LCMS Newsletter

Hello, LCMS Families!

To all of the returning families, welcome back to another year. For all of our incoming 6th grade and new families, we are excited to have you at LCMS!

We have been hard at work the end of last year and for the past couple of weeks, getting ready for a much-anticipated school year. Our custodial staff is busy cleaning and making final touches to our school, and teachers have already began preparing and setting up their classrooms. All we are missing is our students, which we are looking forward to seeing during orientation times.

This edition of our newsletter outlines some important dates, events and items to help navigate the beginning of the school year. Staff will be available during our orientation times, should you have questions about any of these items.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Go Explorers!

Sincerely,

Monty Hyde

August

• 8- 6th, 7th and 8th grade orientations (see below)
• 14 - Students first day of school!
  
• 28 - Back to School night (6:00-7:30)
• 29 - Picture day

Before school begins, students will have the opportunity to come to school and:

• Get their class schedule
• Access their lockers
• Get their new ID cards (which will be needed for transportation and lunch)
• Order spirit wear from our PTSA
• Pay for any athletic fees
• Purchase a yearbook

The following times are designated for each grade level:

Thursday, August 8th

8:00am-11:00am: 7th and 8th grade orientation

1:00pm-4:00pm: 6th grade orientation

Both orientations times will be an "open house" format, and families are encouraged to come any time between the designated times for their grade level.

Device protection is still available for $25.

1. Login to PowerSchool (https://ps.westada.org/public/)

2. Click on the Payment Portal in the left sidebar

3. Click on the name of the child you would like to purchase protection for

4. Add Early Enrollment Device Protection to your cart.

5. Click the cart icon in the upper, right-hand corner.

6. Enter payment information and click Submit to complete your purchase.

Tech Trouble over the summer? The IT Help Desk is available Monday-Friday at 208-350-5300.

All parents must update PowerSchool information each year.

Steps to update School Forms for the 2024-25 school year:

1. Loggin in: Parents/Guardians of current students can log into their PowerSchool parent account through the following link: Parent Sign In (westada.org)
2. Updating information: Once logged in, click on the "School Forms" ICON on the left side. In the middle of the page, you'll find links to update your information.

- Computers and assistance will be available during our orientation times on August 8th, should you need additional support with this process.

Unenrolling from West Ada?

• Students unenrolling from West Ada should check their Destiny account for checked-out items. Destiny can be accessed in the Web Apps. The login is the same as the computer login.
• Please notify Traci Hess, registrar, if you are leaving West Ada. 208-350-4400.

Once your school forms have been updated in PowerSchool, you will most likely have access to your child's class schedule. Please note that these schedules will not be finalized until our August 8th orientation. Counselors are working diligently on balancing classes and moving things around, so there is a good chance your child's current schedule may change.

A new application needs to be submitted each school year. Benefits do not carry over from the previous year.

2024/2025 Applications are now being accepted.

Apply for free or reduced meals here:
Free / Reduced Meal Application If approved, free or reduced meals will go into effect on the day the application was received. Applications are NOT retroactive.

Click HERE to get to the West Ada Nutrition website.

The following items will be available for purchase during orientation times with cash or check only. If you prefer to pay online with a card visit www.myschoolfees.com.

Activity Card REQUIRED W/ ALL SPORTS $ 22.25

Football Participation (7th & 8th) $ 90.00

Cheer Participation (7th & 8th) $ 90.00

Cross Country (6th- 8th) $ 90.00

Volleyball Participation (7th & 8th) $ 90.00

Yearbook $ 22.00

Bus Stop Assignments
Bus stop assignments will be available in early-August in the My Ride K-12 app. New stops will not be added during the first 2 weeks of school, however eligible students will be allowed to use existing stops during that initial window.

Who can ride the bus?
Transportation is provided for students who live in the bus zone (i.e. over 1.5 miles to their appropriate school). Non-bus zones are based on a 1.5 mile distance utilizing pathways, neighborhood streets, and arterial streets with sidewalks and crosswalks. Consideration is given to hazards. For more information regarding busing eligibility, please visit the following link: West Ada School District - Attendance Areas.

RFID Badges
We're excited to introduce a new initiative designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of our school bus transportation services. Students at all levels will begin carrying a Bus Badge when boarding the bus. Parents will have access to information through the My Ride K-12 app when students scan on and off the bus.

My Ride K-12
My Ride K-12 is our primary communication for bussing needs. Push notifications about late buses or any vital information that is pertaining to your child's bus information will be sent via the My Ride K-12 message center. Bus stop assignments will be available in early-August in the My Ride K-12 app.

You can access the full student-parent handbook through the above link.

The following items have been outlined or quick reference:

It's very important that you and your child review and understand the West Ada Dress Code Policy before the first day of school to avoid any possible disciplinary actions. To review the dress code in its entirety, please click here.

Key items:

• Clothing must cover the body from the chest to below the buttocks.
• All tops must cover the stomach, back, chest, and torso. Shirts that expose the shoulders must have a strap or fabric that goes over both shoulders and adheres to the other provisions of this dress code.
• Pants/bottoms with rips, tears, or mesh are acceptable but shall not reveal or expose a private/intimate part of the body nor cause a safety concern.
• Hats or head coverings are permissible at the middle and high school levels. Head coverings may not cover the ears with the exception of those related to medical or religious exemptions.
• No clothing or accessories may depict prejudice, hatred, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, pornography, or profanity, or denote gang involvement, violence, or illegal activities.
• Secondary students must wear their school-issued student ID/Access Cards and ensure that they are visible at all times.

Cell phones and other personal electronic devices may not be kept on a student's person during instructional periods. At LCMS students will be required to keep their phones in their lockers from 8:15-3:05. Please help reinforce this with your children as well.

A huge thank you to Tori Smith and the Meridian Kiwanis for their generous donation of backpack filled with school supplies!

A huge thank you to our custodial staff, who have been working all summer long to make sure our building is ready for the start of a new school year. We appreciate all they have done to get our school ready.

Thank you!

24 hour Attendance Line: (208) 350-4271 or email at lcmsattendance@westada.org

Email: lcmsattendance@westada.org
Website: https://www.westada.org/o/lcms
Location: 4141 East Pine Avenue, Meridian, ID, USA
Phone: 208-350-4270