The fourth quarter brings thoughts about plans for next school year, standardized testing, open houses, and end of year activities. Be sure to check out our special edition newsletter on Summer Activities also.

Our Student of the Month awards focus on three qualities - Academic Excellence, Outstanding Effort, and a Leadership focus in the area of our monthly PRIDE theme. Teachers and staff will be looking for students who portray excellence in one of these areas. Students of the Month will be recognised during PRIDE time. The 4th Quarter Leadership expectations are as follows:

April

Pride Expectation: Dependability

Dependability is defined as the quality of being able to be counted on or relied upon. For example, when you always do everything that you say you will and don't make promises you can't keep shows an example of dependability.

Theme: The focus this month is Being a Dependable Friend. Your challenge this month is to identify your dependable friends and the qualities that make you believe they are dependable and to improve your own friendship qualities to be a better dependable friend yourself.

May/June

Pride Expectation: Engaged

Engaged means to commit oneself to do something; to concentrate on a task and be actively involved with interest.

Theme: This month's focus is Engaged Until the End. Your challenge is this month is to take a moment to slow down and focus on each and every assignment you have and complete it with your best quality work. It is easy to get sloppy and put less effort into work at the end but be steadfast and show your perseverance through to the end.

What does it mean to be a dependable friend? Think about your group of friends and what character traits you like most about each. While doing so, ask yourself the following questions?

• Who is the first person you think of when you find yourself in some kind of trouble or in distress? What is it about this person that makes you think of them first?
• What friend(s) do you have that you can count on to be there for you always regardless of where they are? Can you think of a time s/he has been there for you?
• Do you have a friend you know you can call or text anytime of day or night and know that they will be there to just listen? Is this someone whose shoulder you know you can cry on?
• What friend(s) can you count on to follow through with a promise to do something for you when they said they would? Have they ever broken a promise without good cause?
• Do you have a friend who helps you solve problems without even asking? Do they do more than just help you but also help you find a solution?
• Do you have a friend who always says "Yes" whenever you are in need? Do you know they will never leave you stranded?
• Do you have a friend that will help you make the right decisions and stand up to you and tell you 'no' when 'no' is the right thing to do? Do they help keep you from doing the wrong thing?

You can be a dependable friend too!

We often receive communication from parents regarding the changing classroom and teaching practices occurring in their child's education. Kimball Learning has prepared an outstanding White Paper on the topic of Active and Engaged Learning that clearly describes the changes in today's education model for children in today's classrooms and why this evolving model works better. Students are challenged to Be Engaged Until the End for our May Theme. Kimball's White Paper describe what 'being engaged' means. Click on the title below to read Kimball's White Paper.

The article linked below in Edutopia discusses how engaged students can be identified in both Teacher Direct and Student Direct Learning activities. There is also an article about Student Engagement in math activities discussing how providing tough problems in math classes before teacher instructions helps promote rigorous thinking and provides teachers with an early formative assessment of their students understanding. Check out both articles linked below.

Mark your calendars for the following parent informational evening event sponsored by our Tesoro Family Schools Parent Teacher Student Associations. The final Parent Information Evening will be:

Tuesday, May 22nd – Parenting in a Digital Vaping World - Presented by Deputy Clay Cranford - 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Las Flores Middle School MPR

Vaping and Marijuana are BIG BUSINESS and our kids are the target. The drug culture is perpetuated by social media as well as EASY ONLINE ACCESS to vape devices, “vape juice”, and other liquified drugs. Where you are a parent, relative, or neighbor, we invite you to learn about this FAST GROWING trend and what you can do to help our children stay drug-free.

We hope you've enjoyed and learned from the multiple Parent Information Evenings offered this school year.

Guidance Webpage Information and/or links on the Academic Domain such as study skills, test taking, tutoring resources, and useful links for help with English writing and Math skills

Counselors Corner Resource Personal-Social Domain including stress management, conflict mediation, grief, and social skills

College and Career Guidance Information about high school graduation requirements, college admissions, and career choices.

Center for academic advisement and school counseling support.

Email: dejmiller@capousd.org
Website: https://lfms-capousd-ca.schoolloop.com/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1284817733035&group_id=1408775579324&no_controls=t
Phone: (949) 589-6543

MEd, PPS School Counseling

Email: dejmiller@capousd.org
Website: https://lfms-capousd-ca.schoolloop.com/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1389175754592&no_controls=t
Phone: 949-589-6543 138

Ms. Graffeo splits her responsibilities with Ladera Ranch MS. She will be available on site at Las Flores MS on Tuesdays and Fridays. You may also reach her via email.

Email: tmgraffeo@capousd.org
Phone: 949-589-6543 141

MS, PPS School Counseling

Email: aagoddard@capousd.org
Website: https://lfms-capousd-ca.schoolloop.com/counselorscorner
Phone: 949-589-6543 130

Ms. Pacini is a graduate counselling student at Chapman University and is completing her Internship hours with Las Flores Middle School. She is available Mondays and Wednesdays.

Phone: 949-589-6543

Email: ljdepass@capousd.org
Phone: 949-589-6543 133

Email: asdanna@capousd.org
Phone: (949) 589-6543

The Board of Trustees desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the district’s academic and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any District school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student based on the student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.