Monday, September 26, 2016

September 26 - September 30, 2016

Lakeside Lightning,

Turning Dreams Into Reality 

A big THANK YOU to Lowes for their donations
This is the last full week of of school in September. Can you believe how the year is progressing?

Last week we had an awesome week at Lakeside Middle School. Throughout the building it was evident that students and teachers were engaged in the learning process. Most of the students have adjusted to their new schedules and are able to open their lockers!

This week we have our first staff meeting of the year. The staff meetings allow our staff to continue the learning process (we never stop learning).

In addition, our students will have their school pictures taken during their physical education classes. School pictures will be taken on Thursday and Friday. Be sure to look your best!






Books, Books and More Books
Mrs. Benfer with all her books 
This year Lakeside Middle School is embarking on a literacy initiative to help students and teachers have access to books in the Language Arts classrooms. Thanks to Mrs. Benfer, all 4,436 books have been lexiled and delivered to the LAL classrooms! Also students have taken their first SRI so their teachers can set goals with them in the very near future.

1,776 across 6th grade (296 books x 6 teachers)
1,380 across 7th grade (276 books x 5 teachers)
1,280 across 8th grade (256 books x 5 teachers)

4,436 total books!!!!!

Mrs. Benfer wanted to give a special thank you to Maggie Colina, Mrs. Grennon, Mr. Clarke, Mrs. Francesconi, and Mrs. Jost for helping her in their spare time!

The Forgotten 3 R's (Relax, Recharge, Revitalize) 
We know how challenging opening up a school after being in a relaxed mode for the summer. We decided to treat our awesome Lakeside Lightning Staff to a new way to end the month. Dr. Aili Pogust will be available in all Common Planning Times (Located in DMC) on Friday, September 30th to help our teachers relax, recharge and revitalize. Some of the techniques shared will eventually show up in the classroom and could assist students as well.

Lakeside Atrium Updates
There are a few teachers in the building who are getting their classes working on the atrium located at the front of the school at the entrance. The Lakeside Atrium is near and dear to our students and staff and it is one of the signature aspects of our school. This year students in Mrs. Sharpless, Mrs. DeClementi, Mrs. Wichnick and Mr. Protich's classes will be cleaning up and maintaining the atrium.

Mrs. Sharpless has had students out there this past week trimming hedges and pulling weeds. In just a few days the atrium has transformed. In addition, Mrs. Sharpless contacted Lowes in Millville and they donated flowers and mulch to our atrium. Be sure to peek in when you visit the school or at our Back To School Night on October 5th.

National Junior Honor Society Officers
Congratualtions to the 16-17 NJHS Officers:
Andrew Cain- President
Megan Hallenbeck- Vice President
Noah Lopez –Secretary
Kalani Flores - Treasurer
Emily Thompson – Historian
Savannah Dobrosky – Public Relations






Video of the Week - How does your brain work? 

Pictures From Around the School 
A perfect team - Mrs. Ronchetti and Mr. Gardenhire
Talk Like a Pirate Day with Mrs. Phillips 

Talk Like a Pirate Day with Mrs. Phillips 

ESS Open House 

ESS Open House 

ESS Open House 

Mr. Clarke's Balloon Project 

Mrs. Salvati's selfie with our turtle! 

Working on the Atrium 
Mrs. DeClementi's class working on their math skills 

Mrs. DeClementi's class working on their math skills 

Mrs. DeClementi's class working on their math skills 
Weekly Overview 
Monday - B Day - Weekly Admin Meeting, 9:00 AM;
Tuesday - A Day - Another awesome dat at LMS
Wednesday - B Day - Staff Meeting, 3:20 PM; Band Meeting, 6:00 PM
Thursday - A Day - School Pictures in PE Classes
Friday - B Day - School Pictures in PE Classes; Dr. Aili Pogust in Common Planning Time

Sunday, September 18, 2016

September 19 - 23, 2016

Lakeside Lightning,

Turning Dreams Into Reality

Mrs. Oquendo and Mrs. Holmes twinning 
We completed our first full week of school! There are so many positive things happening at Lakeside and it is all because of the students, staff, parents and community!

Last week we held our first Millville Neighborhood Alliance program "Our Community Counts" on Thursday. There were representatives from local government, agencies, and the public library. Mrs. Lokuta's first period 8th grade AVID students attended the meeting to learn about the unique opportunity they have this year. The Neighborhood Alliance wants our students to identify and attempt to solve problems they see in the community. Kim Ayars, chairperson of the Neighborhood Alliance, presented to the students on the great things happening in Millville. We also did an icebreaker activity and the students were able to personally introduce themselves to the members of the Neighborhood Alliance. Our next meeting is on October 13th.

Kim Ayars meeting AVID students at the Neighborhood Alliance Meeting 
Our Guidance Counselors met with local representatives from United Advocacy Group to discuss a new initiative "Parents As Leaders." We learned how the Parents As Leaders group will have monthly meetings throughout the school year with various activities designed to assist families with making a difference in the community. Jenna Harvey will be our liaison and will be at Back To School Night. We will have a kickoff event on October 11th. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative, please contact your child's Guidance Counselor or Dr. Cook.

My Good Deed participants 
September 11
Mrs. Schwailik's class participated in the 9-11 My Good Deed challenge to honor the victims, their families, and the heroes of 9/11. Each student wrote about the good deeds they did for friends and family on this National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Constitution Day 
Constitution Day, which Congress made an official holiday in 2004, is normally observed on September 17, the date on which the world’s oldest written constitution was signed into law in 1787. All public schools receiving federal funding are required to provide educational programs on the history of the Constitution during the holiday. When it falls on a weekend, schools and other institutions observe Constitution Day on an adjacent weekday. Stay tuned for more details!

Walk to End Alzheimer's
Mrs. Gaudio has agreed to be the Team Captain for Lakeside Middle School's Walk to End Alzheimer's. Mrs. Gaudio will have the National Junior Honor Society participate in this walk but if you are interested in joining the team please contact her.

Pictures from around the school
Good Deed Challenge 
9/11 remembrance 
Jaime took her locker to the next level this year 
The bookshelf in the locker! Awesome!!! 
Ms. Carroll's Science Class 
Ms. Carroll's Science Class 
Ms. Carroll's Science Class 
Ms. Moratelli's birthday surprise 
Ms. Carroll's Science Class 
Mr. Williams using Plickers in Social Studies 
Mrs. Gehringer's classes are Turning Dreams Into Realities 
Neighborhood Alliance 
Neighborhood Alliance 
Neighborhood Alliance 
Mrs. Todd's class earned a chance to have her dog visit! 

Back to School Pictures (From Mrs. Oquendo's class) 







Weekly Overview 
Monday - A Day - Another awesome day at LMS
Tuesday - B Day - Another awesome day at LMS
Wednesday- A Day - RAC Visit; AVID Subcommittee, 3:20 PM
Thursday - B Day - ESS Open House, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM;
Friday - A Day - Another awesome day at LMS


Sunday, September 11, 2016

September 12 - 16, 2016

Lakeside Lightning,

Turning Dreams Into Reality

Welcome Back to School from Mrs. Booz, Mrs. Gaudio and Ms. Zeiters
We completed our first 3 days of the 2016-17 school year and we are off to a great start. The staff have been so impressed with the first impressions that are students are making in their new grade. This renewed energy and positive direction is a result of parents, students, staff and community members embodying the theme "Turning Dreams Into Reality."

During the first three days of school there were so many activities taking place to help students transition into Lakeside Middle School. Here are a few of the highlights:

  • 6th grade teachers spending quality time helping the new students transition to our school through extensive tours, team building and collaborative activities.
  • Nurses balancing vaccination requirements with regular treatment and other medical records.
  • Counselors meeting with kids and assisting parents and students.
  • Security guards helping students understand their schedules and directing them to their correct classrooms.
  • Teachers spending time developing rapport with the students and really getting to know them (and vice versa).
  • Students were happy to be able to choose where to sit in lunch.
  • Teachers collaborating during CPT and talking about the various things to accomplish in September.
  • Students learning that they can use their devices responsibly in the hallways, and cafeteria. 
  • The Vice Principals collaborating with each other and staff while planning and executing their Grade Level Assemblies.

This week will provide us the opportunity to reflect on one of the largest tragedies in American history. On September 11, 2001 our country was faced with an event that was on a scale never seen before. Our staff will certainly be talking about the impact of the events on September 11, 2001 and using this time to further instill why we need to resolve conflicts peacefully.

In addition, this week Dr. Cook will begin going through the National SAM Innovation Project this week. He will be shadowed by Dr. Sheila H. Barker.  She is the National SAM Project Time/Task Analysis™ data collector who will be shadowing Dr. Cook on September 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th.  The purpose of Dr. Barker shadowing Dr. Cook this week is to have her collect data on how he spends his time. Afterwards, they will work together to increase time spent on improving instruction at Lakeside. If you see Dr. Barker with Dr. Cook she cannot answer any questions and she will keep all observations confidential. Dr. Cook is going through this process along with Mr. Coyle at RM Bacon, Mr. Reissik at Silver Run, Nora Zielinski at Culver and Mr. Saul at Holly Heights. Dr. Moore, Dr. Robinson and Mr. Drew went through the program last year and were very impressed with the results!  

Lightning Strikes Bogarts
On Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM we hosted our first Lightning Strikes Bogarts, Students, teachers and parents were treated to lemonade, snacks and discounted books. These monthly events will provide our students to opportunity to read, write and eventually create something interesting while supporting local a local business.
Lightning Strikes Bogarts 
Lightning Strikes Bogarts
Lightning Strikes Bogarts 
Lightning Strikes Bogarts 
Lightning Strikes Bogarts 

Pictures from around the School
Mrs. Schwailik presented at Vegan Stock 
Election year socks 
8th grade science students got right to work 
8th grade science students got right to work 
8th grade science students got right to work 
Mrs. Holmes's students creating posters 
Mrs. Holmes's students creating posters 
Mrs. Holmes's students creating posters 
First Friday 
Be a Star 
You are a Star! 
Mr. Fry Skyped into his Science classes
Why is School Important to YOU? 
There will be a lot of reading at LMS this year. Teachers are making it comfortable! 
There will be a lot of reading at LMS this year. Teachers are making it comfortable! 
Mrs. Ciccio was featured in the Daily Journal for her Back to School picture  :) 
Mr. Kavanagh and Mr. Hakola were "twinning" on the first day 
Mr. P. showed the proper way to ride a bike at the 6th Grade Assembly 
Mrs. Bergman and Mr. Garrison were showing 8th graders how to dress and use their cell phones responsibly 
Mr. Williams displayed how to be safe in the hallway, dress appropriately and how to interact with peers
Weekly Overview
Monday - B Day - Teacher Grade Book set up in CPT; SAM Data Collection
Tuesday - A Day - SPAC Meeting, 1:00 PM; SAM Data Collection
Wednesday- B Day - SAM Data Collection
Thursday - A Day - Neighborhood Alliance Meeting, DMC, 9:00 AM; SAM Data Collection
Friday - B Day - SAM Data Collection