SPAN News

SPAN is the Synergy/SAGE Parent Action Network.  We are also known as the Prior Lake-Savage Chapter of the MN Council for the Gifted and Talented.  Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday Jan. 17 at 7pm in the WestWood Media Center (5370 WestWood Drive SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372).  A panel of high-school and middle-school students taking advanced/AP classes will discuss what they wished they would have known in elementary school.  They will take questions as well. If you have questions or would like to be placed on our email list, please email Apryl at span.priorlake@gmail.com. See all of our meeting dates on our website www.mcgt.net/priorlake .

Winter Break

No School: December 22nd - January 2nd 

School Resumes: January 3rd, Day 2

2017 Washington DC trip

7^th Graders interested in attending next years (2017) 8^th grade Washington DC Trip need to get registered.  The registration deadline is this Thursday December 15^th. We currently have 236 students registered space is running out.  If you want your son or daughter to have this once in a life time experience they need to register ASAP.  Register online at www.worldstrides.org or by phone 1-800-468-5899 our trip ID# is 136699.  If you need additional registration information please contact Mr. Merten’s at Hidden Oaks cmertens@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us or Mr. Dapper at Twin Oaks ndapper@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us.

TOMS LAKERS OF THE WEEK!

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of December 5th!

6^th Grade:

Lily Blotsky

Blaine Herandez

Ethan Schenck

7^th Grade:

Owen Christianson

Claire Krivitz

William Nerdahl

8^th Grade:

Emily Hesse

Connor Hussong

Emma Mesecher

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.

Laker Performance - Middle School 2016-17 Registration

Laker Performance is a Strength & Conditioning program is offered to all Prior Lake athletes’ grades 7th and 8th during the 2016-17 school year. The goal of our Strength & Conditioning Program is to provide athletes the best opportunity to improve their athletic performance in the off-season.  Athletes will train safely, consistently, sensibly, and be motivated by other teammates as well as members from the Laker Coaching Staff.  Follow the link for registration https://plfootball.sportngin.com/register/form/004542007

Winter – Middle School Laker Performance
Days – Tuesdays and Thursdays
Dates – December 13th through February 9th – NO training over winter break
Times – 2:30 to 4:00 pm

Location – TOMS Middle School Weight room

TOMS LAKERS of the Week

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of November 28th!

6^th Grade:

Kaiden Hill

Ruby Mussman

Cassidy Turner

7^th Grade:

Ava Bryant

Vivian Lundquist

Owen Roberts

8^th Grade:

Bella Merwin

Cameron Miller

Mae Nelson

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.

TOMS Primetime Box Top Contest!

Our first Box Top collection for this school year will begin on December 5^th -9^th.  The Primetime Classroom to collect the most Tops by Monday, December 12^th will win an Ice Cream Party courtesy of PACT (Parents Assisting Children and Teachers).

Note: Tops must be trimmed/clipped and not taped or stapled to enter. Those little Tops add up!  Go LAKERS!

SPAN

SPAN is the Synergy/SAGE Parent Action Network.  We are also known as the Prior Lake-Savage Chapter of the MN Council for the Gifted and Talented.  We will not hold a meeting in December.  Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday Jan. 17 at 7pm in the WestWood Media Center (5370 WestWood Drive SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372).  A panel of high-school and middle-school students taking advanced/AP classes will discuss what they wished they would have known in elementary school.  They will take questions as well. Please let me know if you have a middle- or high-school child who attended SAGE or participated in elementary Synergy and would be interested in participating on the panel.  If you have questions or would like to be placed on our email list, please email Apryl at span.priorlake@gmail.com. See all of our meeting dates on our website www.mcgt.net/priorlake .

TOMS LAKERS of the Week

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of November 21st.

6^th Grade:

Donnie Gonser

Courtney Rook

Breanna Storlie

7^th Grade:

Ian Brager

Cole Clausan

Jake Lindsoe

8^th Grade:

Nolan Meuwissen

Annika Hanson

Timothy O’Brien

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.

Happy Thanksgiving!

No School November 23rd-25th

TOMS LAKERS of the Week

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of November 14!

6^th Grade:

Lauren Carpenter

Wyatt Miller

Lula Swanson

7^th Grade:

Jake Manfred

Alex Nelson
Johnea Rucker

8^th Grade:

Ricardo Martinez

Sean Taggert

Hayley Torgerson

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.

Washington DC 2017

Parents of all current 7th  graders you are invited to an informational meeting about the upcoming 2017 Washington DC trip Thursday, November 17 from 7-8 PM in the Twin Oaks Auditorium.  This is an optional meeting in which parents will have the opportunity to hear a brief presentation about the upcoming 2017 trip from the trip coordinators and ask any questions that you may have about the trip. If you have any question please contact Mr. Mertens or Mr. Dapper

8^th Grade Washington DC Trip Co-Adviser Prior Lake Middle Schools

Nathan Dapper ndapper@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us

Craig Mertens cmertens@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us

End of 1st Quarter

The end of Quarter 1 is Thursday, November 10th. Please keep in mind that this day is also a 2 hour early release and there is no school Friday, November 11.   

Quarter 2 will be starting Monday, November 14th.  Please be aware that some changes have been made to student schedules in the last few days.  We ask that all families view your child’s Q2 schedule in Infinite Campus.  To prepare for next Monday morning, please print a copy or have your child write it in his/her assignment notebook (remember room #'s!)

To print:  Select "Reports" from the menu on the left side and then click on "Student Schedules".  Do not print from the Schedule view.

Schedules for 6th grade students should generally remain the same except for one class.

Schedules for 7th grade students are based on semesters so no changes have been made.


Schedules for 8th grade students are based on quarters and student schedules may look very different from Q1.  Students should have the same teachers for English, Science, Global Studies and Math, although it can be a different period.

TOMS LAKERS of the Week!

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of November 7th!

6^th Grade:

Michael Erickson

Jack Halford

Srushti Vaidyanathan

7^th Grade:

Emmanuel Cruz Carcamo

Aiden Goeff

Ashlyn Jore

8^th Grade:

Drew Dietrich

Taylor Hohmann

Kailee Peterson

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.

TOMS Middle School Winter Activities

INTERESTED IN NORDIC SKI?

7^th and 8^th graders can join the PLHS Nordic Ski Racing Team . . . no experience necessary.  Practices begin on Monday, Nov. 14^th at 3:20pm at the high school.  MS students can ride the Activities Bus to PLHS at 2:40pm (bus picks up at TO lower level lot).  Ski equipment rental is available for the entire season for $100.  Contact Coach Panzer at kwpanzer@frontiernet.net for more info.  Check it out!

How about Alpine Skiing?

7^th and 8^th graders ---- Want to learn to race downhill on skis?  Alpine skiing is  a great winter sport!  Go to the Info Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9^th at 6PM in Rm 292 at Prior Lake HS and find out more about it!  Contact Dave Everson for more information at daveeverson@outlook.com .  

______________________________________________________________

Are you a Strong Swimmer or Diver?

7^th and 8^th grade BOYS are welcome to join the PLHS Boys Swim/Dive Team this winter.  Information Meeting will be held at Prior Lake HS on Monday, Nov. 21^st  at 6PM in the Gold Gym.  Contact Coach Joe Bollinger at jbollinger@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us with any questions.

                                    ********************************

6^th- 8^th grade boys interested in MS Wrestling can still sign up . . . First practice is Monday, Nov. 21^st  in the TOMS Cafeteria.  Practices are Monday-Friday 2:30 – 4:30PM.  Here is the link for more info: http://www.priorlakewrestlingclub.org/page/show/515258-prior-lake-middle-school-wrestling     Please contact Coach Van Krevelen at avkrevelen@yahoo.com

for more details.

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REMINDER: All MS athletes will need to have an updated sports physical on file in the PLHS Activities Office and register online on FeePay to begin winter sports.  Link to FeePay:  https://priorlake-savage.feepay.com/

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Don’t Miss this!!!  Middle School Ski Club MANDTORY MEETING to hear all the details for the 2016-2017 Season:

	MS SKI CLUB MEETING 2:15 – 2:45PM in the HOMS Cafeteria on Tuesday, Nov. 8th

 

              Winter – Middle School Strength Team

The Laker Strength & Conditioning program is offered to all Prior Lake athletes in grades 7 and 8.  The goal of our Strength & Conditioning Program is to provide athletes the best opportunity to improve their athletic performance in the off-season.  Athletes will train safely and consistently, and be motivated by their teammates as well as members from the Laker Coaching Staff.

Days:  Tuesdays and Thursdays                                  Times:   2:30pm to 4:00pm

Dates:  will begin in December                                 NO training over winter break

Location: TOMS Weight Room                                    Stay tuned for Registration Information .  . . 

Twin Oaks Teacher of the Year!

Congratulations to Andrea Peterson for being nominated as Twin Oaks Middle School Teacher of the Year!

TOMS LAKERS of the Week!

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of October 31st!

6^th Grade:

Hunter Jirk

Andrea Rathjen

Cassidy Turner

7^th Grade:

Jadyn Brown

Ross Hebel

Vivian Lundquist

8^th Grade:

Camille Libert

Keegan Masser

Caden Riley

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.

TWIN OAKS FOOD DRIVE

Let's Stop HUNGER in it's Track.

Oct. 31st -Nov. 4th 

You can help by bringing in non-perishable food items such as:

• Apple Pouches
• Granola Bars
• Fruit Snacks
• Raisins
• Individual Lunch Box Snacks

TOMS LAKERS of the Week!

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of October 24th!

6^th Grade

Andrew Gatti                                                         

Braden Ford

Anastasia Wenthe

7^th Grade

Caiden Cairl
Wesley Nguyen

Ryan Schultze

8^th Grade

Jasmine Path

Luke Ruddle
Jaden Setter

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.

Staff/Student Book Club : Friday, November 18th

• Looking for a good book to read?
• Consider joining Book Club!
• Read The Queen’s Poisoner, by: Jeff Wheller
• Get a permission slip by (room 411) and bring a dollar for treats.
• Come to the media center after school on Friday, November 18^th to talk about the book with other students and staff members.

SPAN is the Synergy/SAGE Parent Action Network.

We are also known as the Prior Lake-Savage Chapter of the MN Council for the Gifted and Talented.  Our next meeting will take place on Monday November 14 at 7pm in the WestWood Media Center, featuring Speaker Wendy Behrens, Gifted and Talented Education Specialist at the MN Department of Education, who will speak on the development of critical thinking skills in gifted kids.  If you have questions or would like to be placed on our email list, please email Apryl at span.priorlake@gmail.com. See all of our meeting dates on our website www.mcgt.net/priorlake .

Twin Oaks Extended Day

Extended Day is our after school program that runs Tuesday and Thursday from 2:15-3:15 beginning November 1st. There is no cost for this program and students are allowed to bring a snack from home for each session. The goal is to help provide students time to work on their homework under the supervision of a teacher. Each session students will be required to set a goal of what they should be working on and teachers will be monitoring their progress. Teachers will also have access to view any missing assignments your child has, so they can encourage them to work on them in a timely manner.  If this sounds like something that would assist your child, please click here. All registrations are due, Friday, Oct. 28th.

Middle School Halloween Party

HOMS & TOMS 6th, 7th, & 8th Graders

Friday, October 28th 

2:15-4:00pm at HOMS

Click here for permission form

Raptor Center

7^th Grade Science students in Mrs. Clemmerson & Mrs. Fasking’s classroom learned about physical and behavioral adaptations of raptors today.  Today’s visit is from the University Of Minnesota Raptor Center to help see how science is used in the real world.

Pictured are a Redtail Hawk and a Falcon.

Tuesday is Unity Day - Wear Orange!

October 18th, is National Unity Day.  Schools across our district and the country are encouraged to wear orange and unite together to put an end to bullying!  

OCTOBER CONFERENCES POTLUCK FOR TOMS TEACHERS AND STAFF

In appreciation for the extra time that TOMS teachers put in during conferences, we are planning a potluck for Tuesday, October 18th.  Please consider bringing an appetizer, salad or dessert to make the staff's night a little easier.

Please click on the SignUp Genius link http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4da8af2fa2f58-october

Date: 10/18/2016 (Tue.)

Time: 2:00pm - 7:00pm CDT

Location: Twin Oaks Middle School

TOMS LAKERS OF THE WEEK!

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of October 10th!

6^th Grade:

James Lucht

Jason Schoenbauer

Brandon Zerwas

7^th Grade:

Sam Jansen

Cade Maas

Nevaeh McKee

8^th Grade:

Nathan Castaneda

Lauren Klaphake

Gabby Sabin

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.

No School

Wednesday, October 19th - Monday, October 24th 

1st Quarter Conferences

Thursday, Oct. 13th & Tuesday, Oct. 18th 4:00-7:00 pm

Conferences will be held in the lower level of the building. Sixth grade teachers will be in the cafeteria, while the seventh and eighth grade teachers will the available in Jerabek Hall.

Special Education Teachers, as well as our Guidance Staff, will be in the upper level of the building during conferences.

We look forward to meeting with you during parent-teacher conferences.

2016-17 Yearbook's On Sale

It's yearbook time! This year's edition is just $35.00, and ordering is easy.  Order online at www.smart-pay.com, or mail in your order with your payment. Order by 11/25/16 to guarantee your copy when our yearbooks are delivered in the Spring.

Note: Please remember to select Primetime Teacher's Name for your student when ordering.  All yearbooks include name stamping on the front cover. Orders placed after Dec. 1st will be sold for $40.00.

TOMS LAKERS OF THE WEEK

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of October 3rd!

6^th Grade:

Alex Carlson

Julia Olson

Joann Nguyen

7^th Grade:

Ariana Willlingham

Joe Scapple

Ben Wales

8^th Grade:

Carson Brandt

Nia Cartwright

Connor Hussong

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.

Lifetouch Fall Picture Retake Day

Friday, October 14th 

http://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/pictureDayId/MI296218Y1 

Students having their picture retaken should bring their unwanted picture package with them to School.

Free Wrestling Club

The Prior Lake Wrestling Club will be holding its 4^th annual FREE wrestling camp for students grades PreK-9^th.  If you have never wrestled before this is a great opportunity to give it a try.  Camp dates are October 25^th and 27^th.  See the attached flyer for more details and hope to see you there.  For more information on the camp and on Prior Lake Wrestling visit our website at www.priorlakewrestlingclub.org

First Day of Nature Based Preschoolers

Our first joint outing with Amanda Sterna’s nature based preschoolers and Jennifer Clemmerson’s science class.  Students were studying the differences between Goldenrod (hardly ever causes allergies) and Ragweed (causes allergies).  It was a great beginning of new friendships!

SPAN is the Synergy/SAGE Parent Action Network.

We are also known as the Prior Lake-Savage Chapter of the MN Council for the Gifted and Talented.  Our mission is to support and advocate for academically advanced students, their parents, and their educators.  Our first meeting will take place on Thursday October 6 at 7pm in the WestWood Media Center, featuring Anne Tyler speaking on practical tips for parents with gifted children who may be experiencing executive function issues.   Our 6^th annual Synergy Family night will take place on Mon. Oct. 10 at 6:30pm at PLHS.  If you have questions or would like to be placed on our email list, please email Apryl at span.priorlake@gmail.com. See all of our meeting dates on our website www.mcgt.net/priorlake .

TOMS LAKERS of the Week

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of September 26th!

6th Grade:
Lilly Bowman

Alina Mounesamlouath

Bentley Seidel

7^th Grade:

Maria Flick

Aiden Goff

Emma Kloeckner

8^th Grade:

Emma Bingenheimer

Annika Hanson

Sammi Langevon

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.

Homecoming Spirit Week, Sept. 26th-30th

Get ready to show your Twin Oaks Team Spirit starting September 26th!
Monday: Out of bed and go
Tuesday: Super Hero Day
Wednesday: Color out for Pep Fest 
                     6th Grade: Blue
                     7th Grade: White
                     8th Grade: Gold 
Thursday: Old School/Retro (70's, 80's, 90's)
Friday: Laker Pride

WE DAY: September 20th at the Excel Energy Center

Empowering Young People to Change the World

WE Day is a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities. WE is the yearlong program that nurtures compassion in young people and gives them the tools to create social change.

TOMS LAKERS OF THE WEEK!

Congratulations LAKER Pride Ticket Winners for the week of September 12th!

6^th Grade:

Micah Anderson

Abby Goglin

Rylan Mathison

7^th Grade:

Marika Carlson

Austin Evenstad

Jager Leverson

8^th Grade:

Kathryn Abney

Nick Davis

Louis Peters

LAKERS ARE:

Learners who are Accountable for their behaviors; Kind to all; put Effort into their work; have Respect for self and others; and are Safe at all times.