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Principal's Opening Letter, 8-5-24

August 5, 2024

 

Dear LRMS Families,

 

Greetings, and welcome (back) to Leesville Road Middle for the 2024-25 school year!  We are excited to invite all your students into our community again this school year.  Important dates and information are included in this letter.  This message will also be posted in the Principal’s Message page of our website (www.wcpss.net/leesvilleroadms). 

 

Additionally, Wake County Schools has compiled a list of helpful information to begin the school year.  All families are advised to review the District’s student/parent handbook as well as information about student health and wellness, transportation, school meals, School Board Policies and registering to be a volunteer.

 

It has been a busy summer!  I applaud our office staff, custodians, and maintenance staff for their efforts to address logistics, programming and the building updates necessary to facilitate a smooth opening of school for all of our students in a few weeks.  Some upgrades include new student desks and chairs in every classroom, the installation of a new outdoor track, and the replacement of the sound system in the gymnasium!  Our administrators and counselors are also working together to finalize grade level logistics as well as student schedules. Here are your primary contacts by grade level for this year:

 

 

 

Further details about schedules, expectations and the opening of school can be found in the sections below (“Important Dates” and “Important Information”).  Specific emails with team assignments will be sent via email in the coming days. Again, we look forward to a great year of learning and growing together at Leesville Road Middle School.

 

Best regards,

Chris Cox, Principal

 

 

Important Dates

  1. LIONS Camp for 6th graders will occur from 8:30-11:30am on Friday, August 23.  The purpose of LIONS camp is to give students a chance to meet their teachers and classmates as well as acclimate to school schedules and procedures.  Parents are welcome to walk their students upstairs to the sixth grade teams to briefly meet the teachers and see the classrooms.  Parents should then proceed to the cafeteria for a brief presentation from the PTSA and School Leadership.  An opportunity to purchase school gear and obtain WCPSS Chromebooks will be available.  Student pick-up will occur at the front of the school at 11:30am.  Details and the link to register are HERE.

 

  1. “Walk-the-Schedule” for 7th and 8th graders will be within the time frame of 12:30-2:30pm on Friday, August 23.  This is a “drop-in” format and will offer families a chance to learn more about schedules and school supplies in specific classes and grade levels.  There will be an opportunity to join the PTSA, purchase LRMS gear and agendas during these hours as well.  Food trucks have been invited!

 

  1. The first day of school is Tuesday, August 27. Here is the WCPSS 2024-25 Traditional Calendar.

 

  1. Our Open House will take place on the evening of Tuesday, September 17.  This event will include the first general PTSA meeting and an approval of the PTSA Budget.  We will send more details as the school year progresses.

 

 

  1. For 7th and 8th Graders interested in Fall Sports (football, girls soccer, volleyball, cheerleading), tryouts begin on Tuesday, September 3.  Information about eligibility and forms for participation can be found on the LRMS Athletics website.

 

 

  1. First quarter Interim Reports will be sent home the week of September 23.

 

 

 

Important Information

 

  • School Hours: Leesville Road Middle school hours are 8:15am–3pm.  Drop off begins at 7:50am.  The tardy bell rings and the instructional day begins at 8:15am.  A warning bell has been added at 8:14am. Late arrivals must sign-in at the office.

 

  • New Unexcused Tardy Policy:  An accrual of three or more unexcused tardies to any class will result in silent lunch the following day.  Excused tardiness includes medical appointments, a late bus or an approved note from another staff member.  There is a one-week grace period for all students at the start of each semester.

 

  • Carpool Arrival and Dismissal: During arrival time, please utilize the two carpool lanes leading from Pride Way.  There is no need to merge between lanes.  Our staff will be directing traffic for vehicles and pedestrians at the front of the school.  At dismissal, only the lane closest to the curb is used.  Carpool tags are not necessary.  Adult supervision is available outside within these time windows:
    • Carpool arrival is 7:50-8:15am.
    • Carpool dismissal is from 3:00-3:25pm. 

 

  • Bus routes will be sent out by WCPSS and posted on our website once they are released by the Office of Transportation.  More information about buses can be found at https://www.wcpss.net/domain/30. Parents are encouraged to download the Here Comes the Bus app to track bus arrival and departure times. 

 

  • Checking Students Out Early: We discourage early dismissals, however, if you need to pick up your child early for an appointment, please be sure to arrive to check him/her out before 2:30pm.  Any check-outs before noon will result in an official absence on a given day.

 

  • Breakfast/Lunch will be served daily.  Students are welcome to bring lunches or receive school lunch.  Information about school meals can be found here: wcpss.net/domain/1047.  You can also pre-pay for meals online at www.MySchoolBucks.com.

 

  • Volunteers who are approved through the District are welcome to support daily school operations as well as chaperone field trips this year.  Parents who wish to volunteer must register at a Wake County school site.  More information can be found at www.wcpss.net/volunteer.

 

  • Supply Lists can be a useful guide as families prepare for the school year.  Here is a link to supply lists created by our staff.  More specific information will be available on a teacher-by-teacher basis during LIONS Camp and Walk-Throughs on August 24.  If your family needs support accessing supplies, our Student Services Department can help.  Please contact our front office.

 

  • Devices and Technology:
    • Chromebooks should be carried to and from school every day.  Students new to WCPSS will receive their device within the first several days of the school year.  Parents of Sixth Graders can pick-up Chromebooks at LIONS Camp on August 23.
    • Personal Devices, Including Cell Phones should cause no disruptions, distractions or unsafe environments during the school day (8:15am – 3pm).  Students are expected to comply with the WCPSS Code of Conduct (Board Policy 3225 Technology Responsible Use).
      • Teachers have permission to set the standard for personal device use within the walls of their classrooms.  Some lessons may allow for the use of personal devices/headphones.
      • Cell phones should be left in the classroom or placed on the teacher’s desk when leaving class for the restroom.  If given to the teacher, it will be returned once the student returns.
      • Cell phones should not be visible in the hallways.  One earbud/airpod may be worn in the hallway, but students should always be able to hear and acknowledge staff and their surroundings out of respect and to ensure safety.
      • The school system assumes no responsibility for personal devices brought to school. 

 

  • Communication and Digital Resources:
    • Each teacher will utilize WCPSS email, Talking Points and a Canvas site for his/her classes. 
    • Students are encouraged to use their WCPSS email to communicate with staff.  All student technology use and communication should adhere to the District’s Responsible Use Policy.
    • It is recommended that every parent/guardian sign-up for PowerSchool Parent Portal.  This tool allows parents to track student attendance, grades and assignments.  If you need assistance with Parent Portal, please contact our Data Manager, Mrs. Crawford (bacrawford@wcps.net).
    • There will be a whole-school, weekly email/text message sent via School Messenger with regular updates sent by the Principal at the end of each week.  WCPSS will automatically opt-in each family for these messages, but you can adjust your preferences here.  Mass voice calls will only be used in urgent circumstances.  
    • Below are some other useful sources of information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

We look forward to a great 2024-25 school year!