Panther Post
To Start The 2017-2018 School Year
Hello Lopez Families,
Welcome everyone to another great year. Very soon the kids will be showing up and we will be ready to provide the best experience possible for them. We are committed to the high expectations this community holds and building strong bonds between parents and community members to give our students everything they need to grow in academics, fine arts, athletics, and social skills. You will not find another place that tries harder and is more capable than Lopez Middle School.
Here is some important information that may help you to start the year:
PANTHER PROWL
In a few weeks on Thursday, August 24th, we’ll host Panther Prowl. This is when Lopez students are invited to come up and get familiarized with their campus. All of the incoming 6th graders are invited to attend our Panther Prowl on Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 7th and 8th graders are invited to come in that day from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We also have New Parent Boot Camps you can sign-up for and that information can be found at the following link - http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f4fadae2da5f85-2017. These boot camps are for parents who are brand new to the middle school experience at Lopez.
DRESS CODE
During the middle school years, kids grow so fast and shopping for clothes can be a struggle. Please look over the attached dress code brochure before stocking up. Nothing in the dress code has changed, but we will be enforcing the “no torn or ripped clothing” part which includes holes in jeans (even the fake holes that do not show skin). Although we want the kids to be comfortable, we also want them to be dressed in a way that promotes a positive educational climate.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
You may see information from our district regarding school supplies. They often send out or post a list of supplies you will need. It does not always match up with the teachers your kids may have so I suggest holding off on any big purchases. Make sure they come the first day with a pen and pencil, and a binder of some sort to collect all the handouts they may be given and to take notes. They can get by the first few days with that while they figure out what they will actually need for each class.
STUDENT DROP-OFF/PICK-UP
For those of you new to Lopez, if you are driving your kids to school, here are the procedures. After 7:30, you have to use the lower parking lot by the football field. Our buses start coming in at that time so it will not be available to parents for that purpose. Any delays for the buses, delays their next route to the high schools and causes a safety concern as well. In the lower lot, please do not let the kids out or pick them up before you make the bend where you start heading back the other way (near the gyms). Please pull up as far as possible to the next stopped vehicle before letting out. We can get about 12 cars at a time letting kids out. When parents stop early, by the first gate opening for instance, we can only get about two or three cars at a time and it slows the entire process. Not good for the start of the day when many are trying to get to work. There will be staff out there helping direct the cars. Sixth grade parents, please do not walk them into the building on the first day. It will get too congested and your kids will not want that anyway.
FIRST DAY INFORMATION
You will get a lot of paper coming home the first day. Please go through all of them and sign and return any forms that pertain to you. It is important to get these back as soon as possible.
LUNCHES
Please use the online system from the district web site to add money to your kid’s lunch account if they are going to buy their lunch. You can bring a check or cash but it slows the lunch lines down considerably the first week when everyone is doing that at the register. I would also suggest they bring their own lunch the first week due to this. We do have microwaves and water for their use.
CELL PHONE POLICY
This year, although cell phones are still allowed, we are tightening the rules a bit. Students will not be allowed to take pictures or videos anywhere on campus or access social media during school hours. You also may want to check with your provider. Some allow you to stop data usage during chosen hours. This will force the students to use the district wi-fi which has an exceptional filtering system. During class time, the phones cannot be visible or heard unless the teacher allows it for educational purposes that period. You can still text them between classes and at lunch if necessary. Other uses will be cause for confiscation and you will have to come up to get it. Certain violations may carry discipline consequences as well.
We want everyone's first experience at Lopez to be a great one and I believe in doing so, we can set the foundation to have the rest of your time with us be a positive experience. Please say hi when you see me. I always appreciate the strong relationships we forge to help your children grow. We would also love for you to sign-up as a volunteer whenever you get the chance, and of course joining our wonderful PTA is a great opportunity to work together for our kids. To sign-up as a Lopez volunteer, please visit the NEISD Volunteer Program website at https://www.neisd.net/Page/9354. See you soon!
Have a great summer!
Sincerely,
Mr. Wernli
Upcoming Important Dates
8/24 Panther Prowl (times above)
8/28 First day of school - 1st period begins at 8:20
8/31 Football parent meeting - 6 pm
9/4 Holiday
9/12 Back to school night/Open House starting at 6:30