Lansing Intermediate Roar

We are into the holiday season and cooler football weather is upon us. Both grade levels are doing some great writing that really showcases the increased writing skills our students have attained since Lansing reinvented our writing curriculum last year. Classes went on field trips to the capitol building in Topeka and learned about the history of our state, how we are represented in the state legislature, and the responsibilities of the governor. In addition, the bravest of them went all the way to the top of the capitol dome!

Our fourth grade classes are learning about the westward expansion and the role the Oregon Trail had in settling the West. Fifth grade has started adding and subtracting numbers with decimals and will soon begin multiplying and dividing. Both grade levels will attend symphonies at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts this school year. Fifth grade went in early November to see the Children’s Concert. It was a great opportunity for our students to experience a highlight of Kansas City’s cultural arts.

Students and staff demonstrating respect were honored at our October PRIDE assembly. Respect is a value that we put high importance on at LIS as a lifelong skill that will contribute to the success of our students.

Halloween parties were a big hit and students were able to have fun with their classmates and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of treats. It was a bonus that it was a great night to go home and trick or treat, too!

Our Lion Pride Pickup Patrol continues to keep the school grounds clean and we look forward to the spring when our students will grow plants and transfer them into our outdoor flower beds in the spring.

A heartfelt thank you to our nation’s veterans for their past and continued service to our great country. Our country is indebted to the brave men and women who have answered the call to serve.

11/5 - Picture Retakes

11/7 - Veteran's Day Celebration, 5pm @LES

11/8 - Fourth Grade Field Trip to Topeka (Holden, Eaton, Black, Wynn)

11/15 - Fourth Grade Field Trip to Topeka (Bosley, Nowak, Wickingson, Hanson)

11/20 - Fifth Grade Music Program

11/25-29 - No School - Thanksgiving Break

Any absence that is not related to illness and will last more than 3 days will need to be approved by the school principal. Parents/Guardians will need to contact the school at least one week prior to the absence. Please reach out to Mr. Altieri at martin.altieri@usd469.net if you know of an upcoming absence for your child. Not getting approval may result in your child's absences being unexcused.

Fees: Please check your Skyward account and pay fees that are due. If you feel you may qualify for free/reduced and have not already applied, please do that. You can find the application on our website:

https://usd469.socs.net/vnews/display.v/SEC/FAMILY%20%26%20STUDENTS%7CNutrition%20Services%3E%3EFree%20%26%20Reduced%20Lunch%20Application

You can also come into our office and fill one out in person. If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Grant, bookkeeper at 913-297-0990, option 3.

We are in need of a sponsor for Junior Guard. The Junior Guard program is run by JROTC students and a sponsor is necessary for adult supervision. You will need to attend practices on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. beginning September 12, 2024. Please reach out to Mr. Altieri if you are interested. Martin.altieri@usd469.net or 913-297-0990

November is here which means Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

KIDS Kitchen Safety if you're helping your family cook Thanksgiving dinner:

Always ask for an adult's permission before cooking in the kitchen.

Wash your hands.

Clean as you go.

Use an oven mitt/potholder or towel to carry and hold hot items.

Practice good knife safety.

Be aware of hot surfaces.

Turn appliances off after use.

No licking mixing spoons or fingers.

Get Moving after Thanksgiving dinner:

Walking is one of the easiest ways to exercise.

Family game of flag football.

Nature scavenger hunt.

Give Thanks at Thanksgiving:

People who practice being thankful are healthier, happier and more optimistic.

Being grateful is a choice we make. There is always something to be thankful for.

One way to practice an attitude of gratitude is to write down 3 things you're thankful for every day.

Thank you for intrusting me with the care of your children at LIS.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Nurse Chris

Hello LIS Families,

Mrs. Farrar and Ms. Keith have been hard at work so far this year! Together, we have hosted 6 Kindness Club meetings, 7 New Student Groups, 15 Social Skills Groups, 3 whole grade level classroom lessons, and, 96 requests to see the counselors and among other items. We love it! For our newsletters going on, we plan to also focus on an item that we would like to share with families that holds a place dear to our hearts. This month is attendance.

Did you know that the easiest way to have students build socially and academically is making a habit to attend school? This is especially important as younger grade levels. Not only does this build a habit to come and learn, but also sets students up into learning ways to do challenging things even when it can be hard. We appreciate your efforts and hard work in making your child's education a number one priority.

-LIS Counseling Team

Math -

We are working on area and perimeter this month and then will be moving on to long division.

ELA:

Writing - Our Unit 2 major writing project is poetry. Our poets have been learning and writing about different kinds of poetry. When we start Wonders Unit 3, students will be working on writing a personal narrative.

Reading - We are about to finish Unit 2 and will be starting Unit 3 which centers our learning of specific skills around how one person can make a difference in our communities.

Social Studies - Our second quarter units include the Oregon Trail and Economics. We are going to have a Market Day right before winter break as our culmination of our economics unit.

Science - We are studying the human body, animals, and plants until winter break.

SEL - We have finished Unit 1 which centered around empathy and skills needed for learning. We have started Unit 2 which lessons are about managing emotions.

The fifth-grade students had a successful trip to Topeka to visit the Capitol. They were able to go on a tour and learn the history of the building and many other facts. Many students also climbed the 297 steps to the top of the Dome. They were very excited to have the opportunity to complete the journey.

We will be traveling on November 4th to the Kaufman Center to see a “Young People’s Concert.” Weather permitting, we will go to Patrick Mahomes Park for a picnic lunch.

In Math, we have been adding and subtracting decimals. Students used manipulatives to reach a sum or difference. Many students also learned quick pictures to help practice regrouping. We have now started Chapter 4 – multiplying decimals. Students continue to practice their facts using Reflex.

Students have been completing seasonal activities. Various students have chosen their teacher’s costume, graph pumpkins using coordinate pairs, and completed writing assignments explaining the steps to carving a pumpkin.

Mrs. Arias serves our school's fifth grade interrelated (special education) teacher. She works with students of all diffierent ability levels and is tasked with making specialized lessons and activities to meet their needs. Mrs. Arias is always open to mentoring new staff members, helping out at school events, and working with teachers to provide instruction in all fifth grade classrooms. We appreciate her professionalism and genuine care for seeing all students succeed, as well as her willingness to take on any new challenges presented to her. Mrs. Arias is a grrrr-eat asset to LIS!

LIS has implemented many new procedures allowing students to participate in the upkeep of their school and provide incentives for students to do well in and out of the classroom. Teachers nominate students in their classrooms who demonstrate responsibility for our weekly pickup patrol. These students, along with Mr. Altieri and Mrs. Settles, walk the school grounds and help pick up trash. It is a great way to keep our school clean, enjoy a sunny day with friends, and have a role in maintaining our school. In addition, students receive a prize and the opportunity to hold Mufasa, our school mascot. Here are some pictures from our first one of the year!

We have received questions about the standards-based grading system we adopted this year. While you can find lots of information on the grading system through this article, we included a graphic below to help focus on the main ideas. In the past, the overall grade has been an aggregate of assessed skills in classrooms. Our new system merely breaks it down so parents can see how well their child is performing in those specific skills.

LIS Parents,

We want to ensure our students arrive at school safely. Please help us by reviewing our car drop off procedures.

1. Do not back up traffic by turning left from Ida. Cars have been swerving around backed up traffic and it is dangerous for everyone involved.

2. If you plan to sit in the car with your child, and not immediately drop off, pull forward to the end of the cones to prevent traffic backing up to Ida.

3. Circle around the parking lot after dropping off and make a right turn on to Ida.

4. Be patient. Saving thirty seconds of time is not worth endangering our students.

5. Reach out to school staff if there are issues you see that need to be addressed. We are always looking to make drop off more efficient and streamlined.

Cell phone use is not allowed at LIS during school hours. Research shows schools that allow cell phone usage during school have higher rates of disciplinary action, bullying (especially cyberbullying), and violations of privacy. In addition, use of personal electronics correlates to lower student academic achievement. We want to give our students the best environment to succeed as learners and grow as future citizens.

If you need to get a message to your child, please contact the office and we can make sure your message is passed along to them. Students caught using their phone will receive a warning the first time. Future violations may result in a discipline referral for inappropriate use of technology.

Thank you for doing your part to help foster a strong learning environment at LIS!

We're excited for the community to come out and support our band, cheerleaders, and teams on game nights. We have a few reminders for home games:

• All elementary and middle school students enter the game with an adult and sit with that adult throughout the game. Please do not drop your child off at a district event without supervision as they will not be allowed to enter.
• Student performances are the focus of the event. No one should be on the practice football field, soccer fields, or other areas away from the stadium.
• Please do not bring balls, frisbees, or other items to the game.
• Students cannot enter the stadium from the tailgate area.
• Spectators who are disruptive will be asked to leave

Thank you

Alan Penrose

Principal, LHS

November Events/Reminders for PTA

November 6th - Cookie Dough pickup at the Elementary School 3:30pm-6:00pm. We strongly suggest you come after 3:45 to avoid school pick-up traffic

November 11-November 20 - Dipstick sales! Who needs a quick appetizer or dish to bring to Holiday gatherings? The PTA has you covered. Check out the 8 different Dipstick options. Please return the order form and payment by November 20th to LES or LIS Office. Orders will be delivered before Christmas Break.

November 13 - PTA Papa John's Night - use code KSL003 for the PTA to get credit! With the Holidays fast approaching, take a break and order Pizza for dinner and support the PTA in the process!

November 21 - PTA Meeting. Doors open at 6:00pm with the meeting to start at 6:30pm in the Elementary School Library. Childcare is provided by the High School KAYS/NHS.

Find us on Facebook: @lansing469pta

View our webpage: https://lansingpta.blogspot.com/

Website: https://www.usd469.net/o/usis
Location: 509 Ida Street, Lansing, KS, USA
Phone: (913) 297-0990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisusd469