LMS Newsletter
November 2024
Message From the Principal
Dear Lakeridge Families,
We just wrapped up an awesome first quarter here at LMS. We had a record number of athletes turn out for first season sports, student and staff participation in spirit week activities was fantastic and we had a huge dance, where over 450 of our Hawks danced, played in the gym, and generally had a great time hanging out with their friends. With the end of our first quarter, we are looking forward to celebrating our first quarter “Honor Roll” students who have earned a 3.5 GPA or higher. Grades will be posted on Skyward soon. You can also pick up a hard copy of your child’s first quarter grades at the parent conference event on November 14th. Conferences are from 11:30-6:30. We hope to see you there!
Going into the second quarter, our Lakeridge Middle School Vision continues to focus on providing an excellent social, emotional, and academic environment for your child to grow. Thank you for your support and collaboration as we strive to provide excellence every day for every student. We truly value your partnership. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Toby Udager
Principal
Important Dates
Please note the following Early Release and No School dates for November:
Monday, Nov 11: No School (Veterans' Day)
Thursday, Nov 14: Early Release Day & Parent Conferences
Tuesday, Nov 26: Early Release Day (Hawkfest)
Wed, Nov 27 - Fri, Nov 29: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Early Release Schedule
7:25 - 10:25 am
Bus Drop-Off time will be 3.5 hours earlier than normal
Breakfast will be available, lunch will not be served.
Prop. 1 Passes - Thank You, Voters!
We’re absolutely thrilled that Proposition 1 has passed and we very much thank those who voted in support of the bond measure that will improve schools districtwide.
A supermajority of 60 percent was required to pass, and our voters made it happen with a current 63 percent approval (as of 11/6). This reflects the shared belief of our community to invest in our schools and kids.
The district is excited to now move forward in implementing the bond projects, including here at Lakeridge:
Relieve overcrowding with a new middle school in Tehaleh
Energy-efficiency with an LED lighting conversion and other energy efficiency improvements that will optimize the performance of systems such as heating, cooling and ventilation
If you have younger students who will make their way to Sumner or Bonney Lake high school, they will also see expanded, safe and modern school facilities as part of these bond projects.
Thank you for being a part of our Hawk community as we build for success.
Parent Conferences - 11/14
Parent Conferences are right around the corner! Thursday, November 14th will be an early dismissal day for all secondary students to accommodate the conference schedule.
School Day: 7:25 - 10:25 am
Parent Conferences: 11:30 am - 6:30 pm
Please stay tuned for more detailed information on conferences coming soon!
Student Life
Food Drive
November 1-5, 2024
Join us in participating in the Major’s Food Drive to benefit Good Roots Northwest (formerly the Bonney Lake Food Bank). In an effort to ensure timely distribution of holiday meals, we have been asked to collect the following items only:
- Canned Cranberry
No other nonperishable items will be accepted at this time. A competition for the most items collected will be held out of 1st period classes. Good luck, Hawks!
Elementary Book Drive
November 1-15, 2024
8th grade leadership is partnering with Sumner High School to collect early elementary level books (grades K-3). Books will be given to first grade students in our district later this year. Books can be dropped off in the library or with Mrs. Nimick.
Honoring Veterans | Veterans Day 2024
Deadline: November 6, 2024
Students will honor veterans on Friday, November 8th during our Veterans Day assemblies. If you have a veteran to honor in our slideshow you can submit photos to Mrs. Nimick no later than Wednesday, November 6th at Laura_handy-nimick@sumnersd.org.
Cocoa For Coats
November 11-26, 2024
Student Coordinators: Lakeridge ASB Team & 8th Grade Leadership
Staff Advisers: Ms. Case & Mrs. Nimick
Hawkfest Fundraiser
Tuesday, November 26th
During the school day
ASB Fundraiser
Hawkfest is our annual ASB fundraiser. This event provides critical funding for all athletic programs, activities, competitions, clubs, performances and more. Students raise money to participate in leveled activities throughout the school during Hawkfest on November 26th. All students can participate regardless of funds raised. If we hit our $15,000 goal all students will have access to all leveled activities. More information will be coming home soon!
Counseling
Friday Food Bags
Each Friday, our Food Bank delivers bags of non-perishable items. Please reach out to your child’s school counselor if you are interested.
Gina Rice - School Counselor, 8th grade, 7th grade L-Z gina_rice@sumnersd.org
Mari Lysne - School Counselor, 6th grade, 7th grade A-K mari_lysne@sumnersd.org
Community Big Give
The Community Big Give provides Thanksgiving meal supplies to local families upon request. Meal registration will be open until November 15th for the first 1,500 requests.
Follow the link to submit your request or find out more information about this event.
Native American Heritage Month
National Native American Heritage Month, observed every November, celebrates the rich cultures, traditions, and histories of Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiian, and other affiliated island communities. This month recognizes the significant contributions of Native communities to the United States and highlights the resilience and diversity of Indigenous cultures. Established in 1990, it serves as a time for reflection and education on the history, achievements, and ongoing challenges faced by Native Americans. The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District honors this month to promote understanding and respect for Native American heritage, fostering a more inclusive and informed community.
From the Health Room
Medication at School Q & A
The health room does not provide any medications or remedies, including over-the-counter medications or supplements, to students without written orders. The health room does not maintain an inventory of medications unless they are assigned to specific students.
For safety reasons, medications cannot be transported by students between home and school. Students are not to carry medications with them at school unless it is medically necessary to do so and written permission from parent and Health Care Provider to carry at school is on file specifically noting the student is allowed to self carry the medication.
The administration of medications at school is a service the Sumner School District provides. By state law, RCW 28A.210.260, written permission from parents and HealthCare Provider must be provided before medications can be administered at school. The intent of the state law concerning medication administration at school, obligates school districts to obtain written Health Care Provider orders and parental permission for both prescription and over-the-counter medications (i.e. Tylenol, medicated throat lozenges, vitamins).
Renewal of written permission must be completed every school year and whenever the Health Care Provider adjusts a prescription.
Parents' signature on the forms indicates understanding that the school accepts no liability for untoward reactions when the medication is administered, or the student self-administers, in accordance with the health care provider’s directions. At the end of the school year, parents will need to collect the medication from the school or understand that it will be destroyed.
Your assistance in maintaining a safe medication administration routine for your child(ren) in the school setting is greatly appreciated.
Please feel free to contact me at 253-891-5114 should you have any questions or concerns.
Vincene Holter, LPN — Campus Nurse
Below is the link for medication(s) order forms.
Attendance Awareness
Good Attendance is Important
We value every student’s contribution to our school community and miss them when they are gone. Regular, daily attendance is one of the most important things a student can do to be successful in all grade levels.
Please remember…
- All absences (excused and unexcused) have the potential of harming students academically.
- Students who miss 10 percent (18 days) of the school year, or two or more days a month, are defined as being chronically absent.
- By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
- By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
- It takes an average of 3 days for a student to catch up from every 1 day of being absent.
- Missing 3 or more days of school per month can set a student back up to 2 full years of learning.
Assess Your Student’s Attendance
Take an assessment of where your student is a quarter of the way through the school year and learn what you can do to help.
- The Satisfactory Zone (0-3 absences): Your child has good attendance. Celebrate and make a goal with your child to have even better attendance.
- The Warning Zone (4-6 absences): Your child’s learning may be affected. Pay special attention to make sure your child is keeping up with school work and support strong attendance in the future.
- The Danger Zone (7-9 or more absences): There is a good chance your child has fallen behind academically. Develop a plan with your child’s school to help your child get to school on time and attend regularly.
Good attendance matters
- Chronic absence (missing 10 percent of the school year or more) does not just affect the students who miss school. If too many students are chronically absent, it slows down instruction for other students, who must wait while the teacher repeats material for absentee students. This makes it harder for students to learn and teachers to teach.
- Good attendance helps children do well in school and eventually in the workplace. Good attendance matters for school success, starting as early as prekindergarten and throughout elementary school. By middle and high school, poor attendance is a leading indicator of dropout. Developing the habit of attendance prepares students for success on the job and in life.
HIV/AIDS Prevention Curriculum- Parent Curriculum Review Night
Tuesday, Dec 10
Washington State law requires that every student receives HIV/AIDs prevention education in grades 5 through 12. Because this unit covers sensitive topics, Washington State law and SBLSD board policy require that parents are provided the opportunity to preview these lessons.
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District (SBLSD) is hosting a curriculum night for families to preview the HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum for students enrolled in the following:
2nd semester 8th grade Skills for Life (HIV/AIDS) and
9th grade Health classes (Health content).
The Curriculum will be available for preview. This is an opportunity for parents and guardians to understand the health content for students currently enrolled in 8th grade Skills for Life or 9th grade Health classes, preview teaching materials and ask questions about the resources used in the classroom.
Parent Review Night
December 10, 2024 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Sumner-Bonney Lake School District Administration Building, Board Room
Parents wishing to exclude their child from the Sexual Health curriculum required by our state must preview this curriculum and sign an exclusion form.
Additionally, there will be another opportunity in the spring for families of 6th-12th graders who will study this Health-related content during 2nd semester.