Aug. 6, 2021
Dear LMS Parents/Guardians:
This has been a busy summer at LMS, as we have been preparing for a new school year. Our first day of school, Aug. 23, is quickly approaching. We value your patience, as we have been working to team and schedule students, and review building plans for the safe return of students and staff. We appreciate the work of our students and staff during this past school year, as we navigated a tiered system from partially remote, to fully remote, and then back to partially remote again. April 26 was a very important day, as we were able to bring all of our students back into the building for the remainder of this past school year. We have learned much over the past two years, and have been engaged in a review of procedures to enhance learning for the 21-22 school year. Student schedules will be emailed on Thursday Aug. 12, and at that time students will be able to note their team assignment (G or W), and also can review the letter from their team teachers regarding the school year start-up. We are hosting an orientation for students new to Carlisle on Friday Aug. 13, at 10:00. This session may involve a large capacity, so we have also arranged for the school to be open from 11am to 3pm for students/parents to visit and walk through the building to become familiar with classrooms if they are concerned about distancing for the orientation. We will also post the presentation on our school web site if new students/parents are unable to attend on Aug. 13. Per our most recent district communications, masks must be worn while in the building and on buses, and will be required for all who attend the orientation and/or the building open house.
Following is a list of important items/procedures in place for the start of this 21-22 school year:
Student entry: At 7:31, students will enter via grade-level specific doors at the front of the building. Our staff will direct students on the first day of school. Students will walk to their period 1 class, and will have the option of eating breakfast in the cafeteria before going to class if they choose. Breakfast is available for all students, at no cost this year.
Temperature checks: We will not be conducting temperature checks of students as they enter the building, as was the procedure last school year.
Lockers: Students will NOT use lockers this year. Students will carry their belongings in their backpacks. Teachers will review with students the items they will carry with them throughout the school day, and many textbooks are now available on-line.
Student Technology: Students will be issued district iPads on the first day of school. They will use these devices regularly for school, at home, and will carry them to and from school each day. Students will also be introduced to the on-line platform known as Schoology, and will still use this platform in various ways, depending on the course. This platform will be maintained should we need any period of remote learning this school year.
Student Movement, Classes: Students will change classes within our schedule, however, we have maintained a grade-level differentiated time schedule so that only one grade is changing classes at any given time, and have maintained that students mostly will have all but one of their scheduled classes within their grade level hallway. Movement to their encore (specials) class will be closely monitored by our staff. Students may have classes with similar groups of students throughout the day, however we are not maintaining a “cohort” structure (same students rotate together to every class). If students have a need to use the restroom, see the nurse or counselor, they will utilize our e-Hall pass system.
Our class structure is as follows:
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6th Grade: Social Studies, Math, Science, English, and one encore/special class that will run approximately 4.5 weeks.
- 7th Grade: Social Studies, Math, Science, English, and one encore/special class that will run approximately 4.5 weeks
- 8th Grade: Social Studies, Math, Science, English, World Language or Reading, and one encore/special class that will run approximately 4.5 weeks
- Resource Time: This 30-minute time period is back in our schedule at the end of the day, allowing for students to get additional support with work, complete assignments, and allows for band, choir, orchestra to meet.
Social Distancing: Students will be in classes with normal enrollment sizes, but we will maintain social distancing within reason.
Lunches: Students will eat lunch during a scheduled lunch period within our cafeteria, by grade. School lunches are available to all students, at no cost this year, so we encourage students to enjoy our school lunches. They may also pack a lunch from home. We are arranging our seating so that students will have the option of sitting in groups of 3 or 4 while maintaining about 3 feet distancing to eat their lunches. We will also have table and desk seating that allows for further distancing.
Cleaning/Sanitizing: We will continue the practice of students and staff working together to wipe down/sanitize desks at the end of each class.
End-of-Day Dismissal: Dismissal will occur such that each grade level is dismissed at a different time, beginning at 2:30. Parent pick-up is on the gym-side of the building, and parents must wait in the vehicle line-up along the curb.
Masks: As noted from our most recent district communications, students and staff WILL be required to wear masks in the building and on buses.
Guests/Visitors: While school is in session, the building will operate in a very secure manner, and will only allow access to essential staff, and students. While parents/guardians may be accustomed to coming to school to bring items, pick up students for appointments, or attend scheduled meetings, we are being careful to limit access to the building while students are in classes. We will work to schedule parent meetings/conferences remotely, as our focus will be on safe use of the building for students in classrooms.
We are so pleased with how well our students have adjusted during these challenging times. They are strong, resilient learners. Our staff cares tremendously for our middle schoolers, and we will be working hard to help them continue to learn and grow this year. We look forward to working with you in the coming school year!
Sincerely,
Keith E. Colestock
Principal, Lamberton Middle School