LMS Weekly Update

Dear Families,

Today, we celebrate!

For the first time in Lansdowne MS history, we have earned a 3-Star Rating from the Maryland State Department of Education! This achievement belongs to every student, staff member, family, and community partner who has worked hard to make Lansdowne a place where learning, growth, and belonging matter.

Here are some of the highlights that helped us reach this milestone:

• Academic Progress points increased from 11.9 to 15.6
• ELA proficiency increased 8.1%
• Math proficiency increased 2%
• Science proficiency increased 2%
• Social Studies proficiency increased 4.6%
• Math growth increased from 36% to 45%
• ELA growth increased from 39% to 46%
• Core Credit completion improved from 87.4% to 87.6%

We also made significant gains in School Quality and Student Success:

• Overall points increased from 21.6 to 23
• Students who were not chronically absent increased from 74.4% to 76.5%
• Our Student Survey score increased from 3.7 to 4.4, showing that students feel more connected and positive about their school experience.

This recognition is not the finish line. It is proof that when we work together and give our best effort, great things happen. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our students. Let's celebrate this accomplishment and continue building on our success. We are proud of where we are, and even more excited about where we are going!

Sincerely,

Ryan Warfel

Principal

Half-Day for Students (End of Quarter 1)

• Friday Oct 30th. Students dismiss at 11:50 PM.

Schools Closed for Students

• Tuesday, November 3rd

Fall Picture Retake

• Monday, November 9th

Lockdown Drill

• Tuesday, November 17th

PTSA Meeting

• Tuesday, November 17th at 6 PM via ZOOM.

In our continued efforts to improve our school's climate and culture, we will spend the next several weeks focusing on conflict resolution skills and strategies across all grade levels. Students will work during the advisory period on lessons that provide opportunities and examples for conflict resolution in order to build skills that will help them navigate conflict in and outside of school. These lessons are built from a research-based program, "Wayfinder," provided by Baltimore County Public Schools.

Please view the letters below for more information.

We are excited to welcome our new Middle School Career Coach, Ms. McMillion. She will be working with students to connect them with information and skills needed for future career and college development.

Middle school is a great time for students to begin exploring their interests, discovering their strengths, and thinking about their future. Career readiness doesn’t mean choosing a career right now, it means building the skills and confidence students will need for success in any path they choose.

Parents, family members and caregivers can help! Take a few minutes this week to talk with your student about their interests, favorite subjects, hobbies, and goals. Ask questions like:

• When do you feel most confident, and what strengths or talents do you notice in yourself?

• Would you rather work on a team or work independently? Why?

• If you could shadow anyone at their job for a day, who would it be and what would you want to watch them do?

• Can you tell me about a time you faced a difficult problem and figured out a solution all by yourself?

Encourage your student to explore different career options and remind them that skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, responsibility, and perseverance are important in every profession.

These simple conversations can spark curiosity, build confidence, and help students begin connecting what they learn in school to real-world opportunities. The future starts with a conversation, talk about it today!

Lansdowne Middle School is pleased to share that Backpack Healthcare, one of our community mental health providers, offers virtual caregiver workshops throughout the school year as a resource for Baltimore County Public Schools families. These workshops are designed to help caregivers build practical skills and support their children's behavioral and emotional well-being.

Our upcoming workshop is:

Topic: Helping your child thrive: everyday tools that make a difference
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM ET
Registration: Zoom Registration

These workshops are available to caregivers across the district, and we'd love your help spreading the word! Please feel free to share this resource with your school community and any families who may benefit.

You can also visit our Caregiver Workshop page to view the full schedule of upcoming workshops for the school year, including dates, times, topics, and registration information.

Baltimore County Public Schools is committed to graduating globally competitive students with post-graduation plans that align with their strengths, interests, and long-term career goals. In support of this mission, our district is offering every student in Grades 6-12 the opportunity to develop a Roadmap to Ready Academic & Career Plan.

Please view the attached letter for more information.

This year we will have 3 emergency scenario drills to include a Secure Drill, Lockdown Drill and Shelter Drill. Dates for these drills are subject to change but currently are scheduled as follows:

• Secure: 10/15/26
• Lockdown: 11/17/26
• Shelter: 1/05/27

In preparation for these drills, please review the following resources that describe each drill and review a parent's guide to firearm storage. Always feel free to reach out with any questions.

Athletics registration for winter sports will open October 1st. All student-athletes interested in participating in school sports must complete the online athletics registration and submit a current sports physical completed by a licensed healthcare provider before they are eligible to participate. This is all completed online using a parent/guardian FOCUS account.

Check out the BCPS Athletics website for more information

Families are encouraged to complete all requirements as soon as possible to ensure students are ready for the start of the season.

Please reach out to Mr. Andreas if you have any questions or need additional support.

Reminder! Families that enroll in the LMS School-Based Health Center can complete their sports physical in-school. Enrollment should be completed in Focus. For Enrollment information please see below.

The LMS School Based Health Center

• Provides preventive care, such as check-ups and immunizations.
• Treats acute and chronic health problems.
• Does not replace the child’s primary care provider
• Works with the child’s primary care provider to meet the child’s health needs

Services offered include:

• Physical examinations, health screenings
• Sport physicals
• Evaluation and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries, like ear infections and sore throats
• Referrals for specialty care
• Management of chronic illnesses, like asthma
• Mental health screenings

To get an appointment and/or for more information:

• Contact Nurse Snyder at 443-809-5698 or asnyder4@bcps.org
• Read and complete the consent form to allow your child to be seen and to authorize billing of medical insurance, if available.
• Fill out the student health history form.

Fees for services:

• The center bills medical assistance and all other health insurances.
• If your child does not have health insurance, we offer help with applying for medical assistance.
• For more information, please call 443-809-6368.

Enrollment Information

Please visit the BCPS Wellness Website to download the enrollment packet. This should be returned to the school nurse.

The Mind Over Matters campaign has been updated for the 2026-2027 school year.

Mind Over Matters is an ongoing initiative designed to raise awareness about mental health and promote wellness among students and staff at Baltimore County Public Schools. This year’s campaign is organized around themes aligned with the 5 Social Emotional Learning CASEL Competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

For more information, visit the BCPS Mind Over Matters Resouce portal.

The BCPS Virtual Calming Room is another great resource that can be used by students, staff, and families. The virtual calming room is a space for students, families, and staff to find tools and strategies for managing emotions and feelings, coping with stress, and having fun.

The virtual calming room is broken down into seven categories:

• Animals
• Books and Games
• Creative Fun
• Mindfulness and Movement
• Resources
• Sensory
• Virtual Tours

Shared Decision Making Teams (SDMT) are collaborative workgroups that include families, school staff, students and community partners. They allow for schools to be responsive to community needs.

We are looking for more involvement in our SDMT at Lansdowne Middle.

The second meeting will be on December 9th from 1-2pm.

Please complete this form if you are interested in participating.

Email Jon Stevens or call the school at 443-809-1411 with any questions.

Please join us for our next virtual PTSA meeting on November 17th at 6 PM!

• Upcoming meetings: November 17 and December 15.

All families and staff are welcome! PTSA membership is free, and we'd love your input as we continue building opportunities for our LMS Lions.

Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84973243247?pwd=P7niHkcvO6j5knduIpVb4XK7sRJE29.1

🦁 Support the LMS PTSA! Membership is free, but donations help fund student activities, staff appreciation, and school events. Every contribution helps! https://paypal.me/LMSPTSA

FOCUS allows parents to view important information for their student which includes:

• Hall Passes
• Attendance
• Schedules
• Grades
• Transportation
• Athletics

To access the parent FOCUS portal you must register with the same email that is on file with the school. Please follow these instructions to create an account.

Please Sign Up for Talking Points!

Lansdowne Middle uses Talking Points to help communicate with you about your students. Please download the free Talking Points app. You can also opt in to text messaging. You can sign up at families.talking pts.org/welcome.

We need you! Please consider becoming a Volunteer this year. There will be opportunities to support with events, in classrooms, on field trips and more! Every interested person must complete the BCPS Volunteer Application and Orientation.

Don't worry....we will host a support session soon to walk you through the process. You just need to show up. See you then!

*If you are ready to apply now, please go to https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/FACE/b_c_p_s_volunteers for more information and to get started.

Currently, Lansdowne High School offers dates for families to visit the Pantry and Thrift Shop in the Community wing. Please review the attached flyers for dates.

The Arc Baltimore's Family fund grant assists children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families with a variety of needs, including medical costs, therapies, summer camps, and more.

Please view the attached flyer for more information.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has identified several resources for families:

• Parents/guardians can identify a “standby guardian” to care for their child if they are detained or deported, by completing this Maryland Judiciary form and providing a copy to schools, health care providers, and family members.

Families trying to locate someone who has already been detained, may use the

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainee locator.

• Legal assistance is available from a variety of sources, including immigration lawyers in private practice, accredited representatives (non-attorneys who assist individuals in immigration proceedings), and legal-aid organizations:

• The People’s Law Library of Maryland Immigration Advocates Network
• Immigration Advocates Network

• Several immigration organizations have provided guidance related to preparing for and/or responding to immigration action.
• Family Preparedness Plans – Michigan Immigration Rights Center
• ACLU
• Immigrant Resource Center
• USAHello