Principal’s Message Hello TEAM LANCER, Each day before we say the pledge of allegiance, I say, “Good Morning Team Lancer!” With our uniform initiative firmly in place, school spirit abounds, and we are truly one team. An average of 90% come to school in uniform each day. Uniforms promote an academic environment and a positive school culture. The impact is evident as you walk through our campus. We have gained instructional time with the absence of dress code violations; the students feel a sense of pride. Tardies and all discipline offenses are significantly down. Students do have choices in the uniforms. Any Lockhart T-Shirt can be worn – including all club and athletic shirts from our school. Our AVID students just designed a shirt, and many more clubs plan to show off their team spirit. We are selling shirts and polos in the front office. Parent and community involvement is one of our missions. There are so many ways to stay connected throughout the year. Our Facebook page can send you instant updates and photos. ProgressBook can send you text messages or emails if your student misses an assignment. Teachers send out weekly email updates, and I also send frequent school messenger updates via phone and/or email. It is vital that we have your current contact information. If you are not receiving messages, please call the front the office and have them check. Lockhart is strengthening our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program with the expansion Project Lead the Way, a nationally recognized engineering program. We have a three year plan to make more STEM classes available. Our Fall and Spring parents nights will be STREAM nights – adding Reading and Arts. We want to focus on the whole child, and these nights will showcase how our departments work together to give students exposure to many fields. We hope to see you there. Thanks so much to our strong and growing PTSA and newly formed SAC committee. Please come to meetings. We welcome your voice. As always, if you have any questions or comments, contact the school at 407-296-5120. It is truly an honor to serve the Lockhart community. GO LANCERS! Sincerely, Allison Kirby Principal
For the Parents, Staff, Students & Community of Lockhart Middle School
Volume 20, Number 5 October 2015
www.lockhartmiddle.ocps.k12.fl.us.
Our mission
Our mission is to ensure learning for all students, maximizing their academic, social, and emotional growth through a partnership with parents and the community. If you have any suggestions that will help our faculty improve instruction or services, please feel free to send them to our Principal.
OCPS EEO NON-DISCRIMINATON STATEMENT
The School Board of Orange County, Florida, does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by law. The following individuals at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, attend to compliance matters: ADA Coordinator & Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Supervisor: Carianne Reggio; Section 504 Coordinator: Latonia Green; Title IX Coordinator: James Larsen. (407.317.3200)
2 6th and 7th Grade
8th grade
Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! My name is Waletta Smith and I am the 6th and 7th grade Counselor. I am very excited about the great beginning to this school year and look forward to working with your child. Starting off the school year on the right foot is crucial for year round success. By implementing a variety of study skills, students are able to take ownership for how and what they learn. Use the following practices as a guide to help your child attain academic success. 1. Designate a “distraction free” zone for homework completion. 2. Use your planner every day to jot down upcoming assignments, projects, and tests. 3. Study notes on a daily basis. I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the school year. Please do not hesitate to contact me at waletta.smith@ocps.net or (407) 296-5120 ext.5162513 regarding your child’s emotional and academic needs. If you would like to schedule a parent teacher conference, please contact Mrs. Colleen Hrabrick at ext.5162221. Mrs. Smith, 6th and 7th Grade Counselor.
Greetings Eighth Grade Parents, It is an exciting time for all 8th grade students as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their education. Now, is the time to consider if your student is interested in applying for one of the OCPS high school magnet programs. Magnet programs provide an opportunity for students to engage in intensive study in specific areas. Magnets offer the opportunity for students to discover their talents and explore their interests while focusing on strong academic excellence. The magnet application is electronic and must be completed online at www.schoolchoice.ocps.net. The application will not be available until November. Deadlines to complete the magnet applications have not been published, but once that information is made available a notification will be sent home. Please talk with your students about performing well in all of their core and elective 8th grade classes. High school counselors will review their 8th grade transcripts and middle school FSA scores to determine class placement for their 9th grade year. The main feeder high schools: Wekiva and Edgewater will be coming out to Lockhart for presentations about specialized programs and for high school registration. Detailed information about these visits will be shared in the near future. Please contact Mrs. Colleen Hrabrick at ext.5162221 if you need to schedule a parent-teacher conference. Parental involvement is critical component that directly impacts the academic success of your child’s future. If you have any questions please email me at audra.gefter@ ocps.net or you can call me direct at 407-296-5120 ext.5162313. Ms. Gefter, 8th Grade School Counselor.
After School Procedures Any student that has not been picked up for a ride home by 4:00 PM (3:00 PM on Wednesdays) is to report to the cafeteria and sign in with the Boys and Girls Club After School Zone. NO STUDENT will be allowed to roam freely around campus waiting for a ride home.
TURN AROUND PROGRAM The Turn Around Program (TAP) is designed to increase the student achievement of those students that have below a 2.0 GPA. Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday students will be picked up 10 minutes early from their 7th period class and brought to the tutoring location. The program ends at 5:45pm. Students can exit the program when their GPA exceeds a 2.0.
3 PLEASE JOIN US! LMS PTSA Meeting Dates for upcoming months:
Morning Meetings
Upcoming events: •
Volunteers needed for PTSA Soccer Concessions: Tuesday Oct 6th, Thursday Oct 8th, Play Offs – Monday Oct 12th, Wednesday Oct 14th, Monday Oct 19th, Wednesday Oct 21st and Tuesday Oct 27th. Students, parents and friends please inquiry by email lockhartmiddle. ptsa@gmail.com or leave message for PTSA with school office, if you can be a Volunteer.
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Lockhart’s National Community Nite Out is Tuesday, Oct 6, 2015 from 7pm-9pm, at Mokanna Mason’s Lodge #329, 4925 ClarconaOcoee Road, Orlando FL 32810. More info on FB Page: People of Lockhart Community Association.
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November – Chick-Fil-A Calendars will be on sale in November for $8 on selected days in office, look for flyer sent home.
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Chick-Fil-A Sprit Night – Wednesday, November 11th from 5pm8pm. Invite your family and friends; wear your Lancer Blue or LMS Gear; and don’t forget to put your RECEIPT IN BUCKET and say you are there for LOCKHART MIDDLE.
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December – Look for PTSA to be selling snack concessions at LMS Music Concerts. Volunteers needed, please inquiry.
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January 2016 – If you missed PTSA’s Enjoy the City Coupon Fundraiser, coupon books will be on sale again in January, don’t miss out on great deals.
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Apopka Chipotle Spirit Night coming soon! LMS PTSA is excited for this NEW school fundraising opportunity! Please look for flyer soon!
Become a Volunteer Volunteers must complete an OCPS ADDitions Application at every campus where they volunteer. There is also an additional form that is required to be filled out any time an ADDitions Volunteer chaperones a field trip. OCPS requires ADDitions applications to be on file SIX WEEKS PRIOR to any field trip. We suggest parents complete the online application at the beginning of each year in anticipation of any type of volunteer work which may occur during the school year. The online application is located at https://www.ocps.net (click School Volunteer Sign Up under Quick Links). School volunteers must sign in and out at the main office. We look forward to seeing you on campus.
November 5 at 8:45 am in Band Room January 7, 2016 at 8:45 am in Band Room
Evening Meetings
November 5 at 6pm in Media Center December 3 at 6pm in Media Center January 7, 2016 at 6pm in Media Center Sign Up To Be a PTSA Member! Help Lockhart Middle reach its goal for Student and Parent Memberships and receive a prestigious Membership Awards from Florida PTA and Orange County PTA. Membership is ONLY $5 per member! ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO GET INVOLVED IN THEIR PTSA. In middle and high school the “S” is for STUDENT. Students can earn volunteer hours, get volunteer experience, earn certificates/recognition and awards. Any adult is welcome to join: - Parents - Teachers - Grandparents - Aunt/Uncles Community Members Back-To-School Membership Drive: Students vs Parents vs Facility. The winning group members will be entered in 3 raffles with prizes of store gift cards and Lancer Merchandise. Also the winning group’s grade will also get a Popsicle Party during their lunch period. Like Us on FACEBOOK: Lockhart Middle School PTSA Email Us: Lockhartmiddle.ptsa@gmail.com
‘The Medieval Times’ October 2015 Published Five Times Per Year Orange County Public Schools PO Box 271 Orlando, FL 32802-0271 Issue #5
Core Study Areas
4
Math
News
We are off to a great start this year in our Math classes. Students have already completed their getting started unit for the Power i3 Math format and are well on their way with learning their math standards. Every student should have been issued a consumable math worktext that they keep here at school (excluding the Geometry students). They all have access to their textbook on the computer via launch.ocps.net if they need to access information at home. In addition to the textbook on line, there is after school homework help in the Boys and Girls Club. This is a free service. You just need to sign up for Boys and Girls Club. You may also contact their math teacher to find out possible individual tutoring with them. Every student should come to class prepared with their school binder, planner, paper, and pencils. They should be writing their daily math homework assignments in their planner. We encourage you to use that as a tool to see what assignments they have for that evening.
CELL PHONES Lockhart has a NO CELL PHONE Policy during school hours. Phones must be turned off and put away from first Bell to last Bell. Violations of this policy will result in confiscation of the phone and be released only to parents.
DRESS CODE Lockhart uniform shirts are still on sale in the front office. Research shows schools that adopt a uniform dress code policy have an improved overall school climate by decreasing discipline problems. TOPS – (polos) – Blue (any shade), Black or White. Or ANY Lockhart T-shirt. BOTTOMS – (pants, shorts, skirts or skorts) – Khaki, Blue or Black. We are ONE TEAM…..TEAM LANCER! Let’s show our LANCER PRIDE!
Students have already been given their first Progress Report and their Report Cards go home November 6th. Please use parentaccess.ocps.net between progress reports and report cards to continually monitor your child’s grades. If you have any questions or concerns about your child and their progress in their math class, please contact us at the email addresses and/or phone extensions below:
Language Arts & Reading The Language Arts Department is thrilled to announce that we will be extending our traditional curriculum to include Digital Literacy! Our current society has been catapulted into the Information Age with overwhelming speed. Nearly every aspect of American life involves technology in a fundamental way. And this is only our current way of life. One can only imagine how much more our society will heavily depend on technology when our young Lancers are entering the competitive workforce in the near future. It is because of this inevitable necessity of technological competency that Orange County Public Schools has infused several valuable lessons on Digital Literacy into the Language Arts curriculum, including topics that range from Digital Footprints to Cyberbullying. Lockhart’s Language Arts is looking forward to helping your Lancer become a successful contributing member of society.
Core Study Areas
electives
Science
Band
Hello parents! So far this year, we have learned all about lab safety and what it means to “do good science.” Now, we are ready to explore! Here is what we will be exploring in the near future:
The Band members are actively working to prepare for their upcoming concerts and performances.
• • •
6th Grade Life Science 4The Cell 7th Grade Earth Space Science 4The Solar System 8th Grade Physical Science 4Motion and Energy
8th grade will also be working on embedded FCAT Science reviews which will occur throughout the entire school year. Your involvement is extremely important to student success. Here are some quick tips for helping your students succeed in science class:
Please notate your calendar for these performances: • 12/16/15 – Band/Orchestra Winter Concert @ Wekiva HS • 2/6/16 – Sunshine Jazz Festival Featuring Wycliffe Gordon @ Ocoee HS • 4/2/16 – Apopka Art & Jazz Festival • 2/18-20/16 – Jazz MPA • 2/19-20/16 – Band Solo & Ensemble @Walker MS • 3/10-12/16 – Band MPA @ Ocoee HS • 5/18/16 – Band Spring Concert @ Wekiva HS Band T-shirts are still on sale for $10 each and Band Sweatshirts are on sale for $25.
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Check your child’s Interactive Science Notebook.
Beginning Band members must have the shirt for their upcoming Winter Concert on December 16th. Please note the concert attire:
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Check the student planner for important dates, tests and homework.
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Beginning Band: Band Shirt, Black Dress Pants, Black Socks, Black Shoes
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Encourage your child to access their science textbook and study resources online at http://launch.ocps.net.
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Advanced & Jazz Band: White Tuxedo Shirt, Blue Bowtie, Cummerbund/Vest, Black Socks, Black Shoes
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Contact your child’s science teacher at any time for specific classroom concerns or questions.
We encourage and welcome your involvement in the band program by signing up as an ADDitions Volunteer so that you can have the opportunity to chaperone field trips with us this year. With your added support and participation, your child will have all the encouragement necessary to excel in this year’s band program.
Social Studies The new school year is off to a great start and our students in all grade levels are engaged in their studies of History and Civics. Did you know that each grade level social studies class will take either a statewide End of Course Exam (7th Grade Civics) or a district-wide Final Exam (6th Grade World History and 8th Grade U.S. History)? Did you also know that you can “join” your child’s Edmodo class webpages as a non-participating parent member? Ask your child for the parent access code so that you may keep up to date with class homework and announcements. 6th Grade World History: In October, World History will be studying early human civilizations, including ancient Mesopotamia. 7th Grade Civics: Our students will be reading about the great thinkers of the Enlightenment and the Declaration of Independence. 8th Grade U.S. History: We will be studying the Thirteen Colonies and the Revolutionary War.
Ms. Nelson (Band Director) at Naomi.Nelson@ocps.net or x5164305
Chorus and Orchestra The students in Chorus and Orchestra are progressing nicely and should be ready for their performances scheduled in the near future. • • • • •
10/8/15 – Fall Joint Chorus performance @ Wekiva HS 10/15/15 – LMS and PLMS Orchestra Concert @ Wekiva HS 10/22/15- Men’s Chorus Day @ Wekiva HS 12/14/15 – Chorus Winter Concert 12/16/15 – Orchestra and Band combined Winter Concert
Mr. Labelle (Orchestra Director) at Stephan.Labelle@ocps.net or x5164701 Ms. Boles (Chorus Director/Guitar Instructor) at Jennifer.Boles@ ocps.net or x5164304
5
6 Business Technology
News from the Media Center
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new students and parents to the Business Technology Education Department. We live in a steadily changing technological society where computer skills are a must. I look forward to preparing your children to work efficiently with the help of technology. The technology skills they learn in middle school will prepare them for high school, college, the workforce, and beyond.
The Media Center is buzzing with activity every day and we are excited to see our students eager to read! We also see many of our students eager to take Accelerated Reader tests and we are open every morning during the school week from 8:50-9:20 a.m.
Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) Essentials and Introduction to Information Technology are studying issues that computer users need to know about: online privacy, cybercrime, and computer ethics. Students will receive high school credit for passing the Introduction to Information Technology course as well as industry certification. Fundamentals of Visual and Performing Arts students will be studying careers in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Journalism, and Broadcasting. Every week technology students will be reading across the curriculum. They will have an opportunity to read, summarize, and respond to current technology in the news. I am excited about our students using the Internet to increase their reading skills. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Ms. Smith at lorraine.smith@ocps.net or x5164103
Each grade level has a required goal of AR points to reach (6th grade = 60 points, 7th grade = 70 points, 8th grade = 80 points) by the end of the year. After your child reads their library book a series of questions are asked on the computer. The points are earned based on the difficulty of the book and percentage of questions answered correctly. This program has a feature to help you stay informed about your child’s progress and can be accessed from any computer with Internet connection. The program, however, does not allow students to take tests from home. To login go to: https://Hosted53.renlearn.com/63274/ HomeConnect Username: Student ID number Password: 8 digit birthday, year/month/day Once your child earns 15 AR points they will receive an AR badge to wear. This badge entitles students to privileges such as being first in the lunch line, goodie bags and much, much more. The more points earned, the better the prizes! We have movie tickets, special lunches, and even a field day to celebrate our readers!! Keep reading and call Ms. Anderson at x5162104 with any questions.
Calendar of Events 10/12-10/16
Book Fair
10/13
Open House
10/23
Student Holiday (F)
10/26
Student Holiday (M)
11/6
Report Cards sent home
11/23-11/27
Thanksgiving Break
12/11
Progress Reports sent home
PTSA and SAC Meetings are held the 1st Thursday of each month (check with school for times)
FREE Breakfast and Lunch Lockhart offers FREE breakfast and lunch to ALL Lockhart students. Breakfast hours are from 8:45 – 9:20 daily. The hot lunch is free, but additional items are available for purchase during each lunch shift.
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Sports
Soccer season is underway and we are looking forward to the start of Volleyball. Volleyball tryouts will start on October 12th from 4-5:30 for both boys and girls. Students interested in trying out must have completed their Orange County paperwork and have it on file with the athletic department.
2015 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE October 28 November 4 November 11 November 16 November 18
Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Monday Wednesday
Maitland Lee Meadowbrook Glenridge Howard
Away Home Home Home Away
4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30 4:30
Volleyball Fest Play-off December 2, 7, 9, 14, Finals 16 Any problems or questions contact Coach Theus at Theusj@ocps.net . Price to enter games: Adults $3 and Children $2. Team members are free. All games and game times are subject to change.
LANCER Pride Pantry The purpose of this program is to meet the nutritional needs of our children during the non- school hours, specifically weekends. It will allow families of our students that are experiencing hardship to receive emergency food baskets that are filled with non-perishable food items that can be used to meet their non-school hour nutritional needs. We will also have basic hygiene and baby items available as needed. For more information on donating or benefiting from this program, contact Mrs. Cheryl Johnson at x5162130.
Orange County Public Schools Lockhart Middle School P.O. Box 271 Orlando, FL 32802-0271
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Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Orlando, FL Permit #885
Partners in Education Lockhart Middle School proudly recognizes and thanks our Partners in Education for their commitment, support, involvement, and concern for our school throughout the school year. Please support these loyal friends and community partners!!! If you would like to find out more about becoming a Partner in Ed for the new school year, please call Cheryl Johnson at 407-296-5120. Asher’s Church Clermont Baptiste Orthodontics Bellomo Chiropractic Brunswick Wekiva Lanes CFE Federal Credit Union Chick-fil-A CJAY’S Mega Grow Colonial Life Insurance Faith and Power Worship Center Genesis Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church Health and Healing Family Chiropractic Horace Mann Insurance Jeremiah’s Italian Ice New Life Community Church of the Nazarene Papa John’s Pizza Publix Supermarkets RDV Sportsplex Ice Den Sam’s Club The Home Depot TooJay’s Gourmet Deli
A few spots are left!
We need you! Advertise in The Medieval Times! This is a wonderful way for your company to get community recognition and exposure. This advertising provides the printing of this newsletter. It’s a win-win situation... it’s inexpensive and you help support Lockhart Middle School! Call Cheryl Johnson at 407-296-5120 x5162130