Lamar Middle School
Friday, October 1st, 2021 # 262
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Dear Lamar Community,
Next week is Homecoming Spirit Week! Monday is PJ Day, Tuesday is School Spirit Day, Wednesday is Western Day, Thursday is Throwback Thursday, and Friday is Team Spirit/Jersey Day. The Homecoming football games will be played at House Park vs. Small Middle School.
Congratulations to our Volleyball teams who wrapped up their regular season this week. The athletes and coaches have a lot to be proud of this season including postseason appearance by our A teams!
It was a wonderful week on campus with a lot of learning and activity happening. It filled my heart to hear the progress students are making in learning to play their instruments, watch students work together to solve math problems, and collaborate in so many ways. The theatre students are preparing for their performance of Matilda. Clubs are starting to meet after school. The sounds of school are back!
Given that Lamar is 120% capacity with students, our hallways tend to be crowded during passing period. Starting this week, we released students in the 200 hallway 1 minute early to ease some of the congestion at “four corners”. So far, it seems to have helped this location where there is a lot of cross traffic.
Unfortunately, due to the behavior of some students, Lamar students are no longer allowed to go to Phil’s and Amy’s after school. Please help support our local businesses in any way that you can but especially by reinforcing this rule at home. If your child asks or says they are going there after school, please help them make a different choice.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Megan Tesano
Principal
Visual Arts Llama Contest Winner
Marlo Darby, 6th grade, created the Visual Art Mascot for the 2021-2022 school year. Marlo's llama will appear on our t-shirts, stickers, hats, and media this year. Llama merchandise is available for purchase! Congratulations!
Honorable Mentions were created by Wesley Britton, Ruby Meadows, Claire Kelly, Posy Reddy, and Eva Bowen. These llamas will be made into stickers for the Visual Art Sticker Machine at the front of the school.
Cross Country News
"On Saturday, September 25th, the weekend warriors of Lamar's Cross Country team had a rare double-header on their calendar with an AISD exclusive 2 mile run at Dick Nichols Park in south Austin at 7:30 in the morning and then a 1pm run at the McNeil Hoka One Invitational in Round Rock, a much larger event featuring runners from all over the state.
Our Lamar runners did pretty well against O. Henry, Paredes, Small and Kealing at the Dick Nichols meet, with Waylon DeAtley taking the 3rd place medal for the 8th grade boys. Thank you to all the Lamar runners that made an appearance to check in at 6:45am on a Saturday morning to run 2 Miles: Clark Miller-Stephens, Waylon DeAtley, Phoenix Vaughan, Henry McDaniel, Sander Orman, Devlinn Fitzpatrick, Patton Jobe, and ultra hardcore runner Oliver Brady who participated in BOTH of the cross country runs on Saturday!
The McNeil race at Old Settlers Park is a very popular event for Cross Country enthusiasts across the state of Texas, drawing contestants from Llano to Houston every year. The middle schoolers ran at 1pm and all 7th & 8th grade boys and girls ran together. Lamar runners Ephraim Paprock Schue and Oliver Brady held their own against the other middle school runners in their group and finished with times close to their own personal bests, but it was Lamar 7th grader Sascha Polonski who came out to battle and came in 2nd place out of 174 other female runners! This is an absolutely amazing accomplishment, outstanding work Sascha!
The Cross Country team only has 2 more runs on their calendar for the season. October 2nd will be the Founders Classic in Leander at Devine Lake Park and then October 9th will be another AISD exclusive run with the location still to be determined, but will tentatively be held at Devine Lake Park in Leander as well. Good job team!"
Sascha Polonski
at McNeil
Waylon DeAtley
at Dick Nichols
September Trivia Challenge Winner
October’s Trivia Challenge is on the Lamar Library Blend page. It’s all about the Davis Cemetery, a cemetery close to Lamar. You’ll use the Mackinvia Digital Resources to answer all five questions. If they answer all five correctly, they’re entered in a drawing to win $10 to either Amy’s OR Amazon. Good luck!
6th Grade Science Classes
6th grade scientists are learning about atoms in class and extended their learning by designing 3D models of an atom at home!
School Business: Need to KNow
6th Grade Science Club
In order to join, you must complete BOTH of the following:
FIRST, Click HERE to Complete the Online Permission Form to UT.
SECOND, complete and return the Interest Form to Ms. Wagner ASAP to Room 210. Only the first 30 students to complete both will be accepted.
Click HERE for a copy of the Interest Form.
Donuts and Debrief Book Club
Students are invited to our first Donuts and Debrief book club on Friday, Oct. 15 before school at 7:30 am in the library and library courtyard.
This month, we are reading The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. Participants are responsible for:
- finding or purchasing a copy of the book. Our Lamar copy is already gone!
- reading the book before October 15.
Sign up on the Library Blend page by clicking on the Donuts and Debrief button. You MUST sign up in advance to attend. Email Mrs. B. with questions at tara.bowman@austinisd.org.
Girls Basketball Tryouts
Girls basketball tryouts will begin on the 18th of October, after school from 4-6.
Physicals are due prior to tryouts: www.lamarmiddleschool.org/basketball for details on what paperwork is needed.
For 7th & 8th Grade
Boys Soccer Tryouts Coming Soon
7th & 8th Grade Boy's Soccer TRYOUT DATES will be Thursday and Friday, October 21 and 22. Boys are expected to be at tryouts both days.
Make sure that you have your physical completed before that. Visit, http://www.lamarmiddleschool.org/sports-physicals, to learn more about what paperwork is needed.
If you are interested in trying out, please fill out this form, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezrtPlK2LeurpV_j53zesZq7IL4ET_3WOpAlF8eahZJm7cpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
email Coach Saucedo with questions, lori.saucedo@austinisd.org
Lamar to Host Flu Vaccine Clinic
AISD has partnered with Health Heroes America (HHA) to provide flu vaccines to students at all AISD campuses. With schools filled with our learners, we want to avoid a severe flu season while combating COVID-19.
All AISD campuses will host at least one flu vaccine clinic from mid-October 2021 to mid-November 2021. If you are receiving this email you have been identified as your campus flu clinic designee, here is the Flu Clinic Campus Designee FAQ. I will be hosting virtual FAQ sessions on Friday, October 1st at 12:30pm and Friday, October 8th at 10:30am.
Flu clinic campus designee responsibilities include:
Before the Clinic:
Distribute the English Consent Form and/or Spanish Consent Form, as appropriate.
Distribution of consent forms should begin 2-3 weeks prior to the clinic.
Collect completed forms at least 5 days prior to the clinic. (This will allow school personnel to ensure forms are complete. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.)
Additional resources: Spanish Flu Clinic Parent Letter; English Flu Clinic Parent Letter
During the Clinic:
Provide two tables and six chairs for use during the School Located Vaccine Clinic (SLVC).
Assign the HHA clinic to a location at the front of the school to encourage maximum participation of distance learners.
Ensure volunteers/school personnel are present to assist with travel to and from the clinic for both in-person students and distance learners.
Call students to the SLVC in a timely manner.
Campuses are grouped in their vertical teams and assigned to a 'week' that they will be hosting their clinic. Specific dates have been assigned to campuses through October 20th, additional dates will be added soon. Here is the SY 21-22 Flu Clinic Campus Schedule.
Get your Scottie Gear for homecoming!
Get your Scottie Gear for homecoming!
Lamar Athletic memberships are also available:
Get your Volleyball Spirit Shirts Here!
Please consider raising money for the Visual Arts at Lamar. We are hoping to raise enough funds for the materials for the school year as well as replace the tables with actual art desks and safe storage for our 2D and 3D projects. We have until Tuesday Oct 5th for the Noonday fundraiser!
Band Fundraiser
Hey Lamar!
The band is starting their Club's Choice Fundraiser this week! Our Scottie Band students are selling cookie dough, frozen pizza, muffins, and much more. This fundraiser will benefit the band program so we can continue to provide instruments, music, music stands, supplies, and to help with their band trip cost. Talk to a Scottie Band student for more information!
Counselor's Corner
Austin ISD Family Resources Guide 2021-22
Austin ISD Family Resources Guide 2021-22
Are you an AISD family, student, educator, or partner looking for resources for your student, family, or school? If so, this online resource guide is meant for you. Use this page to find and explore community and AISD resources: food, housing, legal, financial, transportation, after-school programs, community centers, and learning resources including ESL and GED services, computer literacy, cultural enrichment, and family literacy.
https://www.austinisd.org/family-support/guide
Lamar Needs Mentors
Dear Parents,
Are you interested in becoming a mentor on campus? You now have the opportunity to get involved and become a mentor to students. We believe that through mentoring programs we can increase access to higher education. An elevated education that includes mentoring to help students in need. Parents who become mentors have the opportunity to reach students who need help improving their social and study skills, strengthen their communication skills, and build self-confidence. Some of the areas a mentor addresses with students are:
- setting goals,
- providing advice,
- guidance and direction,
- providing support and motivation
Mentors inspire children to develop new interest, explore career possibilities, and achieve their personal and academic goals. Each mentor will go through a training process with Austin Partners in Education APIE. Once you’ve completed the process to become a mentor you will meet with your student(s) during lunch to begin the journey. The ultimate goal is to put each student on the path to long-term success. If this interests you, refer to the contact information below to get started:
Jessica Jurado
SEL Counselor
512-841-6012
Brain Power
Join us for an informational series to learn about strategies that can help you better support your child at home.
The Parent Engagement Support Office, in partnership with the Austin ISD Brain Lab Team, is offering a virtual workshop series to families around the Neurosequential Model in Education, or NME. Due to the collective trauma caused by the pandemic as well as the unprecedented rise in mental health issues, we want to make sure families are equipped with an understanding of the brain, as well as how to support their child(ren) at home.
If interested, please see attached flyer for registration information and workshop dates/times.
Brain Power Series Flyers https://drive.google.com/file/d/1doEv6vcidULGvBYVXYPJwC9DeLDljzpE/view (English) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rZJXpemww3gsZHf96BT5TRCr32dXvnuc/view (Spanish)
Writing Workshop
My name is Tracey Flores and I am an assistant professor of Language and Literacy at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining the faculty at UT, I taught for 8 years in K-8 schools located in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ.
I am the founder of Somos Escritoras/We Are Writers a creative space that invites Latinx girls (grades 6-8) to share and perform stories from their lived experiences using art, theater, and writing as a tool for self-reflection and self-examination.
I am writing to share information for our first ever Somos Escritoras Fall Workshops for Latina adolescent girls (grades 6-12). Workshops are FREE and will take place via ZOOM on Monday evenings in October. The dates for our 4-week summer program are:
October 4
October 11
October 18
October 25
Workshops will be hosted on these dates for 1 hour and ½:
3:00-4:30 p.m. (AZ Time/PST)
5:00-6:30 p.m. (CST)
6:00-7:30 p.m. (EST)
Please share with your escritoras in grades 6-12. Space is limited and Attendance is mandatory. Register: www.somosescritoras.com
Applications will close when we reach capacity
PTA News
Coffee With The Principal
All parents and guardians are invited to join Ms.Tesano in the Lamar library for coffee on Oct. 8th. Yes, talking will be allowed in the library! Space is limited to maintain safe distancing, so please sign up now if you want to attend. Hope to see you there!
Love Lamar
Be awesome by spreading the love and making any gift amount that works with your budget to the Love Lamar NO HASSLE Fundraiser. Repeat. NO HASSLE. Once a year. No selling cookie dough. No selling wrapping paper. All the proceeds go directly to the Lamar PTA. Also consider asking your employer if they match charitable contributions. And most importantly, please remember that the Lamar PTA uses funds to support all the Scotties - teachers, administrators, and students. Donate today at http://lamarpta.org/lovelamar
Advertise Your Business With a Fence Sign
Lamar Middle School is giving local businesses and families the opportunity to place signage on the school’s fence line running along busy Burnet road near the intersection with of Koenig road. Sign revenue supports the Lamar PTA 501(c)(3) which helps fund supplies for teachers and campus improvements. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowable by law.
Lamar Business
No One Day Computer Check Outs Available
Procedure for Absences
Chromebook Issues
Come to the library if you need a new computer or charger! We are not able to do one-day checkouts at this time, so please remember to charge your chromebook and bring it with you when you come to school each day. You can email me at tara.bowman@austinisd.org with any questions.
Tips for helping your chromebook last:
- - Turn your computer off daily. When you only log out (not turning it off), you increase the chances your chromebook becomes glitchy.
- - Carry your chromebook in its case! Chromebooks need to be babied. Your case will help protect it.
- - Don't share your computer or charger with anyone. They may not take good care of it, and you may be liable if either gets broken.
Lamar CAC
Campus Advisory Councils are committees of parents, students, business and community representatives, teachers, principals, and other campus staff. The formation of CACs is required by state law (Texas Education Code, §11.251). Specific functions of CACs include providing review and comment on:
- Campus Educational Program
- Campus Performance
- Campus Improvement Plan
- Campus Staff Development Plan
- Campus-Level Waiver Requests to the State
- Campus Budget
The public is welcome to attend the meetings. Public speaking is at the beginning of the meeting. If you would like to be added to the agenda, please email kerren.campa@austinisd.org
To learn more about CAC or If you are interested in applying to be on the CAC, visit here
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Front Office: Lupita Gutierrez Cisneros- 512-414-3217 or maria.gutierrez2@austinisd.org
Attendance: Sandy Mark- sandy.mark@austinisd.orgRegistrar: Jackie Cannon- jacqueline.cannon@austinisd.org
Chromebooks: New Chromebooks/Chargers: tara.bowman@austinisd.org
Fine Arts Academy Coordinator: Kerren Campa - kerren.campa@austinisd.org
Librarian: tara.bowman@austinisd.org
Counselors:
6th Grade: Raquel Hernandez raquel.hernandez@austinisd.org
7th Grade: Judith Berrean- judith.m.berrean@austinisd.org
8th Grade: Laura Rotondo- laura.rotondo@austinisd.org
SEL Counselor: Jessica Jurado- jessica.jurado@austinisd.org
Principals:
Principal: Megan Tesano - megan.tesano@austinisd.org
6th Grade AP: Jeremy Raymond-Watson- jeremy.raymond-watson@austinisd.org
7th Grade AP: Marisela Bowen- marisela.bowen@austinisd.org
8th Grade AP: Natalie Adams - natalie.adams@austinisd.org
Lamar Info
Email: kerren.campa@austinisd.org
Website: lamarmiddleschool.org
Location: 6201 Wynona Avenue, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-3217
Facebook: facebook.com/LamarMS
Twitter: @MiddleAtx