LMS

Principal's Memo

Important Weekly Information for LMS Community Updated September 11, 2026

Week at a Glance

Monday: September 14

Art Open Studio until 3:00

Tuesday: September 15

LMS School Safety Committee Meeting 5:00
LMS PTO Meeting at 6:00pm

Wednesday: September 16

Thursday: September 17

Cross Country meet at Mohegan Park
Anchored 4 Life Team Leader Training (during the day)
LMEnt rehearsal until 3:00pm

Friday: September 18

Breakfast/ Lunch Menus

Monday: September 14

Breakfast: Mini Maple Pancakes
Lunch: Italian Meatball Sub

Tuesday: September 15

Breakfast: Blueberry Bash Waffles
Lunch: Soft Beef Tacos

Wednesday: September 16

Breakfast: Turkey Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Sandwich
Lunch: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Thursday: September 17

Breakfast: Soft Filled Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bar
Lunch: Mashed Potato & Chicken Bowl

Friday: September 18

Breakfast: Egg & Cheese Scrambler
Lunch: Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza

Ledyard/ Chartwell's Food Service Website:

https://www.ledyard.net/o/lpsd/page/food-service

PRICES FOR 26-27 SCHOOL YEAR

Breakfast is Free for ALL
Lunch: $3.25
Free and Reduced Lunch Application Link

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

9/21: Mental Health Awareness Spirit Week

10/23: Grade 8 High School Options Presentations

Grade 7 Project Oceanology Trips: Grade 7 Science Classes

October 1
October 2
October 21
October 23
November 9
November 10

Mental Health Awareness

September is Mental Health Awareness Month. During the week of September 21st, Ledyard Middle School Counselors will provide developmentally appropriate mental health lessons through Language Arts classes. These lessons will focus on helping students better understand mental health, recognize signs that they or someone they know may be struggling, and identify trusted adults and resources they can turn to for support.

Throughout the week, students are encouraged to participate in Mental Health Awareness Spirit Week, along with school-wide morning announcements and informational displays. These activities are designed to promote positive conversations about mental health and reinforce the message that everyone has mental health, and everyone deserves support.

More specifically, our Mental Health Awareness lessons will help students:

Increase their understanding of mental health and emotional well-being
Recognize signs and symptoms of depression and other mental health concerns
Reduce the stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health
Develop healthy coping and problem-solving strategies
Identify trusted adults and support services they can turn to when they need help

Our curriculum was developed in partnership with Erika’s Lighthouse, a highly respected organization dedicated to youth mental health education and advocacy. Lessons are tailored to the developmental needs of middle school students, with students receiving a different lesson each year as they progress through LMS. More information about Erika’s lighthouse can be found at the end of this letter.

We are committed to creating a school environment where students feel seen, supported, and comfortable reaching out for help. We look forward to partnering with you to help our students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to navigate both the challenges and successes of adolescence.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s School Counselor with any questions or concerns.

LMS School Counseling Team

Grade 6 - Hillary Lackman hlackman@ledyard.net

Grade 7- Jenna Mulvey jmulvey@ledyard.net

Grade 8 - Joanna Okosky jokosky@ledyard.net

*Create a free account with Erika’s Lighthouse to access the Family Workbook Series on Mental Health & Depression https://erikaslighthouse.org/

Cross Country Running Team Info

Schedule: Fall 2026

Week 1- September 17th

Location: Away at Mohegan Park

Opponent: Norwich Public Schools and Wheeler Middle School

Week 2- September 22nd

Location: Home at Ledyard Middle School

Opponent: Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School and Groton Middle School

Week 2- September 25th

Location: Goddard Park, Warwick RI

Ocean State Invitational

Week 3- September 28th

Location: Away at Wheeler Middle School

Opponent: Clark Lane Middle School and Wheeler Middle School

Week 4- October 7th

Location: Away at Stonington Middle School

Opponent: Stonington Middle School and Clark Lane Middle School

Week 5- October 15th

Location: Home at Ledyard Middle School

Opponent: East Lyme Middle School and Tyl Middle School

Week 6- October 19th

Location: Away at Groton Middle School (Fitch High School course)

Opponent: Groton Middle School and East Lyme Middle School

Week 7- October 28th

Location: Away at Harkness Park in Waterford

Opponent: ECMS Conference Meet

Week 8- November 7th

Location: Away at Wickham Park in Manchester

Opponent: State Meet

Safety Committee Info

Ledyard Middle School is seeking parents/guardians who are interested in serving on our School Safety Committee. Parent and community involvement is an important part of maintaining a safe, supportive, and welcoming school environment. Committee members will have opportunities to provide feedback, share perspectives, and collaborate with school staff on school safety procedures, emergency preparedness, communication, and overall school safety practices. We value the partnership of our families and encourage parents/guardians who are interested in contributing to this important work to consider joining the committee. If you are interested in participating, please contact the Ledyard Middle School main office for additional information.

Meeting open to all.

September 15th at 5:00pm in LMS Main Office

Agenda:

Review School Climate Plan and its' Connection to School Safety
Review/ Solicit Input School Safety Procedures/ ALICE
Review/ Solicit Input School Safety Plan
Review SWATTING incident Spring 2026
Open Discussion

Grade 8 High School Options Information (info will be routinely updated)

Ledyard HIgh School

Ledyard Agri- Science

Grasso Tech

Norwich Tech

Marine Science Magnet

New London Multi- Magnet

American Heroes Student Art Contest

To mark this year’s U.S. Semiquincentennial, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has committed $730,000 to sponsor the Freedom 250 American Heroes Student Art Contest. This national competition invites students in grades 3–12 to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary by creating artwork inspired by the 200+ historic Americans to be honored with statues in the National Garden of American Heroes.

Freedom 250 will award up to 168 first-place prizes to students at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels from each U.S. state and territory. Winners will receive a travel allowance to attend the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with a parent or guardian this summer, where all winning artworks will be featured in an exhibition and honored in an awards ceremony.

https://freedom250.org/celebration/american-heroes-student-art-contest?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

VFW Scholarship (4) (1).pdf

Community Events/ Flyers

2026-2027 LEDYARD YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Registration is open NOW until October 5th at https://tshq.bluesombrero.com/ledyardyouthbball. The season will run from evaluations beginning in October through final games in March. Our first games will take place on December 5th with practices beginning as soon as we can get available gym time, likely early November. Recreational programs are available for boys and girls from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and travel programs are available for players in 3rd through 8th grade. We need volunteers! This season, we are looking for a Fundraising Coordinator and coaches. For coaches, we plan to hold Coach Training Sessions in early November. Please consider volunteering! Thank you so much in advance. We are looking forward to a great season of basketball! Please contact us at ledyardyouthbball@gmail.com with any questions.