The Eagle Eye

Greetings Lake Elkhorn Community,

We would like to thank all of our families that attended the New Student Orientation yesterday afternoon. It was a great opportunity for the staff to connect with new LEMS students and their families.

This is a reminder that Saturday, August 22nd, will be our Back-to-School Block Party to celebrate our 50th anniversary. We will have many special guests in attendance including our County Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball and our HCPSS Superintendent, Mr. Bill Barnes. There will be tons of family activities here at LEMS from 11:00am - 2:00pm. We hope to see you there!

We look forward to openings our doors to students on Monday, August 24th at 8:15am. Enjoy your final weekend of summer break.

LEMS Admin Team

Each year, all families must verify and update their Family File in HCPSS Connect. This is more than just a form, it’s essential to keeping your child safe and fully included in school experiences.

Accurate Family File information ensures we can quickly and effectively respond in the event of an emergency. It is also required for students to participate in field trips, and some grade levels already have trips scheduled early in the school year.

Please take a few minutes to complete this important step now.

Click the button below to update your Family File today!

What you need to know:

• Family File must be completed every school year for every student.
• Parents/guardians must log in using their own credentials (not their child’s account).
• Your username is the email address provided at registration. If needed, you can reset your password directly from the login page.

What you’ll update:

• Family and parent/guardian contact information
• Emergency contacts
• Student information, including health details
• Permissions (directory, media release, etc.)
• Arrival/dismissal procedures
• Technology and program-related information

Please be sure to identify phone numbers as mobile to receive important text messages, including emergency alerts and weather-related updates.

New this year: Families can select additional race categories, including a Middle Eastern/North African option, in alignment with state guidance.

Some features in HCPSS Connect (such as teacher assignments, schedules, and transportation) are not yet available for the new school year—but your Family File can and should be completed now.

Thank you for taking the time to ensure we have the most accurate and up-to-date information to support your child’s safety and success!

We Need EVERY Family to Apply-Even if You Don't Think You Would Qualify

Many HCPSS families may be eligible to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) programLinks to an external site..

Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including free college applications, free or reduced JumpStart dual enrollment tuition, discounted internet through the Comcast Internet Essentials program, and more.

Families must submit a new application every school year. During the first 30 school days, students with FARMs eligibility from the prior school year will continue to receive benefits. Any student whose family has not filled out an application by the 30th school day will have their status changed to full pay until a new application is received.

Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. It is very important that applications are filled out accurately and completely.

• Apply onlineLinks to an external site.
• Apply by mail: Paper applications will be available at all school front offices. Applications can be returned to the school or mailed to HCPSS Food & Nutrition Services, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Additionally, I want you to know that there are school staff available to support you and your child.We have numerous supports in place, and I encourage you and your child to take advantage of them whenever they are needed.

Answers to frequently asked questionsLinks to an external site. on HCPSS meals and additional meals/nutrition assistance programs can be found on the HCPSS Help site. If you have questions regarding the program, please visit www.hcpss.org/FARMsLinks to an external site. or contact Food and Nutrition Services at 410-313-6743 or foodsvc@hcpss.org.

Resources to help with this program

• Direct link to apply for Free and Reduced MealsLinks to an external site.
• FARMs paper applications - In print production, to be delivered to schools and made available to families
• HCPSS Free and Reduced Meals webpageLinks to an external site.
• FARMs participation additional opportunitiesLinks to an external site.
• HCPSS FARMs FAQsLinks to an external site.

When: August 22nd (11:00am - 2:00pm)

Where: Lake Elkhorn Middle School and Cradlerock Elementary School

What: A celebration of our school and community including:

• Welcome speeches from our County Executive and Superintendent of Schools

• Student MCs

• Community Resources and Information for our families

• Free school supplies

• Food trucks

• DJ

• Free haircuts from local barbers

• Tables for our community partners to share information with our families

Who: All community members- Last year we welcomed 200 families!

Why: Because we want to celebrate our inspiring students, dedicated staff, and caring families.

The Howard County Health Department in partnership with the Howard County Public School System has selected LEMS to be one of the eleven schools to have a school-based wellness center. LEMS has had the telemedicine program, but we also have a nurse practitioner on-site to provide school entry physicals, co-management of chronic health problems with your child’s pediatric provider, health education, and treat acute illnesses and injuries. The wellness center also offers routine childhood vaccinations. The School Based Wellness Clinic is available Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with telehealth on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Friday is the LEMS focus day (physicals and appointments). Children must be enrolled by their parent or guardian to receive services.

Here is the clinic dates scheduled at LEMS thus far:

• Vision Clinic

• 8th graders and new to the county students

• September 24th

• October 1st

• Dental Clinic

• December 7-11th

• Enroll HERE

• Vaccine Clinic

• Rising 7th Graders

• May of 2027

Registration is now open for Heart & Sole at LEMS! Heart & Sole is the middle school component of Girls on the Run. Join our team, where trained coaches host a 6th-8th grade program in our community to inspire girls to value what makes them unique. Together, teams uncover confidence and understand the importance of physical and emotional health. LEMS team will meet Mondays and Wednesdays (beginning the week of September 14) from 3:15 - 4:30pm.

Participate in CA Points Program to Earn Free CA Membership

The CA (Columbia Association) Points Program is offered to students in grades 3-12 who are enrolled in the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) program at participating schools. Students can earn a free CA membership for themselves and their immediate family by meeting goals for grades and attendance.

To participate in the CA Points Program, you must complete a FARMs application and complete the CA Points Enrollment Form. Online enrollment will close on September 25, 2026.

For more information, visit CA Points Program or email CAPoints@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

For the 2026 - 2027 school year students will not be permitted to have their backpacks or chromebooks in the cafeteria. We will provide time for students to visit their lockers before and after lunch. Each student will automatically be assigned and locker and combination for their use.

Saturday, August 22nd:

Back to School Block Party (11:00 - 2:00pm)

Monday, August 24th:

First Day of School for Students (Doors open at 8:15am)

Wednesday, September 2nd:

Back to School Night (6:00 - 7:30pm)

The LEMS PTSA supports our students and staff in so many ways. Consider joining as it's a great way to support our school community.

Below you will find a link to our Heart Smiles for the week. This is where you can gain behind the scenes highlights of the amazing work taking place in our building!

• Principal, Mr. Esposito Anthony_Esposito@hcpss.org

• Assistant Principal, Mrs. Glass Katelyn_Glass@hcpss.org

• Assistant Principal, Ms. Essien Felicia_Essien@hcpss.org

• Assistant Principal, Mr. Nobis Christopher_Nobis@hcpss.org

• Principal's Secretary, Ms. Lewis Christina_Lewis@hcpss.org

• Registrar, Ms. Hackley India_Hackley@hcpss.org

• Attendance Secretary, Ms. Pierre-Louis Kendra_Pierre-Louis@hcpss.org

• Teacher Secretary Ms. Harney Cydney_Harney@hcpss.org