Cougar Connection
April 12, 2024
LKMS News
7 Days of Kindness Spirit Week - NEXT WEEK!
Uncle Bully's Surf School Documentary and Assembly
LKMS has a unique opportunity to host a documentary screening at our school for all our students on Monday, April 22. The makers of the Big Sonia documentary made a new documentary called “Uncle Bully’s Surf School” (see synopsis of film below). This film has messages about the importance of diversity and kindness, two things that are vital to the LKMS culture. The makers of the film will be joined by the star of the documentary (Uncle Bully). All LKMS students will have the opportunity to watch the documentary, hear from Bully, and have a Q&A session about the film. 8th grade students will have the presentation in the morning and 6th and 7th grade students will have the presentation in the afternoon. We are thrilled for this unique and exciting opportunity! If you have questions or do not want your child to participate in this event, please reach out to Dr. Stolper.
Film Synopsis:
When a global pandemic decimates the tourism industry across the Hawaiian Islands it means no travel, no tourists, and no surf lessons. Surf instructor Bull Kotter (or ”Bully” as he’s lovingly called) suddenly finds his small business pushed to the brink. So he turns to his community-Lahaina-not for help or a handout, but to give back. From surf culture, to ocean respect, to kindness, Uncle Bully is translating etiquette in the line-up into etiquette in life. This is a film about the power of one person to shape a more hopeful future for the next generation. The description above encapsulates this man and his community, coming back from the brink of economic collapse after a global pandemic, to pivot into something deeper and nurturing. Then, the Maui wildfires in August happened. With a community decimated, UNCLE BULLY’S SURF SKOOL is now a visual document of a former Lahaina, now a memory. After a few days, the filmmaking team regrouped and immediately hit the ground to add a coda to this film, documenting a Lahaina in the aftermath and the recovery and resilience that has only begun on the very long road to rebuilding a town, a community, and its people.
LKMS Multicultural Festival - May 1
The LKMS Diversity Council is thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a Multicultural Festival on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM to celebrate our rich diversity here at Lakewood Middle School. We value diversity and recognize the importance of coming together to honor and celebrate our varied backgrounds.
We extend a warm invitation to all families to join us as guests for this exciting event. Moreover, we invite families interested in actively participating to showcase their family’s culture as part of the festival.
There are countless ways to share your culture with us. Whether through art, clothing, informational texts and posters, food, music, or performance, all ideas are embraced! Our aim is to create an inclusive space where national, religious, and cultural experiences and traditions from your home can be shared with our school community.
If you are interested in hosting a table as part of the festival to share your family’s culture with the community, please fill out this form by April 15th. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Dan Geist at dgeist@bluevalleyk12.org
Thank you and we hope to see you there!
LKMS Diversity Council
8th Grade Celebration Information
LKMS 8th grade parents,
Below is important information regarding the 8th grade celebration at the end of the year. The ceremony and celebration field trip will now be on 2 different days! Please read the entire email to complete all of the required steps for your child to attend. Thank you!
______________________________________________________
Lakewood Middle School 8th Grade Celebration 2024
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
7:51am Students arrive to school as normal
8:00am Students report to their first hour for attendance. They will receive their class t shirts to wear to Main Event. They will have time in their first hour flex class to change.
9:00 Students will take buses to Main Event (11950 S. Kansas City Rd. Olathe, KS 66061)
9:30-12:30pm All Access at Main Event and 2 hr Arcade time card
11:00am Pizza and Soft Drink provided
12:30pm Load buses and head back to Lakewood Middle School
1:00pm Dessert outside and hang out on track
2:00-3:00pm Rehearsal for Farewell Ceremony
**END OF CELEBRATION
Lakewood Middle School 8th Grade Farewell Ceremony 2024
Thursday, May 23rd
7:51 – Student arrive to school as normal (Please have your student dress nicely for this ceremony.)
8:00 – Doors will open for parents to head to the gym
8:15 – Farewell Ceremony will begin in the LKMS Gym:
- All family members are invited to attend the ceremony
- Please have your student dress nicely for this ceremony
- Arrive to school for normal start time 7:51 am
- Ceremony will begin at approximately 8:15 am
- Families will have time after the ceremony to take photos with students
8th GRADE CELEBRATION PACKAGE
LKMS CLASS of 2024
Package costs $45 per student
· Package includes class t-shirt, bus transportation, Main Event celebration on Wednesday with pizza, drink, sweet treat as well as Thursday's farewell ceremony.
· No additional money will be needed (unless your child wants to use the arcade for tickets at Main Event, or buy additional snacks).
· Parent volunteers will be requested at a later date for Main Event but there will be teacher chaperones with the class as well.
· We want all of our students at LKMS to be able to participate in this fun day. If costs are burdensome, please contact one of the LKMS counselors:
· Mrs. Allen for last names A-L at CAllen02@bluevalleyk12.org
· Mrs. Olsen for last names M-Z at EOlsen@bluevalleyk12.org
PARENTS TO DO LIST:
*Permission slip and payment must be completed by Friday, April 19th.
1. Complete Permission Slip
2. Pay for the celebration!
MAKE PAYMENT: LKMS PTO website via card or write a check payable to LKMS PTO: https://lakewoodmspto.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/81665657/
3. Contact mdwittkopf@gmail.com or melindabates2005@hotmail.com with any questions.
Charlie's Car Wash Fundraiser for 8th grade Celebration
Sources of Strength Kindness Week
Sources of Strength is hosting a Kindness Week April 22-26. There will be activities at lunch and during Flex class throughout the week. We are also hosting a food drive to collect items for the BV Food Pantry starting on April 15th through the 26th. Our Sources of Strength students will deliver the food to the pantry and work together to make taco meal kits for the pantry. We are asking for donations of the following items for the taco meal kits:
- Jars of salsa
- Cans of Rotel
- Cans of refried beans
- Cans of black beans
- Large cans of chicken
- Cans of Corn
- Small bags of rice
- Bags of flour tortillas
There will be collection bins at school for students to drop off donations. The Flex class that brings in the most donations will win a prize at lunch! Please consider picking up a few items to give to our food drive. Thank you!
Congratulations to LKMS Science Olympiad Team!
- Lakewood Middle won 2nd place in the Large School category
- Lakewood Middle won overall 2nd place in Kansas State Science Olympiad
- Many of our participants won individual medals
We are so proud of this team for their hard work and dedication throughout this year!
Johnson County Election Office Sticker Contest
The Johnson County Election Office is running a contest for K-8 students to design a sticker to be distributed to youth at advance voting and Election Day polling sites. The submission deadline is May 3. Contest rules and required forms are included in this Sticker Contest Packet as well as at this link.
Purchase your School Supplies for 24-25 School Year
Parents, it's time to buy your 1st Day School Supplies. I know it seems early, but before you know it, summer will be here. It's important you order your supplies before it's too late or supplies run out. Start the school year with the exact supplies your teacher requested, and give your child the confidence they need to conquer next year! Get them today before it's too late!
Visit this link to purchase: http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=41086
Register for the 24-25 school year today
Middle school registration for the 2024-25 school year is open and online now for current students and families. Registration is required annually and is the time to update your child’s information (phone, email, emergency contacts, health information, etc.). At this time, you have access to pay all required fees except for course fees. Course fees will be assigned in September.
Completing registration now confirms that your child will attend school in August and helps the district appropriately staff classrooms. Thank you for providing important information as part of the registration process. For more registration information, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/registration.
Career Ready Programs Information
This spring staff from the Blue Valley Career Ready Programs will visit Lakewood Middle School to speak to our 8th grade students about some exciting opportunities available to them during their high school career.
The Career Ready Programs currently available for Blue Valley students on the campus of Johnson County Community College are:
Automation Engineer
Automotive Technology
Culinary and Hospitality
Cybersecurity
Electrical Technology
Electronics Technology
Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning
Plumbing Technology
Welding and Metal Fabrication
Additionally, students who want to get a jumpstart on their college education can also choose to earn their associate’s degree, along with their high school diploma, as full-time JCCC students during their junior and senior years in high school- at little to no cost to them or their families.
Blue Valley also offers a Fire Science program in collaboration with the Overland Park Fire Department. to offer a pathway for students to earn certifications toward being a firefighter/paramedic.
While these opportunities are a few years away for your student, we know that it is never too early to start planning for your child’s future.
Career Ready Programs will be offering opportunities for students to visit JCCC and the OPFD Fire Training Center to see the programs in action, speak with faculty and students and learn even more about these exciting opportunities!
OPFD trip: April 22nd (12:30-2:00 @ OPFD FTC)
JCCC trip: April 24th (12:30-2:00 @ JCCC)
To sign your student up for either/both trips, please complete this FORM by Monday, April 15th. Transportation will be provided.
To learn more about these opportunities, please visit the Career Ready Programs website or email Adam Wessel, Director of Career Ready Programs, at ajwessel@bluevalleyk12.org and/or Sarah Beren, Career Ready Programs Liaison to JCCC, at sberen@bluevalleyk12.org.
LKMS Football Camp
Who: Open to all incoming 7th-8th Graders
When: May 13-15, 3:15-4:45PM
Cost: $50
**Athletes will be coached by the current football staff where they will learn the basics of each position, learn offensive and defensive concepts, introduction to the playbook we use, and we will have various fun games that puts their knowledge and skills to use.**
Sign-up here:
KCFC Football Team Forming
Any Incoming 7th graders interested in playing tackle football in the Fall of 2024. There is a KCFC team forming that will have players from both Lakewood Middle and Pleasant Ridge Middle Schools. This will be a great opportunity to start working together with other boys that will be attending Blue Valley West in the future. If you have questions, please contact the BVW area youth football director, Ryan Graham, his phone number is 913-333-1301.
Culver's Restaurant Night
Blue Valley District News and Events
BVEF Champion for Students
BV Ability Showcase - Calling all Performers and Participants
Upcoming Events
Monday, April 15
- Jazz Band (7:10-7:40 AM)
- Track practice
Tuesday, April 16
- AI Club in room 205
- Crochet club in room 310
- Diversity council in room 204
- Debate Club in Ms. Knudsen's room 3:15-4:15 PM
Wednesday, April 17
- Jazz Band (7:10-7:40 AM)
- Track meet @ home vs. ABMS (starts @ 3:15 PM)
Thursday, April 18
- 8th grade band festival
- Super Flex Schedule
- Nintendo club in room 138
- Theatre Club - 3:00-4:00 PM
- Track practice
No School on Friday, April 19 - PL Day for Staff
These messages are sent from an unmonitored account. If you have specific questions, please email Lisa Stolper (lostolper@bluevalleyk12.org) or Dylan Owings (dowings@bluevalleyk12.org).