Legg Middle School
November 2024
Parent Communication and School Updates: A Message from LMS
Dear LMS Families,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback in our recent communication survey. We value your insights and are committed to making sure that LMS remains a safe, inclusive, and supportive community for all. Below, I’d like to share some key takeaways from the survey and updates on how we’re responding to your suggestions.
1. Improving Awareness of Communication Tools
Many of you shared that you weren’t aware of the new Coldwater Community Schools App but expressed interest in using it. We’re excited to highlight this resource as a one-stop shop for important updates, events, and announcements.
How to Get Started:
- Download the app from your device’s app store by searching for “Coldwater Community Schools.”
- Explore features like notifications for school events, school feeds, and communicating with staff.
For those who prefer other methods, text messages and emails remain the most popular and effective ways we’ll continue to communicate.
2. Strengthening Homework Communication
Some parents expressed a desire for more consistent communication about homework assignments. We’ve shared this feedback with our teachers and will encourage the use of tools like Remind to streamline updates and ensure families stay informed.
3. Celebrating Positive Changes
We’re thrilled to hear your appreciation for recent communication improvements, including the use of text messages, emails, and our Facebook page. It’s encouraging to know that these changes have made staying connected easier for many families.
4. Supporting Sports and Extracurricular Involvement
We know how important sports and extracurricular activities are for student growth and connection. To make it easier for families to stay informed, we’ll ensure that sports tryouts, deadlines, and sign-ups are clearly posted on multiple platforms, including the app and our website.
How You Can Help
We encourage all families to explore the resources available, including the app, text messaging, and email updates. If you have questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. We want to hear from you!
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in making LMS a wonderful place to learn and grow.
Behind the Scenes at LMS: A Principal’s Perspective
Dear LMS Families,
As the principal of LMS, I’m privileged to witness the dedication and care that fuel our school every day. Behind the scenes, we are continually working to create a safe, inclusive, and thriving learning environment for every student. I’d like to take this opportunity to share a few updates on initiatives we’re focusing on this year.
High Reliability Schools Framework
We’re proud to continue our work within the High Reliability Schools (HRS) framework, a model designed to ensure that schools operate at their highest level. This year, we’re focusing on Level 1: Safe and Collaborative Culture.
We’ve been gathering feedback from parents, students, and staff to measure our progress and identify areas for growth. Your input helps us refine our practices and ensure that LMS remains a welcoming community where everyone can thrive.
One recent highlight is our emphasis on fostering collaboration among teachers. By sharing best practices and reflecting together, our staff is constantly growing in their ability to support students academically and socially.
Supporting English Learners
With an increasing population of English learners at LMS, we are committed to ensuring that every student has the tools they need to succeed. This year, our teachers are working together to incorporate strategies that support language development while maintaining high expectations for all students.
Some of these strategies include using visuals and graphic organizers, providing sentence frames to help students participate in discussions, and focusing on building vocabulary across subjects. We’re also celebrating the diversity of languages and cultures represented in our school, which enriches the learning experience for all students.
Trauma-Informed Teaching
Our staff is embracing trauma-informed practices to better support students’ emotional well-being. Research shows that students learn best when they feel safe and supported, and this understanding drives our approach. This month, our teachers participated in a survey to assess their understanding of trauma-informed practices, which will guide targeted professional development in the future.
We’re also emphasizing strategies like fostering strong relationships, creating predictable routines, and helping students build self-regulation skills. These efforts align with our mission to make LMS a place where every student feels valued and respected.
A Message from Mrs. Fleming - The Importance of Attendance in Middle School
The Importance of Attendance in Middle School
Middle school is a pivotal time in a student’s academic and personal development. Regular attendance is not just about being physically present in school—it’s about building the habits and skills necessary for long-term success. Here’s why ensuring consistent attendance matters so much during these formative years:
1. Academic Achievement
When students miss school, they miss more than just lessons. They miss opportunities to ask questions, engage in group discussions, and practice new skills. Each day in middle school builds on the previous one, and frequent absences can create learning gaps that become harder to bridge as the curriculum grows more complex.
2. Social and Emotional Growth
Middle school is where students develop critical social skills, build friendships, and learn to work collaboratively. Regular attendance helps them feel connected to their peers and fosters a sense of belonging. When students are absent, they may struggle to keep up socially, which can impact their confidence and emotional well-being.
3. Preparing for Future Success
Habits formed in middle school set the foundation for high school and beyond. Consistent attendance teaches responsibility, time management, and commitment—essential skills for college, careers, and life. Research shows that students with good attendance in middle school are more likely to graduate from high school and succeed in their post-secondary pursuits.
4. Avoiding the "Snowball Effect"
Missing just one or two days might not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to a cycle of falling behind, frustration, and further absences. Consistent attendance prevents this “snowball effect” by keeping students on track with their studies and confident in their abilities.
5. State and District Policies
Attendance is also a key factor in determining a school’s funding and performance metrics. When students attend regularly, they contribute to the overall success of the school, ensuring it has the resources needed to provide a high-quality education for all.
How Can Parents and Guardians Help?
Communicate the Importance of Attendance: Let your child know that being in school every day matters for their learning and future success.
Set a Routine: Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines to ensure your child is ready for school.
Plan Around School Schedules: Schedule vacations, appointments, and activities outside of school hours whenever possible.
Stay Informed: Keep track of your child’s attendance and reach out to their teachers or school counselors if they’re struggling.
At LMS, we are committed to working with families to ensure every student feels supported, engaged, and ready to learn. Together, we can help our students develop the habits and skills they need to thrive now and in the future.
Let’s make every day count!
Gail Finn - Special Education Paraprofessional
Ms. Finn was nominated for a shout-out by Mr. Bean
Gail has done a great job supporting our students in our special education classrooms over the last few years. She really gets to know the kids and does her best to support them no matter what the need. This year she has taken on even more filling in as the teacher of the CI room while they find a permanent replacement.
Matt Harter - Eighth Grade Math Teacher
Mr. Harter was nominated for a shout-out by Ms. Crull.
Matt works so hard to make all students on all levels successful! He is flexible, works hard to pinpoint kiddos that are struggling, and adapts to what is needed in order for every student to have a great chance of success! Thank you for all your hard work! It is easy to see and very appreciated!
Anna Feller - Behavior Analyst
Anna was nominated for a staff shout-out by Mrs. Hagelgans
Anna did a FABULOUS job presenting at the county wide PD. She made the content relevant and engaging for teachers and support staff at all levels. I also appreciate her passion and enthusiasm for her work; it was very evident when she presented.
