Lucille Brown MS Parent Newsletter
Week of October 22, 2023
Greetings from Dr. Gaines
Hello, families!
Please take a moment to check out this week's newsletter! Can you believe we've completed almost 1/4 of this school year? Quarter one ends this Wednesday. This means students will receive their first MP1 report card very soon. I encourage you to pay attention, not only to your child's grades, but also his or her attendance.
Remember that your child's attendance matters! Students can only learn their best when they attend school every day, on time, and all day! Because attendance is so important, we will reward all students with an ice cream sandwich tomorrow if they have missed no more than three days of school so far this year! Please emphasize the importance of daily attendance with your child, and remember that students are considered chronically absent if they have 18 or more absences (whether excused or not). If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's attendance, please contact our attendance clerk, Ms. Alecia Farley, at 804-319-3013.
Thank you for our continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at sgaines1@rvaschools.net or 804-229-8426. Have a great week!
Dr. Stacy Gaines
Principal
Mission for Tomorrow
Earlier this month, most of our eighth graders gathered at Richmond Raceway to attend Mission for Tomorrow, an interactive career exploration fair that gives students hands-on opportunities to learn about dozens of careers. Check out some of our students below!
Our Schedule This Week
Monday, October 23rd
- A Day
- Red Ribbon Week Begins
- Ice Cream Sandwich Attendance Incentive
- *Basketball Practice
- *Soccer : Brown vs Boushall @ Brown
- *Cheer Practice
Tuesday, October 24th
- B Day
- No Games or Practices
Wednesday, October 25th
- A Day
- *Soccer Tournament
Thursday, October 26th
- B Day
- Wear Red for Red Ribbon Week
- *Henderson vs Brown Girls Basketball @ Brown
*Cheer Practice
Friday, October 27th
- A Day
- Pink Out Friday
- Amended Friday Schedule
- *Basketball Practice
- *Soccer Practice
- *Cheer Practice
*All practices and games from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Please meet your child at Door 19, our Bus Loop.
Parents, please use the REMIND app to receive announcements, updates, and cancellation information from our Athletic Coordinator, Mr. Rennalls.
National Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is observed every October to celebrate living a drug free life. This October we are challenging our students to be bully and drug free – “Be Kind to Your Mind.” On Oct 26 we are asking everyone to go red and wear red for Red Ribbon Week.
Bullying Prevention Tips and Guidance
October is recognized nationally as Anti-Bullying month. Below are several resources on bullying prevention to use with your child at home:
- Stop BullyingExternal link:open_in_new – The official anti-bullying site of the U.S. Government, StopBullying.gov offers resources for teachers and parents to help prevent and stop bullying.
- PACER’S National Bullying Prevention CenterExternal link:open_in_new – The National Bullying Prevention Center has a list of resources on prevention, facts, alternatives and different types of bullying to create a world without bullying.
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryExternal link:open_in_new – The AACAP has a broad range of resources on bullying including FAQs, facts, books, videos, training and suggestions for getting help if you are experiencing bullying.
- National Association of School PsychologistsExternal link:open_in_new – NASP has resources for families and educators on how to spot and stop bullying, frameworks for educators on how to prevent bullying in schools and LGBT resources.
- The Bully ProjectExternal link:open_in_new – The Bully Project is a film and activism site with tools for educators, parents, students, advocates and those interested in helping those with special needs.
- Teaching ToleranceExternal link:open_in_new – A project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Teaching Tolerance has a resource list and a film kit for the film Bullied: A Student, A School and a Case That Made History.
- EdutopiaExternal link:open_in_new – Edutopia has a recently updated resource list for bullying prevention including ideas for cultivating empathy, diversity and inclusion and suicide prevention.
- Stomp Out BullyingExternal link:open_in_new – Stomp Out Bullying has created a parent resource for parents who learn that their child is being bullied complete with tip sheets, cell phone guides and help understanding bullying.
- Bully BustExternal link:open_in_new – BullyBust provides resources to help make the school climate better for everyone, including personal stories, videos, information on bullying and cyberbullying and more.
- SafeKids.comExternal link:open_in_new – SafeKids.com has a mission for safer digital citizenship, focusing their anti-bullying efforts on cyberbullying prevention and awareness, and how to increase online empathy.
IB Learner Profile Trait: Inquirer
The IB learner profile trait for the month of October is INQUIRER. Students who are inquirers are curious about the world. They can conduct research independently. They love learning and discovering new things and will carry this love of learning with them throughout life. How can parents help to develop students who are Inquirers at home?
- Encourage areas of your child’s interest by visiting the library to borrow books that explore these topics.
- Develop an understanding of the Internet. Work with your son or daughter when the Internet is being used and try to instill the understanding that some Internet sites are not reputable.
- Model being an inquirer. Admit when you don’t know the answer to a problem or a question and seek out answers in front of your child
This Week's Birthdays
LMBMS News
Fall Picture Day: Picture Day is right around the corner! Students will have the opportunity to take their picture on Monday, October 30th. Your child should have brought home an information flyer on Friday. In case you didn't receive, please click here for ordering information.
Specialty School Visits: On October 31st, from 10:10 a.m. - 11:40 a.m., representatives from regional specialty schools will visit us to share information about their schools and the application process with our 8th graders. The following regional specialty schools will present to students on October 31st:
- Appomattox Regional Governor's School
- Code RVA
- Maggie Walker Regional Governor's School
UPDATE Hearing Screenings: We will offer free, mandatory hearing screenings for all 7th-graders November 1st - November 7th.
COVID-19 Communication Protocol: With COVID-19 cases on the rise, we anticipate this will impact our students as well. If your child is diagnosed with COVID-19 or has any of the symptoms, please notify our school nurse, Karen Davis, immediately.
Monthly Drills & Crisis Preparedness: We will conduct monthly safety drills, including fire and/or lockdown, during the month of October to be in compliance with local and state regulations. The following links in English and Spanish also provide information about crisis preparedness and procedures we will follow in the event of an emergency at school.
RPS News
Maggie Walker International Language Fair: The Maggie Walker International Language Fair Committee, we are thrilled to announce that the fair will be held on Saturday, February 24th, 2024, from 9 am to 12 pm at Maggie L. Walker! For more information, visit the MW Language Fair Official Website.
New Protocols for After-School Events: New security protocols are in place, effective immediately, for all after-school academic and athletic activities. Please review the new protocols on the RPS website at rmd.me/UEanyGgeHKL
RPS Advisory Councils: As a reminder, applications are now open to join Superintendent Kamras's 2023-24 advisory councils. These groups advise him and the RPS leadership team, advocate for RPS, and help them achieve their goals. This year, the advisory councils will play an important role in helping develop the new RPS strategic plan, Dreams4RPS 2.0 (more details on that process soon). Please visit the RPS website for additional information.
- Teacher Advisory Council (TAC) – Apply by October 24
Parent Access to Student Records: We are thrilled to inform you about two data platforms that will provide you with easy access to your child's academic records with just a few clicks. Follow the link to access the instructions to access your student's portal accounts. rmd.me/qdCgwZEGM5s
Student Wellness and Mental Health Support: As we prepare to kick-off the 2023-24 school year, I want to remind everyone – students, staff, and families – that your mental health continues to be a top priority. Please note the resources below and remember that we love you here and you are not alone.
- Students who need emergency mental health support should call the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority at (804) 819-4100 or the ChildSavers Immediate Response line at (804) 305-2420 (or send a text to 741741).
- Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center provides education, advocacy, and support to Spanish-speaking individuals affected by violence. The 24/7 hotline in Spanish is (888) 969-1825.
- The Trauma Healing Response Network is a coalition of grassroots, community-based organizations and mental health partners that provide support services to families and communities impacted by gun violence. The network can also facilitate the distribution of emergency relief funds to help those in crisis. For more information, email traumahealingresponsenetwork@gmail.com.
- RPS employees in need of emergency support should contact the Cigna 24/7 Crisis Line at (833) ME-CIGNA, or (833) 632-4462. Additional counseling and support services are also available through the Cigna Employee Assistance (EAP) program by calling (800) 544-6931.
Ways Caregivers Can Support
Student success for ALL is our goal here at LMBMS. I believe with our dedication to high quality instruction, rigor, relationships, and student engagement, every student will learn to his or her full potential. I ask that you please recognize that in order for your child to be successful in school, we need your support in the following ways:
- Expect your child to attend school daily, arrive on time, and be ready for the day’s learning experience. Please provide a written note for all absences. Also, call the school so we are aware of the absence.
- Ensure your child completes all homework and other assignments and reads for pleasure 15-20 minutes daily.
- Ask your child to share school experiences with you daily so that you are aware of his/her school life.
- Inform the teacher if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject.
- Honor instructional time in each class by limiting interruptions during the school day so instructional time is maximized.
- Please read your child’s course syllabi for each class.
- Review the RPS Student Code of Responsible Ethics S.C.O.R.E. It is also listed on the district webpage.
Be in the Know
It is important for caregivers to receive real-time information from our school and division. Please use the following links to stay in the know!
- RPS 2023-24 Calendar
- RPS Direct-Sign up for the Superintendent's daily community messages.
- REMIND-Sign up to receive Dr. Gaines's weekly Sunday newsletter and RPS messages.
- RPS Website
- Lucille Brown Middle School Website