The Slicer Connection
La Porte Middle School - October 2020
Upcoming Dates
- October 5 - eLearning assignments due from 9-30-2020
- October 14 - PSAT 8th Grade Students Only
- October 21 - End of the 1st Quarter
- October 22 and 23 - No School/Fall Break
- October 29 - Picture Retakes
- October 30 - Report Cards Posted on Skyward
- November 3 - eLearning/PD Day
- November 25 - Thanksgiving Break
On-Time Arrival
As a reminder, students should be at school by 7:27 a.m. and in their classroom by 7:35 a.m. Our doors open at 7:10 a.m. All students entering after 7:35 a.m. are marked tardy to school.
The 4th tardy to school, the parent is contacted.
The 5th tardy is a before-school detention. Every tardy after this will be a 7:00 am detention, per semester.
Learning Options: All families need to log into Skyward and go to Online Forms to select a learning option to begin the second nine weeks of school, which starts October 26, 2020. The Skyward portal will be open through Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Additional information about learning options can be found on the LPCSC website. Please complete this form as soon as possible to help us with our planning and scheduling of students. Contact Mrs. Lichtenberger or email lpcsclearningoptions@lpcsc.k12.in.us with additional questions.
As fall sets in with the cold temperatures and the beautiful colors of the trees, traditionally, for a school, this means that Parent Teacher Conferences are getting closer. Due to COVID 19, we will not have these conferences as in past years. We ask that parents who wish to meet with a teacher or group of teachers, please reach out and ask for a Zoom or phone conference. We know these contacts between school and home are needed to build the necessary relationships which can make students more successful. In addition, as an ongoing best practice, we encourage all parents to monitor their children’s progress at school through Skyward Family Access. Please contact Mrs. Lichtenberger if you have any questions regarding Skyward.
Free Breakfast All Year And Free Lunch For Limited Time
Student Breakfast is FREE for the 2020/2021 school year! Also, Student Lunch is FREE until December 31st 2020 or funds are depleted. Please encourage your child to eat at school if they are not eating at home.
News from the Innovation Lab
All students have been invited to an optional Canvas course entitled "Innovation Lab". Here students may participate in guided weekly activities, learn various STEM skills independently, or gain access to the monthly STEM build challenge.
2020-2021 Athletic Fundraiser
We are excited to announce the information for the 20-21 Athletic Fundraiser. This year our fundraiser will be online only. The 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade students can sign up through the Kleinhenn.com website to create an account and place orders. The orders will be delivered directly to the address of the customer and can be paid online as well. Paper brochures will be available in designated classrooms and the office for you to share with potential customers. Distance learners can come to door 2 to pick up their brochures as well. The sale ends October 14th. Please do not send orders or payment to school. Again this is online only and will be delivered free of charge to the customer's home. Please contact the athletic office with any questions or Mrs. Garrett at kgarrett@lpcsc.k12.in.us.
Yearbooks
As we all adapt to change, one thing that remains constant is the yearbook tradition of documenting the history of our students and our school year. We are pleased to announce that our yearbook adviser, Mrs. Handcock, and staff are working hard to complete the yearbook and make sure it is printed. Since copies are limited and school schedules continue to change, we ask that you please order your yearbook online as soon as possible. Jostens offers a payment plan at checkout for your purchase if you would like to use that option: www.jostensyearbooks.com.
This is for 7th and 8th grade students ONLY (5th & 6th grade students at Kesling Intermediate School have a separate yearbook).
The cost of the yearbook is $27 until October 23, 2020, after which prices will go up. Personalization is $10 with four FREE icons. Payment options are cash or check made out to LaPorte Middle School or visit the yearbook website at www.jostensyearbooks.com to order online.
Kiwanis LPMS Builders Club
Beginning September 9, the 7th/8th Grade Kiwanis LPMS Builders Club will be having virtual meetings every other Wednesday at 4 PM! If you cannot attend this event, meeting notes and information will be available. Sign-ups for future events will be on the 7/8 LPMS Builders Club Canvas Page. Students do NOT have to attend meetings to participate in the club. The link for the virtual meeting will be on the 7/8 LPMS Builders Club Canvas Page. Students interested in joining should e-mail Ms. Jamie Vincent (jvincent@lpms.k12.in.us), 7th Grade ELA teacher, to be added to the course to explore the 7/8 Builders Club Canvas page!
The ONLY requirement a student needs to join this club is the passion for helping others and the desire to make a difference!
Builders Club is student-led and sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of La Porte. Our members meet twice a month, on Wednesdays, to promote philanthropy in the community and our schools, as well as learn how to develop confidence and leadership abilities. The student members help many different organizations over the course of the year by hosting fun and creative events! Students create the ideas and think of ways to help others, and learn how even in Middle School, they can be part of something that makes a positive impact and makes a difference.
Please feel free to contact Ms. Jamie Vincent, 7th Grade ELA teacher, for any questions!
LPMS Kiwanis Builders Club
Builders Club Virtual Meeting Dates for October:
Wednesday, Oct. 7th, 4 PM, and Wednesday, Oct. 21st at 4 PM
Links for the Virtual Meetings can be found on the Builders Club Canvas Page.
Please contact Ms. Jamie Vincent for any questions.
LPMS Student Council
LPMS student council will meet on the following dates in room J111.
October 7th and October 21st
Meetings conclude at 3:30, and members are asked to have their rides at door one.
Coming soon is our annual canned food drive to support the local Salvation Army.
All students are encouraged to participate. This is a great way to support your community!
All non-perishable food items will be accepted. Donations of personal hygiene products will also be collected. The collection will take place from October 26- November 6th.
Please be generous!
PSAT - 8th Grade Students
On Wednesday, October 14, 2020, our school will administer the PSAT 8/9, a test that focuses on the classroom skills and knowledge your child will need to be successful in college. This test is designed for students in 8th and 9th grade and is given on the same day at La Porte Middle School and to the 9th grade students at La Porte High School. There is no fee for this test.
The PSAT 8/9 is another great way LPMS is helping your child:
Recognize strengths. A personalized online PSAT 8/9 score report will include
detailed information about your child’s strengths and areas for growth. It helps
students lean into their own personal areas of strength and identify places where they need to improve to be ready for college.
Explore future careers. Students can explore college majors and careers that align with their personal interests with Roadmap to Careers, a unique online tool created by Roadtrip Nation and the College Board. The tool connects students to potential careers based on the things they love, showing where they can lead.
Choose high school courses. Knowing where they excel and what skills they should work on can help them choose other 9th- and 10th- grade classes. In addition, student score reports will suggest AP® courses that are a great match for them. AP can give your child an edge in the admission process and allow them to earn college credit while in high school, which could save time and money in college.
For more information, please use this link the College Board Website - https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9
Slicer Pride Winners
Anime Club
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Home
FAMILIES/PARENTS of K-8 students please be informed that during these times
of uncertainty and challenges, together you and LPCSC can equip our children with the skills needed to encourage their social emotional well-being! As your child’s first teacher, you are instrumental in actively supporting your child’s social and emotional learning (SEL) through the Second Step curriculum’s Home Link (grades K-5) or ParentTeenConnect.org (grades 6-8)! You can learn how to access Second Step resources through watching a short video, "SEL at Home." This video can be found through either the LPCSC Family Resource Services Facebook page or your child’s school website. Below is the "SEL at Home" video link address:
https://www.loom.com/share/92b0ce5e3ecc4f66abe85e6468a0e0a4?utm_medium=gif
Second Step Home Link and ParentTeenConnect.org are FREE valuable resources for parents in helping to build a partnership between home and school, making your child’s social emotional well-being a priority. If you would like more information on the Second Step parent resource tool, you can contact: Austyn Kelso at akelso@lpcsc.k12.in.us.
In November, LPCSC will be asking you for your feedback through a Parent SEL Survey on how you view the Second Step program and its resources. Your completion of the Parent SEL Survey, which you will receive through email, well help LPCSC know how to best serve families/parents through Second Step. Thank you for joining LPCSC in supporting your child’s social emotional well-being.
Help with Homework Program
LPMS is happy to announce that the Help With Homework Program is resuming at LPMS for 7th grade students that could benefit from one-on-one help with homework, or help catching up on missing assignments. The Program begins October 6th and is offering after-school tutoring and homework help every week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in the cafeteria, after school from 2:35 to 4 PM. Students need to visit the 7th Grade Canvas Page under announcements each week to sign up online for one or both days, to help us keep an accurate record of attendees. Students MUST have a ride home, as transportation is not able to be provided. Students must sign up anew each week if they plan to attend. Students will need to be picked up outside the front doors of the LPMS building. Please contact Ms. Jamie Vincent jvincent@lpcsc.k12.in.us if you have any questions.
Canvas Parent Observer Account
Parents - Below are two links to help you set up your Canvas Parent Observer Account. All teachers will post lessons and assignments to their Canvas page.
Canvas Parent Tutorial - 6 min. Video
Box Tops for Education
Lost and Found
COVID Information from the Indiana Health Department
La Porte Middle School
Email: ekrutz@lpcsc.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.lpcsc.k12.in.us/
Location: 304 East 18th Street, La Porte, IN, USA
Phone: 219-324-1370
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LPCSC.LPMS/