Hello, Middle School Families,

Thank you for your support and kindness these past two weeks and for your flexibility last week as we closed school on Wednesday so our staff and students could honor Bennett at the service and celebration of life. Though these past two weeks have been filled with deep grief and heartache, it's been a beautiful thing to witness the power of prayer and the body of Christ coming together to share one another's burdens.

At Bennett's service, we were reminded of how God used this young man's life to spread joy and the love of Christ to all those around him. May we be inspired to love others well and point people to the hope and sure foundation that can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

God is so good!

Mrs. Yoder

Week of September 21, 2026

Monday
7:30-8:20 Coffee/Cocoa and Donuts at Concessions
8:30 Delayed Start
6th Grade Recess
5:00 ⅚ Vball v. Westview
5:00 ⅚ Soccer @ Holy Cross
5:30 ⅞ Vball @ Ctrl Noble
5:30 ⅞ Soccer v. Garrett
Happy Birthday, Pastor Andrew Goff!

Tuesday
5th Recess
5:00 ⅚ Vball @ Eastside
5:00 ⅞ Soccer @ Concordia
5:30 ⅞ Vball @ Churubusco
5:30 ⅚ Soccer @ Emmanuel St. Michael
HS Soccer Fundraiser @ Salsa Grille

Wednesday
7:25 See You at the Pole
MS Chapel
7th Recess

Thursday
MS Team Time
8th Recess
5:00 ⅞ Soccer v. Angola
5:30 ⅚ Soccer @ Oak Farm
5:30 ⅚ Vball v. Churubusco
5:30 ⅞ Vball v. Hamilton

Friday
Chili Bowl - See Flyer Below!

SATURDAY
9:00 XC @ New Haven
7/8 Vball Invitational @ Prairie Heights
7/8 Soccer Tourney @ Westview

Our annual Chili Bowl Flag Football Tournament & Fundraiser is coming up on Friday, Sept 25th! All are invited to come join the festivities as the high school classes compete for the prestigious trophy and champ t-shirts. This event takes place in the grassy field along the boulevard. Kickoff is at 4pm.

Chili Cook-off: Open to All. Enter a crockpot of chili and see how your recipe stacks up against the rest. Winner will receive the Golden Ladle and a $50 gift card! Complete form to enter: CHILI COOK OFF FORM Deadline is Tuesday, Sept 22. Trouble with this form? Email lucille.dunn@lakewoodpark.org 

Pumpkin Carving Contest: Open to Grades 5-12. We'll provide the tools, you bring your pumpkin and design! Winner gets $25 gift card and a homemade pumpkin pie! Complete form to enter: PUMPKIN CARVING FORM  Deadline to register is Tuesday, Sept 22. Trouble with this form? Email libertie.nolt@lakewoodpark.org

Back this year, our Get Chili'd Competition! The teacher with the most money donated to their jar will get chili'd at the end of the night! Participating teachers will be revealed this week.

Donations are appreciated and all proceeds will benefit Student Council. 

Qtr 1 Grade Checks... Your student Needs you!

Thursday, September 10, marked the mid-term of Quarter 1. Students with Ds/Fs will receive a notice from Mrs. Yoder, and student athletes will be ineligible to play if grades are not improved within the timeframe communicated by Coach Estep, our MS Athletic Director. As a reminder, please read below for some of the ways you can help your student be successful!

• Download the Google Classroom app on your personal device and stay logged in as your student. Schedule at least two times a week that you will review GC with your student so that you can see what's expected for the week and also check if any work is due or missing.

• Access your student's email and check it regularly. If a teacher emails your student, they will assume that you have access to that communication, as well. (Student gmail accounts are first.last@lakewoodpark.org, and the password is their 5-digit student number +000).

• Download the FACTS app on your phone and stay logged in as a parent. (Email Jean Roberts for access and FACTS questions.) Grades are updated weekly, so take time to check grades with your student. Missing assignments will show up as a ZERO in the gradebook. Our late work policy for middle school is that students can turn in the assignment up to a week late (earning 80% credit for 6th-8th graders and full credit for 5th graders).

• Check your student's accordion regularly. Check each section for homework and clear out the first section, which is the take-home tab. Students also have a planner in their accordions that can be used for noting what homework they have in each class.

• Encourage students to problem-solve and persevere when they face challenging situations. Help them discern how and when to speak up or get support, and know that you are always welcome to connect with our team when you have questions or concerns, too!

Study Tables

In the near future, we will be offering after-school study tables until 4:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays. Students will need to be signed up in advance by a parent emailing Mrs. Yoder, or a student may be required to attend. There will be a limited number of spots available, and families will be charged $5/session. If you have questions or are interested in this type of support for your student, please reach out!

Supporting Student Activities and Programs

Throughout the year, you will see many opportunities to support our students through a variety of fundraising efforts. In addition to athletics and fine arts fundraisers, our high school classes are also raising funds for different programs including their senior trip. Your support is not expected but always appreciated!

Recess is Back!

This year, our middle school students will get to go to recess once a week as a grade level during homeroom time! We hope that this will be a welcomed break in their week and an opportunity to get some fresh air and time to socialize, chill, and/or play. Talk to your student about recess and encourage them to use the time well!

Monday - 6th Grade Tuesday - 5th Grade

Wednesday - 7th Grade Thursday - 8th Grade

Tech Reminders

As a school, we care deeply about our students being prepared for success in their future endeavors while also giving the most consideration to their safety and well-being. Please review the following policies and procedures for middle school tech and check out the note from Mr. Keeran and additional parent resources below that!

School Devices

• A Chromebook is issued to each LPCS student, and these will be distributed within the first few days of the school year.

• Our 5/6 homerooms are now equipped with charging carts, so all 5/6 students will leave their devices at school each day. If there is a known eLearning Day, large project, or other need for 5/6 to go home with devices, we will communicate accordingly.

• Chargers will be issued to 7/8 students, and they will be expected to bring their device to school each day fully charged for use in the classroom. There will be minimal need for 7/8 students to actually use their devices at home, and it should not be accessed for personal use.

• Our device protection plan covers 1 accidental damage claim. Any subsequent accidental damages will be charged back to the student/family.

• Cases are optional, and padded cases will need to be taken off daily for 5/6 to fit devices in the charging carts. For 7/8, we do have carrying cases available for students at no cost. Stop by the IT table at Back-to-School Night if you'd like one!

Personal Devices

Cell phones & personal devices are permitted inside the school, but they must remain in lockers, powered off during the school day (7:40-3:10).  Only 7/8 students may access their personal devices before the 7:40 bell in holding room.

• If a student’s cell phone or smart device (including smart watch or other text-able device) is seen or heard during the school day, it is a violation of school’s policy.

• The student will receive a referral, and the reporting staff member will have the phone or device taken to the Office to be picked up by a parent at the end of the day. In the case that a parent cannot pick up the device at the end of the day, the student will need to turn in his/her device for the duration of the next school day.

• The first offense will result in a verbal warning; second a lunch detention; third and beyond a Friday Night School or as determined by administration.

LunchRoom Notes

• Eat What's Yours: At lunch, we see many students giving their food items to others or even just throwing them away. Talk with your kids about what they are packing/ordering and actually eating to ensure food is not wasted.

• Utensils: Don't forget the utensils needed for your packed lunch. Our food service team will share utensils if needed.

• Microwaves: Please help your student understand the basics of microwaving their lunch items (i.e. time, stir, add water, cover, etc.). We do not allow popcorn to be popped at lunch.

• Volunteers Welcome: We are thankful to keep lunch duty-free for our teachers, though they do come down to have lunch with students occasionally. If you'd like to join us for the fun as a lunchroom volunteer, please reach out to Mrs. Yoder!

Story House Groups

We are thankful to partner with Story House Counseling to offer small group sessions for our students throughout the school year, the last Friday of each month. This semester, Ian from Story House will meet with groups of boys. Next semester, we will do groups of girls with Riley. If you're interested in your son participating this semester, please talk to them, reach out if you have further questions, or sign up using this link or the QR code below.

👟 🏐 A Note from ATHLETICS ⚽ 🐾

We are thankful to offer a variety of sports at the middle school level including cross country, boys soccer, and girls volleyball this fall. Winter sports include boys and girls basketball and cheer, and Spring opportunities include track and girls soccer.

If your student is interested in participating as an athlete this year, don't forget to have a physical completed and to get registered via Final Forms. Look for the email from Maleah Leitner for additional information and detailed instructions.

Helpful Reminders

Start & End Times:

• Mondays: Morning release bell rings at 8:20; school starts at 8:30.

• Tuesdays-Fridays: Morning release bell rings at 7:40; school starts at 7:50.

• Middle school students are to stay in their designated seats in the main gym until the morning release bell rings to allow them to go to their lockers.

Attendance Reminders

• For unplanned absences, email our Registrar at attendance@lakewoodpark.org or call the Main Office (260-925-1393) by 9:00am. Submit any needed documentation or doctor's notes.

• For all absences, have students look at Google Classrooms and check-in with their teachers to ensure all school work, including tests & quizzes, are made-up and submitted upon return to school.

• Students are only permitted 6 absences per semester. Any absences will be unexcused without a doctor's note. 

• On-time arrival to school and to each class is important and expected. Students will be required to serve a Friday Night School every 6 tardies. 

After School:

• Middle school students with elementary siblings will meet them in/near the Worship Center by 3:15 to exit the building at the east/gym doors together.

• 5/6 students who are not picked up by 3:25 will be signed into aftercare unless they are being supervised appropriately by an older sibling.

• 7/8 students do not have to sign into aftercare after carline, but they must stay in the east hallway until their ride arrives. There will not be direct supervision for 7/8 students who are not picked up during carline, and parents will be contacted if staying in the east hall becomes a problem. 

Dress Code Update and Reminders

• Tops must have some sleeve and not reveal undergarments, midriff, back, chest, or shoulders.

• Clothing should not be tight fitting or sheer. Athletic pants/shorts are allowed, but leggings are not permitted.

• Pants should not have gaping holes or excessive frays.

• Shorts are allowed during Qtr 1 and Qtr 4 only and require a minimum 6" inseam.

• Skirts/dresses must reach the knee if worn without leggings. If leggings are worn, a skirt/dress must be worn over that is no more than 4" from the knee.

• Jackets/coats, hats/hoods/bandanas, and sunglasses are not permitted inside the school building during the school day.

🗓️ Looking Ahead...

Friday, September 25 - Chili Bowl

Monday, September 28 - School Picture Day

Thursday, October 1 - eLearning Day and Teacher In-service

Friday, October 2 - No School

Saturday, October 3 - LPCS @ DeKalb County Parade

Friday, October 9 - Last Day of Quarter 1

October 12-13 - Fall Break

Friday, October 16 - Talent Show

SCHOOL IN-SESSION CALENDAR

SCHOOL EVENTS CALENDAR

ATHLETICS CALENDAR