Purple PUPdate

Dear Lanier Middle School Families,

As we move through the final days of February, our campus continues to be a place of meaningful learning, student accomplishment, and steady momentum. Even with a full slate of activities, our teachers and students remain focused, and the high levels of engagement across classrooms speak to the expectations we hold for every Purple Pup.

I want to begin by celebrating the incredible work of our GT students. Throughout this grading cycle, every student in our Gifted and Talented program completed a GT project—an achievement that reflects creativity, perseverance, and deep thinking. We are proud of their efforts and grateful to our teachers for guiding them through this rigorous process.

Families should also expect Cycle 4 report cards to go home this Friday during Homeroom/PUPS. As always, we encourage you to review grades and progress with your student and reach out to teachers with any questions or support needs.

Our students continue to shine beyond the classroom as well. Both Dance and Robotics have brought home multiple awards over the past two weeks, demonstrating skill, teamwork, and dedication. We are also celebrating our Orchestra, which delivered a beautiful performance that highlighted the talent and discipline of our student musicians. We appreciate the directors and coaches who support these programs and represent Lanier with such pride.

This week, we completed an important lockdown safety drill. Our students and staff responded with calm, focus, and professionalism. Safety remains our top priority, and practicing these procedures ensures that we are always prepared.

I also want to share an academic update: we have released a streamlined and readiness-focused set of pathways for next year’s 7th grade Algebra I and 8th grade Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC) courses. These refinements are designed to support students’ long-term academic trajectories, ensuring that those who take advanced coursework are ready for the rigor ahead.

Meanwhile, our soccer season has kicked off with great energy. It’s been wonderful to see students competing, supporting one another, and demonstrating sportsmanship on and off the field.

As we look ahead, our leadership team is deep into planning for the upcoming school year while remaining firmly grounded in the work of finishing this year strong. The spring always brings both reflection and anticipation, and we are committed to making every week count.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We appreciate all you do to strengthen our Purple Pup community and help our students thrive. Wishing everyone a productive and positive week ahead.

Sincerely,

Marcus Williams

Principal/Head of School

Parent Nominator: Joni W.

Teacher/Staff: Mr. Duncan

Subject Area: Individuals & Societies (6th Grade World Cultures)

IB Learner Profile Trait: Balanced- They take care of their mind, body, and emotions, and understand the importance of balance in life.

Parent Message: There are SO many outstanding things to share about this man! He is very organized and appreciate the structure he upholds in his class. He has also simultaneously ignited a yearning for more with regards to his 6th graders and world history and cultures. Thanks Mr D, and know us parents are so very grateful for you!

Please use the link here to nominate a teacher/staff member: https://forms.gle/zBb6Nw3PH2qiEsa1A

Lanier Families,

The link to our SY26-27 Student/Family Intent to Return form is included. Please complete this form for your child(ren) so that we can support your enrollment/registration needs as well as ensure your child is properly scheduled and supported for the next school year.

The completion of this form is critical as we ensure your child has the correct courses, resources, and needs met. Please complete this form no later than March 20, 2026.

Families and Community,

We are pleased to share the science course sequence information and readiness criteria requirements for students and families interested in taking IPC during their 8th grade year and Algebra 1 during their 7th grade year. Please review the information provided in the PDF attachments. We will be providing additional updates throughout the remainder of the semester and look forward to continue offering advanced science and math offerings for our students while also ensuring academic readiness.

Additional updates and information will be provided in future editions of the Purple PUPdate and on ParentSquare.

Lanier Community,

As we continue our journey together at Lanier Middle School, we are incredibly proud of how our diverse, vibrant, and high‑performing IB Middle Years Programme community lives the IB Learner Profile each day. These traits are more than academic expectations—they help our students grow into confident, compassionate, and globally minded young people.

Today, we want to highlight three IB Learner Profile traits that support success both in school and in life: Communicators, Thinkers, and Balanced.

Communicators

Being a communicator means expressing ideas confidently and creatively in more than one way. Communicators listen closely, collaborate effectively, and share their thinking with clarity and respect.

At school, we see strong communication when students:

• Contribute thoughtfully to classroom discussions
• Demonstrate active listening with peers and adults
• Collaborate on group projects, sharing ideas and responsibilities

At home, communication can be nurtured by:

• Discussing the day’s experiences and challenges
• Practicing clear and respectful dialogue during family routines
• Engaging in conversations that explore multiple viewpoints

Thinkers

Thinkers use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze information, solve problems, and make reasoned decisions. They approach challenges with curiosity, flexibility, and determination.

At school, thinkers:

• Ask probing questions and explore complex ideas
• Approach assignments with strategy and reflection
• Apply logical reasoning to real‑world situations

At home, thinking skills can grow through:

• Solving puzzles, logic games, or real‑life dilemmas together
• Encouraging students to explain their reasoning for decisions
• Exploring “what if” scenarios or open‑ended questions

Balanced

Balanced learners understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional well‑being. They work to manage their time, commitments, and self‑care in healthy ways.

At school, balanced habits include:

• Prioritizing academic tasks while participating in extracurriculars
• Taking brain breaks or practicing mindfulness when needed
• Maintaining positive friendships and healthy routines

At home, students can strengthen balance by:

• Establishing consistent sleep and study schedules
• Making time for exercise, hobbies, and safe social connections
• Practicing self‑awareness and checking in about stress levels

These traits—Communicators, Thinkers, and Balanced—support students in becoming confident learners and thoughtful global citizens. We are grateful for your partnership as we help our students develop lifelong skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Together, we will continue to build the strong learning culture that makes Lanier Middle School a place where every student can thrive.

Sincerely,

Your Lanier Leaders

This Friday, February 27th is Go Texan Day, and HISD staff and students are welcome to wear western attire. Since the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo began in 1932, more than $660 million has been committed to the youth of Texas and education. We are grateful to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's generosity to our students. As always, instruction remains the top priority.

The 2026-2027 school year calendar has now been approved and released. We look forward to a great 2026-2027 school year!

We are in week three of our enhanced tardy procedures.

We have seen a drastic improvement in timely arrival to class!

The following matrix will be in place to address student tardiness:

Tardy #1- Reminder (to student- verbal)

Tardy #2- Warning (student/parent- may be verbal, email, phone, note home, etc.)

Tardy #3-4- Lunch Detention

Tardy #5-6- After School Detention

Tardy #7-8-- Saturday Detention

Tardy #9- Loss of Privileges (Clubs, Sports, Extracurriculars, Unique Programs)

Tardy #10+- In School Suspension

The tardy count/tracker will reset every four weeks.

Tardies that occurred prior to February 9, 2026 will not be applicable to this updated matrix.

Please take some time prior to February 9th to ensure you can access PowerSchool and Parent Square so that you can actively follow and engage with all attendance matters and grading matters related to your student.

We know traffic in Houston and this area can sometimes be unpredictable. Please plan travel proactively and accordingly. It is important that students arrive on time. Our doors open at 7:45 a.m. every day for every student.

We know our Purple Pups are capable and can succeed in rising to the expectation. Our Lanier campus culture must exude excellence and high standards day in and day out.

Let us make every day and every minute count—because you matter, your learning matters, and our shared commitment as a campus is worth showing up for.

Families, please take some time to review the Lanier MS expectations/common procedures with your Purple Pup. We abide by these procedures and guidelines at all times at Lanier MS.

As we wrap up the first semester, we want to provide an important update regarding the Personal

Communication Device policy. Effective January 6, 2026, the revised policy will be as follows:

Consequences for Personal Communication Device Violations

● 1st Offense: Device held until the end of the school day

● 2nd Offense: Device held for 7 full school days

● 3rd Offense: Device held for 14 full school days

● 4th Offense: Device held for 30 full school days

● 5th Offense: 10-day DAEP placement. If a student commits a device infraction while at DAEP

the home campus will confiscate the device for the remainder of the semester.

In addition to the updated consequences, we are implementing the following process

enhancements:

For any extended confiscation (2nd offense and beyond), parents/guardians must

complete the Extended Device Confiscation Agreement. This form allows families to choose

whether the device will remain at home for the duration of the confiscation period or be

secured on campus.

The Personal Communication Device Log will reset for all students beginning second

semester. All first-semester offenses will be archived, and students will start with zero

recorded offenses.

We know that many of our 8th grade families are actively exploring the next step and educational environment for their child after they complete 8th grade here at Lanier, and we know that families have many options and choices.

We encourage all 8th grade families to explore their options available with the HISD School Choice and Magnet process for SY26-27 here in Houston ISD. We are including key information at the end of this section.

A special note for families and students exploring other educational opportunities and institutions that require recommendations, letters, or other records- we are more than happy to continue partnering with you all to get the information that is needed. We know that many of these other institutions and opportunities have a variety of deadlines and requirements that are coming up, but we ask for your grace and understanding as administrators and teachers balance the completion of these references, surveys, letters, and other records in addition to all other required duties. Many families have notified us of their plans and intent and many are letting us know on a recurring basis. We know this is a high stress time with a lot of options available- we have heard anecdotes of some institutions and programs with thousands of interested applicants for a few hundred seats across the city. For families and students impacted by any teacher changes or availability situations, we have communicated directly with those classes. We encourage all families to check and confirm with the institutions and programs they are interested in, what would suffice or be allowable in regards to the completion and submission of recommendations and letters.

HISD School Choice & Magnet Information (2026–2027)

Important: Phase 1 HISD School Choice applications open Tuesday, December 9! Any student interested in applying to HISD magnet programs for the 2026–2027 school year must submit their applications online through the School Choice platform before Phase 1 closes on February 27, 2026.

Key Dates:

• Dec. 9, 2025: Applications open (K–12) – rank up to 10 schools

• Feb. 27, 2026: Applications close – all documents and rankings due

• Apr. 8, 2026: Parent Notification Day – families receive one offer

Magnet Matrix Score:

• Determines eligibility for magnet programs

• Calculated using either:

1. 7th-grade core grades + 2024–2025 STAAR Reading & Math, or

2. 7th-grade core grades only

• Non-HISD Students (2024–2025): Upload the final 2024–2025 report card to your application

Qualification Details:

• Each high school sets its own qualifying matrix score

• Carnegie Vanguard requires G/T identification

• Fine Arts programs require an audition

Matrix Scores:

• Available in your School Choice account starting Dec. 9, 2025

• Copies available at Lanier front foyer, Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Campus Tours:

• Continue through February; most Thursdays and select Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m.

• Best pick-up: 11:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m. (homeroom)

• Avoid B lunch (12:20–12:50 p.m.) to prevent delays

• Evening/weekend events may be available

Attendance Reminder:

• Absences for official school visits are excused but count toward the 90% attendance rule

For more details and resources, please visit the HISD School Choice website.

Lost items are turned in to the lost and found on a routine basis. The front foyer and cafeteria serve as the pickup location for lost items. Students are encouraged to check these areas if they lose an item.

The lost and found is cleared out every Friday at 4:15 p.m.

Items not collected are submitted for donation.

Please submit any questions you may have here using the google form/link available. We look forward to your continued engagement.

We have received quite a few new questions! We are working on releasing the updated Q&A document. Thank you for your engagement.

February 25, 2026: Red Day

February 26, 2026: Purple Day

February 27, 2026: Red Day & Go Texan Day

March 2, 2026: Purple Day

March 3, 2026: Red Day

March 4, 2026: Purple Day

March 5, 2026: Red Day

March 6, 2026: Purple Day

March 9-March 13, 2026: Spring Break Holiday- No School

March 16, 2026: Red Day

As members of the LMS Leadership team, we strive to provide the best educational experience possible for each and every one of our students. Please know that we are here to assist with anything you may need. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please reach out to your student’s assigned administrator. The Leadership Directory and Staff Directory may also be found on the Lanier Middle School website.

* Bilingual: English and Spanish

Principal and Head of School

Lead Assistant Principal

Multi-Grade Special Populations

8th Grade Administrators:

7th Grade Assistant Principal (A-L)

7th Grade Assistant Principal (M-Z)

6th Grade Assistant Principal

6th Grade Administrator
Instructional Specialist

Vanguard Magnet Coordinator

Transportation Coordinator

Testing Coordinator
Athletics Director

Enrollment Office/Registrar

Attendance Clerk

Media Specialist/Tech Support

Instructional Specialist
MTSS Coordinator

Instructional Specialist
MTSS Coordinator

Social Worker
504 Coordinator
(6th grade & 8th grade A-L)

Social Worker

504 Coordinator
(7th grade & 8th grade M-Z)

School Nurse

At Risk Program Manager