Falcon Family Weekly Newsletter
March 10, 2024
Dear Lakelands Park Middle School Families:
This is a 5-day week.
Each Spring as the temperatures begin to rise, the days get longer, and the flowers begin to bloom, Spring Fever impacts our children and our learning environment. Any educator will tell you that Springtime is typically a challenging time in our schools. Unfortunately, we have already seen an increase in negative behaviors in the lead up to Spring Break. Starting this week we are reviewing expectations and providing positive behavior rewards by bringing back our six-week Falcon Flight Plan which we used at the start of the school year. We encourage you to review and discuss these expectations with your child(ren). We are also collaborating together as a staff to ensure our responses to inappropriate behaviors are consistent and effective. We invite you to attend our PTSA meeting this Tuesday at 6:30pm to learn more about all of this, review our school improvement plan progress, and share your input. I hope to see you there!
We have a busy week ahead...
- Falcon Flight Plan Friendly Week: Please encourage your child(ren) to be friendly, respectful, & considerate to others.
- On Monday, March 11, marking period 3 interim reports will be available via ParentVue & StudentVue.
- On Tuesday and Wednesday, March 12 & 13, our 8th grade students will take the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) during periods 1 and 2. Students may take a practice test here to know what to expect.
- On Tuesday, March 12. we will have our PTSA Meeting at 6:30pm in the Media Center. More details below.
- We are excited to announce that the drama will start up again. On Wednesday, March 13, the cast only of Into the Woods Jr. is invited to a meeting immediately after-school until 4:30pm. Please meet in the cafeteria by 3:15pm.
- On Wednesday, March 13 at 5:30pm, 8th grade parents and caretakers are invited to a Zoom meeting with the PTSA and school staff to plan for 8th grade promotion activities. Zoom link below.
- On Thursday, March 14 the PTSA is celebrating our staff with Pies for Pi Day. The PTSA needs your help to make this a success. Please sign-up here.
- On Friday, March 15 please support our PTSA by purchasing, bagels, breakfast, or lunch from Neal's Bagels from 7 am - 4 pm. Don't forget to mention LPMS. Save your receipt and send it to school with your child the following Monday to be entered in a raffle and your child(ren) will get a small prize. The receipt for Neal's Bagel must be dated for Friday, March 15 and returned to the main office on Monday, March 18 by 1:30pm.
- Also Friday, March 15 is the last day to complete the MCPS Culture and Climate Survey to tell us how we are doing at LPMS and in MCPS.
- We are continuing our March MATHness IXL competition and Signs of Suicide lessons.
Thank you for your continued partnership in creating a community of belonging and high expectations for everyone.
Sincerely,
Rose Alvarez (she/her)
Principal
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LPMS Upcoming Events
How Are We Doing?
We want to hear from you on how we are doing. MCPS is inviting ALL students, staff and parents/caregivers to share your experiences and thoughts on academics, communication, and overall satisfaction with your school and the district and/or experience working at MCPS. Your input and insight is essential in helping us understand what is working well and areas of improvement. Your participation and any identifying information is completely confidential. The feedback collected will be used to inform decisions and help create a more supportive and enriching environment for students, staff, and families in our district. Click here to access more information about the surveys. This is the last week to complete the survey which closes on March 15
Note: LPMS students completed the student survey and a Wingspan survey on Friday, March 8 in Fly Time. If your child(ren) were absent, they can find the links in their gmail or access the link and complete it on on their own or in Fly Time on Monday.
From the PTSA:
Donations Needed for Pi Day and Staff Appreciation:
Thursday, March 14th is Pi Day at Lakelands Park Middle School (LPMS), and the PTSA is celebrating the day with sweet and savory pies for our 175 LPMS Staff members.
We are still in need of pie donations! Please sign-up here to donate a pie!
We are also collecting monetary donations that we will be using towards the pies as well as future staff appreciation events (Staff Appreciation week is coming up in May)! We greatly appreciate everyone's support. Please donate here using the Direct Appeal Donation button.
Zoom:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/83184360474?pwd=cEJTMjRTMmgvRG9jb2t6OXFQeW9mQT09
- Meeting ID: 831 8436 0474
- Passcode: lpmsrocks
- One tap mobile
- +13017158592,,83184360474#,,,,*042350997# US (Washington DC)
- +13092053325,,83184360474#,,,,*042350997# US
Neal's Bagels Restaurant, March 15 7am - 4pm. Families and staff who order on March 15th and mention LPMS will be entered in a raffle and small prize give away for students. Please order a dozen bagels, breakfast, or lunch from Neal's on Friday and save your receipt. On Monday, March 18, send the receipt with your child to the main office in the morning to be entered in the raffle and your child(ren) will receive a small prize!
IXL - Help Your Child Sharpen Their Math Skills
In an effort to help improve Math skills and help prepare students for the MAP-M test, MCPS has partnered with IXL to provide a platform for students to sharpen their math skills. IXL has skill plans that target Student's present MAP-M levels. They also offer practice problems and videos that align with our Illustrative Math curriculum. Students can access IXL through the Clever Portal under the MCPS Resources folder. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to our Math Content Specialist, Ms. Shaneé Satchell (shanee_d_satchell@mcpsmd.net).
Annual Signs of Suicide Training
Please read this letter for information on our annual Signs of Suicide (SOS) program for students. Counselors will provide the lessons during the month of March via science classes. We ask that parents, guardians, and caretakers review the information in the presentations linked below and/or watch the video below.
Plan for April 22 Asynchronous Learning Day
Monday, April 22 is now an asynchronous learning day and will be used as a make-up instructional day for all MCPS students. This means that April 22 will count as a school day but students will not attend school in-person or on Zoom. Instead they will complete assignments in each class in order to be marked present for April 22. Here is the plan for LPMS:
- Assignments will be posted to each class' Canvas (MyMCPS) page by April 19th entitled “April 22nd Asynchronous Learning Day Assignment.”
- Teachers will share expectations for assignments with their classes and provide any needed materials by April 19th
- Assignments for each class will take no more than 30 minutes. Given that students have 7 classes, excluding Fly Time, the work should take no more than 3.5 hours.
- Students will have 10 days following April 22 to complete the assignment in order to be marked present.
- If students need help with the assignment, they may ask their teachers during regular school hours starting on April 23.
- April 22 is professional development day for teachers and they will be engaged in their on learning. We ask that students and families refrain from emailing or contacting teachers on April 22, and wait until April 23 to ask questions. Thank you for your understanding.
LPMS Resources & Initiatives
School Cash Online
MCPS offers a School Cash Online payment system for parents and guardians to make payments for field trips, yearbooks, merchandise, and donations. If you have not registered and set up your account, we encourage you to do so today. Use this School Cash Online (SCO) link and follow the steps. Parent guides are linked below as well.
SCO Parent Guide (Español)
SCO - How to register
SCO-Auto Subscription Multi Guardian User Guide (English)
SCO-Auto Subscription Multi Guardian User Guide (Spanish)
District Initiatives & Messages
Student Transfer Application Open Until April 2
The 2024-2025 Change of School Assignment (COSA) transfer season is open. The COSA process allows families to submit a request for their children to transfer out of their assigned home school. All COSA request applications must be submitted by Tuesday, April 2. Read full details.
Summer RISE Host registration closes on March 15
The Department of Partnerships is seeking businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations to host students for a minimum of 50 hours of in-person, virtual or hybrid experiences. Organizations must submit by March 15.
Google for Doodle
Doodle for Google is holding its 16th annual art contest for students in grades K-12. Kids are invited to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com, as well as win college scholarships and tech packages for their schools.
The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 14.
The Amplifier holding flash & self portrait contest
MCPS’ student-led magazine, The Amplifier, is seeking submissions for its written profile and self portrait contest. The flash profiles must feature a MCPS student, staff member or alum with a compelling story. Students may submit any style of drawing/painting/photography for the self portrait.
Prizes for each category: First place: $100 Visa gift card, second place: $50 Visa gift card, third place: $25 Visa gift card.
The deadline for students to submit is Thursday, March 15.
Students can send their submissions here
Guidelines and examples here
Prekindergarten and Head Start Registration Opens March 1
Prekindergarten and Head Start registration begins Friday, March 1, for the 2024-2025 school year. Children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024, and families must be income-eligible to apply. Families can register their children online or in person.
If your child was 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2023, you may still register for Prekindergarten/Head Start for the remainder of this school year.
Click here for how to register.
For more information about eligibility guidelines, required documents or how to register online, call 240-740-4530 or visit the MCPS website.
District Upcoming Events
District Opportunities & Resources
Montgomery County Public Libraries Partner with Washington Wizards to Launch ‘Reading Challenge’
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) and the Washington Wizards have teamed up with the D.C. Public Library, Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Alexandria Library, Arlington Public Library and Fairfax County Public Library to build a positive reading culture this winter with the “Wizards Winter Reading Challenge.” The free challenge, designed for kids and teens aged 3-19, will run through Wednesday, March 20. Read more.
FREE English Classes Available to MCPS Parents
The Class to Community (C2C) organization offers free English as a Second Language (ESL), GED and college prep, and digital literacy classes. Visit the C2C website for more information.
Become a Summer RISE 2024 Host and Help a Student Gain Work Experience
Are you interested in sharing your career experience with rising 2024-2025 MCPS high school juniors and seniors? Learn more about how to become a host for the 2024 Summer RISE program!
The Department of Partnerships is seeking businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations to host students for a minimum of 50 hours of in-person, virtual or hybrid experiences
Other Resources and Events
Montgomery Commission for Women and Montgomery Women to Host Free Virtual Career Seminar for Middle and High School Students
The Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery Women will host “A Virtual Career Exploration for Her,” a free virtual career guidance session for middle and high school female students from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21. The Zoom event is free, but registration is required. Register here. Students completing a brief survey at the event's conclusion can earn two hours of student service-learning (SSL) hours.
The event will offer an opportunity for middle and high school female students to begin exploring careers of their interest and that are non-traditional for women. “Women in Maryland earn about 87 percent of what men earn,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “In order to create more gender pay equity in the future, it is important that we provide career mentorship opportunities to young women in middle and high school now. I appreciate the effort of our Commission for Women during Women’s History Month to engage our next generation of leaders and provide them the tools and inspiration to make their own history.” Panel discussions will look at careers ranging from fire services, STEM careers, the law and entrepreneurship, and they will give students the opportunity to hear from professional women who will share their experiences, knowledge and education.
For more information about this event, contact Ijeoma Enendu at ijeoma.enendu@montgomerycountymd.gov or Carmen Kaarid at carmen.kaarid@montgomerycountymd.gov.
MCPS Earth Day SSL Opportunity, April 22
Build the first MCPS farm, and earn SSL hours while giving back to the Earth!
- Students may earn 4.5 SSL hours for participating. Breakfast, lunch, and transportation will be provided.
- To learn more, please click here.
George B. Thomas Saturday School
MCPS Parent Academy
Gaithersburg Youth Club
LPMS Digital Handbook & Future Events
Future Events
Thursday, March 21st: 8th Grade Panoramic Picture
Friday, March 22nd: Maryland School Survey administered to students
Monday, March 25th - Monday, April 1st: No School, Spring Break
Wednesday, April 3rd: Soccer Games versus Ridgeview Middle at 3:20pm, girls at home, boys away
Tuesday, April 9th: Last day of Marking Period 3
Tuesday, April 9th: Soccer Games versus Kingsview Middle at 3:20pm, boys at home, girls away
Tuesday, April 9th: PTSA Heritage Night
Wednesday, April 10th: No School, Professional day for grading and reporting
Wednesday, April 18th: Marking Period 3 Report Cards available on Synergy ParentVue and StudentVue
Thursday, April 18th: Report Cards distributed at the end of the school day
Monday, April 22nd: Asynchronous Learning Day, no in-person or Zoom classes
Thursday, April 25th: Soccer Games versus Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle, boys at home, girls away
Planning ahead?
Click here to see the MCPS calendar for the rest of the year.
Click here to see the 2024-2025 MCPS Calendar for next school year.
Contacting Us
Email: Rose_S_Alvarez@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/lakelandsparkms/
Location: Lakelands Park Middle School, 1200 Main Street, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Phone: (240)740-6450
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LPMSPTSA/