IMPORTANT DATES:

January 16 Chorus Concert, 7:00 p.m.

January 17 End of marking period, schools close 3 hours early.

            January 18                   Professional Work Day—schools closed for students
            January 21                   Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—schools and office closed.
            January 23                   School-wide Spelling Bee

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            1/29; 1/31 and 2/7
Fitness with a Twist    1/29; 2/5; 2/19; 2/26; 3/4; 3/11; 3/25
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,

Happy New Year to all of you! We are off to a successful start for the New Year. The related arts team recently held an assembly for the 8th graders to remind them of our high behavioral and academic expectations. The sixth grade team is also planning a town meeting with their students in the near future.

The end of the second marking period is upon us. Thursday, January 17th, is the final day to turn in any assignments. Please check TeacherEase to make sure all work has been turned in. Report cards will be issued on Wednesday, January 30th.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held February 6th-8th. Again, Lime Kiln will use the online program, Pick-a-Time to schedule conferences. Pick-a-Time notices will be sent home with the students next Thursday, January 17th. The student identification number will be on the notice and is necessary for scheduling conferences. Parents will be able to schedule conferences from January 22nd through February 1st.

Our annual Mid-Year Social will be held on Friday, February 1st. For the final 90 minutes of the school day, students will be able to participate in many activities, including basketball, chess, board games, cards, a dance, and a movie. Some students will not be able to attend the entire social due to poor work habits and/or behavioral issues. These decisions will be made jointly by the administration and the teams.

This week, as we continue through the 25 Rules of Civility from the book, Choosing Civility by P. M. Forni, we focus on Rule 15: Respect other people’s space. Highlights from that chapter are below.

On Wednesday, January 16th at 7 p.m., Lime Kiln will present its Choral Concert under the direction of Mrs. Hill. Our students have worked diligently to learn their music and perform well. We hope to see you there.

Sincerely,
Brenda Thomas

THE RULES OF CIVILITY

Rule 15: Respect other people’s space

Leave enough room between yourself and others so that they won’t feel uncomfortable or intimidated. Standing at an appropriate distance from others is part of poise, which gives strength and authority to your words.

Pay attention to others’ reactions to the way you manage space in conversation. By taking a step back, the other person may be letting you know you are standing too close.

One key measure of our satisfaction at work is the quality of the relationships we have with our coworkers. Good relationships contribute to keeping stress down. It’s not unreasonable to predict that lower-stress workplaces—workplaces where civility makes for better relationships—will become very appealing. These are the workplaces where organizations will manage to attract and retain an increasing number of first-rate workers. This should be a strong incentive for organizations to promote a culture of civility in their workplaces.

Our students of the week are: Patrick Evans, Kelly Wright, Victoria Tucker, Brian “Teddy” Joseph, Carey Locke, Colin McCleaf, Megan Fabbri, Toyin Ajayi, Elise Clanni, and Scott Lee.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES…Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for February 7, 8 and 9. Letters will be coming home on Wednesday, January 16 with instructions on how to schedule your confeences. If you need assistance, please call the Guidance Office at 410-880-5997.

COMING IN JANUARY…HOOPS for Heart fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Details coming home on January 22nd.

Get ready all of you spelling fans! The schoolwide Spelling Bee will take place on January 23rd. Class Bees ended at Winter Break! Get ready to befriend those dictionaries!
Mrs. Christine Barrett

Counselor’s Corner…Many Howard County students excel in the fine/performing arts, but not all of those students are necessarily currently enrolled in courses offered through their middle school. If your eighth grade student is interested in enrolling in a performing arts program next year in high school, please contact either the LKMS guidance department or the LKMS band director, Mr. Jackowski, for important information about available opportunities and auditions.

GREEN SCHOOLS INFORMATION COLUMN
New developments happen every day as the Green Schools initiative gathers momentum. This past week we have begun to line up experts and projects that will begin to take shape this spring. We have two large initiatives that are very exciting. First, Mr. Shifflett is leading the gathering of resources, information and is seeking expertise around the generation of electricity with solar panels. We are looking to build an outdoor solar “house” for our ecosystem that will be upgraded this spring and make use of our windows to generate electricity to run our aquatic research program. Second, some students in Mrs. Mundy’s research class will be tackling the planning of a Community “Envirothon” Learning Trail. Preliminary planning has as many as 10 learning stations around the athletic fields for family/community weekend “competitions” run by students. Watch this space for exciting news about both of these projects. Would you like to help? Contact Bob Keddell or the teachers in charge at LKMS.

SERVICE LEARNING NEWS
We will be offering a new opportunity for students during 7th grade CORE+ classes. In cooperation with our partner, The Earth Treks Climbing Centers, LKMS will be participating in the “Climb For Hope” expedition to Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. The full project will entail learning about mountaineering as well as cancer research occurring at Johns Hopkins. Speakers from Hopkins, Earth Treks and cancer survivors participating in the climb have committed to both small group sessions in classes as well as one evening this spring where a panel of experts from both careers will present and answer questions for the LKMS Community. This is a magnificent opportunity for our students to meet and talk directly to the people who you can follow online as they summit Africa’s highest peak. Watch this space for full planning as the total program for students and the community comes together.
February will also bring back to LKMS the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation’s CARR’S BEACH Residency Program. Sixth graders will once again have a chance to interact with Foundation President Vince O. Leggett and complete hands on learning exercises. Last year’s work by the sixth graders resulted in a set of persuasive essays that have been shared with the Maryland legislature. There will be more to come on this great program too.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (YDC) – “YOUTH LEADERS IN ACTION”
Beginning January 28th, the YDC will be offering a special Leadership After School Program for students. This Youth Leaders in Action Program will focus on working with students to lead projects “that make a difference.” Participants will look for ways that they can impact the environment, attempt to write a grant to support our Green School movement, and work closely with the Earth Treks’ Kilimanjaro Expedition. This team of students will be limited to 10 students and will occur on the second, third and fourth Monday of each month. Mr. Keddell will instruct and is modeling this program after the Teacher Leadership Course that he teachers at Johns Hopkins University. It will be an excellent program to prepare students for leadership in High School or for the management of their own chosen projects. Watch for final details in this space.

Sixth Grade Team Checks In-

It's hard to believe that we finished up 2007 and are well into 2008. The sixth grade team hopes that 2008 is a great year for all.

It's been a busy 1st half of the year - teaching our curriculums, conducting Leopard Day, PTA Leopard Day Celebration, Bullyproofing lessons, Student Service Learning Kickoff assembly - "Who Killed Rocky Rockfish?", student performance at Maple Lawn community center, repotting of 2000 Spartina Bay grasses which will eventually be planted at Camp Letts, Franklin Institute Science assembly about space, Aquarium field trip to learn about aquatic ecosystems, Anti-Smoking assembly through Health/R.Arts, band and orchestra concerts, What Moves You assembly and initiative, Harvest for the Hungry...it's amazing to think back regarding all of the wonderful things that have been put in place for our students. It takes a small army to make all these things happen and we want to thank parents, teachers, staff, and administration for helping us to do so. Our sixth graders have made a wonderful adjustment into middle school and we know that they will continue to thrive in 2008.

Upcoming Events for 2008...Women-Back to the Future assembly (tie in with English Biography Unit), Toby's Field trip to see "Diary of Anne Frank" (English curriculum), Outdoor Education at Camp Letts (wrap up of student service learning, celebrating the end of a great year, and just plain having fun), and finally, a continuation of student service learning about the Bay!

Sixth Grade Student Service Learning Checking In...we are on a roll...

In English Core students considered all the different types of pollution seen in our "Who Killed Rocky Rockfish" and discussed sources for those types of polution...cause and effect discussions....reflections about those source points of pollution...learning about chemical, physical, ecological, and thermal pollution

In Science Core studetns were given a visual demonstration of a "watershed at work" and are currently working on lessons about runoff in undeveloped, suburban, urban areas of our watershed, reading an article entitled "Do You Knnow What Happens When It Rains", illustrating an example from the article along with a reflection...studying how toxics reach our waterways...how to "detox" your home...

In Reading Core students were shown a video produced by the Maryland Sea Grant on the Chesapeake Bay watershed and discussed the oyster "crashes" of the Bay, states which make up the watershed, concepts of a watershed, why a watershed is important, phytoplankton and the "greening" of the Bay, dead zones and the importance of oxygen for bottom dwellers of the Bay, farming initiatives to help reduce the amount of fertilizers such as nitrogen and phosphorus into the Bay, the population boom and its effects on the Bay...small things we each can do to help reverse the downward trend of the Bay...articles from the newspaper about the continuing decline of the Choptank and other rivers flowing into the Bay...

In Social Studies students have learned about the Bay and what it was like at the end of the last Ice Age, before European Settlement and colored in a map showing what the Bay looked like 15,000 years ago vs. 3,000 years ago...currently students are looking at Indians of the Chesapeake...future lessons include how the land changed as the Bay formed, the first Americans of the Bay...

Responses from 3 sixth grade students when posed these questions:

WHY do we need to advocate for the Bay?

“I think we need to continue to advocate for the Bay because we are the last hope to fix the Bay and if we don’t do anything, then maybe the Bay will never get clean. We have to start acting and not just speaking, so all of our plans to clean up the Bay could really be put into affect. If we don’t start now, when WILL we start? I think it matters because if we don’t clean up the Bay then all the life will be gone. For example, crabs, the remaining Bay grasses, and clams will be gone.” Madeeha Lughmani

Why might it be important to learn about ecosystems and creatures that live in those aquatic ecosystems even when they may not be directly linked to or part of the Bay?

“It is important because ecosystems that die out will disrupt the food chain. When one thing dies, the creature that eats it will die too because they have no food. Slowly, there will be famine in that ecosystem and the chain effect may soon make its way from the Bay to other large bodies of water. All this could affect land creatures. It’s all interconnected.” Rohan Kurvilla

"It is important because all of the ecosystems are connected and if one piece of the earth or one ecosystem isn't there, then the whole earth will be incomplete. We need to learn about them so we can knnow what to do to protect them. If we don't, they might become endangered like some of the animals in the Bay...the earth won't be complete and the ecosystems could crumble." Taylor Peterson

2008...It's going to be great! The Sixth Grade Team

Destination ImagiNation arrives at LKMS!!!

Destination ImagiNation (DI) the world’s largest creative problem solving program has arrived at Lime Kiln. Each year, teams from all over the world create their solutions to one of five challenges. The teams then meet at Regional Tournaments to present their solutions and hopefully move on to the State and even the Global Tournaments.

This year’s team has chosen to solve the Hit or Myth Challenge. They must conduct an experiment that proves or disproves a myth, urban legend or folk tale …from any country BUT THEIR OWN. The results of the experiment are presented as part of a performance. The team must also create, out of totally recyclable materials, a replica of a landmark or artifact from their chosen country.

The team is well on their way to a remarkable solution!

The team members are: Maggie DeBlasis, Jackson Phillips, Louie Schaab, Carrie DeBlasis, Michelle Jung and Michael Owca. The team will present their solution at the Regional Tournament on February 23, 2008 at the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Everyone is welcome to come cheer them on!

Good luck to Lime Kiln’s first and fantastic DI Team! Let’s cheer them on to the State and Global Finals!

For more information, contact Katie DeBlasis at deblasis@tidalwave.net .

From the PTA:

SECAC FORUM WITH DR. COUSIN

Tuesday, January 15th 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m.

Faulkner Ridge Center

10598 Marble Faun Court, Columbia

The Howard County Special Education Community Advisory Committee (SECAC) presents an evening with Dr. Sydney Cousin, Superintendent of Schools. Come take part in an open discussion and have an opportunity to ask questions about the direction of the school system in regards to students with special needs as well as other system-level issues. To submit a question, please e-mail ann_scholz@hcpss.org or call the Family Support & Resource Center at 410 313-7161.

Hi all – Last week I sent an eschoolnews article summing up some, and I specify some of the PTA happenings to date here at LKMS. As always this is a difficult task as our fabulous parents are always busy planning something for out wonderful children and staff. Our activities are big and small but all are appreciated. As I knew I would, I overlooked two big THANK YOU! First, Sherri Tatum and Jeanne Lingberry put on a wonderful after school Meet and Greet activity for our 6th graders. This was a first time activity for our school and the kids had a blast. It was no little task to take on. The results were spectacular. I also have a big thank you for Jeanne Lingberry our membership chair and a committee of one. Jeanne processes all our memberships in a short amount of time and has grown our membership in the past two years. – It’s not too late to join if you haven’t already!

Please forgive me if I have left something or someone out. I appreciate our wonderful community and the support that you give throughout the year. Mark your calendars for out next PTA meeting January 23 at 7:00.

Lynn Martins – PTA president

FROM THE HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE: Thank you to all the parents and students, who baked, bought and bagged the delicious cookies for our teachers and staff. The variety of cookies was wonderful. Your generous contributions allowed us to send home a dozen cookies with each staff member on December 21. In addition, we had enough to share throughout the day in the staff lounge. Again, thank you!

LKMS REFLECTION CONTEST RESULTS:
Here are the results of the 2007-2008 Reflections Contest. Congratulations to all the participants and winners. Extra credit will be assigned to you by your participating teachers. Please pick up your official Reflection Certificates and entries in the front office. LKMS teachers will receive gift baskets of appreciation for being most motivational toward the program. Results of the Howard County Winners will come out the 3rd week in January and I will inform the winners then.

Literature:
1ST PLACE: Alicia Settle
2ND PLACE: Aspen Shackleford
THIRD PLACE: Nicole Moy
4TH PLACE: Sylviane Alexion
PARTICIPANTS: Cassidy Davis, Michelle Seu, Kristen Smith, Theodore Willard

Visual Art:
1ST PLACE: Taylor Paek
2ND PLACE: Melissa Hooper
3RD PLACE: Ben Yumkas

Reflections Chair: Judi Neckritz, jneckritz@comcast.net

The PTA received an award for increasing membership by 25 members last year! It would be great to increase membership by 50 members this year. Have you joined the PTA yet? Let's make this a goal. Please place your dues ($7 per person) in an envelope providing your name, address, and phone number and send it in with your child to his homeroom teacher today! Questions? Contact Jeanne Lineberry at jeanne_lineberry@verizon.net or (301) 317-1766.

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.

Box Tops for Education Here’s how it works: Every time you use a General Mills or Betty Crocker product please look on the product to see if they have a "Box Tops for Education" Logo on it (see sample below). If it does, then cut it out and send it in. Ask your friends and family to help. It costs you nothing and we get $.10 for each box top logo you bring in. The Campbell’s Soup “Labels for Education” are not part of the program.

FRIDGE NOTE – SAVE THE DATES:

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

Watch for details regarding this no-pain/all gain fundraiser in upcoming Leopard’s Tale issues.

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 January through March:

2008

JANUARY

23 PTA Meeting
28 3:15 SIT Meeting

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

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

Text Box: Understanding Your Teen:
A Developmental Perspective

Do you ever look at your middle-schooler and think:

Who are you and what have you done with my child?
Where did that sweet little boy or girl go?
How do I talk to my teenager?
How do I set limits and what should I expect for him/her?
Why is middle school so often stressful and challenging?
What’s normal and what’s a problem?

Please join Psychologists Susan Lee, PhD and Kathyrn Neel, PhD to learn about strategies to help parents understand the adolescent who has taken the place of the little boy or girl you once knew, while gaining insight into the emotional, cognitive and physical changes that your young teen is going through as a middle-schooler.

The interactive discussion following the presentation by Drs. Lee and Neel will provide techniques, suggestions and strategies for every parent to easily grasp and readily implement.

Text Box: DATE: Thursday, January 31, 2008 (Snow date: Wednesday, February 20) TIME: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. LOCATION: Clarksville Middle School Cafeteria This FREE program is designed for parents. Please RSVP with your name and number attending to Shila Shah at shila815@gmail.com.