Falcon Family Weekly Newsletter
October 6, 2024
Dear Lakelands Park Middle School Families:
This is a regular 5-day week.
- Monday, October 7th we will have a Mindful Monday lesson during Fly Time on supporting our students to be independent learners through the use of email, Synergy, and their agenda books.
- Tuesday, October 8th, please join us for our Club Fair & Engagement Expo from 6:30 to 8pm. Don't miss it! Check out the details below.
- Wednesday, October 9th is Walk or Roll to School Day. Our Boys & Girls Softball team and Cross Country team will compete against Baker Middle School.
- Thursday, October 10th is the first day of the Scholastic Book Fair. We are in need parent & caretaker volunteers every school day through October 17th.
- Friday, October 11th the Falcon Bucks Store will be open before school. We are in need of three (3) parent or caretaker volunteers.
Parents & Caretakers: Your involvement makes all the difference in creating a vibrant, supportive school community. We invite you to be part of this effort by volunteering at our upcoming events!
When you step up for just one shift, you’re not only helping our school run smoothly—you’re showing your child(ren) how much their education matters. Studies show that children thrive when their parents are involved, and your time is a direct investment in their success. Plus, it's a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families and make a meaningful impact.
Please scroll down to "Support our School" to sign up for this week's or future events. Even a small contribution of your time goes a long way, and we truly can’t do it without you!
Not sure if these volunteering opportunities are for you or want to learn more? Come to Tuesday's Club Fair & Engagement Expo to get your questions answered.
Thank you for being an essential part of our community.
Looking ahead to next week:
- Thursday, October 17th: Bingo Night, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
- Friday, October 18th: No school for a professional day.
Let's have a great week!
Sincerely,
Rose Alvarez
Principal
Para traducir este boletín, seleccione "español" en "Translate Newsletter" encima.
Club Fair & Engagement Expo, October 8th 6:30 - 8:00pm
Come out for a fun evening with your child(ren) and participate in the following...
Learn about ways to engage in our school including our extracurricular activities, programs, and upcoming events.
Meet our instructional leaders and ask questions about our academic program so that we can best collaborate to support your child(ren)'s education.
Learn about and be able to sign up for upcoming volunteer and field trip chaperone opportunities.
Students may earn 1.5 SSL hours for completing an activity about what they learned at the event. They must attend with a parent or adult caretaker.
Experience everything the media center has to offer and get to know other families in doing so.
Meet our PTSA officers and executive board!
This is a free-flowing event in which participants are invited to move from one station booth to another without a set schedule. So stop by anytime between 6:30 and 8:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you there.
Upcoming Events
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 this Thursday, October 10th
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 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_sharePTSA 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.
Support 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
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.
Our eSports Team starts 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
Board of Elections Seeking Students for Help at the Polls (SSL Opportunity)
The Montgomery County Board of Elections is looking for student election aides and ambassadors to help at the polls on election days. Students can be paid or earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours, depending on their age and the position.
For students aged 16 and older: These volunteers can receive a minimum of up to $250 or 25 SSL hours for each full day of service. To apply, visit this website and follow the directions under “New Applicants.”
High School Election Worker
Position Description and Stipend/SSL Information
For students 15 years old and younger: These students can be Future Vote Ambassadors, and can also earn SSL hours. Training is required for both students and their parents/guardians. Details and volunteer expectations are provided at the training.
Future Events
Thursday, October 17th: Boys Softball at King, Girls Softball at Neelsville, & Cross Country vs MLK at home.
Thursday, October 17th: Bingo Night, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Friday, October 18th: No School, Professional Day
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
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/