STAFF OF THE WEEK: Dave Johnson. There are so many things that Mr. Johnson does for LHMS Staff and students, from his dedication in the classroom to his willingness to step in on any project. Most recently, Mr. Johnson chaperoned the bus ride and game for a group of student fans at the the boys basketball tournament. He willingly stepped in to provide this very cool opportunity for LHMS students to support their team. Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for everything you do to make LHMS a better place!
Lake Hazel is proud to announce our very own Laura Minogue was named West Ada's Middle School Counselor Of The Year. Congratulations on this well deserved award! Our school would not be the same if we didn't have you helping our students.
STAFF OF THE WEEK: James Presnell. Mr. Presnell's understanding and commitment to his students’ success doesn't go unnoticed. He has a unique way of breaking down complex concepts and making them accessible to all students, and he is a master at modified tests, Thank you, Mr. Presnell, for making such a positive impact in the lives of your students and for always going above and beyond!
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Karen Stahlecker. Mrs. Stahlecker is a key member of the technology problem-solving trio that assists teachers and students alike each day! In addition, Mrs. Stahlecker comes up with really fun and cool things for the kids to do at lunches. This includes her love for puzzles, which makes the library an exciting place where students can stretch their minds and have fun while doing it. LHMS is a better place because of Mrs. Stahlecker!
This week we came together to celebrate. Out of all of the great staff at Lake Hazel Middle School, we chose two to represent us. Congratulations to our Certified Employee Of The Year, Cesar Dominguez, and Classified Employee Of The Year, Jessy Mendez. Both of you make our staff stronger.
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Tami Stenkamp. Thank you, Ms. Stenkamp, for all the hard work you do and all the positivity you bring to our school. I personally know how important the role of a paraprofessional is and the incredible love and patience you bring to the role is extremely inspiring to me. I'm so thankful you're part of the LHMS Staff family.
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Caitlin Gibson. I wanted to tell you, Ms. Gibson, how much you are rocking your new role. I'm extremely pleased and impressed with how much responsibility you've taken on and as always, appreciate your sense of humor as we work through difficult days and situations. We are all very happy that you've decided to step up to a challenge, and I realize that having to come into a new class once the year has already started is not easy at all. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to LHMS students.
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Ms. Jessy Mendez. We feel so lucky to work with you! You are such a hard worker, kind, funny, and always make our days better. We appreciate how much you do for our school and our students, and we are very glad that you're part of Lake Hazel!
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Natalie Wardian. Ms. Wardian shows kindness and understanding to her students every day. She is patient, but also holds her kids to high expectations, which they are able to meet through her guidance. Ms. Wardian always has a smile on her face, even on the most challenging days. She is a credit to Lake Hazel!
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Chris Schmidt. Nurse Schmidt is so invested in our students- she goes to classes and supports our students with medical needs - so they can miss minimal class time! Nurse Schmidt also steps in many times to help staff stay as healthy as possible! We are lucky to have her at LHMS!
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Tanya Rudolph. Mrs. Rudolph deserves a shout-out for all of the things she does to support staff and students at LHMS. She is flexible, patient, dependable, and collaborative. LHMS is a better place because of Mrs. Rudolph!
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Mrs. van Santen. Working with Mrs. van Santen on various projects around the school every year is always enjoyable as she is so kind and helpful! She goes above and beyond every time she plans an event and she is truly the mastermind behind this year's Reality Town success. She is a valued resource and open door to stop and talk to that we appreciate and look forward to working with every day. We are so very lucky to have a counselor like Mrs. van Santen here at LHMS!
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Ms. McEgan. A huge shout-out to Ms. McEgan for taking on the new Publication class this year! Her commitment to teaching students how to be professional writers and make the most of the tools at their disposal is truly inspiring. Thank you for leading by example and empowering our students! You are also appreciated for your smile and kind heart. It is clear you care deeply about our students--while also doing your best to keep a sense of humor amid the tough days.
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Heidi Egbert. I'd like to give a huge shout-out to Mrs. Egbert for her dedication and hard work. Her organizational skills are truly impressive, making everything run smoothly and efficiently. She always knows exactly what needs to be done, and her ability to keep everything on track is valued. Beyond her professionalism, Mrs. Egbert's kindness and positive attitude make her a joy to work with.
Farah, an 8th grader at LHMS, has been selected as the winner of the 1st Annual Holiday Card Contest held by the Ada Country Sheriff's Office. Farah's artwork was selected from entries submitted by students from across Ada County, and the holiday card will be shared with people around the state of Idaho. Congratulations to Farah!
Lake Hazel Middle School and the West Ada School District are partnering with local companies to help with the Toys for Tots Toy Drive this Christmas season. We will have a Toys for Tots collection box at the entrance to our main gym for this Wednesday’s Girls Basketball game as well as this Thursday’s Wrestling meet. If you are interested, please bring a new, unwrapped gift to donate to this cause. You can help out our community and watch your athlete complete.
We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the community’s support as we transition into our newly remodeled spaces. Teachers have begun moving into their updated classrooms, and our students are excited about the fresh learning environments.
Thank you for being such an integral part of our school community.
STAFF OF THE WEEK: Amee Emslie. It isn't a surprise that Mrs. Emslie is the child whisperer, but I am continually in awe of her ability to build relationships with students and to help them de-escalate on hard days. She is always there as a support to students, but she is also an invaluable support to teachers who work with her students.
On Tuesday, November 19th, LHMS had the honor of the Army National Guard landing a Lakota helicopter on our football field. Our students were able to get an up-close look and ask the crew questions. Lake Hazel Middle School would like to thank the Lakota crew and all service men and women, past and present, for their service.
7th grade World Civ was able to experience an Industrial Revolution factory, complete with assembly line. While most students are working in the Airplane Factory, some got to be cottage industry workers and be creative with their designs!
