Falcon Family Weekly Newsletter
May 5, 2024
Dear Lakelands Park Middle School Families:
This is a regular 5-day week. The week ahead...
- It's teacher and staff appreciation week! Thank you for considering a donation to the PTSA to support their efforts to provide a staff luncheon. Also, please encourage your child(ren) to write a note or make a card to thank a teacher or staff member who has made a difference to them this year.
- Unfortunately, we have had an increase in our students exhibiting disrespect and not following our staff members instructions, especially in the hallways. I will share my concerns and expectations, along with consequences with students in grade-level Town Halls on Monday and Tuesday. Our cell phone plan has significantly improved students' appropriate use (and non-use!) of phones, so we are hopeful that these Town Halls will do the same. As we begin, staff and teacher appreciation week, please share with your child(ren) that the number one way to share appreciation is to treat all of our staff members with respect and to follow their instructions at all times. We are most effective at supporting and teaching our students when we work together with their families and establish a meaningful home-school partnership, especially when challenges arise.
- Monday, May 6 and Tuesday, May 7: MCAP Social Studies testing of 8th graders and MAP testing for 6th and 7th Graders, plus Town Hall Meetings. Please review important information and schedule below.
- Tuesday, May 7th: Soccer Games versus Hallie Wells Middle, boys at home, girls away
- Wednesday-Friday, May 8th-10th: Hearing and Vision Screening for students in 8th grader or new to MCPS in PE and Health classes. See details below.
- Wednesday, May 8th: Walk, Bike & Roll to school day and Bike Parade. See details below.
- Thursday, May 9th: Last day of after-school activity busses
Upcoming School Events:
Tuesday, May 14th: No School, Primary Election Day
Wednesday, May 15th: Spring Orchestra & Jazz Concert
- Thursday, May 16th: Spring Band Concert
- Friday & Saturday, May 17th & 18th: Spring Musical: Into the Woods
Thursday & Friday, May 16th & 17th: Mathematics MCAP testing for all students
Tuesday, May 21th: Spring Choral Concert
Friday, May 24th: Bittner Day!
District Events and Resources in this Issue:
- Special Education Resource Fair on May 11
- Safety Day Event on May 11
- Free Out-of-School Time Coed Football Clinic on May 14
- Newcomers Resource Fair on May 18 (Primarily in Spanish)
- Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 18
- 2024 MCPS Graduation Schedule
- Parent Academy TO GO Spring Workshop Schedule
- Free Summer Coding Camp for Middle School Students
- Girls With Impact Teaching Leadership and Business Skills (14 & Up)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Take a look below at some of the ways our counseling department is promoting good mental health. And encourage your child to download the Stronger Student Mental Health & Wellness App.
Congratulations to our Cafeteria Manager, Andy Cheung, who was honored at the MCPS Annual Salute to Nutrition Employees Recognition Breakfast on Friday, May 3rd. See picture below. Mr. Cheung was recognized for building and sustaining a positive climate amongst his team at Lakelands and for always being willing to support other school cafeterias when called upon. Our school is so fortunate to have Mr. Cheung leading our cafeteria team. Thank you for all you do, Mr. Cheung.
Sincerely,
Rose Alvarez (she/her)
Principal
A note from the PTSA...
Teacher and Staff Appreciation week starts tomorrow, May 6th:
During this week we would encourage families to recognize their students' teachers, para-educators, and staff who have helped them this year- anything from a handwritten letter to a gift card would brighten their day. The LPMS PTSA is raising money to sponsor a staff lunch that will cost approximately $1,700. To help us appreciate the staff, please consider donating through our PTSA website by clicking the Staff Appreciation 2024 button. Thank you to everyone who donated $10 gift cards for our supporting services staff members on this sign-up genius. Please drop-off gift cards in the main office by this Monday, May 6th. Thank you for supporting all the staff at LPMS!
Para traducir este boletín, seleccione "español" en "Translate Newsletter" en el recuadro negro a su derecha o en su cellular encima.
LPMS Upcoming Events
MCAP Social Studies and MAP Testing
On Monday and Tuesday, May 6th and 7th:
- Our 8th-grade students will take the Social Studies MCAP from 8:15 AM - 11:18 AM on an adjusted schedule AND
- Our 6th and 7th graders will take MAP-M (May 6th) and MAP-R (May 7th) from 8:15 AM - 11:18 AM on an adjusted schedule.
Reminders:
- Students must bring a CHARGED Chromebook BOTH Monday and Tuesday, May 6th and 7th.
- Please remind your child(ren) to plug in their Chromebooks on over the weekend and on Monday before they go to bed so they will be ready to go.
- Students who do bring a CHARGED Chromebook will earn a blue ticket and entered in raffle to earn a prize.
- 8th grade students should look at the testing platform before Monday. Using the link below, you can complete practice MCAP exams and become familiar with the platform. https://support.mdassessments.com/practice-tests/socialstudies/
- Student testing locations are posted in the hallway and available on the Lakelands Park Middle School canvas page for students to view.
- Finally, students must not have cell phones, smart watches, AirPods, or any other personal electronic device during testing. Please have a conversation with your students to make sure they understand that all of these devices MUST be off and away during testing. Students who have electronic devices on during the exam could cause their test to be invalidated/voided. We want to make sure all students earn a test score.
Thank you! If you have any questions, please contact, Dr. Sofia Vega-Ormeno, testing coordinator, at sofia_m_vegaormeno@mcpsmd.org.
Wednesday, May 8: Walk & Bike to School Day and Bike Parade
All are welcome to participate in Walk, Bike, and Roll to school on Wednesday May 8th . Participate by: Biking, Walking, Scooting, Carpooling, or getting dropped off a couple of blocks away. Be part of the fun and cut down on greenhouse emissions.
Bike Parade, 7:45am
We hope that students and staff will bike to school together. The Bike Parade will leave at 7:45am from the parking lot near the Panera in the Kentlands. The route will go through the Kentlands and by the Lakelands pool before ending at school. Participants can join at the start or jump in as the parade rides by. We are waiting to hear back on whether Gaithersburg Police Department will be able to provide support and will send the route map when we hear back. Send any questions to Frank Fitzpatrick,
Hearing and Vision Screening, May 8-10 for Grade 8 and new to MCPS Students
In accordance with Maryland State Law students in Montgomery County Public Schools are screened for possible vision and hearing problems. Trained hearing and vision screeners will be screening students new to MCPS, students in Grade 8, and students referred by teachers because of possible signs of hearing or vision problems. The screeners will be at Lakelands Park Middle School on May 8th – 10th
Children who do not see clearly or are unable to hear what their teacher and classmates are saying have a harder time learning at school.
You will receive a referral form, via US mail, to take to your child’s doctor if your child fails the screening. If your child is already under care for a hearing or vision problem, or you do not wish your child to be screened at school because of conflicts with your religious beliefs, please notify the school nurse in writing.
If your child wears glasses or contacts, they should wear them every day and bring them to the screening.
School based vision screenings may not detect every vision problem. To learn more about possible vision problems and symptoms or health conditions that may require additional evaluation go to Montgomery County Government’s website at this link: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/PHS/SchoolHealth/HearingVision.html
Contact your our school nurse, Ms. Jocelyn Gomez at jocelyn_gomezlopez@mcpsmd.org if you have questions about your child’s screening.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
The LPMS counseling department recognizes that our mental health influences every part of our day - how we learn, how we interact with those around us, and how we move through our day. In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are promoting good mental health with:
A bulletin board calendar of Mental Health Tips in the main hallway
Mental health tips on the morning announcements
Posters promoting the MCPS Stronger Student Mental Health and Wellness App around the building
LPMS Resources & Initiatives
Leaving LPMS or MCPS Next Year?
If next year, your child(ren) will not be returning to LPMS for 7th or 8th grade or an MCPS high school for 9th grade, please contact our Registrar, Denise Perez, so that she can help ensure a smooth transition. Contact her at Denise_F_Perez@mcpsmd.org or call 240-740-6460.
IXL - Help Your Child Sharpen Their Math Skills
In an effort to help improve Math skills and help prepare students for the MAP-M test, MCPS has partnered with IXL to provide a platform for students to sharpen their math skills. IXL has skill plans that target Student's present MAP-M levels. They also offer practice problems and videos that align with our Illustrative Math curriculum. Students can access IXL through the Clever Portal under the MCPS Resources folder. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to our Math Content Specialist, Ms. Shaneé Satchell (shanee_d_satchell@mcpsmd.net).
School Cash Online
MCPS offers a School Cash Online payment system for parents and guardians to make payments for field trips, yearbooks, merchandise, and donations. If you have not registered and set up your account, we encourage you to do so today. Use this School Cash Online (SCO) link and follow the steps. Parent guides are linked below as well.
SCO Parent Guide (Español)
SCO - How to register
SCO-Auto Subscription Multi Guardian User Guide (English)
SCO-Auto Subscription Multi Guardian User Guide (Spanish)
District Initiatives & Messages
Student PSA on Bullying, Harassment and Hate-Bias
A group of MCPS students have come together to spread awareness about the impact of bullying, harassment and hate-bias. This student-led video campaign is part of the ongoing work to address and help educate their peers and the school community. Read more.
Parents & Guardians of Students Receiving Special Education Services: Make Your Voice Heard
Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services were mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 12, 2024. Click here to read FAQs. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage-paid envelope by May 24, 2024. The survey may also be completed online. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in our school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more and complete the survey, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com
Current Enrollments Open: PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, High School Summer School Registration
Kindergarten: Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2024 are eligible to register for kindergarten.
Read more.
Prekindergarten and Head Start: Children 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024 can register online or in person. Families must be income-eligible to apply. Read more.
High School Summer School: Regional Summer High School Programs will be offered in person at Montgomery Blair, Seneca Valley and Richard Montgomery high schools.
Read more.
District Upcoming Events
Special Education Resource Fair on May 11
Parents are invited to the Special Education Family Resource Fair on Saturday, May 11 at Montgomery Blair High School from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event will include a variety of community resources, vendors and fun children’s activities, including moon bounces, music, arts and crafts and balloon artists. More details.
Safety Day Event on May 11
The Montgomery Department of Transportation (MCDOT) in partnership with MCPS invites all families to Safety Day on Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Carver Educational Services Center (CESC) parking lot in Rockville. Families will learn about traffic safety in a fun and festive environment. There will be dozens of activities and community partners to visit with FREE giveaways and prizes.
There will be free shuttle buses (school buses) picking up attendees from the following high schools:
John F. Kennedy High School
Seneca Valley High School
Walter Johnson High School
Pick-ups will run 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 pm. The last drop-off is 1:30 pm. These buses will run approximately every 30 minutes during the event.
Free Out-of-School Time Coed Football Clinic on May 14
Students in grades 1-8 are invited to a free coed football clinic from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14 when they are off from school. The clinic will be hosted by the 480 Club, in partnership with the MCPS Out-of-School-Time program at Laytonia Turf Field in Gaithersburg. The event will also feature food trucks, a DJ, special guests, autograph sessions and a photo booth.
Sessions by grade level:
Grades 1-5: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Grades 6-8: 1:30- 3:30 p.m.
RSVP here for elementary school students.
RSVP here for middle school students.
Laytonia Turf Field is located at 7300 Airpark Road in Gaithersburg.
Newcomers Resource Fair on May 18
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 18 for the Newcomer Resources and Services Fair at Takoma Park Middle School from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. This free event will have immigration attorneys, resources, classes and more. Families must text "FAIR" to 240-447-1862 on WhatsApp to attend. This event is mostly in Spanish. See flyer below or click here for the English version.
Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 18
Families should mark their calendars for the Gaithersburg Book Festival, a free celebration of books, writers and literary excellence on Saturday, May 18, at Bohrer Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 100 authors and illustrators will appear, with activities for children of all ages. Learn more.
2024 Graduation Schedule
High school commencement ceremonies will be held between Wednesday, May 29, and Wednesday, June 12. Graduation ceremonies will take place on individual high school campuses, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., and on the campuses of Mount St. Mary’s University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Click here for graduation dates, locations and times for every high school.
District Opportunities & Resources
Parent Academy TO GO Spring Workshop Schedule
Families can stay engaged throughout the school year with Parent Academy TO GO, a series of virtual workshops with valuable resources supporting children's academic and emotional well-being. May and June webinars are on the Parent Academy website. Registration is available here.
Free Summer Coding Camp for Middle School Students
Montgomery Can Code's FREE, weeklong summer camp is open to rising sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students. Kids will learn how to code with a programming language that creates world-class apps! In-person camps start during the weeks of July 15–19 or July 22–26. A third week, available from July 29–Aug. 2, will be offered virtually. Registration information
Girls With Impact Teaching Leadership and Business Skills
Girls With Impact has partnered with MCPS and is offering its innovative entrepreneurship program to students. This program, designed specifically for young women ages 14-24, focuses on building critical business and leadership skills through a hands-on curriculum. Parents can learn more here.
FREE English Classes Available to MCPS Parents
The Class to Community (C2C) organization offers free English as a Second Language (ESL), GED and college prep, and digital literacy classes. Visit the C2C website for more information.
Other Resources and Events
George B. Thomas Saturday School
MCPS Parent Academy
Gaithersburg Youth Club
LPMS Digital Handbook & Future Events
Future Events
Tuesday, May 14th: No School, Primary Election Day
Wednesday, May 15th: Spring Orchestra & Jazz Concert
Thursday, May 16th: Spring Band Concert
Thursday & Friday, May 16th & 17th: Mathematics MCAP testing for all students
Friday & Saturday, May 17th & 18th: Spring Musical: Into the Woods
Tuesday, May 21th: Spring Choral Concert
Wednesday, May 22th: 4th Marking Period Interim Reports Available on Synergy
Monday, May 27th: No School, Holiday
Friday, May 31st: Music Department Trip to Hershey Park
Tuesday, June 11th: 8th Grade Cruise & Evening Celebration
Thursday, June 13th: Last day of school, early release day
Monday, June 24th: Report cards mailed home
Planning ahead?
Click here to see the 2024-2025 MCPS Calendar for next school year.
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/