Hello, Middle School Families!

I'm so excited to announce that our students met their middle school goal for the coin drive last week! They collectively raised $500 that will be used to purchase books for our classrooms and for our friends at Fortify Home, service families in our community with transitional housing and more. Thank you for supporting this effort! The reward is an extra recess for each grade level out at the playground. Mr. Wilson jar collected the most money, so he will be the lucky teacher who gets to smooch a pig at our middle school assembly this week! Mrs. Buss and I will be joining him in solidarity ;)

Though we have just four days of school this week, we've got a lot going on here at school. We've got the book fair happening all week in the worship center and a field trip for our 8th graders on Tuesday. Our assembly will happen on Wednesday, and we're looking forward to connecting with many of you at Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday. Then we will have a three-day weekend to wrap up our first week of November! These next two months will be full of all the things and will fly by. Let's keep encouraging our students and one another to bring our best each day, for the glory of the Lord!

God is so good!

Mrs. Yoder

Week of November 2, 2026

Monday
Delayed Start - School Starts at 8:30
6th Grade Recess
6:00 Preview Lakewood

Tuesday
5th and 7th Grade Recess
8th Grade Field Trip
Volleyball Fundraisers at Munchies
5:30 7/8 Boys Bball @ Fremont

Wednesday
MS Chapel
"Kiss the Pig" Assembly

Thursday
MS Team Time
8th Recess
Parent/Teacher Conferences
5:30 7/8 Boys Bball vs. TLJ Academy

Friday
No School

SATURDAY/SUNDAY
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Stutzman!

Parent Teacher Conferences on November 5

On Thursday, November 5, we will be hosting Parent/Teacher Conferences after school. Though we value partnership and open communication throughout the school year, conferences provide a perfect time to check in with one or two of your child's teachers after we've wrapped up the 1st Quarter. Please click on the teacher name below to schedule a conference.

Lilly Curtis - 5/6 Bible
Tonya Born - 5 English Language Arts
Laura Miller - 6 English Language Arts
Tom Leitner - 5/6 Math
Brian Rayle - 5/6 Science
Tim Kidder - 5/6 Social Studies

Gramm Wilson - 7/8 Bible, 7 PE
Cassie Satchwill - 7 English Language Arts
Aubri Rench - 8 English Language Arts
Megan Brewer - 7/8 Math
Laurel Sheridan - 7/8 Science
Braydon Hathaway - 7/8 Social Studies, 7/8 Humanities

Havilah Salyer - 5/6/7 Art
Jen Brandenberger - 8 Art
Nathan Hamilton - Band, MS Worship Team
Alison Stonecypher - Choir
Myka Stutzman - 6 Digital Citizenship
Josh Pike (email) - Health, PE, Life Skills
Tim Studebaker (email) - 5/6 PE
Melissa Toth - 7 Theater
Mandi VanDuyn - CORE
Amanda Smith - CORE

Study Tables

We are now offering Study Tables after school until 4:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays. Students will need to be signed up in advance by a parent completing the form linked below, 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 click the link below or contact Mrs. Yoder.
Click Here to Sign Up for Study Tables

On Tuesday, November 3, our 8th graders will be attending JA's JobSpark at the Coliseum. This experience is a career fair made for students where they can explore future career options through hands-on, interactive stations.

Before we leave, students will hear from Mrs. Crider, our school's Guidance Counselor, and they will have a form to take home and fill out to help prepare them for different pathway options in high school.

When we get back from JobSpark, our 8th graders will have lunch at their regular time and participate in team building activities and community service. We will have groups serving Fortify Home, the DeKalb Pregnancy Center, Miller's Merry Manor, and our very own North and Main Campus. We're looking forward to a great day with our 8th graders!

Book Fair and Fundraiser

Our Fall Book Fair is taking place the week of November 2, and our middle school families are encouraged to check it out! We will be doing a school-wide fundraiser the week of October 26, and those funds will be use to purchase books for our classroom libraries and to support the mission and work of Fortify Life, serving families right here in our community.

Musical Auditions Approaching!

Audition information was shared this past week for our school's upcoming musicals! Our junior musical this year is Beauty and the Beast Jr., and auditions will be held November 9, 11, and 12. Audition packets are available in the mods for 5/6 and in Ms. Sheridan's room for 7/8, and all 3rd-8th grade students are welcome to audition. Please use this link to reserve an audition time, and if you have questions, please reach out to Mrs. Toth (mtoth@lakewoodpark.org) or Ms. Sheridan (lsheridan@lakewoodpark.org).

Our 7th and 8th graders are also invited to participate for the senior musical this year. Auditions will take place this October 28 and 29 after school in the choir room, with callbacks on October 30. Audition information has been sent to our 7th and 8th grade students. Please note that students may only have a lead in one of the musicals but may still participate in both. If you have any questions about the senior musical, please reach out to Mrs. DePoy (jdepoy@lakewoodpark.org).

Click Here to RSVP for Veterans Day

Student Device Reminders

Students in 5th and 6th grade will leave school devices in charging carts at school each day. Students in 7th and 8th grade do not have to take their devices home, but they are expected to have it charged and ready for use throughout the school day.

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.
Officer Gomez
Protect Young Eyes

Connected Families for Biblical Parenting

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!

A Note from The Nurse...

Each month, Nurse Carpenter will send out a newsletter to families that is focused on a topic related to student safety and wellbeing. This month's topic is about setting limits and stewarding screen time with our kids, specifically with personal devices.

Click Here for the October Safety Newsletter

If you See Something, Say Something

Our parents and students can help play a vital role in keeping our campus safe. If you observe a safety concern in any form, we'd be thankful to hear from you, either directly or through the LPCS Anonymous Tip Line linked below.
LPCS Anonymous Tip Line

🐾 📣 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.

Winter Sports Parent Meeting - Tuesday, October 27, 6:00p

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.
Click Here for the Athletic Schedule

Helpful Reminders

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 Procedures

  • 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 and pajama pants 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.

Background Checks for Visitors and Volunteers

If you are interested in volunteering here at school or plan to in the future, please complete a background check request. Background checks cost $20 and last for three years.

🗓️ Looking Ahead...

November 2-5 - Fall Book Fair

Tuesday, November 3 - 8th Grade Job Spark Field Trip

Thursday, November 5 - Parent Teacher Conferences

Friday, November 6 - No School

Monday, November 16 - Picture Retakes

November 23-27 - Thanksgiving Break