Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
Much learning is occurring at LCMS. I am really proud of my staff and students for their hard work and efforts! This week Grade 6 and Grade 7 students have been involved in benchmark testing to assess what they have learned while Grade 8 students will begin their benchmark testing on Monday, October 6. Data from these tests will be used by our teachers to understand what students have learned and areas of focus for future growths.
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 Chloe Dowell and Nathaniel Dwyer – Morning Announcers
On behalf of LCMS, we would like to thank Chloe Dowell and Nathaniel Dwyer for their assistance in our daily announcements. These students did an outstanding job of providing us with important information. Next week, we look forward to having Ethan Foster and Brandan Fowler as our guest speakers.
Congratulations to Rani Cooper and Dillon Nelson – Athletes of the Week
Rani Cooper and Dillon Nelson were recognized as LCMS Athletes of the Week. Congratulations to the both of them for their hard work and efforts. Both Rani and Dillon are outstanding role models for our school community!
Science Fair Projects
Students in Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8 Advanced Science classes have been working with their teachers on science fair projects. All students have been doing research during their science classes. Teachers have been working with students on researching and finalizing topics in computer labs.
Louisa County Major Garland Nuckols Meets with LCMS Administrative Team
Recently, Major Nuckols met with Principal Lisa Chen, Assistant Principal Robbie Garnes, English Department Head Katherine Duke, and Social Studies Department Head Nell Stover to begin planning for an exciting event for our Grade 7 students. As part of the LCMS Writing, Reading, and Math Initiative, Grade 7 students will be learning about the local government and the duties of the major in their social studies classes and will be composing essays for a statewide contest entitled, “If I Were Mayor,” both in ACE Blocks and English classes.
This indeed is very exciting for our Grade 7 students as they will have the opportunity to meet with Mayor Nuckols and to learn first-hand about his role in local politics and to ask him questions. After gathering information from Mayor Nuckols, students will use their writing skills to begin composing essays for a statewide contest held for all Virginia students enrolled in Grade 7. It is very always exciting when students can experience and apply what they have learned in school to everyday life experiences!
Contest rules include the following:
· Essays must be typed.
· Essays must be between 200 to 500 words.
· Essays must address the subject of what the student would do if they were elected mayor.
· Only one essay may be submitted per student.
· The purpose of the essay is to inform others what they would do as major to make their cities and towns a great place to live. This essay provides our students the opportunity to reflect on the important role of elected officials in their own city or town.
· Essays will be judged based on the following: originality; persuasiveness; understanding of city, town, and county services; and proper use of composition and written expression.
· Essays must be received at the Virginia Municipal League (VML) office by Monday, December 1. Winners will be notified in early January 2015.
· VML retains the right to publish essays along with the names of each student.
· Regional winners from around the state will be selected. Winners will receive $150.00 cash prize and plaque. One statewide winner will also be selected and will receive a $250.00 cash prize and plaque. The winners, along with their teachers, will be recognized at a special ceremony in Richmond.
We are most grateful to Major Nuckols for the time that he will be spending with our Grade 7 students. Presently, my administrative team and I are in the midst of finalizing this event. Be sure to ask your child about this event in the upcoming weeks!
Future Farmers of America (FFA) Big Buck Contest
For more information on the FFA Big Buck Contest, please click here, “LCMS FFA Big Buck Contest.”
Virginia Guide by Your Side – Saturday, October 18
For families with children, 0-10 years old, who are deaf or hard of hearing, especially children recently diagnosed with a hearing loss, you and your child will have the opportunity to meet professionals, exhibitors, service dogs, and friends at this conference, which will be held at John Tyler Community College, 13101 Jefferson Davis Highway, Chester, Virginia, 23831 on Saturday, October 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Special guest, Hank Millard, the Coordinator of Special Education and Parent Involvement at the Virginia Department of Education, will be present. If interested in attending, please register at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MeetandGreetChester For more information, please contact Irene Schmalz at 877-567-1122 or ischmalz@vcu.edu
Middle Years – Rules That Work
In the October 2014 edition of Middle Years, the magazine highlights tips for parents on rules that work with your adolescents. For more information, please click here, “Middle Years October 2014.”
Student Schedule for Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 17
On Monday, October 6 (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 October 6 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On October 7 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On October 8 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On October 9 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On October 10 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
On October 13 There is no school for students. This is a Teacher Workday.
On October 14 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On October 15 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On October 16 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On October 17 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
Updates
LCMS Science Fair Awards Ceremony – Wednesday, February 11
The LCMS Science Fair Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the LCMS Forum. Prior to this event, each science teacher who teaches advanced level classes will submit the top twelve science fair projects from their classes to compete at the school level. Project judging will occur on Wednesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 5 in the LCMS Forum. The top sixteen science fair projects from our local competition will advance to the Piedmont Regional Science Fair held in Charlottesville in March 2015.
Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology
Richard Dye (Technology Teacher) has shared the following with his students:
The Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST) program offers an exciting, on-campus summer experience designed to increase student interest and curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). BLAST provides a residential opportunity for current 8th and 9th grade students at no cost to selected students. Faculty members lead hands-on activity and demonstrations that seek to motivate and inspire students for STEM studies and careers. The program is a partnership between the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC), the Commonwealth of Virginia and VSGC-member universities.
This is a very exciting opportunity for our students. For more information, please contact Richard Dye atdyerl@lcps.k12.va.us
2015 International Aviation Art Contest Theme
Gail Carlin (Art Teacher) has shared with her students the following contest:
Grab your favorite art supplies and create a poster that captures the excitement and possibilities of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) World Air Games in Dubai 2015. Submission for entries must be postmarked by Friday, January 23, 2015 in order to be judged. For more information about this contest, please contact Gail Carlin at carlingz@lcps.k12.va.us
Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple.
Wednesday, October 1: TAG Services begin this month.
Wednesday, October 1 – Grade 7 English benchmark test
Thursday, October 2 – Grade 7 Math benchmark test
Thursday, October 2: LCPS SEPAC Meeting @ LCPS Central Office Board Room at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, October 6: Grade 8 English benchmark
Tuesday, October 7: Grade 8 Math Benchmark
Wednesday, October 8: Grades 6, 7, and 8 take Science benchmarks.
Thursday, October 9: Grades 6, 7, and 8 take Social Studies benchmarks.
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 - 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 students.
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.
Tuesday, November 18: Grade 7 and Grade 8 students attend AMC8 Competition @ VMI at 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, November 25: Grade 8 students attend The Encore! Presentation @ Altria Theater, Richmond at 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, February 11: LCMS Science Fair Awards @ LCMS Forum at 6:00 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
