Culler Middle School is a professional learning community with a tradition of service, a culture of collaboration, and a commitment to student learning.

The Cougar Connection

December 2024

Letter from our Principal

Greetings Families,

As we approach the end of our first semester, I want to thank each of you for the support you have shown your students having a great first half of the year! 

We have celebrated Hispanic Heritage, Native American Heritage and Eastern European Heritage Months this year. We have awarded dozens of  students Value Awards or Students of the Month. 

Enjoy your upcoming time with your scholars as we head into break after December 20th!

In partnership,

Picture of Daniel Church
Daniel Church

Principal
dchurch@lps.org

Upcoming Dates

  • 12/5 Band Concert 6pm
  • 12/23 Winter Dance 4:30-6:00
  • 12/10 Annual Title Meeting for Parents 5:30pm Culler Library
  • 12/11-12 Map Testing
  • 12/11 Food Market 2:45-3:30pm
  • 12/12 Jazz Band and Orchestra Concert 6pm
  • 12/16 Choir Concert 6pm

Students of the Month

6th Grade Students of the Month

Allie Davidson, Maria Avila Hernandez, Malakai Thomas, Isaac Sheen

7th Grade Students of the Month

Ali Al Hussein – Baxter, Adan Flores Calleja – Pond, Yasmin Gomez-Mejia – Sorge, Naw Paw Htoo – Peffer

8th Grade Students of the Month

Lovely Say, McKenzie Spidell, Bol Deny Jok, AJ Mosier

EL

  • L1- Salha War (8)
  • L2- Irshad Ashraf (6)
  • L3- Noor Nawaz Afghan
  • Newcomer- Milton Miranda Ventura (7)

AVID For All

Warm Winter Wishes, AVID Family!

I hope you’re doing well! I’m reaching out to ask for your help in making sure your student gets the most out of their AVID binder this year.

Each student gets a binder at no cost to use for the entire school year. It’s a big part of how we help students stay organized and ready for every class. Students use their binders to keep notes, assignments, planners, tutorial materials, and writing tools all in one place. The goal is to build the habits and skills they’ll need to be successful now and in the future.

There are two areas where students sometimes struggle:

  • Bringing their binder to all classes.
  • Keeping the binder in good shape (broken rings, torn pockets, or even covers falling apart).


Replacing binders has been tricky for us because of the cost, so we’re hoping to work together to make sure the ones students already have can last all year.

Here’s How You Can Help

  • Check In on the Binder: Take a few minutes with your student to look through their binder every week. Help them tidy it up and make sure everything is in its place.
  • Remind Them to Bring It: A quick reminder to take their binder to every class can make a big difference.
  • Help Protect It: Encourage your student to handle the binder carefully, keep it in a safe spot in their bag, and avoid overstuffing it.


Your support at home really makes a difference! With your help, we can keep students organized and set up for success.

If you have any questions or want to talk about how to support your student, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to help.

Thanks so much for being part of the AVID family!

AVID (Achievement Via Individual Determination) is an educational program that is designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in college and beyond. This segment is meant for all Culler students and their families, not just those in the AVID Elective, so that every student can reap the benefits of successful habits and routines now, and in the future!

For more information, visit https://home.lps.org/curriculum/avid/ or reach out to our AVID Elective Instructor, Mx. Beatty via email (abeatty3@lps.org)

Mx. A. Beatty, AVID Instructor, abeatty3@lps.org

7th & 8th Grade Intramurals

Hello Cougar Nation!

During the month of December, our only season will be BOYS BASKETBALL!  There will be a meeting on Dec. 11th after school followed by a shootaround.  Practice will officially begin on Dec. 12th.  All 7th/8th grade boys may come out for basketball.  We look forward to seeing everyone and are excited for the season to come!  If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to me at the info below!

GO COUGARS!!

Jeff Williams
Culler A.D.
Health/P.E.
402-436-1210
jwillia6@lps.org

The Culler Library

Empower learners to be curious, critical, and creative thinkers; enthusiastic readers; skillful researchers; and conscientious digital citizens.

World Book

Do you remember the print edition of the World Book Encyclopedia that you may have used when you were in school? Your student still has access to this resource today – just in an online format. World Book is bigger and better than ever and has components that serve preschool through adults. Your student can access this from their LPS portal. Want to know what World Book version is best for your student?

  • World Book Early Learning for very young learners
  • World Book Kids for primary learners
  • World Book Student for upper elementary and middle school learners
  • World Book Advanced for high school through adult learners


Have your student go to these databases to see the resources and more!

Digital Citizenship Tips

Artificial Intelligence is here and it can impact our lives in several ways. Here are some questions to get the conversation about AI started at home:

  • What AI tools have you engaged with (Gemini, Alexa, Google, ChatGPT, SnapChat)?
  • How is AI helpful? What are the risks of using AI?
  • Conversations with AI can seem quite real. Can you trust AI to give helpful information and advice? How do you know you are chatting with a real person?
  • When is it appropriate and not appropriate to use AI?


Want ideas for supporting digital citizenship in your home? Follow your school, LPS Library Services, or #lpsdigcit on social media to get weekly tips. Or find the whole collection here: https://home.lps.org/libraries/digital-citizenship/

Library Staff

Mrs. Lisa Maupin

Mrs. Lisa Maupin

lmaupin@lps.org

Mrs. Ahmed

Mrs. Ahmed

lahmed@lps.org

ELL Information

Culler ELL Teachers

Ms. Deras

Ms. Deras

aderas@lps.org

Ms. Schlickbernd

Ms. Schlickbernd

nschlick@lps.org

Ms. Yeoh

Ms. Yeoh

syeoh@lps.org

Mr. Shanahan

Mr. Shanahan

sshanah@lps.org

Ms. Kari Stephens

Ms. Kari Stephens

kstephe3@lps.org

Ms. Iman Al-Saadi

Ms. Iman Al-Saadi

ialsaad@lps.org

Ms. Joanna Walton

Ms. Joanna Walton

jwalton@lps.org

Notification of Continuation of Services

In the next few weeks, families will receive a Notification of Continuation of Services. This document outlines the level your scholar is currently being served and the classes they are in. If you have any questions about this information, please reach out to Mrs. Bandy. 

Liaisons

Arabic

Arabic

Aqeel Fadhil
(402) 436-1715

Arabic

Arabic

Sudanese Dialect

Hager Mohamed
(402) 436-1958

Spanish

Spanish

Claudia Rains
(402) 436-1988

Kurdish

Kurdish

Khudhur Ali
(402) 436-1994

Karen

Karen

Kmwe Paw
(402) 436-1434

Vietnamese

Vietnamese

Toan Tran
(402) 436-1955

Pashto

Pashto

Amanullah Ahadi
(402) 436-1832

Russian/Ukrainian

Russian/Ukrainian

Olena Savchenko

Culler Counseling

The mission of Culler Middle School’s counseling program is to advocate for ALL students which is demonstrated through forming positive connections and cultivating a sense of community. As professional school counselors, we will provide a comprehensive, data driven, developmentally-appropriate program that supports each student’s academic, prosocial, and career development.

Health Guidance for Going to School

Showing up to school every day is critical for children’s well-being, engagement, and learning.

Make sure to send children to school if they are:

  • Generally healthy and well.
  • Participating in usual day-to-day activities.
  • Children can even go to school if they:
  • Have a mild cold, which may include a runny nose and/or cough.
  • Have eye drainage without fever, eye pain or eyelid redness.
  • Have a mild stomach ache.
  • Have a mild rash with no other symptoms.
  • Have head lice. Though they are annoying and should be treated, lice are not a reason to exclude a child from school.
  • Haven’t had a fever overnight and they have not taken fever-reducing medicine during that time.

8th Graders Are Getting Ready for High School!

Last week our 8th graders learned about the 9th grade transition process during their math class. Students and parents can access everything related to the high school transition process by using this link. The General Information page will be updated January 4th.

If you are planning on attending a LPS high school that is not your “home” high school, you will need to complete the high school choice form. The high school choice form must be submitted by January 31, 2025. You can check your “home” high school by using this website.

If you’re unsure what high school would be the best fit for your student, be sure to check out the Open House dates. Each high school is hosting a night in January for families to visit, ask questions and meet staff. Dates are listed here.

If you have any questions about the high school transition process, please contact Ms. Charles.

Consider Becoming a TeamMate!

Picture of Kylie Washburn
Kylie Washburn
Picture of Drue Marr
Drue Marr

7th Grade
dmarr@lps.org

Picture of Sarah Charles
Sarah Charles

8th Grade
scharles@lps.org

Picture of Cathy Davis
Cathy Davis

Attendance Counselor
cdavis4@lps.org

Picture of Kelly Grefe
Kelly Grefe

Registrar
kready@lps.org

Picture of Denise Klein
Denise Klein

Social Worker
dklein3@lps.org

Technology for Learning

Chromebook Use During Winter Break

LPS Chromebooks may be used for any type of learning activity during Winter Break. Keep in mind that Chromebook use is governed by a responsible use agreement (lps.org/go/rua) and that all websites are filtered by LPS. Be sure your student follows these best practices:

  • Charge the Chromebook every night to ensure enough life in the battery to support learning during the day and upon their return to school in January.
  • Restart the Chromebook occasionally to keep the Chromebook software up-to-date and avoid some of the most common problems experienced by students.
  • If leaving the house, carry the Chromebook in the LPS-provided protective bag.

Personal Computing Devices

This time of year often brings questions about whether students are allowed to bring/use personal computing devices at school. Where connecting to the LPS network and/or completing school work is concerned, the answer is “no.” There are a number of reasons for this, but you should be aware that the LPS Chromebook comes with limits on the web sites that can be visited and the applications that can be accessed. You can support teachers’ efforts in managing a consistent learning environment by encouraging your student to use the district issued Chromebook for all school work.

Health Office

Health Office Staff

Ann Pickrel RN

Ann Pickrel RN

Angelica Olivas

Angelica Olivas HT

ParentVue is a component of the LPS Student Information System that allows parents/guardians to:

  • Access class information
  • Obtain email addresses to message teachers
  • Monitor attendance & report all-day absences 24×7
  • View and print report cards
  • Secondary Only: Monitor grades & automatically receive notifications when a grade falls below a selected level

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