LKMS CODE FOR GIANT - 03723 make sure you register
LKMS CODE FOR SAFEWAY -
6528500 make sure you register
The Leopard’s Tale
Lime Kiln Middle School
11650 Scaggsville Road
Fulton, MD 20759
August 30, 2007
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Main Office:
410-880-5988
Guidance & Attendance:
410-880-5997
Health Room:
410-880-5996
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IMPORTANT DATES:
September 3 Labor Day, all schools and offices closed
September 11 PTA Executive Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
September 13 Rosh Hashanah, all schools and offices closed
September 17 Family Life Parent Orientation, 5:00 Ð 6:00 p.m.
September 19 Drama Parent Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
September 24 Drama Auditions, 3:15 p.m.
September 24 Michael Fowlin, Atholton High School, 7:00 p.m.
September 27 Back to School Night, 7:00 p.m.
October 2 PICTURE DAY
October 5 Progress Reports go home
October 17 PTA Executive Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
October 19 MSTA Convention, schools closed for students
Dear Friends and Families of Lime Kiln Middle School,
Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year! It has been a very busy and exciting time for the staff as we have eagerly prepared for our students to return. We, especially, want to welcome our new students in all three grades. They appear to be making a rapid adjustment to Lime Kiln.
Of course, there were lots of smiles as friends reunited and returned to their school routines. I think the biggest adjustment for many of them is waking up at an earlier hour.
TeacherEase will be back this year! This highly effective online grading program will be up and running as of Sept. 17th. All parents will be able to access their studentsÕ grades at any time. Please send back email addresses so we can update all our accounts as soon as possible. Thanks so much to the PTA for their support of this important communication tool.
Also, our teachers will continue to update their websites on TeacherWeb. Assignments, curriculum information and important links will appear on these sites. Our teachers are very happy that the PTA has again supported TeacherWeb.
The annual Magazine Drive kick off was on Wednesday. Please support this major fundraiser for Lime Kiln Middle School. The proceeds from this have enabled us to update our television studio, provide educational and engaging cultural arts programs in addition to many other items and activities that make this school exceptional.
This year we would like to welcome two new teachers to LKMS. Mrs. Joyce Burke has joined the 7th grade team as their special educator. Mrs. Burke is a very experienced teacher, just moved from Texas to be closer to her adult children, and is thrilled to be at LKMS. We also are very happy to have Ms. Patricia McGrail join our staff this year. She is teaching English to 6th and 7th grade students. Formerly, she worked in the advertising field.
On September 24th at 7 p.m. at Atholton High School, Dr. Michael Fowlin will be back to perform ÒYou DonÕt Know Me Until You Know Me.Ó This incredibly dynamic performance deals with issues of race, discrimination, violence prevention, personal identity to name a few. Dr. Fowlin slips in and out of nine characters, both male and female, who Òshare their stories.Ó The characters share their stories in an often humorous, but at times, heartbreaking manner. Dr. Fowlin was seen by our eighth graders last year and had a tremendous impact on them. Many of them returned with their parents for the evening show. If you have not had the experience of seeing Dr. Fowlin, I encourage you to attend the Atholton performance.
Mrs. Ober and I are very excited about this school year and hope that it is one of the best for your children and for you. Please do not hesitate to contact the school for any questions you have.
Sincerely,
Brenda Thomas
A Family Life and Human Sexuality Parent Orientation will be held on Monday, September 17, 2007 from 5:00 Ð 6:00 p.m. in the Lime Kiln cafeteria. The purpose of the Family Life orientation is to review the regulations and state mandates surrounding the program and to become familiar with course content and procedures. All parents/guardians, not just those with students in Health Education first quarter, are invited to attend since this is the only formal orientation to be held for the year. I hope to see you on the September 17!
Media Center InformationÉReference Passwords: Parents please post the Homework Helpers Handout in a prominent place for easy reference. These research databases and other sources are outstanding reference tools for upcoming projects.
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SIRS Knowledge Sourceis a comprehensive online interface providing integrated access to thousands of full-text articles, documents, and graphics from SIRS Researcher, SIRS Government Reporter, and SIRS Renaissance. Thousands of full-text articles from domestic and international sources exploring social, scientific, health, historic, business, economic, political and global issues are available. |
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SIRS Decades features more than 5,000 hand-selected primary and secondary source articles highlighting key events, movements, people, and places in 20th-century America. Coverage includes documents, letters and memos, editorial cartoons, streaming video, websites, photographs, maps, advertisements, and published articles. |
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Student Resource Center Jr. is a fully integrated database containing thousands of curriculum-targeted primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, full-text coverage of over 1,000 magazines, newspapers, over 20,000 photographs and illustrations, and more than 8 hours of audio and video clips. Includes Student Resource Center-Health Module. |
World Book Online Reference Center |
World Book Online Reference Center is an excellent source of reliable, easy to understand information for students. World Book Online offers all the features of the print encyclopedia plus links to maps, web sites, and other print articles. |
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CultureGramsoffers concise, reliable, and up-to-date country reports on 190 cultures of the world. It goes beyond mere facts and figures to deliver an insider's perspective on daily life and culture, including the history, customs, and lifestyles of the world's people. |
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Use your Howard County Library card and pin number (request a pin number from the library) to access many online reference sources. To locate the online resources, click on ÒDatabases.Ó
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Generate, edit, and publish an MLA Works Cited list or APA References list that complies with the rules of the current MLA Handbook and APA Publication Manual. NoodleBib takes care of punctuation, alphabetization and formatting, producing a polished source list for import into Word. |
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A ÒfavoritesÓ website that offers you direct links to the databases listed on this hand-out plus websites specifically selected by LK teachers for their assignments. Updated throughout the year. |
Sixth Grade News...The sixth grade team and students have been going full speed since orientation on August 24th! We had a fantastic turnout for orientation and we all survived the packed hallways during orientation. The sixth grade team is very pleased with the focus of our sixth graders as we start our school year and we're also glad to report that all of our sixth graders are managing their lockers well and are finding their way to classes this week.
Today, Wednesday, our students attended an assembly regarding the PTA's biggest fundraiser of the year - the magazine drive. We appreciate your support of this program as the PTA has been instrumental in supporting our classroom teachers in providing funds for classroom materials. The PTA is also a wonderful supporter of our Outdoor Education program and has funded equipment purchases for many of our activities that the students love. So, please, do what you can to support this fundraiser. The results directly benefit our students.
The sixth grade team never rests! We're in the process of planning Leopard Day which is scheduled for Wednesday, September 12th. This day serves many purposes for our students. It's an icebreaker day...you name it...we find creative ways to "meld" all of our feeder schools into 1 big happy LKMS leopard family. This year Leopard Day will also involve our Student Services department of Ms. Lucas, Ms. Meomartino, and Ms. Rakshys as we kick off our bullyproofing program for sixth grade. Our sixth graders will also be treated to a video explaining the "Fish" philosophy that we follow here at LKMS and we'll discuss how we can apply that concept to our everyday activities and efforts here at school. Most importantly, your students will come together to agree upon sixth grade rules we'll follow all year to create a fantastic team.
Please be sure to get ALL those signed papers back to us this week and make sure that your child has purchased an agenda book. The sixth grade team is also planning an awesome field trip in December...so keep your eyes and ears open! More to come...
Cathy Mundy
6th Grade Team Leader/Reading Teacher
7th Grade Parents/Guardians and Students The 7th Grade team would like to welcome all of the new 7th Grade students and parents. We are looking forward to a great year and hope that the students are already making many special memories. The first week has gone very smoothly, and we look forward to getting to know you better over the upcoming weeks and months.
Just a few reminders: All 7th grade teachers will continue their use of TeacherWeb to post homework assignments and links to helpful websites. We will also continue our use of TeacherEase this year. Remember that you can stay updated on your childÕs academic progress in each class on a 24 hour basis with the use of this online tool. I would encourage you to return the TeacherEase letter that went home on 8/27 if you have not already done so. After that, you can expect an invitation email from TeacherEase on the morning of 9/17.
Please check out the LeopardÕs Tale in the upcoming weeks for additional news about what is happening in 7th grade.
Thanks for your support in helping us get off to a great start this year and we all look forward to seeing you at Back to School Night on 9/27/07.
Sincerely,
W. Todd Kelly
7th Grade Social Studies/Team Leader
To 8th Grade Parents and Students ÉOn behalf of all of the 8th grade teachers and support staff, I would like to welcome you to the 8th grade! We had a wonderful first few days and we anticipate many great days to follow.
I will consistently use TeacherEase and TeacherWeb to communicate what's going on along the 8th grade hallways. For example, folders went home on Monday with A LOT of paperwork. It is all important and much of it needs to be returned signed. The white Drug and Weapon policy and the TWO Emergency Cards are required for students to receive
lockers. In addition, please send in $15 to pay for the Agenda Book the Reading class Vocabulary Book. Lastly, a gold field trip form came home in the folder detailing our October trip to Genesee Valley. Please look it over and send in by the due date.
I will regularly send emails to parents via TeacherEase and TeacherWeb. Please sign up for my NewsFlash on TeacherWeb at http://teacherweb.com/md/lkms/brichards. When you sign up you will receive notification via text message or email when updates to the page are made.
Thank you for your committment to our students.
Sincerely,
Brian Richards
8th Grade English
8th Grade Team Leader
Related Arts NewsÉIn Related Arts we are off to an exciting start of the 2007-2008 school year. Many of us will be sending letters home to let you know what we will be covering in our classes this quarter. Below you will find some additional pieces of information we want to share with you.
Miss Shin will begin the Art Club on September 20. If students are interested in joining they must see Miss Shin for an application, fill it out and submit it to her by September 12.
Mr. Jackowski and Mr. Walls have been in the cafeteria recruiting new band and orchestra students this week. If a student is not in band or orchestra and are interested in joining they must see Mr. Jackowski or Mr. Walls as soon as possible.
Mrs. Lublin will be holding the Health Education Family Life information night on September 17 at 5:00 P.M.
Mrs. Hill had drum group sign ups during lunch shifts this week. If any student missed the sign up they should see Mrs. Hill early next week. The drum groups will begin Friday,
Sept. 7. Also, if any student is interested in auditioning for the All State chorus or G/T chorus they should meet with Mrs. Hill. The first community Drum Circle will be held on September 25 at 7:00 P.M.
The Physical Education Department would like to remind all students to purchase a P.E. uniform during the quarter they are assigned Physical Education and to wear athletic shoes with shoestrings (not skateboarding shoes) in class.
If students are interested in participating in Extreme Machines, Robotics, or Future City competition groups Mr. Garner will have the sign up dates on the morning announcements.
We look forward to seeing you at Back to School night.
Cindy Dupski
Message from the PTA President
Welcome!
Special thanks to Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Ober, all our team leaders, our guidance and front office staff, and our custodian crew. They had a busy summer getting the school ready for the new year and what a great job they did. A lot of time was put in, to ensure a smooth start and a great school year for all. I had the pleasure to see our staff energized and eager for the new school year at our back to school luncheon. We are blessed with a great team.
If you have not done your homework, now is a great time. Take a few moments to read all the papers sent home in the first day of school. There is a wealth of knowledge about the school in those folders. Quiz your kids! Most of them have read the rules in their classes.
I hope you plan to attend our PTA meetings; the dates are in the First Day Folder. Most of the meetings will be held in the Media Center at LKMS. If you have something you would like to have addressed at the meeting, please email me by the previous Wednesday so I can ensure a smooth and effective meeting. I will also be available 15 minutes prior to the meeting for any last minute questions.
I look forward to working with all of you throughout the school year.
Lynn Martins, lynn@seibelsrestaurant.com
"State Seeks HSA Testimony
The Maryland Department of Education is holding public hearings around the state to listen to citizens' concerns about the new HSA tests. High School Assessments (HSA's) are tests in 4 subject areas (English, Algebra, Biology, Government) that every student MUST PASS in order to graduate high school, starting in 2009. Often the Algebra test is taken in middle school. This year, approximately 700 students in Howard County have not passed one or more of the tests, which means they will not be able to graduate until they pass. For more info about the HSA's, please go to http://hsaexam.org/what.html In general, they test basic proficiency on the subject matter, at approximately the 9th or 10th grade level. The Howard County PTA Council; the CAC (Community Advisory Committee), and school system staff will all present (separate) testimony at the hearing on Sept. 19 at Poly/Western high school in Baltimore. For more information on the hearings, go to http://marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/testing/hsa/hsa_reg_meet. If you would like to participate in the hearings, you are encouraged to do so!"
LKMS MAGAZINE DRIVE - The kickoff was August 29th! Please ask your child for the magazine subscription envelope and instructions that were sent home. This is our biggest fundraiser and will run for exactly 4 weeks with different incentives each week. Every Wednesday in September is order collection day in your childÕs homeroom. The first collection day is September 5th. The following FridayÕs are coin redemption days, where sales efforts may be rewarded with prizes. Please support your school by buying/renewing magazines and encouraging reading at the same timeÉthey also make great holiday gifts! Any questions call Kelly Cidre 301-362-1262 (kcidre@sage-x.com).
If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Sharon Dass on 301-854-1684.
LKMS Presents
Drama Program Parent Meeting and Auditions
The LKMS Drama Committee is pleased to report that this yearÕs drama program will be run by the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts. This organization is the educational arm of Toby's Dinner Theatre. This year's musical production will be "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatÓ An informational parent meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 19, 6:30 p.m. Auditions will be held Monday, September 24, immediately after school. The performance is scheduled for the weekend of February 1-4, 2008. Inclement weather dates have been addressed. Come to the September 19 parent meeting and learn all about what the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts will offer our children this year.
For a History of the Show Visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_and_the_Amazing_Technicolor_Dreamcoat
School DirectoryÉBe sure youÕre listed in the LKMS directory! Fill out the directory information included in the Back to School folder that your student brought home on the first day of school, and send it back into school to be sure your name is listed. Even if you do not with to be included, please return the form with the appropriate indication.