NEWS FROM THE NEST

With less than two weeks until winter break, we're sending you all warm wishes for a peaceful and magical season filled with precious moments with those who bring the most joy to your heart. While the world around us looks covered in magic this time of year, remember that the winter season can bring some added uncertainties and struggles for some, so make an extra effort to be doubly kind, compassionate, and thoughtful, be the light in someone's darkness, and help others around you even if in a small way, every day!

The LMS/LHS PTO is getting ready to spread some holiday cheer and will be holding their annual Holiday Cookie Exchange at LMS and LHS on Monday, December 16! They are looking for volunteers to contribute to a delicious dessert bar filled with yummy treats for each school's faculty and staff. Contributions do NOT have to be homemade...any type of donation is greatly appreciated!

• Please sign up for the school list which applies to you and add whatever item you wish to contribute.
• Donations should be dropped off at the appropriate main office in the morning (no later than 8:00 a.m.)

Please reach out to the PTO with any questions. Thank you for your time and generosity and for helping to create a festive holiday treat for both schools!

LHS Cookie Drive Sign-Up

LMS Cookie Drive Sign-Up

Student Council is hosting its annual (in-house) door decorating contest! Decorate your classroom or office door with any fun holiday theme you and your students come up with! Judging will take place in the afternoon of December 18. Please register your door with this link if you plan on participating. Only registered doors will be scored.

Don't miss our annual Winter Choir Concert on Thursday, December 12. Enjoy a moving evening filled with sounds of the season. The concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium and is free to the public. Concessions will be available for purchase.

The Advocates for Innocence Club invites you to put your creativity and craftsmanship to the test by participating in a gingerbread house decorating contest on Friday, December 13. The cost to enter is $5 per person, 5 participants per team. A prize will be awarded to the winning team. Please register in advance through the link below. Good luck!

Click here to register!

Get your gear in gear for a week of themed spirit days! Our winter spirit week kicks off on December 16 with "Blizzard Day." Participate each day and earn "points for your class.

Click here for the flyer with each day's theme.

Please send Spirit Week photos to kroche@ltps.org if you would like to be featured on our social media pages.

Lawrence Has Talent is back! Presented by the Lawrence Township Education Foundation, LHT is a unique showcase of amateur acts and is open to anyone who lives, works, attends, or attended school in Lawrence Township. A variety of acts are encouraged...singing, dancing, skit performances, magic tricks, comedy, juggling, musical instruments, or any other unique talent. This year's show will be on April 4, 2025, and open auditions will be held on February 6 and 8. Spots are limited, and all participants must register by February 1 at LTEFNJ.org ($20 per act). Cash prizes totaling $3,000 will be awarded. Please email Info@ltefnj.org with any questions.

Friday, December 20 is an early dismissal day for students and staff. School will be closed from Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1. Have a wonderful break!

LMS and LHS families are invited to a Community Conversation on January 14, 2025 in the LHS media center/library. Join us to share your ideas, have your questions answered, meet district administrators and members of the Board of Education, and learn more about the upcoming referendum. Snacks and refreshments will be provided! Click here for the flyer.

RSVP here.

To all those observing the Christmas holiday on December 25, we wish you a season of profound peace and all things merry!

May your hearts be filled with light and your homes filled with love, laughter, magic, warmth, and wonder.

This year, Hanukkah begins on December 25 and will continue through Thursday, January 2.

To those celebrating, may the festival of lights bring you and your loved ones joy, blessings, love, and peace, and may the glow of each candle make your home and heart happy, and your Hanukkah bright!

Wishing a blessed Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1) to all who are observing this celebration of family, culture, community, purpose, and pride. May the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa light your way and guide your path!

1. umoja (unity)
2. kujichagulia (self-determination, identity)
3. ujima (collective work, responsibility)
4. ujamaa (cooperative economics)
5. nia (purpose)
6. kuumba (creativity)
7. imani (faith, belief in loved ones and leaders, past and present)

Seniors, please remember to complete the name verification form (emailed to you on November 26) by January 2, 2025. This form will verify three things:

1. How you would like your name printed on your diploma

2. How you would like your name listed in the graduation program

3. How you would like your name read during the ceremony

Please read all guidelines before submitting. Since diplomas will be ordered the first week of January, changes to your diploma can only be made until January 2. If you have a change to your response for the program or ceremony after that date, please email kroche@ltps.org.

*If your form is not received by January 2, your diploma will be ordered with your name printed as it is listed in Genesis.*

How often do you see others in need and think to yourself that you wish there was something you could do to help? LHS junior Precious Jackson took that thought a step further and decided to find a way to do something about it. Precious recently spearheaded a "Feed the Homeless" event on Saturday, November 21, through which she and her volunteers helped approximately 90 individuals in need of a hot meal. She organized the entire event, recruiting volunteers, making flyers, raising funds, purchasing supplies, cooking food (together with her mom), and then of course serving with a smile. She and her volunteers also provided their guests with hygiene bags (containing toiletries, snacks, etc.). This was her second event of its kind; the first was held last April and helped almost 60 people. Precious intends to continue her mission throughout the year, and is already planning her next event for December 28. If you are interested in helping, please contact her at Preciousnaileditt@gmail.com or @thelords_giving (Instagram). Her team is always in need of supplies and extra hands...the more help they receive, the more people (and hearts) they can lift! View the December event flyer here.

There is one week left to donate new, handmade, colorful, cheery, cuddly blankets for Project Linus, a non-profit organization that provides blankets to children in shelters, hospitals, and social service agencies. The central NJ chapter will be closing at the end of the year! Give a little warmth and comfort to a child this winter season. Click here to view the flyer for more information, or contact kroche@ltps.org with any questions. Students who make blankets can also earn volunteer hours for their time.

After this final 2024 donation, LHS will be collaborating with the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County to continue providing blankets to those in need.

LHS junior Precious Jackson is gearing up for her third "Feed the Homeless" event this month, and she and her dedicated team of volunteers are seeking donations of the below items. If you would like to contribute any of these supplies, a box will be in the LHS vestibule beginning on Wednesday, December 11.

Items in need: sterno sets; styrofoam take-out containers; plastic cutlery sets (fork, spoon, knife); boxed macaroni noodles; toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, deodorant, etc.)

Today is the last day to place your pre-order for Krispy Kreme donuts! Support LHS DECA and order a dozen glazed donuts for $16. Orders will be available for pickup on December 18 and 19. Funds raised will benefit students competing at the State and International conferences. Please see Mr. Tees, Mrs. Eggert, or any DECA member to place an order.

Dine at Uno's (Sloan Avenue) any time on December 10 and the LMS/LHS PTO will receive up to 20% of the check amount. The fundraiser includes dine-in or take-out orders. Please show this flyer when paying.

The class of 2025 is selling "Santa-grams" through Thursday, December 12. Send a sweet surprise to a friend or loved one for just $5. Santa-grams will include a Santa hat, Hershey kisses, a candy cane, and a handwritten note. Deliveries will be made on December 19. If you have any questions, please contact Tara Huber (thuber@ltps.org).

The class of 2026 is selling soda-grams for $2 (Sprite, Coke, Dr. Pepper, Fanta). The sale will be held during lunches on December 16 and 17. Buy them on the spot, or have them delivered to a special friend on Thursday, December 19!

Visit Panera Bread on December 16 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and help support LHS DECA. Use the code FUND4U at panerabread.com, in the Panera app, or inside at the kiosk. Remember to show this flyer when picking up your order!

LHS Theater Company is offering its annual singing telegrams for the holidays, for sale in Staff Sign-In through December 17. Purchase one for $2 or three for $5! Singing telegrams will be delivered on December 19 during resource periods. Contact Lorie Baldwin (lbaldwin@ltps.org) with any questions.

Join Students Helping Honduras at Colonial Bowling on Thursday, December 19! The cost to bowl is $25 per person and includes a slice of pizza, soda, shoe rental, a $5 arcade card, and unlimited bowling for two hours (6:30-8:30 p.m.). Spots are limited! If you are interested, please see Mrs. Katz in Room 201 or email akatz@ltps.org.

The NHD/National History Day Club's next cookie sale is at 11:40 a.m. (early dismissal) on Friday, December 20. Cookies are $1 each and will include chocolate chip and holiday sugar cookies this month! Happy Holidays from NHD Club and and thank you for supporting the our fundraising efforts!

The class of 2026 is selling high-quality, long-lasting holiday wreaths and centerpieces through Lynch Creek Farms. Purchasing takes place through their site and everything ships directly to you. The class of 2026 receives 15% of all orders.

Click here to access the store.

Model Congress will be selling cupcakes on Wednesdays after school at staff sign-in. Grab one for $1 or three for just $2!

If you have any questions contact Mr. Prehn (nprehn@ltps.org).

Please support the Advocates for Innocence club each Thursday by purchasing a brownie for $2. Brownies will be sold after school at staff sign-in. All profits will be donated to the Innocence Project, which provides legal resources to help exonerate individuals who have been wrongfully accused of a crime.

Students Helping Honduras is running a fundraiser at AmeriKick in Lawrence on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Spots are limited and registration is required! The self-defense class is $25 per person, and light refreshments and snacks will be served. This event is for those ages 12 and older. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Katz at akatz@ltps.info.

Click here for the flyer.

gluggaveður [gloo-guh-vay-ther]

Islandic - Literally "window weather," this is a word for weather that’s lovely to look at but unpleasant to be outside in; weather that is best appreciated indoors.

Marshmallows were originally used as medicine to treat coughs, aid digestion, and soothe irritated skin. They were a special treat reserved for the gods and royalty.

Past newsletters are always available on our high school website:

LHS Newsletter Archives

Email: kroche@ltps.org
Website: www.ltps.org/LHS
Location: 2525 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Phone: 609-671-5510

Facebook: LHSCardinalsNJ

Twitter: @cardinalslhs and @dadamLTPS
Twitter: @cardinalslhs

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