CHARGER CHRONICLE

I am simply stunned that I am already writing the newsletter for May and June! This school year as “buzzed” by and as I stop to reflect, there are so many accomplishments to celebrate!
                On April 2, we invited all incoming 6th grade students to tour LSMS. It was a busy morning, with nearly 400 students and approximately 75 adults here! Our scheduled included performances by our band and choir musicians, cheerleaders and dance team, a walking tour of the campus, a pep assembly, lockers to practice opening, cookies and milk in the cafeteria, and a short Q/A session with our 6th grade Leadership Council, who recently developed a brochure titled Sixth Grade Survival Guide . We had our visitors tour campus in small groups led by our National Junior Honor Society students. Thank you to all who contributed to this event!
                Following the visit, we held our annual 5th grade Open House so students could bring their parents and show them the campus. Sixth grade staff members were available to answer questions and visit with our families about the opportunities available at LSMS.
                We are proud to announce that Lowell Scott inducted 68 new students into the National Junior Honor Society April 9th and then April 17th we celebrated our students’ artistic talents and interests in the annual Festival of the Arts. (see pg. for more details about each event)
                At the time of this Chronicle mailing, our Spring ISAT tests are underway. Our usual testing recommendations include plenty of rest, nutritious breakfasts, and an encouragement for students to give their best efforts each test. The results of ISAT determine if a school is meeting proficiency standards, and to help identify course placement for individual students. The detailed schedule is available on PowerSchool Announcements. Test scores will be published later this summer.
                As part of our Spring Wellness plan, we are introducing LSMS Wellness Wednesday for the last 6 weeks of school. This is an opportunity for staff and students to participate together in wellness activities during the school day. Most classes are using a day of Advisory to promote physical fitness by walking, playing outdoor games, and talking about the importance of a healthy lifestyle that includes balanced nutrition, activity, water, rest, and stress-management strategies. Join us in adding in one new wellness component each week in an effort to build in healthy choices for a healthy lifestyle.  There are very helpful websites, articles and local organizations to assist you!
On behalf of the entire staff at Lowell Scott, I thank you for contributing to education at our school. This truly is a place where academics, athletics, music, the arts and healthy citizenship are encouraged and promoted.

Parent Section
Is your child driving you crazy?  Are you having power struggles with chores and/or homework?  Or, are you looking for some practical tools to help with everyday parenting challenges?  Well, unfortunately “kids don’t come with owner’s manuals”, but Love and Logic philosophies can help. 
The Love and Logic Institute, founded by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, MD., “provides simple and practical techniques to help teachers and parents have less stress and more fun while raising responsible kids. Love and Logic offers many useful techniques that teachers and parents can begin experimenting with immediately.”
To find out more, visit www.loveandlogic.com .  In addition, our school district offers Parent Education courses in Love and Logic.  Information may be found at www.meridianschools.org under the Parent Education tab.

Cheerleading:
*Cheerleading at LSMS*
Do you want to be part of an award winning cheerleading squad, right here at LSMS?  Do you want to make great friends, have fun, and show your LSMS school spirit?  Then, stop by Mrs. Bishop's room the week of April 28th and pick up a cheer information packet for the 2008-2009 school year. There will be a clinic on May 5th, 7th, and 8th from 3:00-4:30.  If you have any questions, see Mrs.
Bishop or ask a returning 7th grade cheerleader!

2007-2008 VOLUNTEER BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
May is Volunteer Recognition Month at Lowell Scott. We are fortunate and thankful to have so many parents and community members willing to donate their time to the school. Volunteers help Lowell Scott in a variety of ways – serving on the PTSO Board, volunteering to help with Family Fun Night, helping with fundraisers for various clubs, and assisting teachers in the classroom. In addition, many of you have donated your time to come in as guest speakers. Thank you all for your commitment to Lowell Scott and our students – you make a HUGE difference! All Lowell Scott volunteers are invited to attend a BREAKFAST/BRUNCH on May 15 at 9:00 a.m. in the Lowell Scott library. If you plan to attend, please RSVP Renee Hawkley by May 9th.

Eighth Grade Festival 2008
8th Grade Festival is coming! 8th grade students are looking forward to an afternoon of fun on June 3rd. Students currently ineligible for festival received petitions attached to their 3rd quarter report card. If parents did not attend parent/teacher conferences, these petitions were mailed home with the report card. It is not too late to show improvements in the area(s) of ineligibility. Petitions need to be returned by May 16th to Mrs. Bernal or Mrs. Vanegas. Please contact one of the names above if you have questions regarding 8th Grade Festival, or if you would be interested in donating items or chaperoning on this day.  

***8th Grade Festival qualifying criteria is: GPA of 2.0 or higher, no more than 5 tardies in one class, and no major disciplinary offenses as outlined in the middle school handbook.

Dance Team Tryouts
Dance Team tryouts are open to incoming six graders through eighth grade.  Tryouts will be held in the spring this year.  Clinics will be May 19-22nd in the cafeteria at Lowell Scott from 4-5 P.M.  Tryouts are May 23rd from 4-6 P.M.  Tryouts are closed to the public.  Some dance experience is encouraged.  A participation form must be signed by a parent or guardian in order to participate.
If you have any questions, contact Sherri Bacharach in the Lowell Scott office.   
Spring ISAT Test Schedule
Here’s the Spring Schedule for our ISAT tests:
21
Begin ISAT
Math 8
22
Math 7
23
Math 6
24
Lang 8
25
Lang 7
28
Lang 6
29
Reading 8
30
Reading 7
1
Reading 6
2
Science 7
***NOTE: Students who test in small group settings and have accommodations will test on an alternate schedule. Please contact your grade level counselor or case manager for these dates and times.
.
Spring Test Schedule
ISAT Make-up                                                     May 5-12
End of Course Assessments*                           May 19-June 4
Final Exams                                                           Will be posted on PowerSchool Announcements        
*Students must take all end of course (EOC) assessments – a grade of Incomplete will be assigned until n EOC is taken.

Yearbook Signing
Our annual yearbook distribution and signing will be Tuesday, June 3rd. This provides  students an opportunity to have friends sign their yearbooks as a traditional close to the school year. On occasion, comments are written that are inappropriate. To prevent this from happening, each student is responsible to personally handle his/her yearbook to whomever they wish to have sign it, and then immediately read what has been written. If inappropriate items are written, the student needs to immediately show the yearbook to a staff member.

Teacher of the Year – 2008
Please join the students and staff of LSMS in congratulating our Teacher of the Year, Jason Kellogg. Mr. Kellogg teaches our Math Excursions and Technology classes for 7th and 8th grade students and coaches football in the fall. He has a very positive relationship with our students and is always willing to help! Mr. Kellogg is a Seahawks fan and loves a good laugh. He also has a new puppy, Wyatt, who keeps him awake at night.

Classified Employee of the Year – 2008
Mrs. Robin Rundle is deservedly honored as our Employee of the Year. She works in our Resource Room, tirelessly assisting students in their effort to achieve academic and personal success. She is instrumental in helping design our testing schedule and is our creative “can do” gal! In her time away from school, Mrs. Rundle enjoys skiing and working with wood. Congratulations!

Direct Writing Assessment and Direct Math Assessment Results
                The results of the Idaho State Direct Writing (DWA) and Direct Math Assessments (DMA) have been recently released.  Lowell Scott students performed very well on both assessments, scoring above the district averages. Both tests are scored on a 4-point scale or rubric, with 4 indicating the highest score possible.
                Direct Writing Assessment results:
                Lowell Scott 7th Grade:                       3.15
                District Average 7th Grade:                                2.92        
                                               
                Direct Math Assessment results:
                Lowell Scott 6th Grade:                       2.65
                District Average 6th Grade:                                2.60        
               
                Lowell Scott 8th Grade:                       2.83
                District Average 8th Grade:                                2.79        

Festival of the Arts
                Festival of the Arts (FOA) is an annual celebration of the arts, sponsored in-part by the Lowell Scott PTSO. The FOA highlights and supports students’ artistic talents and interests, and all students are encouraged to participate. Artwork is judged by local artists and every entry is recognized and displayed in the school library. Special recognition is given to specific categories and grade levels in the areas of visual arts, music, and writing. This year’s event was held April 17th and spotlighted over ____ entries. A special thanks to Liz Buckingham and Traci Smith for coordinating this lovely program!
Community Partners: We Thank YOU!

Rachel’s Challenge: Start a Chain Reaction
                On March 14 we hosted Rachel’s Challenge at Lowell Scott. It was a powerful program designed to help students see that when the painful scars that their brutal words can leave, then bullying, name-calling and gossip can stop. Rachel's Challenge shared tools to help equip our young people with skills and reminders to make these changes in their culture permanent. Through powerful video footage, personal interviews with Columbine survivors, and honest, real talk from our professionally trained speakers, Rachel's Challenge challenged our students to evaluate themselves and to then equip them to reach out to the hurting within their sphere-of-influence. Please continue to talk with your children about Rachel’s Challenges!
                The next phase is the Friends of Rachel Program (FOR) to further partner with both high schools and middle schools that are serious about changing the climate and culture of their school. The program gives schools the resources and guidance to help students start their own chain reactions of kindness and compassion.

Music Moments
Our 7th and 8th grade bands recently performed for our district music festival and did an outstanding job of representing Lowell Scott Middle School.  The 7th grade band performed here at school for an adjudicator and spent some time working with him after their performance. The progress the students have made over the two years has been overwhelming, we could not be more proud!  The 8th grade band traveled to Meridian Middle School to perform for three adjudicators and all of the band students in the district.  Their performance was outstanding; their music selection was unique, they looked and sounded wonderful.  Please offer them a congratulations for a job well done.

Teacher Appreciation Week
On Tuesday, May 6th National Teacher Day, thousands of communities will take time to honor their local educators and acknowledge the contributions they make to our lives. The National Teacher Day annual theme is, "Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools." The theme draws attention to the crucial role teachers play in making sure every child receives a quality education. Please take a moment to thank those Lowell Scott staff members who make a positive difference for your children.

Counselors’ Corner
With the warmer weather here we are all craving the outdoors and a little freedom.  Our teens are also craving that freedom.  Research tells us that the hours between 3pm and 6pm put our children at the greatest risk for dangerous choices.  One of those choices may be alcohol abuse.  “Alcohol use during the teen years may damage memory, learning capabilities, decision making and reasoning.”  Aren’t they already struggling in those areas???  How can we help our teens make healthy choices?
Provide clear and accurate information about alcohol at the earliest opportunity.
Discuss alcohol advertising and the use of alcohol in movies, television, and books.
Capitalize on teachable moments to communicate your values regarding social events your adolescents may be attending such as proms and graduation parties.
Always know where your child is and who they are with.
We have our work cut out for us!  This information was borrowed from Prevention Talk.  For more information visit www.project7thgrade.org.

Student Council Elections
LSMS 6th and 7th grade students will be voting for 8th grade ASB and class officers on Friday, May 16th. Students who are interested in running for office will need to attend an informational meeting May 5th, after school in room # 41. In addition, LSMS 8th graders will be electing two Centennial student council representatives for next year. All interested candidates will need to attend an informational meeting during advisory on May 5th.  If you have any questions regarding the elections, please see Ms. Steitz in room #41.

SUMMER SECTION:
Keep “Fit” This Summer: Practice Your Handwriting!
Tips to Improve Your Handwriting at Any Age:
Emphasize the down stroke of letters- make them parallel & all the way down until they hit a guideline
Decrease the amount of slant
Eliminate loops whenever possible 
Strongly consider using print forms of capitals, even when writing in cursive
Very strongly consider the print-like forms of letters: b,f,r,s,& z
Interesting Facts:
Handwriting is language by hand, and involves more than just fine motor
40% of kids mix print with cursive
Kids who mix printing with cursive write faster
Kids who mix printing and cursive write as legibly or more legibly than other kids
Speed & legibility of handwriting rise steadily from 1st – 9th grade
Girls write more fluently than boys & this fluency translates into better grades for written work than boys
Kids who receive verbal mediation as part of their handwriting instruction do less well than students who don’t
Combination of numbered arrows & writing from memory after increasing intervals produce significantly greater improvement in handwriting and greater “automaticity” of writing
Source:
Kate Gladstone’s handwriting repair: www.global2000.net.handwritingrepair/KateHwR.html 1998,
Handwriting review:  www.metadign.co.uk/ot/hig

Why should I care about the handwriting curriculum?
One of the basic stumbling blocks in writing well in middle and high school is poor penmanship. 
Automatic legible writing is an essential basis for written expression. If it becomes a struggle, then how can we expect students to write words, sentences, paragraphs or reports?
Starting in March 2005, 400 points on the SAT will go to a timed two-page handwritten essay.  It will be read and scored in 2 minutes.  These essays will be on a web-site accessible to college admissions officers.
Keyboarding is not a substitute for writing (i.e. shopping lists, phone messages, data entry, web sites, post-its, appointments).
Writing supports reading: Instruction in writing the manuscript alphabet helps children focus on the same types of visual information that they use to distinguish one letter from another when they read.               
Instruction in writing helps children begin to express themselves in writing, which increases their interest in reading the writing of others.
A good command of manuscript helps the mind to process letters automatically during reading and writing, which frees students to focus on meaning. 

Registration Dates
When is August Registration? A letter will be sent home during the summer complete with registration fees and additional information.
8th Grade-August 12    7th Grade-August 13    6th Grade-August 14
Schedules will be available from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Make-up registration day is tentatively scheduled for August 20, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  Students and parents are welcome to tour the building to find classrooms and lockers after registering and picking up schedules for next year.  Please be prepared to pay any class fees, purchase lunch tickets, physical education clothes, and/or day planners.  Bus schedules will also be posted.  Applications for free or reduced lunches will be available during your child’s scheduled registration time.

Spring Sporting Events

                                                             
Spring Music Events