L.M.S. NEWS
Preparing HAWKS for Flight
Issue 3
March/April
2010
HAWKS are Honest, Always responsible, Willing to learn, Kind, polite, respectful, Safe and orderly
From the
Principals Desk
..
State Changes Vaccination
Requirements
The State of
Please refer to additional information provided on
page 4 of this newsletter.
Middle School Academic Enrichment
Group
In an
effort to increase participation, the Leslie Middle School Academic Enrichment
Group will begin meeting at 7:30 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of each
month. They will meet before school in
the library. Parents will be able to drop their students off in the cafeteria
and join the meeting.
This
will be a time for parents and the school to share information and work
together to provide the best education possible for our students. We hope that you will be able to join us.
5th
Grade News
In Language Arts, Mrs. Maiville and Ms. Raymonds class finished
reading their mystery stories and made a book mark report to illustrate their
understanding of the story. Students also began reading historical fiction
books about the American Revolution. Students will read several chapters at a
time, answer comprehensive questions, and meet in reading groups to discuss the
story.
In Math, students in Maiville/Raymond and Corts/Kay classes completed
Unit 7 which focus on multiplying and dividing
decimals. Students learned how to multiply and divide decimals by 10, 100,
1,000, estimate products and quotients of decimal problems, and practiced dividing
decimals using money and other math manipulatives.
In Science, students in Maiville/Raymond and Corts/Kay classes have
been exploring the solar system and what causes the changes in seasons.
Students practiced rotation and revolution and participated in a fun how the
planets move activity.
In Social Studies, students in Maiville/Raymond and Corts/Kay classes
have been reading about the events that led up to the American Revolution.
Students took part in an M&M simulation where they learned first hand about
the frustrations of the American Colonists and their taxes. Students also read
a play on the Boston Massacre and decorated a comic book about the Boston Tea
Party.
6th Grade News
The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is run annually in
Students will track mushers and
their dog sled teams all the way from
Students wrap up the unit with a culmination day where they take part
in many fun activities. Some of the
activities are making a dog sled, running relay races, sampling trail food, and
making a dog bootie. If you would like
to find out more about the Iditarod, visit the official website at
www.iditarod.com.
7th Grade News
In Science, we have been working on the Earth Processes unit. Students have learned about air masses and
weather fronts. We have looked at
weather maps and analyzed weather patterns and climate conditions. In the next month, we will look at the causes
of pollution and what humans can do to try to eliminate some of the
sources. Students are looking forward to
the Science Fair, which will begin after the Earth Processes unit!
As an 8th grader, your student will be taking Algebra. The vast majority will do so at a moderate
pace, covering the first half of the Algebra I curriculum. At least one class of students will be taking
the entire Algebra I course. Recommendations
for this class will be made after the close of the second Trimester. These students will be considered based not
only on their demonstrated understanding of math concepts, but also on their
work ethic which is a must in order to maintain success in Algebra I. If your child believes that this class is a
fit for them, they need to demonstrate their capabilities in both ability and
willingness as they wind up this year.
This would be a worthwhile conversation to have with your student if you
both believe they are ready for this challenge.
Conversely, if you as a parent feel that a more moderate pace would
serve them better in their 8th grade year, we would certainly respect that
perspective as well.
In 7th grade Geography, students are learning about the history and
cultural contributions of the Greek and Roman Empires as well as the
foundations of the major religions. How these influences affected European
development through the Ages and ultimately the
A giant collage is currently being constructed in the classroom. It
will serve as both a needed and educational decoration. Students will find
something different to observe each time they view it. Modern day European studies will be
the focus of the next several weeks and then it will be off to the
Language Arts classes have been learning about poetry. We listened to poems by different American
poets, then learned about different types of poems, and wrote and compiled our
own poem books. We used different types
of figurative language in these poems.
We did a unit on legends and mythology.
Several books have been read including Gemini Game and Holes. We are currently reading a Newbery Honor
Book, Al Capone Does My Shirts.
8th
Grade News
As spring returns the 8th grade is planning our end of the
year activities.
First of all, parents should have been notified about the results of
the Explorer test the students took during the fall. This test hopefully helped to focus students
interests. This is important as the 8th
graders just completed and turned in their high school schedules in
February. Picking a path for the next
four years of high school is easier if there is a plan in place. The Explorer test hopefully helped to focus
the path students want to follow in school.
Our annual Lugnuts game trip is scheduled for
May 5th, 2010. Every year we have a
great time at the School Days Game held at
At the end of the school year, students will be taking final exams in
all of their core academic classes. This
will help your child prepare for the transition to high school. Students have already taken finals, or GLCE tests in most of their academic classes in
the first and second trimester. We made this
transition to help students meet the new state standards.
As the weather gets nice, please remind your child not to lose track of
his/her school work. Spring fever is a
natural state for kids to fall into at this time of year. As parents and teachers, we need to help our
kids stay focused until June.
Finally, this is also the time we start discussing our end of the year
trip to Cedar Point. The final cost of
the trip is not yet finalized. The cost
will include transportation to Cedar Point on a tour bus, tickets into the
park, and lunch. This trip is one of the
fondest memories many students have when they look back at eighth grade. Please understand that your child earns the
privilege to attend the Cedar Point trip with his/her behavior and school work. Your child must pass all classes during third
trimester and there are also minimum behavior and effort expectations. You will receive more details on the Cedar
Point trip at the beginning of third trimester.
From the Counselors Office:
Tonya Droessler, School
Counselor droessle@lesliek12.net 517.589.8218 ext.156
Things Happening at LMS
Parent event: March
18, 2010 at 7:00pm. Sgt. Melissa
Clewey will present parents information on risky
behaviors. Middle school students are
faced with lots of challenges: personal,
social, and academic. This is the time
when many are exposed to drugs and alcohol.
Sgt. Clewey will discuss signs and symptoms of
children who are using drugs and alcohol, things to look for, how to talk to
your child, and if needed, how to get help. Child care is available and refreshments will
be served.
Scheduling! It is that time of year again. Please look for colored forms for your
childs choices for Related Arts for next year.
5th grade will be pink.
6th grade will be blue.
7th grade will be gold.
8th graders are currently registering for 9th
grade classes on-line.
The Backpack Program continues in 5th and 6th
grade classes. The binder (with a dvd,
book, hand-outs, and popcorn) has made it to half of the students. I have received positive feedback from
parents and students alike.
It is designed for students
to take home and share with parents/guardians.
Both grades deal with the subject of Bullying and Friendships. Not only do students learn about friendship
and to help themselves and others in bullying situations, they also get some
quality time with an important adult in their life.
After the student shares the
program at home, I do a short interview with them about what they watched and
read. Then we also talk about things
that happen at school and what we can do to make things better.
Our PAL (Peer Assistance and Leadership) program has been busy
this year. We have done two
fundraisers. Some of our money will help
us buy t-shirts, the remaining money will be donated to charity. The students donated money and time to the
Leslie Outreach.
The new PAL members attended
peer mediation training in January at the Eaton ISD. We worked with 30 students from 2 different
schools in the
V.I.P.P. (Violence Intervention and Prevention
Program) is off to a strong
start. We have 8 boys and 10 girls
participating. The group leader is Jen
Loforese. Students will work on
activities to promote peaceful, thoughtful, and non-aggressive means to
communicate anger and frustration.
The following are free resources for students and
families. If you have any questions,
please contact me.
Old Newsboys Association of Greater
There is a local resource for
families needing help with purchasing footwear. Old Newsboys Association of Greater Lansing
has helped several families in our area purchase snow boots and shoes. If you are in need, please contact the school counselor for the paperwork. The form must be filled in completely and returned to the school
counselor. The form is submitted by the
school. The family will receive a coupon
in the mail if eligible.
Free or Reduced Lunch Program
As the school year continues,
many find their financial situation changing.
If you have experienced a loss of income, your family may qualify for assistance
with school lunch. The forms can
be submitted at anytime. Please contact the school counselor or
the cafeteria for forms.
Youth Haven Ranch
Students continue to spend
fun weekends at Youth Haven Ranch in Rives Junction. This is a weekend of fellowship and fun
activities for youth ages 7-12 from
all parts of
Youth Haven Ranch Teen Weekend
For the older student, Youth
Haven offers a Teen Weekend three
times a year. The next Teen Weekend will be in March. This event is for students ages 13-17. There is no cost to the family. The only responsibility the parent/guardian
has is to complete the paperwork, drop the student off at 5:00pm on Friday and
retrieve the child Sunday at 1:00pm. If
you are interested, please contact the
school counselor for paperwork.
New Communicable Disease Rules
For the 2010-2011 School Year
The State of
Required for all children entering kindergarten, all 6th grade students, and all children changing school districts:
Two doses of varicella (Var) vaccine or history of
chickenpox disease
AND
Required for all children 11-18 years of age who are changing school districts or who are enrolled in the 6th grade:
One dose of meningococcal (MCV4 or MPSV4) vaccine
One dose of tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis
(Tdap) vaccine
(if 5 years have passed since last dose of
Tetanus/diphtheria vaccine DtaP, Td or DT)
Important
Dates (Dates & Times Are Subject to Change)
Date Event
3/9/10 8th Grade Career Center 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
3/9/10 Talent
Show Rehearsal After
School
3/10/10 Talent
Show After
School
3/14/10 Daylight
Savings Time Begins
3/18/10 ½
Day of School 8:05
to 11:38 a.m.
3/19/10 ½
Day of School 8:05
to 11:38 a.m.
3/19/10 2nd
Trimester Ends
3/22/10 Middle
School Book Fair Begins During
School
3/24/10 Parent
Teacher Conferences 3:30
to 6:30 p.m.
3/24/10 Book
Fair Continues 3:30
to 6:30 p.m.
3/25/10 Parent
Teacher Conferences 5:00
to 8:00 p.m.
3/25/10 Book
Fair Continues 5:00
to 8:00 p.m.
3/31/10 Staff
vs.Student Basketball Game After School
4/2/10 No
School
4/5/10 Spring
Break Begins
4/12/10 School
Resumes
4/14/10 Track
@ Stockbridge 4:00
p.m.
4/21/10 Track @ Home 4:00
p.m.
4/22/10 Family Math Night 6:00
to 8:00 p.m.
4/22/10 Track
@ Webberville 4:30
p.m.
4/28/10 Track @ Home 4:00
p.m.