A reminder that Sunday, March 8 is when Daylight Saving Time begins. Do not forget to turn your clocks 1 hour forward.
The following is updated information due to our inclement weather for all students:
- If we have school on Friday, March 6, it will still be an "B" Day.
- March 16, formerly a teacher workday and built-in snow day, will now be a school day. Classes will be held on March 16.
- Instructional time will be added to each school day for the remainder of the school year beginning on Monday, March 9. LCMS will end seven minutes later. Students will be dismissed at 3:16 p.m. Bus pick up and start times for LCMS remain the same. Students will still be released from busses at 7:40 a.m.
- The Grade 7 Math Benchmark assessment that was supposed to be given today to our Grade 7 students has been moved to Monday, March 16.
- In we have school tomorrow and there is a two hour delay, Grade 6 students will NOT take their English benchmark assessment. The benchmark assessment is only given to students when we are in school for a full day. If there is a two hour delay tomorrow, Grade 6 students will take their Grade 6 English Benchmark assessment on Tuesday, March 17.
- All other benchmark test dates will remain the same.
- March 16 is a "B" day. This week begins ACE Math. On Monday, March 16, all students report back to Period 4 for ACE Block. ACE Math Day 1 does not begin until Tuesday, March 17.
- Tuesday, March 17 is also a "B" Day. (March 16 is a "B" day to even out the number of A and B days due to benchmark testing and inclement weather.)
- The A and B rotation remains the same for the rest of the school calendar.
- The 3rd marking period for students ends on Friday, March 20. Parent/Teacher Conferences will be on Tuesday, March 24. Report cards go home on Friday, March 27.
- If Louisa or Fluvanna schools are closed on Friday, March 6, students will not perform for VBODA Assessment this year.
- If Louisa schools are delayed by one hour on Friday, March 6, students will perform for VBODA assessment with only a slightly later schedule. The only thing that would change is the departure time. Instead of leaving at 8:30 a.m. as originally planned, students would leave at 9:00 a.m. sharp. Everything else in the schedule would remain unchanged.
- If Louisa schools are on a two hour delayed schedule on Friday, March 6, students will still perform for VBODA assessment, but on a later schedule. Instead of students leaving at 8:30 a.m. as originally planned, students will leave at 3:15 p.m. and return around 9:30 p.m. Please email Kathy Allen at allenrk@lcps.k12.va.us for questions.
The following are some important updates and announcements.
Announcements
Thank you to Morning Announcers – Saleena Chambers and Deon Cooper
Thank you to Saleena Chambers and Deon Cooper for their contributions to morning announcements. You provided us with important upcoming news in a clear voice and pleasant tone! On Monday, March 9, we will have two new guest speakers, Nicole Harlow and Jamori Harris. We look forward to these announcements!
Thank you to Saleena Chambers and Deon Cooper for their contributions to morning announcements. You provided us with important upcoming news in a clear voice and pleasant tone! On Monday, March 9, we will have two new guest speakers, Nicole Harlow and Jamori Harris. We look forward to these announcements!
Congratulations to Taylor Talley
Taylor Talley is the 17th participant for the Science Fair project. We wish all participants the best of luck on their presentations.
Taylor Talley is the 17th participant for the Science Fair project. We wish all participants the best of luck on their presentations.
Mary Eden (Grade 8 English teacher) is officially on board the Mark Twain reference book project. Mary Eden will be published and will be working on an encyclopedia of historical, cultural, political, and economic context for Mark Twain and other nineteenth-century works. The reference book is called All Things Twain and comprises about 200 entries on events, ideas, people, movements, and laws that are key to understanding of the era and Twain's writings. Mary Eden will work on the following topics:
"Victorian Ideas of Propriety" (gender, class, regional, and national); "Religion and Faith" (various Christian sects, Islam, and Judaism in the era); "Heaven and Hell"; "Predestination and Free Will"; and "Spiritualism and Spiritualists"; "The Scientific Discourse of Race"; and "Race in Social and Intellectual Discourse." We are extremely proud of Mary Eden. I am excited for her professional growth as well as what she will bring to our students in the classroom!
LCMS Battle Books Teams
On Saturday, February 28, two LCMS Battle of the Books Teams competed against forty other teams at Cedar Lee Middle School in Bealeton, VA. Each team answered several rounds of "in what book..." questions. During the final round, students read a quote from one of the 19 books they were required to read. They had to identify from which book each quote was taken.
On Saturday, February 28, two LCMS Battle of the Books Teams competed against forty other teams at Cedar Lee Middle School in Bealeton, VA. Each team answered several rounds of "in what book..." questions. During the final round, students read a quote from one of the 19 books they were required to read. They had to identify from which book each quote was taken.
The 6th Grade Scholars placed fourth place. Members present at the competition were Abbie Alpern, Anne Cassett, Trinity MacDonald, Amber Thompson.
The Royal Readers placed eighth. Members present at the competition were Kassandra Barentine, Alexis Lagon, and Ethan Snyder.
Additionally, all participating students were required to take a multiple choice test a few weeks before the competition. The 10 students with the highest scores were recognized on stage. LCMS students Ethan Snyder and Amber Thompson were among those recognized! We are extremely proud of all of you! Thank you to Rebecca Baughman (LCMS librarian) for her work and dedication to our students.
All County Music Concert – A Smashing Hit
March is National Music Month, and on Tuesday, March 3, I had the privilege to attend an outstanding performance of our middle and high school band and choral students. Greg Thomas, the LCMS guest conductor, directed the LCMS Band during the All County Music Rehearse-a-thon in February. He worked closely with our band students. Greg Thomas, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, is the 22-year-director of the award-winning bands at Albemarle High School. During the Rehearse-a-thon, Mr. Thomas had LCMS band students simultaneously laughing and making beautiful music - a wonderful rehearsal was had by all! Sharon Wills and our choral students did an outstanding job of performing the following songs: "Do, Re, Mi," "Symphony of the Night," "Will You Teach Me?" and "Hakunan Munga Kama Wewe." A big thanks goes to Kathy Allen (LCMS Band teacher), Sharon Wills (LCMS Choral and Drama teacher), Jelita Hopkins (LCHS Choral and Drama teacher), and Bill Lamb (LCHS Band teacher) for their vision and direction of the fine and performing arts programming, to parents and guardians of our students for their continual support, to the students themselves for their hours of dedicated practice, and finally to Superintendent Deborah Pettit and our school board members for their continual supports of the music and fine arts programming at LCMS and LCHS.
March is National Music Month, and on Tuesday, March 3, I had the privilege to attend an outstanding performance of our middle and high school band and choral students. Greg Thomas, the LCMS guest conductor, directed the LCMS Band during the All County Music Rehearse-a-thon in February. He worked closely with our band students. Greg Thomas, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, is the 22-year-director of the award-winning bands at Albemarle High School. During the Rehearse-a-thon, Mr. Thomas had LCMS band students simultaneously laughing and making beautiful music - a wonderful rehearsal was had by all! Sharon Wills and our choral students did an outstanding job of performing the following songs: "Do, Re, Mi," "Symphony of the Night," "Will You Teach Me?" and "Hakunan Munga Kama Wewe." A big thanks goes to Kathy Allen (LCMS Band teacher), Sharon Wills (LCMS Choral and Drama teacher), Jelita Hopkins (LCHS Choral and Drama teacher), and Bill Lamb (LCHS Band teacher) for their vision and direction of the fine and performing arts programming, to parents and guardians of our students for their continual support, to the students themselves for their hours of dedicated practice, and finally to Superintendent Deborah Pettit and our school board members for their continual supports of the music and fine arts programming at LCMS and LCHS.
Girls on Track Club
Girls on Track Running Club is completing its fourth week of lessons and runs. The girls are off to a great start, and all have completed at least a mile and half run towards their 5K goal! Lessons so far have included conversations about handling stress, the importance of slowing down, and maintaining a positive body image. The girls are having so much fun and are working really hard! A big thanks to Jordan Goodwin (LCMS Sp.Ed. teacher) and Megan Jackson (Grade 6 Science teacher) for bringing this club to LCMS and for their dedication to our students!
Girls on Track Running Club is completing its fourth week of lessons and runs. The girls are off to a great start, and all have completed at least a mile and half run towards their 5K goal! Lessons so far have included conversations about handling stress, the importance of slowing down, and maintaining a positive body image. The girls are having so much fun and are working really hard! A big thanks to Jordan Goodwin (LCMS Sp.Ed. teacher) and Megan Jackson (Grade 6 Science teacher) for bringing this club to LCMS and for their dedication to our students!
Review Process for Science Fair Projects
In light of feedback about the science fair projects, I met with Assistant Superintendent LuAnne Unruh, Director of Secondary Schools Tom Smith, my administrative team, and Department Head of Science Sally Agee to discuss next steps. It is important for us to review the purpose and process of the science fair projects. One vital way to learn about the science fair projects is to ask students directly for their input. Thus, Alex Waleski (Grade 6 Science teacher), Patrick Scharf (Grade 7 Science teacher), and Greg Palmer (Grade 8 Science teacher) conducted a survey that asked students the following questions:
In light of feedback about the science fair projects, I met with Assistant Superintendent LuAnne Unruh, Director of Secondary Schools Tom Smith, my administrative team, and Department Head of Science Sally Agee to discuss next steps. It is important for us to review the purpose and process of the science fair projects. One vital way to learn about the science fair projects is to ask students directly for their input. Thus, Alex Waleski (Grade 6 Science teacher), Patrick Scharf (Grade 7 Science teacher), and Greg Palmer (Grade 8 Science teacher) conducted a survey that asked students the following questions:
- What do you think is the purpose of the science fair project?
- What skills do you think that you learned by doing your project?
- What were some of the easiest things about doing your project?
- What were some of the hardest things about doing your project?
- What would you do differently in the process of completing your project next time?
- What advice would you give to a future student about doing the science fair project?
- What did you learn from writing the research paper?
Upon a first reading, Sally Agee and I learned that with the exception of a couple of students from each class, all students provided us with specific details of what they had learned and how they perceived the project to be, of benefit or not of benefit, in their learning about science and writing a research paper. As a next step, Ms. Agee and I will be meeting with the science teachers to review and analyze what students wrote. Themes generated by student responses will be shared with Dr. Unruh and Mr. Smith as we decide what should next steps look like. We are just at the beginning stages of reviewing the student data, and more work and development on this will continue onward in April and in the summer. From there, a decision will be made to decide how best can we make this process even more effective for all students, but more specifically to discern from students what aspects of the process were extremely helpful in their learning and what areas we need to focus on. Upon the conclusion of this review, results will be shared publicly and placed on the website.
Individual Meetings with Students
I have been meeting with students individually (specifically those students who have D's and F's for Semester I) to review with them their grades and to learn from students how can I assist them in reaching their academic goals. Many students have shared with me that they need to do their homework, they need to study, or they need additional assistance or tutoring in the materials. Thus, if your child would like to have quiet place to complete their homework, catch up on work, use the computers to type up reports, or even to ask teachers questions about their work, please have your child attend After School Help. For more information, please click here, "After School Help Form 2015." Click here for the "After School Schedule Help Spring 2015 Final," which lists what teachers, what rooms, and what subjects the teachers can assist your child.
I have been meeting with students individually (specifically those students who have D's and F's for Semester I) to review with them their grades and to learn from students how can I assist them in reaching their academic goals. Many students have shared with me that they need to do their homework, they need to study, or they need additional assistance or tutoring in the materials. Thus, if your child would like to have quiet place to complete their homework, catch up on work, use the computers to type up reports, or even to ask teachers questions about their work, please have your child attend After School Help. For more information, please click here, "After School Help Form 2015." Click here for the "After School Schedule Help Spring 2015 Final," which lists what teachers, what rooms, and what subjects the teachers can assist your child.
SOL Boot Camp – Math, Reading, and Writing
We still have a few openings in our SOL Boot Camp for math and reading. If you are interested in having your child attend the SOL Boot Camp for math and reading, please contact Katherine Duke at dukeke@lcps.k12.va.us In a couple of weeks, we will be offering SOL Writing Boot Camp for Grade 8 students to assist them in fine tuning their essay writing skills. Both Katherine Duke (Grade 8 English teacher) and Kathie Lewis (Grade 6 English teacher) will be teaching this class after school. If you are interested in having your Grade 8 child attend this session, please contact Katherine Duke at dukeke@lcps.k12.va.us
Criteria for Summer School or being RetainedWe still have a few openings in our SOL Boot Camp for math and reading. If you are interested in having your child attend the SOL Boot Camp for math and reading, please contact Katherine Duke at dukeke@lcps.k12.va.us In a couple of weeks, we will be offering SOL Writing Boot Camp for Grade 8 students to assist them in fine tuning their essay writing skills. Both Katherine Duke (Grade 8 English teacher) and Kathie Lewis (Grade 6 English teacher) will be teaching this class after school. If you are interested in having your Grade 8 child attend this session, please contact Katherine Duke at dukeke@lcps.k12.va.us
Below is an explanation of the criteria for a student to attend summer school or to be retained. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher or grade level assistant principal at (540) 894-5457.
Criteria for a student to attend Summer School:
- If a student fails Math or English
Criteria for a student to be Retained:
- If a student fails Math and English
- If a student fails Math or English and Science and Social Studies
- If a student fails Math, English, Science, and Social Studies
If you feel that your child may need additional assistance, please have him or her stay after school for assistance. Meeting with your child's teacher is also helpful in understanding what areas students have progressed in and areas of growth. Sign-ups for Parent/Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, March 24 will begin on Monday, March 9. Teachers will be sending information about sign-up sheets for parent/teacher conferences.
Student Schedule for Monday, March 9 to Friday, March 20
On Monday, March 2 (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.)
On Monday, March 2 (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.)
On Monday, March 9: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On Tuesday, March 10: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, March 11: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, March 12: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, March 13: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
On Monday, March 16: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Tuesday, March 17: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 Day 1 of ACE Math
On Wednesday, March 18: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 Day 2 of ACE Math
On Thursday, March 19: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ,4 Day 3 of ACE Math
On Friday, March 20: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 Day 4 of ACE Math
On Tuesday, March 10: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, March 11: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, March 12: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, March 13: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
On Monday, March 16: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Tuesday, March 17: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 Day 1 of ACE Math
On Wednesday, March 18: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 Day 2 of ACE Math
On Thursday, March 19: (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ,4 Day 3 of ACE Math
On Friday, March 20: (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 Day 4 of ACE Math
Updates
Digital Challenge Day – Friday, March 13
The LCPS Instructional Technology Support Team is challenging all of us to participate in Digital Learning Day 2015. Activities can be found on http://www.digitallearningday.org/
28th Annual Arts Festival – Saturday, March 28
The 28th Annual Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, March 28 at LCMS from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be many displays of art work and free art activities for the whole family as well as musical performances from all schools in this district. We hope that you will come and join us for this exciting festivity!
TAG Students to University of Richmond – Thursday, April 2 and Friday, April 3
Amanda Corson's Grade 8 TAG students and Sarah Martin's Grade 6 TAG A students will visit the University of Richmond on Thursday, April 2 for a campus tour. Students will leave around 8:10 a.m. and will return around 2:30 p.m. Students need to bring a packed lunch for the field trip.
Amanda Corson's Grade 8 TAG students and Sarah Martin's Grade 6 TAG A students will visit the University of Richmond on Thursday, April 2 for a campus tour. Students will leave around 8:10 a.m. and will return around 2:30 p.m. Students need to bring a packed lunch for the field trip.
Sarah Martin's Grade 6 TAG Group B and Hope Hamblin's Grade 7 TAG students will visit the University of Richmond on Friday, April 3 for a campus tour. Students will leave around 8:10 a.m. and will return around 2:30 p.m.
Students will need to bring a packed lunch for the field trip. TAG students will be researching a college/university of their own choice in preparation for this university tour.
Students will need to bring a packed lunch for the field trip. TAG students will be researching a college/university of their own choice in preparation for this university tour.
The High School Transition Night will be held on Wednesday, April 15, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. in Pod R at the High School. All parents or guardians of Grade 8 students have been mailed a transition night form, and we ask that students return their RSVP to their 4th period teacher at school by Thursday, March 26. The evening will start with dinner at 5:00 p.m., followed by introductions, and an overview of course options, graduation requirements, types of diplomas, and student expectations from 5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Finally, the evening will conclude with various breakout sessions from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Please plan to attend to learn more about Louisa County High School! For more information, please click here, "Transition Flyer and RSVP 2015."
LCMS Book Swap – Thursday, April 23
The LCMS Library will be holding a used book swap on Thursday, April 23. Students are invited to bring to the library gently used middle school appropriate books between Monday, April 20 to Wednesday, April 22. They will receive a ticket for each book they donate. The ticket(s) may be swapped for a book(s) on Thursday, April 23 during breakfast or lunch. Thank you to librarians Rebecca Baughman and Sue Watson for organizing such an event!
Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple.
Saturday, March 7 – OM Competition @ James Monroe High School
Sunday, March 8, 2015, 2:00 a.m. clocks are turned forward 1 hour to Sunday, March 8, 2015, 3:00 a.m. local daylight time instead
Sunday, March 8, 2015, 2:00 a.m. clocks are turned forward 1 hour to Sunday, March 8, 2015, 3:00 a.m. local daylight time instead
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: 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.
Monday, March 16: Regular school day. Make-up day for Grade 7 Math Benchmarks.
Monday, March 17: Make-up day for Grade 6 English Benchmarks if they do not occur on Friday, March 6.
Friday, March 20: 3rd MP ends.
Friday, March 20 – VCDA District 13 Choral Assessment @ Culpepper High School
Tuesday, March 24: LCMS Parent/Teacher Conferences
Friday, March 27: Report cards go home.
Friday, March 27: LCMS Pot of Gold Dance @ LCMS Cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 28 – 28th Annual Arts Festival @ LCMS from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Monday, March 30 to Friday, April 3: LCMS Library Book Fair
Thursday, April 2 and Friday, April 3: TAG Students to University of Richmond
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
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
Thursday, April 16 – LCMS Spring Band and Guitar Concert @ LCMS Forum from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Student should report to LCMS Forum at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17: Reality Store for Grade 8 Students
Tuesday, April 21: LCMS Chorus Concert @ LCMS Cafeteria from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Students should report to the LCMS Cafeteria at 6:45 p.m.
Thursday, April 23: Interim reports for Marking Period 4 are sent home with students.
Thursday, April 23: LCMS Book swap.
Friday, April 24 - Musical Busch Gardens Competition for LCMS Band and Guitar 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
Tuesday, April 28: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen
Wednesday, April 29: Grade 6 Reading SOL tests
Thursday, April 30: Grade 7 Reading SOL tests
Friday, May 1 - Musical Busch Gardens Competition for LCMS Chorus Students
Tuesday, May 5: Grade 8 Reading SOL tests
Wednesday, May 6: Grade 6 Math SOL tests
Thursday, May 7: Grade 8 Science SOL tests
Tuesday, May 12: Grade 7 Math SOL tests
Tuesday, May 12: LCMS Parent Advisory Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Main Office Conference Room with Dr. Chen
Tuesday, May 5: Grade 8 Reading SOL tests
Wednesday, May 6: Grade 6 Math SOL tests
Thursday, May 7: Grade 8 Science SOL tests
Tuesday, May 12: Grade 7 Math SOL tests
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: Pre-Algebra tests
Thursday, May 14: Algebra I and Geometry
Saturday, May 16 - Grade 8 Formal @ LCMS Cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19: All A Banquet at LCMS Cafeteria at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 21 – LCMS Drama performance @ LCMS Forum at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day. No school.
Tuesday, May 26: School resumes for students. LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.
Tuesday, May 26: Washington DC Trip for All Grade 8 Students
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
Principal
Louisa County Middle School
Louisa County Middle School
