Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
We greatly appreciate your feedback. Your input allows my staff and me to know how we can continue to improve the teaching and learning for all students. We care, and we value and encourage your partnership with us.
Greg Palmer, who is the Advisor of National Honor Junior Society (NJHS), has created a website. Please see the "Activities" tab on the LCMS website for more information. In Fall 2015, an information session will be held about NHJS for interested applicants. Please contact Greg Palmer directly at palmergm@lcps.k12.va.us if you have questions or feedback.
Terry Marks, who is the LCMS Athletics Director, continues to update us on all sporting events! If you would like to be included on her list serv, please contact her at markstl@lcps.k12.va.us
The LCMS staff has invited students to attend SOL Boot Camp to receive additional assistance. On Tuesday, January 20, Daniel Barrett, Department Head of Math, Katherine Duke, Department Head of English, my administrators, and me personally invited students to attend. We are opening up SOL Boot Camp in case there are other students who may be interested in this opportunity to get more help on taking their English and math SOLs. Students involved in SOL Boot Camp will either attend the Tuesday or Wednesday sessions. Even if your child participates in sports, the coaches have encouraged your child to attend. Please click here, "SOL Boot Camp" for information. For questions regarding the program, please contact Daniel Barrett at barretdm@lcps.k12.va.us or Katherine Duke at dukeke@lcps.k12.va.us
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 Morning Announcers – Jillian Smith and Diamond Taylor
Thank you to Jillian Smith and Diamond Taylor for their assistance each morning. You delivered important information to all students and staff in such a clear and effective manner! On Monday, January 26, we will have two new guest speakers, Cassidy Taylor and Amber Thomas. We look forward to these announcements!
Congratulations to LCMS Team Players
The following students have been selected by our faculty and staff to be honored as an LCMS Team Player! The Team Player Award is bestowed upon students who display the following character qualities on a regular basis: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, citizenship, fairness, and caring. The LCMS Team Players for the second nine weeks are: Aleigha Chandler, Arielle Clark, Michael Clough, Emily Coffey, Toby Craig, Perry Hopkins, Jarrett Hunter, Khail Johnson, Jeremiah Madison, Taylor Moran, Matison Ray, Carson Sarmiento, Dylan Seay, Sarah Seay, Tyrus Smith, Annie Wright.
On Friday, January 30, the administrators will serve these students lunch!
Bring Up (your) Grade or B.U.G. Awards – Effort Makes A Difference!
Students are eligible for the B.U.G. award when they bring up a letter grade in one or more classes while maintaining all their other grades at the same time. Student names are proudly displayed on a banner in the LCMS Cafeteria. Each student has received a special pencil for his or her efforts. We are extremely proud of our students. Please click here, "B.U.G. Awards," for a list of student names.
AMC8 Contest - VMI
On Tuesday, November 14, 114 LCMS students traveled to VMI (VMI) to partake in the AMC8 Math contest, which is a national test. Congratulations to all students who participated in this endeavor! Math teachers have provided students with their individual scores. The following are some general statistics about the scores for the 2014 AMC8@VMI:
Total number of students in school taking the exam: 704
Average score for all participants at VMI is: 9.56
Average score for Grade 8 is: 9.9 (425 Students)
Average score for Grade 7 is: 9.1 (175 Students)
Average score for Grade 6 is: 8.3 (55 Students)
Average score for Grade 5 is: 6.0 (3 Students)
If you wish to explore the national statistics regarding the 2014 AMC8, please use the following link: http://amc-reg.maa.org/reports/generalreports.aspx
To receive national distinction of 1%, the student needed to score greater or equal to a score of 23. To qualify on the national honor roll of 5%, the student needed to score greater or equal to a score of 19. Congratulations to all of our participants who worked diligently on this math exam! Zachary Heidel received a Gold Award or first place for our school. Preston Budd and Peter Schultz received a Silver Award or second place for our school, and Shannon Harper, Julia O'Reilly, and Brandon Smith received a Bronze Award or third place for our school.
Thank you PTA
We would like to thank the PTA who continues to support us in every way. A big shout out to Tanya Knighton and Amy Froschauer as well as to our parents for their support in helping us to attain a PA system that will be used for our Grade 8 Closing Ceremony for our students. If you have not attended a PTA meeting, we welcome you to join us. The PTA is a great way to support LCMS and to get to know more parents!
National Drug Fact Week (NDFW) – Monday, January 26 to Sunday, February 1
National Drug Facts Week will be from Monday, January 26 to Sunday, February 1. LCMS is joining with other schools from around the nation to help teens shatter the myths about drug abuse. Teens are bombarded with conflicting messages that can leave them feeling confused and unsure of whom to ask for information about drug use. With 15% of 12th graders nationally reporting abuse of prescription drugs in the past year and 22.7% reporting use of marijuana in the past month, there is no better time than now to help our teens understand the serious consequences of drug use.
LCMS will participate in this important observance with events that will be hosted in our students' health and physical education classes. Deputy Nathan Harris, LCMS School Resource Officer, will assist our health and physical education staff in this cause. Students will partake in the National Drug IQ Challenge, the question of the day, and have been encouraged to participate in the essay contest. For more information about NDFW and the latest fact-based info on drug abuse, please check out the NDFW web site at http://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-facts-week. Thank you for your support on this important initiative!
Governor's School Testing Schedule
This year we have 39 Algebra or Geometry students who have applied for Governor's School. As in years' past, this testing is quite comprehensive and will take place during school hours. Todd Ryan, LCMS Guidance Director, and Jennifer Purcell, Grade 8 Guidance counselor, met with interested applicants on Thursday, January 22. To ensure that student involved will not miss excessive time from any one class, the following schedule was created:
Wednesday, January 28: (Periods 1 and 2): Stanford 10 Reading Comprehension and Science tests in Grade 8 math rooms
Thursday, January 29: (Period 4): Stanford 10 Math Problem Solving Test
Friday, January 30: (Period 5): OLSAT Test
Monday, February 2: (Period 1 and Part of Period 2): Essay test in Lab 700 and Lab 800
We wish our students the best of luck on this process, knowing that your efforts have made all the difference!
LCMS Basketball Team and LCMS Cheer Team – Undefeated 9-0
On Tuesday, January 20, the LCMS basketball team defeated Locust Gove yesterday. The final score was 57-22. The Bobcats have raised their record to 9-0 for the season. The Bobcats are having an outstanding season! Congratulations to Coaches Nicholas Schreck and Alex Waleski for a triumphant season and to our students for all of their hard work and sportsmanship behaviors! The LCMS cheer team is awesome. Congratulations to Coach Martin and her team for all of their support and hard work!
LCMS Wrestlers
Today, Coaches Trevor Gallo and Dan Leale and our wrestlers will face Big Orange at William Byrd High School for the Individual Tournament. Coach Boyer will be traveling with his wrestlers to New Kent for a match. We wish our coaches and LCMS wrestlers the best of luck. Our students have been working diligently on their moves and pins!
Girls' Soccer Conditioning
Girls' Soccer conditioning will begin on Wednesday, January 21 for Grade 8 girls. Conditioning will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays until tryouts begin on Monday, February 23. A reminder to our Grade 8 girls who are participating in conditioning…Please bring warm, soccer-appropriate attire to change into and meet on the practice field behind LCMS by 3:35 pm. In order to participate, students must have a completed VHSL physical. For more information, please contact Janelle Conley at conlyejl@lcps.k12.va.us
After School Help
Since Tuesday, September 23, LCMS staff have been running After School Help, which 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 is held on designated Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you would like for your child to stay for after school help for assistance, please click here, "After School Help," or contact Annie Floyd at floydam@lcps.k12.va.us
Student Schedule for Monday, January 26 to Friday, February 6
On Monday, January 26 (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.) s
On Monday, January 26: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Tuesday, January 27: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Wednesday, January 28: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Thursday, January 29: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, January 30: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 A Clubs Meet and Reading
On Monday, February 2: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Tuesday, February 3: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Wednesday, February 4: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Thursday, February 5: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, February 6: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 A Clubs Meet and Reading
Updates
Creating Responsibility And Valuing Education (CRAVE) – Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14
CRAVE will occur on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14. This is an overnight, lock-in event intended to honor students who do not have any failing grades or any out-of-school suspensions. The event will include games, an improv hour, movies, and time to play various sports. Delicious foods will also be available for our students in this celebration!
LCMS Library Book Fair – Monday, March 30 to Friday, April 3
Students will attend the book fair with their English teachers, which runs from Monday, March 30 to Friday, April 3. Parents are welcome to attend anytime. There will be special evening event, which will be held during that week. We hope to see you there!
High School Scheduling for Grade 8 Students – Week of April 13
High school scheduling will begin the week of April 13. High school counselors will visit Grade 8 students in their Period 4 classes to disseminate the high school program of studies and discuss scheduling with students on Monday, April 13, and Tuesday, April 14. The high school will hold its annual High School Transition Night on Wednesday, April 15, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. More detailed information will be forthcoming in March. High school counselors will meet with students individually to create their high school schedules from Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16, with additional dates added as needed on Monday, April 20 and Tuesday, April 21.
Reality Store – Friday, April 17
Reality Store is a wonderful real-life economic simulation that all Grade 8 students will participate. Corresponding with this event, students will receive classroom guidance from Jennifer Purcell through their civics classes, which will focus on career exploration. Students will receive a lesson on budgeting and personal finance in preparation for the Reality Store.
Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple.
Monday, January 26 to Sunday, February 1 – National Drug Fact Week
Monday, February 9: Interim reports for Marking Period 3 are sent home with students.
Wednesday, February 11: LCMS Science Fair Awards @ LCMS Forum at 6:00 p.m
Friday, February 13: LCMS Dance @ LCMS Cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm.
Saturday, February 14: MathCounts field trip @ Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Virginia
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.
Saturday, February 21: Battle of the Books Competition for LCMS Students @ Cedar Lee Middle School
Tuesday, February 24: Grade 8 students take the English Writing Multiple Choice benchmark tests.
Wednesday, February 25: Picture Day for students
Thursday, February 26: Grade 8 students take the English Writing Prompt benchmark tests.
Tuesday, March 3: All County Music Night at 6:30 p.m. @ LCMS Gymnasium
Wednesday, March 4: Grade 7 students take the English benchmark tests.
Thursday, March 5: Grade 7 students take the Math benchmark tests.
Friday, March 6: Grade 7 and Grade 8 Concert Band will participate in the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) State Concert Band Assessment @ Fluvanna High School
Friday, March 6: Grade 6 students take the English benchmark tests.
Monday, March 9: Grade 6 students take the Math benchmark tests.
Tuesday, March 10: Grade 8 students take the Math benchmark tests.
Tuesday, March 10: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen
Tuesday, March 10: PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. in LCMS Main Office Conference Room
Wednesday, March 11: Grades 6, 7, and 8 students take the Science benchmark tests.
Thursday, March 12: Grades 6, 7, and 8 students take the Social Studies benchmark tests.
Friday, March 13: Third Marking Period ends. CRAVE occurs.
Friday, March 20: Report cards are sent home with students.
Tuesday, March 24: LCMS Parent/Teacher Conferences
Friday, March 27: LCMS Pot of Gold Dance @ LCMS Cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Monday, March 30 to Friday, April 3: LCMS Library Book Fair
Monday, April 6 – Friday, April 10: No school for students. Students on Spring Recess.
Monday, April 13: Classes resume. LCMS doors at 7:40 a.m.
Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17: High school scheduling for Grade 8 students
Tuesday, April 14: PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room
Wednesday, April 15: High School Transition Night from 5:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at LCHS for Grade 8 students and parents
Friday, April 17: Reality Store for Grade 8 Students
Tuesday, April 21: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen Thursday, April 23: Interim reports for Marking Period 4 are sent home with students.
Friday, April 24: Grades 5, 6, 7 Dance @ LCMS Cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 25: Battle of the Books Competition for LCMS Students @ Culpeper Middle School
Monday, April 27: Grade 7 Students to Eureka! @ Martin King Performing Arts Center in Charlottesville, Virginia
Tuesday, May 19 – All A Banquet at LCMS Cafeteria at 6:00 p.m.
With warm regards,
Lisa C. Chen
Lisa C. Chen, Ph.D.
Principal
Louisa County Middle School
