LMS Guide for Parents

Welcome
 Tips for
Success
 Who Do I Call
 Testing
 Attendance and Tardiness
 Early Dismissal
 Discipline (MACS) Plan
 School Improvement Council
Student
Agendas
 Learning
Village
 Student IDs
 Dress Code
 Messages and Deliveries
 Lost and Found
 Coming and Going

Welcome to Lexington Middle School

The School Improvement Council along with the administration, faculty and staff of LMS take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to our school.  Middle school bridges the gap between elementary school and high school and is a time where your child and you will experience many changes.  Some of these changes are wonderful and exciting, while others may be challenging and confusing.  This is a time where students, parents, teachers, administration and staff all need to work together to help prepare your child for the future.  At LMS we have a commitment to provide an environment which will implement growth in each child.

As a parent of a middle school child, you will also grow and learn.  Some of you are new to middle school as parents, while others are "veteran" middle school parents.  We want to remind you that each child is unique and different.  Some days your child will be just like he or she was in elementary school, and on other days you may think aliens have inhabited your child.

One thing we know is that "knowledge is power".  So, how can you become more informed and up-to-date with your child?  How can you help your child become a more successful middle school student?  We have put together some "Tips for Success" for you and your child.
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Tips for Success

Keep the lines of communication open with your child and his/her teachers.  Do a lot of listening and keep an open mind.  Remember communication is a two way street.  If you have questions or concerns ask your child's teacher.  It is better to ask than to make incorrect assumptions.

Be positive!  Remember everyone has good days and bad days and that there are always two sides to every story.

Be informed.
 Ask questions.
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Who Do I Call?

During the year you may have questions about your child or the school.  There are many people at LMS who can assist you.  Below is a list of school personnel with whom you may need to talk concerning your child.  It may save time if you ask the office personnel to direct your questions to the appropriate person. 

Main Office:  359-6169
General Information:  Tonya Frye
Attendance Information:  Gloria Rice
Fees or Debt Collection:  Brenda Smith
Principal:  Laura McMahan
Assistant Principal for Instruction:  Elizabeth Abbott
Assistant Principal: Mike Sheley
Administrative Assistant: John Robert Jackson
Administrative Assistant: Jason Mills

Guidance Office:
- Teacher conferences, student records, registration, withdrawal, counseling, family and academic issues
- Students are divided alphabetically among the guidance counselors so that they will have the same counselor for their entire LMS career.  This enables our counselors to be familiar with all three grade levels and the students will know their counselor better.
Director of Guidance:  Laurie Moore
Last Names A-Cq: Chris Young
Last Names Cr-J: Cedelle Gates
Last Names K-R: Jennifer Musgrave
Last Names S-Z: Laurie Moore

Health Room Nurses:  Sandra Trivett, RN
All medications must go to the school nurse with complete dosage instructions.  Also remember to check your child's immunization records and make sure they are current.

Cafeteria:  Carolyn O'Brien

Media Specialist:  DuPre Young

Buses and Bus Routes:  Michael Sheley
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 Testing

Formal testing is an integral part of instruction.  During the school year specific days are set aside for the administration of these tests.  Tests may include MAP, Explore, PSAT, PACT, nine weeks exams and semester exams.  It is very important that these dates be identified on your family calendar so that appointments will not be made on these days.  Classrooms in which tests are being administered will not be interrupted.  It is extremely important to maintain a secure and quiet testing environment free from disruption.   Testing dates are noted on the Lexington School District One Academic Calendar.
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Attendance

All students are expected to be present when school is in session.  Absences can be excused or unexcused.  Consult your agenda for more details.

Tardiness

Students should learn to be on time to designated areas or rooms.  Students who are late to class without an acceptable pass may be assigned detention. 

When a student is late to school, he/she should report to the main office to be signed in by a parent or guardian.   Students who are late to 1st period or homeroom without a note from the office may be assigned detention.
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Early Dismissal

Studies have shown that the best way for a child to learn is to attend class.  Each time a student arrives late or is dismissed early he/she misses instruction time that is a handicap to academic growth.  We realize that sometime it is necessary for a student to be dismissed early.  If your child has frequent appointments with a doctor or orthodontist please try to vary the appointment times so that they will not miss the same class each time. 

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Discipline (MACS) Plan

The MACS Plan is our school-wide discipline plan and is found in the student agenda.  Please read over this carefully with your child before you sign the MACS Plan paper.  Students and parents are responsible for knowing expected behavior at LMS.
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Student Agendas

Our PTO provides agendas for all students at the beginning of the school year.  It contains vital information as well as a place to record grades and write assignments.  Hall passes are also recorded in the agenda.  Please encourage the use of agendas and review them frequently with your child.  Many teachers write comments or send notes in the agendas.  Ask to see the agenda on a daily basis.  If a student loses the agenda, he/she is expected to replace it at a cost of $5.00.
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Lex-Connect

All teachers have web pages on the Lex-Connect website.  A link to the teacher web pages is provided on the LMS web page.  Assignments and necessary papers are posted here.  If your child is absent, check here before calling the school for assignments.

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Student IDs

All students, faculty and staff must weat IDs at all times.  Students need to place the ID in a location where they will remember them each day.  If they do not have their ID, students can purchase a one-day temporary ID in the media center before school.  IDs are used as identification, to check out materials in the media center and in the cafeteria.  Students will be issued an ID at the beginning of the school year.  If a student loses or defaces his/her ID they must purchase a replacement ID.  Students must wear the ID around their neck on a  lanyard.  One lanyard is provided with the ID.  Your child may wear the ID on a different lanyard provided that is it a break-away lanyard for safety reasons.  The Lexington School District One ID policy is provided on the district web page.
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Dress Code

The school dress code is addressed in the student agenda.  Please read it carefully and make sure your child dresses accordingly.  The code is in place to help teachers and staff maximize instruction.  The Lexington School District One Dress Code policy is provided on the district web page.
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Messages and Deliveries

Please make sure after school arrangements are made at home before the school day.   Messages will be read over the PA system at the end of the day. 

Delivery of flowers and balloons by a florest, parent or other student will not be accepted at school.

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Lost and Found

Lost and found is located in the main office.  Please have your studetns check here for lost items.  Items are donated on a regular basis to charities when large quantities of lost items accumulate.  Schoolwide announcements are made before items are donated.
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Coming and Going

Arrival Time:

Teachers are on duty at 7:35 a.m.
Morning bell rings at 8:08 a.m.
Tardy bell rings at 8:15 a.m.

Students must have a pass from a teacher to enter the building before the morning bell.  They may go to the cafeteria and eat breakfast, visit in the courtyard, or go to the library at 7:35 a.m.  In the case of inclement weather, the students will be sent to the cafeteria or the gym.

Dismissal Time:  3:30 p.m.

Loading and Unloading Students:

Students may be dropped off in three locations -
- Dreher Street at the crossing guard
- South Parking Lot by the 7th grade building (enter Dreher St. and exit North Lake Dr. or Dreher St.)
- North Parking Lot by the 8th grade building (enter at stop light on North Lake Dr. and go through the loop in the North Parking lot)

Please remember to be safe, courteous and patient.  We have an anormous amount of traffic and it will take some time.  Parents are asked to drop students off and pick up at these specific points only.  Parking is reserved for faculty, staff and others who have to enter the school building.

Students who ride buses will load and unload in the back of the school.
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School Improvement Council

The School Improvement Council (SIC) is an organization in the school that is made up of parents, teachers, administrators and community leaders.  Some members of the group are elected while others are appointed.  It is their job to assist in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of the SACS plan, yearly plan updates and the annual school report.  The council assists with the development and monitoring of school improvement and innovation.  It provides advice on the use of school incentive grant awards.  The council also serves as a liaison between the school, school organizations, the community, and the local school board by collecting and disseminating information about school improvement.

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                                                                              Last Updated December 12, 2007