Lancer Legend
October 2023
LTMS Mission and Vision
Our goal is to provide students with experiences that will empower them to become thoughtful, meaningful contributors to society. Our teachers and staff are committed to offering students a wide range of learning experiences that will enable them to discover their passion and to discover how they learn best. While empowering students to uncover their true passion, Loyalsock Township Middle School prepares, engages, and inspires all students to seek academic and personal excellence.
Dear LTMS Families,
The past month of school has been bustling with the sights and sounds of learning in each of the classrooms at LTMS. Students are working diligently to complete projects, absorb new content, and participate in many of the extracurricular activities. Teachers and staff continue to build positive relationships while keeping our students engaged during their well planned instruction. We will continue to encourage our middle schoolers to stay organized, be prepared, and complete the necessary assignments to achieve success. Students with grades below 70% after the first four weeks of school will recieve a progress report in the mail.
We continue to provide positive behavior incentives for all students grades 6-8 through our PBIS system. Students may earn points on a daily basis while following the expectations of our 4 pillars: be responsible, be respectful, be kind and be courageous. At the end of September, the school's PBIS store, located online through an iPad app, opened for service. Points are used to purchase items such as sporting equipment, school supplies, snacks, and accessories. Continue to support and encourage your child(ren) to BE A LANCER!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Rachelle Ackerman, Principal
Mrs. Dayne Waller, Assistant Principal
Important Dates to Remember
- Monday - Friday: Teacher Office Hours 2:40 PM - 3:00 PM
- Includes Academic Support
- 30 min. After School Detention (2:45 PM - 3:15 PM)
- 60 min. After School Detention
- Monday, October 2: National Custodian/Maintenance Staff Appreciation Day
- Friday, October 6: Homecoming Pep Rally
- Monday, October 9: NO SCHOOL for Students (Teacher Professional Development Day)
- Wednesday, October 11: School Board Meeting @ 7:00 PM (LTHS/LTMS Multipurpose Room)
- Wednesday, October 18: PTO Meeting @ 5:30 PM (HS/MS Library)
- Thursday, October 19: Attendance Improvement Plan Meetings
- Monday, October 23 - Friday, October 27: Red Ribbon Week
- Tuesday, October 30: PTO Sponsored Bowling Event (demerit system will be enforced)
School-wide Reading Initiative
Did you know reading at least 10-20 minutes every day builds vocabulary, comprehension, and even social-emotional skills? All students at LTMS are taking part in our whole school reading initiative! Students in grades 6-8 are reading silently or listening to teachers model proficient reading from a chosen novel during each school day. We are so proud of our staff for instilling the love of reading within each and every LTMS student!
No Tardy Party
Have you heard about our "No Tardy Party?" Students who report to school and arrive to all classes on time each day will be invited to a celebratory gathering at the end of each month. The events may include special treats, fun activities, or small prizes. On September 29th, students enjoyed freeze pops and socialized with peers while being recognized for their punctuality. Attendance matters for student achievement and we encourage all to be present and on time each school day.
Part of Speech Pool Party
Students in Mrs. Fry's 8th grade ELA class made a "SPLASH" in their learning this past month. Students were given a special pool pass as they worked collaboratively completing activities to master necessary skills for writing. Students had a fantastic time while staying engaged during class. To add to the fun, Mrs. Fry played the part of the classroom lifegaurd!
September Students of the Month
Congratulations to our LTMS September Students of the Month! These students are respectful (role models to their peers), responsible (take personal accountability), kind (helpful to others), and courageous (strive to improve the well-being of others)!
September Musician of the Month
Congratulations to our September Musician of the Month! She is involved in band, choir, marching band and jazz band. She has participated in band and choir for 5 years. When not in school, she likes to read, draw and ride her bike. Her favorite subject is music and she loves to snack on chocolate. Way to go!
September Teacher of the Month
Congratulations to our September Teacher of the Month, Mrs. Kendall. Our students recognize her as encouraging, kind and calm. "Mrs. Kendall makes reading fun!" She reminds our students, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - AESOP
G.O.A.T of the Week
Each week, two LTMS staff members are celebrated for their accomplishments, support and dedication to the education field. Staff are given the title of a G.O.A.T (GREATEST OF ALL TIME) and presented with a goat mascot that is placed in their respective rooms for all to see! Congratulations to our September winners!
Mr. Jamal Nesmith (Intervention Specialist)
Mrs. Michelle Bartley (School Secretary)
Mrs. Maria Robertson (Paraprofessional)
Mr. Jamie Thomas (ES Teacher)
Ms. Janelle Ziminski (7th Grade Learning Support Teacher)
Mr. Derreck Godin (7th Grade Reading Teacher)
Mrs. Janette Lacomba (Technology Assistant)
Mrs. Janette Shirey (6th/7th Grade Math Teacher)
Meet Mr. Clint Ross
Please extend warm wishes to our new 8th Grade learning support teacher, Mr. Clint Ross. Mr. Ross has been teaching in the special education field for the past 20 years, primarily in the Benton Area School District. Welcome to Loyalsock Township Middle School, Mr. Ross!
National Custodian Appreciation Day
On Monday, October 2nd, our LTMS staff recognized the dedicated custodial staff who work tirelessy to keep our school clean. We provided the custodians with a special snack cart containing beverages and some sweet and salty treats. Thank you for all you do!
Special Events
Hailey Bilbay Scholarship Motorcycle and Auto Ride
Red Ribbon Week
Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. The country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the destruction caused by drugs in America.Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. We will be recognizing Red Ribbon Week from October 23rd - 27th across the district.
Mobile Dentist
Health Services Update
A health services section has been added to the district website. Information regarding required immunizations according to Pennsylvania school guidelines, health screenings, physical exams, and medical forms are included for convenient access.
School Menu
Breakfast: $2.50
Lunch: $3.50
The preferred method of payment is to use the MySchoolBucks app to prepay. With this account, a guardian can:
1. View and print the student's cafeteria transaction history
2. Check to see how much money the student has in his/her cafeteria account.
3. Quickly access the account to deposit funds.
There is no charge for checking your student's balance. To use this service, a parent/guardian should go to the login page available on the school website and register as a new user.
Attendance Requirements
Following Pennsylvania School Code, all students under the age of 18 are mandated to attend school within the Commonwealth.
COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE PA CODE: 24 P.S. 13-1327 Pennsylvania state law defines compulsory attendance and school age as, “the period of a child’s life from the time the child enters school as a beginner, which may be no later than six years of age, until the age of eighteen or graduation from high school, whichever occurs first.” Therefore, school attendance is mandatory for all resident children within the compulsory ages to attend a school where the Standards of the State Board of Education are taught. School districts have the responsibility to maintain accurate and effective attendance records for their students. The Compulsory Attendance Law treats every absence as unlawful (unexcused) until the school receives a written excuse explaining the reason for the absence.
Excuses should be submitted to the school within three (3) days of the student’s return. If an excuse is not received, the day(s) of absence is permanently classified as unlawful.
Students are permitted a maximum of ten (10) absences per school year. All absences beyond the lawful allowance require a physician’s excuse. The Compulsory Attendance Law can be found in detail at the Pennsylvania Department of Education.School Hours
Our instructional hours at LTMS take place between 7:40 AM and 2:40 PM. Students MUST be in their classrooms no later than 7:40 AM or a tardy referral will be issued. Our doors at the middle school open at 7:20 AM. Students may recieve a free breakfast in the lobby area and enjoy some social time with classmates until released to lockers and classrooms at 7:30 AM. Subsequent tardies will result in disciplinary action.
Cell Phones and Dress Code
We recognize that each student’s mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference. However, it is necessary that all students dress appropriately for all school functions to maintain a safe, healthy, and learning-focused environment. The Loyalsock Township School District supports the dress and appearance of students to reflect and prepare them for the business and social world. A few important reminders as you and your student shop for the upcoming school year.
- Midriffs should be covered on all sides of the body, including while raising hands or stretching.
- The shoulder area should be covered at all times. Please refrain from wearing tank tops, spaghetti straps, muscle tees, etc.
- Shorts and skirts should have a 3" inseam or longer.
- Holes in pants should be below the 3" inseam.
- Undergarments should be covered at all times.
- If wearing leggings, a shirt covering the buttocks area is required.
2023-2024 Bell Schedules
2023-2024 School Calendar
Fall Athletics
Athletics Website
Please be sure to visit our website to view team schedules, photos, announcements, events, etc. Don't forget, while visiting the website, to sign up for your own "Fan Account" so you can stay up to date with all your team’s schedules and scores. You can also download your favorite teams schedule right to your own personal calendar. Just find your teams calendar, click on subscribe and follow the instructions. Changes to events, including day, time, location, etc., will automatically be updated on your personal devices.
General athletic questions may be directed to :
Athletic Director, Mr. Ben Lorson blorson@ltsd.k12.pa.us
Athletic Secretary, Mrs. Shannon Butters SButters@ltsd.k12.pa.us
LTSD Blackboard App
School calendars
Student/parent portal
News feeds & announcements
MySchoolBucks (cafeteria)
Various resources/forms
Moodle access
Clubs and activities