Cougar Connection

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 March students. We are so proud of each of you!

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

Calling all cultures! The Lakewood Middle School Multicultural Festival is returning Tuesday, April 15th from 6:00-7:30pm!

We hope to have many cultures and countries represented! Please consider sharing your heritage and culture from anywhere in the world with our school community by bringing artifacts, clothing, games, information boards, instruments, music, dancing, food, or anything else that has meaning to you and your family! Each adult/family member that volunteers will have their own table and chairs to use for their display. Feel free to form a group with other parents if you wish!

If you wish to sign up to volunteer, please fill out the sign up no later than Friday, April 4th! We would love to have you join us! Sign Up Link: https://forms.gle/LrePWXRBEV1E785h6

Not wanting to volunteer? No worries! All Lakewood Middle families are welcome to attend this free event!

Questions? Reach out to Megan Holsapple (Diversity Council Sponsor) by email: mholsapple@bluevalleyk12.org

At the end of each quarter, courses in Canvas will conclude and will no longer be visible on the Canvas app. However, a concluded course remains visible through the Canvas website by selecting ALL COURSES and then PAST ENROLLMENTS.

Important dates for families:

Please note: The dates are subject to change based upon calendar updates or technology needs.

How do I view my child’s report card?

• Log in on ParentVue.

• Select the student’s name

• In the left navigation bar, choose Report Card

Each new quarter, classroom teachers will publish the next quarter’s Canvas course. As courses are published, students and families will again be able to see current courses on the Canvas app and Canvas website. For Canvas parent resources, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/canvas.

TRACK & FIELD SIGN-UP AND INFORMATION

Attention 7th and 8th graders track season is right around the corner. Anyone in good standing is eligible to go out for track. A physical and all paperwork must be submitted before a student is allowed to participate.

Informational meeting on March 12 from 3-3:20 in the gym

First practice March 26

Practices 3-4:30

Athletes need to make EVERY effort to be at their scheduled practice! Track is a team sport, we need everyone there, every day they are scheduled.

A calendar has been included so you can see practice and meet dates. Please use the included signup link if you are interested in participating in track. It does not commit you, but gives us an idea of how many athletes we may have. More information will be given to athletes about events at our informational meeting and the first week of practice. If you have any questions please reach out to Coach Baker - wbaker@bluevalleyk12.org

SIGN UP FOR TRACK HERE - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK6EsRuI7aV3lj9fyu_ELGnXi1Y1N8BRJqlLvUemA0bgxcMA/viewform?usp=sharing

Registration for Activities and Athletics. Use this LINK for directions and helpful information. Physicals must be dated after May 1, 2024. Anyone who is planning to participate in a spring sport must complete the required paperwork prior to attending the first practice (3/26). Reach out to Dylan Owings (dowings@bluevalleyk12.org) if you have any questions.

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.

As the weather is getting colder, the car line is longer in the morning and the afternoon. We need your help to keep the car line moving efficiently and to keep everyone safe. Please remember that you need to pull all the way forward in the line before dropping off your student. If you are dropping a student off you can wait in the car line or park and have your student walk across the crosswalk. The outside lane should only be used to leave the parking lot or pull into the parking area. Please do not enter the drop off line from the outside lane. We appreciate your help in keeping our parking lot safe!

It is essential that students arrive on time to school so they can be present for all instruction. The following policy will be implemented for students who arrive tardy to 1st hour:

• Teachers begin their classes at 7:51 and every late arrival creates an interruption that takes away from the learning environment - and students often miss key instructional elements when they arrive late.
• We will closely track tardies. When a student reaches their 4th late arrival to school a notification email will be sent to parents. On the 5th late arrival (and subsequent late arrivals) the student will be assigned a morning or afternoon detention to be served within the same week.
• The tally for tardies will reset each quarter**** (new tardies will start being tracked for 4th quarter on Tuesday, March 25).

Community Celebrations and Observances - to promote awareness and appreciation of our Blue Valley families.

Some March Celebrations & Observances:

• The Nineteen Day Fast - March 1-19 - a time of prayer, meditation, and fasting, some adult members of the Baháʼí faith refrain from food and water from sunrise to sunset each day. This practice might include prayers of spiritual preparation for the new year.

• Ramadan - evening of March 1-30 - the holy month of fasting for the Islamic faith. For some Muslim families, it is a time for introspection, communal prayer, reading the Qur’an, and fasting between sunrise and sunset.

• Ash Wednesday - March 5 - a Christian holiday signifying the first day of the Lenten season, the 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading to Easter. Some families will attend religious services and receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their forehead.

• Holi - March 14 - known as the Hindu festival of colors, Holi honors the triumph of good over evil and marks the beginning of Spring. Some families will light bonfires, throw colorful powder called gulal, eat sweets, and dance to traditional music.

• Eid al Fitr - March 31 - marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Some families will celebrate the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” by joining in communal prayer and meals, visiting family, gift-giving, and charity.

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

Monday, March 10

• 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, March 11

• Jazz band @ 7:10 AM
• 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 club in room 138 (3:00-4:00 PM)
• Newspaper club in room 107 (3:00-4:00 PM)

Wednesday, March 12

• FCS in Room 208 (7:00a-7:45 AM)
• 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
• Bracelet Making Club in Room 301

Thursday, March 13

• No clubs or activities

Friday, March 14 - NO School for Students

March 17-24 - Spring Break

Tuesday, March 25 - School Resumes

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).