Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 1

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1 Hello Viking Families! I hope y all are enjoying a relaxing, fun summer with family and friends! It is almost time to start dialing back the bedtimes, taking care of last-minute school supplies and setting alarms on phones for August 21 st. Fortunately, our campus had no major repairs over the summer, so we aren t behind on construction (unlike last year), so we ll be ready to roll when the young uns return! Though there aren t changes in our facilities, we are changing aspects of how we operate and ensure our students are learning. The most readily apparent change is a different bell schedule to accommodate what we are calling our VFND period, which will provide our teachers 30 minutes daily to address learning deficits that we identify during class time. Students will also be able to make up quizzes or tests missed due to school-related absences during the VFND period. If a student has demonstrated that he/she thoroughly understands the class content to that point, the student can use the VFND period to work on homework or, with the teacher s guidance, take their learning in that particular class to a higher level. The change in our bell schedule is just one aspect of a more holistic approach to educating our students. Our staff has worked since last January on what we call the Four C s : collective responsibility, concentrated instruction, convergent assessment and certain access. In short, collective responsibility is a shared belief that the primary responsibility of each member of the organization is to ensure high levels of learning for every child. Sounds obvious for an educational institution, but we need to intentionally maintain our focus in the hustle and stress of everyday school life. Concentrated instruction is teachers within their disciplines agreeing on and teaching 3-5 essential standards per semester that will provide students with knowledge and skills that will: be of value beyond a single test date, be of value in multiple disciplines, and will provide students essential knowledge and skills necessary for success in the next grade or level of instruction. Teachers will, of course, teach more than 3-5 topics per semester, but our aim is to ensure that our students have a deep understanding of the essential standards. Convergent assessment is an ongoing process of teachers collectively analyzing targeted evidence to determine the specific learning needs of each student and the effectiveness of our instruction. Teachers will look at assignments, quizzes and tests to determine how well our kids understand the essential standards, they ll reflect on how they taught those standards, and collaborate on re-teaching the essential standards to those students needing more instruction. Certain access is a systematic process that guarantees every student will receive the time and support needed to learn at high levels. The new VFND period, which will fall after the second class period every day, is our commitment to providing that time and support, where teachers and students can focus exclusively on learning essential standards. Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 1

2 We will have more information on our new bell schedule, as well as how it synchronizes with the new AISD Career & Tech Center s bell schedule, at our student class schedule pick up during the second week of August. We ll also have the information posted on our website at VikingFest will be on August 30th from 6:00-8:00. Our teams, clubs and organizations will be on full display, and there will be tons of Lamar gear available for purchase, as well as food! It s a great time to see the extra-curricular opportunities Lamar has to offer our kids, and everyone could use more navy, gold and Viking logos in their wardrobe! Please check out our website regularly, and you can also keep up with us on Twitter and on Facebook at to stay abreast of all that s happening at Lamar. We are looking forward to welcoming our returning students and incoming freshmen, and we re going to have a fantastic school year! VFND, Andy Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 2

3 PRESIDENT NEWS Hello Viking Parents! It s almost time for the school year to begin! My name is Robin Lee and I will be serving as your PTA President again. We have an amazing group of moms on the Lamar PTA board this year and we are already working hard to make sure our students, teachers and staff have a great year! Next week, returning students will come to Lamar to complete registration at the following scheduled times. Be sure to do your ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION before you come! You will need your snap code that you should have received via to complete this. For more information, visit aisd.net or review the flyer included in this newsletter. Monday 8/7 SENIORS 8am-11am Tuesday 8/8 JUNIORS 8am-11am, 4pm-7pm Wednesday 8/9 SOPHOMORES 8am-11am, 4pm-7pm Thursday 8/10 FRESHMAN 8am-11am, 4pm-7pm Friday 8/18, OPEN 8am-11am, 3:30pm-6:30pm Stay in the communication loop this year by getting connected. Sign up for the PTA s E- Newsletter and Constant Contact updates. Go to the Lamar website and select the PTA link. Scroll to the bottom of the home page and register your address. You can also text LAMAR PTA to PTA members will also be stationed at Registration, Viking Fest, and the September Open House to assist you in signing up. There are numerous opportunities and areas to get involved in the PTA at Lamar. We encourage you to support Lamar and your student by purchasing a membership for every adult in your family. If your senior is planning on applying for one of the many PTA scholarships, be aware that some of the scholarships also require the student to be a local PTA member. We have different membership levels available. Some come with free t- shirts and other incentives. You can find our membership form in this newsletter. In addition to the PTA, there is an abundance of booster clubs and organizations that you can become involved in. You can find out more information about all of this at Viking Fest on August 30th from 6:00-8:30pm. Come join the fun! Food trucks and entertainment will get you excited about the school year! The Lamar PTA Project Celebration effort is in full swing. This is the mega Drug/Alcohol free party that the PTA sponsors for our seniors after the prom in May. If you have a senior and have not signed up to help, contact Missy Brown at missyleeb@me.com. Don t Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 3

4 miss out on the fun! Project Celebration is also collection vintage Lamar tshirts to re-sell at Viking Fest. Have some you d like to donate? Contact Carol Miller at cmiller@vtaig.com. We look forward to a great school year with all of our Vikings! Stop by the PTA table at Viking Fest to become a member, buy a tshirt or find out how you can get involved with Project Celebration or other events. Hope to see you there! Robin Lee, Lamar PTA President robin@ourfamilee.net The 2018 Valhalla yearbook is available for pre-order starting Aug. 1 at a $10 savings through Sept. 30. Go to: yearbookordercenter.com School ID# Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 4

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7 Welcome to the Lamar Tennis Program! Here is more information about the schedule for workouts in August, and other requirements for the program. We offer four levels of tennis at Lamar, and ALL players receive a P.E. credit. VARSITY: Consists of the top boys and girls in the program. It is double blocked into 4 th and 8 th period. Varsity matches in the fall are Tuesdays and Fridays, with eight all day tournaments throughout the rest of the year. JV 1: Practice will be during 3 rd period, some after school practices and JV matches are played on Thursdays in the fall. Players also compete in several tournaments during the rest of the year. JV 2: (also referred to as 9th grade) is also single blocked. This class will meet 6 th period. Jr. High Tennis: Meets every other morning ( B days on the Lamar schedule) from 7:30-8:45am. Parents drop students off at Lamar and then they ride a bus back to their home campus for regular classes. Several matches are played on afternoons in the fall, as well as Saturday tournaments during the spring semester. Practice for junior high players will start August 22 nd. Check the Junior High tab of our website for more information. While official tryouts are the week of August 1st, any work done during the summer will obviously improve your standing with the team. Many local tournaments are held during the summer, and all competitive players should compete in the Southwest Tennis Circuit (register at Southwesttenniscircuit.com), Mid Cities Junior Tournaments, and USTA sanctioned Challenger, Champs, etc The coaches are also available for private lessons during the summer by request (either on a continuing basis or a few times as an introduction). Additional Dates * Thursday July 27th, 6:30pm, First Serve Social, physical turn in, and mandatory meeting for all tennis parents in the Lamar Cafeteria. Join us for refreshments and the opportunity to purchase new Lamar Tennis merchandise and join the Booster Club, as well as hear information about the upcoming year from the coaches. *August 1 st, 2 nd, 4th: JV 1 and 2 tryouts from 8am-9:30am; Varsity workouts 9am-12pm 3rd 8am 3pm: Tryout tournament for Varsity and JV1. Selected players will play several matches in a tournament format throughout the day. More information will be available on July 27 th. *August 7-9: JV1 8-9:30am; Varsity 9am-noon; no further JV 2 practice until school begins : Martin Varsity Team Tournament (two dual matches played each day; start times 8am and 1pm) *August Varsity practice (time TBD) 18th Varsity Dual Matches at Lamar vs Weatherford 8am; vs Bentonville West 2pm Remember, all players must turn in a completed AISD physical packet before they can try out in August! All participation forms are now completed electronically. Visit the Athletics page at Aisd.net for all required UIL and District forms, and to download the physical form for the doctor. If you have any questions over the summer, please feel free to contact Coach Monroe by , jmonroe@aisd.net. You may also check the website ( and Facebook for updated information throughout the summer. Thanks for your interest in tennis at Lamar High School. We look forward to continuing a great tradition of Viking Tennis! Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 7

8 Lamar Viking Team Tennis Fall Schedule 2017 Varsity Month Date Time School August 10 8am, 1pm Martin Team Match play Duals 11 8am, 1pm Martin Team Match play Duals 18 8am, 1pm Weatherford, Bentonville West (Ark) Duncanville Keller Timber Creek September 1* Sam Houston North Crowley 12* Arlington High 19* Mansfield Bowie 29* Paschal TBD) October Martin 6* District Tournament semi-finals 10* District Tournament finals or 3 rd place Bi District Playoffs (date, time, location Area Playoffs (date, time, location TBD) JV1 Month Date Time School August Sam Houston September 7* North Crowley High 28* Bowie October 12* Martin Jr. High Month Date Time School October 26 5:00 TBD November 2 5:00 TBD 9 5:00 TBD * - Denotes District Matches Varsity and JV 1 start times set one week prior to match and will vary by location and opponent Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 8

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10 The Lamar Band hasn t slowed down all summer! All new and returning band members attended a short camp during the first week of June and then performed in the Arlington July 4 th Independence Day Parade. We are very proud of how well the band and color guard represented Lamar. This was the first performance for the freshmen and a great way to jump right in. We are excited to welcome our new freshman class! The amazing new leadership team has been working hard to welcome and teach our new members. We are very proud of how you are showing your leadership skills and dedication to the band program. Band registration is coming up on August 5 th. At this time, band members will pay fees, try on uniforms and tie up any additional loose ends before school starts. Marching season began July 31 st and our band and color guard has begun learning the music and routines for this year s show. The beginning of school brings with it school work, marching practice, private lessons, football games, pep rallies, fundraisers, and competitions. Before we know it, it ll be time for All-City and All-Region band, jazz band, drumline contests, and marching competitions, including UIL. We are excited to show off our new show and hope you ll come out to watch and support your band! Finally, the Lamar Band Booster Club supports our band students with anything they need to succeed. We hope that every band and color guard family will join the LBBC and help with chaperoning, volunteering, and organizing during the coming school year. You can also help by setting up your Tom Thumb or Kroger grocery store cards to contribute to the band. Our Kroger number is Also, you can use Smile Amazon and choose the Lamar band as your beneficiary. Thank you for your help! We are looking forward to an exciting school year! Shannon Adams, Communications lamarbandboosterclub@gmail.com Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 10

11 2017 lamar cheer cheer strong 2018 Congrats to our Cheer Squads: Thank you all for helping us celebrate our nation s independence at the Arlington 4 th of July Parade! It was great to see you all there cheering us on! We just finished our summer Cheer Camp and it was intense! Many thanks to the great Lamar coaches who prepared us with cheers, chants, stunts, and helped us perfect our routines and tumbling runs! We look forward to and are ready for football and volleyball seasons!! Upcoming Dates: August 30 th Cheer Booster Club Meeting September 22 Little Vikings Cheer Clinic October 13 Cheerleader Tailgate and Pink Out Night ? s / share photos lamarcheer2018@gmail.com Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 11

12 Lamar PTA Newsletter Information and Deadlines The LHS PTA newsletter is printed with information that is submitted by organizations and booster clubs. Any information your organization wishes to publish must be submitted by someone from your organization. When submitting dated material for publication, please keep in mind that it takes approximately 2 weeks from deadline to delivery for each newsletter to be completed. Please limit your information to 1/2 page. Please make sure any names included are spelled correctly! Send your information as an attachment to your . Send your information as a word document so that it can be downloaded directly into the newsletter! Please make sure you have obtained permission before submitting names, phone numbers and addresses of anyone that will be included in your article. Pictures will be printed on a space available basis. Please identify the event and each person in the picture with names spelled correctly! Please send pictures separately saved in JPG format. Only fundraising-related forms need be accompanied with a payment: Half page $15.00 Full page $30.00 Very important Please make sure that PTA Newsletter is in the subject line. Please your article as an attachment saved as a word document and send any pictures saved in JPG format to Amy amywaitken@gmail.com. Final articles may be sent to Angela angndoug@swbell.net. If you would like to be added to the contact list for deadline reminders, please send that information to Amy. Edition Article due Distribution date Beginning of school Aug 7, 2016 Aug 19, 2016 October Sept 27, 2017 Oct 6, 2017 November Oct 30, 2017 Nov 10, 2017 January Jan 10, 2018 Jan 19, 2018 February Feb 12, 2018 Feb 23, 2018 April April 9, 2018 April 20, 2018 End of the Year/Summer 2017 May 21, 2018 May 31, 2018 Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 12

13 Back to School Teacher Luncheon Donations Needed! From the Lamar PTA Board Each year, the Lamar PTA hosts a Back to School Teacher Luncheon for the LHS teachers and staff. This is a great way to kick off the school year and let them know how much we appreciate all they do for our students. We are now gearing up for the luncheon! We will be feeding 275 hungry teachers and staff and we need your help! We are recruiting volunteers to bring a salad, dessert and/or contribute money to the raffle item fund. This is a great way for you to help support to the Lamar HS teachers and staff! We are asking folks to: 1. Donate cash or check towards raffle items. 2. Prepare a salad that serves 15 people and deliver it to Lamar Cafeteria by 10am on Wednesday, August 16th (or make arrangements with a friend or one of us to have it there by that time.) 3. Prepare a dessert that serves 15 people and deliver it to Lamar Cafeteria by 10am on Wednesday, August 16th (or make arrangements with a friend or one of us to have it there by that time.) Let us know if you have any questions! Please contact Carol Miller if you would like to help. Carol Miller cmiller@vtaig.com Judee Rahnke candjrahnke@att.net Viking Vignette Aug Lamar PTA Page 13

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