LMS Newsletter

We're excited to begin the school year and can't wait to meet our new students and welcome back our returning 7th and 8th graders.

Open house is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19th from 4:30-5:30 PM*.

We look forward to seeing you there!

*Families who would benefit from a quieter and less crowded open house experience are welcome to arrive at 4:00 PM. During this time, students may practice lockers, locate classrooms, and become familiar with the building before larger crowds arrive.

As part of our efforts to ensure a smooth and positive transition to middle school, we invite all incoming sixth graders to attend our WEB Orientation (Where Everyone Belongs) on Friday, August 7th.

WEB is a nationally recognized transition program designed to help sixth graders feel connected, confident, and prepared as they begin this new chapter. During the orientation, students will be paired with trained 8th grade WEB Leaders who will lead them through team-building activities, a tour of the school, and share helpful tips for success at LMS.

Date & Time: Friday, August 7th from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Drop-Off/Pick-Up Location: Legg Middle School Gym – Use the student drop-off/pick-up loop across from Lakeland Elementary on Western Avenue.

Arrival Time: Please arrive on time, orientation begins promptly at 8:00 AM

What to Wear: Comfortable clothes and shoes (we’ll be moving around a lot!)

Lunch: Provided for all students attending orientation

Who Should Attend: All incoming 6th grade LMS students. Please note: This is a student-only event.

This is a fun and meaningful experience that truly helps set the tone for a great start to middle school. We strongly encourage all students to attend!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our main office at 517-279-5940. We can’t wait to see our newest Cardinals!

Madison Hagaman - Sixth Grade English Language Arts Teacher

Mark Henson-Bohlen - Insight Connect Social Worker

Ofc. Brianna Hyde - School Resource Officer

Smile! Picture day is scheduled for September 3rd.

You can place your order with Focus & Frame Portrait Company: https://focusandframe.accessmyevent.com/LeggMSFall2026

Picture retake day will be October 8th.

Our doors open daily at 7:15 A.M and school is in session from 7:35 AM -2:35 PM.

Students are expected to attend school each day for the full day. Please schedule appointments and activities around school hours, whenever possible.

On most Wednesdays we have an early release from school, with dismissal at 1:20 PM.

We set aside this early release time for staff to meet, plan, and collaborate as we work toward meeting our building and district initiatives which include creating a safe, supportive environment and ensuring effective teaching in every classroom. These two priorities create the foundation of a High Reliability School. Please see the High Reliability Schools section below for more information about our HRS journey.

You can view the district calendar for non-early release Wednesdays. These dates will also be announced in the monthly newsletter.

Parent drop off and pick up is available in the drive off Western Avenue for arrival and dismissal. Please use this lot by the gym for all before-school drop-offs and after-school pick-ups. Please drop students in the marked zones as to help keep traffic moving. Drive with care and consideration as we work together to keep everyone safe!

Important: The Green Street parking lot is for buses only during drop off and pick up times. Please avoid entering via the Green Street driveway before 7:35AM or after 2:00 PM.

August 7 - 6th Grade Orientation

August 19 - Open House

August 24 - First Day of School

August 28 - No School

September 2 - Full Day/No Early Release

September 4 - No School

September 7 - Labor Day/No School

September 9 - Full Day/No Early Release

September 16 - Early Release (1:20PM)

September 23 - Early Release (1:20PM)

September 30 - Early Release (1:20PM)

Keep informed about the latest events and activities at Legg Middle School.

Bookmark our student announcements page - updated daily during the school year.

High Reliability Schools is a framework that helps schools create the conditions needed for students and staff to succeed. The framework is organized into levels, with each level building on the one before it.

Level 1 focuses on a safe, supportive, and collaborative culture. This includes clear expectations, strong relationships, staff support, and meaningful partnerships with families. Although Legg Middle School has earned Level 1 certification, we will continue reviewing and strengthening this work.

Level 2 focuses on effective teaching in every classroom. This does not mean every teacher must teach in exactly the same way. It means students should consistently experience clear instruction, meaningful learning goals, useful feedback, and the support they need to grow. We will be working to achieve HRS Level 2 certification this school year.

Together, these first two levels help ensure every student has a safe place to learn and access to high-quality instruction each day.

KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION

For children who will be five (5) years of age on or before September 1, 2026, and who have not already registered for Kindergarten, please call 279-5910 to make an appointment. Children who will be five years of age after September 1, 2026, through December 1, 2026, are able to register for Kindergarten with a signed waiver. The child's certified birth certificate and appropriate immunization records must be presented to the appropriate school official along with proof of residency (utility bill, etc.) and driver’s license. It is desirable that all Kindergarten children have physical examinations, including vision and hearing, prior to enrolling.

COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW

All children who will be six (6) years of age before September 1, 2026, must attend school.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

For all new enrollments for Coldwater Community Schools, please contact Julie Fitch at 517-279-5910. Enrollment information and forms can also be found at www.coldwaterschools.org/enroll.

SCHOOLS OF CHOICE

Coldwater Community Schools participates in the School of Choice program. Students who live in the Bronson or Quincy School District or in a contiguous county may be eligible to enroll in the Coldwater School District. For more information, including School of Choice application deadlines, please visit www.coldwaterschools.org or call 517-279-5910.

PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

ALL students entering Kindergarten, ALL 6th grade students, and ALL students changing school districts, must show proof of two doses of Varicella vaccine or history of Chickenpox.

ALL students 11-18 years of age who change school districts or are enrolled in the 6th grade must show proof of one dose of Meningococcal (MCV4 or MPSV4) vaccine and one dose of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Acellular Pertussis (TDAP) vaccine.

Contact the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Health Department (517-279-9561, extension 100) or your family physician for further information.

A signed statement from a physician or the County Health Department that such immunization is completed, or provisional status has been achieved, MUST be presented to school officials before admittance to school. Parents or legal guardians can submit a waiver to the effect that their student has not been immunized because of religious convictions or other objections to immunizations. Such statements must also be submitted before school admittance.

The District will advocate for all eligible students and staff to get their Covid Vaccinations. This includes, but is not limited to, promoting local vaccination clinics, providing access to BHSJCHA, MDHHS, and CDC information on the district website, and other educational materials through our school nurse.

Vaccinations will NOT be required for students nor staff for in-person attendance.

PRESCHOOL VISION SCREENING TEST RULES

In addition, the parent or guardian of each enrolling child shall submit a statement:

signed by a district, county, or city Health Department Director stating that the child has passed the Department of Public Health preschool vision screening test; or

signed by a licensed medical or osteopathic physician or a licensed optometrist indicating that the child has had his/her eyes examined after age three and prior to initial entrance.

Neither vision test enumerated in 1 or 2 above is required if there is a statement signed by a parent or guardian to the effect that the child cannot be submitted to such testing because of religious convictions.

BRANCH-HILLSDALE-ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY HEALTH AGENCY CLINIC

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, located at 570 Marshall Rd. in Coldwater, has an established clinic for the purpose of giving the necessary immunization series to eligible children. Please call for an appointment: 517-279-9561, extension 100.

LETTER TO PARENTS REGARDING INCLEMENT WEATHER

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Due to the unpredictable and harsh nature of our weather, it sometimes becomes necessary to cancel or delay school.

A decision to delay or cancel school is based on a number of factors, some of which we cannot control.

In the event of concerning weather conditions, school officials drive various rural roads and streets within our school district to determine if a school bus can safely transport students. Additional consideration is given to other factors, including wind chill and the visibility of students who wait for a bus or walk to school.

After consulting with area law enforcement agencies, the road commission and neighboring school district officials regarding the safety of our students, a decision to close or delay school will be made.

Our goal is to convey school delay or closure information to media outlets by 5:00 a.m. This early deadline is necessary to provide adequate time to broadcast this information to parents, students and school bus drivers; however, weather can change rapidly and sometimes these decisions are delayed.

Weather conditions are unpredictable and can change for better or worse after a decision has been made. It is also possible for the weather conditions to vary within different regions of our school district.

We understand that parents may not feel comfortable driving or allowing a child to drive in certain weather conditions. If a parent or guardian believes it is not safe to be on the road, we understand and respect the decision to keep their child home. In such circumstances, with notification provided by the parent or guardian, the student will be given an excused absence from school.

The safety of our students is the first priority at Coldwater Community Schools.

We greatly appreciate the continued support, cooperation and understanding from parents and our community.

Sincerely,

Coldwater Community Schools Administration

PEST MANAGEMENT NOTIFICATION

A recent amendment to the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act requires that school districts provide notice when pesticides are used in school facilities. The Act also modifies the notification that must be given to parents or guardians prior to the application of pesticides. Initially, parents or guardians must be annually notified in writing within 30 days of the beginning of the school year that they will receive at least 48 hours advance notice of pesticide applications. The annual notice must specify that advance notice will be given by posting at the entrances of the school facility and at various other locations in the building. Upon request, parents or guardians are entitled to notice by mail at least 3 days prior to pesticide application. Further, parents or guardians may review the District’s Integrated Pest Management Program and pesticide application records.

STATE & FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

The Coldwater Community School District complies with all state and federal legislative requirements. The school district publishes an Annual Report on the District web site, www.coldwaterschools.org. This report contains a report card for each school, information about the number and percentage of schools in the District identified for School Improvement, the length of time that each school has been identified for School Improvement, and student achievement rates on the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP).

A Parent Involvement Policy has been developed and is available for review on the District website and in the District and School Improvement Plans. The District provides parents access to information about their children. Student information can be attained by contacting the child’s school or by accessing the student’s Skyward account.

The Federal legislation also requires other parent notices. Information about Highly Qualified Teachers, Educational Services to Homeless and Migrant Children and Youth, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) are available on the District website or from the Administration Offices. School and Administration Office phone numbers are listed elsewhere in this publication. If you have any questions regarding the state or federal requirements or Coldwater Community Schools’ compliance efforts, please contact any building principal, Paul Flynn, or Penny Brockway.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF INSTRUCTORS

The following schools receive federal funds for Schoolwide Title I Part A programming:

Max Larsen Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School

Lakeland Elementary School

Legg Middle School

As a parent/guardian of a student in a Schoolwide Title I school, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers and paraprofessionals (if applicable) who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to request certain information about your student’s classroom teachers and paraprofessionals and requires the school to give you this information in a timely manner. Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information about each of your student’s teachers and paraprofessionals (if applicable):

Whether the teacher meets the state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grades and subjects he/she teaches.

Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status because of special circumstances.

Whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and the field of discipline of the teacher’s certification or degree.

Coldwater Community Schools strives to have the best instructors possible to provide a high-quality education for every student. If you have any questions regarding the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct your child, please contact the Administration Office at 517-279-5910.

FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

The Coldwater Schools, in compliance with the 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), publishes this notice that explains what student information will be given without prior consent from individual parents.

Directory of Information examples:

Name, address, telephone number, e-mail address

Date/place of birth

Student photograph

Major field of study or grade

Participation in officially recognized school activities and athletic programs

Weight/height of athletic team members

Dates of school attendance

Degrees and awards received

Previous educational institution attended

Provide military recruiters with student name, address, phone number and access to campus

Other general information generally found in yearbooks and school newspapers

This notice is to inform students and parents of expected practices on the part of the school district for the 202-202 school year. Anyone having objections to their individual information being released may submit a written objection to the Superintendent of Schools, 401 Sauk River Drive, Coldwater, Michigan 49036-2050.

CHILDREN'S INTERNET PROTECTION ACT (CIPA)

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet. CIPA imposes certain requirements on schools or libraries that receive discounts for Internet access or internal connections through the E-rate program.

It is recommended that parents/guardians always monitor your students' Internet usage on any technology device that can access the Internet. Millions of websites are created daily which is a constant concern when students are accessing the Internet.

Schools and libraries subject to CIPA are required to adopt and implement an Internet safety policy addressing:

Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet;

The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications;

Unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities by minors online;

Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and

Measures restricting minors' access to materials harmful to them.