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Auer Time @ LPMS
November/ December 2023
One Purpose. Your Pathway. Our Promise.
As we express our gratitude we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them - JFK
Goal Area 1: Redefining Student Success
We will support each learner in defining success in their own way.
Report Cards
- The first marking period closed on November 9th. Report cards were posted on PowerSchool and not mailed unless specifically requested.
- If you need assistance in setting up PowerSchool or have questions regarding access, please contact the Guidance office at (716) 286-7208 or feel free to contact our guidance office by email at ekarp@lew-port.com.
- Parent Teacher Conference is on Friday, December 8th. Parents can submit a request via Google Forms (see link below). All conferences are virtual due to time constraints.
2023-2024 Marking Periods
Quarter 1 (10 Weeks): September 5th - November 9th
Quarter 2 (20 Weeks): November 13th - January 26th
Quarter 3 (30 Weeks): January 29th - March 22nd
Quarter 4 (40 Weeks): April 9th - June 26th
After School Assistance Program (ASAP)
The purpose of the program is to provide a structured time and location for students to get academic assistance in areas of need with classroom teachers. This time can be used for students to study, review the day’s lessons, work on homework, or receive additional instruction. Where does it take place? ASAP takes place after school from 2:40-3:40 pm, Monday through Thursday in the Middle School Cafeteria. Students can take the late bus home. Who is ASAP for? Any student is welcome to stay for ASAP but the primary focus is on students who are struggling or are failing one or more classes. If students are missing work or projects teachers may recommend students for ASAP as well.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Please click the grade level for your child in order to schedule a parent/teacher conference. All conferences will be held via Google Meet. If you would prefer to be called into the Google Meet via telephone, please check that option when completing the link below. Please note that if you choose the option of being called into the Google Meet, the phone number will appear from an outside area code.
If there are no more appointments available on the Google Form, please email your child's guidance counselor directly to schedule a meeting on another date:
Counselor for last names (A-L) - Mr. Brendan McDermott - bmcdermott@lew-port.com
Counselor for last names (M-Z) - Ms. Kate Stack - kstack@lew-port.com
Click on the grade level of your child below:
10-Week Assessments
- Our Core Teachers (Math, Science, ELA, and Social Studies), received training in eDoctrina, our new data analysis software that helps teachers focus their assessments on state standards.
- Teachers administered a 10-week Common Formative Assessment (CFA) during the first two weeks of November. Some teachers will include these scores in the first marking period. Others chose to include the scores in the second marking period.
- Teachers will analyze this data on our Data Analysis Day on Friday, December 1st, and prepare for Midterm examinations in January.
Some of the advantages of CFAs are:
- Team-developed common assessments are more efficient.
- Team-developed common assessments are more equitable.
- Team-developed common formative assessments are more effective in monitoring and improving student learning.
- Team-developed common formative assessments can inform and improve the practice of both individual teachers and teams of teachers.
Data Day: December 1st
Goal 2: Innovative Learning
We will design innovative learning environments that support learners in achieving their personalized goals.
Innovation Steamfest Field Trip: November 17th
Our Innovation Experience students recently attended a field trip to STEAMFest 2023 in Rochester, NY. The event was an extraordinary celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.), encompassing every facet of the Maker Movement. Our students delved into an array of hands-on activities, captivating demos, and a world of wonder and excitement. Here's a glimpse of the incredible stations they explored:
- 🤖 Robotics and Drones: Engaging with a spectrum of robotics platforms, from kit-assembled robots to ready-made coding-enabled robotics and drones, students immersed themselves in the dynamic world of automation.
- 🤔Think, Design, Create (Manufacturing and Engineering) In the manufacturing and engineering strand, students dived into activities involving 3D printing, laser cutting/engraving, CNC machines, CAD, blacksmithing, and even virtual welding through simulators, experiencing the technologies shaping our world.
- ♻️ Sustainability: Exploring topics and activities around sustainability, students were inspired to repurpose and recycle materials, ranging from cardboard and fabric to toys and technology, fostering an awareness of our responsibility for a greener environment.
- 🎨The Arts: The intersection of creative arts and technology came alive with performances, painting, interactive art, sewing, film making, photography, and more. Students discovered the boundless opportunities at the crossroads of artistic expression and technological innovation.
- 🔬Hands-on Science (Applied Sciences): In this strand, students delved into optics, circuits, astronomy, magnets, physics, aerodynamics, chemistry, and more, gaining hands-on experience in the marriage of science and technology.
- 🍳Culinary: Ever wondered how technology and culinary arts intertwine? The culinary strand explored the fascinating world of Culinary Science, uncovering the science behind the food we eat through demonstrations and interactive activities.
- 💻 Coding and Things that Go Beep (Microcontrollers, Mini Computers, and Coding): Students got hands-on experience with devices like Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and Microbit, alongside engaging with coding applications like Code.org, Makecode, and Scratch, unlocking the potential of educational technology.
- 👷 DIY (Jewelry, Home Repair/Construction, etc.): From crafting robots from scratch to making soap, exploring plumbing, basic home repair, and even contemplating entrepreneurial endeavors, students discovered how technology empowers them to create and build in the world around them.
Lew-Port Middle School Peace Poster Reception
For over three decades, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring a very special art contest in schools and youth groups. Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity. The theme this year was "Dare to Dream", which seeks to come to terms with today's changing world with dreams of peace and progress.
A reception and awards ceremony was held at the Level Gallery at Lewiston-Porter High School showcasing the creative talents of the students from the Middle School classes of Ms. Kelly Hayes Zimmerman as part of the Lions Clubs International annual Peace Poster Contest. The 1st place winning student was Mya Penale, whose work will now head to the next level in the competition. The other winners were Adrianne O'Shea (2nd place) and Sadie Cipollitti, (3rd place). Prizes of $30, $20 and $10 were portioned out along with the winnings, with two honorable mentions included.
Lion Justin J. M. Higner represented the Wheatfield, NY Lions Club as one of the regional artists and judges of the contest, while the club itself endorsed the contest and the prizes. "August Bartholdi, in the 1880s, was a dreamer", Lion Justin stated in part, "And he first built his idea of the Statue of Liberty in Paris first to make sure all of the copper pieces fit right before it went to the USA. Author Victor Hugo visited the site just before his death and looked at it for a long time. Then, he spoke, 'The idea is everything'. So keep dreaming!"
Thanks to all involved, which includes Brett Coppins, the curator of Level Gallery, the entire Fine Arts staff and participating students of Lewiston-Porter CSD and Wheatfield Lions Club President Lion Roberta O'Toole and the other endorsing officers.
Posters are on display from November 15- November 24 at the High School LEVEL Gallery.
Mya Penale, First Place
Adrianne O'Shea, Second Place
Sadie Cipollitti, Third Place
Winner and Honorable Mentions
Peace Poster Reception
Goal Area 3: Climate and Culture
We will build a culture and climate that supports the needs of all Lewiston-Porter community members.
Halloween at LPMS
Kimberly Alexander Carlo selected for Milken Family Educator Award
It is with immense pride and joy that we announce a significant achievement within our Lewiston-Porter school family. Kim Alexander Carlo, 7th grade Middle School Science teacher and a proud alumna of the LP Class of 2011, has been honored with the prestigious Milken Family Educator Award.
For those unfamiliar, the Milken Family Educator Award is an esteemed recognition within the education community, often referred to as the "Oscars of Teaching." It celebrates exceptional educators who have made significant contributions to the field of education. Kim's accomplishment is particularly notable as she is one of only three teachers from Western New York ever to receive this award.
This remarkable achievement was celebrated at a special assembly attended by the entire Middle School student body and staff. We were also honored to have members of our Board of Education and the NYSED Commissioner of Education, Dr. Betty Rosa, in attendance.
Kim was selected for this award not only because of her exceptional work as a 7th-grade science teacher but also for her dedication to social-emotional learning at the Middle School. Her involvement in the development of the CREW program stands as a testament to her commitment to our students' holistic growth.
Furthermore, Commissioner of Education Dr. Betty Rosa offered significant praise for the efforts being made across our campus, especially at the Middle School, in fostering student social-emotional development. This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our entire staff and community.
Let us take this moment to remind ourselves of the greatness within the Lewiston-Porter School District. This achievement underscores the quality of education and the supportive environment that we strive to provide for our students. We are thankful for your continued support of our school programs, which makes accolades like this possible.
Please join us in congratulating Kim Alexander Carlo on this extraordinary achievement and in celebrating the exceptional work being done by LP educators, staff and students every day.
School Related Personnel (SRP Day): November 21st
Crew Community Service Project: Operation Lunches of Love
On Tuesday, November 21st students made bagged lunches for those who are in need in our local community. In October, students raised money by designing amazing pumpkins then raffling them off to the highest bidder! With these funds, and generous donations from local vendors, our Crews worked together to provide a balanced meal to local non-profit organizations.
Students learned about food waste, food scarcity, and the roots of hunger locally and around the world. Crews decorated lunch bags, participated in an assembly line making sandwiches, then created over 500 bagged lunches and an additional 150 sandwiches, which were packed up and delivered to Heart, Love and Soul in Niagara Falls and St. Luke's Mission of Mercy in Buffalo, NY.
Sandwich Supplies
Sandwich Assembly Line
Claire Kowalyk & Trinity Weld
Lunch Bag Assembly
Theo Fanizzi
Club and Activities
Order your 2023-2024 LMPS Yearbook
Want to save money? Order your yearbook before February 1, 2024 and save $10 on your student's yearbook. After February 1st, the price of yearbooks are $50. The final deadline for yearbooks is Thursday, March 21st, 2024. To order your yearbook visit the link below and use code 82788Q.
Builders Club
District Food Drive (November 1-17)
LPMS students brought in food donations to help feed the hungry in Lewiston, Youngstown, Ransomville, and Sanborn. Food items were donated to Care-n-Share Food Pantry. The top three Crews who brought in the most donations: 1st Place Mr. Krawczyk's Crew, 2nd Place Mrs. Alexander Carlo's Crew, and 3rd Place Mrs. Oddy's Crew were awarded cider and donuts for their generosity.
Box of Caring (November 27 - December 7)
The holiday season is the perfect time to extend the great spirit of giving beyond our classrooms and give to others. There is no better way to impart altruism to our students than to donate and volunteer together. This can make a real difference in our community.
Each Crew will create a Box of Caring. Donations should fill the boxes with items that can be donated to children and their families to help brighten their holidays. Donations should be new, unwrapped items. Gifts can include hats, gloves, clothing, books, and toys. All items will be boxed and delivered to the Red Brick School in Youngstown for distribution to families in our community.
Grade 6 – (ages 4-6)
Grade 7 – (ages 7-10)
Grade 8 – (ages 11-14)
7th & 8th Grade Band, Orchestra, Chorus Concert
🎤🎻🎹🎼The 7th and 8th grade Orchestra, Choir, and Band will be presenting their first concert of the year with a mix of fun, exciting, and wintry repertoire. Concert begins at 7:00 in the High School Auditorium, hope to see you there!
Wednesday, Nov 29, 2023, 07:00 PM
Lewiston-Porter High School, Creek Rd, Youngstown, NY, USA
LMPS Fall Y'All Dance!
Who: MS students grades 6, 7, and 8
What: Fall themed dance, food and drinks for sale in Cafeteria (cash only), games in the Gym. Tickets sold in lunch periods starting November 27th. There will be NO tickets sold at the door. Parents must sign the Permission Slip to attend dances for the year.
Where: LPMS Cafeteria and Gym
When: Thursday, November 30th from 6-8 PM; please be prompt.
Join us for the LPMS Winter Carnival and Bazaar!
Who: Children under 11
What: Buy crafts from local vendors; bake sale, 50/50, basket raffle, Christmas Tree auction, carnival games for the kids led by WEB leaders.
Where: LPMS Cafeteria and Gym
When: Thursday, December 7th from 6 to 7:30 PM
Baking Club Fundraiser
The newly created baking club will be hosting a Christmas Tree Auction to raise money for supplies. Clubs, Activities, and Sports will decorate a themed Christmas Tree and then auction them off to the highest bidder at the upcoming WEB Carnival on December 7th. Parents from the PEC, IEC, and MS are welcome to bid on trees!
Get Involved!
Staff Spotlight
Mr. Thomas Penale, 7th & 8th Grade ELA Teacher
I'm Tom Penale, and I've been teaching English Language Arts (ELA) at our middle school since 2007. Over the years, I've had the pleasure of teaching all three grade levels, but currently, I'm working with 7th and 8th graders. Beyond the classroom, I've been actively involved in the school community through roles in the Yearbook and Newspaper clubs. I'm also a proud coach, having led teams in soccer, basketball, baseball, and most recently, volleyball.
My family, including my wife Molly and our kids Mya, Lou, and Nick, reside in Lewiston. My daughter Mya is currently an 8th grader here at the middle school, Lou is in 5th grade, and Nick attends the IEC as a 3rd grader. We also have a two year old black lab named Teddy. Outside of school, you can find me cheering for the Yankees and the Michigan football and basketball teams. I'm excited about podcasting and have plans to start my own podcast soon. Additionally, I have a dream of writing a comedic TV show centered around the school environment.
What I love most about our school is our collaborative spirit. As a team, we lead our students to succeed by working together and providing opportunities for them to showcase their talents. I'm grateful not only for the incredible educators and staff at the middle school but also for those at PEC and IEC. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our students.
Ms. Amy Golden, 6th Grade Math Teacher
Hello Everyone!
I’m Amy Golden and I have been teaching 6th grade math at LPMS since 2004. I grew up in Youngstown, NY and graduated from Lew-Port in 1998. In addition to teaching math, I am the MS Girls on the Run head coach, MS Math department peer coordinator, One District One Book advisor, and a new member of the MS Multi-Tiered System of Support team. I was also just recently accepted in January to the NYS Master Teacher Program. This 4-year fellowship program allows me to collaborate with other master teachers from around WNY and NYS and bring new ideas and opportunities back to LPMS.
My husband Jim and I have lived in Lewiston since we were married 21 years ago, and we have two wonderful children, Evan (grade 9) and Maya (grade 8). If I’m not in the classroom you might see me in the stands rooting on Maya at JV cross country meets or Evan at JV football games and wrestling matches, or around the neighborhood walking our two adorable rescue dogs, Milo (Shih Tzu) and Zoey (Japanese Chin). I love spending time running, biking, playing golf, gardening, and going on trips with my husband and kids. We just returned from Atlanta, GA, and also visited San Diego, CA, Pigeon Forge, TN, and went to Comic Con in Toronto this summer.
I’m a lifelong Lancer and love being able to see my children learn and grow in the same wonderful community that I enjoyed as a child. I am grateful to be able to be a part of this incredible district and carry on the legacy of the teachers who made Lew-Port what it is today. More importantly, I feel fortunate to be a part of our students’ lives, challenging them to aim higher, supporting them when they fall short, and helping them grow as students and people.
Mental Health Moment
Holiday Blues
Upcoming Dates/Events
November 22 - 24: Thanksgiving Break
November 29: 7 & 8th Grade Orchestra, Band, Chorus Concert, 7 PM, High School Aud.
November 30: Fall Y'all Dance, 6-8 PM
December 1: Data Day - No Students
December 7: Winter Carnival & Bazaar, 6-7:30
December 8: Parent Teacher Conference Day - No Students
December 15: 15 Week Marking Period
December 20: Crew Community Gathering
December 21-January 1: Winter Break - No School
Lewiston-Porter Middle School
Email: aauer@lew-port.com
Website: www.lew-port.com
Location: 4061 Creek Road, Youngstown, NY, USA
Phone: 716-286-7201
Twitter: @LewPortMS
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter! @LewPortMS and if you see something great with our students or staff, share it with us using #lewport!