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2nd Edition: 2018-2019 September
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Month at a Glance:
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Monday, Sept. 3
NO SCHOOL
Labor Day
Wednesday, Sept. 5
Otis Spunkmeyer Fundraiser Kicks Off
Dairy Queen Family Night Fundraiser
DQ location on
E. Venice, Ave.
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday, Sept. 6
SAC Meeting
LNS Media Center
7:20 AM
Tuesday, Sept. 11
Lightning Council Elections in Middle School
Wednesday, Sept. 12
PTO Meeting
6:30 PM
Teachers Lounge
Tuesday, Sept. 18
Chick-fil-A Spirit Night
Food Court of Westfield Shopping Center/Sarasota Sq
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, Sept. 19
Otis Spunkmeyer orders due
Thursday, Sept. 20
LNS Volleyball & Tennis Teams
LNS @ Booker
6:00 PM
Monday, Sept. 24
LNS Volleyball & Tennis Teams
LNS @ Brookside
6:00 PM
Tuesday, Sept. 25
Dads & Donuts
PreK - 3rd Graders
Front Courtyard
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Wednesday, Sept. 26
Dads & Donuts
4th - 8th Graders
Front Courtyard
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Fall Picture Day
All Grades
LNS Volleyball & Tennis Teams
McIntosh @ LNS
6:00 PM
LNS Gym
Friday, Sept. 28
Fun Friday!
Football & Popcorn
$1
Cafeteria/Lunch times
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In This Issue:
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Advance to the articles by clicking on the following links.
Month at a Glance
In This Issue
New Articles:
Repeat or Updated Articles:
Partner News:
Articles in this section are listed at the request of the partner
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More to Know about Drop Off and Pick Up
During the first few days of school there are often delays in school drop off and pick up. However, there have been noticeable improvements and now the drop off and pick up lines are moving quickly and more smoothly. As wonderfully as things are progressing, there are still a few concerns:
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Parents entering in the parking lot from Laurel Road are coming from two different directions and going into two lanes. Parents
may need to merge
into the lane nearest the gate. Parents please be courteous and allow the parents to merge into the lane.
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The middle lane is
only
used to drive to the parent parking lot in front of the gym or to exit the drop off lanes. Dropping of kids in the middle lane is dangerous and not allowed. Please wait until you can merge into the lane nearest the gate before allowing your child to exit your vehicle.
Thank you for your cooperation!
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Have You Met Our New Staff Members?
There are a number of new staff members this year. Do you know who they are?
Day, Christina -ASD K-2
Blecke, Karla -Spanish
McKenzie, Susan -4th grade
Egloff, Jennifer -Speech Pathologist
Dworkowitz, Beatrice - ASD Grades 2-4
Plummer, Janet - ASD paraprofessional
Van Cleave, Kristen - ASD Pre-K Teacher
Tubbessing, Kimberly - ASD paraprofessional
O'Berry, Gabrielle -School Counselor K-4
Reichman, Michael -School Counselor 5-8
Bethany King -ESE Liaison
Echo Kroot -PE Paraprofessional
Christine Cimillo -Cafe Paraprofessional
Amanda Hamlin -Interpreter
WELCOME TO THE LNS FAMILY to all the NEW STAFF MEMBERS!!!
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Safety and Security: What Parents Can Do
Just as the district and schools have safety plans that we review and update regularly, parents need to review their emergency plans. At school you can:
- Be sure that updated emergency contact information is on file in your child's school. This is particularly important if you have had a change in phone numbers. If you need to update any emergency contact information please call LNS at 941-486-2171.
- Update the schools list of people that are authorized to pick up your student at school. No person can take your child from the school unless they are on the schools list.
At home parents can:
- Be sure you know what radio/tv stations to listen to for emergency information.
- Be sure your child knows what to do/where to go if there is an emergency and no one is at home.
- If your child looses the key to the house and can't get in, what should he/she do?
- Be sure your child knows how to reach you at all times.
- Be sure your child knows what to do if he/she comes home early. Should your child call you or someone else to let you know?
- Have non -emergency police number and 911 numbers visible and discuss with children how to call and what info they need in an emergency ie. their address, phone number and the nature of emergency.
- Talk to your child about personal safety.
- Teach your child how to recognize danger signals.
- Make sure your child knows the sounds of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire alarms, and sirens. Be sure your child knows what to do when he/she hears these at home or in a public location.
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Riding Bicycles to School
Bike riding
is also a great way to get to and from school, when children are ready. Remember, kids need to learn to be safe pedestrians before they can be safe bicyclists.
If you ride a bicycle to LNS school you were invited to come to the cafeteria during Open House. One of our newest business partners,
Friends of Legacy Trail,
was there distributing free bicycle helmets and important information to kids and staff that ride bikes to school. A special thanks goes out to Friends of Legacy Trail, not just making sure that biking is enjoyable but also for making sure that LNS students are safe and follow the rules of the road!
 Thank You Friends of Legacy Trail!!!!!
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Eating Lunch with Your Kids
Did you know parents and guardians are welcome to have lunch with their child during scheduled lunch periods (times vary according to schedule - check with the front office)? Yes, we love having parents come eat lunch with their child. However, parents must sign-in at the administration office BEFORE joining their child for lunch in our guest dining area located outside the cafeteria. In addition, per School Board policy, you may only eat with your child. No other children are allowed to go outside to eat with you. Thank you for your cooperation with this policy. The safety of all of our students is our top priority!
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The Lightning Way
You may hear your kids talking about the "Lightning Way" throughout the year. Do you know what that means? The Lightning Way is described in this poster seen around the school:
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Online Student Reports
The Sarasota School District's CrossPointe Parent/Student Portal can email you a report of all of your children's grades, homework assignments and attendance each week. Information is also available online. You can access the portal at
https://parentportal.sarasotacountyschools.net/
and follow the steps to register. You will need your student's N number to register. If you do not know your child's N number, please contact your child's homeroom teacher or the main office at the school. Get your questions answered with this quick "
How To" guide
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What are some of the programs and acronyms used at LNS?
Have you heard an acronym or name of a program that you don't understand. That's understandable. Sometimes it can feel like you're lost in alphabet soup because people use acronyms and don't explain what they mean. At other times people talk about programs and if you're new you may not know what they are. Here are some of the acronyms and programs that you may hear around Laurel Nokomis School.
AR is the Accelerated Reader Program and is a computerized learning information system developed by Renaissance Learning for use in the school setting. The program provides opportunities for students to practice reading skills suitable for their reading level. After reading an AR book, students test on the computer. The computer scores the quiz, assigns points earned, and keeps a personal record on each child throughout his/her school years. The school does not allow AR testing from home. Students may test throughout the day in their classrooms.
Book levels and point values can be found through the
Accelerated Reader Bookfinder Website.
As long as the book is on AR book finder and is within the students reading level, they may take a test on it. If you are new to Accelerated Reader,
watch this brief overview:
Website: User Name is the student N#
Password is the student pin #
SRA is a corrective reading program used with Reading Wonders in the lower grade levels to help build fluency and
learn how to read. All grades K-5 at LNS use SRA. SRA test s
tudents on timed reading passages.
Spelling City -
http://www.spellingcity.com/
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Spelling City is a spelling practice site that allows you take an existing spelling list of your own and set up personalized practices for you and your students (K-12). It applies to all grades with simple to complex activities available. The practice activities include the categories of Teach Me, Play with Me, and Test Me.
IXL -
http://www.ixl.com/ -
This site provides practice math problems by either Florida Standards or Common Core Standards.
Additional acronyms are used throughout this newsletter and we hope that we explain them sufficiently. If you think of other acronyms or programs that you would like to know more about, please email us at
Laurelnokomisnews@gmail.com
and let us know. We may try and explain them in a future newsletter.
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| Laurel Nokomis School Book Fair |
Open House Update
The Open House Update in the LNS September Constant Contact Newsletter was not attacked. It should have said:
No one knew what a "whole school" Open House was going to look like. However, we are pleased to announce that the
Open House on Thursday, August 30 was very successful.
Over 700 people participated. The attention and adherence to details made this event run
smoothly. Parents/guardians and family members parked in the parents lot and were directed to parking on the back lawn near the teachers parking lot. Attendees
began their evening in the Cafeteria listening to a few brief opening remarks by Mr. Wilson. Everyone was given a schedule for the Open House and proceeded to
tour the school and classrooms. Parents had an opportunity to speak with teachers and each class had displays of student's current work and an overview of the schedule and year ahead. A special thank you goes out to all the teachers and staff members that worked to make this evening possible.
The Fall Enchanted Forest Book Fair was open and packed with shoppers during the Open House. Thank you goes out to Mrs. Oliver for doing the video above to advertise the event. These are a few pictures of the book fair:
A special thank you goes out to the business partners that participated!!
Friends of Legacy Trail was there distributing free bicycle helmets and important information.
The
Alliance Martial Arts and Fitness passed out information about
their program and
Kona Ice was there with delicious treats donating a portion of all sales to LNS.
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LNS Events in September
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No School
On Monday, September 3rd, school will be
closed in honor of Labor Day.
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LNS Otis Spunkmeyer Fundraiser
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First SAC Meeting on September 6th
The first LNS School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting of the new school year is scheduled on
Thursday, September 6th at
7:20 am. The meeting will be held in the LNS Media Center (library). The School Advisory Council is responsible for final decision making at the school relating to the implementation of the provisions of the annual School Improvement Plan (SIP). The SAC assists in the annual preparation and evaluation of both the SIP and the school's annual budget. If you are interested in learning about the schools budget or plans for improvement you are invited to attend the SAC meeting.
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Everyone is Invited to Attend
Don't miss the PTO meeting on Wednesday, Sept 12 at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held in the teachers lounge. The PTO scheduled this meeting in the evening so that all parents, teachers, staff or stakeholders (even parents that work) can have an opportunity to find out what is going on at the school and how they can help. Hope to see you there!
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All Father/Father Figures Invited to Dads & Donuts
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Picture Day
School picture day is an opportunity to get pictures taken of your children that will last a lifetime. Picture day at LNS is scheduled on Wednesday, September 26th. Your child's portraits will be delivered to school about three weeks after Picture Day. Lifetouch offers a satisfaction guarantee. If you are not happy with your portraits return your portraits for a full refund.
You can order more portraits up to 9 months after Picture Day. Follow instructions on your reorder form in your portrait envelope or see Lifetouch's
Order Your School Portraits info
on ordering after Picture Day.
Don't forget to place your order for school pictures!!
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Fun Friday - Football and Popcorn!
Friday, September 28th is our first Spirit Day of the year: Football Fun Friday. For $1.00 students will receive a ticket, get to wear their favorite NFL, College or Local Team football jersey to school and will receive a bag of freshly popped popcorn during lunch. There will be additional football fun prizes offered to ticket holders by LNS PTO during lunch time! The money for popcorn should be submitted to your child's homeroom teacher - it will not be accepted in the cafeteria.
 If you think you smell popcorn popping, you probably do! It takes hours for the PTO to pop all the popcorn it needs for this event. The PTO is looking for parents to volunteer to help pop the corn on Friday, September 28th at 8:30am immediately following drop off. If you are available to help please contact, Pam Taylor at 3tays@comcast.net.
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PTO Membership Drive Contest
The LNS PTO is excited to announce that we will be having a membership
drive contest again!
The classrooms with the highest percentage of families
joining the PTO will win one of the prize packages listed below.
WHEN FAMILIES BECOME MEMBERS, WE ARE ALL WINNERS! We encourage
every family to join, even if you feel you won't be able to volunteer.
The prizes are as follows:
PRIZES:
1
St
Place Class with the highest percentage will win a $200 Teacher Award
and an ICE CREAM TREAT for their class!
2
nd
Place Class with the highest percentage will win a $125 Teacher Award
and an ICE CREAM TREAT for their class!
3
rd
Place Class with the highest percentage will win a $75 Teacher Award
and an ICE CREAM TREAT for their class!
All applications will need to be turned into
the front office
NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
be eligible for the contest.
**Please note that in case of a tie, the money will be split
between the teachers and an ice cream treat will be given to
both classes. All numbers are based on the highest percentage
of participation per class
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You would not believe all the stuff that the LNS PTO does to help our school! Please
check out this flyer
to see just some of the many things the PTO did last year to make our school one of the best. Join the PTO to help make a difference, stay informed about things happening at the school, and to have fun! You can help as much or as little as your schedule will allow and the meetings are always optional.
Membership is an annual $10 donation for the entire family. 100% of the monies raised go back directly to support the needs of our school, teachers and students.
Membership forms are available
via this link
and can be dropped off at the LNS front desk.
Thank you for your support!
We are looking forward to another AMAZING YEAR!!!
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You would not believe all the stuff that the LNS PTO does to help our school! Please
check out this flyer
to see just some of the many things the PTO did last year to make our school one of the best. Join the PTO to help make a difference, stay informed about things happening at the school, and to have fun! You can help as much or as little as your schedule will allow and the meetings are always optional.
Membership is an annual $10 donation for the entire family. 100% of the monies raised go back directly to support the needs of our school, teachers and students.
Membership forms are available
via this link
and can be dropped off at the LNS front desk.
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Ford Drive 4 Ur School Giveback Fundraiser Save the Date
All families, teaches, partners, friends are invited to come to LNS and join the community on Saturday, October 6th from 9am to 1pm. Matthews Currie Ford will have some of their newest vehicles available for you to take a no pressure test drive around our parking lot. For each test drive taken Matthews Currie Ford is giving our school $20. We are so excited for this fundraising opportunity and hope you will come out and join us in supporting LNS.
We are so fortunate that LNS has fabulous business partners such as Matthews Currie Ford. Thank you Matthews Currie Ford for choosing LNS for such a unique opportunity to raise funds for our school!!!
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Elementary School News
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Investigations Underway in Elementary Science Lab/Horticulture
K-5 students visit the science lab with Ms. K. Carter, every six or seven days as part of the elementary specials rotation. Your children start the year studying the nature of science. Primary grades learn about how scientists work, science safety, and the tools scientists use. Intermediate grades will gain and understanding of the scientific method and other components of science investigations. From the fall to spring all students will cover topics in Earth, Physical, Space, and Life sciences. It is going to be a wonderful year of learning and inquiry!
We need some volunteers to assist with the garden!
Spray to Drip Sprinklers, Outdoor Classroom, Garden Gate
We are going to convert the spray sprinkler system to a drip system. This will help to conserve water and hopefully reduce weed growth around the beds. We hope to complete this in September so that we can start planting. We are also hoping to create an outdoor classroom space for teachers and students. Additionally, the garden fence really needs a latching gate built so that we can enter and exit safely. If you are interested in helping with any of these projects, please contact Jennifer Keller at
bobjenkeller@gmail.com
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Mowing/Weed Eating Around the Garden Fence and Beds
We need a volunteer (or two) to come by to mow and cut weeds in and around the garden area every two weeks or as needed. The volunteer that did this in the past is no longer able to help. Please contact Ms. Carter
kelli.carter@sarasotacountyschools.net
if you can assist.
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100 Mile Club
It's almost time to run with the LNS 100 Mile Club!
Participants in grades K-5 will go out to the track (1 lap = ¼ mile) to walk and/or run from 7:30am-8:00am every Tuesday and Thursday.
When your child reaches 25 miles, he/she will be presented with a fantastic t-shirt that is designed to show off their accomplishments throughout the year.
We will also offer mileage credits to students who take part in sanctioned 5K charity walks/runs.
The non-refundable registration fee is just $15 per student for the year.
All K-5 students are eligible to join 100 Mile Club.
This year we will accept registrations for middle school siblings of elementary 100 Mile Club participants, as well as, middle school students who were part of our LNS 100 Mile Club in the past. ALL students attending MUST have a paid registration and participate by walking or running at 100 Mile Club. Visit www.100mileclub.com
or contact Ms. Carter (
kelli.carter@sarasotacountyschools.net
) for more information about the program.
As always, "The Lightning Way" code of student conduct will be expected on the track. Any student who compromises the safety of themselves or others may be dismissed from the program. There will be a strict NO CELL PHONE policy for students on the track. We look forward to celebrating your child's accomplishments both on the track and in the classroom.
Parents are also welcome to join 100 Mile Club and/or volunteer.
You must be approved through the SCS-Volunteers Count program
. Sign up in the front office.
Please note: Registration for the September 11
th
start date ended on 8/24
.
There will be a second opportunity to register in mid-September for an October start date.
*Please DO NOT send your child to 100 Mile Club if you have not registered
AND
received confirmation on the 100 Mile Club REMIND app.*
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Middle School News
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Lightning Council Officer Elections
The LNS Student "Lightning" Council consist of students in Grades 6-8 who exemplify the Lightning Way. Lighting Council Officer elections will be held on Tuesday, September 11th. We will post the new officers in the LNS October Constant Contact newsletter.
Another great year of the LNS Lightning Council is already being planned. Events include participation in Fall Festival, organizing dances, a fundraising 5K, and so much more! We encourage all Middle School students to make the most of the school year by getting involved with their Student Council. For any questions about Lightning Council, please contact Mollie McBride at Mollie.McBride@sarasotacountyschools.net
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Speech & Communication Club
LNS is happy to announce the continuance of our fun and educational club titled, "Speech and Communication" for the
Middle School Students. Many technological advances have created new opportunities for online learning and various
forms of enhanced written communication, but the core of many successful future careers and private activities will also
require very solid oral/verbal presentation skills.
This Club is being sponsored by Middle School English Literature teacher, Ms. O'Connor, and two PTO-Parents and Club
Advisors, Mr. Clay Taylor and Tim Montgomery. The Speech and Communication Club is open to all LNS Middle School
students.
The Club Leaders seek to identify a smaller group of motivated students who may already exhibit special talents in the
area of verbal communication. The Club will create a fun, highly vocal, "hands-on" communication environment and the
active tasks will include occasional homework to research and prepare various individual oral speeches that will be
delivered by every student at every Club meeting.
The students may also earn certain special awards and prizes based on the occasional assessments the individual
student presenter receives from his or her peers in the Club audience, not just from the adult advisors. We look
forward to welcoming more new members in the Speech and Communications Club for the 2018-19 school season
Any student in LNS Middle School wanting to develop better verbal presentation skills and learn the HOW-TO's of
handling the stress of speaking in front of others should fill out a membership application form here and plan to join
us for our first meeting on Thursday, September 6
th in Classroom 601 at 3:15 p.m.
For more information about the Speech & Communication Club, please contact Pamela O'Connor at Pamela.OConnor@sarasotacountyschools.net
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LNS Music News
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LNS Orchestra
Wow we're off to a great start! Intermediate, advanced, and chamber classes are all working on their evaluation music already and it sounds good. Our job now it to make it sound superior. Beginning students have all selected instruments and started exploring musical skills learning note reading, rhythm reading, and appropriate playing positions.
All orchestra families should have received their initial Orchestra Newsletter by email (ORCH TEST 1819) to keep information coming in a timely fashion. If you have not received any emails from me or would like to add an email or two to the contact list please email Mrs. Bauman at
Amanda.Bauman@SarasotaCountySchools.net. Be sure to include which student you belong to so you may be placed on the appropriate sub list.
Our first big event is the Fall Festival. We have 2 game booths and 2 silent auction baskets to prepare. More details coming in the Orchestra Newsletter. You can be sure that I'll be asking for prizes to give away at our game tables and help manning the booths. Remember families that help at a booth receive bonus money for their students account. All students are raising money for their trips.
Have a wonderful month!
Mrs. Bauman
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LNS "Go Lightning" Sports News
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Grades 6th, 7th, & 8th Interscholastic Sports
LNS Volleyball Team upcoming games:
LNS @ Booker on Thursday, September 20th, 6:00 PM
LNS @ Brookside on Monday, September 24th, 6:00 PM
McIntosh @ LNS on Wednesday, September 26th, 6:00 PM
LNS Tennis Team upcoming games:
LNS @ Booker on Thursday, September 20th, 6:00 PM
LNS @ Brookside on Monday, September 24th, 6:00 PM
McIntosh @ LNS on Wednesday, September 26th, 6:00 PM
Come out to the games and cheer for LNS Lightning to win!
* All dates subject to change pending weather conditions and/or schedule modifications.
If you have any questions, please contact Coach Theros, Athletic Director or Coach Marisi at LNS (941-486-2171).
LNS Intramural Program
The after school intramural program meets two days a week and is open to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders who wish to learn/practice their sport activity of interest. Students must have a completed Athletic Packet turned into coaches Theros or Marisi before they may participate. One form is good for the entire school year.
Athletic packets may be downloaded from the
LNS Athletics web page. Physical/athletic screening forms are included in the packet (valid for one year to the date of the physical).
Boys and Girls Intramural Basketball will begin October 1st and be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the month of October.
*All dates/times subject to change.
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Sarasota County School District News
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i-Ready and Upcoming Student Testing
The Sarasota County School District emailed the following message for parents about i-Ready and upcoming student testing:
Over the next few weeks, Elementary and Middle school students will take an adaptive diagnostic assessment in i-Ready. The assessment will provide valuable information about your child's unique needs which will guide teachers and administrators to help them learn. The test will also generate a personalized instructional path and provide instructional support to your child to improve learning outcomes.
The video below will answer the following questions and may enhance your understanding of i-Ready:
1. What is i-Ready?
2. How does my child benefit from i-Ready?
3. How do teachers use i-Ready?
Parent Videos (Click the link below)
We want to ensure all our children have the resources needed to be successful in school. Thank you for your ongoing support!
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Volunteers Counts Backlog
There is a large backlog in approving volunteers in the Volunteers Counts system at the Sarasota County School District Offices. If you were approved last year, you are approved to work with the students this year. If you were not approved last year, you will need to wait until approval is granted. Please keep track of your hours on paper so that you can add them when you are approved for this year. Thank you for your cooperation and for everything you do!
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School Health & Nutrition News
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The School Board of Sarasota County serves nutritious meals each school day. Student
breakfast is $1.00 in elementary and $1.25 in middle school, and lunch is $2.25 in elementary school and $2.50 in middle school. Reduced meal prices are $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch in elementary and middle school. All meals served meet nutrition standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Medicine at School
Please know that children are NOT allowed to bring medicine to school or to give it to themselves while they are at school. When possible, parents should give children medications at home. School personnel will administer approved medications to students during the school day when it is necessary to help them stay in school. In order to administer medication or treatment to your child at school, the following conditions must be met:
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A Medication/Treatment Authorization Form signed by you and your doctor for any medications to be administered in school including over-the-counter medications) must be on file in school as required by law.
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Medication must be in the original prescription or unopened over-the-counter container labeled with the child's name, medication name, dosage, and times to be administered.
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A parent or guardian (
not the child
) must deliver the signed Medication/Treatment Authorization Form and medication directly to the school health room or assigned school board employee so that medications can be accepted and counted.
If you have additional questions please contact the LNS Health Services Room at 941-486-2171.
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Understanding Conscious Discipline
Have you ever heard of "Conscious Discipline"? P
lease take a moment to read the article about
"Conscious Discipline" attached to this link. It is
from our School Psychologist, Mrs. Kristy Laine.
W
hat Conscious Discipline tells us is that unless we meet children's needs by appropriately responding to the state they're in, they will not be able to access higher levels of brain functioning where true learning and problem-solving takes place.
For more information and free parent resources on conscious discipline, feel free to visit
www.consciousdiscipline.com.
Happy parenting!
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The PTO Report
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Thank You for Adopting a Teacher
Thank you to all the parents that signed up to Adopt a Teacher for Dinner during Elementary and Middle School Open House Nights! It only cost $5 to make a staff member feel special with a meal from Chick-fil-A. Our teachers stay after school to prepare for the Open House night and have little time to go and get a meal before we all arrive to see what our children are learning about in their classes. This is a small gesture that lets them know how much we appreciate them. Please note...some staff members may have been adopted by multiple families. All families were acknowledged and additional funds were used to provide meals for all staff staying after school. From the feedback we heard, the teachers loved the lunches and beautiful notes from all of you. They said thank you for making them feel special and loved!!!
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Partner News:
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Dairy Queen Fundraiser
Dairy Queen located at 1465 E. Venice Avenue is hosting a
Family Night to benefit LNS on Wednesday, September 5th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
When you make a purchase during this time, you are helping LNS because a percentage of all items sold during the event will be donated to our school! This fundraiser will continue every first Wednesday of the month throughout the school year.
When you go to the Dairy Queen register to pay for your food, please thank the manager for being an LNS Business Partner.
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Chick-Fil-A Fundraiser
Chick-fil-A at Westfield Square Shopping Mall located at
8201 S Tamiami Trl. in Sarasota (inside at the food court) is hosting a
Spirit Night for LNS on Tuesday, September 18th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. When you purchase food on Chick-fil-A Family Night you are helping LNS because a percentage of all food sold during the event will be donated to LNS. This fundraiser will continue
every third Tuesday of the month
throughout the school year.
A special thank you goes out to Chick-fil-A for being an outstanding LNS Business Partner!!!! When you make your purchase, please make sure to thank the manager for being an LNS Business Partner.
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Repeat/Updated Articles
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School Year Calendar and Dates to Remember
- August 13, 2018 - First Day of School
- December 24, 2018 - January 7, 2019 - Winter Break
- March 18 - March 22, 2019 - Spring Break
- May 24, 2019 - Last day of school
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Updated LNS Student-Parent Handbook
A copy of the Laurel Nokomis School Student-Parent Handbook, compliments of the LNS PTO, will be available to each student. In addition,
the handbook is available at this link.
Effective communication between the school and home is an essential element for better understanding, appreciation, and support of our mutual goals. The purpose of this handbook is to provide students and parents with a reference guide regarding the basic administrative policies and procedures used at the school. It does not purport to cover every possible situation that might occur. However, the information should be helpful in answering many of the questions most often asked.
Students and parents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the contents of the Handbook. Laurel Nokomis students agree to comply with all rules and regulations detailed in the Student-Parent Handbook. Ignorance of a policy or regulation will not be considered an excuse for failure to observe a policy or regulation.
The Code of Conduct and Administrative Policies and Procedures found in the Handbook are extremely important. Students and parents or guardians are encouraged to take a moment to review it in its entirety. Please feel free to contact the school office if you have any questions about the information contained in the handbook.
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LNS Dress Code Expectations
Please
click on this link to see a description of the updated dress code expectations for LNS students. This code can also be found in the LNS Student Handbook. It is the responsibility of the student to dress according to the dress code. We seek parent support and request that you monitor your student's daily dress. Staff members make every effort to consistently enforce the dress code.
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LNS Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
The goal of the LNS Administration and Staff is to ensure a safe and efficient parent pick up and drop off experience. As you know, t
he Sarasota County School Board is in the process of installing fences district wide to ensure the safety and welfare of the students in the district. Fences and other security measures have been installed at LNS and new security protocols are in affect.
Consequently, parents are encouraged to arrange to have their children arrive at school
no earlier than 8:00 a.m. unless they are signed up to participate in our Before and After Care Program
. Before and After Care Program is available from 7:00 a.m. to 8 a.m. If you are interested in this service, please make sure that your child is enrolled prior to the start of accessing this program. Applications will be available in the front office and at the Meet the Teacher Orientation. If you have any questions, you may contact Tricia Card at 941-486-2171.
If your child is arriving to campus
between 8:00 a.m. and 8:20 a.m., he/she will need to report to one of the following:
- Kindergarten through 4th Grade- Report to the Gym
- 5th through 8th Grade- Report to the Cafeteria
- All students eating breakfast- Report to the Cafeteria
Students will be dismissed at 8:20 am from these locations and should
report immediately to their classrooms. Students should be in their homerooms when the second bell rings at 8:25 a.m. but no later than the final bell at 8:30 a.m. It is important that students arrive on time and are ready to begin work at 8:30 a.m. Students will be marked
Tardy if they arrive to their classrooms
after the 8:30 bell. Any student arriving after 8:30 will need to enter the school through the front office. When they arrive in the front office, all students must exit and enter the school grounds out of the side door near the counselors offices. After 8:40, students need a Tardy Pass from the office before going to their classroom.
Parents are invited to walk their student to the classroom
ONLY during the first week of school after 8:20 a.m.
After that time, please refrain from visiting the classroom without signing in at the front office. If you are walking your child to class during this time frame, please remember that this is not a time to have lengthy conversations with teachers. The school day does begin at
8:30 am
and the schedules are very busy.
NOTE TO ALL: As we all know, parking is VERY limited and can not accommodate everyone at once, so please consider this when you are deciding if you NEED to park and walk your child in to school. Thank you!
PLEASE NOTE: The speed limit around the school on Laurel Road E and Old Albee Farm Road is 15 mph during the times that students are arriving or departing.
I
MPORTANT Drop OFF and Pick UP Procedures:
All students must be dropped off or picked up in the official car lane in the front parking lot,
accessed from Laurel Road. Parent Pick Up and Drop Off from Old Albee Road is prohibited.
The gate, which accesses the back of the cafeteria, will be locked from 8:00-8:15 a.m. and 3:05 - 3:25 p.m. to prevent parents from using this loading/unloading service area as a drop-off/pickup area for students -- this is a safety hazard. Skateboards, scooters and rollerblades are not allowed on campus so they cannot be used as a form of transportation to and from school.
There are three lanes in the front parking lot:
- The furthest lane from the gates (left lane) is used to exit the parking lot or to park in the parking lot in front of the office.
- The middle lane is used to drive to the parent parking lot in front of the gym or to exit the drop off lanes.
- The closest lane to the gates (right lane) is the ONLY lane used for drop off and pick up and is known as the "Kiss and Go" Lane.
Drop Off Procedures in the Kiss & Go Lane:
-
Make sure that your child is
ready to exit
your car when pulling up to the drop off area. They have their book bag, lunch box, projects, jackets, instruments, etc.
- Proceed all the way to the furthest open gate (one closest to the gym at gate 1) so that multiple cars can drop off kids at the same time. Please DO NOT STOP AT THE FIRST OPEN GATE. More gates have been added to allow for more students to exit their vehicles.
- It is encouraged that parents remain in their cars. When parents and students are walking through the parking lot and crosswalks, traffic is continually stopping, thus slowing the efficiency of the drop off line.
- Say goodbye and give their farewell hugs/kisses BEFORE it is their turn to exit the car.
- After your child has exited the car, please remain alert. There are many people, including students, parents and volunteers who may be at risk if you are not fully aware.
- Please yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks.
- Exit the parking lot. You can do this by moving to the second lane so that you can drive around the cars in the first row that are dropping off students. Please look before entering the second lane so that you do not cut off another car already in the lane.
- If your child needs additional time to gather their belongings or help walking to their classroom, please park your car in a parking space and walk your child to the gate.
- PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON THE NEWLY LANDSCAPED MEDIANS/ISLANDS. No cars are allowed to park in the grassy area near the gym.
Pick up Procedures:
To ensure the safety of the all children attending LNS,
each person picking up a child MUST HAVE A CAR TAG whether picking up in a car or walking up to the parent pickup area.
- Each student will need a NEW 2018-2019 Car Tag. Car tags from last school year have expired and will need to be replaced.
- Car tags will be issued to Approved people on each student's pick up list.
- Proper photo identification will be required prior to being issued a car tag.
- You may pick up your car tag in the front office or at Meet the Teacher (August 9th) prior to the start of school.
- Car Tags MUST be visible when picking up your child.
- If you are allowing someone NOT on the approved list to pick up your child, the office must be notified in writing prior to the date.
In order to make Parent Pick Up as efficient as possible, we encourage parents to remain in their cars. Students will be arranged by grade level outside the gym and along the parent pick up side walk.
- As you drive or walk up with your visible car tag, staff will call your child to the Pick Up lines. Color coded number signs (1-7) have been added to assist with clarity of the gates, especially for younger students.
- Please be patient as some grade levels arrive later than others depending on proximity to the Parent Pick Up area.
- Encourage your child to walk quickly when their name is called and to be alert during this time and not on their phones or engaging in socializing with friends.
- Please pay attention to the flow of the car line. Staff will direct you to pull as far forward as possible to allow for more students to access their cars.
- If you walk up to the gym to pick up your child, please remain behind the gate and be patient. Please remember that the school day ends at 3:15. Staff will assist with retrieving your child in an orderly manner.
- If you walk up by the crosswalk, please refrain from walking near the students. Remain by the yellow chains and staff will retrieve your student.
- Once you have retrieved your student, please refrain from mingling in the Parent Pick Up area so staff may supervise and access students freely.
Working together, we will ensure a safe and efficient Parent Pick Up/Drop Off system. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in keeping our students safe.
GO LIGHTNING!
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New Car Pick Up Line Tags Available
and New Bus and Car Tags for Backpacks
Keep your eye open for these new Bus and Car Tags hanging off the backpacks of kids in the Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade and the Autism Classrooms. This will help LNS staff assist those students in their transition to and from the bus or car pick up lines.
The Car Pick Up Line Tags are compliments of one of the LNS Business Partners:
Dr. Si McAninch, DDS, PA - Pediatric Dentist, Sarasota (www.drmcaninch.com, 2711 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL; 941-953-3535
).
This is just another example of LNS Business Partnerships at work!!! Please remember to thank Dr. McAninch f
or helping to keep LNS students safe!!!
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Before and After School Care at LNS
To meet the needs of our working parents, Laurel Nokomis School offers Before School Care from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. and After School Care from 3:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the school's cafeteria. Adult supervision is NOT available before 7:00 a.m. If your child is not enrolled in our program they should not be on campus until 8:00 a.m.
Students must pre-register to be accepted into this program. For the cost of the program and to find out additional information, please contact Denise Moore or Luanne Pare at
941-486-2171 if you have any questions regarding Before School Care.
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Volunteering at the School - "Volunteers Count" Program
As Mr. Wilson mentioned in his "Welcome Back" message, we encourage all parents to help at the school. However, before you volunteer at the school you must register with the "Volunteers Count" computer (formerly known as PALS) in the front office or online at https://scs-datamgmt.sarasota.k12.fl.us/volunteerscount/. This is necessary if you are interested in volunteering in the classroom, lunchroom, labs, chaperoning field trips or helping at PTO events. Also, past volunteers must reactivate every year in order to help at Sarasota County Schools each year, so even if you were registered last year you must "reactivate" again this year using the same computer and your same sign-in. Please stop by the front office if you have any questions about how to register new or reactivate.
All volunteers must be district approved. Initial approval takes approximately 2 weeks. All parents are required to register or reactivate via computer each school year at the school office prior to having direct contact with students.
All volunteers at LNS must...
♥ Always report to the school office before beginning volunteer activity.
♥Sign in to the Volunteers Count computer and record where you will be volunteering.
♥ Present a driver's license or state identification to the staff in the front office to be scanned through the RAPTOR system. They will give you a Raptor generated identification badge or a sticker that must be worn at all times on campus. RAPTOR is part of the state- and district-required security program that scans for sexual predators and offenders through a continuously updated national database.
♥ Registering and logging volunteer hours through the Volunteers Count database is in addition to the RAPTOR system!
♥Wear the RAPTOR generated badge while on campus and during volunteer activity to ensure that the school staff and students can easily identify volunteers approved to be on campus.
♥ When your volunteer job is finished for the day, make sure to log out of the Volunteers Count computer. It is important that the school staff knows which volunteers are on campus in case of an emergency.
Security updates:
2. Level 2 volunteers will still be fingerprinted and put through the FBI criminal database.
VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED
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Pay for Your Child's Lunch Online
Did you know that you can make convenient online manual or automatic secure payments for your child's lunch online using your credit / debit card at
MySchoolBucks.com (formally known as MyLunchMoney.com)? You can also:
-view your child's account balance
-receive automatic balance alerts
-set up automatic recurring payments
-track and review meal history to see what food your child purchased at lunch
-create low balance alerts
Please remember, there will be a $1.95 convenience fee for each separate payment you make to your child's account and the maximum amount for each transaction is $120. If you do not have access to a computer you can still make a payment to your child's MySchoolBucks account by calling 800-479-3531.
Sign up now! Registering for your FREE account is easy at
MySchoolBucks.com. Create a secure account and never worry again about sending cash or checks with your student(s) to school again. If you have additional questions you can contact 1-855-832-5226
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The LNS PTO
The Laurel Nokomis School PTO (LNS PTO) is composed of parents, teachers, staff, and friends of LNS
who:
- volunteer for the purpose of enhancing the educational environment of LNS students,
- encourage academic, social and personal excellence and development of our students,
- foster an atmosphere of cooperation and communication within the school community through partnerships with the School and
- provide support to our teachers and administrators so that they can provide the highest quality educational services to our students.
The LNS PTO accomplishes its purpose by planning, funding and implementing diverse activities and programs at the school that enrich the lives of students and families at LNS and throughout Sarasota County. PTO volunteers help raise funds and give their time to support extracurricular programs, provide needed equipment and put on fun programs for our students and staff.
PTO Board Members for the 2018-2019 school year:
President: Amy Sligar
President: Mary Wescoat
Vice-President: Leslie Pampinella
Vice-President: Valerie Cho
Vice-President: Yvonne Watson
Vice-President: Pamela Taylor
Vice-Pres. of Business Partners: LaToya Price-Childs, Gina Jones & Katy Balon
Vice-Pres. of Communications: Kim Forsch
Vice-Pres. of Membership: Kathryn DeNinno
Past President: LaToya Price-Childs
Treasurers: Gina Jones &
Katy Balon
Secretary: Jasynda Davis
Middle School Liaison: Tim Montgomery
Staff Liaison: Dawn Blaszczyk
SAC/5 Star Liaison: Christie McKinney
Runathon: Amanda Johnson &
Katrina Otchet
Fall Fundraiser: Mary Wescoat
Holiday Shop: Kelly McClintock
The PTO Board of Directors would like to welcome you back to School!!! They are excited to be involved in the LNS Community this school year and committed to build on a wonderful foundation of involved parents and a caring community. They will need lots of volunteers to chair or volunteer and assist on different activities to make this the best year yet! Please become involved! You are invited to attend the LNS PTO meetings where you can meet other parents and find out about things happening at LNS and how to get involved.
PTO Meetings are tentatively scheduled on:
Sept 12 (6:30 PM: Media Center)
October 17 (3:30 AM: Teachers Lounge)
November 14 (3:30 PM: Teachers Lounge)
January 16 (3:30 PM: Teachers Lounge - Staff requests, committees forming)
March 6 (8:30 AM: Teachers Lounge - budget, calendar, & Board Nominations)
April 10 (6:30 PM: Teachers Lounge - Vote budget, calendar, & Board
)
If you have any questions regarding the LNS PTO, please contact them at laurelnokomispto@gmail.com or ask a Board member when you see one!
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New LNS PTO Website & Facebook Page
The LNS PTO Board of Directors is excited to announce that there is a new Laurel Nokomis School PTO Website and Facebook Page! You can access the web page at
LNSPTO.digitalpto.com
.
Please check the web page on a regular basis because the site will be updated often! The webpage will be integrated into the LNS web site later this month and you will be able to access it through the schools web page at sarasotacountyschools.net/schools/laurelnokomis/ by looking on the front page for a gray box that says "Website Menu". When you click the box you will see a listing for "PTO". When you tap PTO you will open the PTO web page.
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LNS School Newsletter
Want to stay up to date on upcoming events, deadlines, messages from the Principal, staff, student organizations, PTO and more? If so, you will want to subscribe to this monthly Laurel Nokomis School newsletter.
Click this link and then scroll down to the "Subscribe to our Newsletter" button on the left. Did you sign up and receive the newsletter last year? You are one step ahead! You don't need to complete another form. Your email address remains in the system until you unsubscribe or opt-out. Don't worry...your email address will not be published, shared or sold.
If you are interested in serving on the LNS PTO Communications committee, please send an email with your contact information to
LaurelNokomisNews@gmail.com.
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Ongoing Fundraising Campaigns:
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Are you supporting LNS through these NO additional cost fundraisers? PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL and Share this information with Family and Friends!
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Box Tops
Collect everyday labels from groceries to earn points and funds for our school PTO. Labels should be submitted to your child's homeroom teacher.
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Amazon
Help support LNS by going to
Smile.Amazon.com and designating Laurel Nokomis PTO as your charitable organization. After that the Amazon Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to LNS on Amazon shopping done through the AmazonSmile portal. It costs you nothing and your Amazon shopping experience will be the same (wish lists and preferences carryover to the portal).
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Business Partners:
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Please support our generous Business Partners!!!!!
Parents
please support LNS Business Partners
because they support your child's school!!!
We would like to thank the following awesome companies and families for their
partnership and generous support of Laurel Nokomis School!!!
Together, we are enhancing the quality of education for students at LNS by supporting academic and social programs. It's because of the continued contributions given by local businesses and the community that the LNS PTO is able to provide financial support and services to the school, making it a better place for students to fulfill their potential.
The Laurel Nokomis School PTO is in the process of securing business and family partners to support the school for the 2018-2019 school year. If you are interested in being an LNS Business Partner or know a business or someone that would like to be a LNS Business or Family Partner please contact the LNS PTO Business Partner Vice Presidents LaToya Price-Childs, Gina Jones and Katy Balon via email at
laurelnokomisdonation@gmail.com
. The
LNS PTO is a nonprofit 501c3 organization and 100% of your tax-deductible donation will go to Laurel Nokomis School and our PTO supported programs. This is an excellent PR opportunity for your organization, reaching over 1200 families in your local area of business!
It's a simple cycle:
support the school that sustains the community that supports your business.
In addition, if you would like to team up with
the Sarasota County Schools
System to provide resources to schools throughout the district, you can get more information on the County's
TeamUP portal at this link.
***Some of these business are listed with their donation level from 2017-2018 while we transition and receive updated 2018-2019 Business Partner Forms.
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Diamond Level Sponsors:
Diamond sponsors have donated in excess of $2,000.00 towards LNS programs, projects or efforts. In appreciation of their support they receive a 4X6 Banner for 24 or more months depending on the amount, listing in the newsletter, logo on the website, thank you on the LNS Electronic Marquee for 3 weeks, Logo in the yearbook and Logo on the Runathon Shirt.
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 Gold Level Sponsors:
Gold sponsors have donated in excess of $600.00 towards LNS programs, projects or efforts.
In appreciation of their support they receive listing in the newsletter, website and yearbook and the Business/Family Name on the Runathon Shirt, thank you on the LNS Electronic Marquee for 2 weeks and Business/Family Name on the Runathon Shirt.
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 Silver Level Sponsors:
Silver sponsors have donated in excess of $350.00 towards LNS programs, projects or efforts. In appreciation of their support they receive listing in the newsletter, website and yearbook and the Business/Family Name on the Runathon Shirt.
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 Bronze Level Sponsors:
Bronze sponsors have donated in excess of $350.00 towards LNS programs, projects or efforts. In appreciation of their support they receive listing in the newsletter, website and yearbook and the Business/Family Name on the Runathon Shirt.
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Family Partners:
We would like to thank all the families and individuals that donate cash, direct service or in-kind donations to Laurel Nokomis School at every Sponsorship level. Those families are listed in the sections above based on the amount of their donation.
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Laurel Nokomis School
1900 Laurel Road E
Nokomis, FL 34275
(941) 486-2171
Visit our website at
for more information about what's happening at the school.
Did you miss the last Laurel Nokomis e-Newsletter?
The newsletters are posted on the LNS web site in the third column on the bottom.
If you or someone you know would like to receive the Newsletter, you may sign up for future newsletters by completing the attached form.
All comments, suggestions or requests to submit information to this newsletter should be emailed to
This issue of the LNS Newsletter was created
and edited by: Kim Forsch & LaToya Price-Childs
Principal Ray Wilson
LNS Principal
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Stay Connected
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Platinum Level Sponsors:
