June 12 - June 16, 2017

Lakeside Lightning,

Turning Dreams Into Reality

Staff Lip Sync Battle participants 

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our first Staff Lip Sync Battle. This event was so well attended that we raised over 2,500 dollars for the PTO. We want to give special thanks to our MC and winner Reccca Fomich! She has helped us out so much over the past few years and this was defiantly her most epic performance!

This is the last time for a lot of things this week. The end of the school year is bitter sweet. We are happy to celebrate the endings and new beginnings. This year we have seen unprecedented change at LMS. During the budget season we were required to cut 11 staff positions. Some staff are being transferred to other buildings while others will be in new districts next year.

Mrs. Pettit talking with the incoming 6th graders 

We have a great group of 8th graders that will be Stepping Up to High School this week! These students will be missed and we wish them the best of luck! We are looking forward to welcoming our new class of 6th graders. They are excited to become part of the Lakeside Lightning family!

The World is Yours: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities (2017-18 Theme) 

Despite the challenges to our school, we are poised to be better in 2017-18. Here are some of the major changes that will impact our school.

Master Schedule and Curriculum 

 

• Math and LAL teachers will be working more collaboratively than ever before. Next year we will have a unique model of instruction that will provide the opportunity for targeted instruction in class as teachers will be paired during the 80 minute block.  

• We will be offering an advanced Pre-Algebra for 7th graders this year. We are excited about this and we will be exploring other options next year for MORE advanced classes for our kids!!!! 

• Science and Social Studies will continue to be paired together for A/B 80 minute blocks to allow for projects and in-depth discussions. 

• World Language and additional CTE courses will be offered through Edmentum. This online program will provide instruction, grading and progress monitoring for each class in a Blended environment with a teacher. Students will be assigned time in a "Learning Lab" and we will be able to offer more courses than ever before. For more information on Edmentum check out their site http://www.edmentum.com
• We will be starting our first STEM class this year. In addition, all CTE courses have been upgraded and changed to meet the changing needs of our kids. 

• We will no longer have 30 day cycle classes. All previous cycle classes will be expanded to a Marking Period 

• We will expanding our Basic Skills program through the use of Edmentum as well as continuing with Successmaker and additional teachers in the Math and LAL classrooms. These initiatives will be focused on assisting those students who are struggling with the curriculum.

• We will be starting an "Advisory" period each day that will replace the AVID Strategies Period. This Advisory will period will be focused on Character Education and will last for 22 minutes. The Advisory period will be paired with a lunch.

• We will be offering 6 lunch periods per day. This will revolutionize our cafeteria as none of these lunches will have more than 160 students. 

• We are also decreasing the time in-between periods from 4 minutes to 3. 

• The School Leadership Committee voted unanimously to increase the Rigor in our Retention Policy. We will be enforcing this new policy in 2017-18 that will include ALL classes as well as streamlining the unexcused absences (20) and the number of Failures (2) for all three grades. These changes are intended to improve our academic climate and culture. 

• As for Special Education, there will be many changes to the programs over the summer as we continue to strive for the Least Restrictive Environment. 

• We will be reviewing the Discipline Matrix over the summer. We have been noting concerns and suggestions from parents and staff throughout the year. 

Changes in Teacher Placements for 2017-18 

• Mrs. Sharpless will be teaching 7th grade Math 
• Mrs. Holmes will be teaching 8th grade LAL
• Mrs. Basse will be teaching 7th and 8th grade Math
• Mr. Garrison will be teaching 7th and 8th grade Social Studies 
• Mrs. Henry will beteaching 7th and 8th grade Science 
• Mrs. Gandy will be teaching 8th grade LAL 
• Ms. Dimittia will be teaching all 8th grade Math 

Welcome Back - Both Mrs. Lopergolo and Mrs. Scaringello are returning to LMS from Wood School

• Mrs. Lopergolo will be teaching 7th grade Math
• Jen Scaringello will be teaching 7th grade LAL

Daily Announcements

Did you know that we will have the first full solar eclipse to be seen on mainland US in your whole lifetime? It has been 38 years since mainland USA has seen a solar eclipse and there are no upcoming solar eclipse before the year 2052 that will be able to be seen on New Jersey soil! 

That means that you want to see this super bowl of the sky on August 21, 2017. The only catch is that you can’t actually LOOK at it without special eye protection. Never fear, the 6th grade science department has your back. Ms. Votta, Mr. Hickman and Ms. Carroll are selling eclipse glasses for $2 until they run out. All proceeds will go toward the science department to allow your teachers to plan more exciting science classes for you next year.

 

It's not too late to join in on the 21st Century summer fun! Registration packets are at the front desk or at Mrs Gandy's room in B-130.

Lakeside Middle School's Gotta Feeling - Check out the Video 

Pictures from Around the School 

Lip Sync Battle 

Lip Sync Battle 

Lip Sync Battle 

Lip Sync Battle 

Lip Sync Battle 

Lip Sync Battle 

Lip Sync Battle 

Lip Sync Battle 

Lip Sync Battle 

 

Lip Sync Battle 

Dismissal and Arrival were challenging this week 

Dismissal and Arrival were challenging this week

Rebecca and Sanaa 

7th graders asking questions 

8th graders dissecting Squids 

8th graders dissecting Squids

8th graders dissecting Squids

Mrs. DeClementi's end of the year Ice Cream Party 

Mrs. DeClementi's end of the year Ice Cream Party 

Mrs. DeClementi's end of the year Ice Cream Party 

Twinning at LMS - Great Minds Dress Alike

Twinning in Ms. Wichnick's class 

Mr. Losaw and Mr. Flores 

Reading, Reading, Reading

Fifty-Six Lakeside 6th graders achieved the 2017 Read to Succeed Reading Challenge.

These students will be recognized on Monday, June 12, during 9th Period (2:35-3:05) 

in the Library/Media Center. They will be presented their certificates along with a free admission ticket for Six Flags – Great Adventure by Mr. Godfrey.

Our goal is withing reach

The students of Mrs. Schwailik's class - Periods 7-8, have read 95 books towards their "100 Book Challenge". The class is now smaller than the beginning of the year due to students who have moved. However, the remaining students are committed to reach their initial goal. They are currently reading their final books and plan to reach their goal by Wednesday of this week.  Congratulations, Great Job!!!

Mrs. Schwailik's period 7-8

Winners of the Week - Earlier this year Mr. Godfrey challenged Mrs. Birnstiel and Mrs. Schwailik's classes to read 200 books. So, the "200 Book Challenge" was born! This week the students of periods 1-2, not only reached the goal of 200 books for the year, but surpassed it by several books.

Congratulations to the students of periods 1-2!!!

Congratulations to Mrs. Birnstiel and Mrs. Schwailik's Period 1-2 class 

Weekly Overview

Monday - June 12 - B Day - 5th grade Visitation, 10:00 AM; Kayak Trip (reschedule) 

Tuesday - June 13 - A Day - PBSIS Survivor Event, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

Wednesday - June 14 - B Day - Step Up Practice 1, 2, 3 

Thursday - June 15 - A Day - Step Up Practice 1, 2, 3; Awards Ceremonies, Grade Level Periods;  8th Grade Step Up, 6:00 PM 

Friday - June 16 - B Day - Last Day of School, Early Dismissal 1:05 PM