IMPORTANT DATES:

November 13                Report Cards issued.
            November 17                Book Swap
            November 17 – 21         American Education Week
         November 24 & 25      Parent-teacher Conferences, Schools close 3 hours early
            November 26               Parent-teacher Conferences. Schools closed for students.
            November 27 *& 28     Thanksgiving Holiday. All schools and offices closed.
            December 2                  GOTTA EAT…Ledo’s Pizza, Fulton
            December 15                Interim Progress Reports issued.
            December 22                Winter Break starts.    Schools closed.
            January 5                     School starts.

INTRAMURALS

            Art Club                       In Progress.

Bridge                          In Progress.
            Imani Club                    12/02, 1/27, 2/24, 3/24, 4/28, and 5/26.

Dear Friends and Families of Lime Kiln Middle School,

Today, your child will be bringing home a letter that will provide the information needed to schedule parent conferences online using a site called PickATime. The student’s identification number is required to use the program. This is attached to the letter. A demonstration on how to register for conferences using this program will be aired the month of November on the Parent Teacher Connection show. It will be aired on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon and 10 p.m. It will be aired on HCPSS TV, Channel 95 on Comcast or Channel 42 on Verizon.

Mix It Up Day is coming next week. This is a day where sixth graders will participate in activities during their lunch periods that enable them to meet and share activities with new friends. This day is observed in many schools all over the country.

Congratulations to our students who have attended or who will be attending the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. The students participate in many experiential activities, site explorations and meetings with established leaders designed to enhance and nourish existing leadership skills and acquire new skills. Lime Kiln students include Margaret Tatum, Michael Ward, Christian Sohn and Monica Abraham.

This is just a reminder that students must have prior approval to ride another student’s bus. These approvals are only granted in an emergency, such as when a parent is out of town. Working on student projects is not considered an emergency.

Please join us for American Education Week, November 17th-21st. Parents are welcome to visit classrooms. The Coffee with Administrators will be held on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. We look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,
Brenda Thomas

Our students of the week are: Samantha Belsky, Sachin Kuruvilla, Peter Nionakis, Jade Reinholtz, Katherine Brown, Andrei Binseel, Megan Fabbri, and Elaine Mann.

Please note: Conference letters are coming home today with your student. There is a mistake on the hours for Wednesday, November 26th. The correct hours are 8:00 – 11:30 am and 12:30 – 3:00 pm.

Gifted & Talented Education Program
Parent Academies for 2008 – 2009

Interested parents and community members are invited to attend!

Date1	Topic	Location

November 17, 2008	High School Scheduling for Advanced-Level Learners	Hammond High School

January 29, 2009	Elementary G/T Education Program Showcase	Bushy Park Elementary

February 2009	Summer Enrichment Opportunities http://www.hcpss.org/gt/parent_academy.shtml	Online

March/April 2009	TBA	TBA

All Parent Academies are held from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For more information, please visit http://www.hcpss.org/gt/parent_academy.shtml), contact the Gifted and Talented Education Program Advisory Committee at GTAdvisoryHCPSS@verizon.net or call 410-313-6800.

Are your bookshelves bulging with paperback books that you are finished reading? Would you like to add to your own personal library without spending any money? The Lime Kiln Book Swap might be just the answer for you. A Book Swap merely recycles books. Students contribute a book and take home a book, usually chosen from a large selection. Keep reading and get the details!

When can students begin bringing in books?
Beginning Monday, November 17th, students may bring to school up to five paperback books. Students will receive one coupon for each book to be traded.

Are there any rules about the books to be swapped?
• Books to be traded must be in good condition.
• Books must be appropriate for middle school readers.
(Some books may be rejected if they fail to meet these two guidelines).
• No Animorphs, Goosebumps, or Babysitter’s Club will be swapped.
• Students may swap up to five books.

Where do students take books to get the coupons?
During homeroom or CorePlus, students may bring books to the media center and receive a bookswap coupon for each book accepted for the swap.

What if a coupon gets lost?
Be sure to write your name on each coupon and put it in a safe place. Lost coupons cannot be replaced.

Exactly when does the trading begin?
Coupons may be redeemed (traded for books) during the week of November 17th, before school, during CorePlus, reading and other classes with the permission of the teacher.

Will the books be organized in any way?
Of course! Books will be sorted into categories, depending on the books contributed. Most swaps have these categories: Mystery, SciFi, Fantasy, Realistic Fiction, Quick Reads, Non-fiction, and Miscellaneous.

County Wide NCAA Night

November 19th
7:00 p.m.
Long Reach High School
Columbia, Maryland

The second annual County Wide NCAA night will be hosted by Long Reach High School. A brief overview of NCAA eligibility rules along with various coaches from Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, HCC, and an alumni student athlete panel will provide breakout sessions for parents and students. All county residents are encouraged and welcome to attend.
Division I
Kelly Berger – UMBC - Women’s Lax
Jemal Griffin – Univ. of Maryland – Football
Matt Gitterman – UMBC – Track/Cross Country
Mike Gottlieb – Towson - Baseball
Division III
Matt Hatton – McDaniel – Men’s Lax
Pending – Coaches for Basketball and Baseball
Community College (JUCO)
Diane Schumacher – Athletic Director
Steve Musselman – HCC – Track/Cross Country
Mike Jones – HCC – Men’s Lax
Tiffany Stewart – HCC – Women’s Basketball

This event is sponsored by Howard County Student Services.

THIS WEEK FROM THE PTA:

LKMS Spirit Wear in School Sale – NOVEMBER 10th – 12th!
Spirit Wear will be on sale during all lunch periods November 10, 11 and 12th. We are looking for volunteers to come in and help with sales...and it’s a great way to see if your kids are actually eating their lunch! Please contact Andrea Keating at andrea@crewscontrol.com if you are available to help out. We will send out a reminder of the sales via e-school newsletter so that your kids remember to bring in cash to purchase some great LKMS Spirit Wear from our collection of sweatshirts, t-shirts, sweat pants, flannel lounging pants, sleeping shorts and flip flops. Inventory and sizes are limited so get great Spirit Wear while you can!

The LKMS PTA Hospitality Committee needs your help! Our next event is the Conference dinner to be held November 24, from 4 – 5 pm. If you are interested in helping to set up, clean up or provide food or drinks, please email Moira Monk at mdmonks@comcast.net or call her at (410) 531-6752. An email has been sent out to those families who indicated interest on the PTA volunteer form at the beginning of the year; although some email addresses “bounced back.” If you did not receive the email and would like further information, please contact Moira Monk. Thanks for helping us support our wonderful teachers and staff.

COAT DRIVE - Lime Kiln Middle School is supporting the PTA Council of Howard County (PTACHC) and the Howard County Public School System Pupil Personnel Workers (PPW) by participating in the annual coat drive to provide students in need with winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves.
Please donate any of the following items in any sizes:
· NEW Coats, Hats, Scarves or Gloves
· Gently USED Coats (clean, no tears or damage, ready to wear)

Bring your donations to LKMS and put them in the box marked COAT DRIVE by November 7. The PPW staff would like to distribute as many of the items as possible before it gets cold. Every coat donated does find a student in need, each year. Thank you!
Contact AHS PTSA representatives to the PTACHC, Carol Zimmerman wcrnsz@comcast.net, or Ellen Makar eemakar@aol.com, if you have questions.

IS OUR SCHOOL GOING TO BE REDISTRICTED? There have been many rumors and questions regarding redistricting (or what is the new term school attendance area) --when is it happening, will it be my neighborhood? If you have not seen this letter from the Board of Education Chairman, Frank Aquino, here is the link to where it is posted on the HCPSS website. http://www.hcpss.org/board/letter_redistricting_102008.pdf. Check it out.

ATHOLTON ATHLETIC BOOSTERS WILL BE SPONSORING THE LADY RAIDER BASKETBALL CLINIC

Date: November 22, 2008
Time: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Location: ATHOLTON HIGH SCHOOL GYMS
Grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades
Cost: $40.00
Pre-register by 11/17/08 $35.00
Call: 410 313-7065 (ask for Mrs. Shacreaw)
E-mail: mshacr@verizon.net

The camp’s goal is to provide instruction in the fundamentals of basketball. We will have a small camper to counselor ratio, which assures that all campers will have individual instruction. We feel it is important for the girls to have fun and enjoy the camp while still working hard to improve their skills. Teamwork, effort, sportsmanship, and confidence will be promoted in a positive environment. Each girl will receive a complimentary camp shirt.
Camp Staff: Camp will be conducted by Atholton Basketball Staff and current players.
______________________________________________________
NAME: _________________________ E-Mail:______________
ADDRESS: __________________________________________
CITY: _____________ STATE: ____________ ZIP CODE: ____
GRADE: _____ BIRTHDATE: __________ SCHOOL: ________
I hereby authorize the staff at ATHOLTON BASKETBALL CAMP for Girls to act for me according to their best judgment in any emergency requiring medical attention. I hereby waive and release Atholton Boosters, Atholton Basketball Camp for Girls, Atholton High School, and all Camp Staff from any and all liability for any injuries or illness incurred while at Camp. I have no knowledge of any physical impairment that would interfere with my child’s participation in the Camp program.
Parent or Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________
Home Phone Number: ____________________ CELL: _________________________
Emergency Contact: ___________________ Phone Number: _____________________
Medical Problems: _____________________________________________________
RETURN TO: MAUREEN SHACREAW, ATHOLTON GIRL’S BASKETBALL CLINIC, 6520 FREETOWN ROAD, COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, 21044
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: ATHOLTON HIGH SHOOL

EASY MONEY – “Gotta Eat” ‘Fridge Note - Come out and support your Lime Kiln PTA at this year’s “Gotta Eat” nights!

The next “Gotta Eat” night! - Ledo Pizza (11845 Route 216-Fulton-301/776-5336): Tuesday, December 2nd from 4pm-8pm (details to follow)

CLEANING FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT WORKSHOP - On November 11, 2008, INFORM, Howard Community College, and the Center for Health, Environment and Justice will host Cleaning for a Healthy Environment, a workshop on green cleaning in schools. Carol Westinghouse, a leading national expert on green cleaning, will lead this educational and hands on training.

Cleaning for a Healthy Environment is a workshop on how to implement a green cleaning program. This workshop is a great opportunity to learn what green cleaning really means, why implementing a green cleaning program is so important and how to evaluate your current cleaning routine in order to make healthier purchasing decisions.
RSVP to Pamela Bauer at pbauer@howardcc.edu

Workshop Details
Where: Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Drive, Columbia, MD 21044
When: Tuesday November 11, 9:30 am to 1:30pm
Agenda: 9:30- 11:30am - Discussion on green cleaning theory, practices, and products
11:30-12:30- Lunch
12:30- 1:30pm- Hands on cleaning evaluate of Howard Community College

COMMUNITY INVITED TO HELP SET SCHOOL SYSTEM BUDGET PRIORITIES

The Board of Education of Howard County invites you to participate in the "What Counts in Education" Community Forum. The forum is sponsored by the Maryland Association of Boards of Education and the Board of Education of Howard County and is open to all interested community members.
The purpose of the forum is to discuss and recommend future priorities for the Howard County Public School System's Operating Budget. Participants will:
- Discuss elements of the school system's operating budget
- Identify budget recommendations for the next 1-5 years
- Review and recommend final budget priorities

The forum will be held on:
When: Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Homewood Center (behind the Department of Education)
10914 Route 108,Ellicott City, MD 21042
To confirm your attendance, please email Florence Jackson at florence_jackson@hcpss.org or call 410-313-5638 by Monday, November 3.

LKMS Parents: Did you ever think, "I'd like to give the school system my 2 cents on that issue!" Well, the PTA Council of Howard County is now recruiting for just that opportunity. The PTAC is developing a Talent Bank. Parents involved in the Talent Bank would be asked to review school policies on a rotating basis. All HCPSS polices are reviewed every 3 years. Policy review committees are made up of Parents, School Administrators, Teachers, citizens and members of the Board of Education. The policies up for review this year include tobacco use, school closings, bullying/harassment/intimidation, and employee discipline. Policy review committees usually meet once or twice for an hour or so. Be part of this exciting opportunity, fill out the PTA Council Talent Skills information form that is below. You can direct any questions to your LKMS PTAC representatives, Carol Zimmerman wcrnsz@comcast.net, or Ellen Makar eemakar@aol.com

Talent Bank Skills and Information Form

PTA Council of Howard County

Name: ______________________________ Check here if you’re a Council Delegate: _-__

Postal Address*: ________________________________________________________________

Home Phone* _____________________________ Cell Phone*: _________________________

Work Phone* ______________________________ Email address* _______________________

County School(s) in which you have children enrolled: _________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Please list here any issues or topics on which you have particular knowledge:

Please list here any issues or topics on which you have experience in developing policy or procedures, and give us information on the person or organization with which you have such:

Please list here any issues or topics in which you have an interest in developing or reviewing and revising policies and procedures for the Howard County School System:

Is there a particular Advisory Committee or group you’re interested in? If so, please tell us here:

______________________________________________________________________

Please return this form to: Howard County PTA Council Office, HCPSS Staff Development Center, 10598 Marble Fawn Court, Columbia, MD 21044; or ptachc@gmail.com.

POMS CLINIC
River Hill High School
Saturday, December 6, 2008
9:00 am – 1 pm

For students in grades 2-8. Learn dance and pom skills from the award winning River Hill School Poms Squad!

Participants should bring a bag lunch. Early registration is strongly recommended, although walk-ins are welcomed if space permits.

Registration forms available at www.riverhill.org
Cost: $35.00 inclues instruction, t-shirt, snack, performan ce with squad.

Please mail your check to Ms. Alvarado, RHHS, 12101 Route 108, Clarksville, MD 21029. Checks should be made payable to RHHS Poms. Please include the following information:
Participant’s Name, Age, Grade, Parent Name, E-mail Address, Home Phone; Emergency Phone Number.

* If the PTA Council Office does not already have this information in its records.