Dr. Lisa Chen, Principal, Louisa County Middle School, Mineral, VA

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Principal's Update for July 29, 2014

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
My staff and I are counting down the days until we see you and your children. I am so excited and proud to be the principal of Louisa County Middle School! After more than 10 years in MA, it is nice to come back home to my family, friends, and you.

Recently, you received a first mailing with a welcome letter and important information. In the second mailing that will be mailed to you on Friday, August 1, you will find your child’s schedule, your child’s Standard Of Learning (SOL) report, information about the parent portal on PowerSchool, and a reminder about busing and transportation.

As always, please feel free to contact me at chenlc@lcps.k12.va.us if you have questions, concerns, or any feedback that you would like to share.

The following are some important updates and announcements.

Announcements

Welcome Letter and Opening Day Information for Students
Please see the attachments, “Welcome Letter” and “Important Information” to see what was mailed home to you.

PowerSchool Parent Portal Closed
The parent portal for PowerSchool has been closed temporarily as my assistant principals and guidance counselors are reviewing student schedules. The portal will be turned back on Tuesday, August 5 after 7:00 p.m. By then, you should have received information on your child’s schedule in the second mailing. You will also have the opportunity to see your child’s schedule on PowerSchool using the parent portal access. In case you have forgotten your username and password, that information will be mailed to you in the second mailing, which will be mailed on Friday, August 1.

Important Upcoming Dates
Monday, August 4: Cross Country Practice and Tryouts

Friday, August 8: Open House for Grades 6, 7, and 8 @ LCMS from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Monday, August 11: Football tryouts for Grades 6 and 7 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 12: Football tryouts for Grade 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 13: First Day of School, doors open at 7:40 a.m., school dismisses at 3:09 p.m.

Wednesday, August 13 and Thursday, August 14: Football tryouts for ALL GRADES from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday, August 15: Football invites and cut letters at LCMS Main Office at 3:09 p.m.

Friday, August 15: Student forms need to be completed and turned into students’ fourth
period teachers. Forms include Student Profile, Code of Conduct, Clinic Card, and Blue
Pick-up Card.

Wednesday, August 27: PTA Meeting @ Roma Italian Restaurant from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Friday, August 29: Dance and football game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Monday, September 1: Labor Day Holiday. School is closed.

Friday, September 12: Interim report cards for First Nine Weeks go home with student.

Friday, September 19: Dance and football game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 24: Student picture day

Friday, October 10: First nine weeks end

Friday, October 17: Report cards for First Nine Weeks go home with student

Tuesday, October 21: Parent/Teacher Conference @ LCMS from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00p.m. by appointment/ 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. walk-in’s.

Friday, October 31: Dance and football game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Thank you for taking the time to read these updates. As I will say to my students each day, “This is important. You belong here. Effort makes a difference.”

With warm regards,
Lisa C. Chen

Friday, July 18, 2014

Principal's Update for July 17, 2014

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
I hope that you and your children have been enjoying the summer. It is hard to believe that soon teachers will be returning and our students will be in school. I can hardly wait! In the meantime, I have been busy with hiring, meeting folks, getting acclimated to Louisa, and learning more about your wonderful community! I am living in Louisa and loving every moment of it. As always, please feel free to contact me at chenlc@lcps.k12.va.us if you have questions, concerns, or any feedback that you would like to share.
I look forward to partnering with you and making LCMS the best experience for your child!
The following are some important updates and announcements.

Announcements
Open House – Friday, August 8
Open House for LCMS has been set for Friday, August 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for you and your child to meet with your teachers and to walk around LCMS.

Opening Day Information for Students – Week of July 28
Information about Opening Day for students and student schedules will be mailed to you during the week of July 28. If you have moved, please make sure you to stop by LCMS with your proof of your new address so that future mailings and bus routes can be updated.

Grade 6 Students Need Tdap Vaccination – State Requirement
Since the start of the 2006-2007 school year, a booster dose of pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap) has been required for students entering the sixth grade, unless the student has had a tetanus-containing vaccine within the last five years, or has a medical or religious exemption. There is no grace period for compliance with this state mandate because Tdap is a single dose vaccine, not a series. Please remember to review your child’s shot record. The shot may be listed as “T,” “Td,” “Dtap,” and/or “Tdap.” If his or her last shot was given more than five years ago, your child will need to receive the Tdap booster. Call your doctor or local health department if you have questions.

Shots may be obtained from your doctor, military clinics, or the health department. The Louisa Health Department will provide shots by appointments only on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call 540-967-3703 to schedule. Please bring or send documentation of the shot to Louisa County Middle School. Shot records may also be faxed to the middle school at 540-894-5096. Documentation should have student’s full legal name and date of birth.

If your child is only 10 years old, he or she will be allowed to start middle school if your doctor writes a note that he/she will not administer the Tdap booster until your child reaches the age of 11 years old. Your child must receive the Tdap booster once he/she turn 11 years old to enter school. You must bring documentation of your child receiving the shot to Louisa County Middle School. Without documentation, state law mandates that your child will not be allowed back to school until he or she receives the shot. This is not meant to punish your child rather to keep all children safe.

Grade 6 Locker Practice
Grade 6 students may practice opening up their lockers on Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Annie Floyd, the guidance counselor, will be available to assist your child on those days. If you have questions, please contact Annie Floyd at floydam@lcms.k12.va.us

Parent Bobcat Council
The Parent Bobcat Council is a parent advisory board that meets once a month for about one hour in the evening to provide the principal with feedback and suggestions regarding LCMS. Presently, we are looking for two Grade 6 parent representatives and two Grade 7 representatives. If you are interested in this voluntary position, please email Barbie Banning at banninbd@lcms.k12.va.us as soon as possible.

LCMS Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The LCMS PTA will be meeting at ROMA on Wednesday, August 27 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to meet the Co-Presidents and other members. We hope that you will join us. The PTA is a great way to become involved with the school. The PTA is responsible for fundraising and bringing programs to our school. To learn more about the PTA, please see http://www.orgsites.com/va/lcmspta/index.html We are grateful to the PTA who purchased our student handbooks for all students. I look forward to seeing you at ROMA!

Removal of Principal Update
If you do no longer wish to receive the Principal Update, please reply and type “REMOVE” or contact Barbie Banning at banninbd@lcms.k12.va.us
Thank you for taking the time to read these updates. As I will say to my students each day, “This is important. You belong here. Effort makes a difference.”

With warm regards,

Lisa C. Chen