LEO Club Supports Connections Program

The Leo Club at La Grange Middle School donated $300 toward the school’s LMS Connections program at their meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 14. LMS Connections is a 12-minute break period that takes place every afternoon at the Middle School, between the fifth and six period classes. During this time, kids can eat a snack and engage in games and other activities with their teacher and classmates that support their social and emotional needs. The time is free of cell phones, grades and schoolwork, giving everyone an opportunity to make connections and build community.

“We have a kid who might have a rough day, and this is a great time for a teacher to connect with them,” said La Grange Middle School Principal Sarah Otto. Otto said teachers use the time to facilitate activities such as icebreaker discussions or games of spike ball. She said some students going through a bad day might just rest for 12 minutes.

“It’s actually part of our safety process,” Otto said. “It’s a time for teachers to really notice what their kids are doing. We do the lockdown drills, we have officers on campus, we check our locks, and we do all of those physical safety things. This is addressing the emotional safety of our students.”

The Leo Club donation will be used to purchase snacks and games for LMS Connections.

“There’s nothing more important than relationships and connections,” Otto said. “Kids are more willing to come here and be successful and be happy if they feel connected. That’s the goal.”