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

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Principal's Update for Sept. 17, 2014

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
 
Today, we celebrate Constitution Day, and I had the opportunity to spend some time with some of our Grade 8 students as they travelled to  Montpelier, home of former President James Madison, in Orange. Tomorrow, another group of Grade 8 students will view Montpelier to learn more about James Madison and the Constitution. In class, Grade 8 students have been learning about the Constitution, the Preamble, the Bill of Rights, how a bill becomes a law, and the three branches of government.
 
I was impressed not only with how our students behaved but also by the number of inquisitive questions that they had asked their tour guides. I would like to take this time to thank our Grade 8 staff, in particular, our Grade 8 Social Studies Teachers (Pamela Carpenter, Lewis Coleman, Maureen Everly, Tony Swain, and Lori Yancey) for spearheading this event for our students!
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
 
Thank you to Jason Bertsch and Ashley Burley – Morning Announcers
On behalf of LCMS, we would like to thank Jason Bertsch and Ashley Burley for their help each morning with announcements. Both Jason and Ashley did an awesome job of providing all of us with important news and upcoming events. Next week, we look forward to having Aleigha Chandler, Harrison Childs, and Andrew Clark as our morning announcers.
 
LCMS Newsletter – Outstanding Job
Trevor Gallo (Computer Teacher) and his students have done an outstanding job on the LCMS Newsletter. Congratulations to Zaria Christmas-Jackson, Jack McDonald, Isaiah Nichols, Remington Muehlhauser, and Jason Williams for editing, publishing, and writing their first edition of this school year. We are so proud of you! Please follow this link to read the, “LCMS September Newsletter.”
 
LCMS Game and Dance – Friday, September 19
If your child is interested in participating in the game and dance on Friday, September 19, please return this form, “Game and Dance September 19,” by Thursday, September 18 no later than 1:15 p.m. to the Main Office.
 
Science Circus – Friday, October 10
On Friday, October 10, all Grade 6 students will see a science show at the Louisa County Arts Center. Presently, Grade 6 students are learning how to write hypotheses, observations, and conclusions in their lab reports. This will be an exciting and culminating event for our Grade 6 students. More information will be forthcoming. For questions, please see Nick LeReche (Grade 6 Assistant Principal) at lerechnp@lcps.k12.va.us
 
Yearbook Sales – Order by Friday, October 17
This year, we are offering a pre-sale only on yearbook orders. If your child is interested in buying a yearbook, please order the yearbook as soon as possible in order to get it at a cheaper price of $33.00. This offer is only valid until Friday, October 17. Order forms can be picked up in the Main Office or outside of Trevor Gallo’s (Computer Teacher) Room 901. Parents can also order on line at www.jostensyearbook.com If you wish to order online, please list your fourth period teacher under Home Room. Personal checks should be made out to “LCMS Yearbook.” You can also pay in cash. Please give all monies and forms to Mr. Gallo or the Main Office.
 
Steps Against Bullying – Friday, October 17
On Friday, October 17, LCMS will be hosting “Steps Against Bullying Day” during last period. Students will walk around the LCHS track. More information will be forthcoming. Thanks to the co-leaders of the Safe, Orderly, and Caring Correlate of LCMS, Tom Black (Health and Physical Education Teacher) and Richard Dye (Technology Teacher), and to its members: Pamela Fischer (Health and Physical Education Teacher), Trevor Gallo (Computer Teacher), Katherine Harlowe (Grade 7 Special Education Teacher), Gary Hines (Health and Physical Education Teacher), Dan Leale (Grades 6 and 7 Math Teacher), Garth LoBello (Grade 7 Math Teacher), Jennifer Purcell (Grade 8 Guidance Counselor), Gracie Quarles (Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher), Alex Waleski (Grade 6 Science Teacher), and Sharon Wills (Chorus Teacher) for hosting such an event. Students will be walking to music, including songs from Justis Bratt, a LCHS student and famous recording singer, writer, and artist.
 
Justis Bratt Performs @ Louisa Art Center – Saturday, September 27
Justis Bratt, a former LCMS student, will be performing on Saturday, September 27 at the Louisa Arts Center for the kids’ rock concert, “Stop Bullying.” Tickets are only $7.00 for students, and the concert begins at 6:00 p.m. This should be an exciting event for all!
 
Academic Centered Enrichment (ACE) Block
This week, students with their teachers have been focused on brainstorming, writing main ideas, topic sentences, and conclusions in order to develop strong, effective paragraphs. Teachers will choose exemplar student paragraphs to display around the school. More detailed information on ACE Block and TAG Services will be provided on Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the LCMS Forum. We hope to see you there!
 
A Gathering of Connections  – Saturday, October 11
A Gathering of Connections is a resource fair where families who have a child with a disability can connect with people, and see activities for their child to participate outside of school. The event will occur on Saturday, October 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Carver Recreation Center at 233 4th Street NW, Charlottesville, Virginia. For more information please contact Heidi Hull at hullot@gmail.com or (434) 806-4759
 
Student Schedule for Monday, September 22 through Friday, September 26
On Monday, September 22 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 (This is a “A” 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 4 class.)
 
On September 22        (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On September 23        (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On September 24        (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On September 25        (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On September 26        (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
 
On Friday, if your child is not signed up for a club, then he or she will be reading for 30 minutes. Please make sure that your son or daughter brings a book to read that is grade and reading level appropriate on Friday, September 19 and Friday, September 26. Club Fridays will begin on Friday, September 19 and Friday, September 26. This year,students will have opportunities to be in two clubs. ELL Programming will start on Monday, September 15. TAG Services will begin on Wednesday, October 1; Thursday, October 2; and Friday, October 3.
 
Important Upcoming Dates  Added information and dates are marked in purple.
 
Friday, September 19: Club A for students. Other students not involved in clubs are reading independently with teachers for 30 minutes.
Friday, September 19: Dance and football game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 20: September Sizzler Wrestling Tournament @ LCMS Gymnasium
Saturday, September 20: Seminar on “Life After high School for People with ASD” at St. Anne’s-Belfield School from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 23: After School Help begins. After School Help is supervised time after school in which students can make up work that they have missed, make up time that they have missed from school, seek assistance from teachers, or work on assignments including using the computer. After School Help runs from 3:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and will be held on designated Tuesdays and Wednesdays, beginning Tuesday, September 23.
Tuesday, September 23: LCMS Parent Advisory Council meets with Dr. Chen at 6:00 p.m. in LCMS.
Tuesday, September 23: PTA hosts Dr. Chen information session on ACE Block and TAG Services at 7:00 p.m. in the LCMS Forum.
Wednesday, September 24: Student picture day
Friday, September 26: Club B and Reading Friday’s begin for students.
Friday, September 26: LCHS Football Game @ LCHS football fields at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 27 - Justis Bratt Performs @ Louisa Art Center at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 1: TAG Services begin this month.
Friday, October 10: Field trip for all Grade 6 students to Louisa Arts Center to see “Science Circus”
Friday, October 10: First nine weeks end.
Saturday, October 11: A Gathering of Connections Event from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. @ Carver Recreation Center
Thursday, October 16: Blue Ridge Governor’s School for Grade 8 students and parents with Ms. Jennifer Purcell @ LCMS Forum at 6:30 p.m. 
Friday, October 17 - Steps Against Bullying Walk @ LCHS track for all LCMS students at 2:30 p.m. Rain date is Friday, October 24
Friday, October 17: Report cards for First Nine Weeks go home with student.
Tuesday, October 21: Parent and Teacher Conference @ LCMS from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment / 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. walk-in’s.
Friday, October 26: Club B for students. Other students not involved in clubs are reading independently with teachers for 30 minutes.
Friday, October 31: Dance and football game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Monday, November 3: Staff Development Day No School for Students
Tuesday, November 4: Election Day Division Holiday No School for Students and Staff
Wednesday, November 5: Students are back in school. School doors open at 7:40 a.m. This is an “A” Day.
 
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