can to inspire it to snow at Lakeridge!
School Dance
Friday, December 15, 2023
2:20-4:00 PM
$5 | Tickets must be purchased by 12:15 PM on Friday, 12/15 in the main office.
Tickets can be purchased before school or during lunches.
Funds raised from school dances support ASB athletics and activities.
Concession prices range from $1-3 (pizza, soda, snacks, Italian sodas & more) & are cash only.
Dance Tips For Families
Students will be dismissed from the dance starting at 3:50 PM. It takes them a few minutes to get their stuff and head outside for pick-up. Plan ahead & consider carpooling. The parking lot is very busy during pickup.
All students must be picked up by 4:30 PM at the very latest. Please make sure your student has a ride in advance.
If your student is being picked up early:
You must come to the main office to pick-up your child. Students are not permitted to leave the dance early without guardian permission. Bring I.D.
Make sure your student knows what time to meet you at the main office to be checked-out. It is very difficult to find students during the dance.
HIV/AIDS Prevention Curriculum - Parent Review Night
Washington State law requires that every student receives HIV/AIDs prevention education in grades 5 through 12. Because this unit covers sensitive topics, Washington State law and SBLSD board policy require that parents are provided the opportunity to preview these lessons.
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District (SBLSD) is hosting a curriculum night for families to preview the HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum for students currently enrolled in 8th grade Skills for Life or 9th grade Health classes. Additionally, there will be another opportunity in the spring for families of 6th-12th graders who will study this Health-related content during 2nd semester.
Parent Review Night
December 14, 2023 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Sumner-Bonney Lake School District Administration Building, Board Room
Curriculum will be available for preview. This is an opportunity for parents and guardians to understand the health content for grades 8 and 9, preview teaching materials and ask questions about the resources used in the classroom.
Parents wishing to exclude their child from the HIV/AIDS curriculum required by our state must preview this curriculum and sign an exclusion form.
Parents of students in other grades will have the opportunity to preview curriculum in the Spring of 2024.
Girls Soccer & Boys Basketball Starting in January!
Practices will start the week of January 8th. Specific practice dates and times will be handed out during lunches at the athletic office window the last two weeks of December. Be sure to get signed up so your student is able to participate in the first practices.
LMS Athletic Clearance Instructions
- Complete Registration Paperwork using Final Forms (our new online registration platform for middle and high school). Click on the link to get started: https://sumner-wa.finalforms.com/
- Turn in a current sports physical from your doctor.
- Purchase an ASB card ($20).
- Pay the Athletic Participation Fee - $70 for each sport. (There is an extra $25 fee for tackle football to help with helmet reconditioning. If you play all 4 seasons, the 4th season is only $20).
- Be clear of all fines.
Once athletes are cleared, they will be added to the roster so they can begin practice. ATHLETES MUST BE CLEARED PRIOR TO PARTICIPATING IN PRACTICE. If you have any questions, please contact Tim Luhring: tim_luhring@sumnersd.org
Title III Services 2023-24
What is Title III?
The services provided under Title III aim to offer free, additional, and professional language and literacy support to assist Native students in achieving academic success, preparing them for future endeavors in higher education and employment. This program emphasizes honoring and acknowledging the indigenous culture of the students. It provides a platform where students can learn about their history, culture, and be part of shaping their future, while receiving research-based culturally integrated instruction. Additionally, it facilitates access to academic and non-academic resources and fosters connections with Native Educators who serve as role models.
Do you want your student to partipate in our district’s program for Native students?
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District has 200 students with Native American heritage who take part in the district’s Native American Education Program in their school, represented by more than 75 tribes. They meet monthly to learn about Native culture, meet other students who have Native heritage, go on field trips, and have family dinner.
The program is a partnership between SBLSD and the Puget Sound Educational Service District and works directly with Native students in all of our schools, supporting them with any cultural educational support they may need. If you have Native American heritage and would like to take part in the Native American Cultural program, contact your school about the SBLSD Native American Education Program. For more information, visit this link.
Do you want your student to be administered the literacy screener?
Any native student may participate in the Native American program. If you feel that your student struggles in language and literacy and would like your student to participate in a literacy and language screening assessment, please fill out this form no later than December 22nd, 2023. Students who sign up will be screened using the WIDA Screener, which is used to help teachers identify the necessary supports for students. These assessments can also serve as a guide for caregivers, highlighting skills that can be practiced at home to enhance a student's language and literacy abilities. While participation in the WIDA testing is valuable, it's important to note that regardless of scores on the assessment, any student can engage in the Native American program. The WIDA assessments are not used as graduation requirements, for grade-to-grade promotion decisions, or as the sole determinant for Special Education services.