The Bark

4/3 - Musical Theatre Showcase Rehearsal

4/4 - Creative Writing Majors Meeting (3:55-4:30, Library)

4/4 - Theatre Booster Meeting (6pm, Rm. 604)

4/4-4/5 - UIL Choir Competition

4/5 - NJHS Meeting (4-4:45p, Cafeteria)

4/5 - Band Booster Meeting (6p)

4/6 - Donuts & Debrief Book Club (7:30a, Library)

4/6 - Visual Arts Majors Meeting (7:55-8:15a, Rm. 506)

4/6 - Track Meet (Lamar, 6:00 pm)

4/7 - No School

This week, Scottie Seminar teachers began working through a tech check. STAAR season is rapidly approaching and we need to assess the condition of Chromebooks. Please remind your students to bring a charged district-issued Chromebook with them to school each day.

Spotlight Theater performed How to Write a Murder on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Ms. Easter shared with the audience that this was the first performance on Lamar's stage since COVID. The actors and crew put on an incredible and humorous performance!

Thursday was meant to be Lamar's first track meet of the year but was canceled due to field conditions. The Scotties will be at it again Thursday, April 6th.

Friday night, Orchestra Director Ms. Elder and Band Director Mr. Corpus lead Lamar's Full Orchestra in a pre-UIL performance at McCallum's Theatre. Ms. Elder shared the full Orchestra included 26 orchestra students and 42 band students. Lamar will be the only Austin ISD school entering a full orchestra in UIL competition.

Ms. Rowland's Principles of Arts and AV students interviewed athletic coaches about Lamar. They combined their AV and interviewing skills and are creating videos. We can't wait to see their work!

Ms. Godina's 6th grade photography students put their learning into practice taking photos of objects in the courtyard.

Coach Gratz and Mr. McGavick (AISD SEL&CPI) met with the Peer Allies group to review the top student concerns to address. The students started brainstorm solutions to their concerns. I was excited to hear the ideas they had and ready to support them in their solutions.

Ms. Bowman taught students in ELA classes how to evaluate sources for accuracy. She showed them a "Uncyclopedia" article on corn so they could practice these skills. Did you know that the cob of corn is like meat to dogs? Or is it? She also reminded them to log their minutes for the Million Minute Reading Challenge.

At Lamar, we are Respectful/Responsible, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged! This week we are going to take some time to re-visit what it looks like, feels like, and sounds like to be inclusive in our classroom spaces.

In order to do this and maintain instructional time, we are adjusting the schedule slightly. Check out the updated bell schedule below:

We plan on holding the 8th grade Advancement Ceremony on Thursday, May 25th. Space will be extremely limited.

Cell phones and Bluetooth headphones should be turned off and out of sight from bell to bell (8:20 am to 3:50 pm). This allows students to focus on learning throughout the day without distraction. Please call the main office should you need to send an emergency message to your child during the day. Otherwise, students will see their messages when they turn their phones back on at 3:50 pm. Thank you!

NOTE: Students with accommodations that require the use of audio functions such as text to speech may use corded headphones. A limited number of headphones are available for check out from the school. Students may see their teacher with to sign up for headphones.

Come hear Lamar's Librarian, Ms. Bowman, present curriculum from Common Sense Media on Dealing with Digital Drama at the PTA meeting on April 10th at 6:00 pm in the Lamar Library.

Learn how drama escalates online and help older kids and teens avoid and de-escalate mean and harmful online behavior.

This week crews will be installing an in street bus pad on Burnet Road at White Horse Trail (just in front of AutoZone). There will be 24 hour lane closures on northbound Burnet Road starting just south of Romeria to White Horse Trail. The crosswalk at Romeria will not be impacted and the crosswalk on the north side of the White Horse Trail intersection will also be available for use during construction. We anticipate the work being complete in 3-4 days.

This first phase of work on Burnet Road should be complete in early April. The next phase of work will begin in the fall (October/November) and will include a new westbound right turn lane on Koenig Lane and the installation of a Shared Use Path along the east side of Burnet Road.

Grades 6 - 8 Reading: April 20 with make ups on April 21

8th Grade Science: April 26

8th Grade US History: April 27

Science and US History make ups: April 28

Grades 6 - 8 Math & Alg EOC: May 3 with make ups on May 5

Algebra EOC additional Make up - May 9

These recommendations have been in place since the beginning of the year after several consultations with AISD PD and Transportation as well as the City of Austin.

Doors open at 7:55 am.

Between 7:50 am and 8:20 am, the curb along Wynona Ave should be for immediate loading and unloading only (similar to the airport). Thank you for your cooperation to keep this congested area moving.

Drop off should occur on the northbound side of Wynona only. There are no sidewalks on the southbound side of Wynona so students are forced to cross through traffic.

Also, please do not drop off or pick up in the parking lot on White Horse Dr, which is reserved for school buses and staff parking.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping our students safe.

Please email Ms. Lupita Gutierrez (maria.gutierrez2@austinisd.org) with absence notes and attendance questions. When emailing or writing a note for an absence, please be sure to include the student's full name and ID number.

Students who leave campus and return the same day should bring their pink slip back with them to check back in.

Twilight will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6PM in room 103. Due to the number of students who attended in the fall, we will be instituting some new expectations in order to have a successful experience for all students. These are as follows:

• Report to Twilight room immediately after school. Students will not be admitted late unless they have prior approval from Twilight staff. Students are allowed to leave early with parent/guardian permission.

• Their ride must arrive no later than 6PM. A bus is provided with limited stops. Please see the attached bus route.

• Students must bring assignments and a computer to complete work. Students will be asked to leave if they have no work to complete.

• Quietly complete their work. If a student needs help, they can raise their hand and a teacher will assist them. If a student does not have work to complete, they will be asked to leave.

• Follow all instructions from Twilight staff. If a student refuses to comply, they will be asked to leave.

Twilight will not be held on the following days: 2/14, 3/14, 3/16, 3/31, 4/6.

There will be NO Twilight during Spring Break!

Office Hours with teachers are held Tuesdays through Fridays from 7:55 am to 8:15 am. Students may obtain a pass from either the front foyer or their morning location. Be sure to check with your teacher for specific days office hours are held. There are no office hours on Mondays.

Lamar has an amazing community supporting our teachers, staff, and students. Stay tuned for information on how to volunteer in the office, at lunch, or in other ways at Lamar.

If you are interested in volunteering, the first step is completing an application with Austin Partners in Education.

Our final book club of the year meets on Thursday, April 6 at 7:30 am. Students who signed up may attend. Not sure if your student is on the list? Go here to see! Email Mrs. Bowman at tara.bowman if you're unable to attend for any reason. We have a waitlist, and I use the numbers to determine how many donuts to purchase.

Questions? Email Mrs. Bowman!

Apr. 3rd - Ms. McGrath (French)

Apr. 25th - Ms. Godina (Digital Arts/Yearbook)

Apr. 27th - Ms. Caudle (Math)

For 6th Grade Students ONLY!

BREATHROUGH Central Texas is partnered with Austin ISD!!

Sign up for FREE!!

Breakthrough is a FREE program that helps students be the first in their families to graduate from college. Breakthrough is an exciting and challenging journey that starts the summer before 7th grade and continues through high school and college.

Breakthrough is looking for middle school students to join their community who...

- will be the first in their family to graduate from a 4 year college or university in the U.S.

- are interested in school support and advising

- want to participate in fun after-school events and summer programming

*See flyer attached below in English and Spanish for more details*

Students, check out this opportunity to show off your poetry skills!

CCEW 2023 Contest (google.com)

Information about AISD's high schools can be found in the 23-24 High School Newsletter. This newsletter will be updated as new information becomes available, so please check back often.

6th Graders are going on a field trip on May 18th to Main Event! Please visit our informative flyer for information on payment, permission, and parent chaperones - all DUE BY APRIL 18TH!

We are checking interest in a possible Rec Sports Summer Camp over the Summer. Our plan would be to meet around 90 minutes per day, 3-4 days a week per week, for around 6 weeks. Our plan will be to work our timing around McCallum's Strength & Speed camp, so those who want to do both should be able to do so. This will be open to all current LMS students (2022-23 school year).

This is simply an opportunity to get our students together to be active (soccer, basketball, flag football, spike ball, racquet sports, four square, tag games, etc.) in a controlled environment. There would be a small cost associated to cover the cost of our staff workers. Scholarships would be available for those unable to cover the costs.

Please fill out this link if you are interested!

Got Talent? We want to see it! Audition to be considered for the 2023 LMS Talent Show.

Submissions are due by March 30th at 4:00pm. Find out all the requirements and how to submit a digital audition or sign up for an in-person audition here: https://tinyurl.com/yckvysmu

The talent show will be held on April 14th from 6-9 pm in the LMS Cafeteria. Brought to you by the Band Booster Club.

Save the date for Lamar's Spring Dance Show!

Direct link to purchase the yearbook: https://www.balfour.com/texas/austin/lamar-middle-school/yearbook-packages

After school clubs for the current grading period are now in session! The clubs meet from 4-4:45pm.

The new clubs offered last grading period will continue based on great participation and positive feedback. We heard several stories from happy kids and enthusiastic club leaders. No need to sign up, just turn up and join the fun!

1) Board Games Club, weekly on Fridays with Mr. Jackson (room 406)

2) Rec Sports & Ultimate Club, weekly on Fridays with Ms. Roe (the track)

3) Photography Club, sort of bi-weekly with Ms. Godina (room 206)

The D&D Club (Mr. Smith) and the GSA Club (Ms. Vouvray) continue their regular dates and times.

Scottie merch for sale - NOW OPEN!

Orders are fulfilled every Friday, with pick-up in the Library on Monday.

Get yours today & show your school spirit!