October 2021
In This Issue - Click on any topic to jump to that information
A Message From the Principal
Mickle Families,
It is hard to believe that October is here. The days are getting shorter and the weather is definitely turning cooler. This month also marks the end of the first quarter. Within this newsletter are helpful tips for monitoring your student's academic progress. Staff are working diligently to ensure students are learning and that students have every opportunity to raise a concerning grade before the end of the quarter. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to us to collaborate on your student's education.
My best,
Jason Shanahan, Principal
Announcements
Arriving to School Safely - For information on student drop-off click HERE.
Nutrition Services Information for Parents/Guardians - Click HERE for more information for the 2021-2022 school year.
Foundation For LPS - Mickle has partnered with The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools to raise funds for a couple of worthy projects. To learn more or to donate visit the links below:
Come join the LPS family as a substitute teacher!
Did you know that if you currently hold a Bachelor’s degree you might be eligible to be a substitute teacher?
Meaningful impact on students - we rely on our substitute teachers to ensure that the well-being and education of our students continues when their permanent teacher is absent. This is a great way to invest in our youth.
Great pay – Subbing in Lincoln Public Schools equates to almost $150 per day. You can even choose to fill half day sub positions.
You can set your schedule and sub over 85 school days. This allows you the flexibility to take care of other responsibilities.
We even provide a half day orientation to prepare you to be a successful sub in our district.
Our next local sub training is September 9, 2021. Go to the following link for more information:
https://home.lps.org/hr/local-substitute-information/
Counseling Center
We so enjoyed getting to connect with families at Parent-Teacher Conferences. If you ever have questions about your student's attendance, grades, or social & emotional well being please reach out to us!
Get in touch with us -
6th Grade - Madelyn Luxford - mluxford@lps.org
7th Grade - Nicki Hanseling - nhansel@lps.org
8th Grade - Ellie Marvin - emarvin@lps.org
District Office
Stay up-to-date with the most current happenings in our district by clicking HERE.
Health Office
From the Mickle Health Office -
All 7th grade students require a tetanus booster vaccine (Tdap) and a 7th grade physical in the State of Nebraska. This will need to be submitted by Wednesday, October 20th to avoid exclusion from school. Please submit the completed physical form including date of Tdap to the Mickle Main Office or the Mickle Health Office. If any questions, please email the Mickle school nurse at spackett@lps.org. Thank you for your help!
Intramurals
Fall sports will be wrapping up in the next two weeks and wrestling and girls basketball will soon begin. Students interested in wrestling or soccer can use jump code OUO2 (the letter O) on their Chromebook devices to access winter sports information. Check out current intramural information on our webpage here.
Food Bank
On Monday, October 4, the “Missile Market” will be open at the end of the school day from 2:50pm-3:30pm. Mickle will again be partnering with the Food Bank of Lincoln after school each month for free, on-site access to food offerings from the Food Bank. Any students are welcome to come and pull items as their family representative. If parents would prefer to represent the family, that is just fine.
To take advantage of the partnership, no sign up is needed and there is no cost to families. The only documentation that is recorded is "how many people will this offering go to support". The Food Bank will provide big bags to put the food in, as well as produce bags for available produce.
-At 2:50pm, an announcement will be made for a student representative of their family to come and begin the pick up process. Students will be asked to gather their locker belongings to leave for the day THEN come to the Market.
-Students will be directed to head home after stopping at the Market.
-Food items will not be allowed back into the building/classroom/locker areas. CLC or intramural students will have their items stored in a secure location until the end of activities.
-IF an adult would rather represent the family and take home the items, adults will be asked to enter through the main front entrance (Door #1), check in with the entrance adult, then proceed down to the Market in the west gym.
-After selecting items, adults will be asked to leave through '7th grade doors' which is the closest exit by the gym (Door #7).
Mickle Media Center
Need a Library Book Now?
Borrow and read one of thousands of high interest, popular books in Sora.
Go to portal.lps.org.
Log in with your LPS credentials. Contact your school office if your student does not know his/her username and password.
Select Sora from the alphabetical listing in the LPS portal.
Browse and check out a book.
You can also download the Sora App on your devices.
Mickle PTSO
Thanks to everyone who provided food items or money for the meals during Parent Teacher Conferences! Your generosity provided over 140 meals on Tuesday and Thursday. The teachers and staff really appreciate not having to worry about a meal while visiting with families.
Waffleman will be back this year! Have a fun family night AND help raise money to support Mickle at the same time. He will be serving up fresh waffles in the Morrow Collision parking lot on Friday Oct. 8th from 5-8 and Saturday morning Oct. 9 from 8-1.
Then on Oct. 26 grab a meal ANYTIME that day at Don and Millies on O street! Just let them know you are there to support Mickle PTSO.
Stay connected to PTSO and Mickle events by requesting to join the Mickle Middle School Families Facebook page or visit the Mickle Middle School website.
Technology
Looking for Parent Feedback via the LPS CLASS Survey
During the month of October, Mickle parents will have the opportunity to participate in a brief LPS CLASS Plan Survey. The data will help LPS evaluate ongoing CLASS Plan implementation, align professional learning efforts, and inform technology purchasing decisions.
To participate, please visit the following link: https://lps.org/go/BQPG
Your responses will remain anonymous to protect you and your students’ privacy. The last day to complete this questionnaire is Friday, October 29th.
ParentVue Tips
Student grades are visible with ParentVue, the online grading portion of Synergy.
The LPS website has a dedicated section for helping families get familiar with the finer details of ParentVue grading and attendance tracking.
First time users of Synergy/ParentVUE: families will need to activate their Synergy/ParentVue account before being able to access student's information. If you are new to LPS or do not have that information, please contact the Mickle office to receive activation directions (402.436.1216).
To log into your Synergy/ParentVue Account: Go to the Mickle website at http://wp.lps.org/Mickle/ Near the top of the page, you'll see a blue "log in" button under the title ParentVue/StudentVUE.
Digital Citizenship Tips
Our students are learning about digital communication and online etiquette. Here are some prompts to help you continue the conversation at home:
What do you like to do online? What are some positive ways you use technology?
How do you use good manners online?
What is the difference between face-to-face and online conversations? When would it be better to talk to someone in person rather than texting or posting something online?
Should you ask permission before posting a photo or video of someone else online?
How do you avoid other online distractions (games, browsing other websites, etc.) while doing schoolwork online?
SCIP
Red Ribbon Week {October 25 - 29}
DID YOU KNOW? Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t; yet, only a quarter of teens report having these conversations. Red Ribbon Week®, the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the nation, is your opportunity to get the ongoing conversation started.
This year’s theme is Drug Free Looks Like Me.
Visit www.redribbon.org to learn more about Red Ribbon Week® and get tips for talking to your kids about drugs. The life you save may be that of your own child or a dear friend.
Community Awareness Series: Promoting Healthy Behaviors
Our youth are our future’s greatest asset. Schools, parents, caregivers, and communities all play a role in providing supportive pathways for our youth as they navigate childhood and adolescence. SCIP (School Community Intervention and Prevention) is partnering with Lincoln Public Schools, and Region V Systems to put on valuable presentations about how to support the health and well-being of our community’s youth. Please join us for our first event on:
October 21, 2021
“But It’s Just Marijuana Isn’t It?”: The Impact of Marijuana Use on Our Youth
Schoo Middle School (Media Center)
700 Penrose Drive
Lincoln, NE 68521
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Presentation:
Research shows that families and influential adults play the most important role in preventing youth substance use. Marijuana continues to be one of the most prevalent substances of abuse amongst our youth. Perception data tells us that the number of young people who believe marijuana use is risky is decreasing. With the legalization of marijuana in most states, our youth have received mixed messages from society that has led to misconceptions over the harm that marijuana has on developing adolescents. Officer Andre O’Conner a Licensed Drug Recognition Expert with Lincoln Police Department and previous School Resource Officer will discuss the following:
Marijuana and the various effects it has on adolescents
How marijuana has evolved over the years
The signs and symptoms of marijuana use
The difference between a nicotine vape pen and a marijuana concentrate pen
Street drug names and emojis used to communicate about marijuana use and distribution
Various stash compartments used to hide marijuana and/or paraphernalia
Please contact Abbe Edgecombe, SCIP Coordinator for Lincoln-Lancaster County for questions or additional information: (402) 327-6841 or aedgecombe@lmep.com
Contact Nicki Hanseling, Mickle SCIP Coordinator, at nhansel@lps,org for more info.
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 4: Mickle
Friday, October 15: Picture Retake Day
Friday, October 15: End of Quarter 1
Monday & Tuesday, October 18 & 19: No school for students
Tuesday, October 26: PLC Day. Students dismissed at 1:40
-Stay Connected-
