Longhorn Loop

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Dear Lanier Families and Community,

This week marked our 60th day of school, which also means it has been my 60th day as principal of Lanier Middle School. As a new principal, I have spent the past several months learning as much as I can about our students, staff, families, and community. While there is still much to learn, one thing has become very clear: I absolutely love being part of the daily life of this school. Whether it's visiting classrooms, attending events, celebrating accomplishments, or simply spending time with students, it is the people of Lanier who make this such a special place.

That was certainly evident today as we celebrated Costumes for a Cause and brought a little extra fun to lunch. Students enjoyed treats, games, and activities, and we were fortunate to have a few Lanier High School students volunteer their time to help with the fun! Their leadership and willingness to give back to our school community helped make the day even more special. The laughter, creativity, and joy throughout the day were a great reminder of why I enjoy spending time with our students so much. What shocked me is how many students wanted to take pictures at our backdrop. It was so cute how excited they were to take pictures with friends - I will work on finding a way to compile them all to share.

We also had several important opportunities for students this week. Our 8th graders completed the PSAT on Tuesday, and some of our talented students are representing Lanier at District Honors Chorus today and tomorrow. We are proud of all of them and the many ways they continue to represent our school well.

I would also like to thank our teachers for the time and care they invested in Parent-Teacher Conferences this week. Strong communication and partnership between home and school are essential to student success, and I appreciate the commitment of both our staff and families.

Thank you as well to those who have already completed our Community Involvement Form. A big part of my vision for Lanier is creating meaningful partnerships that expand opportunities and experiences for students. If you have not yet had a chance to complete the form, you'll find it linked above and in the REMINDERS Section of this week's Loop.

Finally, I am excited to share that Ms. Deandra White will join Lanier on Monday as our new 8th Grade and Language Arts Assistant Principal. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Longhorn family. Her arrival will allow Dr. Bishop to continue focusing on the Special Education and Mathematics departments she currently supports while Ms. White assumes leadership of 8th grade and Language Arts. We look forward to the expertise and support Ms. White will bring to our students, staff, and families.

As a reminder, next Tuesday is a Digital Learning Day. Teachers will post asynchronous learning activities for students to complete from home.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Hook 'em Horns!

Megan Hathaway
Principal, Lanier Middle School

This community-wide service event is an opportunity for students, families, church members, and neighbors to come together and make a positive difference in our community. Several service projects are being planned throughout Downtown Sugar Hill. Just Serve 30518 Day will conclude with a ribbon cutting for Sugar Hill's new pedestrian bridge.

Click here for specific project information.

CITY OF SUGARHILL/JUST SERVE

LANIER MIDDLE SCHOOL CELEBRATING VETERANS FORM

In honor of Veteran's Day coming up on 11/11, we would love to honor the Veteran's and their families from the Lanier Middle School community. If you or a member of your family has served in the military, please take a moment to complete the above form by November 3rd.

Picture retakes for the LMS yearbook are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov 4th.

The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology is a unique high school that focuses on advanced and challenging studies in the fields of engineering, biosciences, and emerging technologies. Enrollment for the 9thgrade class is open to all 8th grade students who are residents of the Gwinnett County school district attendance zone; who are successfully promoted to 9th grade by the end of spring semester, 2027; and who successfully complete an 8th grade math curriculum that is a full unit of Carnegie-eligible Enhanced Algebra: Concepts & Connections or higher. Additional eligibility requirements can be found on the GSMST website.

https://gsmst.gcpsk12.org/ Click on Admissions

Informational Meetings will be held at GSMST at 7:00 PM on:

• Wednesday, December 8, 2026 for the: Berkmar Cluster, Central Gwinnett Cluster, Collins Hill Cluster, Discovery Cluster, Duluth Cluster, Lanier Cluster, Meadowcreek Cluster, Norcross Cluster, North Gwinnett Cluster, Peachtree Ridge Cluster, Seckinger Cluster

• Thursday, January 7, 2027 will be a make-up meeting date.
  
  

• https://gsmst.gcpsk12.org/ Click on Admissions

Calling All Young Scientists!

Are you curious, creative, and ready to investigate something amazing? It’s time for the Science Fair!

Please fill in the science fair interest google form for the meeting.

Lanier Middle School will be competing in The Gwinnett Readers Rally for the first time this year. The Readers Rally is a quiz bowl-style competition for students in grades 4 through 12. Students read books from a selected list and compete by answering questions based on those titles. Any student interested can come to the Media Center to pick up an interest form for a chance to be on the competition team.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Friday nights this season for Longhorn football! Please note that all elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult to attend. Students arriving without an adult will not be admitted. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Soccer Clinic

The soccer clinic will be held 11/2, 11/9, & 11/16 from 4:30-5:30. The cost is $45 and registration is on My Payments Plus. The clinic is limited to the first 50 students signed up. The clinic is NOT mandatory in order to tryout.

Soccer Tryouts

Girls' tryouts will be held December 1st, 2nd, & 3rd from 4:30-5:30.

Boys' tryouts will be held Dec. 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, and 16th (if necessary) from 4:15-6:00.

All paperwork, including a physical, must be uploaded to Rank One prior to tryouts. Students are expected to be at tryouts each day. Students not at tryouts prior to first cuts being made will not be allowed to tryout.

CLICK HERE: LMS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FORM

A big part of our vision at Lanier is connecting students with the talents, experiences, and resources within our community. Whether you'd like to volunteer, share your expertise, support an event, mentor students, speak to a group of students, or partner with our school in another way, we'd love to hear from you.

Every family, business, and community member has something valuable to offer, and together we can create even more meaningful opportunities and experiences for our students.

Using the link below, please mark your calendars for all the GCPS middle school assessment dates.

2026-2027 GCPS Assessment dates:

https://www.gcpsk12.org/families/accountability-and-assessment/test-dates

Yearbooks go on sale Monday, August 3rd.
How to Order:

Visit YearbookOrderCenter.com

Use School Code: #953

Personalization available until Dec. 31st.

8th Grade Ads

Celebrate your grad!

Purchase & design your ad online at the Order Center by October 31!.

Purchase Platforms::

Echeck, credit card, and installment plans available Via Varsity as well as Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal and more.

Pricing:

August: $45

September 1 to January 31: $50

February: $55

March: $60

April: $65

May: $70

Name Plate: $10

ParentSquare provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to receive and send information, such as:

• Weather-related closings & delays
• School and class information
• Share pictures and files
• See calendar items
• Upcoming class activities

Set up and preference information here

Parents now have the option to be notified in the ParentVUE mobile app if their student’s grade falls below a preset threshold. Follow this link for more information.

During the 2024–2025 school year (effective July 1), GCPS implemented fines for any lost or damaged Chromebooks and power cords.

Please take a moment to talk with your student about the importance of properly caring for the school-issued equipment. Keeping devices in good condition helps avoid unnecessary charges and ensures they’re ready for learning every day.

*A device could have multiple damaged components such as broken hinges as well as a cracked screen, this would result in a fine of $50. $25 for each damaged component.

Keep up to date with all the great things happening at Lanier Middle School by joining our social media platforms. See the Bottom Banner of this newsletter for Links to our Twitter, Facebook pages OR see the "Let's Be Social" section of the Lanier MS Homepage for links to all our social platforms including Instagram and our YouTube Channel. It is here you will see many more pictures and videos of all the activities and events happening here at LMS!