November 2024 Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we enter November, I want to express my gratitude for the dedicated teaching staff at LSH and for the supportive collaboration we share with LSH families. Together, we create an environment where each student can thrive, and we’re thankful for the role you play in our school community.

We look forward to connecting with you at our upcoming parent-teacher conferences on November 14th. Conferences are a valuable time to discuss first-quarter progress and set goals for continued growth.

Additionally, high school course registration for the second semester will take place on November 14th during conferences. Mrs. Wilke and Mrs. Kirschner will be available to assist students and families with selecting elective courses. All students will have equal opportunities to register, with time set aside later in November and early December for those unable to attend on conference day. Middle school students do not need to register, as their schedules are more structured, but they can reach out to Mrs. Wilke or Mrs. Kirschner if they wish to explore potential schedule adjustments.

Thank you for being part of our school community. We look forward to a productive month and the chance to continue working together to support your child’s success.

With GIANT PRIDE,

Cindy Schmidt

Middle and High School Principal

In 7th grade math we are about to start working on adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers.

Mr. Lewis

8th Grade Math: In 8th grade math we are working on solving multi-step equations as well as looking at word problems to create equations.

Algebra II: In Algebra II we are working with polynomials. We are learning what end behavior is and what each would look like on a graph. In addition, we are learning how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials.

Mr. Weber

In Calculus we are learning different techniques to take derivatives. In Precalculus we are working with rational functions and their features.

Mr. Everson

Geometry: working on writing 2 column and flow chart proofs

Accel Geometry is just about to wrap up Parallel Lines and Transversals.

Math Success will explore how area and perimeter is used in different careers.

Mrs. Stenzel

Experimenting in labs as much as possible, learning many new skills, and letting their culinary creativity shine through.

Ms. Wilson

In 7th grade Social Studies students have been learning about the expansion of the US into Western territory. We just started looking at the Compromises that the US Congress created to try to prevent the Civil War. Next we will look at Reconstruction and the changing South. Leading up to the holiday break we will get into the Industrial Revolution & eventually the progressive Era.

Mrs. Fritz

World Geography: For the last week students have been preparing for the election. They took a political issues survey to find out what party/candidates their beliefs align with and then they did research on the individual candidates running for federal, state, and local offices.

World History: Students just wrapped up their unit on forms of government throughout world history. They learned about topics ranging from humanity's first recorded law code in ancient Babylon to the creation of the Inuit territory of Nunavut in Canada.

A.P. World History: Students have been learning about Gunpowder Empires that took over the world from 1450-1750 and have been working on their first D.B.Q. in preparation for the A.P. exam.

Mr. O'Brien

8th graders in World Geography are traveling the world this year and currently learning about Central and South America. They are not only being exposed to the landscape of these regions but also some history, economics, and culture.

11th grade Government students have been diving into what would appear on their ballot if they were able to vote this year as well as developing skills to evaluate sources of information in order to be well informed voters.

Mrs. Karst

CNA students are working on skills involving activities of daily living (ADLs). Brushing teeth is one example. We will be going back to the nursing home again on November 8th for another skill session

In our Agriculture classes, students are currently doing hands-on, real-life projects that connect them with topics from the natural world to practical skills. In Floral Design, students are currently designing boutonniere and corsage creations, which they are then adding to their "Floral Design Business Portfolio" that we are completing throughout the semester. Wildlife Management explores Minnesota's wildlife management. We began with whitetail deer and are working our way through the mammals that we hunt and enjoy. In Pets & Paws, students are creating life-sized replicas of dog breeds to compete in a “Best in Show” event, displaying their knowledge and creativity! Meanwhile, Food Chemistry students investigate the science behind everyday food, combining experiments with practical knowledge. These engaging projects make learning relevant and fun for our students at LSH.

Our FFA chapter is active and engaging, with monthly chapter meetings that include fun activities for members, along with monthly Career Development Events to challenge skills and knowledge in all areas of Agriculture. Our chapter officers also meet bi-weekly to plan events, ensuring our chapter remains organized and engaged throughout the year. These regular events help foster teamwork, leadership, and a strong sense of community.

Ms. Risacher

EMR recently finished CPR. All EMR students are AHA Healthcare Provider certified for two years. We are now working on patient assessment skills for medical and trauma patients.

Ms. Hovick

The choirs have been working on their music for the Winter Concert. They are working towards memorization of the pieces and are working on adding emotion and expressivity to their singing. All the classes have also started to learn how to read the Treble and Bass Clef!

Ms. Doeden

In 8th grade English Language Arts/ Reading, we have been reading, analyzing the plot structure of and discussing Edgar Allen Poe's classic, "The Tell-Tale Heart." In our classroom, we will be holding a mock "trial" to determine if the main character is guilty. While one student will be the judge, a few more will be the attorneys, witnesses and jury members.

In 8th grade Media Literacy, we have been discussing a plethora of important and timely media-related subjects, such as cyber security, media hoaxes, hate speech and its censorship. We finished our whole-class presentations of individual paper and electronic "slideshows" that cover the material we have been discussing.

Mr. Grossman

6th graders are working on multisyllabic words, fluency, comprehension, and writing. 7/8th graders are going to be starting a novel study - Hatchet

Mrs. Welter

10th Grade: We just finished reading The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. Students did a hexagonal thinking activity in small groups to review for the test. We will be starting a writing/grammar unit this week.

11th Grade: We just finished reading The Great Gatsby. We will start a short story unit this week.

Mrs. Ludwig

In 7th grade Mass Media, students have been learning about advertising and marketing. We explored techniques and created an ad campaign for a fictional product.

Our current unit is on social media, how it affects our relationships and futures, and how to balance social media in our lives. Our next project is to create a marketing campaign to promote healthy social media use and engagement.

Ms. Ranft

Within the classes I am teaching, we are working on multiple types of welding, teardown and rebuild of small gas engines, working with programmable logic controllers to automate manufacturing processes, hanging, mudding, taping, sanding, and patching holes in drywall, and cutting, painting, assembling, and racing dragster race cars.

Mr. Ronningen

Students in wood shop are building dressers, Giant Letters, Disc golf carts, work benches, shelves, and tables.

Mr. Everson

Click on the picture for each link.

Thanksgiving baskets are available to our Le Sueur County families in need! Baskets come with turkey, potatoes, onions, canned vegetables, dinner rolls, butter, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy mix, fresh fruit, milk and dessert. If your family is in need, please contact Cassie Wilke for a referral. Referrals are due November 22nd. Cassie Wilke: 665-5806 or cwilke@isd2397.org

November 8: Early Release

• Quarter 1 Grades Posted in Infinite Campus

November 11: Veterans Day Program 8:15 am HS Gym

November 14: Conferences 3:30-7:30 pm

November 27: No School - Teacher InService

November 28-30: No School Thanksgiving Break