IMPORTANT DATES:

October 17                  PTA Executive Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
October 19                  MSTA Convention, schools closed for students
Oct 22 – Nov. 9            Harvest for Hungry Starts
November 2                 Professional Work Day, schools closed for students
November 12 – 16         American Education Week—come visit the classrooms
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

Football                      10/11
Soccer                         10/30; 11/6; and 11/8
Imani Club                    10/16; 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
Jazz Band                    Wednesdays starting 10/10
Please note: Intramurals are from 3:10 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Dear Friends and Families of Lime Kiln Middle School,

Today, progress reports were sent home with the students. This reports on each child’s progress through the first half of the marking period. Of course, your child’s progress is consistently updated on TeacherEase. Please call the school if you have not been able to access TeacherEase.

This week, as we continue through the 25 Rules of Civility from the book, Choosing Civility by P. M. Forni, we focus on Rule 6: Speak kindly. Here are some highlights from that chapter:

We have quite a golfer in our midst! Congratulations to Breana Nguyen who recently won the championship for the Plantation Tour, ages 8-11, in Virginia.

Sincerely,
Brenda Thomas

Our students of the week are: Michael Burgan, Taylor Peck, Brooke Reiholtz, Jade Reiholtz, Nikhil Khanna, Kelly Hidem, Nikki Martin and Victoria Lafemina.

THE RULES OF CIVILITY

Speak kindly

Speaking with consideration and kindness is at the heart of civil behavior. To speak kindly you need to be aware constantly that you are speaking to living, breathing, vulnerable human beings. Don’t discount the power of words. The thought that they might cause unnecessary hurt or discomfort should inform every conversation.

When you speak kindly to others, you manage to keep THEM in mind as you speak--which means keeping at bay, at least for a while, the pressing demands of YOUR needs. By speaking with kindness you will improve the lives of those around you. Your words of kindness can inspire others, rescue them from despair, and reconcile them with life.

You will lift their spirits.

TELEPHONE CALLS

We receive between 5 and 15 last minute parent phone calls daily and it is impossible for us to relay that many messages to the students. Therefore, we are requesting that you do not call to have messages given to your student after 2:45 p.m. Thank you for your cooperation.

Sixth Grade Friendly reminders and "gotta know info"!
*Signups for the after school program Aqua Havens CARES is happening right now. Students learn about aquatic research, complete environmental
education projects and earn service learning credit. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00. Applications are available from Mr. Keddell...

*We ask that you refrain from sending in birthday/party invitations to school. Please mail from home. This will help to prevent hurt feelings here at school.

*All sixth graders have a weekly reading log for their reading classes. Those logs need to be signed by a parent to verify the reading. Logs are either due Monday or Tuesday of each week depending on whether your student has reading on A or B days!

*Progress reports went home this Friday (9/5) in a white envelope which must be signed and returned to your student's homeroom teacher (envelope) on Monday.

*Teacherease (for grades) and Teacherweb (for homework) are available to you 24/7...don't forget you have these wonderful resources to follow your student's progress!

*Please also check the condition of your student's binder once a week to make sure it is organized (papers in the appropriated tabbed section- there should be NO LOOSE PAPERS) and that necessary supplies (pens, pencils, looseleaf etc) are still in ample supply!

*Harvest for the Hungry program will start on October 22nd and continue until November 9th. This program encourages students to give to those in need of help by donating non-perishable goods....so start stocking up on those canned goods! The sixth grade team wants to WIN the schoolwide competition this year!!!! It's a great cause!

*The Peer Buddy program will start this Friday during Core for those students who applied and were accepted to participate in the program. A general information meeting is scheduled for this Friday.

*Parents...please keep us up-to-date with accomplishments of your students outside of school. We hope to create a wall of student accomplishments and to announce them on our morning news program here at school. We want to encourage our students to strive to be the best that they can be. Send any information to catherine_mundy@hcpss.org.

Bryana Nguyen - Champion of the Plantation Tour for Girls 8-11 at the Lakeview Golf Course in Harrisonburg, VA this past weekend. Bryana shot an 80 on her first round of golf and a 74 on her second! Congratulations to Bryana- you make us Leopard proud!

PTA NEWS

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

FRIDGE NOTE – SAVE THE DATES

Saturday, Oct. 27th LKMS Daedalus Book Fair (see details below)
Tues, Nov. 13th Cheeburger, Cheeburger “Gotta Eat” Night
Weds, Feb. 27th Three Brothers “Gotta Eat” Night

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

Seibels Dine for Charity -

For four weeks, from September through October, Seibel’s dining customers will be given a Charity Ballot with their check. Each customer will have the opportunity to select a nonprofit organization or local school from the ballot at each visit. That organization will receive a donation equal to 5% of the amount of the guest’s check.
leo

10/15 NPAC Healthy Food Alternatives and upcoming Vendor Fair at Faulkner
Ridge. PTA and Boosters are invited to sample healthy alternatives for sale
at sporting events

The PTA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE is underway. Want a chance to win a LeapFrog Fly Pen? They are really cool!! Join the PTA today and have your name submitted into the raffle to win one. Drawing will be at the end of October. 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.

HELP NEEDED WITH HONOR ROLL INCENTIVES

At the end of each quarter, the PTA acknowledges our Honor Roll students with a small celebration. Parents are needed to help with these events, as we have over 400 students each quarter who make the Honor Roll. The plan for the 2007-2008 school year is as follows:

First Quarter -- Pizza Party

6th Grade: Nov 14th (1:45 - 3:00PM)
7th Grade: Nov 15th (1:45 - 3:00PM)
8th Grade: Nov 16th (1:45 - 3:00PM)

Second Quarter -- Popcorn & A Movie

6th Grade: Feb 13th (1:45 - 3:00PM)
7th Grade: Feb 14th (1:45 - 3:00PM)
8th Grade: Feb 15th (1:45 - 3:00PM)

Third Quarter -- Ice Cream Social

6th Grade: Apr 21st (1:45 - 3:00PM)
7th Grade: Apr 22nd (1:45 - 3:00PM)
8th Grade: Apr 23rd (1:45 - 3:00PM)

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

Direct Donation - It's not too late to get that end of the year tax donation while supporting one of your favorite causes, your children. LKMS PTA is still seeking direct donations to support the many programs and services it offers your children and teachers. Our PTA estimates that it spends $60 a year for every child, and every dollar of your donation goes directly to those services. If you do not like to sell or fundraise, this is a perfect option for you to show your support to your school. You can make your check payable to LKMS PTA and place it in an envelope marked Direct Donation -PTA and have your child give it to their homeroom teacher. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation from the school. Any questions, please feel free to e-mail or call Leanne Glueck at lglueck@earthlink.net, 301-604-7150.

Lime Kiln Middle School PTA is seeking a HC DrugFree Representative:
HC DrugFree is trying to get representatives at all the middle schools this year. Most of the communication will be through email with a few meetings. For more information contact myself, Lynn Martins lynn@seibelsrestaurant.com or Laura Smit, Executive Director, HC DrugFree www.hcdrugfree.org
Tel. & Fax: 410-799-4879.
PTA Events for October through December:

2007

OCTOBER

            17    7:00 PTA Meeting
            27   Daedalus Book Fair
            29    3:00 SIT Meeting

NOVEMBER

American Education Week
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

COMMUNITY INFORMATION
All middle school students and parents Atholton High School is offering a Field Hockey Clinic:

When: This Saturday, Oct 6th
Time: 9AM - 12 Noon
Run by: Jim Brown, Varsity Coach and Sabrina Clever, JV Coach
Equipment needed: shin & mouth guards, stick, and cleats or sneakers plus bring your own water and food (if desired)
Registration: starts at 8:30am Saturday morning

Contact Meg Durso via email for registration and information @ megldurso@comcast.net or 443-398-0944.

Thank you so much for your help in spreading the word. Time is of the essence and we appreciate you making this e-Schoolnewsletter a priority!

Jim Brown, AHS Varsity Field Hockey Coach
Sabrina Clever, AHS JV Field Hockey Coach
Meg Durso, AHS Field Hockey Clinic Coordinator