The Bark

Mon, 3/6 - Lamar & McCallum Guitar Disney Concert (@ MAC)

Mon, 3/6 - Boys' Basketball @ Lamar 6 pm & 7 pm

Tues, 3/7 - Creative Writing Majors Meeting (Library, 3:55-4:30)

Tues, 3/7 - Theatre Booster Meeting (6p, Rm. 604)

Tues, 3/7 - Girls' Soccer @ Ann Richards, 6pm

Weds, 3/8 - International Women's Day

Weds, 3/8 - Digital Arts & Media Majors Meeting (7:55-8:15, Rm. 206)

Weds, 3/8 - Band UIL Performances - Day 1 (AISD PAC)

Weds, 3/8 - Advanced Dance Auditions (see info below)

Weds, 3/8 - Rec Sports & Ultimate Club

Thurs, 3/9 - Band UIL Performances - Day 2 (AISD PAC)

Thurs, 3/9 - Dungeons & Dragons Club (4-5p, Library)

Thurs, 3/9 - Photography Club (4-4:45, Rm 206)

Fri, 3/10 - Board & Card Games Club (4-4:45, Rm. 406)

Mon, 3/13 - Fri, 3/17 - Spring Break!

More Teacher of the Year and Teacher of Promise celebrations this week! Ms. Easter and Ms. Nimrick were surprised with the delivery of a special gift from Austin ISD on Thursday.

Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras both competed at UIL this week. Both orchestras earned 1st in all categories, which we call a sweepstakes. Congratulations to Directors Ricky Pringle and Erika Elder and their musicians. We are so proud of their work!

Scotties were ready for the playoffs but Mother Nature had other plans on Thursday night by canceling all games.

Ms. Bowman hosted Donuts and Debrief on Friday morning in the library - which is a very popular event. Students enjoyed talking about the book just as much as the donuts.

Congratulations to the following students who were recognized at the AISD African American Heritage Celebration on Feb 24th for their academic achievement:

Keaton T - 6th Grade

Laila D - 6th Grade

Ja'Marion L - 7th Grade

Sage L - 7th Grade

Samari G - 8th Grade

Rylee S - 8th Grade

We are very proud of their hard work!

Current Dual Language families are invited to a parent information session on Tuesday, March 7 at 4:30 pm at Lamar. We will discuss options and supports for our AP Spanish students ahead of the AP exam.

Lamar and MET staff will be in attendance to answer your questions.

On Monday, March 6th and Tuesday, March 7th pavement resurfacing will be done overnight on Burnet Road from the Allandale Road/Koenig Lane intersection to White Horse Trail. Pavement resurfacing will then be completed overnight on Wednesday, March 8th on Allandale Road from Burnet Road to White Rock Drive and on a small portion of Koenig Lane just east of the Burnet Road intersection.

This work will require traffic to be reduced to one lane in each direction and police officers will be on site to direct traffic. Permanent striping will then be installed overnight on Thursday, March 9th beginning at 8pm.

Grades 6 - 8 Reading: April 20 with make ups on April 21

8th Grade Science: April 26

8th Grade US History: April 27

Science and US History make ups: April 28

Grades 6 - 8 Math & Alg EOC: May 3 with make ups on May 5

Algebra EOC additional Make up - May 9

The Academy of American Poets is sponsoring a poetry contest for students in grades 8-12. This poetry contest celebrates Juneteenth and is a way for students to learn more about this new federal holiday and express why Juneteenth is a significant day for Texas and the U.S.

Entries are due on March 15, 2023. The top 10 winners will receive a cash prize and an invitation to the awards ceremony on May 20, 2023 at the Neill Cochran House in Austin, Texas.

Click here to read more about the contest and view submission information.

These recommendations have been in place since the beginning of the year after several consultations with AISD PD and Transportation as well as the City of Austin.

Doors open at 7:55 am.

Between 7:50 am and 8:20 am, the curb along Wynona Ave should be for immediate loading and unloading only (similar to the airport). Thank you for your cooperation to keep this congested area moving.

Drop off should occur on the northbound side of Wynona only. There are no sidewalks on the southbound side of Wynona so students are forced to cross through traffic.

Also, please do not drop off or pick up in the parking lot on White Horse Dr, which is reserved for school buses and staff parking.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping our students safe.

Please email Ms. Lupita Gutierrez (maria.gutierrez2@austinisd.org) with absence notes and attendance questions. When emailing or writing a note for an absence, please be sure to include the student's full name and ID number.

Students who leave campus and return the same day should bring their pink slip back with them to check back in.

Twilight will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6PM in room 103. Due to the number of students who attended in the fall, we will be instituting some new expectations in order to have a successful experience for all students. These are as follows:

• Report to Twilight room immediately after school. Students will not be admitted late unless they have prior approval from Twilight staff. Students are allowed to leave early with parent/guardian permission.

• Their ride must arrive no later than 6PM. A bus is provided with limited stops. Please see the attached bus route.

• Students must bring assignments and a computer to complete work. Students will be asked to leave if they have no work to complete.

• Quietly complete their work. If a student needs help, they can raise their hand and a teacher will assist them. If a student does not have work to complete, they will be asked to leave.

• Follow all instructions from Twilight staff. If a student refuses to comply, they will be asked to leave.

**Please note: Twilight will not be held on the following days: 2/14, 3/14, 3/31, 4/6.**

Office Hours with teachers are held Tuesdays through Fridays from 7:55 am to 8:15 am. Students may obtain a pass from either the front foyer or their morning location. Be sure to check with your teacher for specific days office hours are held. There are no office hours on Mondays.

Lamar has an amazing community supporting our teachers, staff, and students. Stay tuned for information on how to volunteer in the office, at lunch, or in other ways at Lamar.

If you are interested in volunteering, the first step is completing an application with Austin Partners in Education.

What? We are reading The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. If you sign up, you agree to borrow/find/buy a copy and read it before we meet. We eat donuts and discuss the book.

When? Thursday, April 6th at 7:30 am. Come to the front doors and Mrs. Bowman will let you in.

How? Sign up here. Does it say we're no longer accepting responses? We are full!

Why? Donuts and books are fun!

Email Mrs. Bowman if you have any questions: tara.bowman@austinisd.org

Mar. 4th Mr. Sosa (Science)

Mar. 14th Ms. Wood (Dance)

Mar. 14th Ms. Bearfield (Office Admin Assistant Extraordinaire)

Mar. 27th Mr. Smith (Social Studies)

Information about AISD's high schools can be found in the 23-24 High School Newsletter. This newsletter will be updated as new information becomes available, so please check back often.

Advanced:

Incoming 7th & 8th grade Lamar Dancers are invited to attend the workshop and audition if they wish to pursue a spot in an advanced placement class level for the 2023-2024 school year. The audition workshop will be held from 4-7 PM on Monday, February 27th in the Lamar Big Gym; attendance at the workshop is mandatory for those who wish to audition for advanced dance. Closed auditions in front of the Lamar Dance Faculty will be held from 4-6 PM in Portable 5 on Wednesday, March 8th. There will be an extra rehearsal for those who wish to practice or get clarification of combinations on Wednesday, March 1st from 4-6 in Portable 5 (this rehearsal is optional.)

Auditions will include ballet center, modern across-the-floor, and a group jazz choreography/performance in front of Lamar Dance Faculty. Students who plan to audition need to have a black leotard and black bottoms (boys/gender neutral/non-binary should wear the all black they typically have for dance class) with hair pulled back out of their face.

Students will be notified by email of class placement by Mrs. Luna by Friday, March 10th.

Girl's track practice will be Monday Thru Wednesday, from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Please see Coach Potter if you have any questions!

Boys' Track practice will begins Monday, March 6th. Practice will take place from 4:00 pm -5:30 pm Monday through Wednesday.

Tryout Info:

• Date: Monday - Friday March 20-24
• Time: 4:00 - 5:30
• If any student hasn't turned in a physical this year, they will need to in order to tryout.

If students are interested in trying out, they will need to fill out this form before tryouts.

Cheer Tryout Interest Form

Are you a 6th grader interested in Science Club? We still have spots open! See this flyer for more information!

Looking for a way to support our talented and hard-working visual arts department? Look no further than their amazon wish list!

Flamingos are back! Surprise your friends with a flock of flamingos for their yard and help support the Lamar Orchestra. For more information and to order a flock https://folo-flock.cheddarup.com/.

Muse, Lamar's Literary Magazine, Now Accepting Submissions!!

Calling all creative writers! Do you dream of getting published? Muse, Lamar's literary magazine, is accepting submissions from students! Follow the link below to an online submission form. Submissions must be in a Google Doc and free of errors. All submissions will be reviewed by an editorial staff. Due to space constraints, not all submissions will be included in the magazine. https://goo.gl/forms/UO1ggeMQySqLCRY62

(Pro tip: You must be logged in to the AISD portal for the link to work!)

Deadline: April 1, 2023

Questions? Contact Mrs. Dietz at rachel.dietz@austinisd.org. Happy writing!

Direct link to purchase the yearbook: https://www.balfour.com/texas/austin/lamar-middle-school/yearbook-packages

Yearbook needs some awesome holiday/season photos!

Summer, Fall, & Winter breaks. Show off your student & family.

Have any Lamar Photos to share?

Send them our way to possible be featured in the yearbook!

Email Ms. Godina at alissa.godina@austinisd.org

HBCU Battle of the Brains, the National Football League (NFL), and 100 Black Men of Austin will host an HBCU College Fair at the Austin Public Library’s Special Events Center (710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701) on Friday, March 10, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Central.

This event allows 6th through 12th graders and parents/guardians to learn more about our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 25+ HBCU representatives and local college admissions leaders will be present to discuss completing the FAFSA form, resume and application needs, essay and interview prep, independent scholarships, and more.

Graduating in 2023? Bring your transcripts, test scores, and resumes for on-the-spot college acceptances.

This event is open to the public and is FREE for colleges/universities AND attendees.

If you have any questions, or if your HBCU wants to participate, contact Alexis Johnson at communications@hbcubattleofthebrains.com.

You are invited to our Scottie Merch Sidewalk Sale! We are clearing out old merch and discounting current merch. We have a lot of great stuff, so come stock up before these styles are gone! Cash only. March 9th and 10th, 3:45-4:30pm, on the front lawn of Lamar. See you there!

After school clubs for the current grading period are now in session! The clubs meet from 4-45pm.

The new clubs offered last grading period will continue based on great participation and positive feedback. We heard several stories from happy kids and enthusiastic club leaders. No need to sign up, just turn up and join the fun!

1) Board Games Club, weekly on Fridays with Mr. Jackson (room 406)

2) Rec Sports & Ultimate Club, weekly on Fridays with Ms. Roe (the track)

3) Photography Club, sort of bi-weekly with Ms. Godina (room 206). Remaining dates are Jan March 2nd & March 9th.

The D&D Club (Mr. Smith) and the GSA Club (Ms. Vouvray) continue their regular dates and times.

Scottie merch for sale - NOW OPEN!

Orders are fulfilled every Friday, with pick-up in the Library on Monday.

Get yours today & show your school spirit!