Le Mars Community School District

December 13, 2023

January 10, 2024

January 24, 2024

December 21 - January 2

For the foreseeable future Le Mars Community Activities will be utilizing GoBound ( https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/lemars) for all activities scheduling. In the past, we have used Rschool and that is where you found the schedules for activities, early outs, etc. We have seen many of the surrounding schools make a similar transition from Rschool to GoBound in recent months.

In August, the Missouri River Conference chose to go through GoBound for tickets to all events (LCHS allows both cash and GoBound tickets). When that decision was made, we began to utilize GoBound's various features and felt it was the best option for our coaches, athletes, and supporters moving forward. For many, this change is something that is not new, we have been utilizing rosters and stats for a number of years already, as required by the IHSAA and IGHSAU. For those that are not familiar, we feel you will appreciate the ease in which you will be able to navigate this website or app. Please note, for events taking place at Le Mars Community Schools, cash will also be accepted at the entrance of each event. However, we encourage you to utilize the GoBound resource.

In closing, at the completion of our fall activities, we will no longer update or utilize the Rschool website. We encourage you to download the GoBound app to your devices and add the schedules of your choice to your own calendars, just as many of you have been doing via Rschool. We look forward to continued success at Le Mars Community and feel this is just another step in this process.

Regards,

Dave Irwin & Troy Caswell

Head Activities Director & Assistant Activities Director

March 11 and 12, 2024

7th graders need Tdap & meningococcal vaccinations and seniors need second meningococcal vaccination by the start of the school year. If this hasn't been done already or an exception form completed, please do so ASAP.

Happy December! This always seems like a quick month. We will be ending the semester on December 20. Semester tests will be on December 18 and 19. December 20 will be a make-up day. If your student has all of his/her tests taken prior to the 20th, he/she will not have to be at school that day. All students will have an open campus for lunch; students also do not need to report to their study hall. Any student in the building, who is not testing, will report to the commons so he/she is not walking around the building. On December 18, we will take periods 1, 3, 5, and 7. On December 19, we will take periods 2, 4, 6, and 8. After winter break, classes will resume on January 3. This also will mark the beginning of the second semester.

We will start the process of registering students for classes for the 2024-2025 school year in January. The 8th grade CTE day will be on January 17 during the day. During the CTE day, students will tour the different Career Technical Education departments to see courses and careers. Students will hear from the teacher and current students about courses. CTE areas are Agriculture, Automotive, Business, Computer Science, Construction/Engineering, Family Consumer Sciences, and Manufacturing/Welding. You can check out the district’s website for last year’s course description book.

Part of the registration process involves students creating a 4 year plan or updating their 4 year plan. This allows the school to forecast what classes may be needed in the future or if there are career areas where we don’t offer classes where there is a high demand. On the 4 year plan, the students will identify what career he/she is interested in and then put down the courses he/she wants to take.

In the upcoming months, the guidance counselors will be scheduling sophomore parent meetings. These meetings are important because they give us a chance to go over students’ credits, career plans, and steps needed to prepare for post-secondary school. Please keep your eyes open for a letter from the counselors. An appointment date and time will be sent to you, but if that time does not work, please call the guidance office to reschedule.

Again, I encourage you to stay in touch with your child’s teachers. Good, open communication between the school and the family is important for the success of your child. If you need to meet with teachers, please email them or call the high school office to set up an appointment.

Email: melissa.hill@lemarscsd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/lemarscsd.org/lchs-counseling/home
Twitter: @lemarsguidance

Email: judd.kopperud@lemarscsd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/lemarscsd.org/lchs-counseling/home
Twitter: @lemarsguidance

Saturday, February 24, 2024 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Saturday, April 20, 2024 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

All meetings we will be in Room 101- Mr. Bahr at the high school.

Link to sign up - https://bit.ly/LCHSACTPREP

Monday, December 18th - Periods 1, 3, 5, & 7

Tuesday, December 19th - Periods 2, 4, 6, & 8

Wednesday, December 20th will be the make-up date

January 3, 2024 – 2nd Semester Starts (High School Only)

Email: jason.martin@lemarscsd.org

Email: abby.johnson@lemarscsd.org

Embarking on the Middle School Journey: Tips for Navigating Challenges

Entering middle school is a significant milestone for students and their parents, marked by a transition that comes with its unique set of challenges. As a middle school counselor, I often witness the excitement and nervousness that accompanies this period of change. To guide both students and parents through the challenges of middle school, it's essential to have open communication with your student. Encouraging students to express their concerns and fears allows parents to offer support tailored to their child's specific needs, creating a foundation for a positive and resilient middle school experience.

One of the primary challenges in middle school is the social landscape. Students are navigating new friendships, peer dynamics, and a heightened sense of self-awareness. For parents, staying involved in their child's social life—whether through open discussions or involvement in school events—provides insight into potential challenges and opportunities for guidance. If you face challenges with your student, please reach out to a counselor at the middle school to discuss how to provide support.

Academically, middle school introduces increased responsibilities and more challenging classes. Middle school students and parents need to work together to establish effective study habits, time management strategies, and a productive approach to challenges. One thing parents can do is encourage a growth mindset, where students view challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement, which helps them navigate middle school. By working towards a collaborative partnership between students, parents, and educators, we create a supportive environment that empowers students to overcome challenges and have a successful middle school experience.

The 56th Annual Northwest Iowa Middle School Honor Band Festival took place on Saturday, November 4, at Dordt University in the BJ Haan Auditorium. Approximately 340 seventh and eighth grade musicians from 35 Northwest Iowa schools auditioned on October 14th for places in one of two equal bands. 150 students were selected. The students had to memorize scales and prepare two selected etudes for a judge. These two honor bands rehearsed the day of November 4th and presented a concert that afternoon at 4:30 pm in the BJ Haan Auditorium in Sioux Center.

Guest conductors for the honor band festival were Nathan Sletten and Dorothy Jacobi. Students from the Le Mars Community Middle School that participated in the festival were: Lizzy Breuer-tuba, Ryan Hanisch – French Horn, Heather Von Hagel and Braxton Bergendahl – percussion, Macy Moss and Greer Hamerlinck – trombone, and Olivia Rosener - trumpet.

Ryan Hanisch was selected as alternate for the All-Iowa 8th Grade Honor Band that will be held in Des Moines on May 9th.

A BIG THANK YOU to all who supported the middle school book fair 2023! Our sales allowed us to buy over 100 new books for the library and with the money raised from our fundraiser, we were able to give $130 to the local food pantry. The many generous donations from over 60 of our local businesses allowed us to purchase over 200 books to give to our middle school students to keep as their own and promote reading! We are always truly grateful for the amazing generosity we receive to support this event.

Clark and Franklin Elementary School Guidance Counselor

kari.kopperud@lemarscsd.org

Kluckhohn Elementary School Guidance Counselor

abby.simington@lemarscsd.org

We are looking forward to focusing on Gratitude this month! One way to think about Gratitude is “choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives.” Practicing Gratitude can increase our well-being and even our happiness!

Gratitude is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Well. Across grade levels, students will be developing skills like emotion regulation, positive self-talk, and stress-management. Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Gratitude.

Here are 2 “PurposeFull Pursuits” you can complete together!

What are some small, specific things that you are Grateful for? Maybe it is your favorite water cup, the way the cat sleeps on the chair, or when your grandma bakes banana bread. Spend some time as a family trying to think of at least 10 small things that you have Gratitude for and then choose to notice them this week with a smile.

Review Gratitude as a family! Remember that Gratitude is choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives. Find a place in your home to display a glass jar. Cut up small slips of paper and place them next to the jar. Use the jar to collect special people, places, events, and memories that your family is thankful for. Find a time each week to add slips of Gratitude to the jar and assist students in writing or drawing gratitude as needed. Having a gloomy day or a challenging time as a family? Pull out the slips of Gratitude and read them aloud together as a reminder of your Grateful moments.

Conversation Starters:

Can you share or show what it means to practice Gratitude?

What is something you are Grateful for every day?

Kind Regards,

Mrs. Kari Kopperud (Clark & Franklin School Counselor)

Mrs. Abby Simington (Kluckhohn School Counselor)

Le Mars PTO Mission Statement -- Encourage our children's education and support teachers by building relationships with students and parents in our community.

Thank you to all the people that helped with teacher meals during conferences. We really appreciate your support and help. The teachers and staff really enjoyed the meals; it helps them so much.

Birthday breakfast this quarter will be served by American Bank. We're grateful for their support. We will be celebrating November, December, and January birthdays.

Kluckhohn- December 8th

Franklin- December 14th

Clark- December 15th

Happy Holidays from LEEP! With 2023 wrapping up the LEEP organization is recruiting new members. Please consider volunteering your time once a month, August through May. LEEP was first organized in 2009 and strives to enhance the value and meaning of education by fundraising and promoting academics. Funds are used for programs, supplies, and curriculum above and beyond those provided for by the existing budget. Since 2009, LEEP has raised funds through “Taverns for Textbooks”, middle school dances, capital campaigns and MENuMASTERS - LEEP’s biggest fundraiser. The monthly meetings are held the first Monday of the month. The next meeting is December 4, at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are held in the middle school library, enter through door “C” off Callahan Drive.

The 2024 MENuMASTERS Event has been scheduled. Mark those calendars, gather your team

chefs, and be ready to participate in MENuMASTERS 10! New competitions are being

planned. More information is to come in the following months.

Save the date, Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Teacher Requests honored in November:

Alison Ruba, HS English: approved $458.00, to purchase 30 copies of the novel The Great Gatsby to be used in Junior English.

Mikayla Westhoff, Kluckhohn 5th grade: approved $158.08 to purchase supplies for students such as headphones, zipper pouches, dry erasers, etc.

Kasie Schindel, HS Special Education: approved $339.75 to purchase 12 copies of the novel Prisoner B-3087 and 12 copies of Trash. Novels will be used in Basic HS English.

Jess Wolles, 7th grade Science: approved $448.15 to purchase supplies to create catapults, circuits, and to explore magnetism. This will promote hands-on learning and team building.

A total of $1,403.98 in requests were honored.

Quote for December: “Education is the best gift you can receive, because once you have it, no one can ever take it from you” Unknown

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Students, parents, patrons and staff of the LeMars Community School District are

hereby notified that the Board of Education has adopted student responsibility and discipline policies to include those pertaining to attendance, use/possession of tobacco or nicotine products, use/possession of alcoholic beverages or any other controlled substance, disruptive behavior, suspension/expulsion, corporal punishment, participation in extracurricular activities, academic progress and citizenship. In accordance with the School Rules of Iowa, by this notice the Board publicizes its support of these policies, and its support of the staff in enforcing them.

Le Mars Community School District students, parents, patrons, staff and outside service workers/contractors are hereby notified about the presence of asbestos containing building materials in the district’s buildings. This material is managed in complete compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Asbestos-Containing Material in Schools final rule 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E of October 30, 1987, and in compliance with Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 82— School Facilities; Asbestos-Containing Materials in School Buildings, December 12, 1987. A management plan has been

prepared for each building and is on file for public inspection at each administrative office. Questions about the district’s Asbestos Management Plan should be directed to Mr. Jayden Wurth, 940 Lincoln

St SW, Le Mars, phone 546-6035 or 546-4155.

The Transportation Department is again, this year, offering in-town busing for our students. Students must have a bus pass from their school to ride the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege. This privilege can be lost if the student does not have a pass, or if the rider does not follow the rules. It is important that each student have a pass. These passes must be carried with them at all times and should be shown to the driver whenever asked.

The bus rules are posted in each bus. Please let your student know how important it is to follow these rules. Distracting the driver can be very serious. If the driver needs to watch the students, he/she is not watching the road. Some of these rules to follow are:

• Remain seated while bus is in motion.
• No loud talking or profanity.
• No fighting or pushing. Always keep your hands to yourself.
• No throwing objects in or out of the bus.
• There are other rules also and we would hope that the students know what they are.

Let’s all do the best we can to provide the students a safe ride to and from school this year.

Iowa law defines a “homeless child or youth of school age” as a child or youth between the ages of 5 and 21 who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes a child or youth who is living on the street, in a car, tent, or abandoned building or some other form of shelter not designed as a permanent home; who is living in a community shelter facility; or who is living with non-nuclear family members or with friends.

Anyone who has knowledge of any such child or youth should contact Mrs. Rachel Leavitt, Curriculum Director at 546-4155. The Le Mars Community School District is obligated to identify these children or youth and to strive to get them enrolled in school when appropriate. The Le Mars CSD has examined its policies and rules to assure that there are no barriers to the enrollment of homeless children or youth.

The Le Mars Community School District’s local wellness policy entails goals that were approved by the Board of Education. The district is required to make potential stakeholders aware of these goals, as well as provide opportunity to aid in the development, review, update, and implementation of these goals and policy. Below, you will find these policies and goals, and we invite you to provide suggestions or comments concerning their betterment. As such, please contact Dr. Steve Webner, Superintendent, at steve.webner@lemarscsd.org with suggestions or comments.

STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS

The Le Mars Board of Education promotes healthy students by supporting wellness, good nutrition and regular physical activity as part of the total learning environment. The school district supports a healthy environment where students learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, the school district contributes to the health status of students. Improving health optimizes performance potential.

The school district provides a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors. The entire school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned with healthy school district goals to positively influence a student’s understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity. The school district is in compliance with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

The school district supports and promotes proper dietary habits contributing to students’ health status and academic performance. All foods available on school grounds and at school-sponsored activities during the instructional day should meet or exceed the school district, state and federal nutritional standards. Foods will be served with consideration towards nutritional integrity, variety, appeal, taste, safety, and packaging to ensure high-quality meals.

The school district will make every effort to eliminate the stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced priced meals. The school district will comply with all regulations and guidelines issued by the Secretary of Agriculture for reimbursable school meals.

The school district will provide nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that encourages healthy choices during school breakfast, school lunch, and in school vending machines.

The school district will provide health education and engage in promoting healthy lifestyle choices and behaviors.

The school district will provide physical education opportunities and promote self-management skills to maintain a physically active lifestyle.

Building principals will monitor the effectiveness of the policy. Building principals will report to the superintendent or designee annually regarding established health, nutrition, and physical education wellness policy guidelines.

WELLNESS REGULATION

To implement the Wellness Policy, the following district specific goals have been established:

Goal Area 1 -- Nutrition Education and Promotion: Schools will provide nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that help students develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors. The goal(s) for addressing nutrition education and nutrition promotion include the following:

• Provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health;
• Promote fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, and healthy foods.

Goal Area 2 -- Physical Activity: Schools will provide students and staff with age and grade appropriate opportunities to engage in physical activity that meet federal and state guidelines, including the Iowa Healthy Kids Act. The goal(s) for addressing physical activity include the following:

• Promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and help students develop skills to engage in lifelong healthy habits;
• Engage students in moderate to vigorous activity during at least 50 percent of physical education class time;
• Scheduled to avoid extended periods of inactivity (i.e. periods of two or more hours).

Goal Area 3 -- Other School-Based Activities that Promote Student Wellness: Schools will support student, staff, and parents’ efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as appropriate. The goal(s) for addressing other school-based activities that promote student wellness include the following:

• Share information about the nutritional content of meals with parents and students;
• Permit students to bring and carry water bottles filled with water throughout the day;
• Make drinking water available where school meals are served during mealtimes.

Public Involvement: There is a process for permitting parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, administrators and the public to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the policy. The superintendent invites suggestions or comments concerning the development, implementation, and improvement of the school wellness policy. As such, interested persons are encouraged to contact the superintendent.