Le Mars Community School District

For the past several weeks I have been visiting with residents about the upcoming referendum and proposed plan to build a new elementary school to serve all of the District’s students. The conversations have provided a great opportunity to discuss the important work happening in all our schools, as well as the needs we have not only with our facilities, but also to improve operating efficiencies and better meet the needs of our students.

Based on data from our facility study data and stakeholder input, each of our existing elementary schools are in need of a significant investment to address capital maintenance and infrastructure needs. Even if these projects were completed, we are still left with space challenges and classrooms not designed to meet today’s learning needs. The limitations of shared gym and cafeteria space and staff that travel between the three buildings, leave us with scheduling issues and missed opportunities to support our students in the best way possible.

As we explored various options to meet our needs, community input made clear that one new elementary school was the best decision. It is the most cost-effective way to address our aging buildings. It provides academic benefits for students by allowing us to balance class size, support and challenge students based on their learning needs, ensure continuity of curriculum, and better utilize staff. A one-campus option will also allow us to improve operating efficiencies with busing and reduced duplication of resources and services.

The community’s Economic Development Plan anticipates continued growth. As a school system we want to be prepared for this growth. Community growth equals school enrollment growth. This plan will meet our current needs, but also has the flexibility to support additional students, should that occur.

It’s important to us that your questions are answered before you head to the polls. We continue to add information to the referendum webpage. I encourage you to visit www.lemarscsd.org. If you still have questions do not hesitate to reach out to me at steve.webner@lemarscsd.org or call (712) 546-4155.

Please take the time to learn the facts and ask questions. Most importantly, exercise your right to vote on November 5.

Thank you, Bulldogs!

November 13, 2024

December 11, 2024

Clark, Franklin, & Kluckhohn Elementaries

• Monday, November 4 - 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm
  
• Thursday, November 7 - 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm

If your student receives a doctor's note stating they are on activity restrictions for PE or sports, please provide a doctor's note when those restrictions are changed or removed.

Do not send your child to school if they have:

• A fever at 100.0 degrees or higher (Child must be fever-free for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medication)
• Thrown up or had diarrhea in the last 24 hours

November 15th from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm in the new HS gym entryway. Seniors that have donated three times will receive a red cord for graduation. This blood drive is open to qualifying students and staff. Please stop in the HS office or sign up online at lifeservebloodcenter.org to register. Community blood donations are welcomed as well.

It is hard to believe we have already finished the first quarter. As we move into November, the weather is starting to change and we will see an uptick in students being ill. If you do keep your child home, please call into the high school office to let the school know. Students can check Schoology to keep up with their school work.

I would like to thank the parents that attended our Parent/Teacher conferences. For those of you who could not make it, please take the time to talk with your child’s teachers. It only takes a moment and it demonstrates to your child their education is important to you.

The high school is ending our semester prior to winter break. This means that December 18 will be day 1 of semester tests and December 19 is day 2. December 20 will be the make-up day. On day 1, students will take the odd periods (1, 3, 5, and 7), on day 2, they will take the evens (2, 4, 6, and 8). During the make up day, students will take any tests they miss. All students will have open campus for lunch, this includes freshmen. Also, students will not need to report to Study Hall or Success Center on these days. Students will need to attend all other classes regardless if they have a semester test or not.

We do have a few trimester classes that will be ending on the 15th. Students taking College Welding, and College English classes will begin new classes on the 16th. Report cards for Trimester classes will be sent home on the 20th.

Senior parents, the time to complete the FAFSA is quickly approaching. In past years, the form was available in November. This year it opens on or before December 1. This form is used to determine eligibility for financial aid next year for college. This includes any Pell grants. The Pell grants have limited funding, so apply early to give your student the best chance to be awarded one of these grants. If you have questions regarding the FAFSA, the counseling office can be of some assistance. Please visit this site to fill out the form: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Hopefully you have had a chance to talk with your child’s teachers through email, on the phone, or in person. If not, please take the time to contact them, especially if you have a concern about how your child is doing. I have asked the teachers to do the same. Also, feel free to contact Mr. Moss or myself if something comes up.

Email: melissa.hill@lemarscsd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/lemarscsd.org/lchs-counseling/home
Twitter: @lemarsguidance

Email: judd.kopperud@lemarscsd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/lemarscsd.org/lchs-counseling/home
Twitter: @lemarsguidance

Saturday, December 7, 2024 --- 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Saturday, January 11, 2025 --- 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Saturday, February 1, 2025 --- 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Saturday, April 19, 2025 --- 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Saturday, May 17, 2025 --- 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

All meetings we will be in Room 101with Mr. Bahr at the high school.

Link to sign up - https://bit.ly/LCHSACTPREP

Email: jason.martin@lemarscsd.org

Email: abby.johnson@lemarscsd.org

It’s crazy to think that November is already upon us! The middle school has completed another successful football, volleyball, and cross country season. We also met with parents at our student led parent/teacher conferences and are about to begin the boy’s basketball and girl’s wrestling seasons. There is always something to be a part of in the middle school and we encourage your students to join in these and other middle school activities.

The first quarter of the school year ended on October 25th and we want to highlight two options available to middle school students who feel they may need some assistance with their academic endeavors. Parents may request student enrollment in these programs as well. The first option is the after school program. This program is free for all participating students, is managed by LCMS teachers and meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:30. Parents can enroll their students on both days or one day a week, whichever works best for your schedule. Transportation home from the program is not provided by the school so parents would have to provide a way home. Parents can speak with their student’s teachers or guidance counselors to learn more about the program.

The second option students can use to assist with their academics is to request a high school tutor (parents can make this request as well). This program is managed by the school district's three educational coaches: Kelly Collins, Gabe Davis and Kurt Van Kley. Students who participate in the tutor program will work with a National Honor Society high school student (these students must maintain a 3.5 or above GPA) or a student of good character and academic standing who volunteered to assist with the program. The middle school students meet with their tutor throughout the week during their study halls in order to improve their academic grades. Once again, speak with your student’s teacher or guidance counselor to learn more about the program if you are interested.

Lastly, we encourage you (if you don’t already) to consistently check on your student’s grades using the PowerSchool program. This can be done by going to the school district’s homepage at lemarscsd.org and expanding the Community tab. From there, select Powerschool Parent/Edutrak and then log in using your parent login information. If you have difficulty with this process, please contact the middle school and we can assist you.

We want to thank the many generous businesses and individuals that donated to the book fair and bake sale this year. The donations allowed 225 students to purchase their own book and promote reading. The sales from the book fair allowed us to purchase over 100 books for the middle school library as well as enough to purchase books later as we need them. In addition, the book fair collected $200 in proceeds to give to The Table at Rejoice located in Le Mars, IA. Thank you everyone for helping make our middle school book fair a huge success!

Clark and Franklin Elementary School Guidance Counselor

kari.kopperud@lemarscsd.org

Kluckhohn Elementary School Guidance Counselor

abby.simington@lemarscsd.org

We are looking forward to focusing on Gratitude this month! One way to think about Gratitude is “choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives.”

Practicing Gratitude can increase our well-being and even our happiness!

Gratitude is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Well. Across grade levels, students will be developing skills like emotion regulation, positive self-talk, and stress management. Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Gratitude.

Here are 2 “PurposeFull Pursuits” you can complete together!

1. What are some small, specific things that you are Grateful for? Maybe it is your favorite water cup, the way the cat sleeps on the chair, or when your grandma bakes banana bread. Spend some time as a family trying to think of at least 10 small things that you have Gratitude for and then choose to notice them this week with a smile.
2. Review Gratitude as a family! Remember that Gratitude is choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives. Find a place in your home to display a glass jar. Cut up small slips of paper and place them next to the jar. Use the jar to collect special people, places, events, and memories that your family is thankful for. Find a time each week to add slips of Gratitude to the jar and assist students in writing or drawing gratitude as needed. Having a gloomy day or a challenging time as a family? Pull out the slips of Gratitude and read them aloud together as a reminder of your Grateful moments.

Conversation Starters:

1. What is something you are Grateful for every day?
2. When someone shows you Gratitude, how does it make you feel? Why?

Kind Regards,

Mrs. Kari Kopperud (Clark & Franklin School Counselor)

Mrs. Abby Simington (Kluckhohn School Counselor)

Clark, Franklin and Kluckhohn Elementary Schools will host Scholastic Book Fairs November 4 -7 during Parent - Teacher Conference week.

Hope to see you all there!!!

LeMars Community High School Presents: Little Shop of Horrors

Le Mars Community High School is excited to announce its upcoming production of the hit Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors. This darkly comedic musical tells the story of Seymour Krelborn, a hapless floral assistant who discovers a mysterious plant with a voracious appetite for human flesh. As Seymour tries to navigate his feelings for his co-worker, Audrey, and the demands of his carnivorous companion, chaos ensues in this delightful tale of ambition, love, and the consequences of greed.

Join us for three unforgettable performances on November 7, 8, and 9, 2024, at 7:00 pm in the Middle School Auditorium. This production promises to entertain audiences of all ages with its catchy tunes, memorable characters, and a healthy dose of humor.

Performance Details:

• Dates: November 7, 8, and 9, 2024
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Location: Middle School Auditorium, Le Mars Community School District
• Tickets: $10 each, available for purchase in the high school office starting October 7, 2024. Cash, check, and online payment via Bound are all accepted.

Don't miss your chance to experience the thrills and laughs of Little Shop of Horrors! Gather your friends and family for a night of entertainment you won't forget. For more information, please contact the high school music department.

Students, parents, employees and others doing business with or performing services for the Le Mars Community School District are hereby notified that this school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, and marital status in its educational programs, activities or employment policies and practices in admission or access to, or treatment in, its hiring and employment practices. Any person having inquiries concerning the school district’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), § 504 or Iowa Code § 280.3 is directed to contact: Mrs. Rachel Leavitt, Curriculum Director, 940 Lincoln St SW, 546-4155.

Students, parents, patrons and staff of the Le Mars Community School District are hereby notified that complaints/allegations of sexual or physical abuse of students by any school employee or person who volunteers services under the control of the district shall be investigated promptly with the investigation handled confidentially to the maximum extent possible.

The Level I Investigator:

Clark Elementary -- Neal Utesch -- 712-546-8121

Franklin Elementary -- Neal Utesch -- 712-546-4185

Kluckhohn Elementary -- Jerad Wulf -- 712-546-7064

Middle School -- Kyle Formanek -- 712-546-7022

High School -- Mark Iverson -- 712-546-4153

The alternate Level I Investigator:

Rachel Leavitt -- 712-546-4155

If the Level I Investigator finds sufficient cause for further investigation, the matter will be referred to the Level 2 Investigator: Chief of Police, Kevin Vande Vegte.

Parents are reminded that only under very special circumstances are students living in town permitted to ride country route buses. We do not have sufficient room on these routes to be able to permit town students to ride home with country students for visits, birthday parties, etc. Likewise, country students cannot ride the town route buses to the homes of friends.