IMPORTANT DATES:

Oct 22 – Nov. 9            Harvest for the Hungry Starts
November 6            PICTURE MAKE UP DAY
November 2                 Professional Work Day, schools closed for students
November 12 – 16         American Education Week—come visit the classrooms
November 14                COFFEE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, 9:00 a.m.
November 19 – 20        Schools close 3 hours early for Parent Conferences
November 21, 22, 23    No school for students.

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

Soccer                         11/6; and 11/8
Imani Club                    11/13; 12/11; 1/8; 2/5; 2/26; 4/15; 5/20 and 6/10
Coed Basketball            1/11; 1/29; 1/31 and 2/7

Please note: Intramurals are from 3:10 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

There is no letter from Mrs. Thomas this week—she’s a Grandma!
William "Will" Joseph Sharkee was born at 9:21 p.m. on Saturday, October 27th. He weighed in at 7lbs 13 1/2 inches and was 21 1/2 inches long.
Will and Grandma Thomas are both doing well!

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES…Lime Kiln Middle School will once again be using the Pick A Time program for scheduling conferences on November 19, 20 and 21. A letter will be coming home with the students today explaining how to access the program. In order to schedule conferences you will need your students’ ID number which is located on the top of the conference letter.

HARVEST FOR THE HUNGRY….The kick off for the Harvest for the Hungry Food Drive was Monday, Oct. 22. There is a homeroom contest to see which homeroom will bring in the most food by the pound. Mr. Belden will weigh the food in the gym each morning. The 7th and 8th grade town council representatives will work with Cedar Lane students to separate and pack the food. We will also have a grade level competition among the students where the leading student contributor in each grade level will receive an ITune card. The Related Arts Team will sponsor Quarter Day at the beginning of second quarter. Each student in the school is asked to bring $.25 to their Related Arts class for collection. At Thanksgiving 6 families in our school community who need assistance will receive Thanksgiving dinner baskets along with other non-perishable foods. The quarters are use to purchase perishable items for the Thanksgiving dinners. If money is left over we will purchase grocery store gift cards for the families. Please support this very worthwhile charity by sending in canned and packaged items. Thank you for your continuous generosity. Cindy Dupski

8th Grade English News:
English students will be beginning SAT practice during Core Plus. In mini-lessons during the 2nd and 3rd quarters, students will learn some basic facts about this test so important to their future, and will be exposed to various types of language arts questions in the areas of critical reading and writing. The College Board, the agency that develops and administers the SAT, offers a free preparations service called "SAT Question of the Day." Go to www.collegeboard.com and click on "SAT Question of the Day" at their home page to register.

Mr. Shifflett’s core-plus students are working with Dr. Ron Coleman, of California State University, on their service-learning project for this year. The students get to design authentic research experiments on convict cichlids (a fish species from South America). They will be collecting data from their experiments and communicating with Dr. Coleman about their projects.

This week the students are going to be deciding on a problem for their project. They will be working on gathering information for their experiment and will continue to work on the maintenance of their own experimental fish tanks.

GREEN SCHOOLS INFORMATION COLUMN
Welcome to the Green Schools initiative information column. Lime Kiln Middle School, toward the end of the 2006-’07 school year and now during 2007-’08, began a steady buildup toward applying for the State of Maryland Green Schools status and awards program. In the coming weeks, this space will alert parents/guardians and friends of the Lime Kiln Middle School Community of opportunities to support our students as they put into place the programming for not only a successful application, but a Green Schools “culture”. We must meet multiple criteria by completing authentic activities found within each of the following overall objectives.

Objective 1 - Curriculum and instruction
Objective 2 - Operation, design and maintenance of school building and grounds
Objective 3 - School community
If you would like to know more immediately and become a Green Schools volunteer at LKMS, please contact Bob Keddell at ROBERTKEDDELL@hcpss.org.

SERVICE LEARNING NEWS
LKMS is building a three year cycle of programming to help students fulfill their Service Learning Secondary requirement for the State of Maryland. Entitled “Leadership, Service and the Environment”, this organized and forward thinking effort has already been recognized by the State Dept of Education as exemplary in its planning and integration of Service Learning Best Practices. Grade 6 is beginning its second year of development focusing on the Chesapeake Bay, while Grade 7 will launch its World Environments during 3rd quarter. Grade 8 will come onboard in 2008-2009 focusing on History, Culture and the Environment.

Current news flashes would include . . .

Grade 6 is about to launch it’s “Chesapeake Celebrations” year-long program on November 9 and the 16 with the dramatization of the play “Who Killed Rocky Rockfish?” The 16th performance will be in the evening at the Maple Lawn Community Center.
Grade 6 teachers have prepared 50 lessons to ready the students for their outdoor education experience at Camp Lett’s.
Mr. Shifflett’s Grade 7 “Cichlid Wall” research program, in cooperation with professional and university researchers who are reviewing student projects, has now been recognized nationally by the American Cichlid Association as an important contribution to the field of aquatic science.
The Grade 7 team is also preparing to deliver up to 50 lessons about world environments with identified ways the team can conduct service to such important topics as ocean reefs, rainforests and mountain environments.

Watch here for more SERVICE LEARNING NEWS. . .

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (YDC)
The After School Youth Development Initiative for authentic service learning now has students engaged in both a Rocketry Program and a Program entitled Aqua Havens C.A.R.E.S. Students earn service-learning credit by completing such requirements as teaching rocketry within a buddy system or raising and reporting on species of fish listed on an international endangered species list. Congratulations to the Aqua Havens CARES team who have successfully bred the Grandidieri cichlid from Madagascar. Those baby fry will be shipped to both other CARES schools as well as to the prestigious New York City Public Aquarium. In the future, the YDC hopes to have both a Native Maryland plant species program and a Shared Summits Climbing Team.

AN EXTRACURRICULAR ALERT!!
Mr. Jackson will offer an opportunity to learn all about the weather in a “Wild Weather” after school program. The facts behind the opportunity are as follows.
Dates: Nov. 12, 26; Dec. 4,10, 17; Jan. 8,15, 22 Time: 3:15 – 4:30
Cost: $35.00 Checks payable to the PTA
Topics: Clouds to Storms; Winter Storms; Hurricanes:; Tornadoes; Heliophysics
Potential Field Trips: Howard University Weather Center and the NASA Center at Goddard
Contact Mr. Jackson at LKMS for further applications and information

RAIN GARDEN ALERT
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!First proposed by student Jack Siglin in 2006-2007 as a remediation project to address serious erosion issues on school property, the LKMS Rain Garden Study Plot of native Maryland plant species is reaching fruition. We are looking for adult volunteers to support students working to plant the 1500 square foot garden soon to be found just off the basketball courts. If you can commit time helping students plant during the school day on November 8th, please send an email contact to Bob Keddell at Robert_Keddell@hcpss.org. This new garden will be a compliment to our Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem project that has also begun to take shape on school grounds. Thank you for your support.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Atholton High School’s Theatre Department is producing the stirring drama The Diary of Anne Frank, a Pulitzer Prize winning play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, based upon Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman. Performances of this compelling play will be Thursday through Saturday, November 1-3, 2007 at 7:00 PM, with a Sunday matinee on November 4 at 3:00 PM. Atholton High School's address is 6520 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD 21044, between Cedar Lane and Route 29.

Based on the diary of a gifted teenager living through extraordinary times, The Diary of Anne Frank puts a human face on the terrors of the Nazi era. The Frank family and the Van Daan family hid for more than two years in an attic above their business in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation. ~This play “captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence—their fear, their hope, their laughter, their grief.” The families find moments of love and enjoyment with the pressure of death just outside their door. This stunning and powerful revised script starred Natalie Portman on Broadway in 1997. See Atholton put on The Diary of Anne Frank for just $6.00 in advance, $10.00 at the door, and $8.00 for students. This production will be reviewed by the Cappies of Baltimore. Call 410-313-7065 for more information, or visit http://www.atholtonboosters.org/drama/index.htm

Dayton Oaks…Please consider visiting Dayton Oaks Elementary School on Wednesday, November 14, from 5:00-7:00 pm. At this time, a reception will be held to "unveil" our tile wall hanging. This artwork was completed by the first year students and staff. Our fifth graders from last year who are currently in middle school are also welcome to attend this event. There is no formal program, so come any time on November 14 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The PTA is providing light refreshments.

From the PTA:
Box Top$ for Education – The first submission was October 31st and it looks like LKMS raised over $200. So keep clipping those box tops and dropping them in the box in the entry way near the office.

FRIDGE NOTE – SAVE THE DATES

Tues, Nov. 13th Cheeburger, Cheeburger “Gotta Eat” Night – (Bring the flyer on the last page of the Leopards Tale to donate 15% of your sale to LKMS!!!)

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

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

Join the LKMS Hospitality Committee! The next big event for our committee is the Teacher and Staff Conference Dinner on November 19, 2007. We plan to serve dinner to the teachers and staff who are still at school for parent/teacher conferences. This allows the teachers and staff to take a nice dinner break and still accommodate as many parents as possible on the first night of conferences. If you have not already been contacted to help, and would like to help by setting up, cleaning up or providing some food, please email Moira Monk at mdmonks@comcast.net or call her at (410) 531-6752. Thank you.

Family Night at The Fulton Pottery Studio:

November 30, Lime Kiln will host another family pottery night at The Studio in Fulton. The Studio will donate 15% of the proceeds to LKMS so stop by with your friends and family on Friday, November 30 from 4:00- 8:30 to paint your own pottery. What a great way to get a jump on your holiday shopping, help LKMS and have fun with your friends. Visit the Studio anytime to preview your pottery options. For an online visit go to www.fultonpottery.com

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.

From HC DrugFree:
Below is a link to a short article on Yahoo's front page on what's in energy drinks, with amounts of caffeine, and commentary on combining energy drinks with alcohol. Along the same lines as the energy drinks article in the Fall 2007 issue of the HC DrugFree newsletter (which you can view at www.hcdrugfree.org.)

The Downsides of Bottled Water and Energy Drinks
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/12252/the-downsides-of-bottled-water-and-energy-drinks

PTA MEMBERSHIP - It’s not too late to join. The PTA is still accepting memberships and will continue to accept them through the end of March. The PTA is encouraging every mother AND father of every student to join this year. Any questions, contact me -- Jeanne Lineberry at mjcilineb@verizon.net or call me (301) 317-1766. I look forward to seeing your name on our membership roster

STUDENTS GET CREATIVE WITH THE 2007-2008 REFLECTIONS PROGRAM
"I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY"... is the inspiring theme for the National Reflections Program. Participating students can interpret this theme in 6 creative categories: LITERATURE, PHOTOGRAPHY, VISUAL ARTS (Example: drawing, painting, collage and printmaking), FILM/VIDEO, DANCE and MUSIC! Don't limit yourself to just 1 category! Last year we had a record breaking number of Reflections entries. Each one was unique and they were all phenomenal creative efforts. The judges for our school entries are all professionals in those fields and they were highly impressed by the efforts last year. There are 4 levels of competition where the 4 winners in each category proceed to the next level: first is your school, then county, state and finally national. Award ceremonies and certificates of participation and winner placement are given out at each level. Those dates will be announced. Along with those honors is the extra credit that your teachers give for completed entries by the deadline date. Please ask ALL your teachers whether they are giving extra credit. Simple rule/participation forms will be available in the front office along with a drop box for completed entries and forms. It is extremely important to fill out your Title and brief Artist Statement on your forms. START DATE: OCTOBER 8TH/DEADLINE: DECEMBER 10TH.

Don't hesitate to call with any questions. Be sure to visit: www.pta.org/local_leadership_subprogram_1116958614281.html for more information and to view last years winning entries. The Reflections Committee is looking forward to seeing all your creativity in interpreting the theme "I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY"...
REFLECTIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR, Judi Neckritz
H443-535-8632 OR jneckritz @comcast.net

PTA Events for November and December:

2007

NOVEMBER

12    American Education Week
13    Gotta Eat Night        ‘           CheeburgerCheeburger”
            14 9:30 Coffee with Admin.
            14    2:15 6th Grade Honor Roll
14    7:00 PTA Meeting
15    2:15 7th Grade Honor Roll
16    2:15 8th Grade Honor Roll
            19   4:00 Staff Conference Dinner
            26    3:15 SIT Meeting

DECEMBER

19 7:00 PTA Meeting

The River Hill High School Drama Department will perform It’s a Wonderful Life on November 7, 8, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances n November 10 and 11 at 2:00 p.m. For the Thursday, November 8 performance, anyone who donates a canned good or non-perishable food item will receive the advanced sale price of $8.00 at the door. Tickets can be ordered by mail by going to the RHHS website and downloading an order form. If you have any questions, or need further information, contact Pam Land (pland@hcpss.org) or call 410-313-7120. There are many former LKMS students in the production.

HOWARD COUNTY AUTISM SOCIETY…The Howard County Autism Society, along with AMC14 in Columbia, will be offering a sensory-friendly movie experience for families with special needs. AMC Theaters at Columbia Mall will be showing the Bee Movie on Saturday November 10 at 9:30 am. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5. For further information, contact Marianne Ross at 301-436-1766.

Reservoir High School Presents "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS!" a zany, fun-filled musical about a nerdy plantkeeper, a sadistic dentist and his ditsy blonde girlfriend whose lives are turned upside down by a man-eating plant! Great for the whole family-maybe a little bit scary for younger children, but in a silly sort of way! November 15, 16, and 17 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available at the door and
are $10 for adult, $6 for students with school ID, and $3 for kids under 12.

HCDrugFree--upcoming program at AHS on November 8th, on teenage depression and stress. The speaker will be Dr. David Gold, a counselor in private practice and the program will run from 7-8:30 pm.

River Hill Poms… My name is Christie Ficke and I am one of the new coaches of the Poms Squad at River Hill High School. We would like to invite all second-eighth graders to attend our 10th annual poms clinic at River Hill on November 17, 2007 from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m..

The clinic is a great opportunity for the students to get to know the RHHS Poms squad and to learn and enhance their dance skills before they enter high school. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me at csquared-aggies@att.net
Christie Ficke, RHHS Poms Coach