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The Bark
Lamar's Weekly Newsletter
March 19th, 2023
Upcoming Dates
Mon, 3/13 - Fri, 3/17 - HAPPY SPRING BREAK!
Mon, 3/20 - Fri, 3/24 - PRIDE WEEK
Mon, 3/20 - Fri, 3/24 - Cheer tryouts (4-5:30p, Big Gym)
Mon, 3/20 - CAC Meeting (5p, Library)
Tues, 3/21 - Pre-UIL Choir Rehearsal and Concert
Tues, 3/21 - Full Orchestra After School Rehearsal
Weds, 3/22 - Open Studio w/ Ms. Acevedo (3:50-5, Rm. 504/506)
Weds, 3/22 - GSA Club (4-5p, Library)
Thurs, 3/23 - Dungeons & Dragons Club (4-5p, Library)
Thurs, 3/23 - Band - Knight of Percussion (@ MAC)
Fri, 3/24 - Board & Card Games Club (4-4:45, Rm. 406)
Fri, 3/24 - Rec Sports/Ultimate Club (4-4:45p, FB Field & Tennis Courts)
Fri, 3/24 - Lamar Orchestra Lock-in & Clinic (5-10p, 700 Bldg)
Sat, 3/25 - Junior VASE Competition for Visual Arts
Sat, 3/25 - Pride Y'all! Connect & Celebrate (5-9p, AISD PAC)
Week re-cap
Band did an excellent job the week before spring break with both bands earning sweepstakes at their UIL competitions.
Basketball and Soccer wrapped up their seasons with re-scheduled games.
Burnet Rd. Construction Update 3/5
On Monday, March 6th and Tuesday, March 7th pavement resurfacing will be done overnight on Burnet Road from the Allandale Road/Koenig Lane intersection to White Horse Trail. Pavement resurfacing will then be completed overnight on Wednesday, March 8th on Allandale Road from Burnet Road to White Rock Drive and on a small portion of Koenig Lane just east of the Burnet Road intersection.
This work will require traffic to be reduced to one lane in each direction and police officers will be on site to direct traffic. Permanent striping will then be installed overnight on Thursday, March 9th beginning at 8pm.
Save the Date for STAAR!
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
Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
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.
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.
Attendance Reporting Updates
Students who leave campus and return the same day should bring their pink slip back with them to check back in.
Twilight
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
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering, the first step is completing an application with Austin Partners in Education.
From The Library
DONUTS + DEBRIEF April 2023
What? We are reading The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. If you sign up, you agree to borrow/find/buy a copy and read it before we meet. We eat donuts and discuss the book.
When? Thursday, April 6th at 7:30 am. Come to the front doors and Mrs. Bowman will let you in.
How? Sign up here. Does it say we're no longer accepting responses? We are full!
Why? Donuts and books are fun!
Email Mrs. Bowman if you have any questions: tara.bowman@austinisd.org
MARCH STAFF BIRTHDAYS
Mar. 4th Mr. Sosa (Science)
Mar. 14th Ms. Wood (Dance)
Mar. 14th Ms. Bearfield (Office Admin Assistant Extraordinaire)
Mar. 27th Mr. Smith (Social Studies)
Mar. 30th Coach Perez (Athletics)
Counselor's Corner
DO YOU HAVE AN 8TH GRADER? CHECK OUT OUR HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER!
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM TEACHERS
Lamar Middle School Tennis
Tennis try-outs will begin Tuesday, March 21st. Practices will be after school until 5:00pm.
Once the district releases a schedule, it will be posted online.
To participate:
You must have an Athletic Physical on file with Coach Perez
You must be academically eligible based on the 9-week progress report
Please use this link to fill out an interest form to help give us an idea of how many people we will have.
If you have any questions, please contact Coach Gratz (Daniel.Gratz@austinisd.org).
Girls Track Update
Boys Track Practice
Cheer Tryouts for Rising 8th Graders
Tryout Info:
- Date: Monday - Friday March 20-24
- Time: 4:00 - 5:30
- If any student hasn't turned in a physical this year, they will need to in order to tryout.
If students are interested in trying out, they will need to fill out this form before tryouts.
Got Talent? We want to see it! Audition to be considered for the 2023 LMS Talent Show.
Submissions are due by March 30th at 5:00pm. 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.
Science Club!
MUSE Accepting Submissions!
Muse, Lamar's Literary Magazine, Now Accepting Submissions!!
Calling all creative writers! Do you dream of getting published? Muse, Lamar's literary magazine, is accepting submissions from students! Follow the link below to an online submission form. Submissions must be in a Google Doc and free of errors. All submissions will be reviewed by an editorial staff. Due to space constraints, not all submissions will be included in the magazine. https://goo.gl/forms/UO1ggeMQySqLCRY62
(Pro tip: You must be logged in to the AISD portal for the link to work!)
Deadline: April 1, 2023
Questions? Contact Mrs. Dietz at rachel.dietz@austinisd.org. Happy writing!
YEARBOOK!
Yearbook needs some awesome holiday/season photos!
Summer, Fall, & Winter breaks. Show off your student & family.
Have any Lamar Photos to share?
Send them our way to possible be featured in the yearbook!
Email Ms. Godina at alissa.godina@austinisd.org
In the Community
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE LAMAR PTA
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS ARE BACK
After school clubs for the current grading period are now in session! The clubs meet from 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). Remaining dates are Jan March 2nd & March 9th.
The D&D Club (Mr. Smith) and the GSA Club (Ms. Vouvray) continue their regular dates and times.
Lamar Merch - SHOP NOW!
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!