The Ram Roundup

Dear Families,

I hope this message finds you and your family well and excited for a new school year! As the former Assistant Principal of Longs Peak Middle School for four years, I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve as the new Principal of this exceptional school. Our goal at Longs Peak Middle School is to provide each and every child with a competitive edge to conquer the amazing opportunities available in high school and beyond.

I am genuinely excited to embark on this educational journey together with you. I believe that strong parent-school partnerships are vital for our students' success, and I am committed to fostering an environment that promotes collaboration, open communication, and active parent engagement. If you would like to schedule a time to meet with me individually, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am always available to discuss your ideas, concerns, or any other matters related to your child's education. As a parent and a former school counselor, I know how important our relationship is to creating a culture where each child thrives academically, socially, emotionally and physically.

As we approach the upcoming school year, I wanted to share information on important upcoming events. We love for our families to be actively involved in their child's education and strongly encourage you to attend as many events as possible. Check out our Ram Ready, Set, Go at the end of our newsletter for upcoming dates!

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to meeting each and every one of you soon!

Warm regards,

Karin Blough

Dear Parents of Incoming 5th and 6th Graders,

To help ease the transition into LPMS and ensure a smooth start to the school year, we have organized Step-Up Day, a special event designed specifically for incoming 5th and 6th graders. We cordially invite your child to join us on Tuesday, August 8th, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This is an all day event for our students: please drop off your student at 8:00 and pick them up promptly at 2:00.

Step-Up Day is an excellent opportunity for your child to become familiar with our school environment, meet their teachers, explore the building, and connect with new friends. This event will not only help alleviate any apprehensions they may have but also give them a glimpse of what being a RAM at Longs Peak Middle School truly means.

Please note that space is limited, so we request that you register your child for Step-Up Day as soon as possible to secure their spot. To register, please complete this Step-Up Registration Form. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 303-776-5611.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education, and we look forward to meeting your future RAM and embarking on an exciting journey of learning, growth, and success!

To kickstart the school year and encourage meaningful connections, we have planned a back-to-school night on Monday, August 14th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. This evening will provide an excellent opportunity for you to meet our staff, ask questions and tour the school.

We have a variety of stations set up with important information to share with you and will have pizza available if that makes your evening easier! Our stations include:

• Updating your contact information - We share a lot of information throughout the year and want to ensure that we have your most up to date email and phone number to keep you informed!
• Purchase iPad Insurance - Unfortunately, accidents sometimes happen even with the most careful student, so we strongly encourage you to purchase iPad insurance for each child at the beginning of the year. Even a down payment of $1 can get you started. With insurance, a broken iPad can be replaced immediately and without additional cost.
• Nutrition Services - We ask that every parent complete this paperwork.
• Clubs & Athletics - Middle School is the perfect time for students to explore their interests and at Longs Peak we have a wide variety of clubs, activities and athletics offered. We encourage every student to try at least one activity or sport during the school year. Research shows that students engaged in an extracurricular activity have increased academic achievement, attendance, and a positive attitude about school.
• Immunizations, Health Information and Medication Forms - Incoming 6th graders often receive a variety of immunizations over summer, please bring a copy of these so we can update our records or if your child needs to take medication during the school day, we will have forms available for you to complete.
• Meet your Teachers - Grade level and elective teachers will be available to meet you and your child.
• Schedule Pick-Up - Students will receive their schedule at this time. If a student has an issue with their schedule, we will have a form available for them to request a schedule change. We will do our best to make needed changes, but please know that sometimes it won't be possible.
• Backpacks - If your child would like backpack filled with school supplies, these will be available.
• Purchase RAMS Gear - We will have a variety of Longs Peak school gear available for purchase for parents and students. We love our students to show their school spirit at games and throughout the school year.

5th & 6th Grade August 16th: 7:55 - 3:15

All Students August 17th: 7:55 - 3:15

Teachers will lay our classroom routines and schedule, help students find their classes, while making sure that your students feel comfortable and safe.

How to prepare:

1. Lay our clothes and supplies so that they are ready to go the evening before.

2. Make sure your student knows how and who will be transporting them to and from school.

3. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready in the morning without feeling rushed.

4. Go to bed early the night before, turn off your phone and unwind 30 minutes before bed.

• 5th Grade will enter through the East Doors at the bus loop

• 6th - 8th Grade will enter through the main entrance on the South Side of the building.

Buses: All buses will unload students in the morning to the designated bus zone an the east side of the building. We will have a campus monitor at the doors to greet students. The doors will open at 7:50.

Car Riders: Please make sure that you are dropping your students off at the curb at their designated entrance. Students should unload quickly from the side of the car that is adjacent to the curb. Please do not block traffic from entering and exiting the main parking lot at any time. If your student is not prepared to exit the vehicle as you reach the curb please park your vehicle in the front parking lot and walk with your student to ensure their safety.

We have made some exciting adjustments to this year's bell schedule. These changes include the following:

• A/B Day Schedule - Students will attend Language Arts and Math each day and alternate Science and Social Studies on either A Day or B Day. This allows more time for students to access Language Arts and Math curriculum each day. The calendar on our website indicates which days are A Days and which days are B Days.
• Elective Schedule - Students will be enrolled in a different elective on A Days and B Days. The longer elective class period will allow the students to dig into their projects, music performances, and physical education skill building. The electives will also be scheduled for a quarter versus a semester, allowing students to try out more options throughout the school year.
• Ram Ready - Ram Ready is our advisory class where students participate in Social/Emotional learning using 7 Mindsets curriculum, practice academic skills on iReady, participate in team building activities as a grade level and weekly check-ins regarding grades, homework and attendance. For 8th graders, they will receive information and support on transitioning to high school.

Our doors will open each day at 7:50 and our first class begins at 7:55.

Please make sure your child arrives on time and ready to learn each day.

All students in St Vrain Valley Schools will have access to free healthy, nutritious school meals beginning in the 2023-24 school year thanks to the Health School Meals for All program approved by Colorado voters.

Our District is very excited to participate in the program. Here is some additional information and a few important reminders about what this means for our schools and families.

• Please continue to fill out the Free and Reduced Price Lunch form. While meals will be provided for free to all St Vrain students through Healthy School Meals for All, it’s important for us to continue gathering this information to receive full access to available federal funds that support nutritional programs at our school. We ask all St Vrain families to please complete the form during registration for the 2023-24 school year. By providing this information, you will help our district access all available funds to cover the cost of meals, and other nutritional programs for students. Plus, families who fill out the form may qualify to receive discounted school fees, class materials, bus passes, utilities support and more!
• All household income information provided through this form is strictly confidential and protected by law. Only one form is required for all children in the household. Immigration, migrant, citizenship or refugee status is not required when completing the form.

Family Benefits to Submitting a Free & Reduced Price Lunch Form:

● School program fees are waived.
● After-school program fees are waived.
● Preschool programs fees are waived.
● SAT and ACT tests and college application fees are reduced.
● Access to community food banks services are available.
● Discounts on utilities and internet service are available.
● Discounts for participation in community groups like sports or YMCA programs are available.

If your child is planning on participating in Girls Volleyball, Boys Basketball or Girls Basketball, please plan on attending our 1st Semester Parent Sport Night on Thursday, August 17th at 5:00PM. If you have any questions, please contact Neil Shupe at 303-776-5611 or shupe_neil@svvsd.org.

These informal gatherings will focus on topics that are relevant to parents, such as supporting your child's academic success, navigating the school system, promoting mental health and well-being, and fostering positive parent-child relationships. Our aim is to provide valuable information and facilitate discussions that will benefit our students and families. We have scheduled the following dates for the first semester and hope you can attend. Food, childcare and translation services will be available.

Please plan on joining us on the following dates:

Friday, August 25th at 8:15AM - We will be discussing how to get involved in our school, how to check your child's grades and attendance on Campus Portal and how to use iReady to monitor your child's progress.

Tuesday, September 26th at 5:00PM

Friday, October 27th at 8:15AM

Tuesday, November 28th at 3:30 PM

If you have a particular topic that you would like us to cover, please feel free to reach out to our Parent Liaison, Maria Perez at 3030-776-5611 or perez_maria@svvsd.org.

We will have several opportunities for parents/guardians to get involved with their student's learning and we strongly encourage parents to volunteer for various school activities and consider serving on committees. Your involvement allows us to create a vibrant and inclusive learning community that supports every child's growth and success.

Keep an eye out for more information on upcoming opportunities or reach out to our Parent Liaison, Maria Perez at 303-776-5611 or perez_maria@svvsd.org.

September 26th: 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm

September 28th: 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm

October 3rd: 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm

We know how busy life can be sometimes so to help you plan, we are including several dates for the upcoming Fall Semester.

Step Up for Incoming 5th and 6th Graders

• August 8th from 8-2 - Register Today - Space is Limited

Back to School Night

• August 14th from 5:00 - 7:00

First Semester Sports Parent Night

• August 17th from 5:00-6:00

Girls Volleyball

• Registration August 14th - 18th
• Practice Starts on August 21st

iReady Assessments

• Math - August 23rd
• Reading - August 24th

Parent Cafecito/Coffee Chat

• Friday, August 25th at 8:15AM
• Tuesday, September 26th at 5:00PM (during conferences while teachers have dinner)
• Friday, October 27th at 8:15AM
• Tuesday, November 28th at 3:30PM

Picture Day

• Friday, September 1st
• Retakes October 18th

Late Starts - Students arrive at 10:20, classes start at 10:25

• September 6th
• November 1st
• December 6th

Music Concerts

• Orchestra: 10/18 @ 7:00, 10/24 @ LHS 6:00, 12/12 @ LHS 6:00, 3/12 @ 6:00, 5/16 @ LHS 6:00
• Choir: 10/11 @ 6:30, 11/15 @ LHS 7:00, 12/19 @ LHS 6:30, 3/13 @ LHS 6:30, 5/14 @ LHS 6:30
• Band: 10/12 @ LHS 7:00, 12/15 @ LHS 7:00, 5/10 @ LHS 7:00

Parent Teacher Conferences

• September 26th, 28th and October 3rd beginning at 3:30

Follow us on social media, and always reach out to us with questions!

Email: blough_karin@svvsd.org
Website: http://lpms.svvsd.org/
Location: 1500 14th Avenue, Longmont, CO, USA
Phone: 303-776-5611
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LongsPeakSVVSD/
Twitter: @longs_peakms