26-27 Rebel Report #2

For our new families, the Rebel Report will be your go-to source for information on what's been happening at Larson Middle School and also prepare you for what is ahead. You'll see it published each Friday for the next few weeks. Thereafter, it will be published on a bi-weekly basis and will arrive Friday after school.

This week, our administration team met with students at each grade level to kick off the school year and review what it means to be a Larson Rebel. During these class meetings, we discussed school expectations, daily routines, and ways students can contribute to a positive learning environment.

Students were reminded of the importance of demonstrating respect, responsibility, resilience in order to develop positive relationships in their classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, and throughout the school day. We also revisited Larson's 4 R's and how making positive choices helps strengthen relationships, build trust, and create a welcoming school community for everyone.

We are excited for a fantastic year ahead and appreciate our students' commitment to making Larson a great place to learn and grow!

Learning, teamwork, and friendship were on full display across Larson this week!

Students in Mrs. Capelli's class and Mrs. Ochoa's 7th grade science classes for an exciting Bucket Tower Challenge. Working together, students designed and built towers to see which team could create a structure strong enough to hold the most pennies. The activity encouraged collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving while providing lots of fun along the way.

Students in Mrs. Parker's 6th grade science classes recently completed their first lab of the school year! As part of the activity, students practiced following a lab procedure, learned how to measure liquid volume using graduated cylinders, and most importantly, had fun while exploring science through hands-on learning.

In Mrs. Wilcox's math class, students have been enjoying learning alongside student teacher Mr. Hamilton. Their classroom has been filled with energy, engagement, and plenty of smiles as students work together and tackle new challenges.

Meanwhile, students in Mr. Egan's class took part in a design challenge that required teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. Throughout the challenge, students practiced identifying hidden assumptions, solving problems together, and putting our Larson Strong character traits into action.

Our WEB Leaders continued building connections with 6th graders during lunch. After meeting at WEB Day, leaders and students worked together to complete Bingo challenges and get to know one another better. The activity created plenty of laughter and helped strengthen our welcoming Larson community.

From building towers to building relationships, our students continue to learn, lead, and grow together every day. 💙

Another exciting week is ahead! Take a peek at the important dates coming up at Larson.

It's time to start planning a memorable send-off for our 8th grade students! Parents interested in helping organize this year's 8th Grade Graduation Celebration are invited to attend the first planning meeting on Tuesday, September 8, from 7:00-8:00 PM in the Larson Cafeteria.

Whether you have lots of time to volunteer or just a few ideas to share, we'd love to have you involved. Join us as we begin planning this special milestone for our students!

Join us on Thursday, September 10 @ 6:30 PM, for Open House & Curriculum Night!

Parents and guardians will follow their student's schedule, meet teachers, learn about classroom expectations, and gain insight into the curriculum for the year ahead. After the classroom visits, enjoy cider and donuts in the cafeteria. We look forward to seeing you there and partnering together for a successful school year! 🎉

Our 8th grade students will be traveling to Greenfield Village on Thursday, September 24 for a day of hands-on learning and exploration. This exciting field trip provides students with a unique opportunity to experience American history through historic buildings, demonstrations, and interactive exhibits.

Reminder: The $45 field trip fee must be paid through SchoolPay through PowerSchool. If you have not yet completed payment, please do so as soon as possible to help ensure your student's participation.

We look forward to a fun and educational day for our 8th graders!

Join us after school on Thursday, September 24, from 2:40–3:45 p.m. for Larson's Welcome Back Celebration! Students can enjoy basketball and dodgeball in the gym, plus games and activities in the cafeteria. 🍕🏀🎯

Tickets are $3 in advance and $3.50 at the door. Pizza, pop, and candy will be available for an additional cost.

Advance ticket sales will take place during lunch beginning Monday, September 21. Don't miss this fun opportunity to celebrate the start of an amazing school year with friends! [Office Party 2026 | PDF]

No School- Labor Day Break

Monday, September 7 | All Day

Curriculum Night

Thursday, September 10 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Larson's First Advisory Day

Tuesday, September 15 | 9:48 AM

LMS New Parent Night

Tuesday, September 22 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

8th Grade Greenfield Village Field Trip

Thursday, September 24 | Field Trip

Picture Retakes

Monday, October 5th | All Day

Parent Teacher Conferences

Thursday, October 8 | 12:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Parent Teacher Conferences

Friday, October 9 | 12:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Our building opens at 7:20 a.m. for student drop-off. For student safety and supervision, please do not drop off students before that time.

If your student uses district transportation, bus assignments, pickup locations, and pickup times are now available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you do not know your students bus number, please check on PowerSchool!

If you are not currently using district transportation, please consider it! Riding the bus can help reduce traffic congestion and make morning and afternoon routines easier for families.

For families who drive their students to and from school, please review the drop-off and pick-up traffic flow diagram linked below.

PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF OR PICK UP YOUR STUDENT IN THE PARKING LOT. There is a significant safety concern with students crossing through the parking lot and interacting with the flow of traffic.

Following these procedures is essential to ensuring the safety of our students, staff, and families. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep everyone safe!

Please note that traffic lines can be lengthy, especially during inclement weather. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during arrival and dismissal times. Together, we can help ensure a safe and efficient experience for everyone.

Attendance Line: 248-823-4801

Consistent attendance helps students stay engaged, connected, and successful at school. If your student will be absent, please notify the school within 24 hours. Absences not reported within that timeframe may be considered unexcused.

For planned absences of more than five school days, families should complete an Extended Absence Form available in the Main Office. Thank you for partnering with us to make every school day count!

Students, don't forget to check your Schoology messages and notifications each day! Important information from teachers, counselors, the Main Office, clubs, athletics, and school activities is often shared through Schoology.

Parents, a quick reminder to encourage your student to make Schoology part of their daily routine so they don't miss important updates, opportunities, or messages from Larson staff.

💙🤍 When in doubt, check Schoology!

As the school year gets underway, we'd like to thank all of the Larson families who have already supported the PTO through donations and participation. Your generosity helps us provide classroom mini-grants, teacher appreciation events, student activities, library resources, and so much more.

There are many easy ways to support the Larson PTO throughout the year:

✅ Make your annual PTO donation if you haven't already. (by 9/8, suggested donation $30/student, Cash or check payable to Larson PTO, Zelle Chris_Malone113@sbcglobal.net, Paypal.me/LarsonPTO

✅ Link your Kroger Rewards account to Larson Middle School PTO (Organization #FH896).

✅ Attend upcoming restaurant fundraiser nights.

✅ Watch for volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Whether you have one hour or many, every helping hand makes a difference!

✅ Follow us on Facebook for updates, reminders, and PTO news.

What do we do with PTO funds? Just a few of the items that the PTO helps pay for include:

● Classroom mini grants for a variety of requests for items or programs to support instruction (this is one of our most important and fulfilling roles as a PTO)

● After school activities

● Teacher appreciation

● Technology needs

● Troybery books for the library

●8th grade graduation

Where can you get more information throughout this year?

● PTO website: We post lots of information there, including the calendar, minutes, budget, etc. Find us at http://larsonmiddleschoolpto.weebly.com.

● Facebook: Join our group on Facebook @ Larson Middle School PTO.

● Bi-Weekly Rebel Reports: Principal Zawislak’s newsletters will contain important PTO information.

Want to get involved?

●Our first PTO meeting is on September 23rd at 6:30 pm. PTO meetings are a great way to learn about what's happening at Larson, meet other families, and help shape the activities and programs that support our students and staff.

●Open Positions: Spirit wear and restaurant night coordinator for current school year. Please consider volunteering your time so that we may continue to support students and teachers at Larson.

Thank you for being part of the Larson community. Together, we make Larson an amazing place for our students to learn, grow, and thrive!

Questions? Contact the PTO at Kristenmnorthey@gmail.com.

You can order Larson spirit wear at https://larsonrebels.itemorder.com/sale.

If you have any questions about the PTO please reach out to us at Kristenmnorthey@gmail.com

Welcome to the Larson family!

Our Larson counselors are here to support students throughout the school year!

Students who would like to meet with a counselor for academic, social, or personal support can complete the Counseling Team's Student Sign-Up Form. Families should also note that schedule changes will conclude this week, and student schedules will be finalized soon. Questions? Reach out to your student's counselor:

Sana Mirza (Last names A-La)

Andrea Garavanta (Last names Le-Z)

Looking for a great way to stay active, make new friends, and have fun after school? Larson's Intramural Cross Country Team is getting ready to start!

• Open to all students in grades 6-8
• First Meeting: Monday, August 31 (meeting only, concludes by 3:15 p.m.)
• Practices: After school from 2:50-3:45 p.m.
• Location: Room 911 (Mrs. Lee's room)

No prior running experience is necessary. Students will learn about the season schedule, receive a permission slip, and have the opportunity to join the team's Schoology group.

📋 Schoology Group Code: QNRS-SHF7-2KK3C

Interested students should attend the first meeting or stop by Room 911 with any questions. We hope to see many Rebels lace up their running shoes and join us this season!

👟💙 Go Rebels!

Football season is getting underway!

Students interested in participating should note that football practices begin on Monday, August 31. Additional information will be shared by the coaching as it becomes available. We look forward to an exciting season ahead.

Go Rebels!

Get ready to build teamwork, compete, and have fun this fall! Our Intramural Flag Football program is open to all grades and will run for six sessions from September 14 through October 2. Students will develop skills, stay active, and show their Rebel Pride in a fun and supportive environment. Permission slips are due to the main office by September 10. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to play hard, represent Larson, and be a Rebel!

Registration fee: $100
Time: 2:45-4:00 p.m.

Students interested in Intramural Volleyball are invited to join us for an exciting season of fun, teamwork, and friendly competition! Students of all grades are welcome to participate.

All sessions will be held in the gym from 2:50-4:00 p.m. Participants should bring a snack and wear proper gym shoes.

To participate, students must return the registration form with a guardian signature, complete payment of the Intramural/Club fee through SchoolPay, and have transportation arranged for pickup at 4:00 p.m. Registration information and the flyer will be available in Schoology.

Does your child enjoy writing, photography, graphic design, or keeping others informed about what's happening in school and the community? The Larson Free Press is looking for students who are interested in creating Larson Middle School's student newspaper. Students can contribute as writers, designers, photographers, and reporters while developing valuable communication and teamwork skills.

The club meets after school from 2:45-3:30 PM beginning September 15. Most meetings are held on Tuesdays, with specific dates listed on the permission slip.

Interested students should complete and return the permission slip to Michelle Ulewicz. Students can also join the Schoology group using the code 877M-82G5-9WTK3.

We look forward to helping students share their voices, explore their creativity, and keep our Larson community informed! 🖊️📸📰

Are you curious, creative, and interested in science? Consider joining Larson's Science Olympiad team! Students will have the opportunity to compete in a variety of science, technology, engineering, and math events while working collaboratively with teammates and advisors.

See the attached flyer for meeting information, registration details, and how to get involved. We encourage all interested students to check it out!

Do you sing, dance, play an instrument, perform magic, tell jokes, or have another unique talent you'd like to share? Join us for an informational meeting about this year's Larson Variety Show!

📅 Tuesday, September 1
⏰ 2:45 - 3:15 PM

At the meeting, students will learn about audition requirements, important dates, practice schedules, and performance details. Whether you're ready to perform or just curious to learn more, everyone is welcome to attend!

We can't wait to see the amazing talents our Rebels have to share! 🎤✨

The Regenesis Project 31799, an all-girls FIRST Tech Challenge team, made a historic win at the prestigious 2026 Chicago Robotics Invitational bringing home to Michigan a Winning Alliance Banner and Trophy, as well as Runner up trophy for Mies Van Der Rohe "Less is More" Award in their Rookie Season. This international FIRST Robotics Premier Event was participated by 38 teams from 7 countries with mostly high school students. Ianna M, Sophia T, Jaiden G. and Ezka T were able to prove that with hard work, commitment, passion for STEM and resilience, anything is possible. We are grateful to Principal Brian Zawislak for his encouragement and support to the team.

The Regenesis Project 31799 is gearing up with preparing for BioBuzz 2026-2027 Season. We wish all Larson Robotics Teams the very best for BioBuzz Season. For collaboration, please email theregenesisproject31799@yahoo.com.

Congratulations to 8th graders Riya Wavde and Safia Ashraf on their outstanding achievement at the 2026 HOSA International Leadership Conference (ILC) in Indianapolis, Indiana! Together, they earned a Gold Medal in the event First Step Career Skills, making them the only Larson Middle School students to bring home a gold medal at the international level this year.

HOSA is a global student organization that prepares and inspires future healthcare professionals. After advancing through state competition, Riya and Safia competed against students from around the world at HOSA ILC. For their event, they created a video focused on a mental health topic and delivered a presentation to a panel of judges explaining their work. Their dedication, creativity, and hard work earned them the highest honor in their event.

We are incredibly proud of Riya and Safia for representing Larson Middle School on an international stage and demonstrating excellence, leadership, and a commitment to making a difference. Way to go, Rebels! 🎉💙

Congratulations to Girl Botz FTC Team 22918 on being recognized by the City of Troy for their accomplishments, leadership, and positive impact in our community. Team members had the opportunity to meet with city leaders and share their robotics journey while proudly representing Troy wherever they compete. We are incredibly proud of these talented young women and grateful for all they do to inspire others through STEM, teamwork, and community service.

Attention 8th Grade Families!

Registration is still open for the 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip. This exciting opportunity allows students to explore our nation's capital while visiting historical landmarks, monuments, museums, and other notable sites as part of an unforgettable educational experience.

Students and families interested in learning more are encouraged to review the attached flyer and registration information.

📋 Questions? Please contact Jennifer Lee at jlee@troy.k12.mi.us. Mrs. Lee is coordinating the trip and will be happy to assist with any questions regarding registration, costs, or trip details.

🇺🇸 Don't miss this incredible opportunity to create lasting memories while bringing history to life!

To help maintain a safe and secure school environment, all forgotten items, lunches, and other student drop-offs should be placed on the blue cart located in the main vestibule. Please label each item with your student's name using a sticky note and complete the Daily Drop-Off Log.

Our staff checks the cart regularly throughout the day to help ensure items are delivered to students as promptly as possible. Thank you for helping us streamline this process and minimize classroom disruptions!

Student IDs play an important role at Larson Middle School. They help students move through the lunch line quickly and provide access to Media Center materials. Please remind your student to keep their ID with them each day. Thank you for your support!

We wanted to send a reminder that DoorDash and other food delivery services are not permitted at Larson Middle School. We simply do not have the capacity to manage these deliveries during the school day.

More importantly, allowing outside deliveries creates a safety concern, as it brings unnecessary visitors onto our campus. To help us maintain a secure and efficient school environment, we ask that all students bring their lunch from home or get lunch from the school cafeteria.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping Larson a safe and organized place for all students.

From first-day smiles to special events and achievements, this year's yearbook will be filled with memories your student will treasure for years to come. Hardcover yearbooks are available through SchoolPay for $25 through your PowerSchool Parent Portal. We encourage families to reserve a copy early, as only a limited number of additional yearbooks may be available at the end of the school year. Due December 1st.

Wondering what's on the menu this week? Families can view Larson's breakfast and lunch menus anytime using the Nutrislice app or by visiting the menu link below.

📱 Nutrislice provides:

• Daily breakfast and lunch menus
• Nutritional information
• Allergen details
• Upcoming meal options

🔗 View the Full Menu Below:

We can hardly believe it either, but after just the first week of school, our Lost & Found is already starting to fill up!

If your student is missing a water bottle, hoodie, lunchbox, jacket, pair of glasses, or another personal item, we encourage them to stop by and take a look.

📍 Lost & Found Location: Outside the Main Office near the Cafeteria

💎 Missing something valuable? Jewelry, wallets, keys, and other important belongings are kept safely in the Front Office.

A quick check could save you from replacing a favorite sweatshirt or water bottle. We already have quite a collection of items waiting to be reunited with their owners!

Pro Tip: Labeling personal items with your student's name can make it much easier for lost belongings to find their way home. 😊 Let's see how many items we can return by the end of week two!

Not happy with your school picture? Don't worry, Picture Retake Day is Monday, October 5!

This is the opportunity for students who would like a new school picture taken. School photos are used for student IDs, yearbooks, and school records, so we want every Rebel to feel great about their photo.

📅 Picture Retake Day: Monday, October 5

🎟️ Need a Student ID? Your school picture is what allows us to create your student ID. If you have not had your picture taken yet, please be sure to participate so we can get your ID printed and into your hands. If you need to replace your ID there will be a fee added to reprint it.

📸 Whether you're looking for a retake or getting your picture taken for the first time, we've got you covered!

The Troy School District is excited to invite families and community members to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Smith Middle School on Monday, October 12, 2026! The evening will feature a brief program, student-led tours of the beautiful new facility, and an official ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony. This milestone marks an exciting investment in the future of our students and community.

Event Details 📍 Smith Middle School, 5850 Livernois Road, Troy

🕡 6:30 p.m. – Grand Opening Program

🏫 7:00 p.m. – Student-Led Tours

🎀 7:30 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting & Dedication

We hope you'll join Troy School District in celebrating this special new chapter for the Smith community!

As we wrapped up the first week of school, the district celebrated a successful start to the 2026-27 school year, including the opening of the brand-new Smith Middle School. Thank you to our Troy community for its continued support of our schools and students.

The district recognized our outstanding bus drivers and transportation staff for helping make the first week of school a success. Their dedication, care, and commitment help ensure students arrive safely each day and start their school day with confidence. Thank you to all who support our students behind the scenes!

The City of Troy Police Department is encouraging families to review Michigan laws regarding e-bikes and electric motorcycles. Riders should always wear helmets, follow traffic laws, and understand the rules for the type of vehicle they are operating.

The district's annual iPad insurance enrollment window is now open. Families may purchase coverage for district-issued student devices for $25 per student, with a maximum family cost of $100.

Fall sports seasons are already underway, and athletic passes for Troy High School and Athens High School events are now available for purchase. These passes are a great way for our sports fans to save while giving access to all non-playoff matches. A student pass is $60. The pass for 1 adult is $80 and the pass for 2 adults is $120.

Passes can be purchased using the link below:

Athens Link-https://gofan.co/event/6368682?schoolId=MI9889

As construction continues at the former Boulan Park Middle School site, families are reminded that the property remains an active construction zone and is closed to visitors. Students should not enter the site for their safety.

A reminder that there will be no school on Friday, September 4, or Monday, September 7. We hope our families enjoy a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend!

You can access the full TSD Calendar for the 26-27 school year on our website.

To view recordings of past school board meetings and workshops, visit the Board of Education page on our website and scroll to the section labeled "Videos".