“Children are the priority. Change is the reality. Collaboration is the strategy.” – Judith Billings

Dear Families: 

It would be an understatement to say how thrilled we are that all students are back in the building. Finally, things are starting to feel normal - the energy in the hallways is a source of strength and comfort. But, unfortunately, the return of in-person school also brings the return of middle school drama.  

 

This past week, we have seen the collision between reality and online communication in the form of group chats.  The majority of LMC students are in a group chat - be it grade-wide or class-wide.  One of the drawbacks of online communication is that it is not uncommon for students to develop alternative personas - putting things in group chats that they would never say in person. However, we know words have power as adults, and something said online has lasting and real-life consequences.  As part of our effort to help your children/our students understand the importance of responsible online communication and technology use,  we seek your help.  We want to partner with you to help prevent events of the past week, where comments stated in group chats have lasting consequences in school.  Below are some steps we ask you to consider taking. 
 

   1.  Monitor your child's social media presence and conversation.  Nearly every child at LMC is in a group chat.

   2.  Set hours of when it is appropriate to use the phone.   

   3.  Consider holding on to the phone beginning at bedtime to help students wind down and prevent communication into the early hours of the morning.  

   4.  Start a dialogue about the benefits and drawbacks of social media.  

   5.  When things get out of hand, have your child block the person - sometimes, it is not enough to leave a chat.  Let them know it is OK to ask an adult for help.

   6.  Accept and allow for mistakes/ lapses in judgment. We have all been there.
 

   Lastly, please communicate with us.  We are your partner - your resource.  You are an expert on your child -- we know adolescence and middle school.  Together we are a strong team.

 

Shanna Douglas, Principal

sdouglas@lmc896.org
C: 347-232-6130 (Text first)
O: 646-826-6100


AND ALSO: 

• LMC Syllabi for All grades and subjects HERE
• Jumprope Reminders for LMC Families
  • English/ Chinese/  Spanish 
  • Jumprope Parent Presentation 2021-2022  & 中文Chinese Jumprope Parent Presentation 2021-2022
• Advisory and Restorative Justice at LMC- For Parents- Let Tiffany, an LMC alumus, tell you why we do Fairness Circles to help resolve conflicts at LMC.

 

FROM PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS/UPDATES:

• LMC Out-lunch FAQ - for LMC Families
• To help us learn about your child's experiences this past year, please complete the LMC Family Wellness Survey.
• Arrival Procedures:
  • Doors open at 7:40 am.  Parents will drop students off at 81 New Street. 
  • Arrival and Dismissal Times: M, W & F- 8:15am to 2:32pm/ Tues. & Thurs.- 8:15am to 3:18pm
  • Complete online Health Screening Tool 

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CORNER: How do we handle conflict at LMC? 

Week 3: When do fairness circles happen at LMC? 

Around five years ago, LMC began using the “circle process” in advisory to talk about our identities and how to navigate a diverse world.  Borrowing from Native American tradition, we pass around a talking piece, share values, and invite everyone to participate equally.  Around this time, we started using this same circle process to address harm in our community as it arose. 

 

A friendship that’s lasted two years (an eternity for middle schoolers) is on the fritz.  Two children begin gossiping about each other.  Perhaps one makes a joke at the other’s expense or posts petty comments online.  Maybe there’s a shove in the cafeteria or pushing in the elevator.  In extreme cases, there may be a derogatory name blurted out or a group of friends continuously targeting one of the children.  These very real and very painful situations could all be an opportunity for a Fairness Circle.  Rather than just punish the students, the circle can be a chance to discuss what happened, why it happened, how to make sure it doesn’t happen again, and to come to a joint agreement on how to restore the community.

COVID-19 RELATED UPDATES:

• Updated quarantine policy- In accordance with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we will no longer close an entire classroom when there is a positive case in the classroom. Unvaccinated students who are masked and at least three feet distanced from a student who tests positive are not considered close contacts under CDC guidelines and will not have to quarantine. This new policy applies to all students in any grade.
• A student who is exposed to an infected student in the classroom will not have to quarantine, if both students were properly wearing a face covering and maintained at least three feet of distance from one another.
• All unvaccinated students who are designated as close contacts and who remain asymptomatic during quarantine may return to school eight (8) days after the last day of exposure with a lab-confirmed negative COVID result from a test taken five (5) days or later, after exposure. 
• Weekly testing- Random COVID-19 testing in schools has increased from biweekly to weekly. 
• Health Screening- Before entering school buildings each day, every student and must complete the health screening form.  
• Covid Consent Forms- Submit your updated testing consent form for your child using your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) at schoolsaccount.nyc or by downloading the form online at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting and providing the completed printed form to your child’s school.  Let's keep our LMC Community Safe!

Record your child’s vaccination status
in the DOE's COVID-19 Vaccination Portal HERE. (Student's DOE email needed)