Cardinal Nation News
Important Information to Know
Dress Code Reminder
As the weather warms up, finally, it is understandable that students wish to dress in cooler clothing. Please be reminded that the Middle School does have a dress code policy in place which is strongly enforced. Below is an excerpt from the Student Handbook as it pertains to the dress code.
Show GOOD CHARACTER!!
Lawrence Middle School (LMS) is constantly striving to provide the best possible environment for student learning and achievement. This is a reminder to parents and students of the clothing guidelines as described in the student handbook, which is available online. Our standards regarding these policies will be administered consistently. Student attire can have a significant effect on learning and behavior. To avoid any negative impact on our students’ learning, clothing must cover the body sufficiently and avoid attracting excessive attention or causing disruptions.
As a reminder, here’s a summary of our dress code:
The student dress code has been written with input from students, parents and staff members. This dress code was developed with a concern for modesty, safety and the general good order of the school. Students have the right to exercise judgment in the matter of dress and grooming as long as they do not present a danger to the health and safety of themselves or others, cause an interference with schoolwork, create a classroom disturbance or distract teachers or students. Clothes should be school appropriate and size appropriate. Students who are dressed inappropriately will be required to change in order to stay in school that day. If students do not have appropriate clothes a parent or guardian will be notified to bring appropriate clothing. The administration has the final decision on the appropriateness of students’ attire.
•Revealing clothing is unacceptable. Students may not wear: transparent clothes, clothes with exaggerated slits, low cut shirts, spaghetti strap tops, one-sleeve shirts, strapless shirts, halter tops of any kind, backless shirts (any shirt with the entire back showing), bare midriffs, muscle shirts that are not fitted around the arm (tank tops), clothing that exposes any type of undergarment, team jerseys without a sleeved t-shirt underneath.
•Skirts and shorts must extend beyond the length of a student’s arm (and fingers) when the arm hangs straight at the student’s side. It is recommended to wear bermuda or walking shorts. (see pictures below for appropriate lengths) These shorts are available in 5”, 7” or 9 “ at Hollister or Old Navy.
•At times, clothing that adheres to the above general guidelines may still be inappropriate because it is distracting, revealing or offensive. The administration will make the final determination regarding appropriate student attire.
•Clothes that have words or sayings that are profane, sexually suggestive or that promote drugs, tobacco, alcohol, violence, racism or sexism, are prohibited.
•Students may not wear winter clothing, such as, overcoats, scarves, gloves, etc., inside school. Students may not wear pajamas or slippers.
•Students may not wear clothing which hinders the ability to identify them. Such clothing includes but is not limited to hoods, sunglasses, hats, etc.
•Students may not wear hair curlers, have picks or combs in their hair. Students may not wear sunglasses without a note from a doctor. Spiked wristbands, necklaces, sharp jewelry or other items that may be dangerous are not permitted. Students may not attend school barefoot or wearing footwear that may be unsafe such as slippers or flip flops.
* Male or female students in the building may not have their heads covered in school. They may not wear hats, bandanas (no bandanas around arms, neck, wrist, or sticking out of pockets) scarves, sweatbands, hoods, etc. anytime in the school building. Students who want to keep their head covered for religious reasons must request permission in writing from the principal. All headwear must be placed in the student’s locker until he/she leaves the building. Students may not carry or wear hats in school. Students who violate this rule will receive an administrative detention and the item will be confiscated and a parent must pick up the item or it will be held until the end of the school year. Chronic violators will be given loss of privileges.
•Students may not wear headphones or earbuds around their neck.
•Students may not wear sleep wear such as nightshirts, pajamas, etc. Violators will be sent home or placed in ISS until a parent brings a change of clothes.
• Students must wear clothing appropriately; pants/shorts must be pulled up above the hips and secured with a belt if necessary. Students who wear pants/shorts inappropriately will lose privileges and face disciplinary action.
•Students may not wear belt buckles with inappropriate sayings or symbols.
•Students may not wear heelies (wheels on sneakers) or use razor scooters.
•Students who wear tights/leggings must wear a top that extends down beyond the length of a student’s arm when the arm hangs straight at the student side.
•Students may not wear ripped jeans or cut-off shorts/skirts.
• Students who violate the above rules may receive disciplinary consequences and must change into appropriate attire or spend the day in ISS.
We ask your cooperation and support in our effort to maintain the kind of school environment in which teachers are able to teach and students are able to learn. We believe the school is a place of business and that secondary school students must dress accordingly.
Third Marking Period Recognition Assembly
The 3rd Marking Period ends today, April 13, 2018. Report cards will be available online through the Genesis Parent Portal beginning in the middle of next week. The 3rd Marking Period Recognition Assembly will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 7 pm in the Auditorium. Students who achieved high honor roll, honor roll and/or perfect attendance will be recognized. Additionally, students who participated in the school play/stage crew, Model UN, Science Bowl, Science and Engineering Fair, Math Olympiad and/or National History Day will also be recognized. Please join us as we celebrate our students!
PARCC Testing Details
PARCC Testing
The Lawrence Township Public Schools (LTPS) will be administering PARCC (Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Career), the state-adopted computer-based standardized assessment. All students in grades 3-11 will be tested in English and Language Arts (ELA), and all students in grades 3-8 will be tested in Mathematics, and students enrolled in Algebra 1, Geometry or Algebra II will take content-specific assessments.
For the 2017-18 school year, testing will take place between May 8 – 11 and May 15 - 17. Most students will have three separate units of testing for English Language Arts and Mathematics. Some of the younger grades will have four units of testing in Mathematics to allow for less time to be testing on any given day. At the bottom of this letter, you will find the Spring 2018 PARCC testing schedule for our school.
To prepare students for PARCC, the district curriculum has been aligned to the Common Core Standards since 2012. Our staff members have received and continue to receive specific training, and numerous ongoing classroom activities have been focused on getting students familiar with the tools they will need to be successful on these assessments. In addition, our district has implemented the computer based Measures of Academic Progress (M.A.P.) testing more commonly known as N.W.E.A. in Reading and Mathematics since 2007 in grades 2-10.
Please take note that on August 3, 2016, the State Board of Education approved updated state regulations for the high school graduation assessments requirements in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for the Classes of 2017 and beyond.
The Class of 2021 and Beyond (Class of 2021 is the current 9th graders) – Starting with the Class of 2021, students will only have two pathways to meet the high school graduation assessment requirements.
1. Pass the ELA 10 and Algebra I assessments; or
2. The submission by the district of a student portfolio through the Department’s portfolio appeals process, assuming the student has taken all PARCC assessments associated with the high-school level courses for which they were eligible and receives valid scores.Please go to the link below for more information pertaining to all assessment requirements by the New Jersey Department of Education:
http://www.state.nj.us/education/assessment/parents/GradReq.pdf
For more information, please access the following links from the LTPS website:
PARCC information and resources: https://sites.google.com/a/ltps.info/guidance/parcc-faq
PARCC FAQs: https://sites.google.com/a/ltps.info/guidance/parcc-faq/parcc-faqs.
If you have additional questions about PARCC, please feel free to contact Ms. Milavsky, your child’s counselor, or the Office of Instructional Services. Thank you.
Save the Date...Family Book Night
The Spring Family Book Night will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 6:00 pm in the Middle School Library. The book selection is, Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. The novel takes place in a future America where books are outlawed and firemen burn any that are found. Readers will find Bradbury's 1950 criticism of the role of mass media and censorship still relevant today. The form to sign up for participation in this popular and enriching evening is available from Language Arts teachers. Please complete and have your child return the form to their Language Arts teacher.