LMS e-blast
2 September 2020
Classlink for LCS
PTO News
All LMS families and staff are encouraged to attend our monthly PTO meetings beginning in September via Zoom. Our principal and PTO Board will be there to share updates and answer questions, and we’d love to hear about your experiences and ideas! Meeting dates and times for the year are on the attached document. A Zoom link will be provided before each meeting date.
Also, please opt-in for PTO communications and volunteer opportunities by sending your email address to our Volunteer Coordinator, Adrienne Scruggs, at scruggsadrienne@yahoo.com
News from the Counseling Department:
THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES
National Suicide Prevention Week - September 6-12, 2020
This year the LMS Counseling Department has chosen to offer some resources (see links below), some tips for supporting peers in crisis, and some protective and resilience-building strategies for students and families.
2020 began like many other years. The number itself was “cool” and seemed innocent and inspiring. As the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest began to touch all of us, our resiliency has been tested. We know this continues as we jump into the deep end of “remote learning” for students, parents, and staff alike.
While there WILL BE positive changes that come from these months of strange days, it may be very difficult to hold on to HOPE. We must find ways to manage our minds and health through all of the changes and uncertainties.
Research indicates that ONE KEY WAY to manage our minds and address suicide prevention is through promoting PROTECTIVE FACTORS and BUILDING RESILIENCY while reducing any stigma surrounding mental health. Lynchburg City Schools has begun to implement Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum that is intended to help students cope with and manage their emotions and stressful situations. Fostering supportive environments in homes and at school is key! Connection over Isolation is also important, so we must get creative while social distancing is still recommended.
Here are a couple of things to try at home:
CALMING/COPING Strategies:
Grounding Techniques: Utilized to build the social and emotional learning competency of self-management, grounding techniques have been found to help children, youth and young adults self-regulate their emotions. These exercises can be taught both in the classroom setting, via distance learning and with parents at home. Try these grounding techniques with your families:
1. Name five different things you can see around the room.
2. Listen to energetic or relaxing music for one minute.
3. Hold an object in our hands and focus on the color or texture.
4. Take ten deep breaths, counting each one as your chest rises.
5. Eat a piece of fruit and choose three words that describe the taste.
ACTIVITIES to do with your students/family:
Create a Journal with a Bookmark of Prompts (or use prompts as dinner conversation starters):
Hope Journal Activity Tip Sheet English
THINGS TO KNOW:
(from suicideispreventable.org)
Pain isn’t always obvious, but most suicidal people show some signs that they are thinking about suicide. The signs may appear in conversations, through their actions, or in social media posts. If you observe one or more of these warning signs, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change, step in or speak up.
Withdrawal
Changes in sleep
Reckless behavior
Personality change
Physical pain
Mood changes
Loss of interest in things
Talking about death
Online searches related to death or dying
Feelings of hopelessness/no reason to live
RESOURCES for more information:
Suicide Prevention Awareness | Know the Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior
Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Text “Home” to 741741 to access a crisis counselor
___________________________________________________________________________________________
SCHEDULE CHANGES: If your student is missing a class or is scheduled into the wrong class, please complete the Schedule Change Request form. Mrs. James and Mrs. Casler are processing changes listed in this form in the order that they are received. Please be patient as we work through enrolling new students, responding to emails, and making schedule changes.
The last day to request a schedule change will be Thursday, September 3, 2020.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM CODES - Invites from Classroom Teachers: If your student has not received an invitation to join any of his/her classes, send an email directly to the teacher asking for the access code.
HOMEROOM: Students need to check in with homeroom every day. This is where we will be taking attendance each day, and we also have some really fun and engaging activities planned for students to participate in with the homeroom class.
TECHNOLOGY
Who do I contact if my student needs technical assistance? LCS Student Tech Assistance
How does my student access Infinite Campus on his/her Chromebook?
Go to bit.ly/lcsportal
Enter Student Login Information
Student login formula:
username - student number
password - first initial of first name, first initial of last name, birthday (mmddyy)
example - John smith, student number 7890123
birthday 03/01/2000
username - 7890123
password - js030100
LMS INFORMATION
Where can I find information specific to LMS?
LMS Counseling Department Website
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Expert Recommended Resources to Help Teens and Young Adults Navigate Life's Challenges
Community Programs and Links
Virginia Tech Talent Search - Talent Search is committed to removing barriers to social and economic equality by supporting students in achieving their educational goals. Participants will be equipped with the necessary resources and skills which will enable them to: successfully meet the challenges of the 21st Century by gaining the academic, social, and technological skills necessary for acceptance to college, make sound career decisions, and pursue lifelong learning opportunities that will enable them to improve their quality of life and to contribute to their communities and society as a whole. If you would like more information about this program or to apply, please follow the link: Talent Search.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Rene James
Counselor for students: A-M
Laura Casler
Counselor for students: N-Z
LMS Counseling Department: 515-5332
Athletics
Thanks,
Coach Turille
I NEED YOUR HELP SPRING SPORTS!!!
Due to the abrupt end to your seasons last year we were unable to collect your jerseys. PLEASE return them to me next Wednesday September 2nd. I will be out in front of the school to collect them from 12:30 till 1:45. Thanks in advance for your help!
The Library
Students may access Sora (for e-books) and Destiny Discover through Classlink:
LCS Classlink: bit.ly/lcsclasslink
All students were invited to join the Library Google Classroom; the link was sent out last week. Please let Mrs. Gray know if you didn't receive it.
Curbside library book pick-up will begin Tuesday, September 8th. The "How-to" instructions for checking out and picking up books are posted on the Library's website and in the classroom.
Directions for accessing e-books on Sora.
1. https://soraapp.com or download the free Sora app onto a mobile device (or link from the library website)
2. Select 'I have a setup code.' code: lynchburgva
3. Username: your student number without a zero in the front
4. Browse, check-out, and read!:) You may have 2 e-books checked out at a time.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Gray if you have any issues or questions:
434-515-5333
NJHS News
Securly: How to monitor your child's online activity on the school issued chromebook
Pay Online!!
MySchoolBucks accounts: We've made it easier to find LMS items on MySchoolBucks!
Once you are signed on, click on School Store Browse All.
Please go on to pay for your Chromebook insurance if you haven't done so already.
All the LMS items are listed (alphabetically) on this screen. This is our one-stop-shop for everything LMS!
Linkhorne Middle School
Website: http://www.lcsedu.net/schools/lms/
Location: 2525 Linkhorne Drive, Lynchburg, VA, USA
Phone: 434-515-5330
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LMSJaguars/