IMPORTANT DATES:

December 14                Progress reports issued.
December 24 – Jan 1    Winter Break—schools closed.
January 2                     Schools reopen

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.

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 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.

Dear Friends and Families of Lime Kiln Middle School,

Thanks to all of our parents who met with teachers during Parent-Teacher Conference Week. It is always a pleasure to see you here at Lime Kiln. Also, I would also like to thank our exceptional PTA for providing dinner for the staff Monday night. We are so thankful for your efforts.

Winter is here! However, we still have students coming to school in shorts and short sleeved shirts without coats. We do go out to recess every day unless it is raining or snowing. Please remind your students to dress warmly for school.

This week, as we continue through the 25 Rules of Civility from the book, Choosing Civility by P. M. Forni, we focus on Rule 12: Be agreeable. Below are highlights from that chapter:

Please join us on December 10th at 7 p.m. for the annual Winter Band and Orchestra Concert. I know our students and teachers have been working hard to prepare for this special time of year.

Sincerely,
Brenda Thomas

Our students of the week are: Leah Ndenecho, Matt Heron, Eric Krissen, Kendall Tayman, Alexandra Landau, Michael Burdette, Joseph Perry and Karli Smiraglia.

THE RULES OF CIVILITY:

12. Be agreeable

Do you know people who are incapable or unwilling to harmonize their needs & preferences with those of others? I am put off by them because chronic dissenters are a tiresome bunch. I am also fascinated by them because they seem to be at ease with their own inflexibility. Compromise is not a dirty word in my book.

We need agreement in our lives because it is gratifying & healing; it is the foundation of social harmony. Of course, disagreement can be productive. “A little rebellion, now & then, is a good thing,” observed Thomas Jefferson. In disagreement alone, we couldn’t survive.

In ordinary circumstances—at home, at work, at school, in traffic, at the mall, in a restaurant—we can make a positive difference in the life of others (and in our own) by just being pleasant to them. Plentiful rewards await those who manage to be pleasant.

Reminder to 8th Grade Parents:
Eighth grade homeroom teachers are currently collecting money and permission slips for the springtime trip to see Romeo and Juliet at Goucher College. The $15 fee and signed slip are due in by Friday, Dec. 7. Please send word to your student's homeroom teacher for a new form if needed and get those responses in. We will not be needing parent chaperones on this trip. Questions? Contact trip organizer Cindy Clemens Cynthia_Clemens@hcpss.org.

Counselors Corner
All of our LKMS eighth graders enjoyed Career Day on Tuesday, November 20. We were very fortunate to have many speakers share their enthusiasm and information about their careers with our students. Our outstanding presenters included:

Bureau of Prisons, Carole Durkee
Chiropractor, Brian Morrison, D.C.
College Lacrosse Coach, Meghan Miller from Brown University
Engineer, John Monk
Environmental Scientist, Allen Gellis
Federal Agent, Mark Supple
Military, Cadet Craig Velencia ,US Coast Guard
Public Relations/Advertising, Greg Bader of the Baltimore Orioles
Retail, Erika Comacho of Nordstrom’s in Columbia
Secret Service, Agent Greg Alligood
Television Producer, Renee Richards of Channel13 Eyewitness News
Veterinarian, Dr. Jeff Rhody

The LKMS guidance department extends our sincere thanks to these wonderful speakers who generously gave their time and effort to make our Annual LKMS Career Day a success. We are always looking for new and exciting careers to share with our students. If you or someone you know is interested in sharing information about a career with our students next year, please contact us at 410-880-5997.

GREEN SCHOOLS COLUMN
Green Schools works to involve students in a comprehensive set of opportunities to “make a difference”. Target topics continue to be identified for student and community work as we head toward the April application for Green School status. Here are some sample target topics we are looking to address. (1.) Conducting a School Energy Assessment building on previous work accomplished (2.) Developing a Schoolyard Environment Learning Trail (3. )Addressing runoff issues and impervious surfaces and (4.) Implementing specialized Programs like Aqua Havens for species “at risk”. We look forward to getting all of these topics and more off the ground in the coming months and for our proposed formation of a Green Schools Committee in January, 2008.
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SERVICE LEARNING NEWS
LKMS has many outstanding partners in education. We are partnered with the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland Sea Grant, the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation and the Earth Treks Climbing Centers. The partners have helped us put together programming that includes the Chesapeake Bay Spartina Grasses planting program, the Raise and Release Bay Fishes Program, Shared Summits and a special residency program featuring the work of watermen of the Chesapeake Bay for Grade 6. The planned exchanges between partners, students and the missions of the organizations outside the school add up to rich experiences for everyone. If you are a member of an organization that might like to partner with the school to set up planned programs for the School, please contact Bob Keddell at LKMS to discuss the signature partnership process.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (YDC)
The Youth Development Center welcomed 10 new members to the Aqua Havens program this past Tuesday. The new members were “acclimated” and partnered with one of our Aqua Havens veterans to view the total operation and quickly get “wet”. Now called Aqua Havens CARES, the program is steadily increasing its connection to scientists and professionals in the field. This week we finished building an “in tank” incubator for our Polleni fish from Madagascar. The plans for the incubator came from England, home to the foremost successful breeders of this highly endangered animal. Congratulations to Daniel Geldof and his Atholton high school helper, Peter Brown, for the work and attention to detail on this great service project. Now, if we could get some eggs…..finally, please watch this space for a new YDC program, “Shared Summit – Kilimanjaro” as we hope to put together a team of students who will closely follow an Earth Treks African Mountain Climbing Expedition. The expedition will feature climbers who are cancer survivors and are working to build cancer research awareness. LKMS will be working to bring service learning into this exciting program “Base Camp Kilimanjaro to the LKMS Base Camp.”

A PARTNER ALERT
Lime Kiln Middle School Partner, the Earth Treks Climbing Centers, will be the stars on an NBC special. Chris Warner, a spokesperson for the LKMS Youth Development Center, and his K2 Climbing Team will be featured in their 2007 successful summit of the second highest mountain in the world. More about this next week as Chris and his team will be back at Lime Kiln this winter speaking to students about leadership and teamwork.
From Chris yesterday . . .

“The TV Show: NBC is hard at work editing the show, to air on Sunday, December 16th at 2 pm EST. It will be televised nationwide through local NBC channels and on December 28th on Universal HD TV.”

From the PTA:

Spiritwear – Spiritwear went out this week! If you have any questions about your order please call Andrea Keating at 240-601-4413 or email her at andrea@crewscontrol.com
Thank your for showing your Leopard spirit!
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.

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

REFLECTIONS CONTEST DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING! - All Reflection entries must be received no later than December 10th to participate in the contest and to get extra credit from your teachers. The rules, entry form and entry drop box are in the front office. We can't wait to see all your creative entries in Literature, Art, Photography, Dance, Video and Music. All participants and their families will be informed of the Awards Ceremony date. It's not too late to participate ... start getting creative now!

Reflections Chair, Judi Neckritz
443-535-8632 jneckritz@comcast.net

A great big THANK YOU to all the parents and students who helped make our November 19 Conference Day Dinner a success! The teachers and staff were treated to a cozy dinner of soup, salad, assorted rolls and many desserts. Without everyone’s assistance, we could not have hosted such a lovely dinner. Thank you to Mrs. Dupski for letting us use her room, it made it so much easier. When you see the people listed below, please thank them for a job well done: Tonya Howes, Kathy Liu, Angie Feeney, Adora Wonodi, Jessica Rinaldi, Jenny Leopold, Katie DeBlasis, Maureen Bentz, Pat Wheeler, Barbara Sherry, Avis Dyson, Sandy Rogers, Caitlyn Rogers, Sean Rogers, Donna Collins, Sarah King, Stephanie Harman, Leanne Glueck, Moira Monk, Maureen Monk, Jack Monk, Mary Kay Pappadeas, Kathy Taylor, Leslie Lutz, Kim Stubbings, Eliza Stubbings, Lynn Martins, Tracy Fultz, Debbie Tayman, Tracy McLaughlin, Alex Dunbar, Monica Spain, Mary Rose Jobst, and anyone we may have inadvertently left off the list. THANK YOU!

WHAT’S UP NEXT WITH THE HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE? Well, we are asking for COOKIES; lots and lots of COOKIES. Homemade is great but no COOKIES will be turned away. We need dozens and dozens of COOKIES! December 20 is drop off day! Please contact Moira Monk at mdmonks@comcast.net if you would like to donate COOKIES to the Hospitality committee.

PTA Coat drive - The PTA Coat Drive is now over. Thank you to the Lime Kiln Community for supporting this community service activity. LKMS collected over 50 coats, hats, scarves, mittens and gloves. These items will be given to Howard County students and their families who have financial needs. You should have a warm spot in your heart, knowing you helped out those in need this winter.

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.

PTA MEMBERSHIP NEWS

If you have not joined the PTA, you missed out on winning the Flypen. The drawing was held last Thursday during the morning announcements. The PTA would like to congratulate PATRICIA WHEELER for winning the Pen. Patricia received her Flypen last Saturday. Thank you to all of you who have joined. We still are seeking members, so if you have not sent in your dues, please do it right away. It's not too late. Any questions regarding membership, contact Jeanne Lineberry at jeanne_lineberry@verizon.net or (301) 317-1766.

Used Ink Cartridges - The Music Department is collecting used ink cartridges and cell phones. Please send them in and put them in the Ink Cartridge 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 Events for December through February:

2007

DECEMBER

7:00 PTA Meeting

2008

JANUARY

           7   7:30 PTAC Meeting
         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”

The Howard County School Health Council will hold meetings on the following dates:

Executive Mtgs: 12/20/07 - Faulkner Ridge Center - Chesapeake Room;
2/21/08 - Central Office - Mid Level 2; and 4/17/08 - Faulkner Ridge Center - Chesapeake Room

Full Council Mtgs: 1/10/08 - Faulkner Ridge Center - Susquehanna Room; 3/13/08 - Faulkner Ridge Center - Patuxent Room; 5/15/07 - Faulkner Ridge Center - Patuxent Room

All meetings begin at 9:00 am. If schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather the meeting will be canceled.

CANDLELIGHT CONCERTS

Candlelight Concerts will present Charlotte’s Web on Sunday, December 2, 2007 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. at Smith Theatre. Suitable for ages 4 and older.

Candlelight Concerts will present Music Makes the World Go ‘Round with Trio Solisti, on Sunday, December 9, 2007 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. at Smith Theatre. From Beethoven and Haydn to Gershwin and Copeland, enjoy a personal visit with this world-renowned trio of violin, cello and piano, who delight children of all ages.

For more information, call 443-367-3122 or go to www.candlelightconcerts.orgor info@candlelightconcerts.org.

CAPITOL DEBATE

Capitol Debate will host a winter debate workshop for middle school students in grades 6 – 8. The workshop will take place at Centennial High School every Tuesday, January 15 – March 25, 2008 from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. A Debate League will take place at the same location from 5:15 – 6:30 p.m. for students who have participated in a previous workshop, are enrolling in the winter workshop, or have a recommendation from their middle school debate coach. Register at www.capitol-debate.com. Contact Ron Bratt at 443-538-4992 or bratt@capitol-debate.com.

Capitol Debate, will host a winter Public Speaking workshop for 4th and 5th graders. Students will learn how to confidently present a speech before an audience. Dates: Thursdays, January 17 – March 27, 2008. Location: River Hill High School. Times: 2 sessions to choose from – Session 1: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.; Session 2: 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. Register at www.capitol-debate.com. Contact Ron Bratt at 443-538-4992 or bratt@capitol-debate.com.

HCYP BASEBALL – REGISTRATION GOING ON NOW!!

Rec program for ages 5 – 18. Season starts in early March. The league always fills up quickly, so register early! Beginners through advanced level players will benefit from a learning & encouraging baseball environment. For more information, go to www.hcyp.org and click on “Baseball” or contact Brad Smith at 410-772-8099 or hcyprecbaseball@aol.com.

HCYP GIRL’S FASTPITCH SOFTBALL-REGISTRATION GOING ON NOW!!

Rec program for ages 6 – 17. Season starts in early March. There is a place for everyone from beginners to experienced players to learn & enjoy the game. Registration now will insure ability to attend winter clinics. For more information, go to www.hcyp.org and click on “Softball”. You may also contact Aaron Schwartz, at 410-599-8026 or aaronhcyp@comcast.net and Al Arsenault at 410-476-4731 or al.arsenault@gmail.com.

HOWARD COUNTY AUTISM SOCIETY AND AMC THEATRES

The Howard County Autism Society and AMC Theatres at Columbia Mall will present a sensory-friendly movie experience for all families with special needs. They will feature the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” movie on Saturday, December 15, 2007. The movie starts at 9:30 a.m., doors open at 8:45 a.m. The price is $6 per person. There will be 2 movie theatres open for maximum seating. Lights and sound will be adjusted and sensory breaks are encouraged. For more information, contact Marianne Ross at 410-379-1072.

MIDDLE PATUXENT NURSERY SCHOOL

Middle Patuxent Nursery School, located at the Meeting Room next to the River Hill pool, will hold an Open House on December 7 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Parents and prospective students are welcome to attend. The school will also have a table at the annual Preschool Fair at the Ten Oaks Ballroom, on
January 19, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. A second Open House will be held at the school on February 15. More information, as well as an application for enrollment can be found at www.mpns.net or by calling 443-535-9030.

SLAYTON HOUSE

Slayton House has planned a new and exciting season of “Musical Theatrix” beginning the week of January14, 2008 with Directors Judy Templeton and Shari Grue. Classes in the “Performing Arts” will be available for kids in grades 1 – 8. For more information, call 410-772-9448 or
e-mail Musicaltheatrix@hotmail.com.

FREE CONCERT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY…Please join the Columbia Concert Band for its annual Winter Concert on Sunday, December 9, 2007. This FREE performance will take place at 3:00 pm at River Hill High School. Refreshments will be provided by the Band members. No tickets are required. Questions, please call 301-596-9783.

Looking for a holiday show to get you in the holiday mood? Do you want to see a Lime Kiln Teacher perform in the show? Well, if the answer is yes, then you need to get tickets to The Nutcracker. Phoenix Rising Dance Studio is putting on the show and Mr. Glaze is playing the part of Drosselmeyer. The show will be at the Rouse Theater (Wilde Lake High School) on December 21st (6:30) and 22nd (1:30 & 6:30). Tickets are $15. Call the studio at 410-290-6611 for your tickets.

HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENT SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESENTS… WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?? AN INVITATION…

WHO: Parents of Middle and High School Students

WHAT: Come for coffee, cookies and a free presentation
by Betty Caldwell, M.A. Director of the popular Stressless Tests™ Study Skills Program (www.Stresslesstests.org)

WHEN: Tuesday December 4, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Homewood Center

10914 Route 108, Ellicott City, 21042

Learn the surprising top 5 reasons students don’t test well,
even if they do well in class

Find out the one study technique you can use with your child to improve performance in every class

Take the stress out of homework time: learn how to coach your child to greater self-responsibility.

For questions call Betty Caldwell 410-740-4659