4th Edition: 2018-2019 November
Ataglance Month at a Glance:Monthataglance
Thursday, Nov. 1
AR Parties
Playground
Grade Specific Times

Cookie Dough Pick-Up
LNS Cafeteria
3:15 PM - 6:00 PM


Sunday, Nov. 4



Monday, Nov. 5
MS Girls/Boys Basketball Try-outs
Gym
3:15 PM

MS Intramural Weight Training
Weight Room
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM


Tuesday, Nov. 6
 
MS Girls/Boys Basketball Try-outs
Gym
3:15 PM


Wednesday, Nov. 7
Staff Appreciation Luncheon
Teachers Lounge
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Picture Retake Day
Gym Lobby
All Day

MS Intramural Weight Training
Weight Room
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Dairy Queen Family Night Fundraiser
DQ location on 
 E. Venice, Ave.
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM


Thursday, Nov. 8
SAC Meeting
LNS Media Center
7:20 AM

Internet Safety Night
LNS Cafeteria
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM


Friday, Nov. 9
Fall 4 Reading
Thunderbug Kick-off Day
LNS Cafeteria
During lunches


Monday, Nov. 12
Gobble-Gram Sales Begin!
LNS Courtyard before school or Homeroom

MS Intramural Weight Training
Weight Room
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM


Wednesday, Nov. 14
MS Intramural Weight Training
Weight Room
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

PTO Meeting
Teachers Lounge
3:30 PM


Friday, Nov. 16
Fall 4 Reading Book Swap Event
LNS Media Center
All Day


Monday, Nov. 19
MS Intramural Weight Training
Weight Room
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM


Tuesday, Nov. 20
Chick-fil-A Night
Sarasota Square Mall Food Court
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM


Wednesday, Nov. 21 - Friday Nov. 23
NO SCHOOL

Thanksgiving Break


Monday, Nov. 26
MS Intramural Weight Training
Weight Room
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM


Tuesday, Nov. 27
Kindergarten and Grade 1 Holiday Concert
LNS Cafeteria
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM


Wednesday, Nov. 28
MS Intramural Weight Training
Weight Room
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Grades 2 & 3 Holiday Concert
LNS Cafeteria
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

The LNS Constant Contact Newsletters Are Written and Produced by the 
 LNS PTO Communications Committee.

InthisissueIn This Issue:
Advance to the articles by clicking on the following links.

Month at a Glance
 
In This Issue

New Articles:BacktoTop
 
Repeat or Updated Articles:

Partner News:  
Articles in this section are listed at the request of the partner 
 


New Articles:
Fivestar

 
On October 3, 2018, Sarasota County Schools announced that the  Florida Department of Education (FDOE) gave 18 schools the Five Star School Award and 41 schools the Golden School Award for the 2017 - 2018 school year. These prestigious awards are given to public, specialty and charter schools statewide.

Laurel Nokomis School is a 2018 Five Star School Award recipient and has been a recipient for 13 years.  The school is also a  2018 Golden School Award recipient and has received  that award for 37 years.

The Five Star School Award is presented annually by the FDOE Commissioner's Community Involvement Council to schools that have demonstrated in-depth community involvement. In order to earn this designation, a school must prove that it has achieved 100 percent of the established criteria in business partnerships, family involvement, volunteerism, student community service and student advisory councils. Schools must also earn a grade of "C" or above, or school improvement rating of "maintaining or improving" for the year of nomination.

Similarly, the Golden School Award is issued annually. The award recognizes elementary, secondary and adult schools that report a minimum of 80 percent of school staff participation in training related to school volunteerism. Recipients must also designate a school volunteer coordinator for recruitment, placement, training and supervision of school volunteers. Additionally, the total number of hours of volunteer service of the school must equal twice the number of students enrolled in the school. Any volunteer activity that contributes to student improvement may be counted, including fundraising.
reportcards

1st Quarter Report Cards

First Quarter Report Cards are ready and available for downloading and printing on the Sarasota County School Student/Parent Portal. You can access the portal at:


and follow the steps to register. You will need your student's N number.  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  .

Yearbook
LNS Yearbooks On Sale Now and accepting Photos

Yearbooks are on sale for $25. Orders can be placed online anytime through  yearbookforever.com

Personal and business ads can also be purchased online at this web site. In addition, the website allows p ictures can be uploaded to be used in the  yearbook . So snap and share with the  yearbook  snap app.   Yearbook staff will be able to select and approve all photos.   Attached is a  power point on how to use the app , it is very user friendly and it is free!!!

If you have any questions the 2018-2019  yearbook advisor, Sarah Drachler at   [email protected]

StudentVideos
Student News Videos no 
Longer Available for Parents to View Online

Last month, we were pleased to announce that LNS had started to broadcast Elementary and Middle School news for all the LNS students and parents wishing to see via a link. Due to student privacy issues, however, the link is no longer available for parents to see the broadcast. The student news will only be available for students.  

If you submit news for the student news please also send a copy to [email protected] so that parents will hear the same news via the newsletter.  Very often our kids don't relay news to their parents.

If you have questions about the elementary student videos please contact Mrs. Wardlaw at [email protected]  or Mrs. Tweed at [email protected] .  If parents have any questions about the middle school news they may contact Jeff Hughes, [email protected] or Pamela O'Connor at [email protected].

candy
Candy, Candy, Too Much Candy!

Everybody loves Trick-or-Treating, but by now you're probably wondering what you're going to do with all that candy! Some of it will be eaten, sure, but you'll probably want to make sure the bulk of it goes anywhere besides your family's stomachs. Problem solved because the PTO uses the candy in gift baskets and for prizes throughout the year! Just bring your extra candy to the LNS front office and the PTO will put it to good use. It's a Win Win!  
Events1
LNS Events in November

ARParty
1st Quarter AR Reward Parties

Thursday, November 1st and Friday, November 2nd
Various times depending on grade
Playground

S tudents who have 100% of their 1st quarter Accelerated Reader (AR) goal (with an average of 80% or higher) will be eligible to attend the 1st quarter AR Award Party. The students in kindergarten to 2nd grade that qualify will attend a playground party on November 1st.  T he students in 3rd to 5th grade that qualify will attend a kickball party on November 1st.  The successful 6th to 8th grade students will be going to a kickball party on November 2nd.  All of the students  will also get popsicles to go along with their playground/kickball party.  

Parents are needed as volunteers to help at each of these parties. The volunteers will  pass out popsicles and supervise on the playground & kickball fields. If you are available to volunteer, please contact First Grade Teacher Ms. Tori Smetts at  [email protected].
OtisSpunkmeyer 
Cookie Dough Distribution and
Volunteers Needed

Thursday, November 1
3:15 - 6:00PM
LNS Cafeteria

Thank you to all the students and parents that participated in the LNS PTO Otis Spunkmeyer Catalog Cookie Sale. The sale ended September 19th.  This is one of the biggest LNS PTO fundraisers of the year and will help with purchasing educational materials for the school.   

Students received collectible creatures for meeting milestones with their  sales.   In addition, there were extensive separate prize lists for elementary and middle school students including things like time on the Game Guy Truck, time in the Money Machine and taking a Hummer limo to lunch, profit sharing, etc. depending on the grade level.  Volunteers will be needed during cookie distribution.  

The cookies will be distributed TODAY, November 1st.   All orders can be picked up starting at 3:15 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. NO EARLY PICKUPS PLEASE. All items must be picked up. We do not have freezer space to hold orders. Thank you for supporting your school.

If you would like to volunteer to help with cookie distribution, please show up today in the cafeteria. High School and Middle School students needing volunteer hours are welcome!

fallback

retake
 
Picture Retake Day

Wednesday, November 7, 2018
LNS Gymnasium

Get a second chance at a picture-perfect image! If your student was absent on picture day or you just want a retake, the photographers from Lifetouch will be on campus November 7th in the gymnasium lobby for photos.
Appreciation
 
Staff Appreciation Luncheon

Wednesday, November 7, 2018
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Teachers' Lounge

Our annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 7th in the Teachers' Lounge.  Volunteers are needed to make this event fabulous! Please make your favorite dish to show our 180 LNS staff how much we appreciate all they do for our children! Cash donations accepted for paper products & drinks etc.    Servers are also needed throughout the day. Please log into  perfect potluck.com and let us know which dish you plan on donating. The Administrators Last Name: McKinney; Password: LNS.

Please contact Christie McKinney at 941-323-8592 or [email protected]
 to volunteer your time . All dishes of food and drink donations should be brought to the Teachers' Lounge by 10:00AM on the morning of the 7th. This is a wonderful way we show our incredible LNS staff how much we appreciate them. This is a copy of a flyer about the event.


SAC
 
SAC Meeting

Thursday, November 8th
7:20 AM - 8:00 AM
Media Center
  
The LNS School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting is scheduled on  Thursday, November 8th at 7:20 AM. If you are interested in  learning  about the schools budget or plans for improvement you are  invited to attend the SAC meeting.  
Internet
Social Media & Internet Safety Information Night

Thursday, November 8
6:30 - 8:30PM
LNS Cafeteria


Gobble
 
Gobble Grams Are Back!

Monday, November, 12th to Monday, November 19th
LNS Courtyard or w/Homeroom Teacher
Before School

Send a friend or family member a Gobble Gram this Thanksgiving!  What is a Gobble Gram you ask? It's a festive paper turkey note card with a candy on the front and your personal message on the back! Sales will begin on Monday, November, 1 2th to Monday, November 19th either by placing an order with your child's homeroom teacher or at the Gobble Grams sales table in the courtyard before school. Each Gobble Gram costs 50 cents. Gobble Grams will be delivered to homerooms on Tuesday, November 20th and you can even place a last minute order to Mrs. Hradek's classroom (728) that Tuesday morning!
PTOMeeting

Come to the Next PTO Meeting!

Wednesday, November 14
3:30 PM
LNS Cafeteria

Parents, students, staff and other community members are invited to join us for the November PTO meeting on Wednesday afternoon (November 14th) after pick-up. You must sign in at the office and get a visitor's pass, before you come to the cafeteria. We will talk about all the things we are planning for the school and our students and the many ways you can get involved. In addition, there will  also be  a community discussion about the future of Venice High School. The discussion will consider issues regarding how the growth of the Venice community will impact the size of Venice High School. This will be an interactive discussion that will consider the projected growth of the school enrollment, impact of future enrollment on Venice High School's capacity, and how to appropriately plan for this growth at Venice High School. We welcome you to participate in this important community discussion. Hope to see you!
Fall4Reading
Fall4Reading Book Drive

Attention families: The LNS PTO is running a school-wide book drive on campus and we need your gently used or new children's books! Please take some time to clear out cluttered shelves of books your child has read or outgrown, so that we may give those books a second life with a child who needs them. What types of books?

Pre-school? Yes!
Elementary? Yes!
Middle School chapter books? Yes!
Grandma's cookbooks? NOT so much!

Middle school books and chapter books are most needed! Followed by Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dr. Suess, Geronimo Stilton, Mo Willems, Magic Tree House, Fly Guy, etc.

When and where to bring books:

Event started Monday, October 29th:
Drop off the books with this completed form in the following 3 locations: Home Room Teacher or English teacher, Library/Media Center or at the Drop Box in the front office.

Friday, November 9th:
The Bug is coming! Fall4Reading Kickoff Day with National Hockey League Tampa Bay Lightning mascot, ThunderBug!! ThunderBug will visit LNS during lunchtime to present reading awards and deliver special Fall4Reading bookmarks to students. ThunderBug LOVES to read!

Friday, November 16th:
Fall4Reading BookSwap Day! Last day to drop off a book donation and the completed form. The Book Swap happens all day long in the Media Center.

$1 PTO fundraiser during the book swap: When the students donate $1 they will receive a special Fall4Reading bookmark, a chance to meet ThunderBug, and participate in the BookSwap. During the book swap students will pick 1 to 5 books depending on the total number of books they donate:

If they donate 5 or more books then they get to select 5 books to bring home.  
If the donate 4 books then they get to select 4 books to bring home.
If they donate 3 books then they get to select 3 books to bring home.
If they donate 2 books then they get to select 2 books to bring home.
If they donate 1 book then they get to select 1 book to bring home.

It's going to be a Fantastic Friday!
T

A volunteer posse will be needed! At least 10-20 rotating positions. Please contact Pam Taylor at [email protected] if you are able to help out. Thank you!

Back to Top
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Holiday Break

From Wednesday, November 21st to Friday, November 23rd the school will be closed for Thanksgiving. We wish all of you a delicious and safe holiday long weekend! See you back at school on Monday, November 26th.

Back to Top
Bowls
 
Bowls of Hope

2018 Bowls of Hope Fundraiser
Sunday, Dec 2nd
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Ed Smith Stadium

All staff, parents, and students were invited to the Ceramic 3D Art Studio in Mrs. Cory's Room 404  on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30-4:30PM from September  18 until October 31  to make a clay bowl to donate to the All Faiths Food Bank. Clay was donated from the LNS Art 3D studio clay fund and many people came in to donate their time and talent. The bowls are now on display in the LNS Front Office.

Next month, all students, families and staff are invited to the 2018 Bowls of Hope Fundraiser on Sunday, December 2nd from 11am - 2pm at Ed Smith Stadium.  This is a sell out event, so buy your tickets today at https://www.allfaithsfoodbank.org/bowlsofhope/.   Bring the kids for a soup-er, family-friendly day at the ballpark, where more than 1,500 guests (a sold-out crowd!) attend each year to support All Faiths Food Bank. Along with an opportunity to enjoy soup, bread and desserts provided by 40 restaurants, each guest selects a beautiful, handcrafted bowl - donated by local artists - to take home as a reminder of the empty bowls they help fill.  This is one way that LNS families support the community. We hope to see you there.


Elementary
Elementary School News
ElemStemFair

Elementary School STEM Science Fair

Laurel Nokomis School is pleased to announce that we will be holding our annual STEM Fair for Elementary students in grade 3-5. It is NOT mandatory for your child to complete a project. However, Ms. K. Carter, our Elementary Science Lab/Horticulture teacher, would like to extend an invitation to any interested scientist in grades 3, 4, or 5 to participate. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to conduct a controlled experiment at home on their favorite science topic. Projects must answer a testable question and follow the scientific method. Although models and research projects can also be fun, this needs to be an experiment. For example, a testable question might be: How does salt affect the freezing rate of water? Or which type of soil grows a bean seed the quickest? Things that are NOT testable questions for a project might be: How do volcanoes erupt? What are nocturnal animals? All projects are due November 26, 2018. They will be judged by two teachers and the scores will be combined. The six highest scoring projects at each grade level 3, 4, and 5, will represent LNS at the Sarasota Regional STEM Fair. 

Good luck to all the students who are participating!  For more information, please contact Ms. K. Carter .

music  
Music Specials News
 
There are some very special things going on in the Elementary Music Classroom:
  • Kindergarten is learning to read and play quarter notes
  • 1st Grade is taking over the job of leading their classmates in various songs and they are playing Music Theory Games to learn Quarter Notes, Eight Notes, and Quarter Rests
  • 2nd Grade is learning to sing  Solfege Notes "do, re mi"
  • 3rd and 4th grade are singing songs from Disney and folk songs from various centuries.
  • 5th grade is working hard to play African Rhythm Ensembles with World Music Drumming. (Ask your 5th grade student to tell you what is a Gankoqui.)
RECORDERS ----  Brand new colors coming soon. Recorders will go on sale in a few weeks. The cost will be $6.00.
 
KINDERGARTEN & 1ST GRADE "SHARING THE HOLIDAYS" Program will be Nov. 27 at 6:00 pm in the Cafeteria.                    
             
2nd GRADE  &  3rd GRADE "SHARING THE HOLIDAYS" Program will be Nov. 28 at 6.00 in the Cafeteria
 
If any parents would like to volunteer to decorate the stage, please contact Mr.  Allen Charles at  [email protected].
 
LNS CHORUS CLUB - Attention 5th - 8th graders! Join the New Chorus Club! Chorus Club will meet on Wednesdays starting Oct. 3rd. from 3:20 PM - 4:00 PM in room 301. We hope to have a performance in December at the Venice Performing Arts Center as part of the LNS Orchestra Concert.  Details are tentative at this point. 

Remaining rehearsal dates for the Chorus:
Nov. 7,14,28
Dec. 5, 12, plus possible performance Monday Dec. 17
 
Middle
Middle School News

 Middle School Winter Dance

The Lightning Council will be sponsoring the Middle School Winter Dance on December 14th, so save the date!

Band
LNS Band & Orchestra News

LNS Band Notes 


The Band's Cheesecake Bite Fundraiser is coming to a close for sales and donations to LNS Band program.  The class with the best percentage of sales can earn a snack party/movie day in December, and there are some great individual student incentives as well. Students earn money from each cheesecake bite item and donation to put towards their Disney workshop trip account.  Please help support our students in our LNS Band program.  Cheesecake Bite Forms & money/donations can be turned in on November 5th. 
 
Our Band students are working hard in preparation for their Winter concert on December 13th at 7pm in the LNS Gym.  We hope to see you there as we feature all the bands from LNS, and the Venice High School Marching Indians!
 
The Band needs help - if you are able to help, they would greatly appreciate the following donations:

USB Jump Drive 16 GB
5-tab Dividers
Black Binders
Notebook paper
Boxes of Kleenex
Bags of Snack Size Candy

Thank you for your support!
Sports
LNS "Go Lightning" Sports News
basketballbasketball_wood_floor.jpg

LNS 2018 - 2019 
INTERSCHOLASTIC Athletic Program for 
6th, 7th and 8th Grades


BASKETBALL
Girls & Boys Basketball Tryouts are Monday, November 5th and Tuesday, November 6th after school.  To be considered for the team, students must attend BOTH tryout days. Coach Glass coaches the girls' team and Coach Marisi coaches the boys' team. Practice will begin Wednesday, November 7th for all students who make the team. Good luck and GO Lightning!   The first games for the LNS Basketball Teams are scheduled for Monday, December 3rd. Girls play at 6:00 PM and boys play at 7:15 PM.

REQUIREMENTS to tryout:    
  • 2.0 or higher-GradePoint Average.
  • Completed Middle School Athletic Packet.This packet MUST be hand delivered to Coach Theros or Coach Marisi.
  • Physical/athletic screening forms are included in the Athletic Packet (valid for one year to the date of the physical).


 

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__________________________________________________


weighttraining

LNS 2018 - 2019
INTRAMURAL Athletic Program for
6th, 7th and 8th Grades

INTRAMURAL WEIGHT TRAINING

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).

School insurance may be purchased through "School Insurance of Florida," applications are available at school or online at www.schoolinsuranceofflorida.com   *All dates/times are subject to change.

District
District News
Gender
 
 
The Sarasota County School District officially released guidelines that serve as a framework for school leaders to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all students - particularly LGBTQIA students. The guidelines function as an extension of the existing student anti-discrimination policy as set forth by the School Board and were thoughtfully created by a committee comprised of school administrators, program specialists, students and community partners. The committee utilized best practices from other school districts, including Hillsborough and Broward counties and recent legal outcomes from St. Johns County to develop a unified practice throughout the school district. The guidelines emphasize the ability to recognize students who consistently assert a gender identity and meet the social and emotional needs of individual students. The guidelines are adaptable to provide each school community the ability to maintain student confidentiality and establish a level of trust among their student population. The guidelines also work to protect the civil rights of Sarasota County students and comply with Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and ADA Title II discrimination policies. 

"I am proud of the work the committee has done to ensure a safe and open learning environment for all our students," noted Todd Bowden, superintendent of Sarasota County Schools. "It is vitally important that our schools represent a safe place for our students - no matter what their needs and concerns are. After observing many of our schools over the last year, I am comfortable with the decision to commit our existing practices to a series of written guidelines that allows our school leaders to serve as trusted advocates for our students. We all have an obligation to ensure our children are treated with respect and these guidelines offer a thoughtful approach to accomplish this goal."   The guidelines are available on the school district's website:   http://bit.ly/SCSGenderDiverseStudentGuidelines.


attendance The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR) will be hosting a volunteer event in November. They have implemented an Attendance Awareness Poster Contest in 4 area counties at all schools and are looking for volunteers to help frame and wrap the winning entries!
 
Sarasota County winning posters will be framed at the Boys and Girls Club on Fruitville Road on November 9th with 2 shifts available:  12:00pm - 3:00pm and 3:00pm - 6:00pm
 
There is more information on each link.  Thank you for volunteering to help!!

Health1
School Health & Nutrition News
 Menus
 
The monthly s chool breakfast and lunch menus for elementary school students and school lunch menus for middle school students are available at this link.   All meals served meet nutrition standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

handwashing  
Stay Healthy. Wash Your Hands!

According to the Florida Health Department, w ashing your hands is the most significant step for preventing the spread of germs and illness. Start Healthy Hand Washing Habits Today!  Wash your hands as often as possible (even if they look clean).  Here are some important instances when to wash your hands to help control the spread of illness:
  • After using the bathroom
  • After coughing or sneezing
  • After cleaning a child who has gone to the bathroom
  • After touching books and money
  • Before preparing food
  • Before eating
  • After petting an animal
Why does washing your hands with soap and water work?
  • Soap suspends the dirt and skin oils that trap bacteria
  • Washing motion helps pull dirt and oils free from the skin
  • Running water washes away suspended dirt and oils
  • Additional friction from wiping hands removes more germs
Note: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer wipes or gel.


PTO1
The PTO Report
Festival
   LNS Fall Festival - Fall, Food, Fun For All



photo credit: Kim Forsch

Boo
Boo Bingo Fun!!

photo credit: Kim Forsch

Drive  
Ford Drive 4 Ur School Giveback Fundraiser UPDATE

Our very first Ford Drive 4 UR School fundraiser was so much fun and we are still in the process of counting the funds! Many of our LNS friends and neighbors showed up to test drive several cars for sale at Matthews-Currie Ford and each drive earned our school an easy $20! Several business partners were present, as well, with information tables and demonstrations. Thank you to Matthews-Currie Ford and all who participated! Stay tuned to future newsletters for the big reveal of how much our school earned!



photo credit: Mary Wescoat
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!!!

Game
Otis Spunkmeyer Sale Results and Game Guy Truck Party

Thank you to everyone that helped make our Otis Spunkmeyer a huge success!! We raised over $20,000 for LNS due to your efforts! Congratulations to top seller Ethan J. in Mr. Hughes's 7th grade!  Top classroom winners are Mrs. Goetluck's kindergarten and Mr. Hughes 7th grade. These teachers were invited to go in the money machine and the classes got a sweet treat. Way to go Alexandra G, David L. and Ethan J. for selling 50 or more items and going in the money machine!! Students selling 40 or more items went on a limo ride to Bogey's with Mr. Wilson!  Remember...Cookie pick up is Thursday November 1st from 3:15-6:00 in the cafeteria! These are pictures from the party:

 


photo credit: Gina Jones and Kim Forsch
Hatday
Hat Day Winners!
Kindergarten Winners - Mikela P., Leah D., Declan O.
5th Grade Winner - Emma W.                                               6th Grade Winner - Noah O.
                           (with PTO event leader, Clay Taylor)
   
      8th Grade Winners - Alexandra B., Jake C., Ryan B., Dillon L.              4th Grade Winners - Jaxsun B., Alyssa E., 
                                                                                                                                Ackerly J., Mackenzie L.                                           
     
        3rd Grade Winner - Michelle K.                                                                 Jenny Thompson's class ALL wore hats!
3rd Grade Winners - Michelle K., Giovanni L., Levi D.                          7th Grade Winners - Gabriel O., Ryder S., Colin L.

photo credit: Pam Taylor


Website


The PTO Website

Did you know the LNS PTO has a NEW website? We do and it's LOADED with great information!!  If you haven't seen it lately, you haven't seen it at all!  New information is uploaded daily and includes:
  • Information about the PTO, activities, calendar and fundraisers.
  • Teachers and organizations can find out how to secure funding through the PTO.
  • Teachers can upload a wish list for the holidays and classroom needs.
  • You can sign up for committees, volunteer and make donations online.
  • You can submit your business partner application and suggestions to the PTO, etc
  • You can make suggestions to the PTO or submit articles/pictures for the newsletter.  You input is valued!!!  Last month, the PTO received a suggestion from the web page to have gluten free pizza/allergy sensitive food at the PTO events.  As a result of that suggestion, we had "Gluten Free" pizza available at Boo Bingo.
  • And if you haven't already signed up to be a member of the PTO, you can do that at anytime through our website. 

Check us out at http://lnspto.digitalpto.com.


BusinessSpotlight


Spotlight on Friends of Legacy Trail

Friends of The LegacyTrail, Inc (FLT) is an all volunteer, nonprofit organization established in 2006. Their mission is to support, promote, enhance and protect The LegacyTrail --- a 10.6 mile paved, multi-purpose recreational linear park, connecting Venice and south Sarasota, Florida. There are over 1,000 members. 

FLT is actively supporting the Sarasota County November 6 bond referendum that would extend The Legacy Trail another 7.5 miles to downtown Sarasota with additional connections to North Port. Other FLT programs and projects include informing and educating the public about The Legacy Trail, its trail connectors and facilities; promoting safe and enjoyable experiences for trail users; providing free bike helmets to children and conducting helmet fittings throughout the community. You can find more information about the Friends of Legacy Trail at   https://www.friendsofthelegacytrail.org.



Spotlight on Sarasota Crew

Sarasota Crew is the largest youth rowing club in the USA, with student-athletes in elementary, middle and high school.   Rowing is the vehicle we use to develop youth into student-athletes, who, through their personal development, acquire the self-esteem, discipline, and confidence to be more successful in school and in life.  100% of our student-athletes graduate from high school, 60% of our high school student-athletes have a GPA greater than 3.5, and 98% of our student-athletes go to college.

Sarasota Crew has won the Florida State Championships in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018; the Southeast Regional Championship in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018; as well as the Youth National Championship in 2013 and 2018.  Within the last 5 years we have sent 97 student-athletes to participate with the USA Junior National Team.  15 of those student-athletes represented the USA at the Junior World Championships.  In the summer of 2018, 6 Sarasota Crew student-athletes and our head coach represented the USA at the Junior World Championships.  Our student-athletes brought home World Championship titles in the Men's single and the Women's Four, and a silver in the Men's eight. 

All of their student-athletes have the opportunity to race in both the fall and spring seasons.  Registration is open for the 2018-2019 season, there is no experience necessary and everyone is welcome to come out and try rowing!

Sarasota Crew has a bus available from Laurel Nokomis School straight to the practice location in Osprey.  For more information, please check their website  www.SarasotaCrew.org  or email   [email protected].

partnerPartner News:
DairyQueen
Dairy Queen Fundraiser

Dairy Queen located at 1465 E. Venice Avenue is hosting a  Family Night to benefit LNS on Wednesday, November 7th 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.  

ChickfilA
 
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, November 20th 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 mention that you are with Laurel Nokomis School.

rRepeat/Updated Articles
FamilyAccess
 
Online Student Reports


The name of the Sarasota County Parent Portal application has been changed to Family Access to better reflect the audience of the product.  In addition, the application has been updated to improve the user's expe rience and to incorporate a similar look and feel to the mobile version. 

Students and parents will use the same URL to get to the site and their user names and passwords remain the same. The information shown in the portal also remains the same but with a little different look. If you have any questions, please refer to the instructions on creating a new registration included at the site or in this guide to Family Access.

You can access the portal at https://parentportal.sarasotacountyschools.net  and follow the steps to register.  Create an account to  report of all of your children's grades, homework assignments and attendance each week, transcripts, and FL Test Scores.  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.
Update
Have you moved or changed your phone number?

It is important that the school have the correct information to contact you in case of emergencies or if your child is sick. Please be sure to update your information with the school office if you have a new phone number or change of address.

Boxtops 
New Box Top Promotion Underway:  On the Water with Box Tops

Gina Jones, "The Box Top Lady" is back and rolling out the new Box Top Promotion for 2018-2019:  On the Water with Box Tops.  Effective immediately, she is accepting box tops so b e sure to clip and save your Box Tops and turn them into your child's homeroom teacher.  Place them in a baggie or envelope with: 
  1. your student's name, 
  2. the teacher's name and 
  3. the # of Box Tops on the envelope or baggie.  (Only submissions with the number of Box Tops clearly written on them will count towards the Grand Prize).
There will be a weekly drawing for a "Mystery" Prize each Monday!!!   The mystery prizes with have something to do with water.  Tell your children to be sure to listen to the morning news to see if they're a winner.
 
A Grand Prize will be awarded at the end of the contest.    The Class with the most Box Tops will win a MYSTERY PARTY!!!!  Students that have submitted 100 Box Tops will be entered into a drawing in December for a kayak.  
 
For more information on participating products and ways to earn Box Tops, please visit  www.boxtops4education.com.   In addition, please contact Gina Jones at [email protected] if you have any questions about the promotion.  

Thank YOU and YOUR CHILDREN for clipping, saving and helping our school!!   
 
Medicine
Sunscreen at School

Many parents are happy to know that due to a new eductional law passed last year, students are permitted to possess and apply (to THEMSELVES ONLY) sunscreen for protection during recess and field trips without a prescription or a trip to the LNS clinic. The Florida sun is very strong, even during cloudy days, and sunscreen or dark clothing that covers the skin and wide-brimmed hats are the best ways to protect your child's skin.  Sunscreen use can help prevent skin cancer by protecting from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of age, gender or race. According to the AAD, it is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Please see the attached FLYER for tips on how to pick the right sunscreen for your family.

If you have additional questions please contact the LNS Health Services Room at 941-486-2171.
Buddybench 
The Buddy Bench

What is a Buddy Bench? 

"The  Buddy Bench is a place where kids feeling lonely can create new friendships. When a kid wants someone  to talk to, play with or is just feeling left out, they can sit down on the bench. This is a sign to other kids that this friend is feeling lonely and wants to play," said Zoe Watson (pictured above with  the  Buddy Bench.) It's a wonderful way for new kids, shy kids, or any kids to communicate how they are feeling and it's a thoughtful way for others to let their kindness shine. Zoe of Girl Scout Troop 539 assembled, designed, painted and installed the Buddy Bench in the Elementary playground as her Silver Award Project in the Girl Scouts Program. The Silver award is a service project within the community done by a Girl Scout Cadette who sees a change she wants to make in the world and steps into action. 

"I decided to create the Buddy Bench" Zoe continued, "because I did notice there were lonely kids on the playground sometimes who really didn't know what to do with  themselves or with others. This Buddy Bench will hopefully be a place kids can interact with new friends  and make new friendships."  

Click this link to watch Zoe's video about the bench:  THE VIDEO LINK

Congratulations to Zoe and thank you from all the children it will serve! An additional thank you to the LNS PTO for donating the bench.

OngoingFundraiserOngoing Fundraising Campaigns:

Are you supporting LNS through these NO additional cost fundraisers? PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL and Share this information with Family and Friends! 


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. 
    

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).






















BusinessPartnersBusiness Partners:
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  [email protected] .  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.

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.


 
Platinum Level Sponsors:

Platinum sponsors have donated in excess of $900.00 towards LNS programs, projects or efforts.  In appreciation of their support they receive a 3X4 Banner for 12 months, 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.  Press each picture below to be linked to the business partner web page.

 
       



 
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.


 


 
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.

     
 

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.

Childs Family
Cho Family
     
 
  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.

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.
 
The Sarasota County School District Web contains a lot of important information.  Please visit the  Laurel Nokomis web site for a list of important links on the Sarasota School District web site.  


  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 PTO members:  Kim Forsch & LaToya Price-Childs 

 Principal Ray Wilson
LNS Principal