LMS e-blast
24 November 2020
PTO News
Our next meeting will be on Monday, November 30 via Zoom and we hope to see you there. Join us using the following zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/98263882653?pwd=RjF5L0NZRXhJK3lJZmFpQjl4NjI0dz09
We are not able to host our annual Jag Color Jog fundraiser, which brought in over $15,000 last year to support and enrich the student experience at LMS. Instead, we are asking for donations via this attached letter. Please donate if you are able, and share this with any grandparents, neighbors, and friends who may also be inclined to donate to LMS. Your support is greatly appreciated!
School Picture Days
12/8 & 12/10: 10:20-2:35
12/9 & 12/11: 9:00-1:25
Our 100% remote students may come in to take their pictures by APPOINTMENT on 12/8 & 12/10 from 10:24-10:44 and on 12/9 & 12/11 from 1:05-1:20. Families will call the main office to make a picture appointment for their 100% remote students. On the Pictures DAYS, the remote students will enter the building near the gym (double doors in the courtyard) to be screened and escorted to Rm 706.
Linkhorne Middle's online Scholastic Bookfair has begun!
The Fair is going on from November 18th through December 1st. Books make wonderful holiday gifts, so order now!
Website: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/linkhornemiddleschool
News from the Counseling Department:
THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES
THANKSGIVING IN 2020
The coronavirus pandemic may have thrown a wrench into just about all of your plans this year, but that doesn't mean you can't still celebrate the holidays with family and friends—it might just not be in person. Though it might not be what you're used to, shifting your Thanksgiving to be more intimate is the best thing you can do in 2020. This has not been a "normal" year and, unfortunately, this will not be a normal holiday season. But with a few tweaks—and some good WiFi—your crew can still have a Thanksgiving to remember with some virtual, family-approved activities.
1. Thanksgiving Recipe Swap
It may not be the best idea to visit Grandma this year, but that doesn't mean you can't still get a taste of her mouth-watering sweet potato pie. Get the whole family on board, swap your best recipes, test them out at home, then set up a Zoom—which, by the way, will have no time limit on Thanksgiving—for the big taste test.
2. Turkey Day Craft-a-Thon
From free, printable coloring pages to easy crafts for toddlers to edible crafts for kids, we've got your little ones covered. Pick one or a few ideas and plan a time to get the kiddos together via video to have a little fun side by side.
3. Macy's Parade Watch-Along
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is already virtual for 2020, but that doesn't change the fact that it's still a staple for kicking off Turkey Day for most families. Why not enjoy your kids' favorite character balloons, Broadway performances, and, of course, a special appearance by Santa Claus by watching along with loved ones on Zoom or FaceTime? Bonus points if everyone rocks some festive pajamas for it.
4. Virtual Thanksgiving Games
Who doesn't love a good game night? Make yours Turkey Day-friendly with these 10 Thanksgiving games for kids that include everything from Mad Libs to I Spy and can easily be played from behind a screen.
You can even make a game out of these Thanksgiving trivia questions. Winner gets an e-gift card—or dibs on a sweet treat sent directly to their doorstep!
5. Scholastic's First Thanksgiving Virtual Field Trip
Sprinkle a bit of history into your holiday with Scholastic's virtual Thanksgiving field trips that include a tour of the Mayflower and Plimoth Plantation that school-age kids will enjoy. There's also an immersive tour of a Wampanoag village, the Indigenous people who were living in the area before the pilgrims arrived. The best part? It's all free!
6. Zoom Dinner With Extended Family and Friends
Last, but certainly not least, host a classic Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving dinner with everyone you love—all on Zoom, FaceTime, or your favorite video platform. Set up a phone or laptop near your dining table and enjoy turkey dinner how you normally would, just with fewer people physically in the room. Pump up the music, say what you're thankful for, and catch up on what's new while enjoying some delicious food. Heck, you can even throw in a few awkward family conversations to make it even more legit.
Remember, celebrating safely is a sacrifice—there's no question about it—but it's one many Americans will be making this year to ensure we can all enjoy the holidays for many years to come.
FAMILY GRATITUDE CHALLENGE
Sometimes it's easy to forget all the people, things, and opportunities in
life that make us feel thankful and bring us joy. When we pause and are
mindful, we remember everything that makes us feel grateful. Practice
taking time to be grateful with your family. You can create this gratitude
craft together or each person can make their own!
10 New Movies to Make You Feel Better About Being Stuck at Home
Most movie theaters are closed, but many new movies are coming straight to your TV that might help you find meaning and laughter in lockdown. Movie Link
COVID-19 Impacted Assistance
If your household is behind on rent, mortgage, or utility payments because you lost income due to COVID-19, contact:
Interfaith Outreach: 434-846-6098
LynCAG: 434-455-1601
TECHNOLOGY
Who do I contact if my student needs technical assistance? LCS Student Tech Assistance
LMS INFORMATION
PAWS Program - After School and Weekend Tutoring
Our 21st Century Program is offering virtual tutoring/academic support as one of our programs this year. We will be providing support during evening and weekend hours to help working families. Our program hours will be Tues/Thurs 3:30-5:30pm and 6:00-8:00pm as well as Saturdays 12:00-2:00pm. Please complete this application if you would like your student to participate: PAWS Tutoring Program
Where can I find information specific to LMS?
LMS Counseling Department Website
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Expert Recommended Resources to Help Teens and Young Adults Navigate Life's Challenges
Community Programs and Links
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth - CTY is a nonprofit dedicated to identifying and developing the talents of academically advanced pre-college students around the world. Talent Search is the gateway to CTY. It's an advanced assessment that will help identify your child's strengths. Receiving a qualifying score can earn your student the opportunity to enroll in summer and online programs. Apply to CTY using the Talent Search application form if you want to test for eligibility. Talent Search
Toys for Tots - Applications are available for the Toys for Tots program October 1st - November 30, 2020. Applications are at the front door of Social Services. Children ages birth to 14 are eligible for the program if they meet the guidelines of receiving SNAP, TANF, Medicaid or WIC.
BLAST - Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology offers an exciting way for rising 9th and 10th grade students to spend three days of summer! Participating students get to stay in a college dorm and see what campus life is like on-site at one of our three partner universities: Old Dominion University, Virginia Tech, or the University of Virginia. Each day of BLAST is jam-packed with science, technology, engineering, and math-related (STEM) activities and demonstrations led by faculty of the university. Students come away from BLAST with a greater sense of curiosity, deeper insight about the variety of careers that exist in STEM, and enhanced readiness for advanced STEM programs. Click the links provided to watch videos from past BLAST sessions. You will find more information about the program, as well as the online application, through the tabs above.
BLAST - Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Rene James
Counselor for students: A-M
Laura Casler
Counselor for students: N-Z
LMS Counseling Department: 515-5332
This Week in SEL/Homeroom
This week we continued our Mindful Mondays where we learn a little bit more about the brain. We are using lessons from the Hahn Foundation in a program called MINDUP. Since it is a short week, we are also taking a pause to talk about gratefulness.
For further conversations with your student: Gratefulness this year might look a little different. There are things we frequently recognize that we are grateful for but THIS year...the year of Covid (and other country challenges), are there things you and your student might pause to recognize that otherwise might not receive much notice. Sometimes perspective can help us be grateful and bring us a greater depth of internal wellness. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Drawing: We are trying to build more collaboration and connection between school and families. Join us by responding to a quick weekly question and be entered into a quarterly drawing for a family gift. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScM0_3tCYEma5-jpuHA2zZ8eSDrgpLDtRXfrx4pD2btN5BlAg/viewform
LMS Attendance
Greetings from the attendance office!
Parents, I would like to start by introducing myself. My name is Debbie Riley and I’m the attendance clerk here at LMS and so excited to be a part of the Jaguar team.
By now, some of you may have received a daily message at 3pm saying your child was absent for the previous day. I would like to take this time to clarify the attendance process.
LCS has implemented a new “daily attendance” check in.
Please have your child check in with their homeroom teacher between 8:45-9:00, via zoom or answer the SEL question of the day. This is very important because the homeroom teacher uses this for attendance each day. If your child is not present during this time, the teacher is required to mark them absent and this is why you are getting the phone call the following day, reporting your child absent.
My email address is rileydl@lcsedu.net, or you may call me anytime, 434-515-5330, ext. 32013.
You may also use the following email, LMSattendance@lcsedu.net, to leave any messages regarding your child’s absences.
Should you have any questions, please reach out to me, I am here to help you!
Interims
Athletics Department
NO PRACTICES OVER THANKSGIVING BREAK!
Football coaches asked that anyone looking to come out for football please get your physicals as soon as possible as they would like to start practicing the second week of December. You also must go to the LMS website and click on Athletics and then scroll down to forms and click on Covid 19 training and complete this form. Thanks
Girls Tennis Alert!
You MUST have a current physical to participate. Any girls interested in playing tennis, please contact Mrs. Sykes via email or phone. sykesvl@lcsedu.net or 434-5155330.
Linkhorne Middle School
Website: http://www.lcsedu.net/schools/lms/
Location: 2525 Linkhorne Drive, Lynchburg, VA, USA
Phone: 434-515-5330
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LMSJaguars/