LHMS PTALHMS PTALHMS PTA EEEXECUTIVEXECUTIVEXECUTIVE BBBOARDOARDOARD
CoCo--PresidentsPresidents:
Christina Stow
Becky Bohm
1st Vice President1st Vice President:
Melinda Brodt
2nd Vice President:2nd Vice President:
Gina Weber
Treasurer:Treasurer:
Leslie Castleberry
Secretary:Secretary:
Christine Desposito
Please feel free to contact us with
any questions or concerns:
Volume 11, Issue 4 The BeaconThe Beacon Lake Harbor Middle School PTA NewsletterLake Harbor Middle School PTA Newsletter
December 2011
Message from LHMS Assistant Principal,Message from LHMS Assistant Principal,
Nicolle BalserNicolle Balser
Dear Family and Friends,
I cannot believe how fast this school year is progressing! The first semester ends on
a half day Friday, December 16, 2011. We will return to school for the second se-
mester on Tuesday, January 3, 2012!
This first semester was jammed packed with activities, events and learning. The
second semester looks to be even busier!
I would like to thank all of our families for all of your unwavering support. Because
of you, our Fun Run, United Way Campaign, food drive, pet food drive, Beacon
Bash, Family learning night, field trips and many other activities, were all very suc-
cessful. Without your support, Lake Harbor would not be the school that it is today.
Recently our Faculty was visited by Superintendent Folse and Assistant Superinten-
dent Arabie. They came to meet with our faculty to present the school with a
plaque for being an “A” School!! There are 12 schools in St. Tammany that are “A”
schools and we are extremely proud to be one of them! We truly have the best
faculty and staff. Each and every one of them work hard each and every day to
teach each and every child. With families that are so supportive and a faculty
who works so tirelessly, it is no wonder that we are an “A” school. I consider myself
blessed to be a part of such a great school.
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. May peace and joy come to you
and yours this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Nicolle Balser, M.Ed
Save These Dates!Save These Dates!Save These Dates!
12/13 - Bank Day
12/14 - PTA General Meeting;
Chorus & Band Performances
12/15 - Winter Parties (1:45-2:30)
12/16 - Half Day for Students; End of Grading Period
12/16 - Keep Me Warm Drive for St.
Tammany Humane Society Ends
1/3 - Back to School!
1/6 - Report Cards Go Home!
1/10 - Bank Day
1/11 - 6th Grade Social Studies Fair
1/13 - Beacon Bash
1/20 - Smoothie Day
1/25 - World’s Finest Chocolate Sale Begins
PAGE 2 THE BEACON VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 4
PTA CoPTA CoPTA Co---Presidents’ ReportPresidents’ ReportPresidents’ Report
Happy Holidays to all! December is a short month, but there are several announcements and upcoming
activities.
Congratulations to the teachers who are the recipients of the LHMS PTA Mini-Grants. Ms. Bynum and Ms.
Rutherford will receive a grant to fund sets of the FROG System Learning Games. Five sets of the learning
games will be purchased for use at the computers by all students to enhance math and language arts
skills. Ms. Salzer will use her grant funds to purchase the TouchMath Multiplication and Division Kit 1 and
TouchMath Word Problems Kit 2. These kits will focus on problem solving and comprehension of multipli-
cation and division. Also, the PTA is purchasing a camera and tripod for the broadcast team. The teach-
ers at LHMS are always striving to provide our students with the best learning experience possible.
The chorus and band will perform in the gym on December 14 at 6:30 p.m. following the PTA General
Meeting. When the students return from the Winter Break in January, the World’s Finest Candy Sale be-
gins. This has always been a very successful fundraiser for the school. More information will be sent home
after the break. Please make note of the Sicily and Dominos nights. Room Moms might want to consider
ordering Dominos pizza at their classroom Winter Parties since the parties fall on our fundraising day.
Dominos donates 15% all day! Be sure to watch for all of this information to be sent home with the stu-
dents.
Remember, it is never too late to be a part of the PTA. Contact us at [email protected] with
any questions or to volunteer. May the upcoming holidays bring joy and happiness to every family and
friend of Lake Harbor.
Becky Bohm and Christina Stow
2011-12 LHMS PTA Co-Presidents
Look “Look “Look “HooHooHoo” Made Our Day!” Made Our Day!” Made Our Day! LHMS PTA Volunteers of the Month:LHMS PTA Volunteers of the Month:
Kat Thibodeaux, Kim Cross & Michelle Talazac
Katty, mom of Jonathan (6th), coordinates all of the volunteers for our PBS Blast Off. In addition, she can be seen
volunteering for miscellaneous jobs all over school. She also is a professional artist who paints and donates all
types of art for the school.
Kim, mom of Jacob (6th), co-chairs the PBS Blast Off parties with Katty. She can be found volunteering in the of-
fice every other week and is willing to give a hand whenever needed. She also helps with class folders.
Michelle, mom of Brandon (6th), handles all of our Box Tops! She sets up and maintains the collection cart, and
regularly picks and counts student Box Top submissions. Michelle literally counts and submits thousands of Box
Tops to earn money for our school!
Thank You All for Everything You Do!Thank You All for Everything You Do!
PAGE 3 THE BEACON VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 4
PTA Mini-Grants Awarded
Each year, the LHMS PTA awards two $500 Mini Grants to teachers.
This year, many outstanding grants were submitted for considera-
tion. After much deliberation, the recipients of this year's grants
are Ms. Salzer, to purchase TouchMath Kits, and Ms. Bynum and
Ms. Rutherford, to purchase FROG System Learning games. Con-
gratulations!
Pictured left to right are Ms. Rutherford, Ms. Salzer, and Ms. Bynum.
Written and Illustrated
Supply Orders
Just a reminder that Written and
Illustrated supply orders are due
December 9. The PTA purchases
the books for all the students. Pro-
tective covers can be purchased
for $1.50 and smudge-proof
crayons for $3.75.
Please contact Becky Bohm at 951-
7718 if you have any questions.
LHMS Grounds Get Spruced Up
Thank you to Beline Baird and Kim
Winters for making LHMS look its best!
Recently they painted the sign and
tended to the gardens.
A Fitting Honor
A big thank you goes to Kat Thibodeaux for painting the incredi-
ble back drop pictured above, which was used for our Veterans
Day Assembly. It was a beautiful and fitting background to
complement the LHMS tribute to America’s veterans.
Helpful PTA Links
National PTA
www.pta.org
Email: [email protected]
Louisiana PTA
www.louisianapta.org
Email:
St. Tammany PTA
www.sttammanydistrictpta.com
Email: [email protected]
Educational iPad Apps
Looking for some fun and educational applications, or “apps”, for your smart-
phone or tablet? We’ve got a few you might like:
Word Twist
A-Z School
World Countries (flags, maps, capitols)
Arithme Tic
Middle School Math
Painless Grammar
Painless PreAlgebra
Painless Spelling
Painless Earth Science
Brain Quests
Stack the States
For even more, search online using the term “educational apps middle
school” . Happy surfing!
DON’T FORGET TO CLIP!DON’T FORGET TO CLIP!DON’T FORGET TO CLIP!
Clipping these labels before you toss your wrap-
pers in the trash is a super-easy way to earn
money for LHMS programs and resources. Plus,
students can earn prizes for collecting and turn-
ing in them in!
PAGE 4 THE BEACON
VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 4
Of your total purchase price back!
Pet Grief Support
Holistic Pet Sitting www.PeacefulPlanetPets.com
985-373-2321
10%
Present this coupon at
The Price is Right Nursery 1116 Gerard St., Mandeville, LA 70448
and the LHMS PTA will receive
of Your Purchase Price Back! It’s a Simple Way to Support the LHMS PTA!
“Keep Me Warm” Drive
December 1 - 16
LHMS is collecting old towels, blankets, com-
forters and sheets to help the St. Tammany
Humane Society continue caring for pets,
particularly those who spend their winters
outside.
PAGE 5 THE BEACON
Fourth Graders Celebrate Fourth Graders Celebrate
Their Ancestry and Feast on Their Ancestry and Feast on
Foods From Around the WorldFoods From Around the World
Fifth Graders Get a Taste Fifth Graders Get a Taste
of Early American Culturesof Early American Cultures
Chrissy Weber’s family visited Colorado
last year and brought back Anasazi
beans which Mrs. Weber prepared
along with some rice. Other parents
prepared cornbread muffins, pumpkin
dessert, and donated candy corn. Ap-
ple juice was provided for the bever-
age. It was a delicious time and a
great way to learn in Social Studies. Jacob Duhe and Jessie Rhodes (above left)
enjoy the food of early American cultures in
Mrs. Starnes’ class.
VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 4
After turning in their an-
cestry reports and dolls,
fourth graders shared
dishes from their ances-
tors’ countries of origin.
The delicious “Feast” was
laid out over long tables in
the fourth grade halls. Stu-
dents, parents and faculty
were treated to an amaz-
ing variety of foods from
around the world!
PAGE 6 THE BEACON VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 4
Lake Harbor Faculty got a visit from Su-
perintendent Trey Folse and Assistant Su-perintendent Cheryl Arabie to congratu-
late Lake Harbor for earning an "A" from the Louisiana School Scoring System! The
score is based on the 2010-2011 Aca-demic School Year and is based on a
number of factors that document what an AWESOME school we are!
Ms. Starnes (above) and Ms. Blank (right)
are Shining Stars at LHMS!
“Shining Stars” are teachers and staff members
who are chosen by their peers as people who
have gone above and beyond to make our
school a better place.
Congratulations to Honors Chorus The following students auditioned and were
chosen for the District 9 Elementary Honor
Chorus. They will perform in January.
Bottom Step: Elizabeth Coyne
Second Step: Jessie Rhodes , Doris Igrec
Third Step: Skyler Blake, Jasmin Desmond,
Amelia Phares
Top Step: Chorus leader Melissa Rousseaux
PAGE 7 THE BEACON VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 4
POSITIVELY FUN!
Lake Harbor Middle School recently rewarded good
behavior by having students participate in the Posi-
tive Behavior Intervention Support Beacon
Bash. Pictured are Caitlyn Calhoun, Isabel Baird,
and teacher Robin Mitchell.
Library Club Elects Officers Lake Harbor Middle School recently elected
officers for the Library Club.
Pictured below are:
Kneeling: Halie Clifton
Second Row: Alyssa Brown, Ethan Rodgers
Back Row: Olivia Armond, Ben Matthews and
sponsor- Librarian Susan Artell
Congratulations Christine Weber!Congratulations Christine Weber! LHMS 2011LHMS 2011--12 Student of the Year12 Student of the Year
Lake Harbor Middle School congratulates fifth grade stu-
dent Christine Weber from Ms. Starnes class. Christine was
selected as Lake Harbor's Student of the Year. Next she will
compete at the district level.
PAGE 8 VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 4 THE BEACON
PTA Safety Poster Contest Deadline
Wednesday, January 4th.
This year’s theme is "At Work, At Play, Let Safety Lead the Way!"
Information, rules, and entry forms were sent home with the
students. For more information or if you need the forms, email
Lake Harbor Middle School recently celebrated Veterans Day by honoring our military with presentations
from various in school groups. Pictured (right) is Samantha Mitchell from Mrs. Fisher’s fifth grade class and
her dad, Master Sgt. Tim Mitchell of the U.S. Air Force.
Banners Created by Talented Art Students Will
Be Displayed on Girod Street During Holidays
LHMS Talented Art students recently participated in
the Mandeville City Winter on the Water Banner Con-
test. Pictured are contest winners Annie Yuge, Blake
Bryde and Kierstin Bauman along with their Talented
Visual Art Program teacher Barbara Dooley. These
banners will hang during the holidays on Girod Street.
Sale Runs January 25 - February 14, 2012 More Info Will Be Sent Home January!
COMING SOON!