February 23rd, 2024
Vol. 20
Teacher of the Year
It is a great honor for me to introduce our 23-24 teacher of the year. Congratulations to Mr. John Ross. Mr. Ross is a 7th-grade Science teacher in his 30th year of teaching at Summit Middle School and is our longest-lasting staff member currently employed at LCJSMS.
Mr. Ross, otherwise known as the “Science Boss,” understands the needs of our students, encourages them, and aids them in developing their self-esteem. Mr. Ross continually makes interpersonal connections with our students, is light-hearted yet hardworking and enthusiastic, and is a pleasure for students, faculty, and administration to work with. On a personal note, I can tell you that Mr. Ross is both hysterical and filled with some of the most random knowledge that you could ever imagine. I am always learning from Mr. Ross, who, in my mind, is the ultimate team player and a hero who has stepped in multiple times to save students during medical emergencies.
One staff member said, “Mr. Ross grew up here, went to school here, worked at the First Aid Squad here, and has dedicated his life to enhancing this community." Mr. Ross is Summit.
Support Staff Member of the Year
This award aims to celebrate and honor the outstanding contributions of our LCJSMS support staff member who consistently goes above and beyond. This year, the team at LCJSMS sought feedback from staff, and we are choosing to honor Mrs. Adriana Loaiza.
Adriana is an invaluable member of our LCJSMS team. While working in the counseling office, her work extends beyond that role. She is a fixture in Summit within the school and the broader community. Adriana embodies our three core LCJSMS values of caring for ourselves, each other, and our school. She makes every person who enters the counseling office feel welcome with her warm smile and optimistic sense of humor. Daily, she effectively communicates with students and their families and respects inclusion and diversity. Adriana is always willing to go the extra mile for anyone who needs assistance regarding the registration process, Genesis tutorials, student advocacy, lunch/food assistance, Spanish language translation, and much more. She manages our partnership with the community food bank, ensuring that any families in our school who suffer from food insecurity are connected and supplied with anything they need. Additionally, she is a phenomenal secretary: organized, personable, and collaborative, assisting our school counselors and administrative team with many tasks beyond her job description.
Beyond her role in the counseling office, Adriana is cross-trained on many main office tasks and is always willing to fill in up front when anyone is out. A colleague wrote, "She puts her own work to the side to benefit the needs of the whole office and makes sure that we are all good. This is a great help to the entire main office team because the attendance role can be a hectic part of a busy office." We couldn't be more excited to acknowledge such a deserving individual. Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Loaiza on this honor!!!
Cereal Bowl Drive
The 10th Annual Cereal Bowl cereal drive for the 6th grade is in full swing but we need your help to make it a success. 6th graders are encouraged to bring in ANY brand of unopened, unexpired full size boxes of cereal. All cereal collected goes right back to the local community through the Loaves and Fishes food pantry at St. Teresa's. Donations are being collected by homeroom teachers and can be brought in through February 28th at 8AM.
Minding Your Mind - Parent Presentation
At our Principal's coffee in January, I spoke about our upcoming mental health assembly, which will be seen by all three grade levels on Monday, February 26th. Minding Your Mind is dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding mental health. Additionally, the organization focuses on prevention through education. It concentrates on storytelling to teach about the signs and symptoms associated with mental health and strategies to combat them. In addition to speaking with our students, the organization will host a virtual parent session on the evening of February 28th. Please see the flyer for details. Additionally, I have attached a link of the speaker whom will be meeting with our students.
https://mindingyourmind.org/speaker/sarika/
"Just Talk About It": A Mental Health Presentation for Parents
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qze-gpad-fsr
Or dial: (US) +1 414-882-6502 PIN: 444 599 554#
Executive Functioning
7th & 8th Grade Parents:
We have a series of classes scheduled called "Study Strategies." Please be advised that there is a class limit and students can only be signed up for once class per topic.They are first come, first serve, and you must sign up in advance.
Please fill out this form in order for your child (ren) to attend the class. "Active Listening" and "Study Strategies" will be held from 3-4 p.m. after school on the following dates:
Wed., Feb. 28th - Study Strategies
Thurs., Feb. 29th - Study Strategies
*All who submit a request will receive a follow up email before their scheduled class regarding registration status.
Upcoming Dates
2/28 Minding Your Mind - Parent Presentation
4/12 (UPDATED DATE) - Night of Fun
4/19 (UPDATED DATE) - 7th Grade Dance