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

Thursday, February 5, 2015

LCMS Principal Update February 2-6, 2015

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

This week we started SOL Boot Camp, and it has been going well. Students are meeting with LCMS teachers to work on homework, math, and English skills. The ACE Math rotation will continue the following week, Teachers and students have shared with me that students have enjoyed playing math games and reviewing math concepts. I am so grateful for all of our teachers and their investment in this initiative!

A reminder that Parent Teacher Conferences will be on Tuesday, March 24. From 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., teachers will meet with parents for scheduled appointments. From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., parents or guardians are welcomed to drop by to talk about their child with their teachers. Sign-ups for scheduled appointments will be forthcoming as the time approaches. We hope to see many parents or guardians at this event!

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 – Brierra Tyler and Rachel Upshur
Thank you to Brierra Tyler and Rachel Upshur for their assistance with morning announcements. You provided us with important daily news and upcoming events! On February 9, we will have two new guest speakers, Damond Walker and Lacy White. We look forward to these announcements!
A Big Shout Out – JoAnn Marshall, L.K. Mondrey, and Joshua Scharf
We would like to thank JoAnne Marshall, L.K. Mondrey, and Joshua Scharf for their time and assistance with judging the Science Fair Projects. The projects that students produced are outstanding! Ms. Marshall, Ms. Mondrey, and Mr. Scharf have spent much time critiquing the projects and asking students questions about their projects. Thank you again to our guest judges!

Congratulations Richard Dye – Program Excellence Award
On Thursday, March 26, Richard Dye will receive the 2015 Program Excellence Award at the 2015 ITEEA Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This award will be presented to Richard Dye and to Louisa County Middle School for excellence in our school's Technology Education program. Our program has been recognized as being "truly exemplary among all of the other programs in the State and at our school level." This is a huge award, and we are certainly proud of the hard work of Richard Dye and the program that he has developed! Our students certainly benefit from his hard work, ingenuity, and creativity.

LCMS Students Celebrate Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, students in the LCMS Cohort have organized a spirit week for all students to partake in February 2015. On Monday, February 9, all students are encouraged to wear professional dress or "dress to impress." On Tuesday, February 10, all students are encouraged to celebrate their heritages. On Wednesday, February 11, students are encouraged to dress up with their future careers in mind, and on Thursday, February 12, students are encouraged to dress as any influential person from the 50s, 60s, or 70s, or a decade of their choice. On Friday, February 13, students are encouraged to wear attire from their favorite colleges. All aspects of the LCMS dress code still abide. For more information, please email Jeff Harris at harrisjl@lcps.k12.va.us or Nick LeReche at lechnp@lcps.k12.va.us

Black History Challenge
Our (My) Brother's Keeper Club at LCHS is excited to announce our Black History Challenge. Our theme this year will be "Rocking through the Ages." In this challenge, students are invited to design a visual presentation that displays the contribution of an African American through the era assigned to your child's grade level. The eras are as follows:

Middle School
Present-1952                                                               8th
1951- 1901                                                                  7th
1900-1850                                                                   6th

High School
Present- 1991                                                              12th
1990- 1951                                                                  11th
1950- 1900                                                                  10th
1850- 1899                                                                  9th

It is our hope that, as your child works on this project, they will gain a sense of pride in knowing that these contributors have made such a difference in our lives today. Without their hard work and dedication, we would be without so many luxuries that many of us take for granted. Students should adhere to the following guidelines:
  1. To be eligible for the contest, students need to adhere to the time period assigned to their grade level. Students will need to put their name and their teacher's name on the project.
  2. The project needs to be visual displays.
  3. Projects should be turned into the LCMS Main Office no later than Friday, February 20. They will be delivered to DaVell Smith (Special Education/Earth Science Teacher) at LCHS.
  4. The "Best in Show" winners will be announced over the intercom on Wednesday, February 25.
We look forward to seeing some great display! For questions, please contact DaVell Smith at smithdm@lcps.k12.va.us or 540-894-5436 ext. 1175.

Treat Someone Sweet with a Valentine Carnation
The PTA will be hosting a carnation fund raiser. Members of the PTA will be taking orders during the four lunch shifts on Monday, February 9 and Tuesday, February 10. Flowers will be delivered on Friday, February 13 to that special someone at the beginning of ACE Block. All students, parents, guardians, and staff members are encouraged to place an order for someone special. For more information, please click here, "PTA Carnation Fundraiser 2015."

LCMS Sweetheart Dance – Friday, February 13
Hosted by Gracie Quarles and members of FCCLA, the Sweetheart Dance will be held on Friday, February 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is a semi-formal, so dress to impress, and no jeans please. For more information, please click here, "Valentine Dance Form 2015."
Middle Years – February 2015

In this month's edition of Middle Years, parents or guardians can learn more about the typical teen behavior and tips on how best to navigate through these physical changes and moods. For more information, please click here, "Middle Years February 2015."

Student Schedule for Monday, February 9 to Friday, February 20
On Monday, February 9 (A): 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 Monday, February 9:                    (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Tuesday, February 10:                  (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Wednesday, February 11:             (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Thursday, February 12:                 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, February 13:                     (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4       B Clubs meet and Reading
On Monday, February 16:                  No School for students. Staff Development Day.
On Tuesday, February 17:                  (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, February 18:             (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, February 19:                 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, February 20:                     (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5

Important Upcoming Dates Added information and dates are marked in purple.
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 p.m.
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, April 28: Civics SOL tests
Wednesday, April 29: Grade 6 Reading SOL tests
Thursday, April 30: Grade 7 Reading SOL tests
Tuesday, May 5: Grade 8 Reading SOL tests
Wednesday, May 6: Grade 6 Math SOL tests (Math 6, Math 7)
Thursday, May 7: Grade 8 Science SOL tests
Tuesday, May 12: Grade 7 Math SOL tests (Math7, Pre-Algebra, Algebra)
Tuesday, May 12: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen
Tuesday, May 12: PTA Board meets in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13: Grade 8 Pre-Algebra tests
Thursday, May 14: Grade 8 Algebra I and Geometry
Tuesday, May 19: All A Banquet at LCMS Cafeteria at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day. No school.

Tuesday, May 26: School resumes for students. LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.
Wednesday, May 27: Grade 8 Closing Ceremony practice and Grade 8 Field Day
Thursday, May 28: Grade 8 Closing Ceremony, Grade 6 Field Day, and Grade 7 Field Day. Last Day of school for students. Students exit the building at 11:00 a.m. No lunch is served.

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