Lamar Middle School
Friday, October 8th, 2021 # 263
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Dear Lamar Community,
This week, students received a Parent Report of the MAP Growth assessments. Students took this district wide assessment at the beginning of the year in Math and ELA. The assessments will provide us with data to support their learning this year. Contact your child’s Math or ELA teacher if the report did not make it home and you would like a new copy. More information about MAP Growth can be found at https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/family-toolkit/.
In grades 6 - 8, students take Reading and Math STAAR tests each year. Eighth grade students take Science and Social Studies STAAR tests as well. Students will take Short Cycle Assessments (SCAs) in those same areas next week. These are district created assessments that align with the content taught this 9 week grading period.
As discussed in a previous newsletter, some Lamar students participated in a social media challenge called Devious Licks. Several of our bathrooms were vandalized and some soap dispensers were stolen. We are learning that there may be a new challenge each month throughout the school year. October’s challenge is “Slap a Staff Member”. Engaging in such behavior is not only unacceptable, but it is against the law and could be considered assault on a public servant. We ask that you please talk to your students about this behavior as well as following all school rules.
AISD Long-range Planning Data Deep-Dive:
Join us as AISD hosts a data webinar for the Long-range planning process from 6–6:45 p.m. (English) and 7–7:45 p.m. (Spanish) Tuesday, Oct. 12.
Austin ISD is beginning conversations about long-range planning which will determine which improvements and new facilities are included in the next AISD bond. The first step in that process is to analyze data about students, neighborhoods and facilities to better understand where we have the most critical needs.
Come learn how we're using data to identify which voices we need to hear from first to ensure we are centering equity in our planning process by following our Equity by Design model.
(English) 6–6:45 p.m.
Register via zoom: https://bit.ly/3uzwMvY
(Spanish) 7–7:45 p.m.
Register via zoom: https://bit.ly/3iq4yPk
Each is evaluated with a Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) and Education Suitability Assessment (ESA). Lamar received an average score of 62 on the FCA and 53 on the ESA, which fall in the average range for schools. Click this link for a full report on Lamar’s assessments. As you review this document, you may notice that the current building, while full of charm, is unsatisfactory in several sub categories. We will continue to have conversations as a community about what these scores mean for Lamar. For now, these reports serve as a frame of reference should you attend this and other meetings. More information about district wide FCA and ESA scores can be found at https://www.austinisd.org/plans/fca-esa.
As you may be aware, staffing shortages continue to impact Lamar and Austin ISD. We currently have vacancies in Special Education teaching assistant, custodial, and cafeteria positions. While we are now fully staffed in teaching positions, there are a few long-term substitutes filling in for permanent teachers. Additionally, at times, we find ourselves short of daily substitutes. Learn more about becoming a substitute teacher at https://www.austinisd.org/tad/careers/substitutes.
It was wonderful to see so many in the community attend the Homecoming football and the volleyball playoff games. Staff and students went all out for Spirit Week this week and the cheerleaders added extra flair with decorations. Thank you to the coaches who give a lot of extra time to providing these opportunities for our student athletes.
The end of the first 9 week grading period is Friday, October 15th. This long weekend is a great time to get caught up on any outstanding assignments. The official gradebook is found in the Parent Self-Serve rather than in BLEND. Check out the “Graded Work” button in teacher’s BLEND pages for links to assignments.
Have a great weekend and we’ll see you on Tuesday!
Sincerely,
Megan Tesano
Principal
Lots of Spirit For Spirit Week!
School Business: Coming Up
Middle School Volleyball night at McCallum: Tuesday, October 12th
Middle School Volleyball night at McCallum: Tuesday, October 12th
**Wear your jersey for free admission
Adults buy tickets through gofan.co, but won’t be available until Friday night
Schedule:
Varsity game is at 7:30-suggested to get there by 6:45 so the middle school players can go out with the HS players at the beginning of the game (sometimes the games start early)
Freshman game:5:30pm
Jv game:6:30pm
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
Flamingos are back!
Flamingos are back! In October and November, you can flock a friend (or teacher or staff member). Flocking makes a great birthday greeting, welcome to Lamar, or way to celebrate the return to in person school! Best of all, it supports our school Orchestra! For more details, and to reserve a time, visit: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/flock-a-friend.
Our first Orchestra concert will be on Tuesday, 10/19 at 6:30 pm at McCallum. Students may wear their own black concert attire. If you are interested in a school-provided uniform, please complete this form by Sunday, October 10, and we can get it to your student.
Be sure to follow our Facebook Group, Lamar Fine Arts Academy Orchestra. We will be posting updates soon.
Boys Soccer Tryouts Coming Soon
7th & 8th Grade Boy's Soccer TRYOUT DATES will be Thursday and Friday, October 21 and 22( 4-6 pm). 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
Anime Club
Anime Club is now closed to new members due to size limitations. Here are future dates this semester for students who are already in Anime Club. Each meeting will be held after school in the library, from 4-4:30:
Oct. 20
Nov. 3
Nov. 20
Nov. 17
[December date TBD]
Parents with questions are free to email Mrs. Bowman at tara.bowman@austinisd.org
October Donuts and Debrief book club
Our October Donuts and Debrief book club is full! If you signed up, Mrs. Bowman has sent you an email letting you know that we will all be meeting on October 15 at 7:30 am. Students should come to the front entrance at that time and Mrs. B. will let them into the library and library courtyard. Come ready to eat donuts and talk about Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance.
Our new book club book for November will be announced the week of Oct. 18. Be sure to sign up early that week; space is limited! Our November book club date is November 12.
Questions? Email Mrs. Bowman at tara.bowman@austinisd.org. Happy reading!
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 Volleyball Spirit Shirts Here!
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)
PTA News
Next PTA Meeting
Join us at the next PTA meeting Tuesday, October 12th at 7 PM in the Library. Come to hear the principal report with Ms. Tesano.
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