Please note that St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) Department of Maintenance has informed us that the monthly well test failed. SMCPS is required to monitor drinking water for specific contaminants, on a regular basis, to ensure that drinking water meets health standards. On 10/22/2022, the SMCPS Department of Maintenance was notified that a water sample collected on 10/18/22 from Leonardtown Middle School was found to be positive for Escherichia Coliform. The presence of Escherichia Coliform indicates that the conditions in the water supply could allow the development of E-coli. It does not indicate that E-Coli is present. The presence of Escherichia Coliform mandates that certain precautions be taken to ensure the safety of the individuals who use the water supply.

Per Maryland Department of the Environment guidelines, bottled water and hand sanitizer will be provided until corrective measures have resulted in the elimination of Escherichia Coliform. Water from the system should not be used for consumption. Hand washing is safe if students and staff are not putting their hands/fingers in their mouths for any reason. As a precaution, hand sanitizer can be used after, or instead of, hand washing to kill any Escherichia Coliform that may exist on the skin. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause, and we greatly appreciate your patience while we remedy the issue and ensure that our drinking water is safe for students and staff.

Please direct any questions or concerns to 301-475-4256, Ext. 34106.

Friday, October 28th is a 2-hour early dismissal day. Please make appropriate accommodations for your students.

Our schools are heavily impacted with federally-connected students--Parents/guardians who work on federal property in Maryland, live on federal property in Maryland, and/or are active duty military personnel. Because of this impact, we receive federal grant funds to operate and maintain our schools and enrich school programs. To receive these funds, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) requires us to survey each student to determine eligibility.

SMCPS is encouraging all parents/guardians to please take the time to access and complete the Impact Aid Survey Form online, located in the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. The form can now be accessed in Spanish by clicking on the Globe in the top right-hand corner once the form has been started. The deadline for the online submission of Impact Aid Program Survey forms is November 14, 2022.

In accordance with amended authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) will now offer the new bivalent formulations of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for use as a single booster dose for younger age groups.

The updated boosters enhance protection against both the original coronavirus strain and also the newer Omicron variants that account for most current cases. Either booster should be administered at least two months after the original series has already been completed, any prior booster dose, and previous COVID-19 infection. The bivalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for administration in children down to six years of age. The bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for administration in children down to five years of age.

For more information or to make a vaccine appointment, please visit: smchd.org/covid-19-vaccine and select the patient age group for available clinic dates. Call SMCHD at (301) 475-4330 for questions or assistance making an appointment over the phone. Please review the allergy guidance and the FAQs for SMCHD COVID-19 Vaccination prior to registering for a vaccine appointment. COVID-19 vaccines are also available through primary care offices and local pharmacies.

Dear Leonardtown Middle School Families,

September 8th marked the 100th day before National Wreaths Across America Day, December 17, 2022. Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, wreath-laying is carried out at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 1,600 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. The Maryland Veterans’ Cemetery in Cheltenham is one of the additional locations where wreath laying honoring our country’s fallen heroes takes place. There are over 28,000 gravesites, of which more than half go without a remembrance wreath each year.

Leonardtown Middle School is an official sponsorship group (MD0402P) again this year. Our goal is to sponsor 250 wreaths. You can help us reach this goal by sponsoring one or more wreaths that will go directly to the cemetery in Cheltenham. One wreath sponsorship is only $15.00. There are many options available. By sponsoring a wreath, you can help to REMEMBER AND HONOR the American heroes that served. Sponsorship can be done directly by going to the link below. The link will take you directly to the LMS site and guarantee that we receive credit for your sponsorship. All orders must be received by November 28th. This fundraising opportunity is being brought to you by the MTSS committee in hopes of raising funds for student assemblies, incentives to promote the P.A.W.S. program, and to promote a positive culture at Leonardtown Middle School.

Thank you in advance for your support.

~The LMS MTSS Committee~

• The PTA still needs volunteers for the November 4th school dance. Please consider helping out to ensure we have a successful event
• Plan ahead for our Spirit Night at Kevin's Corner Café on November 11th.
• Honey Baked Hams will go on sale in a few weeks. More details coming soon.
• If you have any questions please reach out to the PTA.
• Memberships are $8/adult or $15/family and $7/teachers & staff. You can also register online at https://lmspta20.memberhub.com/store Become a member and support the school!!
• https://www.facebook.com/LeonardtownMiddleSchoolPta

Asklmspta@gmail.com