Got your walking shoes???

What: RELAY FOR LIFE

When: Friday, May 14th 7pm-10pm (A parent may stay longer with his/her child, but Langston’s responsibility for the event will end at 10pm)

Where: JL Mann High School Track

Why: To raise money for the American Cancer Association

Community Service Hours:

• Students

1.  Stars- 1 hour for every 3 stars you make and turn in to your leadership teacher by Friday, May 14th.

Stars need to be made out of posterboard (any color), at least 6 ‘’ in size,

Decorate the star in memory of, or, in honor of, someone you know that has had or has cancer

OR a slogan that promotes curing cancer, supporting cancer research…

Decorate with colored markers, glitter, stickers, use your imagination

We need LOTS of stars to decorate our tent!

2. 1 Hour of community service for each hour you stay at Relay for Life

3. 1 Hour for donating a snack or 6 pack of water

Last names beginning with:

A- M- bring a snack to share

N- Z- bring a 6 pack of water to share

• Parents

1. 1 Hour per 2 cans of colored hair spray paint donated for the assemble Friday afternoon, May 14^th

2. 1 Hour of community service for each hour you stay and chaperone at Relay for Life

Relay for Life Assembly: Friday, May 14^th, 12:30-1:30

• Boys-Shave your head and raise $100.00, Mrs. Lisa Stevens will match your $100 donation. Money must be turned in by Monday, May 10^th
• Girls- Donate your hair to Locks of Love and raise $100.00, Mrs. Lisa Stevens will match your $100 donation. Money must be turned in by Monday, May 10^th
• Spray Paint your hair- permission slip and $5.00 must be turned in by Thursday, May 13^th to your leadership teacher

Sign Up Sheet to Walk:

• Leadership teachers will have a sign-up sheet with times
• Sign up under the times you want to walk the track at Relay for Life
• Our team needs to have someone walking the entire time we are there
• We will bring the sign-up sheets with us the night of the event

Information is POWER!

Meet the Candidates for US Congress on Monday night, May 3 at LCMS… The 1 democrat and 5 republican candidates are now ALL CONFIRMED!  This is a rare opportunity to compare each candidate side by side.  Doors open at 6:30pm and the program begins at 7:00pm.  Following the speeches, you can meet each candidate and personally ask each your questions. Langston students have been working hard to make this an informative and family friendly event.  Plus, it’s FREE!  Students who attend with an adult will earn community service. Let’s show our next congressman why Langston students won OUTSTANDING DELEGATION at Youth in Government!   Bring your camera and get your picture with the next US Congressman.

Progress Reports: Progress reports were sent home with your student today.

Calendar: Please see the attached calendar.  We do have school on May 28^th; it is a make-up day.  Our half days are June 1, 2 and 3.  We will dismiss at 12:00 noon.  Lunch will be at 11:30 and there will not be any take-out lunches served.

Meet the Candidates Night: On Monday, May 3^rd several Republican and one Democratic primary candidate will be at Langston.  Each candidate will be introduced by a Langston student and given 8 minutes to make a “Stump” speech telling you a little bit about him/her.  One of the candidates will be representing us in Washington next year!  This is your chance to hear them and meet them personally.  The doors will open at 6:30, and the program will begin at 7:00.

Field Day: The cost is $10.00 (cash only) and must be paid by May 14th.  Field Day will be on Wednesday, June 2.

8^th Grade Party: The party is on May 21, from 6:00 until 9:00 at LivN Nsidout.  The $10.00 (cash only) admission fee must be paid by May 14^th.

8^th Grade Class Picture: May 7^th is the last day to order the class picture is May 8^th.  The cost of the picture is $10.00

Running Club…The last Running Club meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, May 11^th.  Please bring snacks and a drink to share.

LCMS Uniform Sale… The used uniform sale will be on Wednesday, June 2^nd from 12:00noon till 2:00pm in the auditorium.  Details on the sale will be sent in the next few weeks.  If you have a clothing rack that we can borrow, please contact Holly Ludke at hollyludke@yahoo.com or 967-2788.

Pelham Road Spring Fling…Pelham Road Elementary’s Spring Fling is on May 7 from 4:30 until 8:00.  If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Regenea Voorhees at voorhees4@bellsouth.net

Thank you…Thank you to Mrs. Stuff, Mrs. Hepola and Mrs. Dobson for bringing food for the teachers to enjoy during the faculty meeting today.

Information is POWER!

Meet the Candidates for US Congress on Monday night, May 3 at LCMS.

The 1 democrat and 5 republican candidates are now ALL CONFIRMED!  This is a rare opportunity to compare each candidate side by side.

Doors open at 6:30pm and the program begins at 7:00pm.  Following the speeches you can meet each candidate and personally ask them your questions.

Langston students have been working hard to make this an informative and family friendly event.  Plus, its FREE!

Students who attend with an adult will earn community service.

Let’s show our next congressman why Langston students won OUTSTANDING DELEGATION at Youth in Government!

Bring your camera and get your picture with the next US Congressman.

You are Cordially Invited to

Meet the Candidates for the 4^th Congressional District Race

Monday, May 3

Doors open at 6:30 PM, program begins at 7:00 PM

Langston Charter Middle School  Auditorium

Free and Open to Charter School Parents and Students.

This is a family friendly event and we are promoting a return to civility in politics.

One of the 8 announced candidates will be representing us in Washington next year!  This is your chance to hear and meet them personally.

Each candidate will be introduced by a Langston student and then allowed 8 minutes to make a “Stump Speech” telling you about themselves, their stand on the issues and why they feel they are the best qualified to represent our district in Washington.  In an effort to keep this a family friendly event we will not entertain questions from the floor, but you will have the opportunity to meet each candidate and ask them any questions personally after the speeches.

Please make every effort to attend.  This event is as much for you to meet the candidates as it is for the next Congressman to learn about Langston and charter schools.    All LCMS alumni and families from the other Greenville charter schools have been invited, so come early to get a good seat.

Students who attend with a parent or adult will earn

Community Service hours

And because I know you are going to ask……………………

• The 4^th Congressional District is made up of all of Greenville, Spartanburg and Union counties and a very small portion of Laurens County.   Bob Inglis is the current congressman.

• All announced candidates, from all parties, have been invited.

Confirmed to attend are Republican candidates  Bob Inglis, Trey Gowdy, Jim Lee,  David Thomas, Christina Jeffrey, and Democrat candidate Paul Corden.

The Libertarian candidate, Rick Mahler, declined.

• The primary is June 8 and if a run-off is necessary, it will be June 22.

• The general election is November 2.

• The last day for new voters to register is May 8 to be eligible to vote in the June 8 primary.  If you need to register to vote, please visit:

http://www.greenvillecounty.org/Voter_Registration/How_to_Register.asp

• If you will not be able to go to your polling place to vote in person you may vote by absentee ballot.  For more information on absentee voting, please visit: http://www.greenvillecounty.org/Voter_Registration/Absentee_Voting.asp

As you consider who to for vote for in any election, ask how they stand on charter schools.  We need elected officials who are firm in their understanding and support of charter schools.

This event is being hosted by the “Uncle Sam’s Club”, a Langston student club for those interested in learning more about politics and how to get involved.

Any questions please contact club sponsor, Lisa Stevens, Board Legislative Liaison, lhstevens@charter.net or 350-6666

Annual Board Meeting: Our annual board meeting will be April 22 at 7:00 pm.  See the bulletin board for additional information.

http://www.langstoncharter.org/bulletinboard/

Pledge Forms: If you haven’t already sent in your pledge form, please do so next week.  If you have already sent it in, thank you.  You may donate on line also…http://www.langstoncharter.org/support-a-donate/make-a-donation.html

These students won top awards at the Model UN conference:

Outstanding Native Attire – Greece / Claire Andrew, Becca Cockman, Kaitlyn Pyle

Outstanding Native Attire – Switzerland / Nicole Dieminger, Emily Schwalm

Outstanding Booth at Festival of Nations – Ireland / Eric Intile, Daniel Sheahan

Outstanding Booth at Festival of Nations – Namibia / Rachael Moore, Amanda Thomas, Morgan Walker

Outstanding Statesman Award – Becca Cockman

Community Service Opportunities: Contact Mr. Ham at ericham@vzw.blackberry.net to see how you can help with Meals on Wheels Annual Cycling Event.  It is on April 23 and 24 and they need as many as 40 to 50 student volunteers and some parents.  The Mud Run (benefits Goodwill and Toys for Tots) needs students to help stuff goody bags on April 29^th.  Contact Kelly Weekes at kweekes@langstoncharter.org if you can help.

Thank you: Thanks for all of the treats today for the faculty meeting.  I know I’m leaving someone out, but thanks to Mrs. Foley, Mrs. Bailey, and Mrs. Odom.  If you brought in the delicious dips, please call Mrs. Myers, we all want your recipes.

Summer Camps: There are several camps here at Langston over the summer.  If you are interested in signing up your student, send in your payment to secure their spot.  There is a onetime registration fee of $25.00 payable to Langston.  The check for the camp should be payable to the teacher running the camp.  Here’s the link to the information:

http://www.langstoncharter.org/about-langston/summer-camps.html

We Want YOU for L.E.A.P. this summer! Looking for adventure this summer?  It’s not too late to sign up for Langston Expeditions Adventure Program with Matt Griffin and Rob Venable!  Join us for mountain-based activities including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing/repelling, and whitewater rafting!  We’ve filled up our first week’s session but the following sessions are still open:

June 14-17          June 28- July 1      July 12-15

Go to www.langstoncharter.org and click on the “About Langston” tab.  You’ll see a link to “Summer Camps.”  Click on the link for “LEAP Information and Registration.”  Download and print the PDF file and return to Barbara Myers at the front desk along with payment for your session(s).   Contact Mr. Griffin at mgriffin@langstoncharter.org or Mr. Venable at rvenable@langstoncharter.org for more information.

“Budget, Facility & Fundraising – Action Required” – April 16, 2010

To:  All Langston Families, Teachers, Staff & Board Members

Here’s a quick update on the School Budget Situation and the New Facility Opportunity made possible by the Foundation For the Future Campaign.

School Budget Situation

The commitment by Langston Staff to extend their working day enables us to expand enrollment next year by 70 students without increasing our expenses.  This investment alone brings an additional $300,000 annually to the school and certainly mitigates the budget shortfall.  The situation is evolving as the State just announced the ‘discovery’ of a budget error that will result in $60 million of additional cuts this year.  The impact of this on Education remains to be seen, but it could be substantial.

New Facility Opportunity

An outstanding new facility opportunity presented itself and we have a short time in which to respond.  We are bound by a confidentiality agreement and cannot disclose the location of this facility but we can say:

• It’s a 1st class, almost-new facility that’s in turn-key, move-in condition
• It’s within 5 miles of our current facility and would be closer to home for most families
• We could & would plan to occupy it as early as this summer for the 2010-11 school year

“Foundation for the Future” Campaign

Whether or not we execute this particular deal, additional funding is essential for Langston to operate from a facility that outwardly communicates the level of Excellence we deliver academically.  Foundation for the Future is an opportunity for Langston Families to make voluntary, tax-deductible investments in their child’s education for the duration of the time their child attends Langston.  Here’s the current status of the campaign:

Members of the Board will be calling all families early next week to ensure that everyone is aware of this campaign.

Action Required by ALL

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PLEDGED, THANK YOU! Before April 30^th, please “Activate Your Pledge” at the new Langston Foundation web pages at this link:

http://www.langstoncharter.org/support-a-donate/make-a-donation.html

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET PLEDGED, WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU! Lenders look closely at the level of participation when evaluating an organization’s credit worthiness.  Please, submit a pledge form even if you cannot give at the average giving level ($40 per family per month or $480/year) needed.

Two final requests:  1) Please consider asking if grandparents or others might also wish to invest in your child’s education.  2) Be sure to check if your corporation offers matching contributions to 501(c)3 organizations like The Langston Foundation.   Many have already done this and it makes a big difference!

Annual School Meeting – Thursday, April 22^nd, 7:00 PM

More details will be provided at the Annual School Meeting for Parents Next Week … See you then!

Brett Pyle – Board Chairman, Langston Charter Middle School

Relay for Life:  Mrs. Tate has Relay for Life t- shirts on sale for $12.00.  All proceeds benefit Relay for Life. The 7^th grade has 2 car washes planned at Chick-fil-A on Woodruff Road; one on March 27^th and one on April 24^th.  The car wash will be from 10:00 until 2:00, with 2 work shifts available.  The shift hours are from 9:30 – 12:00, or from 12:00 – 2:30. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life.  The sign up sheet is located in the lobby outside of Mr. Black’s room.

Talent Show: Langston Middle School’s talent show is tonight at 6:30.  Admission is $5.00 at the door.  Only the back door to the auditorium will be open.  You will not be able to enter from the walk way between the buildings.

You will be able to buy the new Relay Shirt and Ronald McDonald Playground coffee at the talent show.

Recycled Materials: The Science Department is still collecting name brand printer cartridges and old cell phones to recycle for cash.  Please take them to Mrs. Melcher’s room.

Thank you: Thank you to Mrs. Weston, Mrs. Whisnant and Mrs. Wilson for providing food for the faculty meeting.

From the Science Department: Science Fair was well represented by Langston Charter Middle School. Here are the kids that won something, so please congratulate them when you see them.

Category Winners:

Behavioral and Social Sciences:  1st Place:  Sophie Forstein  “Oh Sugar” ($40 visa gift card, Medal, certificate)

Biology: 2nd Place:  Amanda Royaards  “Canines Choice” ($30 Visa Gift Card and certificate)

Engineering: Honorable Mention Joshua Standard “The Fling” (Certificate)

Environmental Science: 1st Place Shelby Stuff ($40 visa gift card, Medal, certificate)

Math: 2nd Place: Rashed Abdel-Tawab “Music while Computing” ($30 Visa Gift Card and certificate)

Medicine& Health: 2nd Place: Omar Abeladl “The Deadly Disorder” ($30 Visa Gift Card and certificate)

Junior Division Special Awards: Greenville County Medical Society Alliance Award: Omar Abdeladl “The Deadly Disorder” ($50 and certificate)

US Department of Health & Human Services:  Sally Sims  “Got Fat?”  ($50 &certificate)

D.C. Trip Chaperones: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to chaperone our 8^th grade field trip to Washington, DC. We will have a brief informational meeting for chaperones on Monday, 3/22, from 6:00 – 6:30 in Mrs. Lorick’s classroom. (Students do not need to be at this meeting.) We hope you will be able to attend. If not, we will send the information home with your child. Thanks again for your willingness to help us with this trip!

D.C. Trip T-shirts went home today along with some information about the trip.  Mrs. Lorick also sent an email with information about the trip.

Model UN: If your child is going on the Model UN trip, look for the information sent home today.

The PASS writing test will be given Tuesday and Wednesday, March 16^th and 17^th.  Please be sure your child gets plenty of rest and arrives at school before 8:30 on test days.  Testing will begin promptly at 8:30.

Charter School Rally at the Statehouse: Last week, a group of Langston students, parents, and teachers attended a Rally in support of Charter Schools at the Statehouse in Columbia.  Click on this link to read the full story on the Bulletin Board http://www.langstoncharter.org/bulletinboard/?p=447

Reedy River Run: Langston placed first in the Fits Cool Middle School Percentage Challenge.  We were presented with a $1,000.00 check from Carolina First.

Relay for Life:  Mrs. Tate has Relay for Life t- shirts on sale for $12.00.  All proceeds benefit Relay for Life. The 7^th grade has 2 car washes planned at Chick-fil-A on Woodruff Road; one on March 27^th and one on April 24^th.  The hours are from 9:30 – 12:00, or from 12:00 – 2:30, with the proceeds benefitting Relay for Life.  The sign out sheet is located in the lobby outside of Mr. Black’s room.  Please see the separate email from Mr. Black for more details.

Yearbook Meeting: The final meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, March 16^th , from 3:30 until 4:15 in Mrs. Lorick’s room.

Lunch Orders: The lunch menu is on the website.  Please have your order and your check in the office by noon on  Friday, March 19th.

Thank you: Thank you to Mrs. Tin, Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Watson for providing food for the faculty meeting.

Recycled Materials: The Science Department is still collecting name brand printer cartridges and old cell phones to recycle for cash.  Please take them to Mrs. Melcher’s room.

The PASS writing test will be given Tuesday and Wednesday, March 16^th and 17^th.  Please be sure your child gets plenty of rest and arrives at school before 8:30 on test days.  Testing will begin promptly at 8:30.

THANK YOU: Thank you to Joanne Gabriel for helping with the early dismissal on Tuesday, and to Mrs. Williams (Taylor Kimling’s mom) for assembling all of our Reedy River Run packets.  Thanks to Mrs. Street, Mrs. Stuff, and Mrs. Sweet for bringing in food for the faculty meeting.  Thank you for bringing in items that are on our teachers’ wish lists.  T

CHICK-FIL-A:  Spirit Night is Tuesday at the Woodruff Road Chick-fil-A.

1^st Check from Bi-Lo Boosterplus Program

Langston received a check from the Bi-Lo boosterplus program this week for the 1st half of the school year from Aug-Dec 2009.  It was for $181.23… not a great amount, but every little bit helps!

We can do better in the 2^nd half of the year from Jan-Jun 2010.  We have 175 families at Langston…only 75 are registered for the boosterplus program.  Let’s bring that number up!

It’s NOT too late to register your Bonuscard for the boosterplus program.  Go to the Langston school website, Parent Information, Download Form, and print the Bi-Lo Boosterplus form.  Take it with you to Bi-Lo the next time you shop, and have them scan the form and your Bonuscard.  You will then be in the program.   Tell other family, friends and neighbors to do the same.

If you shop at Bi-Lo, there is no reason why you shouldn’t enroll in the program.  1% of all you spend will come back to Langston.  If you don’t shop at Bi-Lo and would like information about Publix, Ingles or Bloom, please call or email me and I’ll be happy to give you the details on those grocery store programs.  LESLIE ROYAARDS – 268-2088 OR LROYAARDS@BELLSOUTH.NET

PLEASE help Langston by enrolling in one of these grocery store programs.  It’s EASY money and can help pay for lots of things that the school needs.

Operation We Care: Thanks to all who donated tons of wonderful things to send to our soldiers serving overseas.

7^th Grade Car Wash: 7^th Grade will hold a car wash to benefit Relay for Life on Saturday, March 27^th, at the Chick-fil-A on Woodruff Road.  The time is from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, with 2 shifts available.  You may work from 9:30 am until 12:00 noon, from 12:00 noon until 2:30 pm or…you may work both shifts.  Students, please use the signup sheet outside the auditorium if you are going to help.  Parents, if you can chaperone, please email Mr. Black at bblack@langstoncharter.org.  Please sign up before March 19^th.  This will count as community service.

Library Help: The library is having a “Book Covering Party” and everyone is invited.  It will be held in the conference room on Wednesday, March 10^th, from 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm.

Wish List:   Mrs. Lorick would like a vacuum cleaner for her classroom.

Reedy River Run: The run is tomorrow (Saturday)  morning.  Everyone should have picked up their packets today from Mr. Black’s room.

LANGSTON SPRING TENNIS 2010

All matches are played at 6:00pm