Principal's Update for November 25, 2014

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

On behalf of my staff and me, we wish you and your families safe travels and a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday Break. I am most grateful for my parents and family, my staff, my students, and you.

Thank you for all that you do to support the work we do to ensure that our students have the best educational opportunities.

As always, please feel free to contact me atchenlc@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

Thanks to Morning Announcers – Lily Jackson and Tyler Layne

Thank you to Lily Jackson and Tyler Layne for their announcements with Dr. Chen each morning. On December 1, we will have new announcers, Trinity MacDonald and Josh Main. My staff, students, and I certainly appreciate the information that we receive each morning!

Community Action Team (CAT) Wraps Books for Santa Council

A big shout out to CAT Club members for staying after school on Monday, November 25 to wrap books for the Santa Council. LCMS has been collecting children’s books so that families in need will have books for their children to read. Thank you to Katie Jones (Grade 7 SpEd Teacher), Hope Hamblin (Grade 7 Social Studies Teacher), Kristina Dragland (Grade 7 Math Teacher), and Barbara Wilson (Grade 7 Social Studies Teacher) for organizing such an event!

Spelling Bee Contest

On Monday, December 1, all English teachers will give students a copy of an appropriate grade level spelling list to study. Before Winter Break, students will be given a spelling bee. English teachers will provide Mary Eden (Grade 8 English Teacher) with a list of their top spellers on Monday, January 5 to move to the next round. The division wide spelling bee is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27. We wish our students good luck in the spelling bee! Please follow these links: “Grade 6 Spelling List,” “Grade 7 Spelling List,” and “Grade 8 Spelling List,” for more information.

Student Schedule for Monday, December 1 to Friday, December 12

On Monday, December 1 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 (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 4 class.)

On December 1:          (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On December 2:          (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On December 3:          (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On December 4:          (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On December 5:          (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On December 8:          (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1

On December 9:          (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2

On December 10:        (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3

On December 11:        (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On December 12:        (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5

Updates

Math Field Trip Eureka! – Monday, April 27

April Swain (Grade 7 Math Teacher) is planning a field trip for her students to demonstrate how math is related to everything that students do. Students will view the plan Eureka! at the Martin Luther King Performing Arts Center on Monday, April 27. This play discusses how Sara, a typical teenager, has been struggling with math. On the eve of her big test, she is visited by Albert Einstein, Blaise Pascal, Lady Ada Lovelace, and Pythagoras. Together, they show Sara how math relates to the real world. They explore the Pythagorean Theorem, number theory, order of operations, probability, prime numbers, the Fibonacci sequence, the origins of the calculator and computer, Pascal’s triangle, pre-calculus, and more. I am really excited for our students and what they will learn on this field trip!

Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple.

Monday, December 1: Grade 7 Chorus and Drama Students go on field trip. Remember to bring your lunch, dress appropriately, and students will be leaving at 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, December 3: Grade 6 students take English benchmark tests.

Thursday, December 4: Grade 6 students take Math benchmark tests.

Thursday, December 4: Middle School football season banquet at LCMS Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, December 5: Grade 7 students take English benchmark tests.

Friday, December 5; Saturday, December 6; and Sunday, December 7: LCHS’s Mainstage presents Pride and Prejudice at LCMS Forum at 7:00 p.m. on December 5 and December 6, and 3:00 p.m. on December 7.

Monday, December 8: Grade 7 students take Math benchmark tests.

Tuesday, December 9: Grade 8 students take English benchmark tests.

Wednesday, December 10: Grade 8 students take Math benchmark tests.

Thursday, December 11: All grades take Science benchmark tests.

Friday, December 12: All grades take Social Studies benchmark tests.

Tuesday, December 16: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen                    

                         

Tuesday, December 16: PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. in LCMS Main Office Conference Room

Friday, December 19: End of Marking Period 2

Monday, December 22 – Monday, January 5: Winter Break for students

Tuesday, January 6: Classes resume for students. LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.

Tuesday, January 13: Report cards for Marking Period 2 are sent home with students.

Tuesday, January 13: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen 

Tuesday, January 13: PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. in LCMS Main Office Conference Room

Friday, January 16: LCMS Dance 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day No School for students and staff

Tuesday, January 20: Classes resume for students LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.

Monday, February 9: Interim reports for Marking Period 3 are sent home with students.

Monday, February 16: Staff Development Day No school for students

Tuesday, February 17: School resumes for students. LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.

Wednesday, February 11: LCMS Science Fair Awards @ LCMS Forum at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 21: Battle of the Books Competition for LCMS Students @ Cedar Lee Middle School

Tuesday, February 24: Grade 8 students take the English reading benchmark tests.

Wednesday, February 25: Picture Day for students

Thursday, February 26: Grade 8 students take the English writing benchmark tests.

Saturday, April 25: Battle of the Books Competition for LCMS Students @ Culpeper Middle School

Tuesday, May 19 – All A Banquet at LCMS Cafeteria 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

Lisa C. Chen, Ph.D.

Principal

Principal's Update for November 19, 2014

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

On Tuesday, November 18, I had the distinct pleasure to travel with 118 students to VMI to partake in the AMC8 Math Contest. Our students represented us well! They were so polite, well behaved, and all of our students worked diligently on the twenty-five problems that they had to complete in 40 minutes. All math questions were word problems, and students were assessed on geometry, probability, and logic. Thank you to our parent chaperones for accompanying us and to our teachers for assisting us in this exciting trip!

I hope that you will join us tonight for the LCMS Band and Guitar Concert in the Forum at 7:00 p.m.

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

Thanks to Morning Announcers – Lily Jackson and Tyler Layne

Thank you to Lily Jackson and Tyler Layne for their announcements with Dr. Chen each morning. On December 1, we will have new announcers, Trinity MacDonald and Josh Main. My staff, students, and I certainly appreciate the information that we receive each morning!

Grade 8 Field Trip – Tuesday, November 25

An enrichment field trip has been planned for Grade 8 students on Tuesday, November 25. Students will travel by school bus to the Altria Theater in Richmond to see The Encore! presentation of the five 19^th century short stories that Grade 8 students are learning in English. Students will leave LCMS at 8:30 a.m. and return back to school at 12:30 p.m. to eat lunch. Thank you to Katherine Duke for organizing this trip and to the Grade 8 teachers for chaperoning. 

Olweus Anti-Bullying

Students are receiving the anti-bullying curriculum, which is Olweus, in their health classes. Today, students learned how to work more cooperatively with one another.

Mix and Match Up Days at Lunch

The Safe and Caring Correlate is providing students with additional opportunities to make new friends at lunch. Each lunch table is labeled with a different month of the year. Students sat at tables with other students who shared the same birthday month. A list of questions were prepared for students so that students could begin conversations, especially with new classmates they may not know. Questions included: What is your favorite story? What is your favorite color? What is your favorite time of day? Teachers commented that it was great seeing students who normally do not sit together meet other students!

National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) – Thursday, November 20

Tomorrow, the following students will be inducted into NJHS at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Forum: Alyana Campbell, Olivia Grubbs, Nicole Harlow, Ginny Helmandollar, Amber Hopkins, Kiara Johnson, Sadie Jordan, Alexis Lagon, Sydney Madison, Gabby Matthews, Mitchell McCotter, Victoria Moore, Moriah Moss, Schuyler Pugh, and Ryan Wheeler. Student selection was based on a rigorous process of scholarship, community service, leadership, citizenship, and character. We are extremely proud of our new members for their hard work and effort!

Student Schedule for Monday, November 24 to Friday, December 5

On Monday, November 24 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 (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 4 class.)

On November 24:      (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On November 25:      (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On November 26:       No School. Thanksgiving Break.

On November 27:       No School. Thanksgiving Break.

On November 28:       No School. Thanksgiving Break.

On December 1:          (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On December 2:          (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On December 3:          (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On December 4:          (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On December 5:          (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

Updates

Building Leaders for Advocating Science and Technology (BLAST) Program

The BLAST program will offer a session at Virginia Tech and two sessions at the University of Virginia. Sessions are free for current Grade 8 and Grade 9 students. Students will have an opportunity to explore the fun and excitement of science, technology, engineering, and math while residing on a university campus. The BLAST program is designed to attract students who are motivated to learn, but have not yet shown interest in STEM coursework or those who not yet discovered the excitement of STEM. Students will have an opportunity to choose a session at Virginia Tech, July 12-15, or one of two sessions at the University of Virginia, July 26-29, and August 2-5. The BLAST program is a partnership between the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC), Virginia Teach, the University of Virginia, and the Commonwealth Virginia. If your child is interested, please ask him or her to apply at blast.spacegrant.org The deadline for students to apply is February 2. I hope your child will take advantage of this great opportunity!

Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple.

Wednesday, November 19: LCMS Band and Guitar Concert at LCMS Forum at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 20: National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Induction Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in LCMS Forum                                        

Tuesday, November 25: Grade 8 students attend The Encore! Presentation @ Altria Theater, Richmond at 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday, November 25: Middle School Football Banquet @ LCMS Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 3: Grade 6 students take English benchmark tests.

Thursday, December 4: Grade 6 students take Math benchmark tests.

Friday, December 5: Grade 7 students take English benchmark tests.

Friday, December 5; Saturday, December 6; and Sunday, December 7: LCHS’s Mainstage presents Pride and Prejudice at LCMS Forum at 7:00 p.m. on December 5 and December 6, and 3:00 p.m. on December 7.

Monday, December 8: Grade 7 students take Math benchmark tests.

Tuesday, December 9: Grade 8 students take English benchmark tests.

Wednesday, December 10: Grade 8 students take Math benchmark tests.

Thursday, December 11: All grades take Science benchmark tests.

Friday, December 12: All grades take Social Studies benchmark tests.

Tuesday, December 16: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen                    

                         

Tuesday, December 16: PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. in LCMS Main Office Conference Room

Friday, December 19: End of Marking Period 2

Monday, December 22 – Monday, January 5: Winter Break for students

Tuesday, January 6: Classes resume for students. LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.

Tuesday, January 13: Report cards for Marking Period 2 are sent home with students.

Tuesday, January 13: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen 

Tuesday, January 13: PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. in LCMS Main Office Conference Room

Friday, January 16: LCMS Dance 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day No School for students and staff

Tuesday, January 20: Classes resume for students LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.

Monday, February 9: Interim reports for Marking Period 3 are sent home with students.

Monday, February 16: Staff Development Day No school for students

Tuesday, February 17: School resumes for students. LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.

Wednesday, February 11: LCMS Science Fair Awards @ LCMS Forum at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 21: Battle of the Books Competition for LCMS Students @ Cedar Lee Middle School

Tuesday, February 24: Grade 8 students take the English reading benchmark tests.

Wednesday, February 25: Picture Day for students

Thursday, February 26: Grade 8 students take the English writing benchmark tests.

Saturday, April 25: Battle of the Books Competition for LCMS Students @ Culpeper Middle School

Tuesday, May 19 – All A Banquet at LCMS Cafeteria 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

Principal's Update for November 17, 2014

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

 

First of all, thank you to the PTA for doing such a great job on Bobcat Bingo. It was a huge success! We had to add additional tables at the last minute.

 

Secondly, there will be no PTA meeting this week. We are still having the LCMS Parent Advisory with Dr. Chen at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18 in the main office conference room.

 

Thirdly, we would like to thank Jack Manzari and the Louisa Rotary Club for writing a grant to LCMS for $2,000 for Brain Pops. Brain Pops is a program that our teachers use with our students on a daily basis to assess what students have learned in Technology, English, Math, Social Studies, and Science. We really appreciate the Louisa Rotary Club for thinking about our students!

 

To those students who will be attending the VMI trip tomorrow as part of the AMC8 Math Competition, please dress warmly, with several layers for tomorrow's field trip. Much of the VMI campus tour will take place outside, and it is supposed to be very cold tomorrow. Also, please do not forget that you must arrive at the school no later than 6:40 a.m. We will be meeting around the side of the building, the doors next to the cafeteria where you get picked up and dropped off for school dances. Please eat a good breakfast, and if not, bring your breakfast to school to eat it here. VMI will be serving us lunch. See you bright and early tomorrow morning! Thank you to all 118 students for representing Louisa County Middle School. We know that you will do fantastic on this math contest.

 

Do not forget that on this Wednesday, November 19, we will be having the LCMS Band Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the LCMS Forum. We hope to see you there!

 

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

Principal's Update for November 10, 2014

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

 

I hope that you will join us tonight at the LCMS Chorus Concert. On Wednesday, November 19, we will be hosting the LCMS Band and Guitar Fall Concert. Both concerts are at 7:00 p.m.

 

This Saturday, November 15, the LCMS PTA will be hosting the Bobcat Bingo. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Games start at 6:00 p.m. Prizes include purses from Michal Kors, Kate Spade, and Coach; gift cards; and much more!

 

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

 

Thanks to Morning Announcers – Antoine Hope and Olivia Hurley

Thank you to Antoine Hope and Olivia Hurley for their announcements with Dr. Chen each morning. On November 17, we will have announcers Lily Jackson and Tyler Layne. My staff, students, and I certainly appreciate the information that we receive each morning!

 

Congratulations Isabella Zummo, Emily Burton, Kieonna Fleming, Natalie Fomin, Ty Smith, and Camden Leonard

Congratulations to Isabella Zummo for first place, to Emily Burton for second place, Kieonna Fleming for third place, and to honorable mention Natalie Fomin, Ty Smith, and Camden Leonard. Your posters depicting a bully-free atmosphere at LCMS were fantastic. Way to go!

 

A Shout Out to All LCMS Students – You Rock!

Recently, all LCMS students participated in sending cards to members of the military community as part of our ACE Block Writing Program. We recently received a thank you note from Patti Wilson, Service to Armed Forces Coordinator, thanking us for these memorable cards. According to men and women in uniform, “it makes you realize how much our service is appreciated and puts perspective into why we do what we do. It means a lot.”

 

I am really proud of each and every one of our students for taking the time to write to our servicemen and servicewomen, wishing them, “Happy Holidays.” The Red Cross will be sending these holiday greetings to troops in Kuwait and Djibouti.

 

533 Students on Honor Roll

A big shout out to our 533 students who made Honor Roll for the first marking period. These students earned A’s and B’s in all of their classes. Among these students, 120 received all A’s. We are so proud of your hard work and effort!

 

Detective Mark Stanton – Guest Speaker

Detective Mark Stanton from the Louisa Sheriff's Office visited students Grade 7 students involved in the Gifted and Talented Program on Wednesday, November 12. Detective Stanton works as a crime scene investigator for the county. He presented material to students on DNA, such as what is DNA, who discovered DNA, where DNA comes from, how DNA is collected by police officers, various testing methods of DNA, and the accuracy of various DNA methods of testing. Detective Stanton also gave the students a hands on activity on the collection of DNA. Students collected their own DNA sample in a kit. Thank you Detective Stanton for a great presentation!

 

Dr. Mary Slade Presents Social-Emotional Needs of Gifted Learner – Monday, November 17

Parents are invited to hear Dr. Mary Slade speak on the social and emotional needs of the gifted learner at Central Office on Monday, November 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) – Thursday, November 20

The induction ceremony for new NJHS members will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Forum on Thursday, November 20. We look forward to welcoming our new members!

 

Astronomy Night – Thursday, November 20

Middle School and High School Talented and Gifted (TAG) students are invited to participate in an enrichment activity on Thursday, November 20. Students will learn about the stars and galaxy from retired NASA scientist, Dr. Kavanagh. Students are encouraged to bring a telescope and mittens to the activity. Parents are welcome to attend along with students. The event will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the LCHS Stadium.

 

 Student Schedule for Monday, November 17 to Tuesday, November 25

On Monday, November 17 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1 (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 1 class.) Because of the upcoming holidays, please note that on Wednesday, November 19, students return to their Period 4 for the last period of the day. This is the same for Thursday, November 20; Friday, November 21; Monday, November 24; and Tuesday, November 25.

 

On November 17:       (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1

On November 18:       (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2

On November 19:      (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On November 20:      (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On November 21:      (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On November 24:      (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

On November 25:      (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4

 

Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple.

 

Saturday, November 15: PTA Annual Bobcat Bingo

 

Tuesday, November 18: Grade 7 and Grade 8 students attend AMC8 Competition @ VMI at 9:30 a.m.                                                                                      

 

Tuesday, November 18: Interim Reports for Marking Period 2 go out with students.

Tuesday, November 18: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen   

                                           

Tuesday, November 18: PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. in LCMS Main Office Conference Room

Wednesday, November 19: LCMS Band Concert at LCMS Forum at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 20: National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Induction Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in LCMS Forum                                        

 

Tuesday, November 25: Grade 8 students attend The Encore! Presentation @ Altria Theater, Richmond at 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, December 3: Grade 6 students take English benchmark tests.

Thursday, December 4: Grade 6 students take Math benchmark tests.

Friday, December 5: Grade 7 students take English benchmark tests.

Friday, December 5; Saturday, December 6; and Sunday, December 7: LCHS’s Mainstage presents Pride and Prejudice at LCMS Forum at 7:00 p.m. on December 5 and December 6, and 3:00 p.m. on December 7.

 

Monday, December 8: Grade 7 students take Math benchmark tests.

Tuesday, December 9: Grade 8 students take English benchmark tests.

Wednesday, December 10: Grade 8 students take Math benchmark tests.

Thursday, December 11: All grades take Science benchmark tests.

Friday, December 12: All grades take Social Studies benchmark tests.

 

Tuesday, December 16: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen                    

                         

Tuesday, December 16: PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. in LCMS Main Office Conference Room

Friday, December 19: End of Marking Period 2

Monday, December 22 – Monday, January 5: Winter Break for students

Tuesday, January 6: Classes resume for students. LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.

Tuesday, January 13: Report cards for Marking Period 2 are sent home with students.

 

Tuesday, January 13: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen 

 

Tuesday, January 13: PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. in LCMS Main Office Conference Room

Friday, January 16: LCMS Dance 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day No School for students and staff

Tuesday, January 20: Classes resume for students LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.

Monday, February 9: Interim reports for Marking Period 3 are sent home with students.

Monday, February 16: Staff Development Day No school for students

Tuesday, February 17: School resumes for students. LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.

Wednesday, February 11: LCMS Science Fair Awards @ LCMS Forum at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 21: Battle of the Books Competition for LCMS Students @ Cedar Lee Middle School

Tuesday, February 24: Grade 8 students take the English reading benchmark tests.

Wednesday, February 25: Picture Day for students

Thursday, February 26: Grade 8 students take the English writing benchmark tests.

Saturday, April 25: Battle of the Books Competition for LCMS Students @ Culpeper Middle School

Tuesday, May 19 – All A Banquet at LCMS Cafeteria 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