Fall and Winter
2012
LMS Cougar Pride
POST
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATORS:
Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members,
Important Dates and Times:
 December 6: Holiday
Concert
 December 20- Jan. 1: No
School, Winter Break
 January 9: What’s Brewing
6:15pm
 January 21: No School,
MLK Jr. Day
 January 25: First Semester
Ends -1/2 half day
 January 28: No School Semester Break
 February 24th: Fundraiser
Kick-Off
LMS SCHOOL HOURS:
Full Day 7:29am- 2:10pm
The 1st Quarter has come and gone quickly! As we begin 2nd Quarter we have collected student
data with the expectation to help students experience academic success. However, grades are
just one piece of the puzzle!
As a school we analyze our students MSP Scores (state test), MAP Scores (internal math and reading measure), classwork, and grade reports. From this information we create a yearly
School Improvement Plan (SIP) and beginning this year an Area of Focus Plan (the details of both
plans are posted on our website). As a school and district we have been writing annual School
Improvement Plans for years. Writing an Area of Focus is new for us. The goal of
which is to deepen the work we do with our students each day.
The LMS Area of Focus for 2012-2013:
Student talk will reflect specific habits of thinking and ways of communicating when
analysis, synthesis, and evaluation concepts are being taught.
In other words our intention is to increase the rigor of our instruction. We will begin this
journey using Bloom’s Taxonomy, which is a strategy for teaching our student’s critical
questioning skills. There are six levels to Bloom’s Taxonomy that distinguish the different
levels or outcomes of learning. These levels include: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application,
Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation. Our intent is to have students raise their study habits/skills
and move from basic knowledge level questioning to a more sophisticated synthesis and
evaluation strategy.
Please call us if you have any questions. Check out our SIP and Area of Focus plans on the
website: http://www.lwsd.wednet.edu/lms/site/default.asp
Sincerely,
1/2 Day 7:29am - 11:10am
Mrs. Crystal Knight
Principal
Dr. Michael Mack
Director of Student Services
LMS HOLIDAY CONCERT
WHAT’S
The Band and Choir will be
performing a Holiday Concert. Thursday, December
6th @ 7:00pm in the commons!
BREWING?
We hope you can join us for
a fun festive night.
LMS ALL SCHOOL DANCE CONTEST
Parents and other spectators welcome.
Stop by for an informal discussion to share ideas
to improve LMS.
Wednesday, December 19th
Wednesday, January, 9th from
6:15-7:15pm in the commons.
1:20 pm 8th grade mixed ballroom
7:30am 6th grade Swing Contest.
9:17am 7th grade Salsa Contest
contest, swing, salsa and waltz.
Lakewood News
Page 2
LMS ATHLETICS
Lakewood Middle School feels strongly that academics come first. Therefore, students must not have any failing grades. Students are expected to
maintain a 2.0 GPA. Grade checks are done every 2 weeks of each sports season. If a student has a failing grade, they are placed on a two week
probation to raise their grade. During that time, students may participate in practices, but they may not participate in actual
games. If a student is absent from school, he/she will not be able to participate in practice or games scheduled that day.
In order for an athlete to participate in athletics, all paperwork must be completed prior to the first practice.
Athletic registration packets are available on our website or may be picked up at the Middle School Office.
The athletic packet includes parent permission, emergency card, physical paperwork, insurance information,
sport waiver, and concussion information sheet. The packet must be turned in to the Lakewood Middle School
office. The athlete will also be required to purchase an ASB card and pay a $30 participation fee per sport.
All athletes are required to have insurance if they participate in school sports. Accident and Sickness Insurance can be purchased
through Myers/Stevens/Toohey . Please stop by our office for more information and an enrollment form should you need to purchase insurance.
Currently girls soccer and boys basketball seasons are in progress. Wrestling and girls basketball seasons will begin the end of January. If you
child would like to participate, please be certain they have an updated physical on file with the school.
The Nurses’ Corner
Tracking Absences
Flu Season
To assist the school district in
Lakewood School District asks for your help in keeping our students and staff
as healthy as possible! FLU SYMPTOMS (seasonal and H1N1) Typical symptoms of the flu include: FEVER (100.4 degrees or higher) AND cough and/or
sore throat often accompanied by body aches and fatigue. PLEASE KEEP
YOUR CHILD HOME WITH THE FLU!
gathering accurate and meaningful
health absence information, we ask when you
phone and/or send a note for your child’s absence,
please indicate the reason why your child was
absent. Our attendance staff may ask additional
questions to clarify your child’s reason for being
absent. Examples of categories are as follows:
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Cold or flu symptoms (sore throat, stuffy
nose, body aches, chills)
Fever with or without other symptoms
Asthma or asthma-like symptoms (wheezing,
shortness of breath)
Rash (Red spots on skin, with or without
fever)]
Headache
Stomach symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
Injury or accident
Dental condition’
Other health condition
We appreciate your assistance in implementing
this enhanced health absence tracking system.
Lakewood School District policy states: No return to school until fever has
been gone for 24 hours without fever reducing medicine (for most flu cases, this
usually means a minimum of 3-5 days away from work/school– up to 7-10 days
usually).
If your child has been sent home or stayed home with a fever, we will be closely monitoring their status upon return to school to prevent other students and
our staff from becoming ill.
For more information, please visit the Lakewood School District website:
www.lwsd.wednet.edu
Medications at School
Please remember that cough drops are considered a type of over-the-counter
medicine and can not be used at school without a completed medication authorization. In addition, the cough drop package also needs a pharmacy label. An
acceptable alternative to cough drops would be hard candy. Please write a note,
so your child's teachers know the hard candy is here for a reason. If you have
any questions, please contact your middle school nurse, Laura Bry @ 360-6542123
Page 3
Page 3
Grief Support Group For Kids and Teens
Providence Hospice and Home Care offers a monthly support group called
Standing Together for kids and teens who have experienced the loss of a loved
one. This resource is free of charge and gives kids an opportunity to be with others
of similar age to share experiences and get support. Some topics include feelings,
special holidays, sleep and dreams, self-care, how to share with friends, and
more. There is also a parent group that meets at the same time. The group meets on
the third Saturday of each month in Everett, and a free pizza lunch is included. You
can find out more by calling 425-261-4807 or contact your school counselor. Registration is required.
Free Services for Parents of Teens! Cocoon House
Project SAFE of Cocoon House offers the following FREE services for parents of teens:

Confidential 90-minute phone consultation with a Masters’ level Therapist. During this call parents can discuss what concerns they have with their teen, develop
an action plan, and find other resources in the community.

Parenting workshops in the Everett area in November. Class topics focus on
some of the larger concerns parents have about the teen years. Current classes
include Your Teen's Quest for Identity, Successful Communication with your
Teen, and Understanding and Preventing Substance Abuse.
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WayOUT, a 2-day seminar for parents and teen to attend together. This is a
great way to build communication and decision making skills. WayOUT
is usually offered monthly.
College Bound Scholarship
Have you heard about the College Bound
Scholarship? This state-sponsored program can help your
student pay for college! The Scholarship is
available to current 7th and 8th grade students who
meet one or more of the following criteria:

Are eligible for the free/reduced school lunch program


Are a youth in foster care

Or meet the family income standards as described on
the College Bound brochure (found below)
Receive TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families) benefit
Application packets were mailed home to qualifying families in October. However, we may not be aware of your
Weekly Drop-in Support Group for parents of teens at Cocoon Complex, 2929
students' circumstances so if you meet the criteria above
Pine in Everett.
and have not received an application, you can obtain one
In-depth family counseling in the comfort of your own home. A Masters level
therapist will work with the entire family to work on the goal of better communi- from Mrs. Bartness or online at www.hecb.wa.gov/
collegebound. Online, you will also find applications in
cation and stabilizing the home.
Spanish, Russian and other languages. In order to receive
Phone consultation, parent support group, parenting workshops, and WayOUT
seminar are also available in Spanish. Contact our bilingual/bicultural counselor the scholarship in a few years, students must:
at 425 339-4179.
1) graduate from high school,
2) maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher (C average) and
3) be a good citizen and remain crime free.
Visit our LMS Counseling Center website!
Find lots of helpful information and websites about:
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Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention
Anti-Bullying and Internet Safety
College Bound Scholarship Information
Community Resources
Grades/Family Access Information
Help for Struggling Students
Parenting Resources and Websites
Registration Information
To get to this website, go to www.lwsd.wednet.edu and select Lakewood Middle
School. Once you're on the LMS homepage, open the "School Information" dropdown menu and select "Counseling Center."
If your student keeps this pledge and your family remains
financially eligible (family income is verified at graduation) then the State of Washington will pay for tuition and
books for up to four years at a Washington State public or
private university, a community college, or a technical
college. The catch is...you can only sign up in 7th or 8th
grade, so don't delay!
If your student has school, personal or social issues
they or you may make an appointment with our school
counselor, Mrs. Bartness @ 360-652-4510 x3009 or
mbartness@lwsd.wednet.edu
Page 4
Check Your Student’s Grades and Assignments Online!
Mark these important Dates on Your Calendar:
November 6th—1st quarter ends: online report card
January 25th—1st semester ends: online report card
April 12th—3rd quarter ends: online report card
June 14th—2nd semester ends: online report card
Report Cards and Progress Reports
Report cards and progress reports are accessible thru Family Access approximately
ten school days after the end of each quarter and semester. Please contact our office
should a hard copy of your student’s report card be necessary.
Check Grades and Assignments Regularly
Family Access provides parents with access to their child's assignments and grades online. Students will be given their login and
password information during the first month of school. We recommend that parents check Family Access on a weekly basis.
If you do not have Internet access, your student can arrange to check Family Access in the LMS computer lab.
Contact Your Student’s Teachers
Teacher email addresses are available on the district website at www.lwsd.wednet.edu
Lost and Found
Visitors
There are currently many items in the lost and
found located in the commons! To eliminate
excessive amounts of items in the lost and found,
items not claimed are donated to Kids’ Kloset
monthly. Please take a few extra minutes to mark
your child’s name on their clothing and please
have your child check the lost and found for any
misplaced items.
Parents/guardians are welcome to visit the school.
However, all classroom visitors must be arranged at
least 24 hours in advance with the principal. All
visitors are required to register in the LMS office to
obtain and wear a visitor badge while on campus.
Parents/guardians are required to wait in the office
for their student.
ATTENDANCE
Regular school attendance is necessary for mastery of the educational program provided to students. At times, students may be appropriately absent from class. Absences due to illness or a health condition, religious observances, school approved activities, and
family emergencies shall be
excused. Given individual circumstances, students with lengthy or multiple absences may be asked to produce a doctor’s note verifying the illness or physical ailment. Absences that are considered unexcused include student or parent oversleeping, missed bus or
other transportation problems, student needed for babysitting or student job requirements.
Parent/Guardians: Please call the school secretary by 8:00 AM on the day your student will be absent. For your convenience, you may leave a message at 360-652-4510 twenty-four hours a day. Please do not contact your students teachers directly to report an absence.
If a phone call is made, the student does not need to bring a note to school from the parent/guardian indicating the reason for absence
on the day he/she returns to school. All other students MUST produce a written excuse signed by the
parent/guardian and present it to the office staff on the day the student returns. If your student knows ahead of time they are going
to be absent from school for an extended period of time, they need to complete a pre-arranged absence form available in the office.
Important– Update Contact Information/Health Concerns
If you have a change of address, phone number or health concerns, please notify us as soon as possible. Legal concerns including
restraining orders and parenting plans will need to be brought to our attention. Legal paperwork must be provided.
Three years to four years old:
LAKEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT #306
CHILD FIND
Does Your Child Need
Help To Learn?
Children who meet state eligibility guidelines
are evaluated for special services in one or
more qualifying areas. These areas include:
Hearing . . .

Cognitive development (thinking skills)
 Show awareness of noises such as tele-
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Speech and language development
Gross and fine motor development (large
and small muscle usage)
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Social/emotional development
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Visual impairment
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Hearing impairment
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Significant health impairment
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Adaptive (self-help)
Does your child:
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Jump, run, throw, maintain balance
Draw lines and circles using crayons
Use materials to make things
Answer simple who or where questions
Enjoy playing with other children
Ask many questions “Why” or “What”
 Use a voice that is too loud or too soft,
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Use speech that is understandable to
others
Enjoy picture books or being read to
maintain a moderate level on the television, radio, record player etc.

Use 2-3 word sentences regularly
phone, door knock or television.
 Come to you when called from another Four years old to five years old:
room
 Imitate sounds (after one year of age)
 Enjoy playing with children of same age
 Enjoy using large muscles to play
 Draw a recognizable face
Child Find . . .
Seeing . . .
 Dress self with little help
Quarterly, Lakewood School District Special
Services Department conducts a child find
search in order to locate children who may
need individual assessment and intervention
services.
Does your child:
 Say questions: “What, where, who, or
The intention is to locate children who are
presently not attending school between the
ages of birth and 21, who are showing signs of
possible disorders or delays in behavior, self
help skills, physical aspects, learning, and communication.
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Look at your eyes
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Follow an object with his eyes
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Look at things without covering one eye
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Hold objects at normal distance
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Look at people and things without
squinting or without eyes crossing
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Have clear eyes, not encrusted, or red-
dened
Children go through many stages of development. They experience their fastest rate of
Can your child do the
growth during their first years of life. If you
suspect your child may be having particular following?
difficulty in any of the following areas of develBirth to one year old:
opment, please contact your local school district and have your child referred for an evalua Lift head and chest
tion. There is no cost for the evaluation.
 Make gurgling or cooing sounds
Please do not hesitate to contact us, early in Smile in response to you
tervention is very important.
 Pick up a toy within reach
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Laugh out loud
Feed themselves with fingers
Copy speech sounds
Know parents from strangers
why”
 Say most speech sounds clearly except:: s, z, th, or r.
 Say first and last name
 Use words that mean size and quantity
(big, many)
Five years old to six years old:
 Enjoy playing group games
 Follow three step directions in order
given
 Have good balance when playing
games involving large muscles
 Cut with scissors
 Dress self: snaps, zips, and buttons
 Say name, age, and sex
 Show interest in writing and reading
words
 When speaking use many words and
sentences
In Conclusion . . .
If you have concerns that your child may not
be developing at the same rate as their
peers, please contact Lakewood School
District Special Services Department.
One year old to two years old:
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Walk
Put two words together
Take socks and shoes off
Feed themselves
Asks for things using words
Point to several things or pictures when
named
CONTACT:
Lakewood School District #306
Special Services Department
P.O. Box 220 N. Lakewood, WA 98259
( 3 60 ) 652-4500
Page 6
School Bus Rules
PTSA Coming To LMS
PTSA Formation Meeting: December 5th @ 2:30pm in the LMS
Library

Students must obey the driver and any other staff member
assigned to the bus.
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Students may only ride their assigned bus unless prearrangements have been made.
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Students are not allowed to depart the bus at any stop other
than their assigned stop.
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Students must remain in seat assigned by the driver
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Students shall observe classroom conduct on the bus.
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Noise shall be kept to a minimum, and no obscene language or gestures.
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Please plan to attend our LMS PTSA—Parent Teacher Student
Association meeting! We will discuss our plans for the year and
nominate officers. The PTSA is slightly different from PTA, in
that students are an integral part of this program. Please plan to
attend and bring your student (s). We look forward to seeing you
there!
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
LMS is exploring the world of STEM education. STEM stands for
Students shall remain quietly seated, not exhibit disruptive Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and it’s part of a nabehavior and turn off all noise-making devices at rail grade
tion-wide initiative to educate students in these subject areas and
crossings.
prepare a STEM-literate workforce for the future. Staff and famiStudents shall not smoke or ignite lighters or matches on
lies participated in STEM night on October 23rd, where information
the bus.
No eating or drinking on the bus unless specifically
allowed by the driver.
about STEM education was shared and teams worked collabora-
Students must keep all body parts inside the bus at all
times.
students “Where’s the Science? Where’s the Technolo-
Students shall go directly to a seat upon loading the bus
and remain properly seated at all times while on the bus.
(seated facing forward)
STEM projects and learning into Math classes throughout the
Students must load and unload the bus in an orderly
manner, not pushing or shoving
ployers in STEM industries can attest to the need for accurate and
tively on a hands-on engineering project. In STEM, teachers ask
gy? Where’s the Engineering? Where’s the Math?” Our Math
Items prohibited on the bus include: sticks, breakable con- department has taken the lead in planning STEM experiences for
tainers, weapons (real or toy), skateboards and large and
students, particularly for those in STEM Math (which is our 2bulky items that cannot be held on lap or between legs on
the floor.
period, 6th grade level math class). The Math team will incorporate
Students shall not cross behind the bus. Always cross in
front when loading or unloading the bus.
school year. English Language Arts also plays a pivotal role. Emunderstandable technical reports along with effective communication skills for sharing knowledge and design with others. STEM
skills are essential, but reading and writing continue to form the

Students shall go directly to their home after leaving the
bus.
foundation for mastery in these areas. We are forming partnerships

Students shall use lap belts on buses if equipped
maritime and other STEM industries. If you, or someone you

Students shall follow emergency exit drill procedures as
instructed by drivers.
know, might be interested in sharing aspects of your profession,

Students shall not tamper with emergency doors or equipment.
links between school, home and STEM-related industries and busi-

Parents of students identified causing damage to buses
shall be charged with the cost of incurred damage.

Student misconduct shall constitute sufficient reason for
suspending transportation privileges.
with business professionals and parents in aerospace, construction,
please contact Dr. Michael Mack at LMS. We are excited to create
Page 7
TRANSPORTATION
BUS PASSES
Transportation information line: 652-4501
Students wishing to ride a bus other than their regularly assigned bus must
secure a bus pass in advance. The parent/guardian is asked to provide
the student with a written note indicating the day and bus route for which
the pass is to be issued. Bus passes cannot be issued over the phone.
You may fax a note to 360-652-4512, attention Heidi Hesselman. Bus
passes will not be issued on half days without notification at least one day
in advance.
Office Hours: 6:30am-4:30pm school days
Anytime that traffic and/or road conditions affect the operation of
school buses, a recorded message will be updated providing you
as much information as possible. The information Line can be
reached by dialing direct 652-4501, and pressing ext. 9061.
During inclement weather, every effort is made to update this line
and department voicemail by 5:30 am when there are conditions
that will affect transportation service.
Video/Audio Recording on Buses
WEATHER CONDITIONS and SCHOOL
For safety and student behavior management, activity on school
buses is now recorded by video/audio recording systems installed
in Lakewood School District buses.
Every effort is made by the district to operate schools every
day of the school year. However, on those rare occasions of
extreme weather conditions, school starting times may be
delayed, bus transportation may be limited, or school may be
closed altogether.
School Bus Stops
Students should be waiting at their designated school bus stop at
leave five minutes prior to the published stop time for the stop.
Drivers are instructed not to arrive at stops early, and also not to
wait at stops for students who are not there. Please help us to be
on time by being at your stop five minutes early.
Students are allowed to depart the bus only at their assigned stop.
Exceptions to this can only be made by pre-arrangement with a
note from a parent delivered to the school office.
Families should listen to AM radio stations KWYZ (1230),
KRKO (1380), KOMO (1000) for updated school information on school closures. To hear a recording regarding
bus route and schedule changes due to adverse weather
conditions, please call 360-652-4501 ext. 9061. This information is also available on our website, http://www.lwsd.wednet.edu, and the
LMS office message machine. If your student stays home from school, the
office still needs a phone call from a parent or guardian stating that your child
is home due to weather or transportation.
FERPA FORM
BOOK FAIR
EMAIL ADDRESS
If a parent/guardian DOES NOT want their
student’s photo in any school paper, website, yearbook, newspaper, or any other
printed publication that LMS or the school
district publishes, please contact the office
and complete a FERPA form.
Mrs. Roys, our librarian would like to
extend her gratitude to all that purchased
books and other materials at the fair.
Your contributions help to bring more
books to our library!
Email has become a great form of communication. It is becoming as routine as phone or mail
and offers an additional method of emergency
communication. We would appreciate it if you
would forward your email address to our office
at the following address:
NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE
Lakewood School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national
origin, sex, sexual orientation (including gender expression or identity), the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or
service animal by a person with a disability and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. District programs will be free from sexual
harassment. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities. Board Policy #3210
and associated procedures outline the steps taken to secure an equitable solution to a justifiable complaint.
NON-DISCRIMINATION GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
Students, and/or parents, staff or other individuals acting on behalf of students of the district are eligible to participate in the complaint procedure. The complaint
procedure is designed to assure that the resolution of real or alleged violations will be directed toward a just solution that is satisfactory to the complainant, the administration and the school board. If you have questions, or need assistance with the process, please contact the District Compliance Officer, Joyce Scott at 360-6524500.
TITLE IX/RCW 28A.640 COMPLIANCE OFFICER
SECTION 504/ADA COORDINATOR
DISTRICT COMPLIANCE OFFICER
Joyce Scott, Director of HR & Learning Support Services
17110 16th Dr NE
Marysville, WA 98271
360-652-4500