The Mustang Memo

We are so proud of our 300 Mustangs that either reached their MAP goal in Math or ELA OR scored in the Meet or Exceeds range of MAP that students took in early January! This is a huge accomplishment and we are excited to celebrate with your student on Friday, February 7.

Did you know that your student should be reading 20-30 minutes a day at home to help become a more proficient reader? Research suggests that reading and/or being read to exposes them to new words and ideas. Reading can be an adventure for children and adolescents, providing them opportunities to learn about people and culture that they are not exposed to in everyday life.

When students miss school, they miss out on essential learning. It's very important that students are in school everyday, when able. We understand there have been some sickness going around, here's our latest daily attendance averages by grade.

• 6th: 91.10%
• 7th: 91.59%
• 8th: 91.79%

Great job, 8th grade! Parents, thank you for all that you do to get your students to school, on time, each day!

• Make school attendance a priority
• Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day.
• Help your children maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
• Try not to schedule dental and non-urgent related medical appointments during the school day.
• Keep your student healthy. If you are concerned about about a contagious illness, call your school or health care provider.
• If your children must stay home because they are sick, make sure they have asked teachers for resources and materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom. Help your teen stay engaged
• Find out if your children feel engaged by their classes, and feel safe from bullies and other threats.
• Make sure your teens are not missing class because of challenges with behavioral issues or school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, contact the school and work with them to find a solution.
• Monitor you teen’s academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors when necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
• Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
• Encourage your child to join meaningful after-school activities, including sports and clubs. • Support your students if you notice signs of anxiety, and if needed, seek advice from your school or health provider Communicate with the school
• Know the school’s attendance policy – incentives and penalties.
• Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not adding up.
• Seek help from school staff, other parents, or community agencies if you need support.

1. IXL is a supplement and support for the ELA and mathematics classroom for grades 6-12 and the science classroom for grade 6.
   
   

2. IXL is available to all secondary ( grade 6-12) students within the Lancaster County School District and usage is encouraged, although not required.

1. It is required that all students using IXL be required to complete the Diagnostic Test prior to skill plans being pinned. The diagnostic data is needed as a baseline for each student to show and to work on growth for individual plans to be built according to student need. Additionally, this data will be collected by the Department of Secondary Education to assist in evaluating student growth and should be completed by the last school day of September for fall courses and the last school day of January for spring courses.

1. Teachers should pin the SC standards, (and when applicable) the SC Ready Test Prep Skill Plan as well as NWEA MAP Growth Plan.

1. Teachers should monitor student data on their dashboard weekly and use it to discuss student progress in PLC meetings as necessary.

1. IXL practice is individualized to meet students where they are, therefore, teachers may only record grades from IXL when assessments have been generated using the Quiz feature.
   
   

2. Students should work to reach the proficiency level for no more than two skills each week (one per content area).
   
   

3. The goal is always 80 as the Smartscore. As soon as a student reaches an 80 Smartscore, the student’s data registers as proficient. Students should not be required to work to achieve a 90 or 100. The Smartscore is never to be used as a numeric grade.
   
   

4. On average, it takes approximately 20 minutes of focused time for a learner to reach proficiency as a middle or high school student. If a student has been working for 30 minutes and still has not reached proficiency, students should take a pause and seek additional support for that particular skill.
   
   

5. Smartscores:
   100= Mastery
   90= Excellence
   80=Proficiency

1. In order to provide expanded opportunities in the learning platform, students can also access IXL practice at home using a variety of devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop computers. Students should NOT, however, be required to use IXL at home.

Each week, students are encouraged to select their two lowest skills from their individualized skill plan from which to work to achieve proficiency. Teachers should, however, use their professional judgment and additional classroom data in helping to determine which skills need specific instruction, practice and refinement for their students.

Monday, February 3 - A Day, SMS Basketball @ York Prep 5:30

Tuesday, February 4 - B Day, 7th Grade field trip to LHS MPB

Wednesday, February 5 - A Day, Academic Challenge @ AR Rucker

Thursday, February 6 - B Day

Friday, February 7 - A Day, MAP Incentive Party

Monday, February 10 - B Day, Pep Rally, Basketball vs AR Rucker 5:30 @ LHS

Tuesday, February 11 - A Day, Basketball @ AJMS 5:30

Wednesday, February 12 - B Day, Progress Reports Issued, Academic Challenge vs AJMS/Buford @ AJMS

Thursday, February 13 - A Day, Sweetheart Dance 3:50-5:50

Friday, February 14 - No School for Students or Staff

Monday, February 17 - Professional Development Day, NO Students

Tuesday, February 18 - B Day, LCSD Board Meeting

Wednesday, February 19 - A Day, Academic Challenge vs. Sullivan Middle @ Sullivan,

Thursday, February 20 - B Day

Friday, February 21 - A Day, Middle School Read-in

Monday, February 24 - B Day, SIC/PTO @ 5:30

Tuesday, February 25 - A Day, Title I Bingo Night 5:30-6:45

Wednesday, February 26 - B Day

Thursday, February 27 - A Day, Student and Staff Perfect Attendance Celebration

Friday, February 28 - B Day, Black History Month Program 10:00 am

Check out these Family Friendly Standards for each grade level!

6th Grade:

1. Otoniel Valdivia Argueta

7th Grade:

1. Aniya Tidwell

2. Kianna Thompson

8th Grade:

1. Karlei Starkey

2. Alexya Donnelly

6th Grade:

1. Gabrielle Watts

2. Messiah Strain

7th Grade:

1. Kaylan Stover

2. Cheyenne Broughton

8th Grade:

1. Tayziya Wright

6th Grade:

1. Catherine Campos-Perez

2. Rasean Wilson

7th Grade:

1. Emmaly Clark

8th Grade:

1. Alexi McCorkle

6th Grade:

1. London Benson

2. Alexis Medina

3. Jacob Waller

7th Grade:

1. Ariana Murcia Rodriguez

8th Grade:

1. Makenzie Blackmon

The cost for admission to all LCSD Middle School events is $5.00. As a reminder, the clear bag policy as well as metal detectors will be enforced at all LCSD events.

Cold & Flu season has arrived with a vengeance. Please use cough etiquette. Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue or cough into the bend of your arm.

These viruses are transmitted primarily through droplets in the air. Droplets are produced when someone sneezes, coughs, or even talks. These droplets "float" in the air and are picked up by someone walking by. Droplets can also land on surfaces and transmit the viruses in them. Viruses can live on solid, soft, or porous surfaces. Therefore, cold, flu, & covid viruses can be transmitted on clothing, counters, and anything we touch.

This scenario shows why frequent handwashing and surface disinfecting can decrease virus transmission.

Example- Suzy has a cold. She coughs (uncovered) out in class, swipes at her nose/mouth with her bare hand. Does not sanitize or wash them. At least 4-6 students sitting around her have been exposed to her infected droplets. With her contaminated hand she touches desks, door knobs, counters, and other students. Everyone touching surfaces after Suzy has now been exposed. The viruses are then transmitted onto to multiple surfaces & people and carried throughout the building...

REMEMBER:

Frequent hand washing/sanitizing

Cover cough sneeze

Cough into sleeve, or a tissue

If sick, stay home

If you have a fever (100.0 or higher)...Stay home.

Keep hands away from face, mouth.

Sanitize surfaces frequently with disinfectant

Again, wash hands, wash hands, wash hands!!!

Email Rosa.Hudson@lcsd.k12.sc.us for information on how to join our PTO/SIC. Get involved at SMS today!