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

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Principal's Update for August 27, 2015

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

I have just learned that we have about 300 students signed up for the LCMS Dance on Friday, August 28. How exciting! I hope to see many of our students and you at our first football game on Friday, August 28.

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
Parent Pick-upAs a reminder, if you are picking up your child at the 3:09 p.m. dismissal, please feel free to pull up in the circle or to park in the Central Office parking lot. If using the Central Office parking lot, please walk up to the cones to pick up your child. A reminder that no child is allowed to cross in between the busses to be picked up by his or her parent. This protocol is to ensure the safety of all of our students.

Morning Announcer Auditions Presently, we have a group of Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8 students who are trying out to be LCMS Morning Announcers. These students will provide important information and updates to all of our students and staff each morning. All students who have auditioned thus far have done an outstanding job! Today, our Grade 7 and Grade 8 students are trying out. I look forward to working with the first Morning Announcers on Monday, August 31. Thank you to all and to Jaclyn Jacobson (who has been one of our guest judges)!

LCMS Club Sign-upsFrom now until Friday, September 11, students have the opportunity to sign up to participate in various clubs during their lunches. For more detailed information about clubs, please see the attachment, “LCMS Club Info 2015.”

Boys Soccer Meeting – Tuesday, September 1On Tuesday, September 1, there will be a Boys’ Soccer Meeting held in high school cafeteria at 3:30 p.m. All students’ physicals need to be turned in so that all students can participate in conditioning immediately following. All interested 8th grade students must ride Bus 137 to the high school. For safety issues, no middle school student is allowed to walk to the high school during dismissal. Players can be picked up at 5:40 p.m. in the front of the stadium following conditioning.

National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Interest Meeting – Thursday, September 3
Mary Eden and Greg Palmer (co-sponsors of NJHS) will be holding a meeting for interested students and parents on Thursday, September 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Forum.
 The purpose of the National Junior Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, to develop character, and to encourage good citizenship in the students of Louisa County Middle School. Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is a privilege bestowed by Louisa County Middle School upon students who are found to meet the criteria for selection. Only students who have established their academic eligibility by meeting the cumulative grade standard are asked to submit information for this consideration. Students who have a cumulative 6th grade GPA of at least 3.40 and who wish to be considered for membership in the National Junior Honor Society must complete a Candidacy Packet (available September 14), and return it to the LCMS Main Office by 3:30 p.m. Friday, September 25. Completion and submission of a Candidacy packet does not guarantee selection. The Candidacy Packet will be reviewed and evaluated by the NJHS Faculty Council. Students will be notified of the Faculty Council’s decision by letter in the US Mail postmarked no later than Friday, October 23. The decision of the Faculty Council is final, and members of the Faculty Council cannot discuss their decisions with students or their parents or guardians. Appeals may be made to the school principal. For more information, please see the attachment, “NJHS Information 2015.”

 

LCMS Parent Advisory Council – Tuesday, September 8I would like to thank the following parents for their time and for serving on the LCMS Parent Advisory Council: Shonda Brooks, Kasity Cawthorne, Debbie Dessent, Ekeasha Hunt, Meghann McKnight, Susan Menton, Martha Moore, Zuwana Morgan, and Yvette Williamson. I look forward to working with these parents and listening to their feedback on how we can make LCMS the best it can be for all of our students. These parents will provide me with input and feedback on the School Improvement Plan and budget. They will also share with me any concerns or questions that they may hear from other parents. Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Office Conference Room.

Talented and Gifted (TAG) Parent Night – Wednesday, September 23TAG Advisors, Sarah Martin, Hope Hamblin, and Kristina Johnson, will host an information night on Wednesday, September 23 at 5:00 p.m. If you are interested in learning more about what TAG will look like this year and when meetings will occur for your child, please be sure to join us on this evening. These ladies have planned exciting, learning experiences for our students involved in the TAG Program at LCMS!

Student Schedule for Monday, August 31 – Friday, September 11Monday, August 31 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1 (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 1 class.)

On Monday, August 31 (B):               1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On Tuesday, September 1 (A):           1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, September 2 (B):      1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, September 3 (A):          1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, September 4 (B):              1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
On Monday, September 7:                  No school for students and staff. Labor Day.

On Tuesday, September 8 (B):           1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2 (This is a “B” Day again to balance out elective and TAG programming.)
On Wednesday, September 9 (A):      1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, September 10 (B):        1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, September 11 (A):            1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5

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

Monday, August 24: All students sign up for clubs during their lunches. This week begins the Gifted and Talented Program begins for Grades and 8 Gifted and Talented students.

Thursday, August 27: Fall Athletic Parent Meeting in LCMS Forum from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fall athletes should attend with their parents.

Monday, August 31: All students sign up for clubs during their lunches. 
Friday, August 28: LCMS Dance and Football Game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Monday, September 3: NJHS interest meetings at LCMS Forum at 6:30 p.m. 
Monday, September 7: Labor Day. No school for students and staff. This is the last week for students to sign up for clubs during lunches.

Tuesday, September 8: School begins at 7:40 a.m. LCMS Parent Advisory Council @ LCMS Main Office Conference Room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and PTA Board Meeting @ LCMS Main Office Conference Room from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Friday, September 11: Interim report cards for the first nine weeks are sent home with students.
Monday, September 14: NJHS Candidacy packets are available in the Main Office.
Monday, September 14: ACE Math begins.
Friday, September 18: Club A or Reading
Friday, September 18: LCMS Dance @ LCMS Cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 24: All Grade 8 students take their Social Studies Benchmarks. For Grade 6 and Grade 7 students, performance-based assessments in social studies will occur around this time.

Friday, September 25: Club B or Reading
Friday, September 25: NJHS Candidacy packets are due in the Main Office by 3:30 p.m. 
Monday, September 28: All students will take Science Benchmarks.
Wednesday, September 30: Grade 6 English Benchmarks

Thursday, October 1: Grade 7 English Benchmarks
Friday, October 2: Grade 8 English Benchmarks
Monday, October 5: Math 6 Benchmarks
Tuesday, October 6: Math 7 Benchmarks
Wednesday, October 7: Math 8 Benchmarks

Friday, October 9: First nine weeks end. LCMS Dance and Football Game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Anti-bullying Awareness Day. All students will participate in an anti-bullying walk during last period.
Friday, October 16: Report cards for the first nine weeks are sent home with students.
Monday, October 19: ACE Math occurs from Monday, October 19 to Thursday, October 22 during the last period of the day. 
Tuesday, October 20: Tentatively scheduled for Parent/Teacher Conference (3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. appointment only) and (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. walk-ins)
Friday, October 23: Decision letters for NJHS mailed home to candidates. Club A or reading
Friday, October 23: LCMS Dance and Football Game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Monday, October 26: ACE Math occurs from Monday, October 26 to Thursday, October 29 during the last period of the day.

Thursday, October 29: Student picture day
Friday, October 30: Club B or reading
Thursday, March 24: All County Music @ LCHS Auditorium from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 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
Louisa County Middle School

Monday, August 24, 2015

Principal's Update for August 24, 2015

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

I wanted to thank the following National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) members and co-sponsors (Mary Eden and Greg Palmer) for their assistance. NJHS met after school on a steamy Thursday afternoon on August 20 to repaint classroom numbers on the curb to make it easier for 8th grade classes to meet during evacuation drills. With teamwork, laughter, and good cheer, NJHS members made quick work of the messy job. Thank you for your service Ginny Helmandollar, Sydney Hopkins, Sadie Jordan, Alexis Lagon, Sydney Madison, Gabby Matthews, Victoria Moore, and Moriah Moss!

The following are reminders:
·       For safety purposes, please remember that no middle school student is allowed to walk to the high school during school dismissal. If the student needs to go to the high school, then the student needs to get on Bus 137 and inform the bus driver know why. For example, we have a couple of students who play sports at the high school. The bus driver will drop off the students at the high school. Thank you for your help in ensuring the safety of our students!
·       If you are picking up your child, please feel free to pull up in the circle or to park in the Central Office parking lot. If using the Central Office parking lot, please walk up to the cones to pick up your child. A reminder that no child is allowed to cross in between the busses to be picked up by his or her parent. Again, this protocol is to ensure the safety of all of our students.
·       Instruments carried on the school bus must fit in the student’s lap or between the legs without hanging over in the aisle, even if there is an empty space next to the student. If your child has been bringing an instrument on the bus and there has not been a problem, then please inform your child that he or she may continue to do so. Issues will be addressed by bus drivers, parents/guardians, or students who bring them to our attention. If you have questions, Kathy Allen (LCMS Band Teacher) can be reached at allenrk@lcps.k12.va.us or at (540) 894-5457 ext. 2126.

·     Tryouts for LCMS Morning Announcers will begin on Wednesday, August 26 during Period 6.

·      Students will be signing up for clubs starting on Wednesday, August 26 during lunch. Please see the attachment, “Clubs at LCMS 2015-2016” for more information. Club sign-ups will continue until Friday, September 11 during lunches. We hope that as many students will sign up for the various clubs offered at LCMS.

·      The first school dance and football game will be on Friday, August 28. Permission slips will be handed out to students on Tuesday, August 25, during lunch. Please click here, “Game and Dance August 28” for the form. The last day for students to turn in permission slips and money is on Thursday, August 27 by 1:15 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.

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

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Principal's Update for August 20, 2015

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

As always, much is occurring at LCMS!

This week, students took pre-assessments in order to assess what students already know and to help our teachers pinpoint specific areas of focus.

This week, I also had the awesome opportunity to do several learning walks. I saw students involved in measurement labs in both Grade 7 and Grade 8 Science. Grade 7 and Grade 8 students measured different masses and volumes, using the appropriate measurements and placements for each question. Students in Grade 7 Science also reviewed safety measures for lab procedures and talked about what responsibility, area, accountability, respect, and attention look like. Students in Grade 6 Social Studies further named the various states and identified definitions, such as plateau, island, peninsula, and longitude. Students in Grade 6 Math also reviewed negative numbers on the number line and identified integers. Grade 6 Math students began organizing their interactive notebooks. This was only a small sample of the exciting learning occurring at LCMS!

Starting next week, students will have the opportunity to sign up for clubs during lunch. Students will have a period of three weeks to sign up for these clubs. Information about each club will be available for students during lunch. On certain Fridays of the month, students may either participate in clubs or participate in reading. Clubs include the following: Community Action Team club (CATs), membership in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Chess, Battle of the Books, Library Helper Club, Technology Student Association (TSA), National Future Farmers of America (FFA), and Student Council Association (SCA), and Girls on Track, which will begin in February 2016.

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
Hearing and Vision Screening for Grade 7 Students 
Nurse Nancy Gholson reminds us that seventh grade students are required by State law to have their hearing and vision screened. The Lions’ Club will be coming to perform these tests again this year on Thursday, September 10 and Friday, September 11. If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Gholson at gholsonw@lcps.k12.va.us. 

LCMS Dance Night – Friday, August 28
Friday, August 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. will be our first LCMS Dance in the LCMS Cafeteria! We hope that as many of our students will join us. Following this dance, students who are attending the game will be escorted by our administrators to the football fields. Students can either purchase to go to the dance or to the dance and game. Information about the dance will be forthcoming on Monday, August 24. All money and signed permission slips can be turned into the Main Office beginning on Tuesday, August 25 and Wednesday, August 26. Thursday, August 27 during last lunch will be the last opportunity for students to turn in their money and signed permission slips to attend the LCMS Dance. 

Fall Sports Recognition Night – Friday, August 28
The following is a letter from Coach George Stanley, the Athletic Director:

Dear Parents of Fall Athletes:

On Friday, August 28th, at the first varsity home football game, we will celebrate our Fall Sports Recognition Night.  All players will be recognized in front of the crowd on the track during the football game.  Each player will be admitted to this game free IF they wear their team jersey (NO EXCEPTIONS).  NO, parents nor family members will be admitted to this game for free. Athletes need to meet at the fire breathing lion at the times given below.  Please follow the schedule as follows.

6:50 p.m. (40 minutes before game time)
1.                  MS Football and Coach Brown
2.                  MS Girls’ Basketball and Coach Nick Schreck and Susie Farmer
3.                  MS Cross Country and Coach Beth Brown
4.                  MS Cheerleading and Coach Sarah Martin

5 minutes before the end of the first quarter:
1.                  JV Volleyball and Coach Cheri Hunter
2.                  Varsity Volleyball and Coach Rachel Green
3.                  Golf and Coach Neal Moubray

Immediately after the marching band plays their routine at halftime:
1.                  JV Football and Coach Jeff Alston, Da’Vell Smith or Donald Moore
2.                  Boys’ Cross Country and Coach Cutright
3.                  Girls’ Cross Country and Coach Pat Janovic or Beth brown
4.                  JV & Varsity Field Hockey and Coach Meredith Marconi & Maria Seay

5 minutes before the end of the third quarter:
1.                  JV Cheerleaders and Coach Tonishia Short and Stephanie Laub
2.                  Varsity Cheerleaders and Coach Sarah Boyer
3.                  Competition Cheer and Coach Erin Bland

I look forward to seeing you on Friday, August 28th in THE JUNGLE!!

LET’S GO, LET’S GO!!

George “Coach Stanley”
LCHS, Director of Athletics 

Patriot’s Pen Contest
Last year, we had two district level winners from the Patriot’s Pen Contest. Sponsored by the Veterans Of Foreign War (VFW), this youth essay competition provides students with an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is entitled, “What Freedom Means to Me.” All entries must be received no later than Sunday, November 1, 2015. More than 120,000 students last year participated in this contest. The national winners will receive $500. The first-place national award is currently $5,000 plus an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the winner and a parent or guardian. For more information, please see, “Patriots Pen Entry Form 2015. 

Dr. Temple Grandin – Autism Activist and Best-selling Author
Space is limited. Dr. Grandin has inspired people worldwide as a champion for individuals with autism and their families. This fall, Elk Hill, is bringing her to you. Come be a part of an important community conversation about the needs and potential of children with autism. Also, there will be free information about services for special needs children and adults, an iPad giveaway for families of children with autism, and a Virginia Film Festival screening of a new documentary on autism and the arts followed by a panel discussion of local autism experts. For more information, please see this link:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-temple-grandin-understanding-autism-registration-18063018976

After School Help
After School Help 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 will run from 3:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and will be held on designated Tuesdays and Wednesdays, beginning Tuesday, September 8.

If your child is interested in signing up for After School Help, please sign up your child using the form, “After School Help Form 2015.” The form should be turned into the Main Office no later than the Tuesday that the student wishes to stay for help and no later than 1:15 p.m. Students may turn in this form earlier if they wish. Without this form signed by the parent or guardian, the student may not stay after school for After School Help.

Student Schedule for Monday, August 24 – Friday, September 4
Monday, August 24 (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, August 24 (A):1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1 (Students sign up for clubs during lunch. The Gifted and Talented Program begins for students.)

On Tuesday, August 25 (B):               1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, August 26 (A):         1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, August 27 (B):             1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, August 28 (A):                 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
On Monday, August 31 (B):               1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On Tuesday, September 1 (A):           1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, September 2 (B):      1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, September 3 (A):          1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, September 4 (B):              1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5


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

Monday, August 24: All students sign up for clubs during their lunches. This week begins the Gifted and Talented Program begins for Grades and 8 Gifted and Talented students.

Thursday, August 27: Fall Athletic Parent Meeting in LCMS Forum from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fall athletes should attend with their parents.


Monday, August 31: All students sign up for clubs during their lunches. 

Friday, August 28: LCMS Dance and Football Game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Monday, September 3: NJHS interest meetings at LCMS Forum at 6:30 p.m. 
Monday, September 7: Labor Day. No school for students and staff. This is the last week for students to sign up for clubs during lunches.

Tuesday, September 8: School begins at 7:40 a.m. LCMS Parent Advisory Council @ LCMS Main Office Conference Room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and PTA Board Meeting @ LCMS Main Office Conference Room from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Friday, September 11: Interim report cards for the first nine weeks are sent home with students.
Monday, September 14: NJHS Candidacy packets are available in the Main Office.
Monday, September 14: ACE Math begins.
Friday, September 18: Club A or Reading
Friday, September 18: LCMS Dance @ LCMS Cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 24: All Grade 8 students take their Social Studies Benchmarks. For Grade 6 and Grade 7 students, performance-based assessments in social studies will occur around this time.

Friday, September 25: Club B or Reading
Friday, September 25: NJHS Candidacy packets are due in the Main Office by 3:30 p.m.
Monday, September 28: All students will take Science Benchmarks.
Wednesday, September 30: Grade 6 English Benchmarks

Thursday, October 1: Grade 7 English Benchmarks
Friday, October 2: Grade 8 English Benchmarks
Monday, October 5: Math 6 Benchmarks
Tuesday, October 6: Math 7 Benchmarks
Wednesday, October 7: Math 8 Benchmarks

Friday, October 9: First nine weeks end. LCMS Dance and Football Game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Anti-bullying Awareness Day. All students will participate in an anti-bullying walk during last period.

Friday, October 16: Report cards for the first nine weeks are sent home with students.
Monday, October 19: ACE Math occurs from Monday, October 19 to Thursday, October 22 during the last period of the day. 

Tuesday, October 20: Tentatively scheduled for Parent/Teacher Conference (3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. appointment only) and (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. walk-ins)

Friday, October 23: Decision letters for NJHS mailed home to candidates. Club A or reading
Friday, October 23: LCMS Dance and Football Game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.
Monday, October 26: ACE Math occurs from Monday, October 26 to Thursday, October 29 during the last period of the day.

Thursday, October 29: Student picture day
Friday, October 30: Club B or reading

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

Friday, August 14, 2015

Principal's Update for August 13, 2015

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

My staff and I would like to report to you that we had a great first couple of days.

By Friday, August 14, my administrative team and I will speak to every single student in our Student Expectation Assemblies. We discussed taking P.R.I.D.E. (or personal responsibility in delivering excellence) and what that looks like in the classroom, to oneself, and to one another. Many students shared with us that they would be earning P.R.I.D.E. Paws, which are given to students who exemplify excellent behavior in the classroom and throughout the day. Students who receive P.R.I.D.E. Paws will not only earn a free snack and a positive phone call home to parents or guardians but also they will receive a certificate indicating the reason(s) for earning the P.R.I.D.E. Paws. We know that many of our students will earn this recognition throughout the year!

Furthermore, on behalf of Nurse Gholson and my Front Office staff, we would like to thank our Grade 6 parents/guardians for helping us secure the Tdap forms. This was one of our best turnarounds in receiving the forms so quickly! Thank you for your help in ensuring that all student are safe at our school!

I am presently looking for three Grade 6 parent/guardians who would like to assist in the LCMS Parent Advisory Council. We have representation from Grade 7 and Grade 8 parents. This council helps to bring forth suggestions about school improvement. We meet once a month. If you are interested in volunteering for this council, please contact Barbie Banning at 540 894-5457 ext. 2023 or banninbd@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
PowerSchool Training for Parents/GuardiansA great big thanks to both Cassandra Truzys, Data Analyst for LCPS, and to Kate Straley, Instructional Technology Specialist at LCMS, for hosting an informational session on PowerSchool for parents or guardians during Open House on Monday, August 10. PowerSchool allows parents or guardians to access information on their students, such as their grades, information on their class attendance, and completion of their child’s assignments for each class. To access your child’s information, please use https://louisa.powerschool.com/public . To get more information regarding using PowerSchool, please go to our website at http://lcms.lcps.k12.va.us . Click on the “Parent” tab and then “Parent Portal (PowerSchool) Directions.” If you have misplaced or do not remember your username and password, please feel free to contact 540 894-5457 and ask for Leslie Jordan.

During the end of each nine weeks, PowerSchool will be temporarily offline. Parents/Guardians will be unable to access PowerSchool during this time. This is to allow teachers the time to input students’ grades and comments.

National Junior Honor Society – Your feedback is important! NJHS co-sponsors, Mary Eden (English teacher 8) and Greg Palmer (Science teacher 8), and I would like to thank parents or guardians for their feedback. Based on input, we have revamped some of the processes for NJHS in order to streamline the application process more effectively. We have also included a website to provide parents or guardians with more information about NJHS. Please go the LCMS website at http://lcms.lcps.k12.va.us/pages/Louisa_County_Middle_School Click under the tab “Activities,” and then click on NJHS. Please note that a student must have at least a 3.4 cumulative GPA for Grade 6 as only one part of the selection criteria to be a member of NJHS . Also, there will NOT be a limit of students who are accepted if they qualify for the selection criteriaFor more information, please click here: “NJHS Information August 14.”

Parent Expectations Meeting with Athletic Director (AD) George Stanley – Wednesday, August 19  The following is information from AD George Stanley:

“I wanted to let you know that we will be having our parent expectations meeting for fall sports next Wednesday, August 19th in the LCHS Auditorium at 6:30 pm (We used to do the meetings in the Forum at the middle school in previous years). Parents, if your student-athletes are still in practice at that time it is fine. I do, however, need you there to pick up the student-athlete handbook for this year (there are forms that need to be signed and returned from that packet). 

Football players have already had their parent meeting, but their parents need to get the student-athlete handbook that I will hand out next Wednesday at the meeting. The following places will be designated for individual team meetings between coaches and parents of the players (after the main meeting in the auditorium with me):
  • Cross Country-Auditorium
  • Golf-Cafeteria
  • Volleyball-LCHS side of Main Gym
  • Field Hockey-LION side of Main Gym
  • Cheer-Auxiliary Gym
Can you feel the EXCITEMENT of the new school year?!  If not, you can stop through our new “PRIDE SHOP,” (which is our new school store) which has plenty of school spirited items including: tee shirts, sweatshirts, window decals, coffee mugs and hats.  Get ‘em while they’re hot!! See you all on 8/19 at 6:30pm in the LCHS auditorium.”

Learn and Win (LAW) Program with Deputy Nathan Harris Please click here: “Law August 1,” to learn more about information about the LAW program at LCMS.

Revamp on Science FairAs part of an on-going process to see how we can continue to provide all students with an excellent education, LCMS teachers, department chairs, and administrators review curriculum in each discipline. For example, in Spring 2015, all advanced science teachers asked all of their students in their Advanced Sciences classes in Grades 6, 7, and 8 to answer seven questions about the science fair project. The questions were:

1.      What do you think is the purpose of the science fair project?
2.      What skills do you think that you learned by doing your project?
3.      What were some of the easiest things about doing your project?
4.      What were some of the hardest things about doing your project?
5.      What would you do differently in the process of completing your project next time?
6.      What advice would you give to a future student about doing the science fair project?
7.      What did you learn from writing the research paper?

The science teachers with Sally Agee (Department Chair of Science) and me reviewed all of the students’ comments. Overwhelmingly, students wanted to have the opportunity to choose their project topics. It was evident that more time should be spent on teaching certain skills at each level. It was clear that all students could benefit on the research based skills. Thus, based on a review of the science curriculum and data from the science fair projects which included looking at student responses, the following changes were made:

In Grade 6, students in Advanced Science will complete a science fair project as a yearlong assignment with the option of competing in the LCMS science fair competition in February 2016This will no longer be a requirementIf opting to compete, projects must be completed entirely by mid-January 2016. For the first semester in the sixth grade, students in Advanced Science will concentrate on forming a testable question, writing a research paper, and forming a proper hypothesis from their research. Beginning second semester, students will edit their research papers, test their hypothesis, analyze their data, and write a conclusion. However, all students taking science will concentrate on forming a testable question, writing a two to three page research paper, and forming a proper hypothesis from their research. All students will edit their research papersThese skills are important for all students to acquire. Students in Advanced Science may be required to write a longer research paper. Furthermore, during the summer, the Grade 6 English teachers worked with the Grade 6 Science teachers to align their curriculum and pacing to support the analytical writing that will be occurring in Grade 6 Science. Thus, what students learn in English 6 about writing analytical papers will be reinforced in Science 6 around the same time.

It was further evident from the review of curriculum that more focus needed to be placed on taking the time to teach our students what constitutes forming a testable question, the components for writing a two to three page research paper, and forming an effective hypothesis. Thus, more time on teaching the aforementioned components as opposed to just executing the experiment. The components and the foundations of writing will further be reinforced in both Science and English classes.

In Grade 7, students in Advanced Science will complete a science fair project as a yearlong assignment with the option of competing in the LCMS science fair competition in February 2016. If opting to compete, projects must be completed entirely by mid-January 2016. All students in Science 7 will review writing a proper hypothesis and concentrate on designing an experiment along with formulating a data table to test their hypothesis. Students in Advanced Science 7 will then complete their projects by analyzing the data and forming a conclusion.

As another change, students in Advanced Science now will have the option to either continue on with the same research topic the following year or to change to a new topic. Thus, what students research in Grade 6 Advanced Science can be applied to the science fair projects in Grade 7 Advanced Science and in Grade 8 Advanced Science, or Grade 6 students in Advanced Science can opt to design a new experiment and/or change topics when in Grade 7 Advanced Science and in Grade 8 Advanced Science.

In Grade 8, students in Advanced Science will complete a science fair project before Winter Break. All students will compete for a position in the LCMS Science Fair to be held during the first week of February 2016.  Students will also compete for a position in the regional science fair held in March 2016 at the University of Virginia. The science teacher will emphasize creating a complete project. This is intended to prepare students to do research–based projects in the high school. As part of their projects, students will create a well written research paper, design and conduct an experiment to test their hypothesis, create a graph to represent their results, analyze their data, and produce a conclusion. All students in the Science 8 classes will focus on creating a graph to represent their results, analyze their data, and draw a conclusion. This is a vital skill for all students to acquire.

In summary, more time and focus have been allotted for all students (whether they are in the regular or advanced science classes) to learn what constitutes as a testable question, what does it mean to formulate a proper hypothesis, how to write an effective research paper, how to test the experiment, what does it mean to graph results in a viable and effective manner, and how to compose a well written conclusion.

Performance Based Assessments (PBA) As part of a district-wide initiative to deepen the analytical thinking of all students, all students will be involved in performance based assessments. Performance based assessments allow teachers to not only assess the student’s knowledge of the content but also to understand their ability to apply the content. In essence, practicing these skills will help our students continue to think in complex ways and to apply their knowledge even when confronted with perplexing unknowns.

Thus, each class (whether it be Art, English, or Math) will design a performance based assessment on a small scale this year to assess students. For the most part, the performance based assessments will be given to students in second semester and will constitute as only a quiz grade. Thus, how students perform on one performance based assessment is not the only grade for the student.

Furthermore, the State has now required that students in Grades 6 and Grade 7 be assessed using PBAs in lieu of the SOL tests in Grade 6 and Grade 7 Social Studies. Thus, PBAs for Grades 6 and 7 will count as a test grade as opposed to only a quiz grade as in the other subject areas since the PBAs are replacing the SOL tests. Students, however, will still have multiple methods of being assessed in their social studies classes. Students have different types of tests, quizzes, homework, and classwork assignments. Not all tests in Grades 6 and 7 Social Studies will be performance based assessments. More information about PBAs will be forthcoming from your Grade 6 and Grade 7 Social Studies teachers.

Morning Announcers Presently, I am looking for students who would like to assist me in making Morning Announcements each morning. If you are interested in helping out with Morning Announcements, please remind your child to let his or her guidance counselor know, no later than Friday, August 21.

After School Help After School Help 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 will run from 3:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and will be held on designated Tuesdays and Wednesdays, beginning Tuesday, September 8.

If your child is interested in signing up for After School Help, please sign up your child using the form, “After School Help Form 2015.” The form should be turned into the Main Office no later than the Tuesday that the student wishes to stay for help and no later than 1:15 p.m. Students may turn in this form earlier if they wish. Without this form signed by the parent or guardian, the student may not stay after school for After School Help.

Student Schedule for Monday, August 17 – Friday, August 28

Monday, August 17 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1 (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 1 class.)

On Monday, August 17 (B):               1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On Tuesday, August 18 (A):              1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, August 19 (B):         1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, August 20 (A):             1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, August 21 (B):                  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5

On Monday, August 24 (A):              1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1 (Students sign up for clubs during lunch. The Gifted and Talented Program begins for students.)

On Tuesday, August 25 (B):               1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, August 26 (A):         1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, August 27 (B):             1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, August 28 (A):                 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5

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

Monday, August 17: All students take pre-assessments in their Math and Social Studies classes.
Monday, August 17: Girls’ Basketball tryouts from 3:20 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday, August 19: All students take pre-assessments in their English and Science classes.
Friday, August 21: Gifted and Talented Program begins for Grade 6 Gifted and Talented students.

Monday, August 24: All students sign up for clubs during their lunches. This week begins the Gifted and Talented Program begins for Grades and 8 Gifted and Talented students.

Monday, August 31: All students sign up for clubs during their lunches. 
Friday, August 28: LCMS Dance and Football Game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Monday, September 3: NJHS interest meetings at LCMS Forum at 6:30 p.m. 
Monday, September 7: Labor Day. No school for students and staff. This is the last week for students to sign up for clubs during lunches.


Tuesday, September 8: School begins at 7:40 a.m. LCMS Parent Advisory Council @ LCMS Main Office Conference Room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and PTA Board Meeting @ LCMS Main Office Conference Room from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.


Friday, September 11: Interim report cards for the first nine weeks are sent home with students.


Monday, September 14: NJHS Candidacy packets are available in the Main Office.
Monday, September 14: ACE Math begins.
Friday, September 18: Club A or Reading
Friday, September 18: LCMS Dance @ LCMS Cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 24: All Grade 8 students take their Social Studies Benchmarks. For Grade 6 and Grade 7 students, performance-based assessments in social studies will occur around this time.


Friday, September 25: Club B or Reading

Friday, September 25: NJHS Candidacy packets are due in the Main Office by 3:30 p.m.
Monday, September 28: All students will take Science Benchmarks.
Wednesday, September 30: Grade 6 English Benchmarks

Thursday, October 1: Grade 7 English Benchmarks
Friday, October 2: Grade 8 English Benchmarks
Monday, October 5: Math 6 Benchmarks
Tuesday, October 6: Math 7 Benchmarks
Wednesday, October 7: Math 8 Benchmarks

Friday, October 9: First nine weeks end. LCMS Dance and Football Game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Anti-bullying Awareness Day. All students will participate in an anti-bullying walk during last period.


Friday, October 16: Report cards for the first nine weeks are sent home with students.

Monday, October 19: ACE Math occurs from Monday, October 19 to Thursday, October 22 during the last period of the day. 

Tuesday, October 20: Tentatively scheduled for Parent/Teacher Conference (3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. appointment only) and (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. walk-ins)

Friday, October 23: Decision letters for NJHS mailed home to candidates. Club A or reading

Friday, October 23: LCMS Dance and Football Game @ LCMS Cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.


Monday, October 26: ACE Math occurs from Monday, October 26 to Thursday, October 29 during the last period of the day.

Thursday, October 29: Student picture day
Friday, October 30: Club B or reading


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