IMPORTANT DATES:

December 15                Interim Progress Reports issued.
            December 22                Winter Break starts.    Schools closed.
            January 5                     School starts.
            January 19                   Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, schools and
            January 23                   End of Marking Period. All schools close 3 hours early.
            January 26                   Professional Work Day. Schools closed for students.
            February 4                   Report cards issued.
            February 16                 Presidents’ Day. Schools and offices closed.

INTRAMURALS

Art Club                       In Progress.

Bridge                          In Progress.
Imani Club                    1/27, 2/24, 3/24, 4/28, and 5/26.


YEARBOOK INFORMATION
ORDER BEFORE JANUARY 20TH, $25.00
AFTER JANUARY 20TH, $28.00

Dear Friends and Families of Lime Kiln Middle School,

Please join us for our winter concerts this Monday and Tuesday evenings. On Monday, the Wind Ensemble and the Orchestra will perform. The Tuesday performance will feature the Jazz Band and the Concert Band. Both performances start at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. We hope to see you there.

On Tuesday evening, 45 of our students were honored by The Council of Elders of the Black Community. This is an annual event to celebrate their advanced scores on the Maryland School Assessment. We congratulate our scholars!

In this month’s “Principal Communicator,” there were some very practical and effective
guidelines for communicating with students that I thought might be good strategies for parents, as well. Altogether, there are 10. I’ll include them over the next few weeks.

Talk to students the way you want them to talk to you. (The Golden Rule still works.)
Think before you speak or write. What you say to children can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Remember that how you say something to students is as important as what you say.

Thanks to Moira Monk and all the wonderful parents who fed our staff on November 24th. We always look forward to this event!

Sincerely,
Brenda Thomas

Our students of the week are: Michael Nguyen, T.J. Smith, Max Mattejat, Mallory Jordan, Joey Frascarella, Genny Jones, and Carley Noppinger.

Congratulations to our students who were honored by the Council of Elders of the Black Community for their achievement on last year’s administration of the Maryland School Assessment. Lime Kiln had 45 students who were eligible for this recognition. The students were: Toyin Ajayi, Oluwatoyin Awotunde, Olanike Awotunde, Marley Christian, Randall Crandon, Eva Dickerson, Alden Dyson, Nnamdi Ebinama, David Erinle, Remi Frisby, David Gay, Chaz Gladden, Kai Glasper, Simone Hall, Austin Hebron, Monilola Ilupeju, Meridian Kenol, Broderick Leftridge, Jennifer Lucas, Nakera Lyons, Aaron Mitchell, James Murray, Malcom Nya, Nkemka Obineche, Kunle Olaniran, Stephan-Miya Osong, Benjamin Owens, Noah Owens, Keyon Pinnock, Meagan Poindexter, Kristen Smith, Jasper Spires, Julian Spires, Louis Stewart, Cayla Tarver, Margaret Tatum, Taylor Thomas, Brandon Van Gennip, Melanie Vaughn, Miles Walker, Javier Wardcantori, Milan Wilborn, Tracy Wise, Orukanma Wonodi, William Yeboah.

COUNSELORS’ CORNER…On Tuesday, November 25 our eighth grade students participated in Lime Kiln’s Annual Career Day. Each student enjoyed four student-selected presentations from a total of thirteen guest speakers. The Guidance Department would like to recognize the outstanding speakers who shared their expertise and enthusiasm for their careers with our students.

         Carol Durkee           Budget Officer from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons
         Mary Gontkovic        Cosmetologist from Nordstrom’s (Laura Mercier)
         Dr. Scott Fisher       Dentist
         Ted Cowan              Disater Relief and Military
         Alan Gellis              Environmental Scientist
         Janet Savin-Murphy Personal Trainer
         Damon Foreman        Musician
         Kristen Van Dusen     New Media Writer from Washingtonian Magazine
         Matt Coates            Photographer
         Greg Bader             Public Relations Director, Baltimore Orioles
         Allison Sopko            Retail Opportunities from Nordstrom’s
         Ernest Hankerson      Director of Sales from Coca-Cola
         Dr. Ayrika White      Veterinarian

Thanks again for our exceptionally enthusiastic speakers for the valuable information they shared about their exciting careers!

THIS WEEK FROM THE PTA:

Once per week, the PTA sends out this E-school newsletter with a variety of information to keep you informed of the happenings within the PTA, the Howard County Council of PTAs and the school system itself. Reading this information will keep you well informed of what you need to know. Please be sure to read this each week.

PTA MEETINGS: Have an idea or suggestion? Not sure who to talk to? Those of us within the PTA would love to see and hear from you. Bring it to the table at the next PTA meeting which is Wed., Dec. 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the media center. All are welcome to attend.

Atholton High School PTSA has extended an invitation to all LKMS parents whose students are enrolled in Algebra this year and will be taking the HSA in the spring to attend Math Night at Atholton High on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Media Center at Atholton High School. The purpose for the seminar is to help parents understand the Algebra curriculum and how the graphing calculator works, in order for parents to better assist their students as they prepare for the HSA. Students can attend this evening with their parents. This will be a hands-on seminar taught by an Atholton math teacher. If you have one, please bring your graphing calculator, but some will be available for use. Refreshments will be served. Should you have any questions, please contact Sherri Tatum at statum1@verizon.net.

MEMBERSHIP IN THE PTA: Have you forgotten or put off joining the PTA? Do you think it is too late to join? It’s not too late. Please give the PTA your information on a sheet of paper and place it in an envelope marked “Membership Chair.” Don’t forget to include your dues ($7/per person). Information needed: name(s), address, home and/or cell phone number, e-mail, and child’s name and grade. Just send it in with your child and ask them to give it to their homeroom teacher. The teacher will get it to where it needs to go.

BOARD POSITION VACANT -- HELP: The PTA is in search of someone who likes being in the loop. Is that you? If so, there is a perfect position open in the LKMS PTA. It is representing Lime Kiln as one of its delegates to the Howard County Council of PTAs. Lime Kiln has two delegate positions on the board, and one is vacant at the moment. LKMS PTA delegates alternate in attending the monthly meetings. The monthly meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The location is the Applications and Research Lab (ARL), located at 10920 Route 108, Ellicott City, MD (next to the Board of Education). The delegate will also attend the Executive Board meeting of LKMS PTA (which is the 3rd Wed. of the month) and report on what is happening within the Council. Below is information on the duties of a delegate. If you are interested in filling this position, please contact Jeanne Lineberry at jeanne_lineberry@verizon.net or by calling (301) 317-1766.

What does a PTA Delegate do?
PTA Council delegates and PTA Presidents are the all-important communication link between the local PTA unit and the PTA Council.
Delegates should be elected according to local bylaws. They are voting members of their local PTA Executive Board and vote as directed by their local PTA unless authorized to use their own judgment. It is preferable for delegates to ascertain local opinion prior to voting. However, when time does not permit for consultation, delegates must vote their conscience utilizing their own experience and good judgment.
Each delegate may cast only one vote. If a delegate represents more than one local PTA, the delegate cannot be expected to vote in accordance with each of those PTA’s wishes. Therefore, local units should attempt to fill the delegate position with someone who does not hold a delegate’s position on another local PTA Executive Board to assure local representation.

Duties of Delegates

Be familiar with bylaws, policies, and procedures at all PTA levels.
Attend every meeting of the local PTA unit and the Council.
Bring to Council meetings any concerns or action items from the local unit which the delegate is directed to introduce.
Take careful notes at Council meetings, and give a full report at the next regular meeting of the local PTA unit.
Verify that a PTA Council Delegate’s report is included on the local PTA unit’s agenda. (Delegates reporting forms are available at each Council meeting.)
Initiate discussion, gather information, and encourage local PTA unit action concerning Council agenda items when necessary.
Bring to the attention of the Council any projects and programs the local PTA unit is involved in and wishes to share with other locals.
Use PTA Council meetings to become acquainted with delegates of other schools.
Volunteer to serve on a Council committee or represent the Council on a Board of Education committee.
Help to find qualified and willing people for Council officers and chair positions by providing names of local members with leadership qualities.

NEED A HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA? Lime Kiln’s fall magazine fundraiser is available if you would like to give the gift of reading to that special person. The school can still earn credit for your purchase. Just go to www.qsp.com and make your gift purchases using school code #425014613.

Box Top$ for Education – Please remember to help support LKMS by clipping the box tops from your favorite products. Each box top is worth 10 cents and is an easy way to support our great school. For more information, and even money-saving coupons, go to: http://www.boxtops4education.com

HONOR ROLL INCENTIVES: Congratulations to all those students who made the honor roll during the first quarter of the school year. The PTA hopes those students enjoyed their slice of pizza and lemonade. If your child has any type of food allergy that may prohibit him/her of being able to participate in any PTA-sponsored event that involves food, please contact Jeanne Lineberry at (jeanne_lineberry@verizon.net) or Barb Slayton at (barbara.y.slayton@lmco.com) so we have an opportunity to resolve any conflicts. It is the PTA’s intent to include all students who have successfully made the honor roll. Each quarter, the incentive is announced to the students (as well as to parents via the Leopard's Tale and the PTA's weekly e-school newsletter) so as to encourage everyone to work hard in order to make the honor roll. If successful, the incentive is a reward, and if not, to encourage those students to strive to make it the following quarter. So, please help and encourage your children to work hard so they are able to participate.
Sincerely, Jeanne Lineberry (PTA President)

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION: This November, The Columbia Association launched the sixth annual “Images of Freedom” Poster Contest in honor of Black History Month. The program has been approved by Howard County Board of Education for distribution in the schools.

“Images of Freedom”, held in partnership with Corridor Transportation and the Howard County Office of Public Information, is open to all Howard County middle and high school students. The contest challenges students to visually express what freedom means to them. Five winning entries will be selected to be displayed on the sides of Howard Transit vehicles throughout February. All participants and their family members will be honored with an award reception at Columbia Art Center in February. All entries will be featured as part of a gallery show at Columbia Art Center Feb. 19 – 28 in honor of Black History Month.

I think this contest is an excellent opportunity for Lime Kiln Middle School students to appreciate the importance of diversity in our community, express their own views on freedom and display their artistic talents.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to give me a call at 410-715-3104 or e-mail me back at Kelly.Cooper@ColumbiaAssociation.com for details on how to enter or for more information.

Sincerely,
Kelly Cooper
Communications Specialist
Columbia Association
410-715-3104

HOWARD COUNTY BRAC FORCE SURVEY: Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) is the process which the United States Department of Defense uses to reorganize its base structure or military towns so that they can more effectively support our forces. Fort Meade, less than two miles from Howard County, has been designated as an instillation gaining significant growth during the current round of BRAC. As a result, Howard County has established a BRAC Task Force to analyze the future impacts and opportunities associated with this growth.

The Howard County BRAC Task Force would like to request your assistance. The Family Support Committee of the Task Force is seeking to get input on the needs of Howard County families connected to the military (active service members, Department of Defense civilian employees, National Guards, Reservists, etc.).

The Family Support Committee is hoping you will share the accompanying surveys with all your PTA members with families connected to the military. We want to better understand the needs of these families in order to properly position Howard County to provide the best support services. Your assistance will go a long way in helping us continue to better serve your members, as well as, future Howard County residents relocating through BRAC.

Howard County BRAC Task Force
Survey of Department of Defense Families

Fort George G. Meade, which is less than two miles from Howard County, currently has a workforce of over 40,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Civil Servants and contractors. In preparation for the arrival of up to 22,000 more employees over the next 10 years, Howard County implemented a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Task Force manned by over 180 volunteers to determine the impact and opportunities that this growth would bring to the county.

This significant growth of Fort Meade means that more military, government service and contractor families will be moving into Howard County. Because of the relationship between the county’s current General (land use) Plan and school capacity planning, this growth will not put an additional/unplanned load on our schools. That said, this identifiable growth does give the Howard County BRAC Task Force an opportunity to assist the subject families in their transition into Howard County. We believe the best way to build that assistance is from the experiences of Department of Defense families who have already made the transition and live in the county.

The Howard County BRAC Task Force would like to request your assistance. The Task Force is seeking to get input on the needs of Howard County families connected to the Department of Defense. The Task Force wants to better understand the needs of these families in order to properly position Howard County to provide the best support services for all families. Your assistance will go a long way in helping us continue to better serve you, as well as, future residents relocating to Howard County.

We hope to receive all surveys by December 19th. Thank you!

In priority, when you relocate your family, what are typically your top three concerns?

In priority, what are the top three reasons you chose to live in Howard County?

How did you learn about the County?

Identify three actions or policies that you believe demonstrate Howard County’s support to DOD families.

Please name up to three issues/concerns you feel are not being addressed adequately by the County.

What Howard County family focused services/resources have you used?

How have they helped?
How did you access or learn about the services?
What service would you like to add or improve?

If you have children in the Howard County Public School System what school(s) do they attend?

Other issues or concerns:

* This survey is anonymous, but if you would like someone to follow up with you please include your contact information:
Name: ___________________________________ Phone: ________________________ E-mail: _________________________________
Instructions for Return:

If you filled out an electronic copy of this survey, you can email your results to: rkudchadkar@howardcountymd.gov
If you filled out a hard copy of this survey, you may return it using the attached self addressed envelope.
If you printed an electronic copy of this survey, you can mail a completed copy to:

Howard County BRAC Office
6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 500
Columbia, MD 21046
If you have questions please contact Raj Kudchadkar at 410-313-6376 or rkudchadkar@howardcountymd.gov
Thank you for your participation!
Howard County Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Task Force

Field Hockey Holiday Fiesta

Featuring Reservoir High Varsity Field Hockey Coach Martie Browning
Take your field hockey game to the next level at this fun, but challenging, half-day program. Scrimmage on a full-size, fast-moving turf field, learn new skills from Coach Browning and socialize with your field hockey friends. Take home ideas for practicing on your own or with friends.

Bring a field hockey ball, shin guards, mouth guard and tennis shoes (no cleats allowed). Open to players in grades 4 to 8.

Date: Monday, December 22, 2008Time: noon to 3 p.m.Cost: $25 – (plus $$ for snack bar and arcade games)
Location: 7330 Montevideo Road, Jessup, MD 20794
You can also sign up online at http://soccerdome.ezleagues.ezfacility.com/classes-clinics/3878/Field-Hockey-Holiday-Clinic.aspx

PLAYER’S NAME ___________________________ PLAYER’S BIRTH DATE ___________________

STREET_______________________________________________ CITY___________________________

STATE_______ ZIP_______________ TELEPHONE (Day) ___________________________________

(Evening)________________________ EMAIL _______________________________________________

Please fill this out and mail Form & Fee = $25 per player to: 7330 Montevideo Road, Jessup, MD 20794. Make check payable to Soccer Dome. Cash/Credit Cards Also Accepted. Call 443-755-0014 for more information

EMERGENCY CONTACT

Name _________________________________ Tel. # ________________________

LIABILITY WAIVER - I acknowledge that my child _____________________ is in good health and has no physical impairment that will prevent him/her from participating in Soccer Dome programs. I agree that the Soccer Dome, its coaches and other program participants will not be held liable for any injury or illness that my child may incur while participating in the Clinic. I understand that field hockey is an inherently dangerous sport and that players risk permanent disability and even death.

Parent’s Signature____________________________ Date___________________________

A great big THANK YOU to all the parents and students who helped make our November 24 Conference Day Dinner a success! The teachers and staff were treated to a cozy dinner of pastas, salad, assorted rolls and many desserts. In addition, there were many door prizes awarded. Without everyone’s assistance, we could not have hosted such a lovely dinner. Thank you to Mrs. Dupski for letting us use her room, it made it so much easier. When you see the people listed below, please extend them a great big THANK YOU for a job well done: Sarah King, Charlene Samelson, Angie Feeney, Rimmi Singh, Katie DeBlasis, Shannon Cirovski, Sandy Rogers, Kim Stubbings, Donna Collins, Cheryl Kirby, Mary Ellen Amtower, Stephanie Cates-Harman, Jenny Leopold, Cheri Horne, Michele Evans, Valerie Yakoumato, Kathy Frank, Monica Spain, Tonya Howes, Amy Bagley, Shari Underwood, Jessica Rinaldi, Young Na, Brea Poindexter, Carol Zimmerman, Maureen Bentz and Moira Monk and anyone we may have inadvertently left off the list. We would also like to thank the following LKMS alumni (class of 2008) for helping set up and clean up Mrs. Dupski’s room: Maureen Monk, Jenny Evans Maggie DeBlasis, Emily Love, Hibah Askari, Joel Samelson (and his younger sister), and John Bialek. THANK YOU!

WHAT’S UP NEXT WITH THE HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE? Well, we are asking for COOKIES; lots and lots of COOKIES. Homemade is great but no COOKIES will be turned away. We need dozens and dozens of COOKIES! December 15 is drop off day! We will then package the cookies later in the week so every teacher and staff member receives a treat to take home with them over the long winter break. Please contact Moira Monk at mdmonks@comcast.net if you would like to donate COOKIES to the Hospitality committee.