Each month the LKMS staff identifies two students at each grade level as the "Students of the Month." These students consistently display the LKMS virtues of being kind, responsible and safe. In addition, these students are leaders and role models amongst their peers. A huge congratulations to each of our April students. We are so proud of each of you!

Middle school registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open for current students. At this time, you can pay all required fees — except course fees, which will be assigned in September — as well as some optional fees. Registration is required annually and is the time to update your child’s information (phone, email, emergency contacts, health information, etc.). Beginning in 2025-26, all 6th and 9th graders will be required to provide proof of residency (a current purchase contract, lease or utility bill, within the attendance area for your address) as part of the transition to a new level .

Completing registration confirms your child’s attendance in August and helps the district appropriately staff classrooms. Thank you for providing this important information as part of the registration process. For more registration information, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/registration.

Congratulations to the LKMS Science Olympiad team! The team competed at the state finals and placed 1st overall. They will compete in the national competition at the end of May. We are so proud of all the students who have worked so hard and represented Lakewood!

Dear Families:

The growth seen during the middle school years can be an exciting time. Through health education, the Blue Valley district hopes to support your child in his/her growth.

Health Education curriculum was reviewed by the Curriculum and Instruction Committee (which includes parents, board of education members and faculty members) prior to being approved by the Blue Valley Board of Education and is based on the National and Kansas Health standards. The purpose of the curriculum is to develop positive attitudes toward health and wellness among our students. It also encourages students to make healthy choices for themselves.

To meet the goals of the state and the district, the 8th grade growth and development class covers several topics such as human growth and development, reproduction, birth control methods, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Throughout the class abstinence is a recurring theme. Students are always encouraged to talk with their families about the information learned.

We hope that you will encourage your child to participate in the Wellness Day event on Friday, April 25th. However, if you do not want your child to participate and wish to opt-out, please notify the school nurse by emailing the school nurse by Monday, April 21st. Please email the School Nurse at trcarpenter@bluevalleyk12.org. Please email by Monday, April 21st

*Please note that if the school nurse is not notified, informed consent is implied*

8th grade farewell is right around the corner. Save the date! More details on the field trip and activities coming after spring break.

LKMS 8th grade parents,

We are excited to celebrate our 8th graders on May 22nd with all of you! Below you will find all details regarding the celebration. Thank you!

SAVE THE DATE!

8th Grade Celebration - May 22nd @ 8:15

8:00 a.m. - Doors will open for parents to head to the gym

8:15 a.m. - Farewell Ceremony will begin in the LKMS Gym

• All family members are invited to attend the ceremony
• Please have your student dress nicely for this ceremony and bring a change of clothes for the field trip (students will receive a t-shirt to wear)
• Arrive to school for normal start time 7:51 am
• Ceremony will begin at approximately 8:15 am
• Families will have time after the ceremony to take photos with students

8th GRADE CELEBRATION PACKAGE - LKMS CLASS of 2025

Package costs $55 per student

• Package includes class t-shirt, bus transportation, BluHawk celebration on Thursday with pizza, drink, sweet treat.
• No additional money will be needed (unless your child wants to use the arcade for tickets at BluHawk, or buy additional snacks).
• We want all of our students at LKMS to be able to participate in this fun day. If costs are burdensome, please contact one of the LKMS counselors:
• Mrs. Allen for last names A-L at CAllen02@bluevalleyk12.org
• Mrs. Dummitt for last names M-Z at AMDummitt@bluevalleyk12.org

PARENTS TO DO LIST:

*Permission slip and payment must be completed by Friday, April 18th.

1. Complete Permission Slip: 8th Grade Celebration Permission Slip
2. Pay for the celebration: 8th Grade Celebration Payment Link
   

Contact amhays15@gmail.com with any questions

LKMS Football Camp - Open to Incoming 7th-8th Graders

Date: May 19-21, 3:15-4:45PM

Cost: $50

Athletes will be coached by the current football staff where they will learn the basics of each position, learn offensive and defensive concepts, introduction to the playbook we use, and we will have various fun games that puts their knowledge and skills to use. This is a NON-CONTACT camp, no equipment needed. This camp is not just for football players, it is a fun camp where anyone can learn the basics of the game in a safe, fun environment. Daily prizes including Team Decals, T-shirts, Gatorades, VIP number selection and equipment check-out in the Fall **

Here is the sign up Form:

https://forms.gle/NNDGqDhYfhBxDbPp6

As our children navigate middle school, ensuring their personal safety at home, in school, and online is essential. During this month, our 6th graders will be learning general personal safety, 7th graders will learn about online personal safety, and 8th graders will be learning about healthy boundaries in relationships. Here are some key tips to help keep them safe in various environments:

At Home

• Emergency Contacts: Make sure your child knows important phone numbers, including how to reach you and emergency services.

• Stranger Safety: Remind them not to open doors to strangers and what to do if they feel unsafe.

• First Aid: Teach them basic first aid skills and where to find the first aid kit.

In School

• Buddy System: Encourage your child to use the buddy system when walking to and from school.

• Reporting Issues: Ensure they understand the importance of reporting bullying or suspicious behavior to a trusted adult.

• Emergency Drills: Familiarize them with the school's emergency procedures.

Online

• Privacy: Stress the importance of keeping personal information private.

• Social Media: Monitor their social media activity and discuss the risks of oversharing.

• Cyberbullying: Encourage them to report any online harassment.

Personal Safety

• Boundaries: Teach your child about personal boundaries and the importance of respecting others' boundaries.

• Self-Defense: Consider enrolling them in a self-defense class to boost their confidence and skills.

• Awareness: Encourage them to be aware of their surroundings and trust their instincts if something feels off.

Resources

For more tips and information on discussing personal safety with your child, check out these resources:

• What If Game to Bring Up Personal Safety with your Kid: Zero Abuse Project

• Online Safety Resources

By reinforcing these safety tips, we can help our middle schoolers feel secure and confident as they grow. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us.

When students miss school, they miss more than just a day’s worth of learning. Falling behind on assignments, missing group activities and struggling to keep up with new material are all natural consequences of absences. Middle school coursework often builds on previous lessons, so even missing one or two days can make it challenging to stay caught up.

Encourage your student to attend school regularly so they don’t miss out on important learning opportunities or feel overwhelmed by catching up. Being present every day helps them stay engaged, prepared and confident in their learning.

Some April Celebrations & Observances:

• National Arab American Heritage Month - recognizes the achievements and contributions of Arab Americans to society, culture, and American history.

• Deaf History Month - celebrates the history, culture, and accomplishments of deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

• Day of Silence - April 11 - a national, student-led demonstration where LGBTQ+ students and allies take a vow of silence to protest the silencing and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools.

• Passover - evening of April 12-20 - a Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Some families will observe the holiday with a special meal, called a Seder, eating foods of symbolic significance and reciting traditional prayers.

• Holy Week and Easter Sunday - April 13-20 - includes the Christian holidays of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Some families will attend church services to commemorate the week leading to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

If you are MOVING or MAY NOT BE RETURNING to Lakewood Middle, please let our registrar know NOW at mprelogar@bluevalleyk12.org. Your student should still complete the enrollment form they are given, but we need to know your plans/potential plans- will the student attend a public or private school in Kansas or out of state? This specific information is crucial for us to release records. If you have any questions, please contact Madeline Prelogar, Registrar, at the email listed above.

Have you ever wondered how to monitor your child’s usage on their Blue Valley device? We have parent tools that allow you to receive notifications to ensure your child is using their device safely. School staff members monitor these devices during the school day and intervene, when necessary. However, parents can receive alerts if concerns arise when students use devices after school hours–including weekends and school breaks. Check out the Securly Home Parent Portal App here.

Blue Valley Schools is committed to promoting and fostering a safe environment in and around all of our schools. Through the convergence of physical and intellectual security measures, we are continuously working to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a wide range of emergencies. Please check out available ways to report safety concerns.

This is a reminder that all student Chromebooks should be charged before returning to school. It is very important that students come prepared to school each day, including with their fully-charged Chromebook. We do not have loaner Chromebooks for students who leave theirs at home or come without a charged computer. Each student is responsible for taking good care of their Chromebooks. Loss of a Chromebook or intentional damage to a Chromebook can result in a $100 charge. If a student is having an issue with their Chromebook, they can always come to the library for help.

We know there may be times when unexpected circumstances present a hardship for families in our community. Blue Valley has resources within each school available to help students through challenging times, including counselors, social workers, school psychologists and building administrators.

• On the District website, the Student Well-Being page provides valuable information for families who may need support outside of what the school provides.

• We also want to make sure you are aware of a Family Support and Resources Request under the Families heading on our school website. The request link can also be found at the bottom of our homepage under the School Quick Links heading. Information submitted on this form related to a specific situation and family need will be reviewed by the building principals and the school social worker. While we cannot guarantee that we can provide the requested resources, we will do our best to identify and recommend available support.

Blue Valley Schools is committed to promoting and fostering a safe environment in and around all our schools. We are continuously working to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a wide range of situations. Please check out available ways to report safety concerns.

Why are structured expectations important? As we reset for the start of another semester, it is important for students to have a few reminders about what is expected and why. Our LKMS structured expectations help us maintain a positive environment and ensure that students know what is expected of them, regardless of where they are in the building.

LKMS PTO is opening a spirit wear store! We are using a new company and there are many new fun designs for sale! The online store will be open for several weeks, but any order placed by Friday, Jan 17th will arrive to school by the first week of February. To order, visit Ruby Lane Designs LKMS.

Any questions can be directed to jennifercdavenport@gmail.com

The LKMS PTO is now on Facebook! Please follow us for PTO news and school information! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565738816285&scrlybrkr=96814e09

Lakewood Elementary is in need of volunteers in order for their Spring Carnival to be a success! If you and/or your students are able to help, please sign up here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0948A9AA2DA1F4C43-48123930-lkecarnival

The Great Wind Festival, a free, family-friendly event celebrating STEM, creativity, and the wonders of wind, is taking place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Ironwoods Park Amphitheatre in Leawood, starting at 2:00 PM.

The Great Wind Festival is an annual community scouting event open to all families within the Blue Valley School district. The festival will feature:

• Hands-on STEM activities, including kite-making and wind energy demonstrations
• Live music performances by local musicians and bands
• Interactive stations and games for all ages
• Depending on the weather, we are also planning on having a hot air balloon, a helicopter, City of Leawood Police and Fire Departments and the National Guard.

As scouting encourages, the goal of the event is to inspire fun, curiosity and learning in a fun, outdoor setting while bringing families together to celebrate the power and possibilities of the outdoors. Admission is completely free, and all are welcome to attend.

BVW Football Camp Registration Now Open!

Calling all future Jaguar Football Players: Join us this summer to learn the jag way to become a part of the West football family. Summer camps available to any elementary, middle schooler football players. No prior football experience needed.

Register here: https://www.bvwrz.com/2025-season/camps/

Do you like performing? Do you want to be part of a high-energy welcoming team of amazing students with a strong tradition of excellence? Then check out the Blue Valley West Color Guard! This is an exciting performance opportunity available to students at West! We have informational clinics where you can experience what Color Guard is all about! These will be Thursday, April 3, 10, 17, & 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the Blue Valley West Band Room. No prior experience is necessary!. ANY 8th grade student is welcome to attend! We just ask that you fill out this form so that we can plan for your attendance: Color Guard Interest Form. You can also get information by reaching out to Justin Love, Director of Bands at Blue Valley West: jwlove02@bluevalleyk12.org

Sign Ups for the 2025 BVW Softball Summer Camp are open! Camp is June 16-19th. Middle/High School are from 9 am to 11 am and Elementary aged students from 11 am to 12:30pm! Use this link or the QR Code to sign up. If you have any questions please email Coach Dickerson at tjdickerson@bluevalleyk12.org sign up link - https://forms.gle/DZJjvXHY51Dr3dck7

Monday, April 21

• 7th grade choir festival @ BVN (9:30-12:30 PM)
• Homework help in library (3:00-4:00 PM)
• Yearbook club in room 302 (7:30-7:45 AM)
• Diversity council in room 165 (3:00-3:30 PM)

Tuesday, April 22

• Jazz band @ 7:10 AM
• 8th grade band festival @ BVNW (9:30-1:30 PM)
• AI Club in room 161 (3:00-4:00 PM)
• Chess club in room 106 (3:00-4:00 PM)
• D&D club in the library - 6th grade (3:00-4:00 PM)
• 3D printing club in room 138 (3:00-4:00 PM)
• Newspaper club in room 107 (3:00-4:00 PM)
• Track and field practice (3:00-4:30 PM)

Wednesday, April 23

• FCS in Room 208 (7:00a-7:45 AM)
• 8th grade choir festival @ MNU (9:30-1:30 PM)
• STUCO in room 203 (3:10-3:40 PM)
• D&D club in the library - 7th and 8th grade (3:00-4:00 PM)
• Video Game Club in Room 310 (3:10p-4:00p)
  
• Service club in room 303 (3:05-4:00 PM)
• Bracelet Making Club in Room 301
• Track and field practice (3:00-4:30 PM)

Thursday, April 24

• 7th grade band festival @ BVNW (9:30 AM - 1:30 PM)
• Homework help in the library (3:00-4:00 PM)
• Nail club in Room 305 (3:00-3:45 PM)
• Garden Club in Room 106 (3:0-4:00 PM)
• Website club in Room 161 (3:10-4:00 PM)
• Track and field meet at PSMS (3:30-6:00 PM)

Friday, April 25

• 8th grade health day in social studies class

These messages are sent from an unmonitored account. If you have specific questions, please email Lisa Stolper (lostolper@bluevalleyk12.org) or Dylan Owings (dowings@bluevalleyk12.org).