Student Life
For our LMS Students!
Student Voice and Choice
Hey, Students! YOU are LMS! YOU are the reason the adults in the building show up every day and we want to make sure you know that YOUR voice matters! To help give you voice and choice in life at Langston, two middle school students now represent YOU on our Building Leadership Team (BLT). So now when the adults all gather around to discuss building-level goals and action steps, 8th-graders, Juanita Graham and William McFarland join the table and make sure we hear students' perspectives. Not only will Juanita and William help us hear your voices, but they will take part in the decision-making that will help shape teaching and learning at Langston. CONGRATULATIONS to Juanita Graham and William McFarland in being the first-ever student BLT members at Langston!
Other ways to share your voices and choices at Langston:
- Soon, Ms. Slay will begin "You Belong," a program of student leaders who work to build vital peer connections to convey the message that no one at Langston is alone!
- Ms. Gadsden is our new Student Council advisor and she will hold short informational meetings this week for anyone interested in running for a Student Council office or being a part of Student Council. Student Council works together to create school-wide activities to unite our building in social events, community projects, helping others, shaping our school culture, and more!
- Principal Hicks will host a monthly Principal's Advisory Council (PAC) with 15 different students (5 from each grade-level) and our two student BLT members. During the PAC meeting, students will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas about learning and life at LMS.
Keep your eyes and ears open for more information about You Belong, Student Council, PAC meetings, and other opportunities at Langston!
Attendance + Engagement = Success!
Woohoo! You surpassed our expectations! Last school year, there was a BIG problem with students being in the hallways constantly throughout the school day for one reason or another, so we came up with a plan to support and value your time in classrooms because after all, that's where the learning happens! The first step, was establishing high expectations that you arrive to each class prepared so you don't have to make trips back to your lockers during class. Then, we encourage students to get drinks and make restroom stops between classes so that you only leave classes for those reasons when absolutely necessary. And believe us...if you need to go, we want you to go! Also, we are trying to be more mindful of when we call students out of class from the office. Lastly, we set a goal of the amount of time we hoped students would be in class learning while in attendance and you beat our goal by...well...A LOT! Our SmartPass data showed that while in school, students spend an average of 99% of their day in class learning! WOW!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
We want to CELEBRATE you for beating our expectations with a Pep Rally and After-School Tailgate Party on Friday, September 29th. Everyone will attend the Pep Rally while in school on Friday, but you will need a parent's or guardian's permission to stay after school for the tailgate party. All LMS students attending the tailgate party will receive a hotdog, bag of chips, and drinks. A Google Form permission slip was sent to families yesterday in the Langston Life newsletter they received through email or text message.
Furthermore, we will continue to CELEBRATE YOU each month for meeting or beating new goals set and Ms. Mentzer (our PBIS coordinator) is working on a survey to share to get your feedback on ways you'd like to be rewarded!
Spirit Week
Ms. Mentzer (PBIS Coordinator) and Ms. Gadsden (Student Council Advisor) worked together to create activities for Spirit Week to encourage and celebrate attendance goals! Demonstrate that attendance matters to you by showing up and participating in the following Spirit Week activities next week:
- Monday - Pajama Day (Pajamas and bathrobes welcomed...slippery slippers discouraged)
- Tuesday - Backwards Day (What can you wear backwards? Almost anything!)
- Wednesday - Dress Up Day (Let us see your fancy style)
- Thursday - Decades Day (Choose a decade and dress the part)
- Friday - Class Colors Day (6th-grade wears white, 7th-grade wears red, 8th-grade wears blue)
More to Come!
Keep listening to announcements and checking your emails for daily information. While you are committing to "Staying in the Game," we are trying to do a better job and making sure students "Stay in the Know" about all things Langston! Looking forward to a great year of learning and laughter!
โค๏ธ, Principal Hicks