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“PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND SUCCESS”

Middle Vikes NewsCalendar Highlights, Parent / Teacher Conferences for students that need some

guidance, Fall ACT Spring M-STEP Assessment, More Fall Athletics at LMS,, Destination Imagination, Viking Actions for Success, Synergy Parent / Student Grade Link, Choir

News, Cinderella Room/Life Skills Room, School Improvement Goals., Lakewood Middle School is still on Facebook, AR Reading Program, new face at LMS for 2017 - 2018

The school year has geared up with academic, social, and athletic events in full swing. Information in this month’s newsletter will help clarify some issues that were not resolved during registration (Synergy Parent Vue) and introduce other topics that can be used to plan for the days and months ahead.

Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated. Phone calls and emails are efficient methods to open the doors of communication. We also are very glad to schedule meetings to better focus programming to help students or better understand school goals and policies. I can be reached by email at [email protected] Thanks for all you do to make learning meaningful and appreciated for your son / daughter. Happy October to all!Kellie Rowland

Principal

CALENDARHIGHLIGHTS

October 3 VAS RESPECT Recognition Assembly.

October 4th- Count Day- Class Competition for the highest % of attendance

October 5th- Club Choice Fund Raiser forms and payment due

Oct. 7 and Oct. 21 - Saturday School, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Oct. 09 - Picture Re-takes (AM)

Oct. 11 - HALF DAY OF SCHOOL- BUSSES LEAVE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AT 10:33 AM. Inservice afternoon for all middle school teachers

October 12 - Choir Performance at the high school for 8th grade choir students at 7 PM.

All parents welcome to BIT meeting October 19, 2:25 PM

November 1st Parent/Teacher Conferences

LAKEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL OCTOBER 2017 NEWSLETTER SCHOOL PHONE: (616) 374 - 2400

LAKEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL

PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCES

Monday, November1st Students attend school in the morning with dismissal at 10:34 a.m.

Conferences

12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m. and

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

5th- 8th grade Parent / Teacher conferences are on a drop-in

format. No appointment is necessary. You may need to see only

1 or maybe all 5 teachers. First come first serve for each

individual teacher.

Most Teachers will will be set up in the gymnasium. Our

Resource Room Instructors, ART Teacher and 5th grade teachers

will be located in their classrooms. The afternoon is

traditionally less busy than the evenings but please plan on

some wait time to see teachers. Feel free to set up a time

some other time to meet with teachers during their daily

conference time. Mark your calendar now for P.T. Conferences

in November!

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



GIRLS VOLLEYBALLBOYS and GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

It is an exciting time for middle school sports. The middle school is a member of the GLAC league which is the same league as the Lakewood High School. The teams are competing with confidence and they are experiencing success.The girls’ volleyball and boys’ / girls’ cross country teams are in the midst of their competitive seasons and would love to have you drop by to cheer and encourage their best efforts during October;

Volleyball7th grade Volleyball plays first with the 8th grade to follow

October 4 vs. Maple Valley -- AWAY 4:30October 7 LMS invite at Lakewood HS 8:00 amOctober 9 vs. Perry --HOME 4:30October 11 vs. Stockbridge --AWAY 4:30October 16 vs. Lansing Christian--AWAY 4:30October 21 GLAC MS Tourney at Perry 9:00 am

Cross CountryOctober 3 LMS Jamboree 4:30October 6 Fowler at UNCLE JOHN”S CIDER MILL 8614 US-127, St. Johns 4:00October 09 at Mason 4:30 Rayner Park Mason, MIOctober 12 Grand Ledge Invitational 4:30 Fitzgerald Park, Grand LedgeOctober 16 Greater Lansing Invitiational 4:00 Dewitt High SchoolOctober 19 MS Cross Country Finals 4:30 Lakewood

The boys’ race will begin following the girls.

BOYS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS The week of OCTOBER 17th and 18th

Tryouts for the 7th and 8th grade Boys’ Basketball teams begin the week of October 17 beginning right after school and will end at 4:30. The first game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 31st at home. A current physical must be on file with the middle school athletic director in order to tryout. Physical forms are available in the middle school office.

TESTING SCHEDULE Spring 2016

Michigan moved from fall tes3ng in grades 3-‐9 to spring tes3ng that began in the spring 2015. Students will be tested on content learned in the current school year. All students will test in Math and Reading, however the state assessments in the spring will also test students in grades 4,7,and 11 in science, while students in grades 5 ,8, and 11 will also be tested in social studies. English language arts assessment will con3nue to consist of reading and wri3ng in each grade 3-‐8 and 11 and mathema3cs will con3nue to be assessed at grades 3-‐8 and 11. Lakewood Middle School is also administering the ACT to our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to provide data to the students’ teachers to beOer prepare each of them for college or a post educa3on choice. The goal is to gather the best data possible to con3nue to provide the needed academic and educa3on for every individual.

The Spring M-‐STEP tes3ng schedule is 5th and 8th grade: April 09-‐ May 4, 20186th and 7th grade: April 30-‐ May 25, 2018

Please do everything you can not to interfere with your students’ tes6ng schedule. But for now con6nue to support your student to do their best each and every day in school.



Destination ImagiNation Information The Destination ImagiNation program asks teams to creatively solve two different kinds of “Challenges”, each with its own purpose and educational focus. The two Challenges, or components, are called the Team Challenge and the Instant Challenge. Teams present their solutions to both Challenges at a Tournament where the solutions are evaluated by friendly people called “Appraisers.” A team consists of at least two and no more than seven members. Only those seven may work on the solution to the Team Challenge, may perform the solution and may participate in the Instant Challenge part of a Tournament. Teams should have members who are willing to commit their time and energy to the development of the solution and to each other through thick and thin. Teams will need individuals who have talents and abilities in very diverse areas such as building, welding, soldering, sewing, designing sets, designing costumes, writing scripts, composing and performing music, just to name a few. Teams will also need individuals who have the ability to generate new ideas and those who are able to categorize, sift and choose criteria to make the solution work. Tryouts will be sometime during this month of October.

We will be offering a 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade team at Lakewood Middle School.

Viking Actions for SuccessLakewood Middle School adopted a student centered focus on character traits that are used by successful individuals in working with other people and interacting in positive, productive ways. Each month a new trait is identified. Members of each grade will be recognized at the end of the month as representatives of all students who successfully used the trait throughout the school. The focus character traits for this year include:September Respect October PerseveranceNovember Self Discipline December GenerosityJanuary Leadership February ToleranceMarch Cheerfulness April PrideMay Ambition

September Honorees for RESPECT5th GRADE Recognized VAS Members: Karlee Baker,

Elayna Hawkins, Miles Grinnell, Cole Thrun6th GRADE Recognized VAS Members: Conner Evans, Kelsey Collison, Colt Endsley, Bryson Haight7th GRADE Recognized VAS Members: Jayce Cusack,

Bailey Fifelski, Emily Root, Austin Straub8th GRADE Recognized VAS Members: Gavan Shong, Denny Sauers, Hailee Shephard, Morgan Mussehl

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE RECIPIENTS FOR the month of SEPTEMBER

Synergy PARENT LINK AVAILABLE

Log-in codes for parents to access their son / daughter’s grades, attendance, schedule, and other school information are available. By using the provided access code, parents will create their own user name and password which will provide access from any Internet based computer. If you have not received your access information please contact the school office and request one to be sent home. Daily assignment sheets for all student assignments each day are posted on the LMS home page at www..lakewoodps.org, Please select Middle School under the schools link and then scroll down on the right for Assignment Sheet. Find Updates are posted daily by 12:00 p.m.

A quote of interest“When I was growing up, my parents used to say to me, ‘Tom finish your dinner-people in China and India are starving.’ But after sailing to the edge of the flat world for a year, I am now telling my own daughters, ‘Girls finish your homework-people in China and India are starving for your job.” - Thomas L. Friedman “It’s a Flat World, After All”

Lakewood Vocal Music Department presents the "Coffee Concert"

Come join the Vocal Music department as we present the “Coffee Concert” at 7pm on Thursday, October 12th at the High School Auditorium. Our 8th Grade Choir is working hard and is excited to perform the music we have been preparing. Also singing at the concert will be the two high school choirs; Chorus, and Select Women's Ensemble. The concert will be approximately an hour long and fall treats and coffee will be provided at the conclusion of our performance. We hope to see you there!



Lakewood Middle School School Improvement Plan was accepted through Advanc-‐Ed One component of Advanc-‐ED

requires of all schools in Michigan is to maintain a school improvement plan which utilizes achievement data to identify areas

where improvement efforts can be directed. During the 2017-‐2018 school year LMS revised our school improvement goals.

Local classroom assessment data, ACT Explore data, and STAR test results were used to identify goal improvement areas.

Strategies and interventions designed to provide classroom support in designated content areas will be implemented this

year and measured to determine effectiveness in supporting student learning.

Goals for the 2017 -‐ 2018 school year in each core content area include;

Math

•All students at Lakewood Middle School students will demonstrate proficiency in reasoning and explaining of mathematical skills processes by

scoring a proficiency of 70% or higher on a local assessment.

English Language Arts

* All students at Lakewood Middle School will become proficient readers by demonstrating at reading at grade level or an increase of at least one

year growth. Lakewood Middle School students will be competent writers by demonstrating 100% measured with 3 unassisted writing prompts

designed by the ELA department.

Science

At least 80% of the students at Lakewood Middle School will meet or exceed proficiency on the State Science Assessment.

Social Studies

• 70% of students by the end of eighth grade will be able to demonstrate 70% proficiency on a common assessment of economics developed by

the Lakewood Middle School Social Studies Department by May of 2020.

•Electives

•Lakewood Middle School students will be provided a variety of electives including technology, fine arts, world languages and physical

education.

The complete L.M.S. School Improvement Plan is available for review at the Lakewood Middle School website. Go to

www.lakewoodps.org, under schools select Lakewood Middle. The link is on the right side of the Middle School homepage.

L.M.S. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GOALS

http://www.lakewoodps.org

http://www.lakewoodps.org


The Lakewood Middle School's "Cinderella's Closet," started two years ago by teacher Betsy Svanda and Paraprofessional Lori Root, has formal short dresses available for girls who cannot otherwise afford to attend their 8th grade formal. Through donations of new and gently used formal short dresses, shoes and accessories the closet has grown to have over 75 dresses of all sizes, colors and styles.

More than a dress, The Lakewood Middle School's Cinderella's Closet provides an unforgettable, amazing experience for every girl to be a princess. If you would like to donate to be part of this magical experience, please contact the Lakewood Middle School at 616-374-2400 or drop off during school hours.

LIFE SKILLS ROOM

We have a room that supplies the needs of our middle school students such as extra food, cleaning

items, clothing of various sizes, coats, mittens, hats, school supplies, back packs, gym shoes, gym

shorts, toiletries. We appreciate donations to continue to stock the room to meet the needs of many.

They may be dropped off at the office on any given day. Currently the need is:

Dish Soap, Laundry Soap, Paper Plates, Plastic Silverware, under clothing of various sizes for male

and female.

THANK YOU


6th Grade ELA Newsletter - Mr. KutchSeptember - 2017

Greetings,

Many of the 6th grade language arts students are off to a great start toward their 1stsemester AR reading goal. Students are asked to read 30 minutes each day at home inan AR book. They take an AR quiz when finished with an AR book and receive pointstoward their AR goal. Parent involvement with reading at home can be very beneficial to a child's reading success and continued development. Ask them some questions about what they read after a 'half hour& quote session. What is happening to the characters in your book? Is the plot beginning to build suspense? What do you think will happen next? Helping your child monitor their AR goal is a key component to success and growth in reading duringthe middle grades. Thank you, parents, for all you do to foster a love of learning and success inschool with your children.

- Mr. Kutch


All 6th, 7th and 8th grade PE ClassesDear Parents & Students:

Please remember to have your child bring in your doctor’s slip stating the reason(s) for not being able to participate in class activities. This is the only way to be exempt from class activities or a sports report. I will need the START and END dates for each reason/injury. Parent note(s) will be considered, but the student will need to complete a sports report for their daily grade each day they are out of class. Thank you for your help in this matter, it truly helps with the legalities I must adhere to for these classes. Sincerely,Mr. Veitch Physical Education Department

8th GRADE US HISTORY CLASS

The following students have been selected to be students of the week in U.S History, based on their hard work, dedication, and/or commitment to excellence in class:

Hailee Shepard Yovani Vasquez Naudia Huhn BrodyJacksonMcKenzie Wells Josh Peters Kristen Finsaas Misa Mendez


Naviga&ng The Teen Years:Tune Into Your TeenThe common thread among teens who do well academically and socially, andthey stay healthy and drug-‐free, is that they have a close rela&onship with theirparents. These teens report that their parents are interested in them, in what theydo and who they know. They feel connected because their parents listen to themand take &me to find out what’s going on in their world.Here are some ways to foster a close rela&onship with your teen: Spend &me together regularly doing things your teen enjoys. Talk openly and honestly. Use posi&ve communica&on skills, especially when there is a conflict. Forexample, think before you speak and acknowledge your teen’s point ofview so he or she knows you are listening. Acknowledge the posi&ve quali&es and behaviors of your teenager. Take advantage of everyday &mes like driving your teen to school orwatching TV together to engage with your teenager. Set aside a special &me to check in and ask about interest and ac&vi&es,find out what’s going on in your teen’s life.


HELP CHILDREN USE CELL PHONES SAFLEY

Is your child coun.ng the days un.l he or she is permi5ed to have a cellphone? Or are you already nego.a.ng minute and text message allowances? Whichever stage you may be in with your child these .ps will help you set

rules for safer cell phone use.

• Establish rules for when and where they are allowed to use their cell phone, what websites they can visit, and what apps they can download.

• Review cell phone records for any unknown numbers and late night phone calls and texts.

• Remind your children that anything they send from their cell phones can be easily forwarded and shared. Discuss with them the difference between private and public informa.on and help them establish healthy boundaries.

• Talk to your child about the possible consequences of sending sexually explicit or provoca.ve images or text messages.

• With the constant connec.vity of smartphones, your child may be more suscep.ble to cyberbullying or have more .me to cyberbully others. Cyberbulling is the use of technology to tease, humiliate, threaten/and or harass someone. If this happens report it to law enforcement.

• Con.nue to talk with your children about protec.ng themselves and respec.ng others when online.


MEET THE NEW FACES AT

LAKEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL

5TH GRADE TEACHER: Mrs. Kelly Meints

Hello Vikings! I am Kelly Meints, and I am the 5th grade English Language Arts teacher. After living in Roswell, Georgia for nine years, my family and I are so happy to be back in our home state and are residing in Lowell. I received my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Ferris State University and a master's in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University. Personal passions include raising my two rambunctious sons, watching and playing sports, and spending time outdoors. I have nine years of teaching experience, six of those years being spent in a 5th grade classroom. Fifth graders are truly the best, and I have a passion for pushing students to exceed all the expectations!


Lakewood Public Schools will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, height, weight, marital status, or disability in its programs or activities. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:• Mr. Randy Fleenor, Superintendent 223 East Broadway, Woodland, MI, 48897 (616) 374-8043Any person believing that the Lakewood Public School District or any part of the school organization has inadequately applied the principles and/or regulations of (1) title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (2) title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, (3) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (4) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and (5) Title II of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 may bring forward a complaint, which shall be referred to as a grievance, to one of the local Civil Rights Coordinators listed.

•Campbell’s Labels For Education,• Box Tops for Education (non expired)• Cell phones,• Printer Ink Cartridges,• Laser Toner Cartridges, • Clean Kool-‐Aid And Capri Sun Pouches,• Tyson Project A+ points,• Laptops or I pads• Video games or game Consoles• Digital Cameras

RECYLE / COLLECTIBLE DONATIONSLakewood Middle School is preparing to begin their annual Fall “Box Top Wars. Proceeds from the “Box Top Wars” are used to earn money for school trips and student activities. Enough money was raised last year to provide for the annual Friday Activities that occurred before Christmas Break. Through the collection of Campbell's “Labels for Education,” the Community Leadership Class was able to receive a game systems that are being used in the game room during dances. To encourage the worth of the box tops the grades will be competing in the total of box tops brought from October 19th through October 30th. Go 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th GRADE. We Will Accept The Following: Donations may be dropped off in the main office.

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