Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
It is hard to believe that in two more days, my staff and I will see your children. I am so excited! Much has happened since I last wrote to you. I visited my first ever Agricultural Fair and Stuff the School Bus. At the county fair, I felt very much like a tourist as I took several pictures of pigs, cows, sheep, goat, chickens, and lawn mowers. I did not know that pigs could be so large, and cows could have such a healthy sheen. At the Stuff the School Bus event, I worked with students, community members, staff, and Louisa Education Foundation members to provide our students with school supplies. I had my first ever Open House on August 8, and I am happy to report that it went extremely well.
I continue to be amazed by the heart and love that define Louisa County. It is with heart, dedication, and drive that we will propel LCMS to its next level, and I look forward to working with you and your children throughout this school year.
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
Preston Bourne and Liam Ratcliff Represent LCMS at National Technology Student Association (TSA) Conference
After taking second place at our state competition, two of our Technology Student Association (TSA) members, Preston Bourne and Liam Ratcliff, represented LCMS at the National TSA Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Both Preston Bourne and Liam Ratcliff competed in several events: Problem Solving, Flight, co2 Dragster, Structural Design, and Tech Bowl. The five day event included students from across the country and Germany. Richard Dye, our TSA Advisor and Technology teacher, judged a high school event while in attendance. Congratulations to Liam Ratcliff for receiving a certificate and pin for attending the leadership workshop. Indeed, effort makes a difference, and we are all proud of you! For more information about the National TSA Conference, please see http://www.tsaweb.org/2014-national-conference
Jessica Madison, Zakayla Seay, and Tatianna Smith Represent LCMS
This summer, more than 7,000 Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members, advisers, alumni, and guests from across the country gathered in San Antonio, Texas for the 2014 National Leadership Conference. The conference was based on the student-originated theme “SOAR.” Jessica Madison, Zakayla Seay, and Tatianna Smith, Grade 8 students at LCMS, were among the members that took part in Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) Event Competitions at this conference. The students were accompanied on the trip by Gracie Quarles, FCCLA Advisor Alumni & Associate member, and volunteer room consultant, Dana Quarles. Renata Alexander, Cierra Seay, and Lolita Smith also attended this event and served as chaperones and event evaluators.
· Jessica Madison presented her FCCLA chapter’s community service project, “Backpack Blessings,” using the Chapter Service Project Display, Jr. event. Her project displayed pictures with captions of LCMS FCCLA chapter members conducting school contests and incentives to raise over $500 for the program and packing backpacks at the Backpack Blessings warehouse site sponsored by the New Life Community Church. She received a Silver Medal in this event.
· Zakayla Seay competed in the Teach and Train, Jr. event and earned a Silver Medal. For her event, she planned a My Plate lesson, taught it to two Family and Consumer Sciences classes, conducted research, and organized the information in a portfolio.
· Tatianna Smith competed in the Career Investigation, Jr. event and received a Gold Medal. Her project focused on interviewing a pediatrician and researching this career in order to develop a portfolio.
We are very proud of our students, and a big thanks to our students and their parents as well as to Gracie Quarles (the Department Head of Family and Consumer Sciences) for your vision!
Congratulations to Richard Dye for 2014 Program of the Year
On Wednesday, August 6, Richard Dye was presented with the 2014 Program of the Year Award for its Middle School Technology Education Program. In addition to receiving Virginia’s top Middle School Technology Education Program Award, Richard Dye will receive the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) “Program Excellence Award” during the ITEEA’s 77th Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 2015. We are proud of Richard Dye’s accomplishments and how his instruction has helped to provide our students with a robust program in design, engineering, and technology. Congratulations to Richard Dye!
First Few Days of School – Wednesday, August 13; Thursday, August 14; and Friday, August 15
Starting on Wednesday, August 13 (which is the first day of school), the front doors at LCMS will open at 7:40 a.m. Our goal for Opening Day is to help all students feel welcomed and valued. On Thursday, August 14 and Friday, August 15, students will continue to have the opportunity and time to learn about the procedures and protocols of LCMS and to develop relationships with their peers and staff.
During the first few days of school, students’ fourth period teachers will review student schedules, provide locker assignments, and discuss school policies and procedures. Therefore, on Wednesday, August 13; Thursday, August 14; and Friday, August 15, students will return to their fourth period classes for their last class.
Students will also bring home important forms, such as the student handbook, course syllabi, and PTA handouts. You will receive your child’s syllabus from each class by the end of the first full week of school, which is the week of August 18. Please be sure to ask your child about their syllabi. We would also appreciate your discussion of the student handbook with your child and your active support of our mission and policies. Thank you for your assistance!
2014 Bell Schedule
Please click here, “Bell Schedules 2014,” for more information about the times for Period 1, Period 2, and such.
Schedule Changes – LCMS Override Form
Any schedule changes will be presented to those students on the first day of school. If any additional changes need to occur after the first day of school, the appropriate grade level guidance counselor will inform the parent and meet with your child regarding those changes. Please note that if your request for an override was approved, this could possible mean an entirely new schedule for your child as there are only so many sections of a particular class within that time period. For more information regarding the LCMS Override Form, please follow this link, “LCMS Override Form 2014.”
Drills to Occur with First Four Weeks of School
A reminder that a series of drills to ensure your child’s safety will occur during the first four weeks of school. Guidance counselors and special education staff working with our more anxious students will notify our students in advance about these drills and check up on them.
Student Schedule for First Three Weeks of School
To ensure that your child has the opportunity to develop relationships with new peers and staff, the schedule has been adjusted for the following days:
On August 13 (A), August 14 (B), and August 15 (A), all students will return to their fourth period classes for the last period of the day.
On August 18 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1 (This is a “B” day for electives. Students go to Period 1, Period 2, Period 3, Period 4, Period 5, and then for the last period of the day, students return back to their Period 1 class.)
On August 19 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On August 20 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On August 21 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On August 22 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
On August 25 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On August 26 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On August 27 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On August 28 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On August 29 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
On September 2, Ace block rotation begins.
The aforementioned schedules from Wednesday, August 13 to Friday, August 29 were designed to provide teachers with more classroom instruction as this week will be interrupted by drills, and students will be involved with pre-tests.
Pre-tests Dates
On Monday, August 18, all students will be given pre-tests in their Math and Social Studies classes. On Tuesday, August 19, all students will be given pre-tests in their English and Science classes. The purpose of these tests is to provide teachers with more detailed information on what students already know and what skills and areas of focus your child needs.
Student Morning Announcers for LCMS
If your child is interested in helping the principal make Morning Announcements at 8:00 a.m. each day, please ask your child to tell their fourth period teacher. Auditions will be held, and I look forward to your child’s assistance in making these important announcements on behalf of LCMS.
MathCounts
This year, we will be offering MathCounts again, which is ideal for Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8 students who have a talent and passion for math and who enjoy a challenge! General club members will collaborate with their peers using challenging scenarios. Students should expect to see and learn content they are not yet familiar with and must be willing to take on the added responsibility of working on material that is outside of their regular grade-level math curriculum. For those students who choose to compete, club members will have the opportunity to complete against other students at the local, regional, and possibly state or national level. The MathCounts Club will meet every Club Friday (approximately once per month) during school hours (ACE block). Attendance is not mandatory. For students who join (or think they may want to join) the competition series, meetings will take place weekly on Wednesday afternoons from 3:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Attendance is mandatory for those who wish to compete, and students will need to have transportation at the school by 5:45 p.m. or may ride the activity bus home. The school/local chapter competitions will take place in December 2014 and/or January 2015. The regional competition has taken place on a Saturday during February in years past. Specific dates for these competitions will be announced. For more information, please contact Kristina Dragland at draglakl@lcps.k12.va.us
Articles for Parents/Guardians
Please view these links, “Working Together School Success 2014” and “Food and Fitness2012,” for helpful hints for helping your child with homework as well as for information on nutrition and fitness for your child.
Important Upcoming Dates
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
