LIS Silly Sweater Day

The LIS teachers and staff were in the Holiday mood displayed by their "Silly Sweaters" at the annual Holiday Breakfast.  Great way to start our day and celebrate with our LIS retirees who came back to visit.

From our family to yours... have a safe and happy holiday season!!!

LIS Geography BEE

Lawrence Intermediate School held their annual Geography Bee in grades 4 -6 sponsored by the LIS PTO and LIS Student Council. Students competed in three grade-level Bees, in which students answered oral questions on geography.  The following students won the Geography Bee in their grade level.

4th Grade Winner Joshua Chang

5th Grade Winner Zack Azfar

6th Grade Winner Andres Trujillo

Congratulations to our overall LIS winner, Andres Trujillo!  

A big thank you goes out to Ms. Tarasov and all of the staff members who were involved with putting on this year's contest.  

Lawrence Learners vs. Harlem Wizards

Our own LIS staff members were part of the Lawrence Learners team that took on the world acclaimed Harlem Wizards in a charity Basketball game on Sunday, December 8, 2013 that was sponsored by the Lawrence Township Education Foundation.

Mr. Barrett, Ms. Stubbs, Mr. Boggs, and Ms. Westhead

The game was a huge success and great fun was had by all who attended.  Thank you to our LIS supporters and participants.  Great job team!!!

5th & 6th Grade: Hour of Code

Our 5th and 6th grade students are getting excited about the upcoming Hour of Code. The Hour of Code is part of Computer Science Education Week (December 9 - 15). It's a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code" and show that anyone can learn the basics to be a maker, a creator, an innovator.

Thanks to our Technology teacher, Mrs. Rubinstein, and the members of the 6th grade Tech Squad, our 5th and 6th grade students will be participating in this great opportunity next week.

4th & 5th Grade Chess Enrichment

Mrs. Heller teaches our 4th and 5th grade students to play chess as part of our enrichment program.

Students learn about the pieces, basic chess strategies, and sportsmanship. 

The culminating experience for these students is a chess play day where the whole grade comes together to play chess. The 4th grade students played on November 18,
and the 5th grade students played on November 19.

Amazing Response to Student Council HomeFront Thanksgiving Food Drive!

This fall, the LIS Student Council organized their annual HomeFront Thanksgiving Food Drive to support local families. LIS showed great character and helped share the spirit of giving during the holiday season.

The donations were sorted.

The baskets were packed.

13 large laundry baskets were filled!

Thanks to our Student Council and to all who donated!

Procedure for Picking Up Students at LIS

We will have Early Dismissal on 11/21 and 11/22 this week, and all three days next week (11/25-27). Parent/Teacher conferences will be held tomorrow evening from 6:00 - 9:00 pm and on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday from 1:45-3:45 pm. The PTO is sponsoring a Scholastic Book Fair in the LIS Library Media Center during conferences.

Please take a few moments to review the video below showing the procedure for picking up students at LIS.

Seeing Eye Dog Trainees Visit LIS

Our fourth grade students were very excited to see dogs at their morning meeting on November 12. Molly Granahan (LMS 8th grader & LIS graduate), is training a dog who she hopes will graduate from The Seeing Eye program. Her brother, Jack, is a 4th grade student at LIS.

The Seeing Eye is the oldest existing guide dog school in the world, and their campus is just outside Morristown, NJ.

Molly & Jack Granahan explained what breeds make the best seeing eye dogs.

If Molly's dog, Wren, is successful, she will leave the Granahan family in about a year to become a certified Seeing Eye dog.

Seeing eye dogs must be very good at following directions.

Veteran's Day Remembrances

Our students learned a little bit about the history of Veteran's Day from this video that was broadcast on today's morning show.

Students in Mrs. Gould's 4th grade and Mrs. Douglas's 5th grade classes read the famous poem, "In Flanders Fields", by John McCrae before they made their own
remembrance poppies.

Mrs. Gould demonstrates how to put the poppy together.

Student cut out the petals from layers of tissue paper.

Every student finished a poppy.

Lessons from the Garden

How can vegetables help students learn math? These students brought fresh vegetables into their math class to help them understand fractions and quantity measurement. The students demonstrated an enormous amount of team work during an authentic lesson. They also made delicious salsa.

Character Kickoff

Our students enjoyed a beautiful day for Character Kickoff on October 18. Peer Mentors came over from the high school to facilitate the outdoor activities. Each grade spent part of the day working together with their classmates and the LHS Peer Mentors.

Huddle up!

Hula Hoop Hut

"Name the Bat" Contest Winner at LIS!

Congratulations to Carly in Mrs. Annese's class. She was the LIS winner of the Lawrence Historical Society's "Name the Bat" contest.

Mr. Adam presenting Carly with her award

What is the bat's name?? Shadow.

Upcoming Community Conversation

All are invited to participate in our Community Conversation. Register now at www.ltps.org/Conversation2013.

When:  November 14 at 7:00 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m so you can meet some of our community partner organizations before the Conversation.

Where: Lawrence High Commons.  Babysitting & refreshments will be provided.

What we'll talk about: During the Conversation we’ll briefly update you on where we are in the fourth year of our five-year strategic plan and what’s on the horizon.  Then we’ll break out into groups as indicated on the registration form.  We’d like your input on:
• Priorities as we move towards development of our next strategic plan.
• Considerations for the 2014-2015 budget.  You may recall that in January 2013, the Board of Education voted to move our School Elections from April to November.  As long as our proposed budget is under the state-mandated 2% cap, residents no longer vote on the budget.  However, it’s important we keep you informed and we receive your input as we move through the annual budget development calendar.

Questions?  Contact the Superintendent’s Office at (609) 671-5405 or lmueller@ltps.org.

We hope to see you on November 14th!

What's in Your Student's Planner?

Thanks to all who came out and made our back-to-school nights such a success. At each grade's Back-to-School night, we talked about the student planners that were issued to all students this year. Please take a moment to review the parts of the planner. This is a valuable tool to help your student stay organized and to assist with communication between you and your child's teacher.

The planner cover highlights the Six Pillars of Character.

There is a place for weekly goals, and each day is
divided by subject to help students keep track of homework.

Each day includes a place to keep track of after-school activities,
as well as a place for parent/teacher comments.

New Character Education lessons can be found each month.

A study skills & test preparation guide can be found
in the back of the planner.

Walk This Way!

Safe Kids Worldwide and program sponsor FedEx created Safe Kids Walk This Way to teach safe behavior to motorists and child pedestrians and create safer, more walkable communities. On Tuesday, October 8, the 4th grade morning meeting focused on pedestrian safety.

On Wednesday, October 9, our 4th grade students had the opportunity to see the inside of a FedEx truck and to practice pedestrian safety.

Blue Shirt Day™ World Day Of Bullying Prevention 2013

LIS will be kicking off its Week of Respect by participating in the Blue Shirt Day World Day of Bullying Prevention 2013 on Monday, October 7. We encourage all students and staff to wear blue shirts and stand up together against bullying.

Back to School Nights @LIS

4th grade Back-to-School Night is Tuesday, September 24 @ 7:00 pm

5th grade Back-to-School Night is Wednesday, September 25 @ 7:00 pm

6th grade Back-to-School Night is Thursday, September 26 @ 7:00 pm

Take part in a Community Conversation on November 14 in the Lawrence High School Commons from 7:00-9:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

5th Grade Mentoring Program

If you are a parent/guardian of a fifth grade student, you have probably heard about the 5th grade morning meetings every Thursday. Yesterday, the fifth grade morning meeting was a mentoring workshop assembly.

Coach Charlie Inverso, head coach of Rider Men’s Soccer team, worked with 6th grade House Leader PJ Barrett, 5th grade House Leader Dave Boggs, Ms. Westhead and me to develop a mentoring program for young students.

Two Rider soccer players will work with each of the 12 fifth grade classes over the next few months.  The topics include leadership, working hard, teamwork, academics and being part of something larger than themselves. Everyone is excited about this new program, and our students are really looking forward to working with college athletes.

Welcome Back!

Our first week of school this year is off to a great start, and it has been very nice to see all the smiling faces ready to teach and learn.

Just before school started, we were notified that

Lawrence Intermediate School is the #1 Dual Event School in New Jersey
for Jump Rope For Heart and Hoops For Heart!!!!!!

In an email, Jodie D'Emilio, Regional Director of the American Heart Association, offered her congratulations:

 "What an incredible accomplishment by a fantastic team and amazing school!  I am so proud of all of you!  What you do to affect childhood obesity and further scientific research to fight heart disease and stroke is nothing short of extraordinary. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!"

Thanks to everyone who participated and fundraised, and a big thank you to our Physical Education staff members who coordinate these events every year.

We are looking forward to a terrific school year. Please remember to check our school website for important information and upcoming events, such as back to school nights.

Cards for Oklahoma

Last week, our 6th grade Community Service Leadership Club wanted to do something for the teachers, students, and families in Oklahoma whose school was destroyed by a tornado.

Our students made some beautiful cards for the Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma. Thanks to the club advisor, Ms. Rivera, for coordinating, and to our PTO for mailing the cards. We are happy to be part of such a caring community at LIS!

6th Grade Poetry Contest

Young American Poetry Digest Sixth grade students pictured submitted poems that were reviewed and selected for inclusion in the 2013 edition of the Young American Poetry Digest. These poems were judged to be especially well written for the age level of the students. We congratulate our LIS 6th grade “published poets” on their accomplishment!

We are all very proud of the accomplishments of our 6th grade students and all of the hard work by our 6th grade teachers who have supported these efforts.  Way to go LIS!!!!

LIS Concert Band Selected for CJMEA Honors Band Festival

Ten LIS students, along with their director, Allison Kershner, participated in the Central Jersey Music Educators Association (CJMEA) one-day band festival at Rahway 7th & 8th Grade Academy in Rahway, NJ on May 4th. Mrs. Kershner nominated these students based on their performance in the LIS Concert Band.

Back Row (L to R): Mrs. Allison Kershner, Jordan L., Gavin B., Devon M., Toby W., Adeline R., Gabe G.
Front Row (L to R): Daniel L., Haethyr J., Russell Knab, Maxwell M.

Once nominated, students were selected and placed into one of three bands: the "Red Band," the "White Band" or the "Blue Band." Students received acceptance letters and music a few weeks before the festival so they had time to practice. At the festival, students were placed in ensembles of up to 100 performers from around Central New Jersey. Everyone was seated next to a student from another school, and all students worked together to rehearse and perform in a concert at the end of the day.

Congratulations to Mrs. Kershner and our talented students!

LIS Honors Band and Festival Band placements

Red Band

Haethyr Johnson - Flute

Jordan Lilly - Flute

Devon Meth - Percussion

White Band

Adeline Ripberger - Clarinet

Toby Webster - Tenor Saxophone

Gabe Gutierrez - Baritone Saxophone

Victor Daniel Lopez - Trombone

Maxwell Maccaroni - Trombone

Russell Knab - Tuba

Gavin Bedell - Percussion

Essay Contest Winners

May 15 is the United Nations International Day of Families. Observance of this day reflects the importance that communities attach to families as a basic unit of society and allows us to promote a better understanding of the functions, problems, strengths and needs of families. The Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women and the Zonta Club of Trenton/Mercer celebrate this day by hosting an essay contest throughout Mercer County for students as they reflect on “What Family Means to Me.”

L to R: Mr. Adam, Brianna S., Mrs. Mutinsky, Mira R.

Two 6th grade language arts students, Brianna S. and Mira R., wrote essays that were selected as winners from over 1,000 entries. Brianna’s drawing of “What Family Means to Me” was also a winner. The girls were honored at a dinner at Lawrence Library on Wednesday, May 15th. In addition, the Zonta Club gave a “Special Recognition” to all the LIS 6th graders who submitted essays, and a special award that recognized Ms. Mutinsky (6B grade Language Arts). They were complimented on the content and spirit of their work. We are very proud of the accomplishments of all our 6th grade writers!

New! Summer Program for Rising 6th-9th Grade Students

Lawrence Township Public Schools is offering a summer program for students who will begin grades 6 through 9 in the 2013-2014 school year.

The Lawrence Township Summer Program is designed to meet the unique needs of diverse student populations. We offer a wide variety of stimulating courses that emphasize intellectual growth and skills development. The program provides students with daily instruction (Monday through Thursday) and rich educational experiences in literature, fine and performing arts, writing, math, health/fitness, science, social studies and technology.

Classes will be hosted at the Middle School and are offered for two or four weeks from July 8-August 1.  Parents may register from May 6 – June 20 by completing the registration form and returning it to the Middle School or Intermediate School main office. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis and some eligibility requirements may apply.

For a full program description, please see the district website.

Getting Excited about NJ ASK!

As you are aware, our students will be taking the NJ ASK soon.

• 5^th and 6^th grades will be testing Monday, 5/6 - Thursday, 5/9.
• 4^th grade will be testing Monday, 5/13 - Friday, 5/17.

To get our students excited about taking the test, Mrs. Flail's & Mrs. Bushelow's 5^th grade class made this terrific "NJ ASK Style" video. Enjoy!

MCPCA Caring Award Winner at LIS

Each year, the Mercer County Professional Counselors Association (MCPCA) holds a Caring Awards Breakfast to honor students who have been chosen as their school's Caring Ambassador.  The Middle School Awards Breakfast (which includes grade 6) was held this morning at Rider University. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, each student's counselor introduced and shared information about the student before presenting them with their Caring Ambassador certificate.

Caring Ambassadors

Congratulations to Hugo Ruano in Mrs. Neirotti's homeroom for being chosen as the

LIS Caring Ambassador.

Hugo Ruano
LIS Caring Ambassador