**Custodian Appreciation**
"Behind every clean and safe school is a great custodian!"
Thank you to our custodians for keeping our school clean and safe for staff and students. Each custodian's hard work does not go unnoticed. We appreciate our amazing custodial team!
"Behind every clean and safe school is a great custodian!"
Thank you to our custodians for keeping our school clean and safe for staff and students. Each custodian's hard work does not go unnoticed. We appreciate our amazing custodial team!

Today the kindergarteners were able to witness a real live tortoise and the hare race....kind of. They watched Peaches the bunny rabbit race Speedy the painted turtle after finishing their reading series. You'll have to ask one of our kinders next time you see them which one won!









Please join us Monday evening for an informational session beginning at 5:30 pm. The evening will begin at 5:30 pm with a school board candidate forum, followed by a referendum question and answer session beginning at 6:45. This will be held in the Secondary Cafetorium.

LCWM Levy Facts | Fact #3: Why Does Enrollment Matter?
Did you know that much of a school district's funding is based on student enrollment?
This year, LCWM graduated a senior class of 76 students while welcoming a kindergarten class of 64 students.
That difference means our district is projected to receive approximately $120,000 less in state funding.
The challenge is that many of our costs—transportation, utilities, staffing, and maintaining our buildings—don't decrease at the same rate that enrollment does.
As enrollment changes and costs continue to rise, districts must continue finding ways to balance their budgets while providing a quality education for every student.
Did you know that much of a school district's funding is based on student enrollment?
This year, LCWM graduated a senior class of 76 students while welcoming a kindergarten class of 64 students.
That difference means our district is projected to receive approximately $120,000 less in state funding.
The challenge is that many of our costs—transportation, utilities, staffing, and maintaining our buildings—don't decrease at the same rate that enrollment does.
As enrollment changes and costs continue to rise, districts must continue finding ways to balance their budgets while providing a quality education for every student.

Congrats to this week's Noble Knights! We are proud of you all for making the best choices each day!

**Walk & Roll to School Day**
LCWM Elementary will participate in Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 7th. Students and Staff will meet at the Lake Crystal Recreation Center and will walk in smaller groups to the elementary school.
LCWM Elementary will participate in Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 7th. Students and Staff will meet at the Lake Crystal Recreation Center and will walk in smaller groups to the elementary school.

** Donuts with Dad **
LCWM Elementary PTO will be hosting Donuts with Dad on Friday, October 2nd. Dads, Uncles, Grandpas, or any special person are welcome to join students for breakfast prior to school starting!
LCWM Elementary PTO will be hosting Donuts with Dad on Friday, October 2nd. Dads, Uncles, Grandpas, or any special person are welcome to join students for breakfast prior to school starting!

LCWM Levy Facts | Fact #2: What Is an Operating Levy?
An operating levy is different from a building referendum.
An operating levy provides funding for the day-to-day operation of our schools. These dollars help support:
Classroom instruction
Teachers and staff
Transportation
Technology
Student programs and activities
Daily operations
These funds are not used to build new schools or complete major construction projects.
The operating levy on this November's ballot is designed to help maintain the educational opportunities our students receive every day.
An operating levy is different from a building referendum.
An operating levy provides funding for the day-to-day operation of our schools. These dollars help support:
Classroom instruction
Teachers and staff
Transportation
Technology
Student programs and activities
Daily operations
These funds are not used to build new schools or complete major construction projects.
The operating levy on this November's ballot is designed to help maintain the educational opportunities our students receive every day.

LCWM Elementary PTO’s annual Donuts with Dad event is just around the corner! Join us on Friday, October 2nd, on the front lawn of LCWM Elementary for a fun morning with some of the special people in our students’ lives.
Dads, uncles, grandpas, and any other special people are all invited to join us! We can’t wait to enjoy some donuts, smiles, and time together!
Dads, uncles, grandpas, and any other special people are all invited to join us! We can’t wait to enjoy some donuts, smiles, and time together!

This morning was Football Friday! The students enjoy breakfast with these amazing football players. They even walk around the school greeting students throughout the hallways. Fun memories for our young students!
Good luck to our Knights tonight!
Good luck to our Knights tonight!

One of the most common questions we've heard: "Why is the district asking for an operating levy?"
The answer begins with the work we've already done. Over the past two years, LCWM has reduced more than $600,000 from its budget through staffing changes, restructuring positions, and reducing expenditures. These were difficult decisions, but they reflected our commitment to being responsible with taxpayer dollars.
Even after those reductions, our district continues to face increasing costs, changes in state funding, and declining enrollment.
The proposed operating levy is intended to help maintain the educational opportunities our students have today while reducing the need for additional budget reductions in the future.
Over the coming weeks, we'll continue sharing factual information to help our community make an informed decision this November.
The answer begins with the work we've already done. Over the past two years, LCWM has reduced more than $600,000 from its budget through staffing changes, restructuring positions, and reducing expenditures. These were difficult decisions, but they reflected our commitment to being responsible with taxpayer dollars.
Even after those reductions, our district continues to face increasing costs, changes in state funding, and declining enrollment.
The proposed operating levy is intended to help maintain the educational opportunities our students have today while reducing the need for additional budget reductions in the future.
Over the coming weeks, we'll continue sharing factual information to help our community make an informed decision this November.

Congrats to our first group of Noble Knight winners! This great group of students have been great leaders in safety, respect, and responsibility! Keep it up!

LCWM Elementary has received a $1,000.00 grant from the Mankato Clinic
Foundation to be used for PBIS programs, which include Noble Knights, Turkey BINGO, Sportsmanship Awards, Fun Day, and many more!
We are proud to receive this grant and even prouder to serve our school community.
Thank you Mankato Clinic Foundation!
Foundation to be used for PBIS programs, which include Noble Knights, Turkey BINGO, Sportsmanship Awards, Fun Day, and many more!
We are proud to receive this grant and even prouder to serve our school community.
Thank you Mankato Clinic Foundation!

Homecoming will be here soon! Here are LCWM Elementary's dress-up days.

This is just a reminder of the two hour late start on Monday! Enjoy your weekend!

We love our Football Fridays! The students look forward to mornings with the varsity football players each week. Good luck tonight Knights!

The LCWM School Board will host a School Board Candidate Forum and Meet & Greet on Monday, October 5, from 5:30–6:30 p.m.
You’ll hear from board candidates Ryan Jones, Mike Maurer, Kari Paul, Josh Sargent, Shanna Roloff, Tiffany Smith, and Dina Voit.
Following the meet & greet, the board will host a public forum regarding the upcoming operating levy referendum from 6:45–7:30 p.m. Board members will be available to answer questions from the community.
You’ll hear from board candidates Ryan Jones, Mike Maurer, Kari Paul, Josh Sargent, Shanna Roloff, Tiffany Smith, and Dina Voit.
Following the meet & greet, the board will host a public forum regarding the upcoming operating levy referendum from 6:45–7:30 p.m. Board members will be available to answer questions from the community.

A heartfelt thank you to First Presbyterian Baptist Church, Pioneer Bank, and several other generous community members for their donations of school supplies!
Your kindness and support help ensure our students have the supplies they need for a successful school year. We are so grateful for our wonderful community and the many ways you support LCWM Elementary!
Your kindness and support help ensure our students have the supplies they need for a successful school year. We are so grateful for our wonderful community and the many ways you support LCWM Elementary!

LCWM District with Feeding Our Communities Partners engages our community to help solve youth hunger. FOCP discreetly provides snacks and meals for students in grades K-8. Each food pack consists of breakfast, lunch, and snack for each day out of school. Packs are received weekly.
If you are interested in this service, please complete the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1y0mUtY6EpH-cu5oK9_s91EN-BMatY2BW9Tqipyb_fZY/viewform?edit_requested=true
🏈 Football Fridays are back! 🏈
Our students loved being greeted by the LCWM High School football players this morning! The players also joined our students for breakfast, making for a fun start to the day.
We’re excited to continue this great Football Friday tradition! Go Knights! 💙
Our students loved being greeted by the LCWM High School football players this morning! The players also joined our students for breakfast, making for a fun start to the day.
We’re excited to continue this great Football Friday tradition! Go Knights! 💙

