Freedom Shrine Dedication…We had a wonderful dedication ceremony on Wednesday for the Freedom Shrine given to us by the Exchange Club.  We had several honored guests in attendance, including some WWII veterans and Vietnam veterans.  Ms. Hamilton took lots and lots of pictures, which will soon be running on our TV screen in the lobby

Teacher Appreciation Week…All of us want to thank the Teacher Appreciation Committee and the parents who helped make this week so special for all of us at Langston.  We always talk about the wonderful parents we have here, and this week proved that we really are blessed to work at Langston.  The daily treats and presents, the breakfast every morning, and the delicious lunch today were all greatly appreciated. 

Volunteer Appreciation Day…Next Friday, the 24^th is volunteer appreciation day.  Please stop by for a dessert treat made by the faculty and staff.

APEX Adventures with Mr. Griffin still has room for whitewater rafting, hiking, and mountain biking day trips for middle school students this summer! Check out www.apexadventures.blogspot.com or contact Matt Griffin at mgriffin@langstoncharter.org for more information.

Food Drive...We are stilling collecting food for God’s Pantry.

Parents of 8^th graders:

The Class of 2013 Legacy Gift is growing by the day!!!  We have surpassed $3,000, and with the largest graduating class in Langston history I know we can blow the top off that number.   It is an opportunity to say Thank You to those at Langston who have helped ready your child for high school, and to continue this legacy of generosity to the next generation of students.  The Class of 2012 Legacy Gift was close to $6000, and I know we can surpass that number with a larger class this year!!

With each $100 donation, your name will be entered into a drawing for some very cool gift certificates on Awards Day, May 31^st!  So the more you give, the more you could win!   You won’t want to miss out on having your name in the hat!!

Alison Thompson

Director of Development

Langston Foundation

Calendar…Please continue to check the school calendar on our website.  There are so many events and deadlines between now and the end of the year; the calendar will keep you informed.  http://www.langstoncharter.org/about-langston/calendar.html

Langston Athletic News from Mrs. Deas…

Langston Athletic Banquet

Calling all athletes who have participated in volleyball, basketball, soccer and golf…  Please remember to RSVP to your coach by this Friday regarding the banquet to be held on May 21, at 6:30, at Rocky Creek Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.  Boys, please wear a collared shirt and do not wear jeans.  Girls, no jeans please.

 Volleyball
Volleyball tryouts are quickly approaching. They will be held in the Langston gym on Thursday, May 23 from 6:30-8:30 and Friday, May 24 from 1:45-3:15. There will be an optional day on Wednesday, May 22 from 6:30-8:00, where we will go through the drills that we will use for tryouts on Thursday and Friday. These tryouts are for the 2013-2014 volleyball team with the game season being in the fall of 2013.    If there are any questions, please contact Stephanie Ward at 864-906-4756 or langstonvolleyball@gmail.com.
Boys Soccer
Tryouts for the fall season of Langston Boys Soccer will be held at Shannon Forest Christian School on Thursday, May 23 and Tuesday, May 28 from 6:00 – 7:30.   Contact Shaun Shearer at shaun.shearer@charter.net with any questions.
Girls Basketball
We still need a coach for the girls basketball team for the 2013-2014 season. Please contact June Deas at 704-8380 or jmdeas@hotmail.com.
Boys Basketball
Coach Deas will be holding open gym periodically throughout the summer for boys interested in trying out for the 2013-2014 season.  Please email him at jmdeas@hotmail.com if interested in receiving more information.

Overdue Books and Fees…If your child has an outstanding library book, or you have a returned check that has not been taken care of, these fees must be paid before the end of the year.  We may hold report cards and permanent records if there are any unpaid fees or checks.

Freedom Shrine Dedication… The Greenville Exchange Club has gifted Langston a Freedom Shrine. The Freedom Shrine consists of 30 original Historic American Documents, photographically reproduced and ready to be displayed. The Freedom Shrine originated from the Freedom Train that toured the nation in 1947 carrying an exhibit of historic documents. We will be dedicating the Shrine at an assembly Wednesday, May 15^th at 10:30am. Our keynote speaker is Major General Lawrence Wayne Brock, US Army Reserve, Commanding General 335^th Signal Command (Theater). The assembly will be held outside at the front door. We invite all of you to attend our assembly. If you are military please come in your uniform. If you have military friends and family we would love to have them in attendance as well. We are very grateful to the Greenville Exchange Club for this generous gift! We would also like to thank Ron Stuff for building the frame to house the documents, Elizabeth Stuff for organizing all of the documents, Lesa Frady, Mrs. Myers, Mrs. Inabinet, and Mr. Laube for painting the blue wall, and Kathy Weber, Mr. Laube, and Mr. Wooten, for hanging all of the documents!! What a great effort! We hope for a fabulous turnout for this grand event. How fortunate Langston is to have so many people in and out of the school that believe in our mission!

 Let There Be Mom…Langston received the first place prize of $500.00 from LTBM for most participation in their Seek and Snap fundraiser.  We are so proud of our amazing students for supporting great non-profits like this one.

Langston Athletic News from Mrs. Deas…

Langston Athletic Banquet

Calling all athletes who have participated in volleyball, basketball, soccer and golf…  Please remember to RSVP to your coach by this Friday regarding the banquet to be held on May 21, at 6:30, at Rocky Creek Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

 Volleyball
Volleyball tryouts are quickly approaching. They will be held in the Langston gym on Thursday, May 23 from 6:30-8:30 and Friday, May 24 from 1:45-3:15. There will be an optional day on Wednesday, May 22 from 6:30-8:00, where we will go through the drills that we will use for tryouts on Thursday and Friday. These tryouts are for the 2013-2014 volleyball team with the game season being in the fall of 2013.  All girls interested in trying out must attend a mandatory meeting during lunch on Friday, May 17.  Important information will be discussed and the tryout permission form will be distributed.  If there are any questions, please contact Stephanie Ward at 864-906-4756 or langstonvolleyball@gmail.com.
Boys Soccer
Tryouts for the fall season of Langston Boys Soccer will be held at Shannon Forest Christian School on Thursday, May 23 and Tuesday, May 28 from 6:00 – 7:30.  All boys interested in trying out must attend a mandatory meeting during lunch on Friday, May 17.  Important information will be discussed and the tryout permission form will be distributed.  Contact Shaun Shearer at shaun.shearer@charter.net with any questions.
Girls Basketball
Anyone interested in coaching the girls basketball team for the 2013-2014 season please contact June Deas at 704-8380 or jmdeas@hotmail.com.
Boys Basketball
Coach Deas will be holding open gym periodically throughout the summer for boys interested in trying out for the 2013-2014 season.  Please email him at jmdeas@hotmail.com if interested in receiving more information.

The girls are playing soccer today at 5:00  at Spartanburg Day.  A win will place them in third place in the CMSC.

Collecting…We are still collecting used batteries, pop tops, old cell phones, plastic grocery bags and BoxTops.

Honor Flight Upstate…Langston is proud to have 3 of our staff on the Upstate’s next Honor Flight.  On Tuesday, May 7^th, Kelly Weekes, David Leeke, and David Wooten will be traveling to Washington, DC with about 80 World War II veterans.  They will act as guardians as the veterans visit the memorial built in their honor.  We would love to see lots of Langston people at the FedEx building near the airport (3080 Gateway Dr, Greer, SC 29651) to welcome everyone back home.  It is an amazing experience to be among the crowd cheering for these brave men and women as they return home.  Please note, this flight will not be returning to the airport passenger terminal.  It will be landing at the FedEx location at 8:00pm.  Students will receive community service for participating.  Visit their website to learn more about the Honor Flight Organization.  www.honorflightupstatesc.com 

From Alison Thompson…

Parents of 8^th graders:

Please take a look at the Class of 2013 Legacy Gift information that your 8^th grader brought home this week.  This is an opportunity to say Thank You to those at Langston who have helped ready your child for high school, and to continue this legacy of generosity to the next generation of students.  The Class of 2012 Legacy Gift was close to $6000, and I know we can surpass that number with a larger class this year!!

With each $100 donation, your name will be entered into a drawing for some very cool gift certificates on Awards Day, May 31^st!  You won’t want to miss out on having your name in the hat!! 

Alison Thompson

Director of Development

Langston Foundation

Thank you to Mary Ann Pires… for coming to speak at our annual meeting on Tuesday.  She was an excellent speaker, and everyone enjoyed listening to her.  Visit the link below to see a picture of Mrs. Pires receiving her award from President Kennedy.

http://mauldin.patch.com/articles/school-notes-langston-charter-middle-school-32da30ab#photo-14082972

Bethel Elementary Spring Carnival

Langston students, we are in need of volunteers to help with our Bethel Elementary Spring Carnival on Friday, May 17th.   

Our carnival is from 4:00 – 8:00.  Our shift times are:

 Shift A – 4:00-5:30

Shift B – 5:30-7:00

Shift C – 7:00-8:15

 Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated! Please email me if you are interested in volunteering for this event. 

Lori Flahertyloriyflaherty@gmail.com   864-593-7039

Community Service Opportunity…The Mauldin Miracle League needs “buddies” to play baseball with special needs children.  The All Star League plays baseball on Saturday mornings at Sunset Park in Mauldin.  Volunteers stay with the players, running bases with them, pushing wheelchairs, guiding them and encouraging them.  If you would like to help, please email Don Johnson at dfjj1141@yahoo.com.  This activity will start in the fall, but please email Mr. Johnson now to get signed up.

WE’VE GOT SPIRIT, YES WE DO… WE’VE GOT SPIRIT, HOW ABOUT YOU!!  Friday, May 10, 2013 is Langston’s last Spirit Day for this school year and also the last day of PASS testing.  Let’s celebrate by heading over to Chick-fil-A from 1:30 – 5:00pm to enjoy a PASS testing is OVER party!  Chick-fil-A will bring FREE lunch to each homeroom teacher that has 5 or more students attending Spirit Day.  See you on Friday, May 10, and let’s make this our best Spirit Day turnout yet!

Summer Camps…Langston is offering a lot of Summer Camp options.  Go to the website to see what is still available.  http://www.langstoncharter.org/about-langston/summer-camps.html 

Running Club…The last meeting will be on May 7^th.  Come dressed to run and bring a treat or finger food to share.

Glee Club and Dance Club Concert…The concert will be held at Rocky Creek Baptist Church on May 28^th at 7:00pm.

Spirit Week…Way to go Langston!  Students raised $1,701.48 during Spirit Week. This money will go to the Teens’ Services Branch of the Greenville YMCA and the Children’s Hospital of Greenville.

Langston’s Annual Meeting…Our annual school meeting will be on April 30, at 6:30pm at Woodruff Road Christian Church.  Students will receive 3 hours of community service for attending.

Summer Camps…We are offering several summer camps.  Check out our website under “summer camps”.  Some of these camps are open to non Langston students, so students, you may bring a friend. 

APEX Adventure Camp…From Mr. Griffin…Parents and Students, Have you heard about APEX Adventures Outdoor Day Camp Program? Mr. Griffin of LCMS will be offering a summer day camp program featuring 4-day long outdoor adventure trips including whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, and more! Parents- this gets the kids out of the house for a few days for some safe outdoor fun in the mountains of the Carolinas.  They are guaranteed to sleep well each night when they get home! Students- this is a chance to see and experience the thrill of the outdoors with your friends as you may never have before!  Trips are geared for middle school students of any ability level.  Check out www.apexadventures.blogspot.com or email apexcamps@gmail.com for more information on how you can be a part of APEX Adventures this summer!
Special APEX Adventures promotional offer:
Sign up before May 10, 2013 and get $10.00 off! Get a friend who has not been with APEX in the past to sign up and get $15.00 off! Email apexcamps@gmail.com for more information on this offer.

8^th grade Rafting Trip…Today was the deadline for turning in your rafting forms and money.  Several forms were given back to students to take home again because they were not filled out completely.  If your student brought their form home for that reason, we must have those forms back on Monday morning. 

Collecting…We are still collecting BoxTops, used batteries, and cell phones.

Langston has received Palmetto Gold recognition for both overall academic performance and for “closing the gap.”

For more information, please follow the link to the attached article:

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013303260011

Car Wash…The car wash scheduled for Saturday, the 13^th, has been cancelled.

Summer Camps…Please check our website for the latest information on the summer camps being offered.  www.langstoncharter.org

BoxTops…We are still running our contest.  Boys against girls this time and rumor has it that the girls are currently in the lead.

From Ms. Cannon:

Model UN awards April 12, 2013

Outstanding Statesman:  Ankith Khandavalli, Charlotte Capers Snoad

Outstanding Resolution:  Representing Bangladesh – Charlotte Capers Snoad, Haseeba Karim; Representing Sierra Leone -Austin Sweet, Eric Moss, Anish, Chaluvadi, Ankith Khandavalli

Outstanding Festival of Nations Attire: Representing Romania – Eva Purcell, Breanne Murrell

Outstanding Festival of Nations Booth: Representing Bangladesh – Charlotte Capers Snoad, Haseeba Karim

Security Council Simulation Participants:

Serena Dobbins, Austin Sweet

Emily Smith, Ankith Khandavalli

Resolutions that advanced General Assembly and Plenary:

Representing Jordan – Anna McGowan, Charlie Forstein; Representing Sierra Leone -Austin Sweet, Eric Moss, Anish Chaluvadi, Ankith Khandavalli Representing Bangladesh – Charlotte Capers Snoad, Haseeba Karim

8^th Grade Rafting Trip…The deadline to turn in forms and money is April 19^th.  We need many more drivers for this trip.  If we don’t get enough parent volunteers to drive we will have to cancel the trip.

Congratulations…Langston’s own Linda Melcher, 8^th grade Science teacher, has been selected as Co-Director of District 4 (Anderson, Greenville, Oconee and Pickens counties) Advisory Board for the SC Science Council.  This is a state wide organization for Science Teachers.  We are very proud of Mrs. Melcher.

Yard Sale on Saturday…From Stephanie Byrd and Michelle Dotson…

Need Volunteer Hours?  We need volunteers to help:

Thursday March 21 – after school move yard sale items to the gym and organize. (4pm-7pm)

Friday March 22 – during and after school organize and price items for yard sale. (8am-7pm)

Saturday March 23 – work yard sale and cleanup. (7am-2pm)

Items needed:  Baked goods, canned drinks, bottled water, coffee and fixings, napkins and plastic grocery bags.

Please contact:  Michelle Dotson: bretmichd@yahoo.com, 498-3351 or Stephanie Byrd:  byrdnest6@gmail.com, 351-9291

Please keep bringing in your donations for the yard sale!

Stephanie Byrd

byrdnest6@gmail.com

Be A Bunny…Langston collected over 80 Easter baskets for the United Way.

Collecting…We are still collecting batteries, pop tops, and plastic grocery bags.

BoxTops…Our contest is still running.  Turn your BoxTops in during homeroom.

Chick-fil-A Spirit Night… is Monday, March 25, 2013.  Come out and earn money for Langston simply by eating dinner and telling them you are from Langston!  Parents also earn one volunteer hour for dining out.

PASS Testing…PASS testing will be on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.  Students must be on time to school and should bring plenty of sharpened number 2 pencils with them.  Per state testing regulations, absolutely no cell phones or electronic devices will be permitted in the classrooms during testing.  These items should be left at home.

Precision Heating & Cooling, Inc., owned by Michelle and David Dobbins, Langston parents, are offering a discount to our families as well as a donation to the Langston Foundation.  They service all makes and models of heating and air units as well as install new units.

Repairs and Planned Service:  10% Discount to Langston families PLUS 5% donation to the Langston Foundation.

New Equipment Installation:      10% Discount to Langston families PLUS $50 donation to the Langston Foundation.

Precision Heating & Cooling, Inc. contact info:  http://www.precisiongreenville.com/  (864) 967-4958   Make sure you tell them you are a Langston family!!

Alison Thompson

Director of Development

Langston Foundation

Girls Movie Night…Tonight, in the gym,  is Girls Movie Night.  It starts at 6:30 and ends at 8:30.  Cost of the movie is $2.00, and there will be pizza and snacks for sale.  Please come into the gym to pick up your child at 8:30pm.

Yard Sale…From Stephanie Byrd and Michelle Dotson…

Need Volunteer Hours?  We need volunteers to help:

Thursday March 21 – after school move yard sale items to the gym and organize. (4pm-7pm)

Friday March 22 – during and after school organize and price items for yard sale. (8am-7pm)

Saturday March 23 – work yard sale and cleanup. (7am-2pm)

Items needed:  Baked goods, canned drinks, bottled water, coffee and fixings, napkins and plastic grocery bags.

Please contact:  Michelle Dotson: bretmichd@yahoo.com, 498-3351 or Stephanie Byrd:  byrdnest6@gmail.com, 351-9291

Please keep bringing in your donations for the yard sale!

Stephanie Byrd

byrdnest6@gmail.com

BoxTops Contest…We have started a new contest.  Turn your boxtops in during homeroom.  This time it is girls against the boys.  Good Luck.

Girls Soccer…There will be a game on Tuesday,  4:00pm, at Mitchell Road Christian School.

Dear Langston Parents, Faculty, Staff and Students:

I want to give a big SHOUT OUT to the Langston Math Dept for organizing the Chick Fil A chicken biscuit sales over the last couple of years.  This idea was generated by Ms. Sandy Lorick and the Math Dept, with the Foundation receiving all the profit each Friday from the sale of the biscuits.  Selling those 100+ biscuits each week has resulted in over $3,000 each year as a donation to the Langston Foundation!!!!

And it wouldn’t be successful without our Langston parent who drives to Chick Fil A during rush hour each morning to pick up the biscuits, and our Langston parent who bares the cold or wind or rain each Friday morning with her team of student volunteers who are handing out biscuits for 30 minutes on the sidewalk prior to class.

And it wouldn’t be successful without the support of our PARENTS, like you, who are supporting the Langston Foundation in so many ways.

I want to give my sincerest appreciation to Ms. Lorick, Mrs. Leslie Fite, Mr. Dan Green, Hallie Fite, Dan Green, Jordan Green, Matthew Green and Isaac Lipe for their dedication each Friday morning.  And I also want to thank our Langston parents for their ongoing support of the Langston Foundation through their chicken biscuit purchase.

Alison Thompson

Director of Development

Langston Foundation

(864) 286-9700

$1250.00…That’s how much money Langston received for our participation in the Reedy River Run last Saturday.  Thanks to all the parents, students, friends, and staff members that ran in the cold rainy weather.  Stop by our lobby to watch the pictures of those runners crossing the finish line.

Volunteer Opportunities…Greenbrier Elementary is looking for some help with their Spring Carnival, scheduled for Saturday, April 13.  They need help from 1:00pm until 4:00pm.  If your student is interested in helping, please email Kelly Dodenhoff at kdodenhoff@yahoo.com.  See the email from Mrs. Weekes sent on Wednesday for 2 additional community service opportunities.  If you are interested in helping with a bike trail in Travelers Rest, contact Matt Griffin at mgriffin@langstoncharter.org.  If you are interested in helping with the Make a Wish Pageant, contact Jodi Panagakos- jmtrpan@yahoo.com  or Beth Taylor  Beth.b.taylor@gmail.com.

Yard Sale…Thank you for all your donations to the yard sale, keep them coming!  Here are some ways to receive parent volunteer hours.

Thursday, 3/21, After school, 3-5 people needed to help move items from the storage unit to the Langston Gym (a truck or empty van would be a great asset, and lots of muscles would help too!)

Friday, 3/22, There will be 2 hour shifts from 8am-8pm available to organize, price, and receive item donations.

Saturday, 3/23, Yard Sale Day, Workers needed from 6:30am-2pm for help at the sale and clean up.

Bake Sale items are needed to sell at the yard sale. Earn 1 hour for every $10 spent.  Please bring these the Friday before the sale (3/22) to the gym.  Additional Items…If you can donate coffee, creamer, sugar, cups, coffee stirrers, napkins, bottled water, canned drinks, plastic grocery bags, or price stickers you can earn 1 hour for every $10.00 you spend.

Adding Machines…We would like to borrow adding machines with tape to use during the sale.

If you can help with anything mentioned above, please email Stephanie Byrd at byrdnest6@gmail.com.

Information Meeting… There will be a meeting for anyone interested in running for the Langston school board on March 12, 2013. The meeting will be held at the school at 5:30PM prior to the regularly scheduled board meeting. Attendees are invited to stay for the board meeting.  The open board positions are Human Resources, Ways and Means, Secretary, and Public Relations.  Here is the link to the board position descriptions.  http://www.langstoncharter.org/board/board-position-descriptions.html

BoxTops Contest…We are starting a new BoxTops contest.  This time it will be the boys against the girls.  Turn your BoxTops in to your homeroom teacher please.

It’s not too late to pick up your parental portal log in information if you have not already done so.

Information Meeting…If you are interested in being on the Langston School Board there will be an information meeting on March 12, 2013 at 5:30.  The meeting will be in one of the classrooms off of the lobby.

Yard Sale…Continue to bring us your items for the yard sale.  The sale date is March 23^rd.

Girls Movie Night…March 15^th is the date.  The movie starts at 6:00pm and admission is $2.00.  Pizza and snacks will be available for purchase.

Attendance…Remember to send in a note when your child is absent.  Notes must be received no later than 3 days after the absence.

Collecting…Continue to send in boxtops, batteries and pop tops please.

Information Meeting…If you are interested in being on the Langston School Board there will be an information meeting on March 12, 2013 at 5:30.  The meeting will be in one of the classrooms off of the lobby.

Thanks…  To all of the parents who bring food for our Wednesday meetings, birthday cakes and department treats, we thank you.

Golf News…Anyone interested in playing golf this spring should contact Randy Schickler at rlschick7685@gmail.com.

Yard Sale…We are currently accepting things for the yard sale.  You may come by the office any time to pick up the key.  The storage unit is located right next door to us.

Lunch…We have a new vendor for Monday’s lunch; VooDoo BBQ will be our Monday lunch vendor.  Starting on February 25^th, the choices are BBQ sandwich with french fries, chicken tenders with french fries, or a garden salad.  Each entrée will be $3.00.  Starting March 1, Culver’s will be our Friday vendor.  The choices are burger with fries, cheeseburger with fries, or a garden salad.  Each entrée will be $3.00.  We will continue to sell Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuits in the Friday morning car line.

From Mrs. Stuff…Vote for the Gear Turners…The Langston Gear Turners has submitted its research project from the regional LEGO robotics tournament as an entry in FIRST LEGO LEAGUE’s Global Innovation Award competition.  Langston is competing against LEGO teams from all over the world, not just the U.S.

Part of the judging for this award comes from the popular vote.  The Langston family can help us by voting online at http://fllinnovation.firstlegoleague.org/ . The process is easy.  Go to the website (you do not have to log in) and click on “search for a team” at the top. To facilitate the search for our project, type 11700 in the” team number” space and click on the “apply filter” button.  This takes you to our project page and you can view our write up on our project, Lift Assist.  Simply cast your vote by scrolling down and pushing the “vote” button.  It’s that simple.  You can vote as often as you wish.