The Leopard's Tale - March 11

Thu, 03/10/2022 - 7:54am

LKMS Important Dates and News

  • March 14-              Virtual Author Presentation – 6th Grade
  • March 16-              3 Hour Early Dismissal
  • March 16-              MISA Testing (8th Grade Students)
  • March 16-              PTA Virtual Meeting - "Meet and Greet" with Principal, Tammy Jones, 6:00pm-6:30pm
  • March 17-              Poetry Workshop – 7th Grade
  • March 17-              Panoramic Photo (8th), Club/Group Photos
  • March 18-              Gymkana Assembly (7th/8th Grade Students)
  • March 22-              ESSA School Climate Survey (All Students)

View our full calendar for LKMS News

 

LKMS News

 

COMING the month of April - Clouded Leopard Spring Break Bonanza!

The PBIS team would like to celebrate all of our students at Lime Kiln, and we need your help!   Our Snow Leopard Bonanza, just before winter break, was so successful that both the students and staff began asking if we were going to have another bonanza!  The Clouded Leopard Bonanza will take place right before spring break.  We are in search of small prizes to be raffled off to students on April 6 - 8.  Students who are ROARing (being responsible, organized, achieving and respectful) will receive raffle tickets in class for chances to win prizes for the month of March and the first few days of April.  Our Clouded Leopard Bonanza will have a spring theme.  We are looking for sports equipment and items to use outside.    Some other ideas could include books your child no longer reads, lotions, ear buds, pop sockets, small puzzles, fun school supplies, and gift cards ($5-$10) --TuttiFruitti, Target, Chipotle, McDonalds, Chick-fil-a are favorites!  Anything you want to get out of your house and think another middle schooler would enjoy!  If you are watching Marie Kondo's "Tidying Up", an item may not "spark joy" with your middle schooler, but it could "spark joy" for another!  What a great way to recycle a gently used item!   Students or parents can drop off donated items to the Front Office through March 30.  Thank you so much for your support, and we know the students will be excited for our special "Clouded Leopard Spring Break Bonanza"!

 

LKMS Yearbooks Now on Sale!

The 2021-22 LKMS Yearbook is now available to be purchased online. Packages start at $25. Last day for online ordering is Friday, April 8.
  • Life Touch website: ybpay.lifetouch.com  
  • ID: 14607622
All yearbooks will be delivered to the school sometime in early June.
 
 

LKMS Beginner Band Class

For the first time, Lime Kiln will be offering a beginner Band class for the 2022-2023 school year for any student in grades 6th, 7th and 8th who does not know how to play a band instrument but would like to learn! It is never too late to start!   Want to play Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion?  Now is your chance!   Please contact Mr Jackowski at john_jackowski@hcpss.org if you would like more details on this beginner Band class.
 

LKMS - Environmental STEAM Seminar - NEEDS YOUR HELP

Lime Kiln’s Environmental STEAM seminar was established about ten years ago. Our goal is to act locally to help globally. Over the years, many projects (school rain garden, an aquaculture, bird houses and a butterfly garden) have been created in and around our school to promote green behavior. The students have researched and created videos about many environmental issues that impact our world. This year, we have focused on plastic pollution and have decided to create a plastic bottle cap mural inside our school. We Need Help!   LKMS students are collecting plastic bottle caps of all sizes and colors.  As you can imagine, we need thousands of caps (water, soda, juice and even pill bottle caps). Collection boxes have been set up in the main hallway and in the cafeteria. Thank you in advance for your support.
 

Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (8th graders, only)

The Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) is administered to all students in grade eight each year. The MISA is aligned to the Maryland Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS standards integrate the three following dimensions necessary to understand science: Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas.

8th-grade students will participate in MISA on Wednesday, March 16 (3-hour early dismissal).

On the night before testing:

  •     Get a good night's sleep
  •     Charge your HCPSS laptop

On the day of testing:

  •     Get to school on time; testing will take place in the morning
  •     Please try to avoid student late arrivals/early dismissals.
  •     Bring your charged HCPSS Chromebook (testing must be done on an HCPSS Chromebook)*
*Please note, cell phones, smartwatches, and other non-test-related electronic items are NOT allowed during testing. Students will receive directions on how to store these devices during testing.  
 

ESSA- School Climate Survey (all students)

Maryland requires that all public schools survey students about school climate. Last year the Maryland School Survey was administered with great success and data has been shared with schools. The purpose of the survey is to gain valuable information about the quality and character of each school’s learning environment so that schools can promote a climate that supports student learning.

Students will take the survey during Leopard Pride Homeroom on Tuesday, March 22. The survey will take about 30 minutes and will ask students about topics such as student engagement, interactions with adults and with other students in the school, the school environment, bullying, and safety. The survey will not ask about a student’s personal experiences and students will not be asked to provide any information that might violate his or her privacy.  

The survey is confidential and school personnel will not have access to the responses of specific students. The responses your child provides will be combined with the responses from other students in the school, and results will be reported for each school and district. We are eager to receive this very important information about your child’s school and about schools across the state.

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact the Survey Administrator at the Maryland State Department of Education by emailing to: survey.msde@maryland.gov.

 

Lost and Found

Parents/Guardians, please have your students check the lost and found items in our school’s cafeteria.   There are many jackets, coats and lunch boxes to be claimed.   Items will be discarded by Friday, March 11.   Thank you.
 
 

Student Services News

2022/23 New Student Enrollment/Transfer Information

Please visit our website to learn more information on the following:
  • Registration for new students is open for the 2022-2023 school year and enrollments will be processed online. Students currently enrolled in the Lime Kiln MS attendance area will automatically rollover to the new school year and the next feeder school based on your residency 
  • Moving before the end of the current school year or transferring over the summer
HC DrugFree Updates:
  1. FREE Parenting Classes: HC DrugFree will present another series of parenting classes for Howard County parents, guardians, and grandparents starting March 30. This program will meet via Zoom for 5 classes (March 30, April 6, 27, & May 4, 11) from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Adults should plan to attend all 5 sessions. Topics include How to Prevent Drug Use in Your Family, How to Develop Healthy Beliefs and Clear Standards, Avoiding Trouble: How to Say No to Drugs, Managing Conflict: How to Control and Express Your Anger Constructively, and How to Strengthening Family Bonds. The class is free, but space is limited. Registrations will be accepted until the class is full or March 22, 2022: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ParentingClassReg For more information: Email Parenting@HCDrugFree.org, visit www.hc drugfree.org or view downloadable flier
     
  2. FREE Life Skills Classes for Students: HC DrugFree is providing a highly interactive skills-based program designed to promote positive health and personal development for youth in grades 6-9. For slightly younger or older students, please register and we will consider each request. We encourage siblings and friends to take these classes together! These skills have been shown to help students resist substance use, violence, and other high-risk behaviors. Our instructional team consists of dedicated adults and older students sharing situations they may face in high school, college, and beyond. The next series of classes will be held via Zoom Tuesdays and Thursdays May 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31 and June 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Registration is required. Please sign-up ASAP as space is extremely limited! For more information: Email LifeSkills@hcdrugfree.org, visit www.hc drugfree.org or view downloadable flier
     
  3. Parents: If you are interested in learning more about what is happening in Howard County, the many free resources HC DrugFree and other organizations offer, or how your student can volunteer as they learn skills and receive more community service hours, then sign up for our free newsletter to get updates on events as well as information to keep your family safe and informed. Go to the bottom of our homepage at www.hcdrugfree.org
     
  4. Medication and Sharps Drive-thru Collection: HC DrugFree’s next drive-thru prescription and over-the-counter medication and sharps (needles, syringes and EpiPens) collection will be held on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot in Columbia. Medication will be guarded and transported by the Howard County Police and the DEA. For more information visit www.hcdrugfree.org or email Admin@hcdrugfree.org or view downloadable flier Adults, teens, youth groups, and medically-trained adults may volunteer at www.hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/
     
 

Health Room News

Information on upcoming Covid-19 Vaccine Clinics and information on reporting positive Covid-19 test results to our school’s Health Room can be located on our website.
 

Mask Update

All students, staff and visitors will be able to choose if they wish to wear a mask in HCPSS buildings. While optional in buildings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health experts continue to recommend face masks as a precautionary measure. 
Per the CDC, masks are required in healthcare settings, so students and staff must continue to wear a mask in school health rooms. 
 
 

PTA News

Please join the next PTA virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 16, beginning with a "Meet and Greet" with Principal, Tammy Jones, at 6:00pm followed by the meeting at 6:30pm.

LKMS is excited to host The University of Maryland Gymkana Troupe gymnastics performance for 7th and 8th grade students on Friday, March 18.  Our PTA will sponsor this event.
 
Read the latest information in our PTA's newsletter and view our PTA’s website for upcoming events. 
 
 

HCPSS News

The Council of Elders and the Howard County Public School System have partnered to sponsor a social studies workshops series, The Essence of US: Chronicling the Black American Experience. The series is open to any middle school or high school students who are interested. Sessions will be held virtually on the following Saturdays from 10-11 a.m.
  • February 12 - The Curious Case of Ms. Lola Belle Holmes
  • March 12 - A Critical Eye
  • April 9 - In Search of Black Voices 
  • May 14 - Piecing Together the Bigger Picture
Additional details regarding each session are forthcoming. Students may express their interest in participating in any of the sessions via the online form.
 
The Council of Elders (TCOE), in collaboration with the Howard County Public School System, will host a TCOE Community Academy on Substance Abuse on March 12, from 9:00-10:30 am.  The session will provide information regarding substance abuse prevention and behavioral health within the Howard County community. Representatives from HC Drug Free will provide resources and education on prevention, risk factors, warning signs, and treatment. This session will be held virtually. Registration is required at: http://tinyurl.com/2p9dnz8f. Flyers are located here.
 
 
Please visit the website for all the latest HCPSS News and Information to include HCPSS’ updated academic school calendar.
 

 

RESERVOIR HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTER SUMMER CAMPS

Come out to sports camp the week of June 27 and/or July 18 at Reservoir High School. Camp is hosted by Lime Kiln teacher and Reservoir Coach Phil Ranker as well as other certified elementary and middle school teachers in the county and state.  The camp is open to current K-8th graders and features many different sports and activities every day.  If your child likes PE, they will love camp.  Campers are split into age and ability groups to ensure that everyone has a fun and productive time.  Full day and half day options available. For more information, please visit http://rankerssportscamp.weebly.com or email phillip_ranker@hcpss.org for questions!
 

RIVER HILL HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTERS SUMMER CAMPS 

The River Hill High School Boosters are sponsoring summer camps at River Hill High School.  The camps are designed to help young athletes improve their fundamental athletic skills.  Over twenty different camps are offered this summer, including football, soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, tennis, cheerleading, art, and weight training. Weekly camps begin on June 13th.  For more information and to register, visit https://riverhill.membershiptoolkit.com/camp.  

River Hill High School PTSA presents HillFest on April 6, 2022 @ 6:00-9:00pm

Join RHHS in a celebratory showcase of its exciting and diverse student community!  RHHS has over 50 clubs, organizations and activities in which students can participate.  Many of them will be represented at HillFest.  The evening will include FoodFest, where foods from different cultures can be enjoyed.  Everyone can also enjoy a multitude of displays and live performances, including dance, music, art and comedy!  HillFest offers the opportunity for our students to share their passion, talent and enthusiasm with the community.  It'll be fun for the whole family!  Admission is free. Hope you can join us!