We had a great turnout for Langston's first-ever Spelling Bee! A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Hailey Petzak for being our FIRST PLACE winner! Congratulations also to Jesse Canterbury, Marcus Ploenzke, and Sylvia Nisky for moving on to the County Bee! Thank you again to Ms. Margo Fox for bringing the Spelling Bee to Langston!

A few new teaching assignments will begin this week at Langston to ensure the best learning opportunities for all our students in the district. Mr. Bier will move from 8th-grade science/biology to OHS to teach various science classes there. We will miss him greatly at LMS, but feel confident that Ms. Kester (who will move from STEAM to 8th-grade science) will do an amazing job in her new position. Ms. Kester will also teach the accelerated 7th-grade science class and Ms. Parrish will teach Biology. Ms. Parrish taught Biology for several years at OHS and Ms. Kester has strong background knowledge and experience with the 8th-grade science content. Ms. Sanders, who has been providing math intervention for students, will begin teaching STEAM this week and led STEAM classes for many years at Langston. Though disruptions in the middle of the year are often difficult, we have done our best to ensure smooth transitions and quality teaching and learning experiences for all. THANK YOU to our awesome teachers for continuing to do what's best for students!

CONGRATULATIONS to Sadie Lenix, Cayman Noble, and Lizzie Greenwood for being our January "Balanced" Students of the Month! Students who are well-balanced understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Elizabeth Graham, mother of Juanita Graham, for informing Langston of a grant opportunity through our local Walmart. With the help of Ms. Angney, Langston applied for the grant to support PBIS and was awarded $1500! Grant funds were used to restock The Nest and create other incentives for our students. Thank you, Ms. Graham and Ms. Angney!

Please join us on Wednesday, February 22nd for a Spaghetti Dinner! Dinner tickets are $10 each and can be bought in advance (contact Ms. Kochmit at akochmit@oberlinschools.net) or can be bought at the door. Ticket sales benefit the 8th-grade Washington DC trip and dinner includes salad, bread, spaghetti, dessert, and drinks. You are welcome to eat in the cafeteria (where we will also have board games and freshly popped popcorn), or you can take your dinner to go! Conferences are also taking place on the 22nd, so it could be a great night to get the family out together!

The Boys' Basketball and cheerleading teams are planning a "White Out" for the last HOME game this Thursday, February 16th. If you and/or your student are planning to join the game, please consider wearing WHITE in support of our student-athletes. Our basketball players and cheerleaders have increased in number and skill and value your support!

Our last Parent-Teacher conferences are this Thursday, February 16th, and next Wednesday, February 22nd from 3:30 - 7:00pm. Sign-ups are not necessary and families are welcome to stop in any time between 3:30 and 7pm to meet with individual teachers.

The Oberlin High School Administration and Student Services Department would like to invite you to 8th grade parent night. This will be held in person at Oberlin High School on Thursday 2/23 at 6pm in the auditorium. We will discuss how students will select 9th-grade classes, course expectations, graduation requirements, and opportunities available to high school students. Please join us and have all your questions about high school answered!

If you have any questions before the meeting, feel free to reach out to Mrs. Nock or Ms. Bracken in the Oberlin High School Student Services Department. We look forward to seeing you on the 23rd!

• Thursday, February 16th - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 3:30 - 7pm
• Friday, February 17th - No School for Students - Teacher PD Day
• Monday, February 20th - President's Day - No School
• Wednesday, February 22nd - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 3:30 - 7pm
• Thursday, February 23rd - 8th-Grade Parent Meeting at OHS at 6pm

Please always check the district and school websites for up-to-date info.