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LHMS PTALHMS PTALHMS PTA 201320132013---14 E14 E14 EXECUTIVEXECUTIVEXECUTIVE BBBOARDOARDOARD
President: Christina Laurent
1st Vice President:
Jennifer Barousse
2nd Vice President:
Christine Desposito
Treasurer:
Kathleen Sides
Secretary:
Kim Bourgeois
Please feel free to contact us with any
questions or concerns:
Volume 1V, Issue 5
Important DatesImportant Dates::
December 17 - PTA Mtg/Band &
Chorus Concert at 6:30 p.m.
December 20 - End of 2nd Grading
Period; Beacon Bash for 2nd
quarter; Half-day for students
December 23 - Jan. 3 - Christmas
Break
January 6 - School Reopens
January 8 - Science & Social Studies
Fair
January 9 - Report cards go home
January 10 - Science & Social Studies
Fair Awards Ceremony
January 14 - Bank Deposit Day
January 20 - Martin Luther King Day
January 29 & 31 - Career Day (6th)
February 7 - World’s Finest
Chocolate Sale Begins
February 8 - Honor Band Auditions
Lake Harbor Middle SchoolLake Harbor Middle SchoolLake Harbor Middle School 1700 Viola Street1700 Viola Street1700 Viola Street
Mandeville, Louisiana 70448Mandeville, Louisiana 70448Mandeville, Louisiana 70448 985985985---674674674---444044404440
www.lakeharbormiddle.stpsb.orgwww.lakeharbormiddle.stpsb.orgwww.lakeharbormiddle.stpsb.org
Principal’s MessagePrincipal’s Message
Dear Parents,
The first half of the year is coming to a close and we are looking forward to a fabulous
second half of the school year. December 20th is the last day of the second grading
period and the students have a half day of school. We will also have our Beacon Bash
and Blast Off on this day to celebrate positive behavior. We would love for you to come
and volunteer your time at this event. The more parents, the merrier!
Take time to enjoy your family and friends for the holidays, because when we return we
will hit the ground running! We return to school on January 6th and report cards go
home on the 9th. We are off of school on January 20th to celebrate MLK day. Career Day
for 6th grade will be on January 29th and the 31st.
Remember that it is time to check your child’s uniform. They really grow in Middle
school and they outgrow their uniforms very quickly!! It always amazes me the differ-
ence between 4th grade in August and 6th grade in May!! Please refer to the STPSB uni-
form policy when checking the uniforms. Shorts are on sale in lots of places and on line
right now- you may want to take advantage of the great prices.
Please mark your calendars for LEAP and iLEAP standardized testing which begins on
March 18th (LEAP only) and will continue April 7th-April 11th. Students are not allowed
to check out before 1:00 on these days due to testing in the school. Be cautious when
making appointments during this week for your children.
With the flood of information and activities that come from school be sure to check the
school’s website and the teachers’ websites for all current information. You can also
check your child’s grades, attendance, discipline records and more on the Student Pro-
gress Center. The link to the Student Progress Center can be found on our home page
for your convenience.
Please make sure that you stay informed about what is happening here and feel free to
contact us if you have any questions, comments or concerns. We’d love to hear from
you.
Thank you for supporting Lake Harbor!
Sincerely,
Nicolle Balser M.Ed.Nicolle Balser M.Ed.
LHMS Assistant PrincipalLHMS Assistant Principal
TheThe BeaconBeacon December 2013/January 2014
PAGE 2 THE BEACONTHE BEACON VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5
LHMS PTA President’s ReportLHMS PTA President’s ReportLHMS PTA President’s Report
I do hope that everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving Break. Our PTA food drive was a huge success
with the Bring a Can and Fill the Van winter food drive campaign. As a school, we were able to fill up
half of a minivan with food. With all of the food that was dropped off at the school before our Thanksgiv-
ing break, the Lake Harbor Middle School community was able to bless many local families by placing
food in their cupboards. It is always such a heartfelt act of kindness to give to others who are in need on
a daily basis. This year your food donations were given to the Samaritan Center in Mandeville.
Now that December is upon us and we will have another long school vacation, please bear in mind that
this vacation will be minus the snow. Or maybe we should go ahead and ask for the snow. Either way,
with or without snow, Mrs. Hicks’ band members delivered the frozen cookie dough that they sold as a
band fundraiser with much success. I want to give personal thanks to all of the volunteers who that took
time out of their hectic schedules to help out Mrs. Hicks and her cookie dough fundraiser.
So here is a math problem for you to solve Choir + Band + PTA General Meeting = December 17th at
6:30pm. Oh I forgot - I wasn’t supposed to give you the answer! But since did, I definitely do look for-
ward to seeing you there!
Warm wishes,
Christina Laurent
2013-14 LHMS PTA President
LHMS PTA LHMS PTA
~ December 2013 December 2013 ~
Volunteers of the MonthVolunteers of the Month
LHMS DadsLHMS DadsLHMS Dads
For the month of November, we would like to
recognize all of the Dads who came out to help with
the 6th grade Saints Jr. Training Day Camp. Despite
the weather, everyone had a great time and the kids
enjoyed having the dads participate. Thank you for your time and we hope to see you again!
Thank You All Thank You All
For Everything You Do!For Everything You Do!
CAR LINE UPDATE!
Our car line is moving very smoothly this year, thanks to all parents for having your child’s name
posted in the window of your car!! For those of you who may be new to the carline procedures, please
have a sign with your child’s name on it when coming through the line to help the duty teachers out.
Just a reminder that car line begins at 3:11 and we are usually finished by 3:20. Please be here to pick
up your children in car line no later than 3:20. Thanks for your help with this procedure.
PAGE 3 THE BEACON VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5
National PTA
www.pta.org
Email: [email protected]
Louisiana PTA
www.louisianapta.org
Email: [email protected]
St. Tammany PTA
www.sttammanydistrictpta.com
Email: [email protected]
PTA Links:PTA Links:PTA Links:
Front Row: Mia Robinson, Corinne Zemmer, Julia LeBouef, Kenzie Rodriguez, Teresa Yenni, Christina Hammer, Jake Mizell, Felice Henderson.
Middle Row: Kendall Mitchell, Ethan Valladeres, Alveon Garrett, Meg Norwood, Nicholas Kao, Darren Slack, Dominic Howell, Nick Kaushal,
Graham Rafferty. Back Row: Librarian, Suzie Artell, Braeden Ortiz, Tammy Rallis, Carley Pizzuto, CeCe Geisler, Macie Baughman, Emily Or-
geron, Julia Klein, Rayni Newman, Alexander Ragas, Savannah Howard
Library Club Officers Pictured from left to right are: Susan Artell, Club sponsor; Macie
Baughman, treasurer; Mia Robinson, secretary; Kendall Mitchell, president;
Nicholas Kao, vice president; and not shown is Ashton Ebert, reporter.
PAGE 4 THE BEACON
VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5
Wishing the entire LHMS
community a wonderful holiday
season and a peaceful, prosperous 2014. ~The LHMS PTA
Talented Art Student, Janey Ma, Wins
Christmas Banner Contest Janey Ma, from the Lake Harbor Middle School Talented Art Program, won
the 2014 Mandeville Christmas Banner Contest. Janey’s work will hang on
Girod Street during the month of December. Janey is pictured here with
Mandeville Mayor, Don Villere.
Dear Parents,
Your child has received the St. Tammany Parish School Board Mandated Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Education and
Reporting Program. As a follow-up to this program, we encourage you to talk with your child about this important issue.
Thank you for your concern and interest in the safety of your child.
Lesa C. Kabrich
LHMS Guidance Counselor
PAGE 5 THE BEACON VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5
Debbie Knick’s Talented Theater Students had fun performing Shakespeare at the St. Tammany Parish Talented Arts Program Renaissance
Festival. The Festival is an annual fundraiser that was held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at the Children’s Pavilion on Koop Drive in
Mandeville. The students have been learning about the Renaissance Era since the beginning of school and have applied their new knowl-
edge about the Renaissance to their performance on stage. Performance plays included:
Romeo and Juliet Auditions (LHMS) and Scarf Dancing with Juggling, (a combined class performance by 6th grade from LHMS and 6th
grade from Abita Springs Middle School), Sonnet #18 (Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day...), and Twelfth Night (LHMS 5th grade).
COMING IN FEBRUARY!
PAGE 6 THE BEACON VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5
LHMS Sixth Graders LHMS Sixth Graders
Spread Holiday JoySpread Holiday Joy Ms. Melan's sixth grade class adopted a family of 7
through Catholic Charities this year. Students were
encouraged to raise money on their own in order to
purchase gifts from the family’s wish list, which in-
cluded a bike for a four year old child. Sixth graders
Ashlyn Martinez, Carley Pizzuto, and Kaitlyn
Gagnon (pictured) held a bake sale in their subdivi-
sion and raised over $300! Not only did they purchase
the bike, they had earned enough money to give the
family a $200 gift card.
"Bring A Can, Fill The Van" Food Drive Helps
Restock the Shelves at the Samaritan Center In November, LHMS students filled up over half of a van with donated
food!! All of the grade levels came together to help refill the shelves of
the Samaritan Center in Mandeville. Generous donations by LHMS
families fed many local families for Thanksgiving. Our next Food Drive
will be in the spring. Thank you for helping to feed our neighbors in
Mandeville!
Front Row – left to right: Standing-Savannah Guidry, seated – Jonathan
Taylor, Cece Geisler, Nick Prinzo, standing – Anna LeJeune. In van
from left to right: Brian Sisson, Alisha Cagle, Brianna Norris
YAP (Youth and Pets) Group Helps
Our Four-Legged Friends! The Lake Harbor Middle School YAP (Youth and Pets) Group held
its Thanksgiving Hungry Bowl Pet Food drive during the last two
weeks prior to the Thanksgiving break in November. The pet food
drive was a HOWL-ing success! We raised over 500 pounds of
dried kibble plus many cans of pet foods and treats for hungry, or-
phaned pets with the St. Tammany Animal Resource Team!!
Thank you to all who participated!
LHMS fifth grader, Guy Pitts, helps out
PAGE 7 THE BEACON VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5
Lake Harbor Middle School sixth grade students in
Ms. Julie Mallory's science classes created atoms
using Play-doh and wire.
Gwyneth Hughes, Macie Baughman, Whitney Blocker (above)
Treylin Deville, Brennon Fanguy, Tony Alexander
Grace Lorio, Carley Frank, Maddie Crowe (below)
Sean Selleck, Noah VanHoose, Jacob Orgeron (below)
PAGE 8 THE BEACON VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5
Sixth graders won the LHMS ‘Biggest Loser’ United Way fundraiser and as a reward, they got to
participate in the New Orleans Saints Junior Training Camp in November.
PAGE 9 THE BEACON VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5
Artist, Cliff Beaman, helped Lake Harbor celebrate Veteran's Day with Artist, Cliff Beaman, helped Lake Harbor celebrate Veteran's Day with Artist, Cliff Beaman, helped Lake Harbor celebrate Veteran's Day with his presentation of American Symbols his presentation of American Symbols his presentation of American Symbols
In honor of Veterans Day Lake Harbor presented Mr. Cliff Beaman, educator, artist and cartoonist. Mr. Beaman presented his program,
"American: Symbols of Our Freedom", which highlighted little tastes of American history, great music special lighting effects and character val-
ues.
Cool Crafters and Titanium Owls For the first time, LHMS has two robotics teams this year. They are made up of both 5th and 6th grade students. Pictured
bottom right are Cory Koenig and Olivia Stewart, members of the Cool Crafters team, during a tournament match
at FHS on November 16th. Pictured top right are Garrett Penzato and Graham Rafferty, both on the Titanium Owls
team, who also participated in their first tournament held at FHS on November 16.
Below left are members of both teams: Jacob K, Allen T, Jonathan B, Olivia S, Cory K, Trey T, Anna D, Graham R,
Carter D, Jake M, Garrett P- second row: Zachary M, Sierra D, Alex R, Emmy
M, Alexa S, Daniel A, Mrs. Peterson, and Mrs. Thurber .
PAGE 10 THE BEACON VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5
WOW! Students at Lake Harbor who participated in the magazine
fundraiser were treated to a dunk show. Members of SKY
Dunk extreme dunk team performed for the students as
well as spread the message to go APE- A- Attitude, choose
it wisely, P- Preparation, be prepared for school every day
and E- Effort, put forth your best effort.
Ms. Benefiel’s and Ms.
Starnes’ students
proudly exhibit their
visual displays from
their Reading research
projects on
communication. Above, Jenna Klein, Madeline Diebel, Karley Bowers,
Nathan Lambertson, and Will Daigle Above, Jakob Morales shows his classmates an old
rotary phone and Alex Portmann displays his com-
puter model
Addei Laurent, Shane Cadym, Noah Quinn, Blain Cascio, and
Lauryn Blanchard share visual displays
Blake Dusang, Andre Bernard, Caroline Becnel, Brooks Hough-
ton, and Laural Mason display visual products
PAGE 11 VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5 THE BEACON
Sixth Graders Use Their Writing Skills to Offer Words of Support and GratitudeSixth Graders Use Their Writing Skills to Offer Words of Support and GratitudeSixth Graders Use Their Writing Skills to Offer Words of Support and Gratitude
Students in Mrs. Rutherford’s ELA class wrote letters to Staff Sergeant Justin Cauthen. He
is leaving for a second deployment to the Middle East on December 15. All of the letters
were inspiring, heart-warming, and sincere. This is what some of the sixth graders had to
say in their letters to him.
Cat DeCossas: “Every morning at school, we say the pledge, and I say it with pride be-
cause I am genuinely thankful for the people like you who fight for us!
Cameron Tregre: “I’m sorry you won’t be home for the holidays. I know your family
will miss you, Mr. Cauthen. Be safe!”
Gabby Acosta: “Only a real hero could take time away from their family to protect us.”
Joshua DeJohn: “I’m happy that we have very confident people in our military. I know
that a ton of things are going through your head right now, because my dad was a Marine
and it was hard for me. I hope you are really careful while you’re on duty. Be safe and
thank you.”
Emma Shannon: “My dad has been to Iraq and I know how hard it was for him to leave
us. I can’t imagine how you and your family feel about you leaving right now.”
Grace Lorio: “Thank you for fighting for our country and taking time away from your
family to protect us. You have inspired me to take risks!”
Rebecca Gilson: “My dad was in the Navy for a few years. Thank you for risking your life
to keep our country safe. I think it is really brave of you to fight for us.”
Trent Marange: “I just want to thank you for protecting our country. Also, how fast is
your Blackhawk helicopter?”
Phoebe Madona: “I know it’s hard to leave your family. My dad had to leave my mom, my
two brothers, and me. It was hard for my family and I know it’s hard for your family, too.
But, my dad made it back, and I know you will too!”
Garrett Penzato: “Thanks to you, our country is another step closer to world peace. From me to you, good luck soldier!”
Pictured above are Grace Lorio and Ashlyn Rupert
coloring the stationery after writing their letters to
SSG Justin Cauthen.
‘Wrapping up’ Their Studies on Egypt! Mrs. Rutherford’s sixth grade Social Studies class enjoyed wrapping or being wrapped as “Mummies” as a finale for their Egyptian
Unit.
Above, Graham Rafferty chills out while
Patrick Pitts begins the mummy wrapping
session of mummification!
Above, Joshua DeJohn isn't too sure about
this mummy wrapping thing, but Trent
Marange keeps going!
Below, Carley Frank, Rayni Newman, and Cam-
eron Tregre are happy with their mummy, Mi-
chael Johnson!
PAGE 12 VOLUME 1V, ISSUE 5 THE BEACON
Lagniappe...Lagniappe...
How To Help: Show Your Child That You Think Education and Homework Are Important
Children need to know that their parents and adults close to them think homework is important. If they know their
parents care, children have a good reason to complete assignments and turn them in on time. There is a lot that you
can do to show that you value education and homework.
Set a Regular Time.
Finding a regular time for homework helps children finish assignments. Outside activities, such as sports or music les-
sons, may mean that you need a flexible schedule. Your child may study after school on some days and in the evening
on others. If there isn't enough time to finish homework, your child may need to drop some outside activity. Home-
work must be a high priority.
Pick a Place.
A study area should have lots of light, supplies close by, and be fairly quiet.
Remove Distractions.
Turn off the television and discourage social telephone calls during homework time. (A call to a classmate about an as-
signment may, however, be helpful.)
Provide Supplies and Identify Resources.
For starters, collect pencils, pens, erasers, writing paper, an assignment book, and a dictionary. Other things that might
be helpful include glue, a stapler, paper clips, maps, a calculator, a pencil sharpener, tape, scissors, a ruler, index cards, a
thesaurus, and an almanac. Keep these items together in one place if possible. If you can't provide your child with
needed supplies, check with the teacher, school guidance counselor, or principal about possible sources of assistance.
Set a Good Example.
Children are more likely to study if they see you reading, writing, and doing things that require thought and effort on
your part. Talk with your child about what you're reading and writing even if it's something as simple as making the
grocery list. Tell them about what you do at work. Encourage activities that support learning--for example, educational
games, library visits, walks in the neighborhood, trips to the zoo or museums, and chores that teach a sense of respon-
sibility.
Show an Interest.
Make time to take your child to the library to check out materials needed for homework (and for fun too), and read
with your child as often as you can. Talk about school and learning activities in family conversations. Ask your child
what was discussed in class that day. If he doesn't have much to say, try another approach. For example, ask your child
to read aloud a story he wrote or discuss the results of a science experiment.
Another good way to show your interest is to attend school activities, such as parent-teacher meetings, shows, and
sports events. If you can, volunteer to help in the classroom or at special events. Getting to know some classmates and
other parents not only shows you're interested but helps build a network of support for you and your child.
