LMS e-blast
23 August 2019
LMS & LES Welcome Back Block Party
Come out for food, fun, and games (plus a chance to dunk Mr. Proffitt and others in a dunking booth!).
We hope to see you there!
PTO News
WE WANT YOU! To volunteer that is. But first you must complete LCS background check. FYI you only have to do this once (each new school year- last years doesn’t not count) and it is applicable to all LCS schools. Click on this link to fill out the form.
https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MTMwNzplbi1VUw==
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LMS families-
Some of our easiest fundraisers are the Kroger Plus Card Rewards program, the Amazon Smile program, and of course, clipping Boxtops. Please take a moment to link your Kroger and Amazon accounts so that our LMS PTO can earn a percentage of your purchases (which you would be making anyway, so why not let LMS benefit from your spaghetti or toilet paper purchase?). Boxtops can be sent to the LMS library throughout the year, but please make sure they haven't expired. Also, Boxtops is implementing a new program and phasing out the clipping. Attached is the information on how to get started, but basically you can find the Boxtops for Education app and start scanning your receipts.
Thank you for supporting your child's school!
To enroll in Kroger Rewards:
https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow/ ( Search for Linkhorne Middle School or enter our code- KA920)
To enroll in Amazon Smile:
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/27-4517952
News from the Counseling Department
News from the Counseling Department:
September 2nd - Labor Day -- NO SCHOOL. (Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.)
September 6th - the last day to request a schedule change.
September 10th - Welcome Back Block Party, LES Field, 6-7:30pm.
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FREE School Supplies - We have school supplies available at LMS for students needing assistance; please call or email Mrs. Casler or Mrs. James and we will get supplies that we have available to your student.
SCHEDULE CHANGES - We are unable to make PE class and/or teacher changes, but we are working very hard to make elective changes for students as requested. The last day to make an elective change will be Friday, September 6th.
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PROGRAMS:
National Junior Honor Society - Current 8th graders ONLY … don’t forget about your 10 hours of community service for NJHS. Service Hours forms are located in the main office. NJHS applications will go in the mail to students on Friday, August 23rd. Please refer to page 16 in the LMS Student Handbook for more information about NJHS.
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How to talk to your middle-schooler (so they might actually listen to you)
By Phyllis Fagell
My friend Michelle Hoffman’s son Alex, 13, was an open book when he was in elementary school. “If something good happened, we heard about it; if something bad happened, we heard about it,” she says. But in seventh grade, he entered what Hoffman calls “his grunting phase.”
“I’d ask, ‘How was school?’ and he’d say, ‘Eh.’ ” His processing shifted from external to internal, she explains, adding that, “suddenly, we weren’t part of it, and that felt really bad.”
Middle-schoolers need their parents’ support as much as — if not more than — when they were younger, but as a school counselor, I know this is when once-foolproof communication strategies can stop working. Tweens can bewilder their parents by toggling inconsistently between seeking affection and demanding privacy, soliciting advice and asserting independence.
Here are eight ways you can disrupt that dynamic, and stay connected to your child during a phase that’s defined by contradictions and flux.
Understand the developmental phase
Your middle-schooler is becoming less childlike, and “one of the forms this takes is wanting to share less with one’s parents because to kids, that can feel ‘babyish,’ ” says Lisa Damour, author of “Untangled” and “Under Pressure.” “A child who retreats to their room more often should be seen as a sign of developmental progress and not be taken personally.” “A lot of kids need time to restore themselves after school,” Damour says. “It’s not that they’re shutting the parent out, it’s that they need to not talk to anyone.”
Take the small stuff seriously
For middle-schoolers, even minor incidents can be distressing. “When you connect on the simple, relatable things, you lay the groundwork for talking about the big stuff.”
Find a neutral zone
The prevailing myth is that middle-schoolers seek drama, but most hate it, and they definitely don’t want to deal with drama from parents. Before engaging in conversation, assess whether you’re able to approach your child from a stance of curiosity, not criticism.
Middle-schoolers tend to be exquisitely sensitive to any sign of disapproval, so adopt a neutral facial expression and tone, give them your full attention and don’t assume you know best. Don’t pry into their personal life or ask accusatory questions such as, “Why did you do that?”
Know your triggers
The middle school transition can be tough for parents, especially if they’re used to being more involved in their child’s life. If you’re easily triggered, pay attention to the sensations in your body just before you lose your cool. Does your heart race? Are your shoulders tense? You may need to take a deep breath or process with a friend or partner before you talk to your child. If you do lose control, apologize.
Be clear your love is unconditional
Your middle-schooler is wrestling with identity issues and impossible cultural ideals at an age when they most want to belong and fit in. Make it clear your love is unwavering. No matter what your child reveals, resist the temptation to say, ‘You’re too young to know.”
Don't put the burden on them to ask for help
Middle-schoolers often feel like an enigma to themselves, and they may not even recognize when they’re depressed, overwhelmed or need your help. Parents should never ask a child, “Are you okay?” Instead, try saying, “Hey, I can tell you’re a little off. Let’s talk today.”
Experiment with different forms of communication
Talking isn’t the only way to connect. Identify interests you can explore together, whether it’s baseball, video games, or dystopian novels.
Treat arguing and complaining as productive
“Middle-schoolers communicate by complaining, and that is them giving us a detailed account of their day,” Damour says. Rather than challenge or question their complaints, let them unload and then ask, “Do you want my advice or do you just need to vent?” “A complaining child is dumping the psychological trash of the day so they can go back in the next day unencumbered,” Similarly, when your child argues with you, it’s because they respect you and want to know what you’re thinking.
Phyllis L. Fagell is the school counselor at Sheridan School in the District, a therapist at Chrysalis Group in Bethesda and the author of “Middle School Matters.” She blogs at phyllisfagell.com and tweets @pfagell.
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Rene James
Counselor for students: A-M
Laura Casler
Counselor for students: N-Z
LMS Counseling Department: 515-5332
Food Bags
Linkhorne Middle School will begin sharing food bags on Fridays with students who may have food insecurity when not at school. There is a form that must be filled out and returned to Mrs. James (School Counselor) if you are interested in your student receiving a bag of food each week. Please stop by the school and ask for a form or call the main office and ask that one be sent home with your child.
Receiving food from school does not impact your ability to receive food or other resources from other organizations. Mrs. James’s email is Jameser@lcsedu.net if you have any questions about this program.
Band
Positive Recognition at LMS!
It is SPOT TICKET time at LMS!! Students are being positively recognized by teachers and staff when they demonstrate behaviors on our Behavior Matrix. When a student receives a SPOT ticket, one portion is given to them to bring home or to hang in their locker and the other portion is placed in a bucket. Every Friday, Mr. Proffitt draws tickets during morning announcements and students whose names are drawn are able to visit Mrs. James for a prize.
LMS Chorus
21st Century Afterschool Program
THE DETAILS:
- Program hours: Monday-Thursday, 3:00-5:30pm
- We offer homework help, math and reading tutoring, fun enrichment activities, and opportunities to go on field trips!
- Snack and transportation are provided.
- EVERYTHING IS 100% FREE!
If you have any questions or concerns, email Ms. Anthony 📧 AnthonyTL@lcsedu.net
Submit your application here: http://bit.ly/LMS21stCCLC
THANK YOU!
LMS Fall Sports Calendar
Pay Online!!
MySchoolBucks accounts: We've made it easier to find LMS items on MySchoolBucks!
Once you are signed on, click on School Store Browse All. All the LMS items are listed (alphabetically) on this screen. This is our one stop shop for everything LMS!
Linkhorne Middle School
Website: http://www.lcsedu.net/schools/lms/
Location: 2525 Linkhorne Drive, Lynchburg, VA, USA
Phone: 434-515-5330
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LMSJaguars/
