Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Lurgio News for November 24, 2015


LURGIO NEWS
November 24, 2015

Dear Lurgio Students, Parents and Staff,

Have a happy Thanksgiving holiday. As I look forward to this time with my family, I also find myself reflecting on all the things that I am thankful for here at school. I am especially grateful to be able to work with such amazing students, supportive families, and a wonderful school staff. You all make Lurgio a truly amazing school community.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Ed

Important Dates

Nov. 25 - Nov. 27
No School - Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 17 (Thursday)
Winter Concert (7:00PM)
Dec. 18 (Friday)
Holiday Dance
Dec. 24 - Jan. 1
No School - Holiday Break

Cardigan Feedback
As part of our ongoing analysis of our Cardigan program, we are inviting all 8th grade parents, chaperones, teachers and students to take a brief survey about the 2015 Cardigan experience. Please click here for the survey. The survey will be open through December 23rd.

Parent Forum on ​Cyberbullying & Unwise Social Networking
​As a part of the annual NH Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, Sameer Hinduja, the co-director of the Cyberbulling Research Center, is presenting a FREE Parent Forum titled:
​​
Cyberbullying & Unwise Social Networking: The Role of Parents.
Date:  Monday, November 30, 2015
Time:  6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Salon A, Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH

Designed for parents and community partners, this presentation provides a broad overview of adolescent technological concerns, including cyberbullying and social networking sites.  Foundational information on the way adolescents use the Internet and cell phones is provided first before examining cyberbullying, sexting, and unwise social networking in detail.  Strategies for identification, prevention, and response are then discussed in a conversational format to allow for input and Q&A from the audience.  Attendees leave equipped with an increased ability to promote safe and responsible participation in cyberspace among the youth they care for and with numerous resources to assist them towards those ends.
​ ​
Parents are asked to click here to RSVP for this FREE event by Friday, November 20th

We are excited to announce that our speaker, Dr. Sameer Hinduja, has agreed to live video stream this event so that his message may reach a broader audience across the state of New Hampshire. To participate in the live video stream you will need a computer, tablet, or smart phone with internet access and a browser. In addition you will need a Google (gmail or GAFE) email address. You may create a FREE Google email account by clicking here.
Please complete the Remote Participation Form to request your virtual invitation.
On Monday, November 30th, you will receive an email to the Google address provided with the link to view the live video stream.
The Lurgio Fan Club Presents: Star Wars Movie Marathon!
Star Wars Fans!  Join the Lurgio Fan Club for a Star Wars Movie Marathon on Sunday, December 13, from 9:45-4:30 at the Bedford High School Theater. We will be showing the original Star Wars trilogy in anticipation of the new release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Admission is only $5.00 and drinks and concessions will be sold on site.  Please bring a bag lunch!  May the force be with you!

Media Center Resouces
Lurgio’s Library Media Generalist, Mrs. Snow, invites you to visit the Digital Resources and Databases website and explore the variety of resources available to the Lurgio Middle School Community 24/7. Username and password for these resources is “lurgio”.

These databases are the kind of quality resources that the Library Media Center strives to provide the students of Lurgio Middle School as Mrs. Snow works to support the RAL curriculum, promotes information literacy and digital citizenship, and spreads the love of reading.

Guidance Corner
Youth Counselor, Donna LaRue, MA, LADC, LCMHC posts a weekly, helpful parenting newsletter article, as well as other relevant material on her website. Check out Ms. LaRue’s webpage for more information about drug abuse prevention as well as past asset newsletters by clicking here.

Homework

The Search Institute has designed the Internal (20) and External (20) assets so that they each include four categories.  In the last three weeks we have examined the Internal Asset category titled "Commitment to Learning."  This week's newsletter article focusses on "Homework".  Click here to view the article. Those children who report doing at least one hour of homework on school nights also report less risk-taking and dangerous behavior.  This is an asset that can be easily accomplished with three simple steps in the family home.  
  • Develop Organizational skills
  • Develop Time management skills
  • Develop Study strategy skills


Social Media Apps
Guidance Intern Sarah Demers will be posting information about social media apps that may be popular with students. These informational pages can be found in the Lurgio News; you can also find a backlog of them on the Guidance webpage. Here is a link to this week’s app of interest. What's that App: Ask.fm

PTG CORNER
Monarchs Game
Is there a Star Wars fan in your home?  Grab your family & friends and get ready for episode VII, The Force Awakens, by joining the PTG for a fun night out at "Star Wars night with the Manchester Monarchs”on Saturday, December 5th @ 7 p.m.  All your favorite characters will be there too! The PTG is offering discounted tickets for adults and children $20/$15 (normally from $17 - $34) AND an opportunity for any student to participate in the “ HIGH-FIVE tunnel”. *Though the PTG will be receiving a small portion of the ticket price we hope this will be a fun community event for our families.  Click here to download and print an order form (please return to your school office by December 1st).

Thank You Ski and Skate Volunteers
The PTG would like to thank all those who volunteered their time to the annual Ski and Skate sale.  It is because of our great volunteers who give of their time (many year after year), that this event is such a success!  


PTG Volunteer Request
The PTG was asked if we could find a volunteer from the 8S POD to help with copying.  The "job" entails coming in once a week to help when it is convenient for YOU.  If you are interested in helping, please contact Lynne Natale at lynatale@aol.com

Stand by Me: Save the Date - Friday, May 20, 2016

Come and join us at our next SBM Committee meeting! We will be getting together to discuss this spring’s event at 9:15AM on Thursday, November 19, 2015 in the RAL Conference Room. We would love for you to come and see what we are all about!

Friday, November 20, 2015

Lurgio News for November 20, 2015


LURGIO NEWS
November 20, 2015


Dear Parents,

What are your plans for the weekend?  If you are a skier or skater, you may be interested in attending our Bedford Parent Teacher Group’s ski and skate sale tomorrow.  This very popular event promises huge savings on some great equipment and it is a great way to support a very fine organization.    

BEDFORD PTG 2015 “ANNUAL SKI & SKATE SALE EVENT”
Bedford High School Gymnasium – Saturday, November 21st, 2015 (9:00am-2:00pm)
Save HUGE on new and used winter sports equipment & apparel!

Drop-off equipment for consignment: Today! Friday, November 20, 2015 (5:00pm – 8:00pm)

VISIT http://www.bedfordptg.org for additional sale details and add your items to our sale and tag them from home using our easy online scanning system!

Go to www.bedfordptg.org/skiandskate for details!

Have great weekend,

Ed

Important Dates

Nov. 25 - Nov. 27
No School - Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 17 (Thursday)
Winter Concert (7:00PM)
Dec. 18 (Friday)
Holiday Dance
Dec. 24 - Jan. 1
No School - Holiday Break


RAL Cub of the Week
Each week, teachers will nominate students for the Cub of the Week Award. Nominated students are those who have shown exceptional kindness, tolerance, and respect during the week. Each Friday, the Lurgio administration and guidance staff will review all nominees and will select the the “Cub of the Week.” The Cub will be announced in the Lurgio News.

This week’s Cub of the Week is Chris Kiernan from pod 8-North. Chris took it upon himself to advocate for one of his classmates. Chris’s kindness went a long way in making another student feel like a valued member of the Lurgio Middle School community. Congratulations, Chris!

Parent Forum on ​Cyberbullying & Unwise Social Networking
​As a part of the annual NH Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, Sameer Hinduja, the co-director of the Cyberbulling Research Center, is presenting a FREE Parent Forum titled:
​​
Cyberbullying & Unwise Social Networking: The Role of Parents.
Date:  Monday, November 30, 2015
Time:  6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Salon A, Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH

Designed for parents and community partners, this presentation provides a broad overview of adolescent technological concerns, including cyberbullying and social networking sites.  Foundational information on the way adolescents use the Internet and cell phones is provided first before examining cyberbullying, sexting, and unwise social networking in detail.  Strategies for identification, prevention, and response are then discussed in a conversational format to allow for input and Q&A from the audience.  Attendees leave equipped with an increased ability to promote safe and responsible participation in cyberspace among the youth they care for and with numerous resources to assist them towards those ends.
​ ​
Parents are asked to click here to RSVP for this FREE event by Friday, November 20th

We are excited to announce that our speaker, Dr. Sameer Hinduja, has agreed to live video stream this event so that his message may reach a broader audience across the state of New Hampshire. To participate in the live video stream you will need a computer, tablet, or smart phone with internet access and a browser. In addition you will need a Google (gmail or GAFE) email address. You may create a FREE Google email account by clicking here.
Please complete the Remote Participation Form to request your virtual invitation.
On Monday, November 30th, you will receive an email to the Google address provided with the link to view the live video stream.
Book Buzz

Lavinia and Brooke from 7 East wanted to share together:

We have to share that the Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart is amazing.  We were trying to decide what order we like best in the series.  These books are the best books.
Lavinia: Four kids with exceptional love for the truth...
Brooke: Go on an adventure to stop evil
Lavinia and Brooke: under the command of Mr. Benedict!
Brooke: They're undercover!
Lavinia: Talk about the bell!
Brooke: I like when the bell rings and they run to the top of a hill and Mr. Benedict has narcolepsy.
Lavinia:  He falls down.  Asleep!  It's funny because everyone is freaking out and here Mr. Benedict is frightened and he falls asleep!
Brooke: This series keeps you on your toes the whole time!
Lavinia: Such drama!!
Brooke: And the cliffhangers!
Lavinia: Especially at the end of chapters!!
Brooke: This is my favorite series besides Harry Potter.
Lavinia: Oh!  This is my favorite series of all time!  So my order in the series of favorites is 1st, prequel, the second one then the third.
Brooke: My order is 1st, prequel, 3rd, and then the second.

Also shared by a Happy Anonymous Books for Breakfast participant:

The Heist Society by Ally Carter. Katarina's family has been part of the family business.  This happens to be thieving!  Kat decides to leave for a normal life but a family friend wants her back.  He wants her back to help solve a mystery: a mobster's art collection has been stolen and Kat's father is the only suspect!  Kat is totally caught in the middle.  This is such a great series!

Media Center Resouces
Lurgio’s Library Media Generalist, Mrs. Snow, invites you to visit the Digital Resources and Databases website and explore the variety of resources available to the Lurgio Middle School Community 24/7. Username and password for these resources is “lurgio”.

These databases are the kind of quality resources that the Library Media Center strives to provide the students of Lurgio Middle School as Mrs. Snow works to support the RAL curriculum, promotes information literacy and digital citizenship, and spreads the love of reading.

Guidance Corner
Youth Counselor, Donna LaRue, MA, LADC, LCMHC posts a weekly, helpful parenting newsletter article, as well as other relevant material on her website. Check out Ms. LaRue’s webpage for more information about drug abuse prevention as well as past asset newsletters by clicking here.

Achievement Motivation
The first asset we'll discuss in the "Commitment to Learning Asset Category" is Achievement Motivation.  Click here for this week's newsletter.   Three ways to help your child become motivated to do well in school are described in the article.

Social Media Apps
Guidance Intern Sarah Demers will be posting information about social media apps that may be popular with students. These informational pages can be found in the Lurgio News; you can also find a backlog of them on the Guidance webpage. Here is a link to this week’s app of interest. What's that App: Ask.fm

BHS Theater Company to Present Shake It Up.
“C’mon Everybody” and join us for Bedford High School’s Fall Musical, “All Shook Up,”  starting Thursday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bedford High School Auditorium.  This hilarious, jukebox musical features 25 of Elvis Presley’s greatest hits and tells the story of how a hip-swiveling, motorbike riding roustabout comes to a small, Midwestern town and transforms it with love and rock n’ roll.  It’s family friendly and fun for people of all ages!

Show dates are November 12, 13, and 14 @ 7 p.m.; November 15 @ 2p.m.; November 20 @ 7 p.m. and November 21 @2 p.m.  Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and can be purchased online at seatyourself.biz/bedfordhigh or at the door.

PTG CORNER

Is there a Star Wars fan in your home?  Grab your family & friends and get ready for episode VII, The Force Awakens, by joining the PTG for a fun night out at "Star Wars night with the Manchester Monarchs”on Saturday, December 5th @ 7 p.m.  All your favorite characters will be there too! The PTG is offering discounted tickets for adults and children $20/$15 (normally from $17 - $34) AND an opportunity for any student to participate in the “ HIGH-FIVE tunnel”. *Though the PTG will be receiving a small portion of the ticket price we hope this will be a fun community event for our families.  Click here to download and print an order form (please return to your school office by December 1st).

BEDFORD PTG INVITES YOU TO THE 2015 “ANNUAL SKI & SKATE SALE EVENT”
Bedford High School Gymnasium – Saturday, November 21st, 2015 (9:00am-2:00pm)
Save HUGE on new and used winter sports equipment & apparel!

Mark your calendar to join local vendors bringing top name brand equipment both new and used along with our tremendous consignment inventory of ski and boarding equipment, skates, and winter apparel and outfit your entire family for the upcoming season!

Whether you are in the market for new equipment or simply want to sell your own, this sale is for you.  Experts will be available to help fit the right ski, board and boots to your ability!  So grab a treat from our bake sale and have fun shopping this TREMENDOUS sale event!

Drop-off equipment for consignment: Today! Friday, November 20, 2015 (5:00pm – 8:00pm)

VISIT http://www.bedfordptg.org for additional sale details and add your items to our sale and tag them from home using our easy online scanning system!

Go to www.bedfordptg.org/skiandskate for details!

PTG Volunteer Request
The PTG was asked if we could find a volunteer from the 8S POD to help with copying.  The "job" entails coming in once a week to help when it is convenient for YOU.  If you are interested in helping, please contact Lynne Natale at lynatale@aol.com

Stand by Me: Save the Date - Friday, May 20, 2016

Come and join us at our next SBM Committee meeting! We will be getting together to discuss this spring’s event at 9:15AM on Thursday, November 19, 2015 in the RAL Conference Room. We would love for you to come and see what we are all about!

Friday, November 13, 2015

Lurgio News for November 13, 2015


LURGIO NEWS
November 13, 2015


Dear Parents,

On Thursday, we mailed home the results of the Smarter Balanced Assessment.  Overall, our students performed very well and we are proud of their achievements.  The following link will help you understand your students results: A Family Guide to Your Child’s Smarter Balanced Assessment Results.

Sincerely,

Ed

Important Dates

Nov. 16 (Monday)
Spirit Tryouts Begin (3:30PM - 5:00PM)
Nov. 25 - Nov. 27
No School - Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 17 (Thursday)
Winter Concert (7:00PM)


RAL Cub of the Week
Each week, teachers will nominate students for the Cub of the Week Award. Nominated students are those who have shown exceptional kindness, tolerance, and respect during the week. Each Friday, the Lurgio administration and guidance staff will review all nominees and will select the the “Cub of the Week.” The Cub will be announced in the Lurgio News.

This week we have two Cubs of the Week.  The winners are Trevor Anibal and Jared Neikam from pod 8 North.  Both these fine gentlemen are being recognized for going out of her way to socialize with and include a fellow student in the dining hall and in the classroom. Their selfless acts make Lurgio Middle School a wonderful place to be! Congratulations, Trevor and Jared!

Parent Forum on ​Cyberbullying & Unwise Social Networking
​As a part of the annual NH Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, Sameer Hinduja, the co-director of the Cyberbulling Research Center, is presenting a FREE Parent Forum titled:
​​
Cyberbullying & Unwise Social Networking: The Role of Parents.
Date:  Monday, November 30, 2015
Time:  6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Salon A, Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH

Designed for parents and community partners, this presentation provides a broad overview of adolescent technological concerns, including cyberbullying and social networking sites.  Foundational information on the way adolescents use the Internet and cell phones is provided first before examining cyberbullying, sexting, and unwise social networking in detail.  Strategies for identification, prevention, and response are then discussed in a conversational format to allow for input and Q&A from the audience.  Attendees leave equipped with an increased ability to promote safe and responsible participation in cyberspace among the youth they care for and with numerous resources to assist them towards those ends.
​ ​
Parents are asked to RSVP for this FREE event at www.nhcmtc.org by Friday, November 20th

Fall Photos Wanted for Yearbook
Get your pictures in the yearbook! The Yearbook Staff invites students and parents to submit photos for the yearbook. If you have great photos of school events or you and your friends just having fun at school, we'd like to see them. Our photographers can't be everywhere. Help us get as many photos as possible to create a terrific book everyone will want to have.


If you have any questions or have a large number of photos you would like to contribute, please contact Mrs. Dennis (dennisd@sau25.net) or Mrs. Wells (wellsj@sau25.net)

Annual Yearbook Cover Contest
Once again this year we will be holding a cover contest for the front and back cover of the yearbook.  If you are interested in creating a design, the design must include the following:

  • Completed on an 8 1/2" by 11" piece of paper (portrait/vertical)
  • Our school name - Ross A. Lurgio Middle School
  • The school year - 2015/2016
  • This year's yearbook theme: "The SHAPE of Things to Come"
  • The Lurgio Lion logo
  • Can be hand drawn, computer generated OR a combination of both – MUST BE COLORFUL
  • Artist name should be on the back of your submission
  • Submissions are due by Friday, November 20 3pm to either Mrs. Dennis or Mrs. Wells

All submissions will be published in the yearbook. Two winners will be chosen by (one for the front cover, one for the back cover) and the two winners will each receive a FREE yearbook!!
Any questions, please see Mrs. Dennis (dennisd@sau25.net) or Mrs. Wells (wellsj@sau25.net)

Book Buzz

Aydin in 7 East wanted to share Lion Boy by Zizou Corder:

I want to share Lion Boy by Zizou Corder.  It is about a boy who lost his parents and goes on a boat that has a circus on it.  The book has a great drawing of the boat and where all the animals are.  The boy becomes the Monkey Boy, caring for all the monkeys but then he discovers that he speaks CAT language and can talk with the lions.  Everyone on the ship is surprised he can get the oldest lion in a cage without hesitation.  He realizes that he and the lions have to go out of the circus while avoiding a guy named Rafi who sends mean messages.  I like the book because it's so good and it keeps me on my toes with all the action.  There are two more in the series and I'm halfway through the second book.

Sammy in 8 East just finished the whole-school read Wake Up Missing by Kate Messner:

It is so good! It is such a suspenseful book.  I like how the author takes average kids and an average story but then features this whole concussion piece that makes it so interesting.  I was surprised with the plot development because the author gave all these clues about something suspicious going on but I didn't expect what happened!"

Media Center Resouces
Lurgio’s Library Media Generalist, Mrs. Snow, invites you to visit the Digital Resources and Databases website and explore the variety of resources available to the Lurgio Middle School Community 24/7. Username and password for these resources is “lurgio”.

These databases are the kind of quality resources that the Library Media Center strives to provide the students of Lurgio Middle School as Mrs. Snow works to support the RAL curriculum, promotes information literacy and digital citizenship, and spreads the love of reading.

Spirit Tryouts Begin Monday, Nov. 16 After School
All interested spirit athletes are encouraged to attend tryouts on Monday, November 16 right after school until 5:00PM. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Watson.

Guidance Corner
Youth Counselor, Donna LaRue, MA, LADC, LCMHC posts a weekly, helpful parenting newsletter article, as well as other relevant material on her website. Check out Ms. LaRue’s webpage for more information about drug abuse prevention as well as past asset newsletters by clicking here.

Commitment to Learning
Commitment to Learning is one of the eight Asset Types.  It is in the Internal Asset Category and includes the following assets:  Achievement Motivation, School Engagement, Homework, Bonding to School and Reading for Pleasure

Please click here to learn more about the importance of children developing a Commitment to Learning.  I'm often asked for prevention strategies for children in different age groups.  Page two of this newsletter highlights some ideas to instill this asset, depending on the age of the child.  As always, please contact me with any ideas or questions you may have about this or any other asset!

Social Media Apps
Guidance Intern Sarah Demers will be posting information about social media apps that may be popular with students. These informational pages can be found weekly in the Lurgio News; you can also find a backlog of them on the Guidance webpage. Here is a link to this week’s app of interest. What's that App: Ask.fm

BHS Theater Company to Present Shake It Up.
“C’mon Everybody” and join us for Bedford High School’s Fall Musical, “All Shook Up,”  starting Thursday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bedford High School Auditorium.  This hilarious, jukebox musical features 25 of Elvis Presley’s greatest hits and tells the story of how a hip-swiveling, motorbike riding roustabout comes to a small, Midwestern town and transforms it with love and rock n’ roll.  It’s family friendly and fun for people of all ages!

Show dates are November 12, 13, and 14 @ 7 p.m.; November 15 @ 2p.m.; November 20 @ 7 p.m. and November 21 @2 p.m.  Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and can be purchased online at seatyourself.biz/bedfordhigh or at the door.

PTG CORNER

Is there a Star Wars fan in your home?  Grab your family & friends and get ready for episode VII, The Force Awakens, by joining the PTG for a fun night out at "Star Wars night with the Manchester Monarchs”on Saturday, December 5th @ 7 p.m.  All your favorite characters will be there too! The PTG is offering discounted tickets for adults and children $20/$15 (normally from $17 - $34) AND an opportunity for any student to participate in the “ HIGH-FIVE tunnel”. *Though the PTG will be receiving a small portion of the ticket price we hope this will be a fun community event for our families.  Click here to download and print an order form (please return to your school office by December 1st).

BEDFORD PTG INVITES YOU TO THE 2015 “ANNUAL SKI & SKATE SALE EVENT”
Bedford High School Gymnasium – Saturday, November 21st, 2015 (9:00am-2:00pm)
Save HUGE on new and used winter sports equipment & apparel!

Mark your calendar to join local vendors bringing top name brand equipment both new and used along with our tremendous consignment inventory of ski and boarding equipment, skates, and winter apparel and outfit your entire family for the upcoming season!

Whether you are in the market for new equipment or simply want to sell your own, this sale is for you.  Experts will be available to help fit the right ski, board and boots to your ability!  So grab a treat from our bake sale and have fun shopping this TREMENDOUS sale event!

Drop-off equipment for consignment: Friday November 20, 2015 (5:00pm – 8:00pm)

***VISIT http://www.bedfordptg.org for additional sale details and add your items to our sale and tag them from home using our easy online scanning system!

Go to www.bedfordptg.org/skiandskate for details!

Stand by Me: Save the Date - Friday, May 20, 2016
Come and join us at our next SBM Committee meeting! We will be getting together to discuss this spring’s event at 9:15AM on Thursday, November 19, 2015 in the RAL Conference Room. We would love for you to come and see what we are all about!