The Cat's Connection
February 2016
Perspective
As the semester comes to a close, I have begun what has become a labor of love for me -- going through our students' report cards, scanning quickly and writing notes to our kids. The best I have ever been able to come up with is, "Glad you are here!" But, that simple, short sentiment captures exactly what I and our staff whole-heartedly believe! We are glad each and every one of our kids is here, and we work every day to help them realize we genuinely care about them.
Recent tragic events have caused us to reflect upon what we do as a school to help support and enrich the lives of our kids. We ask ourselves often if our kids are well cared for and getting what they need. We have built a community of caring here at school, which makes losing one of our own that much harder. As students returned to school this week, our staff's support of our kids, and our kids' support of each other, was clearly overwhelming and showed us exactly what we are -- a LaCreole family.
As I continued on through report cards, reading the names of our 8th grade students, I realized I can recall a story for each one that makes me smile. It is hard to think that in a few months we will hand them over to somebody else's care. Three years goes by in a hurry! I know our teachers feel the same way as they pass them on from one grade level to the next. Time with our kids just goes by oh-too-quickly! I noticed comments from teachers, like "valuable contributor" or "pleasure to have in class." Sometimes the comments may seem less positive, such as "needs to use class time better," but I know that behind every brief comment is a longer conversation, or several conversations, between teacher and student that says, "I care about you, and I want you to be your best!" We are invested in our kids, and each kid matters! This kind of community is what schools should strive to create for kids. It is absolutely the community we want for our kids here at LaCreole.
Jamie Richardson
Principal
Cool Things Going at School!
New Semester - New Schedules
Battle of the Books is on!
The 2016 LaCreole Battle of the Books preliminary competition has begun! Students compete during their lunch time against their other age-group teams. Final multi-grade level competition will be held in March.
Gearing up for this year's D.C. Trip
- Information about upcoming fundraisers (Ugo's night, boys basketball consessions, Easter pies, flamingos, activity night) will be presented. Current fundraising totals will also be available, and other information about preparing for the trip will be shared.
- Registration continues through January 31, so anyone interested in joining us should contact Mr. Osborn at phil.osborn@dsd2.org for registration information or to ask questions.
Student Created Character Video
Tick Tock
Robotics Team
Mat Club Wrestlers
Board Appreciation - Thank you Dallas School Board!
Cats of the Month
Congratulations to our November and December Cats of the Month!
Madeline Doig
Bianca Parsons
Jaden English
Anna Van Elverdinghe
Hunter Weaver
Skyler Heigh
6th Grade STEM Goes to OSU
A second group of our 6th grade STEM students visited OSU January 26th. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students. During the field trip students toured the campus, participated in a hands-on STEM activity, and had a question and answer session with college students. On our previous trip to OSU, students learned about campus life, majors and minors, and sports programs. Most importantly, they walked away with excitement about college.
Your Help Needed!
Yearbook Photos Needed! Pre-ordering Deadline Coming Up.
We need photos for yearbook! Photos, photos, lots of photos! Send photos to jfogg6@msn.com . The sooner, the better! We need to get our yearbook formatted and off to print by the end of February.
Elective and club photos: art, band, choir, conservation club, drama, leadership, robotics, Spanish, technology and digital arts, DC club
Sports photos: volleyball, cross country, basketball, soccer, swimming, wrestling, football
Friend photos: pictures of you and your friends hanging out at school activities or sporting events, lunch time, working on projects, or just having fun!
Do you want to make sure you have a yearbook in June? Pre-order your yearbook NOW! February 1st through 26th, yearbooks may be pre-ordered for $25. After February 26th, pre-orders will be taken on a first-come basis as there will be a limited supply of extra yearbooks. So, order your yearbook TODAY! If you aren't sure if you ordered a yearbook, you may check fees in Home Access or contact the office.
Box Tops for Education & Campbell's Soup Labels
LaCreole Middle School is collecting Box Tops and Campbell's Soup labels. Make sure you put your box tops and labels in a baggy or envelope clearly marked with your grade and put them in the collection basket in the main office. We are having a competition between grade levels.The first collection is due March 1, and there will be a prize for the winning grade.
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming Events
Feb 12 - DLC Aquarium Field Trip
Feb 15 - Presidents’ Day (holiday)
Feb 25 - Spring Pictures/8th Grade Panoramic Picture
Feb 26 - District Assessment Day (no school for students)
March 3 - PTC Meeting, LaCreole, 7 p.m.
Mar 4 & 5 - Tick Toc Drama Performance
March 11- Activity Night
Spring Pictures
Smile! Spring pictures are coming up February 25. Only students who pre-pay pictures will have their picture taken.
The 8th grade panoramic picture is February 25 and will be taken between about 8:30 and 9:15 a.m.
Get Ready for 6th Grade Wildcat Science Camp!
Mark your Calendars for 6th Grade Wildcat Science Camp!
Wildcat Science Camp is designed for 6th grade students at LaCreole who want to experience learning in the outdoor classroom. Activities are planned and coordinated to align with the core curriculum goals for sixth grade, as well as experiencing outdoor fun!
An informational meeting will be held in March, and more information will be coming home in February.
Details
Location: Camp Tapawingo in Falls City
Dates: Session #1 May 10-11 or Session #2 May 12-13
Cost: $60 due by April 15
2nd Annual LaCreole Bookfest!
A great kickoff to summer reading!
Event: May 6, 2016 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Featuring: William Ritter, author of Jackaby, The Map, and Beastly Bones
Activity stations to include: book trailers, bookmark creating, Kahoot literacy knowledge, give-a-book/get-a-book, public library info, and much more!
PLUS: EVERY PARTICIPANT LEAVES WITH A BRAND NEW, FREE BOOK AND TREAT!!!
Portland Prowl
There are a few parameters to be aware of:
- Students must be passing all classes with at least a C at the end of the year.
- Students must not have received a major behavioral offense.
- Parent volunteers are needed; more information about meeting to be annouced.
- Cost of trip is $5 with an optional purchase of a commemorative t-shirt for $10.