IMPORTANT DATES:

February 1                   Drama production, RHS, 7:00 p.m.
February 2                   Drama production, RHS, 2:00 p.m.
February 6 & 7             Schools close 3 hours early for conferences.
February 8                   Schools closed for students for conferences.
February 12                 Primary election day, schools and offices closed.
February 13                 6th grade parent meeting for Outdoor Ed, 7:00 p.m.
February 18                 Presidents’ Day, schools and office closed.
February 27                 GOTTA EAT, 3 Brothers, 5:00 p.m.
February 29                 Interim progress reports issued.
March 7                       Cedar Lane Basket Bingo
March 17 – 24              Spring Break
March 25                     School resumes.

INTRAMURAL SCHEDULE
STUDENTS MUST HAVE A SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP ON FILE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE
SIGN-UP SHEETS ARE POSTED IN THE CAFETERIA

Imani Club                    2/5; 2/26; 4/15; 5/20 and 6/10
Coed Basketball            1/31 and 2/7
Stepping Class              Thursdays, 3:15 – 4:45
Please note: Intramurals are from 3:10 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Dear Friends and Families of Lime Kiln Middle School,

Join us at Reservoir High School for the LKMS production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Tonight’s performance starts at 7 p.m. and Saturday afternoon there will be a 2 p.m. matinee. We look forward to seeing our students perform!

Congratulations to Alex Wollack, 8th grade, short story winner of the SoMIRAC Young Authors’ Contest. Thanks to Mrs. Spillman who submitted his Writer’s Guild piece. We are very proud of Alex’s accomplishment! His short story will be entered into the state competition.

LKMS was also a winner in the Maryland Future City Competition. Mr. Garner and his team won “The Most Creative City” designation. Congratulations to Kendra Rosnick, Sarah Rusenko, and Rosemary Rhodes.

Lime Kiln Middle School has gained several partnerships that have been supporters of our green schools and service learning efforts. They also work with individual students to enrich their education. In this week’s Leopard’s Tale, Mr. Keddell highlights our partnerships and their contributions.

This week, as we continue through the 25 Rules of Civility from the book, Choosing Civility by P. M. Forni, we focus on Rule 17: Assert yourself. Here are highlights from that chapter:

We look forward to Parent Conference Week. Thanks so much to the PTA who provide the faculty with a wonderful meal on Wednesday. We are so appreciative!

Sincerely,
Brenda Thomas

THE RULES OF CIVILITY

Rule 16: Assert yourself.

Becoming assertive is often learning to say no. And part of that is being aware that it is your privilege to keep your “no” simple and short. There is certainly no need to transform your straightforward expression of preference into a discussion.

”Will you write a letter of recommendation for me?”
“No, I don’t think I should.”

“Will you help me write my paper?”
“No, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

If your No Phrase doesn’t discourage someone, don’t be afraid to repeat it—the Broken Record Strategy.

Medical science tells us that nonassertive behavior is a health risk. Self-neglect & over-compliance can compromise our immune systems. Taking a stand for yourself is not only a balm for the soul, they are a boon to your health.

Our students of the week are Grace Park, Eliot Fenton, Riley Davis, Tristan King, Eliza Stubbings, David Hessler, Eric Kressin and Vashti Burke.

Technology at Lime Kiln:

Many project options include technology. In an effort to avoid as many problems as possible, hand-outs on moving a Vista document from home to school, moving movie files from home to school and tips for creating PowerPoint projects are available from the media center and are also on my TeacherWeb page. There are also copies on the media center desk and on the table in the school’s front entrance. A few especially important details:

Our computers cannot read mini-CD disks. Please do not use them for any file or document that needs to be read at school.
Movies saved to a DVD must use a –R format. Files must end in .avi or .mov
Vista files will open at LK if saved as 97-2003 compatible files.

--Mary Roepcke

HOOPS FOR HEART UPDATE: Monies in HOOPS envelopes were due on FRIDAY to Related Arts Teachers to participate in the Extravagaza on Thursday, Feb. 7. HOWEVER, I am extending the money turn-in date until MONDAY, Feb. 4 for anyone who wants to get donations.
Remember, any student who brings in $150 or more can stay in the Extravaganza on Thursday during the event for all grade levels; bring in $200 or more and the student can play basketball for the entire event. Let's beat the $15,000 raised last year to honor our loved ones who have fought heart disease. p.s. Please check-out the HEART WALL outside the cafeteria when you visit our school. Contact debra_lange@hcpss.org with any questions.

RAVEN'S program, "WHAT MOVES U?" update- The (10) weeks of turning in coupons with recorded exercise time ended for 6th graders right before the Winter Break. Some results of this program are: 50% of our 6th graders participated at some level, 57% of girls participated and 45% of boys, almost 100 prizes were awarded through the 10 weeks to students turning in coupons - Ravens jump ropes, frisbees and pedometers, participation dropped regularly during the Thanksgiving holiday and through December as we approached the Winter Break, ONE student turned in all 10 coupons and (4) students turned in 9

coupons. EARNING a lunch invitation with the Ravens is
TARA THOMPSON who turned in coupons for ten weeks. Also, winning the LUNCH WITH THE RAVENS drawing for those who turned in (9) coupons are Makenzie Miller and Dakota Wells. Kudos to Bryana Nguyen and Margaret Tatum who ALSO turned in (9) coupons. These young people showed that THEY could take time to put more movement in their day - let's follow their lead.

Debbi Lange
Physical Educator
Lime Kiln Middle School
Fulton, MD
debra_lange@hcpss.org

"Practice like a champion!"

6th Grade Parent Information Meeting for Outdoor Ed is Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria

Lime Kiln Middle School is proud to share with the community the ongoing partnerships that we have with supporters of our green schools and service learning efforts. They are actively changing the resources and hands on learning opportunities available at Lime Kiln Middle School. We thank the following Partners for Education. If you or your organization would like to partner with our school, please contact Bob Keddell at school and lets design a program for supporting our excellent students.

1.) EARTH TREKS CLIMBING CENTERS

Contributed a Traverse Climbing Wall to our school
Supporting Grade 7 Service Learning with their CLIMB FOR HOPE 2008 Expedition
Supporting our Youth Development Center with opportunities and resources

2.) NATIONAL AQUARIUM IN BALTIMORE

Working with student research projects and have supplied our Outdoor Ecosystem
Supports planting Bay Grasses at Camp Letts during grade 6 outdoor education
Provides guest speakers and activity leaders during the Aqua Havens Youth Development Center programming

3.) BLACKS OF THE CHESAPEAKE FOUNDATION

Supports student Chesapeake Bay historical research projects
The Foundation president provides onsite expertise during a three day residency program
Supplied authentic artifacts for Chesapeake activities at Grade 6 outdoor education
Currently working closely with the Youth Development Center to build a community challenge “Legacy Learning Trail”

4.) SEA GRANT, MARYLAND

Facilitates Aqua Havens and grade 6 “Raise and Release Rockfish” program
Annually supports Field Experiences for Aqua Havens students to Fort McHenry for fish release

5.) CHESAPEAKE ECOLOGY CENTER OF ANNAPOLIS

Advises students on rain garden projects and solutions at specific school ground runoff locations
Supports student research projects for Native Maryland Plant Species

6.) BOARD OF CAMP LETTS, MARYLAND

Agreed to an annual planting of Bay Grasses at Grade 6 Outdoor Education

7.) CARES “SPECIES AT RISK” PROGRAMMING BY AMERICAN CICHLID ASSOCIATION

Supports original student research with species considered at risk or endangered in the wild
Supports student publications including a new website to be launched by Lime Kiln this spring highlighting the work of the Youth Development Center’s Aqua Havens team
Provides connections to professionals worldwide for fish research mentoring

8.) NATIONAL ZOO OF WASHINGTON, DC

Working with the Youth Development Center to connect scientists to Lime Kiln through videoconferencing (Fall, 2008)

9.) FROGWATCH USA

Working with research students to implement a frog monitoring program on Lime Kiln Middle School property

10.) WATERSHED SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION

Providing mentors for student research projects in bird watching and historical Native American populations living in the mid-Atlantic States

11.) CENTRAL OFFICES OF HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
*TECHNOLOGY OFFICE – Resource support and training for LKMS’s Service Learning Grades 6-8 Cycle of Learning
*BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS – Resource and expertise for grounds projects including our 1500 square foot rain garden and to be built Community Service Legacy Learning Trail.

12.) DRACOMARINE INC.

Supports student research projects around Chesapeake Bay Seahorses

13.) AQUALAND PETS, INC.

Supplies expertise and materials for Aqua Havens “Window Reefs”

14.) CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Supporting student research projects with convict cichlids during grade 7 CORE + classes

15.) MIT Sea Grant

Provided materials and expertise for the Youth Development Center’s “Extreme Machines” Service Learning Submarine building program

16.) TEAM AMERICA ROCKETRY

Contests and expertise for our Youth Development Center’s after school rocketry club. Special hats off to Dave Zuchero for helping lead the way with our growing rocketry extreme machine group

17.) TOOL FACTORY, INC.

Supplying software for our Service Learning programs and science classrooms

18.) FOURIER SYSTEMS

Designing with the Youth Development Center a planned program of use of NOVA 5000 automatic data loggers during our Aqua Havens programming

19.) US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Supplying the materials and training to students in the Aqua Havens YDC Programming on the workings of a full hydrolab.

20.) YOUR EXPERTISE OR ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT CAN GO HERE

From the PTA:
Box Tops for Education: The deadline for getting boxtops in this year is quickly approaching, so clean out those draws and reduce that clutter, LKMS could use your support. The collection box is located in the vestibule outside of the office
The Hospitality Committee is busy planning the February Staff Conference Dinner. If you have not already received an email with the detailed information and would like to contribute food or other goodies to the event; please contact Moira Monk at mdmonks@comcast.net or (410) 531-6752. The dinner will be held on February 6, 2008. Thank you for your generous response.

Lime Kiln Middle School Presents
"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
TWO SHOWS ONLY!

Friday, February 1 - 7:00
Saturday, February 2 – 2:00
All performances at Reservoir High School
Doors open at 6:30 and 1:30
Adults $3.00 Students $1.00

With a crash of drums and a flash of light Joseph comes to Lime Kiln in his dazzling coat of many colors.
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyrics by Tim Rice
Based on the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis

Honor Roll: On Feb 13-15, we will be holding the honor roll celebration for the second quarter. This quarter’s theme is “Popcorn and A Movie”. We will be serving popcorn and soda, while showing a short “blooper” film on skiing mishaps. In addition, we will have a drawing each day for five students to win a Blockbuster gift card. Every student who made the Honor Roll will have a chance to win, with those who made gold honor roll having two chances (their names will be put in the hat twice).

I will need parents to help pop the popcorn (I hope to borrow a popcorn machine), pour the soda, run the movie, and manage the “crowd”. We typically have 100-150 students per day who will participate in this event. If you are available and interested in helping out, please send me an email indicating which day you can assist. Sixth grade will celebrate on Feb 13 (Wed), seventh grade on Feb 14 (Thurs), and eighth grade on Feb 15 (Fri). I expect the time commitment to roughly be from 2-3 PM.

If you can assist on any of these dates, please contact Barbara Slayton at barbara.y.slayton@lmco.com or 410-531-5353.

LIME KILN MIDDLE SCHOOL HOWARD COUNTY REFLECTION WINNERS
Congratulations to these students as winners not only at their school, but now at the Howard County Level. Their entries will be continuing on at Maryland State Reflections Level. These winners are invited with their families to the Howard County Reflection Awards night on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008 at 7 pm at Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Faun Ct. Columbia. The entries are available for viewing at 7 pm with the awards being given at 7:30. Again, congratulations from the Reflections Committee.

Literature: Nicole Moy
Visual Arts: Taylor Paek

An Opportunity to Reach Out to Those In Need…

Grassroots will be reopening its newly-expanded shelter doors to homeless individuals and families on or about February 1st. At this time the shelter is asking the community for help to provide much needed items. These items include pillows and pillow cases, single sheets, mattress pads, pillow protectors, twin blankets, bath towels and wash cloths, laundry bags, plastic toiletry totes, clothes hangers, small and large indoor trashcans, alarm clocks, night lights, silverware, dishes, plastic cups, coffee cups and glasses. New and gently used donated items will be picked up by Grassroots. Should you have any questions, please contact Bonnie Hudak, Grassroots’s Volunteer Coordinator, at 443-790-8862.

FRIDGE NOTE – SAVE THE DATES:

Weds, Feb. 27th Three Brothers “Gotta Eat” Night
Three Brothers Italian Restaurants

Print the flyer located after the PTA Calendar!!

Keeping our kids safe: Don’t forget to check out the Winter 08 Parent’s Bulletin @ http://www.hcdrugfree.org/WinterNewsletter08.pdf. When you read the articles, you’ll see that a lot of risky behavior can begin in middle school and even elementary, so it is never too early to become an aware parent.

Mark your calendars for the Annual Parents Social Event and Fundraiser that will be held on Friday, March 28th at The Gathering Hall in River Hill. If you would like to help volunteer in making this event a success or if you have a service, tickets or any other donation that you think would be helpful for an auction item, please contact Diane Thometz, dithometz@aol.com, 301-854-9730 or Leanne Glueck, lglueck@earthlink.net, 301-604-7150.

Used Ink Cartridges - The Music Department is collecting used ink cartridges and cell phones. Please send them in and put them in the Box Top Box in the school foyer.

PTA Events for February through Arpil:

2008

FEBURARY

School Drama Production

5     7:30 PTAC Meeting
            6     4:00 Staff Conference Dinner
            13    2:15 6TH Grade Honor Roll
            14    2:15 7th Grade Honor Roll
            15    2:15 8th Grade Honor Roll
            20    PTA Meeting
            25    3:15 SIT Meeting

Gotta Eat ‘Three Brothers”

MARCH

SPRING SOCIAL

             3    7:30 PTAC Meeting
12   7:00 PTA Meeting
28   Parents’ Social Night
            31   3:15 SIT Meeting

APRIL

              7   7:30 PTAC Meeting
            16   7:00 PTA Meeting
            28   3:15 SIT Meeting

Three Brothers Italian Restaurants 7090 Deepage Drive – Columbia, MD 21045 - (410) 309-5944

LIME KILN MIDDLE SCHOOL

GOTTA EAT NIGHT

Tuesday, February 26th
4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Treat yourself to a fantastic meal and a night off from cooking!
Three Brother will donate 25% of sales for the evening to Lime Kiln Middle School’s PTA. Three Brothers offers the finest and most authentic New York-style pizza in all of suburban Washington as well as the best hot and cold subs, calzones and Italian entrees in the area. Please plan to join us and support the PTA and the services it provides for the families and staff at Lime Kiln Middle School.
In a RUSH? Just call in your order and it’ll be ready when you arrive. The menu is available at www.threebrotherspizza.com.
(NOTE: Present flier when paying to ensure proper credit)