Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School

School News and Events

 

November 21, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

It’s Quarter 2! Time is truly flying as we speed towards Thanksgiving and are quickly heading towards our winter break. It is a busy time of year here at the Beech with a lot of learning, growing and fun taking place. In the past month we wrote letters to our veterans, our staff participated in a great day of professional growth during Superintendent’s Conference Day, conducted a food drive for United for the Troops, participated in a door decorating contest, received the first quarter report cards, recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month, Italian-American Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, Patriot’s Day, Veteran’s Day, Red Ribbon Week, and showed our school pride with our black and gold every Friday. As we enter Quarter 2, I want to provide you with some reminders and updates for things going on at the “Beech” in the coming days.

Picture Make-Up/Retake Day

  • Picture Make-Up/Retake Day will take place on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.
  • Mr. Henkels and Mr. Cohen will be sending out further information as we get closer to Make-Up Day.
  • Contact Mr. Henkels or Mr. Cohen with any questions: Mhenkels@lakelandschools.org or jcohen@lakelandschools.org.

Interim Reports

  • Report Cards for Quarter 1 went live on Home Access Center on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
  • Interim Reports for Quarter 2  go live on Home Access Center on Thursday, December 15, 2022.

Paying it Forward Initiatives

  • United For the Troops Drive
    • Teaching our students that they are part of a bigger world is essential to their transition to becoming young adults, which takes place during their Middle School years. As part of our “Paying it Forward'' initiative, LCBMS will continue conducting a drive for United for the Troops that sends care packages to our armed forces overseas. The wish list of items to be donated to United for the Troops can be accessed using this link: Wish List 2022 (unitedforthetroops.org)
  • Feeding Westchester
    • Student Government will be sponsoring a food drive to support St. Mary's Food Pantry. A list of possible donations may be found at: http://www.cfpstmarysmoheganlake.com/
    • The food drive will take place from 11/28-12/16.

Swimming Unit

  • As we continue to move towards a post-pandemic world, we wanted to provide you with an update on our swim unit. For this year, the swim unit will be optional for students. Students will have the option to participate in the swim unit or complete a written task. The task will be graded for effort and completion. The completion of the written assignment is not optional. 

Canteens

  • The PTA-hosted 6th Grade Canteen will take place on 12/2/22 from 5:45 pm-7:45 pm.
  • The PTA-hosted 8th Grade Canteen will take place on 12/9/22 from 5:45 pm-7:45 pm.
  • The PTA-hosted 7th Grade Canteen will take place on 1/13/23 from 5:45 pm-7:45 pm.
  • There will be a $5 charge at the door. DJ in Cafe’ A and Basketball in Gym A.
  • Phones, bags, and jackets are not permitted. They will need to be checked-in when arriving. 

PTA Meeting

  • Our next PTA meeting will be on Thursday 1/4/23. Please note this is a change of date from 12/6/22. There will be no meeting on 12/6/22. 

LCSD Capital Project Vote

  • The LCSD Capital Project Vote will take place on Tuesday, 12/6/22, at Van Cortlandtville Elementary School. 

Yearbook

  • 2022-2023 Yearbooks are on sale now!
  • Our yearbooks are created by our very own LCBMS students. They are filled with the moments that make us laugh, smile, and remember the good times while we learn and grow at LCBMS. 
  • Yearbook information: www.jostensyearbook.com

Winter Concerts

  • Winter Concert season is upon us. All performances begin at 7:00pm. The Schedule is as follows:
    • 12/01/22– 6th and 7th Chorus @ LHS
    • 12/13/22– 8th Chorus @ LHS
    • 12/14/22– 7th and 8th Band @ LHS
    • 01/09/23– 6th Band (at 6:00pm) @ WPHS
    • 01/09/23– 6th Band (at 7:00pm) @ WPHS
    • 01/10/23– 6th and 8th Orchestra @ WPHS
    • 01/12/23– 6th and 7th Orchestra @ WPHS

“Wait Until the End of 8th” Initiative

  • As discussed at Back to School Night, we are encouraging parents to join us in implementing the “Wait Until the End of 8th” initiative. The “Wait Until the End of 8th” initiative is to encourage your child to wait until the end of 8th Grade to download social media onto their phones/ipads/laptops, etc.
  • Most social media sites require children to be between the ages of 13-16 to sign up for an account.
  • Things that occur on social media that carry over to school may require our Code of Conduct to be enforced.
  • Although social media can be utilized as a resource for information and ways to communicate, we also have seen concerning conduct that is tempting our youth to make poor choices. It also comes with dangers, especially for children/adolescents that are not developmentally prepared to handle all that comes with social media. Please touch base with me or your grade level Assistant Principal if you would like to discuss this further.
  • We encourage parents/guardians to check their child’s cell phone, ipad, laptop, etc on a nightly basis. 

Safety Reminders, Expectations and Reliable Sources of Information

  • Code of Conduct
    • With tragic events taking place in schools across the country, please discuss with your child the importance of speaking with an adult if they see something that isn't safe or doesn’t feel right.
    • There is no tolerance for conversations that are threatening, discriminating, harassing, or intimidating. In addition, obscene, lewd, vulgar language is unacceptable and violates our code of conduct.
    • We ask all parents to review the LCSD Code of Conduct with their child. The code of conduct is a set of policies and procedures that outline what is acceptable/not acceptable conduct. Within the code of conduct, we ask that you review the section that discusses student behavior, dress code, what items are deemed to be dangerous/prohibited, the computer use policy, and the infractions and penalty reference list. The code of conduct can be found at: https://cms8.revize.com/revize/lakelandschools/document_center/Handbooks/LCBMS%20Student%20Handbook%202022-2023.pdf
    • Please know that the code of conduct is not only in effect while in school. The code of conduct is to be adhered to at the following events: a school sponsored activity, any event on district properties, on the school bus, during trips, at athletic events, etc.
  • Sources of Information
    • We ask that if you hear something or read something on social media that doesn’t seem right or sit well with you, the best place to get clarification is by contacting the school directly. Please do not hesitate in reaching out to me, the grade level Assistant Principals,  your child’s teachers, school counselors, psychologists, or social workers. 
    • We tell our children not to believe everything they hear or see on the internet. We ask our parents/guardians to follow the same thought process. Go to the source. We will be as transparent as possible. There will be times when we can’t give details or use names, but I promise we will be as transparent as possible, and the information you receive will be accurate, not rumors, half truths, or information to drive an agenda.  

Inclusive Schools Week

  • Inclusive Schools Week is an annual event celebrated across the world!  During the week of December 5th - 9th, Lakeland CSD will be celebrating each other’s differences and promoting ways to make sure everyone is included and feels valued! Please participate in the following spirit days:
  • MONDAY 12/5:  I am true BLUE!  Wear BLUE. Inclusion: I can help others to feel welcome and valued.
  • TUESDAY 12/6:  Stand Out!  Wear a BRIGHT color. Influence: My positive self-talk and growth mindset makes me shine bright.
  • WEDNESDAY 12/7:  Hello my friend! Wear Orange. Friendship: Say Hello to someone new today to spread kindness.
  • THURSDAY 12/8: Exercise your RESPECT for others! Wear workout gear. Respect: I understand the feelings, wishes, and rights of others.
  • FRIDAY 12/9:  We are all included in our school! Wear a mix of different colors to show how unique you are. Celebrating Abilities: I can celebrate that we are ALL unique and special in our own way.

School Spirit Fridays

  • Friday, 12/2-  will be a black and gold school spirit day. We ask students and staff to wear their LCBMS black and gold to school.
  • Friday, 12/9- Inclusive Schools Week- Mix-Up Different Colors Day.
  • Friday, 12/16- will be a black and gold school spirit day. We ask students and staff to wear their LCBMS black and gold to school. 
  • Friday, 12/23- will be a winter holiday school spirit day. We ask students and staff to wear their favorite holiday spirited shirt/sweater to school.  

PTA

  • Please consider joining our PTA. Membership is only $10 per individual, or $15 per family. 

Communication

  1.  Download the App
  2.  Join the class named LCBMS 
  3.  Enter the class code  @lcbms2

During this time of year, I tend to be reflective on what I am most grateful for. I am truly thankful to serve as LCBMS’ Principal. I am fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate group of teachers, administrators, and staff. As we head into the winter holidays, I would like to take this opportunity to wish those of you that celebrate, a Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, a Happy Kwanzaa, and a healthy New Year! 

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay well.

Frank Ruolo

Principal