Hawk Herald

As you likely know, our school board had to reevaluate the start dates for the hybrid model. As of now, the elementary schools will begin the hybrid model on October 19th. The New Mexico Public Education Department said last week that secondary schools cannot start hybrid yet. As a result, we do not know when we will be allowed to go into the hybrid mode.

I know many parents are happy about that, and many are not. We greatly look forward to the day we can safely invite students back into LAMS. For now, what I can tell you is that LAMS is dedicated to make online school better and better, until we are a premier online educational institution. I am a firm believer in moving forward with what you have. Right now, we have top-notch teachers and educational assistants, excellent support staff and the unwavering desire to educate your children.

We also know that we have work to do. We are ready and able to do that work. This will mean making some changes. I will keep you abreast well in advance of any changes we make.

Never before has it been more important to work closely together and gather our village. We are all Team Hawks! Please keep in touch with us. Let us know what you need. Even though we are not in the building together, we are here for you.

As we continue to engage in online education, we are learning a lot. We truly appreciate your kind suggestions. We need to know what is working and what isn't in order to improve. Basically, we are creating a brand new school, and kinks are a part of that process.

We met with each team last week and asked them to be sure to communicate about how much work they are assigning. We realize work done online on varied platforms can take longer than usual work done at home. We will adjust.

Currently, our students are finished with school each day at 11:45. Now that we are going to be online longer than originally expected, we are working on a new schedule that lengthens each class by a few minutes. This is based on student, teacher and parent feedback. Many students have told me that they would like some time at the end of each class to get started on their work. This way, they will be able to ask questions and clarify the assignments. Our staff agrees that this would be helpful. We will send out the new schedule soon with ample time for everyone to get the message prior to starting it.

The schedule will still have Wednesdays as what we are calling Blue Time. Blue Time is not a day off for students. They are expected to complete assignments during all Blue Times, not just Wednesdays. We are encouraging students who need help, or would like to do their work in a more class-like setting, to attend HAT time on Tuesdays and Fridays. While many students are taking advantage of HAT, far more are not. During HAT, teachers are online to help their students. It is an excellent way to stay caught up and get individualized help. Please encourage your children to attend HAT.

If your child attended HAT and needs more assistance, please have them email their teachers and set up times to meet one-on-one. Middle school is a great time to foster independence. Asking for help is a perfect way to self-advocate.

We also started Saturday School this week. Saturday School is another great way for our students to catch up on assignments, make up tests or quizzes, get help from teachers and even get ahead on upcoming assignments. Saturday School is voluntary and another way for us to assist your children with their work. Here is the link for more information and details on signing up.

https://sites.google.com/laschools.net/lams-saturday-school/home

Each week staff member send us names of students and fellow staff members who they "caught soaring". Even in remote school, we can see our students and staff doing amazing things and we want to celebrate that. You will get the most current I Caught a Hawk Soaring video in your inbox. Here is the link to the one we recorded last Friday:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RjJMZhpWo3mTty5VKWG-qWGBcoIqvQvu/view?usp=sharing

Even during remote school, LAMS staff is engaging in professional development and purchasing materials to make online learning better. Our PTO is funding grant requests and giving teachers money to purchase things for their classrooms. They made getting staff shirts possible and purchased tether ball equipment this summer. They re also helping with staff snacks and coffee for the lounge. Our PTO is truly an amazing group of people. If you would like to contribute to the no sale fundraiser, you can donate $25 (although any amount is appreciated) to the LAMS PTO. This tax deductible donation can be brought to school or mailed to 2101 Hawk Dr. Los Alamos, NM 87544. When you log in to Powerschool there is great LAMS information. Information about upcoming PTO meetings can be found there.

Here are some ways to donate that don't cost you anything:

• Attach your Smith's Fresh Values Card to Los Alamos Middle School. You have to redo this every September. I just renewed mine. It is easy to do. Mine said previously enrolled and after I followed the link, it said enrolled. I think "previously enrolled" is confusing. It kind of sounds like you are already enrolled. If you can tie your card to LAMS while your children are in middle school, that would help more than you know. Here is the link: https://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/account/communityrewards/
• If you use Amazon, you can shop for the same exact things using smile.amazon and tie your account to LAMS. Here are the steps for that:

1. Visit smile.amazon.com.
2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials.
3. Choose a charitable organization to receive donations, or search for the charity of your choice.
4. Select your charity (LAMS PTO).

Thank you very much for your contributions!!

Daily announcements are being conducted by LAMS speech, drama and debate teacher, Sherri Bublitz. Students should listen to daily announcements between 9:10-9:20. Students receive a daily email with the link to morning announcements. Thank you, Mrs. Bublitz! Here is a link to today's announcements.

https://youtu.be/mM_wVcwhF8c