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

Thursday, May 14, 2015

LCMS Principal's Update for May 11-15, 2015

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
It is hard to believe that we only have two more weeks of school left. I have really enjoyed our time together: They are great! Thank you for your continual partnership with us.
As I shared with you in my last Principal's Update, students are presently in the midst of SOL testing, completing final projects, and partaking in field trips. SOL testing and make-ups will occur up until the last week of school. As referenced in Dr. Unruh's letter on Monday, April 13, if your child qualifies for an expedited retake, then a member of the administrative or guidance team will contact you to see whether or not you would like for your child to participate in the expedited retakes. Participation in the expedited retake is completely voluntary. If you opt for your child to take this test, your child will be remediated by teachers before taking the expedited retake. Please note that information from the SOL tests is helpful regarding future student placement and is good practice for passing the SOL tests at the high school level. Further, as referenced in my Principal Updates, your child may not need to attend summer school if she or he successfully passes the expedited retake. Because students are still in the midst of taking their SOL tests, all final SOL scores and student report cards will be mailed home to parents or guardians at the end of the school year.


We want all of our students to continue to participate in as many events as possible. Please encourage your child to continue to eat good meals, drink lots of water, exercise, and to get a good night sleep.

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 Malachi Poindexter, Tatianna Smith, and Samya Wood
Thank you to Malachi Poindexter, Tatianna Smith, and Samya Wood for their contributions to morning announcements. You provided us with important upcoming news with clear voices and pleasant tones! From Monday, May 18 to Thursday, May 28, we will have new three guest speakers, Alyssa Smith, Taylor Weeks, and Benjerman Winslett. We look forward to their announcements!

Congratulations to Technology Student Association (TSA) Members
Congratulations to our TSA students for their hard work and efforts at the Technosphere TSA state competition.  The Technology Bowl team of Jacob Burch, Zachary Heidel, and Ian Murphy placed 9th.  Zachery Heidel placed Top Ten in the Technology Bowl Written. The VEX Robotics team of Kylee Cormier, Keveanu Duncan, Denise Gray, and Abigale Hart placed 6th.  Kenneth Allison, Kylee Cormier, Keveanu Duncan, Denise Gray, and Abigale Hart placed 6th in the Community Service Video. The Systems Control team of Jacob Burch, Zachary Heidel, and Cameron Knight placed 9th. Jacob Burch, Zachary Heidel, Cameron Knight, Ian Murphy, and Liam Ratcliff placed 6th in Inventions and Innovations. These students spent three days in Hampton at the 44th Annual State Leadership Conference. The students brought home a total of 21 Top Ten finalist pins. TSA Advisors Mr. Dye and Mr. Harper were very proud of the students' hard work and excellent behaviors at the event. Congratulations to our students!



Auditions for Chorus 7/8 – Tuesday, May 19
Auditions for the Chorus 7/8 class will be Tuesday, May 19 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students may stay to ride the activity buses if needed. Students who have difficulty with rides should see Sharon Wills individually to work out an audition time during her planning period. Students will sing a solo - any one of the songs that they have sung during the year in class. Students will also sight-sing an 8 measure exercise similar to district assessments. This is a new course for students in 2015-2016, and its purpose is to address the needs of students who have developed more advanced skills over time in Chorus. We wish our students the best of luck!

Summer Stem Academy
For information on the Summer Stem Academy, please see "Application STEM May 5." We hope as many of our present Grade 5, 6, and 7 students apply for this new, exciting learning opportunity over the summer!

Grade 8 Field Day Permission Form
Please see  "Grade 8 Field Day Permission Form 2015," for information about Grade 8 Field Day on Wednesday, May 27. Should it be hot on this day, we recommend that students dress appropriately for the weather and continue to drink water. Students are allowed to wear hats outside. Students (if they need) should wear sunscreen. Students can bring in sunscreen to apply on themselves outside.

Grade 8 Closing Ceremony – Thursday, May 28
The faculty and staff of Louisa County Middle School proudly welcome you to attend the 2015 Grade 8 Closing Ceremony for your grade eighth grade student upon the completion of middle school and entrance to the high school. This is a significant achievement and a proud moment in the life of your child and your family. We invite you to join us in celebrating this accomplishment at a ceremony to be held in the Louisa County Middle School Gymnasium on Thursday, May 28 at 8:30 a.m.


Each eighth grade student will be issued two tickets at graduation practice on Wednesday, May 27. Admittance to and seating in the gym will only be granted to those who have a ticket. However, there will also be a limited number of seats available in the Forum, where you can view graduation via a live video feed if you do not have a ticket. We encourage our students to dress up for this momentous event although you do not need to buy new clothes for this event.

Parking for the event will be available in the lots to the side of the cafeteria as well as in the front bus loop. Please do not plan on arriving before 7:45 a.m. If you need handicapped parking or have special requirements for seating, please call Mrs. Jennifer Purcell (Grade 8 Guidance Counselor) at (540) 894-5457 in advance so that we can accommodate you.

Light refreshments will be served immediately following the ceremony in the cafeteria, and all festivities will conclude by 10:30 a.m. Should you choose to take your child with you after the closing ceremony, you will need to sign him or her out with the proper identification.

Again, we hope that you will join us as we honor our students for their accomplishments at Louisa County Middle School. We offer our best wishes for their continued success in education!

Criteria for Summer School or Being Retained
Below is an explanation of the criteria for a student to attend summer school or to be retained. Students who were either recommended and asked to attend summer school received a form. For students who did not turn in their forms, both a phone call and the application were mailed home to the parents or guardians again. Please make sure that the forms have been turned in if summer school applies to your child. 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


Student Schedule for Monday, May 11 to Wednesday, May 27
From Monday, May 11 to Wednesday, May 27, we are on a 1, 2, 4, 3, 5 schedule. On Thursday, May 28, school ends at 11:00 a.m.



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

Thursday, May 14: Math 7 SOL tests
Saturday, May 16 - Grade 8 Formal @ LCMS Cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Monday, May 18: Algebra I Prognosis Test for Grade 7 students who are not presently enrolled in Algebra I
Monday, May 18: Science 8 SOL tests
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: Science 7 Field Trip for Grade 7 students
Tuesday, May 26: Washington DC Trip for All Grade 8 students
Wednesday, May 27: Science 7 Field Trip for Grade 7 students
Wednesday, May 27: Grade 8 Closing Ceremony Practice at LCMS Gymnasium in the morning and Grade 8 Field Day @ LCMS Tennis Courts and Practice Fields in the afternoon
Wednesday, May 27: Patrick Scharf's Award Ceremony for Science Students @ LCMS Forum at 1:15 p.m.
Thursday, May 28: Grade 8 Closing Ceremony from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 28: Grade 6 Field Day and Grade 7 Field Day
Thursday, May 28: 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
Louisa County Middle School