WELCOME TO LMS…

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT FOR

INCOMING STUDENTS TO LEDYARD MIDDLE SCHOOL

MAY 28, 2025

JUNE 4, 2024

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A LOOK AT WHAT THE END OF 6^TH GRADE LOOKS LIKE

A LOOK AT WHAT THE END OF 6^TH GRADE LOOKS LIKE

THE DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES ARE UPON US

THE DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES ARE UPON US

INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHOOL

• Ryan Earley, Principal
• Kelly Jones, Assistant Principal
• Erin Arcangel, Student Services Administrator
• Amber Merwin, School Counselor

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• Approximately 90 member faculty and staff
• Anticipated enrollment of 550 students (6-8)
• Three years. 540 wake ups. 270 white days. 270 blue days. Over 3000 personalities.

WHAT IS THE GOAL HERE AT LEDYARD MIDDLE SCHOOL?

• Where did middle school even come from?
• Core values of KINDNESS, RESPONSIBILITY, and INTEGRITY.
• School motto of OWN IT.
• Review of foundational skills.
• Exposure to new content and rigor.
• Preparation for the next phase of brain, body, and emotional development.

THE LEDYARD MIDDLE SCHOOL OF 2019- PRESENT

• It is not the clustered world of before.
• Academic classrooms and unified arts (specials) programming.
• Growth since 2019. New grade. New schedule. New staffing. New programs.
• Not new anymore. It is now the new NORM.
• Since 2019- additional counselor, social worker, Environmental AG, Digital Art, Family Consumer Sciences, math intervention, Study Skills curriculum, outdoor classroom, Track and Field, Volleyball, iReady diagnostic assessment, PBIS rewards, and administrator focused on student services, plus more…

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WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A STUDENT AT LMS NOW?

SUPPORTS IN PLACE FOR STUDENTS

• Active and present administrative team
• Certified and exemplary teaching staff
• Dedicated school counselor (s), mental health supports
• Core curriculum programming and tiered supports
• Adapting and evolving programming
• Mental health supports and resources (nursing, MFLC, CFS, social work, psychologist)
• Connections to what was before and what is to come

LMS PREPARING FOR GRADE 5 STUDENTS

• Amber Merwin reviewed expectations with the class last week
• Elementary teacher input, data analysis and review, administrative consults
• Standard schedule for middle school students (some exceptions)
• Prepares students for next level with goal setting and preparatory lessons
• Similar to high school and college orientations

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GRADE 5 STUDENTS VISIT TO 860 ROUTE 12

• Small mixed group approach
• Simple tour and overview
• Slow and steady wins this race
• The transition is more overwhelming for the adults- trust me!
• Next steps include summer time communication and Monday August 25^th Program at 2:00pm (for Parents & Students)

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DAILY LIFE AT LEDYARD MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Daily schedules
• Arriving to school
• Breakfast and Homeroom
• Transitions to class
• Block scheduling
• Lunch
• Departing from school
• After school activities

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DAILY SCHEDULES AT LMS

23-2024 Daily Schedule

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ARRIVING TO SCHOOL, BREAKFAST & HOMEROOM

• Attendance is monitored and addressed feverishly (creating habits and routines for success)
• Parent drop off or bus (safety is a priority)
• Bus routes and numbers and times shared at end of summer (LPS website and LMS Principal’s Memo)
• Use locker to drop things off and grab breakfast (always time for breakfast)
• Doors open at 7:30; Homeroom begins 7:42
• Announcements and prep time (start the day on the right foot)

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TRANSITIONS TO CLASS

• 4 minute transition in between all classes
• Plenty of time
• Students can use backpacks and lockers for organizational methods
• Lockers are assigned to ALL students
• Opening weeks of school there are adults everywhere helping and guiding
• No worry about “being late” or “referrals for lateness”

BLOCK SCHEDULING�

• 81 minute classes
• Classes meet every other day
• Importance of using agenda or calendar to keep on track of things
• Core classes meet all year, some unified arts classes meet for one semester
• Students do not travel with same group of students from class to class (mixed)

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LUNCH

• Students have approximately 30 minutes for lunch with opportunity for activity/recess
• Must complete FRLA or pay daily or bring your own
• Various lunch options (menu online) and also a la carte choices
• 4 waves of lunch to accommodate cafeteria size and food service and access to the gym and/or outside areas based on weather
• Items purchased for more active time if possible

DEPARTING FROM SCHOOL

• Students will return to their homeroom daily
• Grade 6 students return their chromebook to the charging station
• Students are called for parent pick up (no daily note needed)
• Students are called by grade for bus dismissal (walk directly to their bus)
• Routes and drop off times will be shared end of the summer (see website)

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

• Programs are ever changing based on student interest and advisors
• Interscholastic sports (XC, Basketball, Wrestling, Cheer, Track and Field, and Volleyball, Biking Club & Unified)
• Service based programs (Genova, GSA,, peer tutoring, Student Council)
• Arts and Drama (Yearbook, open art studio, Jazz band, LMEnt chorus, Drama performances)
• Fun and games (Chess club)
• New: Invention Convention, Lego Robotics

MUCH TO DIGEST AND MUCH TO PLAN FOR

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• Take a deep breath.

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• Much happens during middle school and it happens fast.
• LMS tries to be a fully inclusive school however, when managing 600 students and varied programs- there must be guidelines and expectations.

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DISCIPLINE AND BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

• LMS Student Handbook (easily accessible online)
• Nothing out of the ordinary. It is a typical school experience.
• Everyone loves disciplinary processes and expectations until they don’t.
• Restorative processes and tangible consequences.
• Minors and Referrals. Teachers/ classroom handled and those that go to the office.
• Communication loop between school and home.

GRADING AND CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• Teachers share syllabus/ expectations at the beginning of the term.
• Percentages vary. But all are simple. Do the work. Meet the grade.
• Open House in September is offered to follow your child’s schedule.
• Email is best form of communication.
• Communication loop between school and home.

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LMS PRINCIPAL’S MEMO

• Accessible on the LMS website (ledyard.net)
• Link reminder sent home weekly on Sunday (students & parents)
• This is the place to go for important info from LMS.
• Increased communication gap- presence of homeroom representatives

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TRANSITION INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE