Longhorn Loop
Vol. 11 Issue 26 | Feb. 16- 21
Longhorn Legacy
Longhorn Legacy
Dear Lanier Families & Community,
One of the greatest joys of being a principal is celebrating the incredible people who make our school special. Today, we had the privilege of surprising our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Spratlin, in front of her students. As a 7th Grade Science teacher, she inspires curiosity, fosters meaningful relationships, and makes a lasting impact on our students each day. We are incredibly proud of her and grateful for all she does for the Longhorn community. Congratulations, Ms. Spratlin!
Last night, we also welcomed many of our sixth-grade families for a parent meeting. It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout and experience the passion our families have for their children's education. Strong partnerships between home and school make a tremendous difference, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work together to help our students learn, lead, and succeed.
We also had some fun celebrating the start of football season with our staff. Teachers sported gear representing their favorite teams, creating plenty of friendly competition and school spirit throughout the day. Our administrative team covered lunch duties so teachers could enjoy a duty-free lunch and tailgate-style gathering together. It was a small way to say thank you for all they do and to give them time to connect as a team.
Moments like these remind me what makes Lanier so special. Whether we are celebrating great teachers, partnering with families, or investing in our staff, each experience helps strengthen the culture we want our students to experience every day.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend with family and friends, and as college football kicks off across the country, I hope your team starts the season with a win!
Hook 'em Horns!
All 6th and 8th Grade students will be screened for Scoliosis on September 23rd. If your child already has been screened or is under the care of a private healthcare provider/ pediatrician? Complete the attached form and return to the Lanier Middle School clinic to opt out of this screening.
GCPS Scoliosis Screening Parent Letter English
Fall Picture day is just around the corner on Wednesday, September 16th. Students should wear your best and smile!
Cross-Country and Volleyball team and individual photos will be on September 16th as well. Players will need to be in uniform. More details to come from coaches.
It's game week! Come out and cheer on our volleyball team as they take the court in the final match of the year!
🏐 Wed, Sep 2 vs Jordan MS| 6:00 PM @Lanier MS
Grab your tickets on GoFan and come help us pack the gym!
🎟️ Reminders for Fans & Families
Lace up those running shoes and come make some noise! Our Cross Country team is headed to the North Oconee Titans Invitational this Saturday. Mark your calendars and come support our athletes:
🏆Cross Country North Oconee Titans Invitational
📍 Date: Saturday, September 12
📍 Location: Oconee Community Cross Country Course (adjacent to North Oconee High School)
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Basketball Clinic
There will be a Basketball Clinic prior to tryouts for any interested student in grades 6-8.
When: Tuesday, September 15 - Thursday, September 17 from 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
Where: Lanier Middle School Gym
Other: Clinic is not mandatory to be able to tryout
Registration: My Payments Plus Cost is $45
Limit: Clinic will be capped at 40 participants.
Basketball Tryouts
Girls/Boys Basketball Tryouts will be held on
- Monday, September 28th through Tuesday, September 29th from 4:15 PM - 6:00 PM
- Wednesday, September 30th through Friday, October 2nd, tryouts will be held from 4:15-6:00 pm.
Teams will be announced Friday afternoon, October 2nd.
All paperwork including a current physical must be uploaded in RankOne in order to tryout. See the Athletics page on the Lanier Middle School website.
📅 When: Tuesday, September 8
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Where: Lanier Middle School Media Center
👉 RSVP here: https://rsvp.eftours.com/devvzhb
This isn’t just a trip—it’s an opportunity for your child to grow beyond the classroom. Traveling to Greece gives students the chance to:
✅ Build confidence and independence
✅ Develop a global perspective
✅ Experience Greek history, culture, and traditions firsthand
✅ Learn through hands-on activities that inspire curiosity and leadership
Students trace Greece’s history from Athens and the Acropolis to Delphi, Thermopylae, and Meteora’s mountaintop monasteries. Along the way, they explore the ancient cities and royal legacies of northern Greece, including Dion, Thessaloniki, Pella, and Vergina.
For more information, please contact Ms. Rodriguez - Kelli.Rodriguez@gcpsk12.org
**Please note, this is not a school sponsored activity
The September Lanier Middle School All Pro Dad meeting will begining at 7:00 AM on Friday, September 11. Mark you calendars and come on out and be part of this fantastic community of Dad's.
Friday, September 18, is a Digital Learning Day (DLD) for all students.
On scheduled Digital Learning Days, students access lessons in Google Classroom through their Learning Space but may not have virtual class time with their teachers.
To ensure that students have a nutritious meal to fuel their learning, our bus drivers will be on the road and at every bus stop to deliver meals prepared by the School Nutrition Program staff. Families should expect buses to run their routes from approximately 10:45 a.m. to noon, beginning at the first stops on the route. These delivered meals are provided at no cost to families and are provided to anyone 18 years old and under.
Partner with Us: Join the LMS PTO!
At Lanier Middle School, our PTO plays a vital role in supporting our students, celebrating our staff, and building a strong school community. When you join the PTO, your membership directly funds classroom resources, teacher appreciation events, and school-wide programs that enhance the middle school experience for every Longhorn.
No Required Time Commitment: Joining doesn't mean you have to volunteer—your membership alone makes a huge impact!
Stay Connected: Get an inside look at school events and collaborate with school leadership and fellow parents.
Support Our Staff & Students: Help us fund classroom grants, student celebrations, and campus improvements.
Together, we can make this school year extraordinary. Click here to join the Lanier Middle School PTO today!
Do you have old backpacks sitting in closets or garages from past school years? Donate them to the Lanier Middle School Care Closet!
Our school counselors use these donations to support students who need a backpack for the school year or need a quick replacement when an existing bag suffers a sudden rip or tear.
What We Need: Clean, gently used backpacks in good condition (zippers intact, no major damage).
Where to Donate: Drop off items at the Front Kiosk or have your child bring them to their grade level counselor.
Why It Matters: Your donation directly helps a fellow student stay Ready and Responsible every day.
What You Get: Students will receive VoLanier Credit and PBIS points for modeling leadership by demonstrating empathy and kindness while supporting your community.
Clear out the clutter and support our school community! If you have any questions about donating to the Care Closet, please contact our counseling department.
At Lanier Middle School, we strive to create a warm and welcoming environment where every student can thrive. One way we do this is through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This program helps us recognize and celebrate positive choices while supporting students' success both in the classroom and beyond.
Our families and community play an important role in making PBIS successful. Here are a few ways you can help:
· Build strong, positive relationships with our school and other families.
- Encourage problem-solving and positive decision-making skills at home.
- Support our rewards program by donating prizes: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3R6BG5GU7JM4X?ref_=wl_share or volunteering at our PBIS Hangout Day which happens twice a year.
When we work together, amazing things happen for our students!
For more information about PBIS or ways to get involved, please contact Kayla McClure at kayla.mcclure@gcpsk12.org.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us continue building the positive culture that makes Lanier Middle such a special place for students and staff alike.
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
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.
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!