Lion Family Newsletter

Lion Families,

As we head into March, I want to take a moment to emphasize how important this stretch of the school year is for our students. The learning they’re doing right now lays the groundwork for success on the upcoming STAAR assessments and helps ensure they are fully prepared to move confidently into the next grade level.

This is a time when steady routines really matter. Being at school every day, on time, and ready to learn makes a big difference. The material students are working through is rigorous, and they need consistent practice and engagement to master it.

At home, a few simple habits go a long way. Students benefit greatly when they’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and reading for 20–30 minutes each day. These routines help them stay focused, build stamina, and strengthen their academic skills.

If your child is struggling with a concept or falling behind, please encourage them to take advantage of tutoring and extra time with their teachers. It’s important for students to take ownership of their learning, and we are here to support them every step of the way.

Thank you for your continued partnership. With your support, our students can finish the year strong and confident.

With appreciation,
Eric Ogle, Principal

3/10 - 11:00 AM: 6th Annual State of the District
3/11 - STAAR Interim - 8th Science and Biology
3/11 - 4:00 PM: Track City Prelims, Irving Schools Stadium
3/12 - 7:00 - 8:00 AM: All Pro Dad Meeting
3/12 - STAAR Interim - 8th Social Studies
3/12 - 4:00 PM: Track City Finals, Irving Schools Stadium
3/12 - 4:15 PM: Campus Improvement Committee Meeting
3/13 - 2:45 PM: American Heart Association Dodgeball Tournament
ID Badge Fines from 1st - 4th Six Weeks must be paid to attend.
3/16 - 3/20: Spring Break
3/25 - 3/27: Band UIL
3/25 - 5:30: Parent Center Class - Human Trafficking Awareness
3/31 - 5:00 - 6:30 PM: Irving ISD MS Art Showcase, Irving Arts Center
3/31 - 4/1: Choir UIL

Spring into Teacher Recognition

Spring is a season of growth, renewal, and new beginnings — just like the impact of a great teacher.

This month, we invite students and families to nominate a teacher who has made a meaningful difference in their lives. You can nominate a teacher you have now or one you’ve had in the past. Many of the educators who shape us most are the ones whose lessons stay with us long after we leave their classroom.

Every nomination is more than a thank-you. It increases that teacher’s chances of receiving the Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award, which includes:

$2,000 DonorsChoose classroom resource
$500 Visa Gift Card
Recognition on HonoredSchools.org alongside the nominating student

The number of awards our district receives depends on how many nominations are submitted — up to six $2,500 awards can be unlocked.

More nominations = more awards for teachers in our district.

Take a moment this spring to recognize a teacher who helped you grow.
Nominate today: https://honoredschools.org/

Primavera de Reconocimiento para los Maestros

La primavera es una temporada de crecimiento, renovación y nuevos comienzos — al igual que el impacto de un gran maestro.

Este mes, invitamos a estudiantes y familias a nominar a un maestro que haya marcado una diferencia significativa en sus vidas. Puedes nominar a un maestro que tengas ahora o a uno que hayas tenido en el pasado. Muchos de los educadores que más nos forman son aquellos cuyas lecciones permanecen con nosotros mucho después de salir de su salón de clases.

Cada nominación es más que un agradecimiento. Aumenta las posibilidades de que ese maestro reciba el Premio Honored Schools al Maestro que Cambia Vidas, que incluye:

Recurso para el salón de clases de $2,000 a través de DonorsChoose
Tarjeta de regalo Visa de $500
Reconocimiento en HonoredSchools.org junto al estudiante que lo nominó

La cantidad de premios que recibe nuestro distrito depende de cuántas nominaciones se envíen — se pueden desbloquear hasta seis premios de $2,500.

Más nominaciones = más premios para los maestros de nuestro distrito.

Tómate un momento esta primavera para reconocer a un maestro que te ayudó a crecer.
Nomina hoy: https://honoredschools.org/

Signs It Could Be More Than a Cold (Courtesy of Web MD)

Symptoms Come On Fast

When you have a cold, symptoms like a stuffy nose or sneezing start slowly and gradually get worse. Flu symptoms typically hit your body all of a sudden -- and they'll probably feel a lot stronger.

Chills

This is when you shiver because your body temperature changes. Chills aren’t typical signs of a cold -- they’re an early sign of infection and high fever. They're more common with flu or pneumonia.

Fever

This is a sign that your body is trying to fight an illness or infection, but it's rarely caused by a cold. Flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia are more common causes of fevers.

Body Aches

You may have some slight body aches with a cold, but stronger ones are usually a sign that you have the flu. This is because short-term achy muscles often happen along with a fever.

Wheezing

This is when your breathing sounds like a whistle. If you wheeze, it’s a sign of a more serious infection like pneumonia or bronchitis, especially if it happens when you lie down. Wheezing also can be a sign of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction to something you ate or an insect bite.

Cough With Mucus

You may have a mild, pesky cough from a cold, but if you cough up mucus -- slimy stuff from deep down in your chest -- it’s usually a sign of bronchitis or pneumonia, especially if there's any blood in it.

Fatigue

Feeling like you have no energy or appetite is a typical symptom of the flu -- it’s less often caused by a cold. It can also be a sign of pneumonia or a sinus infection, which is common but more serious than a cold.

Sore Throat

A mild one is a typical symptom of a cold and sometimes the flu. It should clear up once your cold or flu does. But a very painful sore throat that comes on quickly can be a sign of strep throat. That’s a bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics.

Headache

Many things can cause this, but a cold isn't usually one of them. It's a common flu symptom and can be a sign of a sinus infection. But painful sinuses, the spaces above and around your nose, can also be caused by hay fever, or rhinitis.

Chest Tightness or Pain

This is a telltale symptom of a more serious respiratory infection, like bronchitis. That can also make your chest feel tight, and you may have a hard time taking a deep breath. Sharp chest pain that feels worse when you cough can be a sign of pneumonia, and chest tightness is also a common symptom of asthma.

Shortness of Breath

Colds can cause a very stuffy nose, which make breathing a little harder, but real shortness of breath is a sign of something more serious. It's a common symptom of asthma or a flare-up of COPD, and it also can be from a serious infection, like bronchitis or pneumonia.

Registration

Course Registration Updates
Parents, all 8th graders have been registered for their 9th-grade course requests. Please review these with your student in Xello and submit any changes to the high school counselor by March 31, 2026.

Spring Semester Counseling Lessons

The counseling department will present the following mandated lessons to students during the upcoming semester:

Fentanyl Awareness
Child Abuse

25-26 Parent Needs Assessment Survey/Encuesta de Evaluación de Necesidades de Los Padres

Dear Parent/Guardian,

To better support your student’s academic, social, and emotional needs, the Lamar Middle School Counseling Department kindly asks you to complete the Parent Survey. Your insights are invaluable in helping us provide the most effective services and resources for your child.

Please take a few moments to complete the survey at your earliest convenience. Your responses will remain confidential and will be used solely to enhance our support strategies.

*If the link does not open for you, please try opening in a Chrome (Google) browser.

Counselor Newsletter

🍽️ Devour the Pages BINGO 📖

Get hungry for great books! During the 5th six weeks, Lamar Middle School is serving up Devour the Pages BINGO, a food-themed reading challenge where stories are always on the menu. Log your reading minutes, complete tasty reading activities, and earn badges as you work toward a BINGO—across, down, or diagonal! Whether you’re snacking on short stories or feasting on full novels, every page counts. So grab a book, take a big bite out of reading, and see how many squares you can devour!

Parents and guardians now have access to the Sora Parental Controls feature within their child’s Sora eBook app, available through ClassLink Launchpad.
How to Access and Use the Sora Parental Controls Feature

Parents and guardians may also view their child’s checkout history in the Sora eBook app.
How to Access Student Checkout History in Sora

Additional information about the Irving ISD Library Program is available at irvingisd.net/library, including resources specifically for parents. Families may also contact the campus librarian regarding special considerations related to library materials self-selected by their student.

Irving ISD Libraries and SB13

Bibliotecas de Irving ISD y SB13

BUY YOUR YEARBOOK

2025–2026 Yearbook On Sale Now!

The wait is over! The 2025–2026 yearbook is officially on sale! Don’t miss your chance to capture the memories, moments, and milestones that make this school year one to remember.

You can purchase your copy now and receive entry into the End of Year Signing Event. Quantities are limited, and once we sell out, no additional copies will be printed. Make sure to secure yours early!

In the meantime, check out some of the amazing photos our yearbook team is capturing this year by visiting our Instagram page, @lamariisdyearbook. From campus events to candid student moments, you’ll get a glimpse of the creativity and spirit that go into every page.

🎉 LAST YEAR’S BOOK SOLD OUT!
There are no more available copies of the 2024–2025 Yearbook, so don’t wait to order your 2025–2026 edition. We can’t wait to share another year full of memories with you!

Lamar MS Parent Lunch Guidelines/Pautas para el almuerzo para padres de Lamar MS

Lamar School Policies - English

Lamar School Policies - Spanish

Lamar Campus Improvement Plan

Lamar Middle School Parent and Family Engagement - English

Lamar Middle School Parent and Family Engagement - Spanish

Lamar Title I Parent Information Meeting - English & Spanish

Access to Gradebook

K-12 Curriculum Resources to Extend Learning at Home - English & Spanish

Resources by school level—elementary, middle, and high school, it features both digital and library-based tools, providing families with multiple ways to stay engaged in their child’s academic growth.

City of Irving Support Services

The City of Irving Support Services button is linked to the city's page for Support Services for Individuals and Families. It has information about food pantries, utility assistance, unemployment benefits, employment opportunities and much more.

In today's world, there's no such thing as “just a joke” about threats of school violence, school safety, or harm to others. Making or sharing threats can have long-term consequences for a student's future.

Share the message:

Don't do it. Don't share it. Report it!

Parents should only utilize the drop-off and pick-up lanes to drop their students off and/or pick them up. Both parking lots are unavailable for student drop-off or pick-up as this is a safety concern for our staff and students. Additionally, please note that the drop-off and pick-up lanes are moving lanes and therefore parking in the drop off lane is prohibited. Thank you for keeping #OURKIDS safe.