Lake Denoon Family Newsletter
September 4, 2026
Lake Denoon Quick Links
Important Dates
September 9th
Picture Day Grades 5 & 7
Fall iReady Math Assessment
September 10th
Picture Day Grades 6 & 8
Fall iReady Math Assessment
September 25th
PTO Foam Run
September 30th
Parent-Teacher Conference Night 4:00 - 8:00pm
October 1st
Parent-Teacher Conference Night 4:00 - 8:00pm
October 2
Professional Development Day - No Students in Attendance
Lunch Finger Scan Setup for New & 5th Grade Students
Next week, we will offer finger scanning for lunch purchases. This applies to students new to Lake Denoon and 5th graders who were unable to complete the process during orientation last June. Students who have previously scanned their finger do not need to do so again.
The finger scan system was introduced in response to feedback from students and families who wanted shorter lunch lines and more time to eat. The scanners identify a student in less than a second, keeping the lunch line moving rapidly.
Important Privacy Note: This form of identification uses biometric technology - it is not fingerprinting. An image of your child’s fingerprint is never stored. The system simply converts the scan into a secure numeric code, similar to how a phone's touch-ID works.
If you do not give consent for your child to use the finger scanner, they will be required to scan their physical student ID card at lunch once IDs are distributed next week.
To grant permission for your child to complete the finger scan process, please fill out this FORM.
Important Reminder: District Policy on School Medications
As we start our school year, we want to remind you of our district policy regarding the administration of medication at school, Policy 5330 Administration of Medication and Emergency Care.
To ensure the safety of all students, the Board policy requires that all prescription medications be delivered to the school health office in their original pharmacy-labeled packaging. All over-the-counter medications should remain in their original packaging.
Per district policy, school staff cannot accept or administer medications brought in zip-lock bags, unlabelled bottles, or daily pill organizers.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school environment safe.
LDMS Spirit Wear Sale
Looking for some new LDMS Spirit Wear? You are in luck! Take advantage of the 25% off sitewide Labor Day Sale.
School Picture Days
Wednesday, September 9th (5th & 7th Graders)
Thursday, September 10th (6th & 8th Graders / Make-ups)
Retakes & Make-ups will be Tuesday, October 6th.
Pictures can be ordered online using this LINK. Use the dropdown menu to select “Lake Denoon Middle School 2026 - 2027”.
Celebrating Success at Lake Denoon: Introducing Quarterly Incentive Days
At Lake Denoon Middle School, recognizing students who make great choices and uplift our community is at the heart of what we do. Throughout the year, we love celebrating students through positive phone calls, PAWS Up Postcards sent home, and our Leader of the Pack awards.
This year, we are excited to expand our celebrations with Quarterly Schoolwide Incentive Days! These special events are designed to celebrate the huge majority of our students who consistently demonstrate our core values: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Safe.
Our goal is for every student to participate. Teachers and staff are fully committed to partnering with you and supporting your student every step of the way so they can reach these targets.
Criteria
Core Value: Be Responsible
Target Expectation: Academic Effort & Mastery
What Success Looks Like
Complete 80% or more of assigned coursework
Earn a D or higher in every class
Core Value: Be Respectful
Target Expectation: Daily Behavioral Choices
What Success Looks Like
Consistent positive choices in all school spaces (fewer than 5 minor referrals)
Strong problem-solving choices (1 or fewer major referrals)
Core Value: Be Safe
Target Expectation: Community Wellbeing
What Success Looks Like
Protecting our positive school environment with a zero-suspension record
How We Support Your Student
Continuous Progress: Behavior and assignment tracking reset every quarter - giving every student a fresh start and a brand-new opportunity to celebrate.
Open Communication: You always have real-time access to grades via Infinite Campus. Because learning is a process, academic qualification is based on final quarter grades. If your child experiences a behavioral bump in the road, a teacher will reach out to share the details. By connecting with families, we ensure every student has the encouragement, tools, and time they need to bounce back and earn the incentive.
We encourage you to celebrate these goals at home by asking your child how they are showing Responsibility, Respect, and Safety at school each week!
LDMS 2026-27 Yearbooks
It's time to order your LDMS 2026-27 Yearbooks. Please click here for details.
Online Attendance Procedures
- Report absences and appointments before 8:00 am.
- Report absences and appointments by logging into Infinite Campus, either through the Campus Parent App or from a computer.
- Once logged in, click More, then Absence Requests.
- Select your student(s).
- Select the reason from the drop down.
- Select the absence type.
- Select the date(s). PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SELECTED THE RIGHT DAY.
- Add Comments.
- Click Submit
Important Reminder Regarding Early Dismissals
Please remind your student to check their SmartPass account for a pass sent from Student Services before heading to the main office.
Note: The departure time entered in your attendance request will be the exact time the SmartPass is issued for your student to leave class.
Policy Reminder: Requirements for Riding an Alternate Bus
Universal Family Survey
We are thrilled to begin the new school year with you and your child! To help us understand your child's needs and ensure a successful year, we kindly ask you to complete our 2026-27 Family Survey, which you can access through this LINK.
This survey will be shared with all staff at Lake Denoon Middle School so that we can have a unified understanding of your child. Your insights are invaluable in helping us create the best possible experience for them. You may also receive the survey link from your child's homeroom teacher in their newsletter, but please note that it is the same survey. You only need to complete it once for each child you have attending Lake Denoon.We have extended the deadline to complete this survey. Please complete it by 7:00 AM on Monday.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we embark on this exciting new school year together!
LDMS Parent Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedure
Morning Drop-Off
The driveway closest to the building is for buses only. If you are driving your child to school, please enter the parking lot via the parking lot entrance closest to the building. From there, we need you to pull up to the furthest open spot available to drop off your child - this may be beyond the flagpole. It is important that cars move all the way up and drop off students promptly. By maximizing the number of cars that are unloaded simultaneously, the traffic flow will move quicker, preventing backups that would delay our buses entering their drop off location and delay the start of classes.
- Please have your child have all of their materials ready to go, so when it is time to leave the vehicle, they can do so quickly.
- Once the line stops anywhere along the drop off zone (which runs from along the east side of the front parking lot past the flagpole), please have your child unload quickly.
- Please only use the lane closest to the school for drop off. Dropping off in the center lane is dangerous and slows up traffic, as students are cutting across moving traffic.
- When exiting the parking lot, please turn right onto Crowbar Drive. Cars waiting to turn left not only back up the traffic line, but also increase the risk of accidents.
Click here for morning drop-off map.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Due to limited space in the front parking lot and the need to prevent traffic back-ups that would delay our school buses in reaching their student pick-up locations, parent pick-up is divided by grade level in the following manner:
Students in grade 5 and those who are carpooling with 5th graders will continue to pick up in the front parking lot.
Similar to morning drop-off, please only pick up your student(s) in the pick-up zone (the sidewalk that runs from the east side of the front parking lot past the flagpole). Due to safety concerns and the high traffic volume during this time, do not encourage or direct students to walk through the parking lot to meet your car.
Students should only use the crosswalk to access the front pick-up area. Please emphasize the importance of students not walking in between the buses to get to the parking lot.
ALL OTHER STUDENTS WILL BE PICKED UP ON THE BACK PLAYGROUND.
**Please note** - The playground is blocked off until 2:55 every day for student use, and many days until 3:00. Please do not arrive before 2:55.
The white arrows in the illustration show how to enter the playground area. The yellow pick up zone is lined with benches and there will be a staff member out there to keep students behind the benches. Just as the morning drop off, we need groups to pull up as far as possible in the drop off zone, stop, and wait for your child to come to the vehicle. On this route, it will be important for you to yield to buses, so we are not holding up buses from their elementary routes, which can be very worrisome for parents. There are a couple of areas that are tight, but we have enough clearance for cars coming and going. For the safety of everyone, please do not let yourself be distracted in this process.
- Students being picked up on the playground (6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who are not carpooling with 5th graders) should only be picked up by the blue benches, as directed by the staff member in that area.
- Due to safety concerns, please do not encourage students to walk through the cars in the back parking lot to get into your car while waiting in line.
- Encourage your students to move quickly to get in the car.
- Pull up as close as possible to the basketball hoop by the last bench, so as many as nine cars can load at once. Do not stop where you see your child; pull up as far as possible, and your child will come to you. This will keep the line moving faster so that buses are not blocked from getting into their designated area.
- Consider arriving at 3:15, as you will be able to pick up your child quickly without waiting in line.
- Students in the back of the building not picked up by 3:20 will be walked to the front of the building, where they can be picked up.
Click here for afternoon pick up map.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation. In collaboration with our partners in the Muskego Police Department, we will continue to monitor traffic patterns and volume in order to make any necessary adjustments as the school year progresses.
Student Planners for 2026-27
At Lake Denoon, our goal is to help middle schoolers build organizational habits that stick. Because no single system works for every learner, we are transitioning from a mandatory paper planner to a flexible, personalized approach to assignment tracking.
Why the Change?
Middle school is a critical time for developing independence. Over the past few years, we’ve seen students thrive using a variety of methods - some excel with digital calendars, others prefer specialized written methods, and many still love standard daily planners. Rather than holding to a one-size-fits-all model, our teachers will support students in building and maintaining a tracking system that fits their individual learning style.
Options for the School Year
Bring Your Own: Students may use a digital platform (e.g., Google Keep) or personal paper planner.
Purchase a School Planner: Traditional Lake Denoon student planners are available in the main office for $2.50.
How to Buy a School Planner
Cash: Students can bring $2.50 directly to the office.
Student Account: Parents can request to have the $2.50 added to their student’s fee balance.
Thank you for partnering with us as we empower our students to take ownership of their learning!
AUDITIONS are November 16 and 17, 3:05 pm in the Choir Room
2026-27 PTO Meeting Schedule
The dates for PTO meetings this year are as follows: 9/15, 11/17, 1/19, 3/16, 5/18. They are from 5:00 - 6:00pm in the library. We hope to see you there!
Make a Difference at Lake Denoon Middle School! Openings for the 2026-27 School Year
Are you - or someone you know - looking for a rewarding role with a schedule that matches your family's calendar? Working at Lake Denoon offers a supportive environment, meaningful work, and the unique flexibility of having nights, weekends, and school breaks off!
We are actively looking for student-centered candidates to join our team in the following roles:
Instructional Assistant (Part-time): Work directly alongside our students with disabilities to support their academic and personal growth.
We are looking for team members who:
Believe that strong relationships with students, families, and staff are the foundation of great education.
Ensure every student feels valued, included, and supported at Lake Denoon.
Enjoy the energy, humor, and potential of middle school students.
Advocate for all learners and bring a positive, collaborative spirit to work every day.
How to Apply or Learn More:
If you are ready to make a direct impact on the lives of our Timberwolves, we would love to connect with you!
Have questions or want to chat first? Contact Chad Krupar, Principal at chad.krupar@muskegonorway.org.
Ready to apply? Visit WECAN and search using the position numbers below:
Instructional Assistant (Special Education): Job #266033
Educational Assistant: Job #270551
Permanent Guest Teacher: Job #267886
If you know someone outside our school community who would be a great fit, please pass this message along. We encourage interested candidates to reach out as soon as possible!
2026-27 School Supply Lists
The following are the grade level school supply lists for the 2026-27 school year.
LDMS Technology Policy
While incredibly useful tools, personal communication devices (i.e. cell phones and wireless headphones/earbuds) can be a significant distraction to students during school hours. To ensure our students are focused on instruction and classwork, the LDMS Technology Policy is in place (linked below). This is the same policy that was in place last year. Please take a moment to review this with your child prior to the first day of school.
Community Events
Muskego Sports Opportunities
Contact the LDMS PTO!
Email: ptolakedenoon@gmail.com
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
Twitter @LakeDenoon
Facebook @LDMStimberwolves
Lake Denoon Middle School
Email: chad.krupar@muskegonorway.org
Website: https://www.muskegonorway.org/schools/lakedenoon/
Location: W216S10586 Crowbar Drive, Muskego, WI, USA
Phone: 262-971-1820
Facebook: facebook.com/LDMStimberwolves