Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
Students are involved in much learning across the disciplines.
In Alex Waleski’s Advanced Grade 6 Science classes, students are beginning on their Science Fair topics. Alex Waleski is using Google classroom to help students stay organized. This week, students also completed a web quest and learned about the layers of the Earth’s atmospheres using this particular website http://www.windows2universe.org/eath/Atmosphere/layers.html
Students in Kathy Lewis’ Advanced Grade 6 English classes reviewed key science terms, such as observation, fact, prediction, inference, and opinion, in their Warm-Ups to reinforce what students are learning in science.
All Grade 6 Social Studies teachers reviewed rubrics with their students for their performance based assessments on geography. For this assessment, Grade 6 students will create a map of a continent (either existing or newly created by the students themselves) that contains all land and water features and at least four regions. All land features and regions must be labelled. The regions may be four actual regions of the United States that students have recreated on their maps, or students may choose to invent four new regions. Students will further draw on their maps the characteristics of a region and distinguish what makes an area a distinct region. Students will describe a place and name a city, making sure that the city is located in a prosperous place. There will also be a writing component to their performance based assessments. Based on their maps, students must provide a detailed description of each region including features. Students must demonstrate vocabulary learned in their classes by answering the following questions clearly: What makes this area a region? What are its specific characteristics? Additionally, in this writing assignment, students must provide three reasons and explain why their cities are in an ideal location for a settlement. Students must also support their reasons with details as they have learned from their English classes.
Students in Grade 6 Math reviewed decimal word problems and identified what types of operations were involved when solving these word problems. Students learned to look for key words such as produced,total, each, more, increased by, less than, more than, and decreased by to help them determine how to find their solutions.
Indeed, there is much vocabulary involved with our students’ learning! Please be sure to ask your child about vocabulary words that they are learning in each class.
Additionally, on Friday, October 2, all of us can show support for someone we know or who is defeating cancer by wearing pink on this day. The Clear, Focused, Mission Correlate, which helps to foster a positive environment with all staff and community members, hopes that our staff, students, and parents will wear pink on Friday, October 2. Thank you for your support in our fight against cancer!
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
Morning Announcers – Tyanna Brooks and Hope Bumgarner
Tyanna Brooks and Hope Bumgarner did an outstanding job with morning announcements. Both students were clear, enunciated each word with great accuracy, and had a nice and pleasant tone in delivering our important announcements. Without their help, Morning Announcements would not be as fun and enjoyable! From Monday, September 28 to Friday, October 2, we will have two new guest speakers to assist us with the announcements: Jimmi Carson and Grace Choi.
Benchmark Tests – Weeks of September 28 and October 5
As a reminder, students will be involved in benchmark testing during the weeks of September 28 and October 5. All Grade 8 students took their Civics benchmarks on Thursday, September 24. Students in Grades 6 and 7 are working on their performance based assessments in lieu of benchmark tests. All students will take their Science benchmarks on Monday, September 28. All Grade 6 students will take their English benchmarks on Wednesday, September 30. All Grade 7 students will take their English benchmarks on Thursday, October 1, and all Grade 8 students will take their English benchmarks on Friday, October 2. On Monday, October 5, all Grade 6 students will take their Math benchmarks. On Tuesday, October 6, all Grade 7 students will take their Math benchmarks. On Wednesday, all Grade 8 students will take their Math benchmarks. It is important that students take some time each night to study for these tests as part of their homework so that they do not feel overwhelmed the night before their tests.
Louisa September Sizzler – Saturday, September 26
The Louisa County Wrestling Team will be hosting a wrestling tournament this Saturday, September 26 at LCHS. The tournament is open to all ages and will be a great opportunity for any wrestler looking to fine tune his or her skills before the season begins in November! Coaches have been receiving a lot of interest from the wrestling community all over the State of Virginia. There has been some state registrations coming from Maryland, North Carolina, and even Florida. Please come out to LCHS to support the Louisa Wrestling program.
Before the wrestling tournament begins, UVA's new Assistant Coach and University of Pittsburgh graduate, Shelton Mack, will provide a 30 minute clinic. Mack recorded 84 wins while wrestling at 133 pounds for Pitt. He qualified for the NCAA Championships in 2012, 2013, and 2014, reaching the round of 12 in 2012. This clinic will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 9:00 a.m. when the tournament will begin. From 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. this will be solely ran as a clinic, which is open to any and all participants. The NCAA prohibits any free/reduced admissions for the cost of the clinic. There cannot be any recruiting activities. Awards must be factored into the costs of the clinic, and Boosters are not paying for any expenses to attend. For more information, please see the attachment, “Louisa September Sizzler Flyer 2015.”
Where: Louisa County High School
When: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost to attend: $2.00
Cost to Participate: $20.00
Law Safety Course for Grade 7 Students
On Monday, October 19; Thursday, October 22; Tuesday, November 10; or Wednesday, November 11, all Grade 7 students will participate in the Internet Safety program that is hosted by our school librarian, Rebecca Baughman, and our school resource officer, Deputy Nathan Harris. Grade 7 students will partake in this program through their English 7 classes in one of the aforementioned days. The Internet Safety program has existed for a period of six years, and has helped to provide our students with more education on making safe choices regarding using the internet.
In this presentation, students will learn about the importance of not sharing personal information with a stranger. Using the NetSmartz curriculum, students will learn what is appropriate and inappropriate information to share online. Students will also learn about what can occur if a student is asked to participate in “sexting,” which is sending, uploading, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit photos, videos, or texts. Students will further be engaged in conversations about what cyberbullying looks like and why the act of cyberbullying is unacceptable and hurtful to others.
Students will see an edited version of the Amanda Todd video. Amanda Todd was cyberbullied after someone shared a topless photo of her online. This video deals with sensitive subject matters. Your child will receive a letter in their English classes on Monday, September 28. Please ask your daughter or son for this letter. If you would like for your child to opt out from seeing the video and from partaking in the discussion, please check the box in the letter and return this portion to Ms. Baughman no later than Monday, October 12. If you do not check the box in the letter, then your Grade 7 child will see the edited version of this video and participate in the discussion. There is no grade penalty if you decide to have your Grade 7 child opt out from participating in this activity. During this time, your Grade 7 child will read in the library. For more information about this letter, please see the attachment, “Amanda Todd Video.”
After School Help – Tuesday, September 22 and Wednesday, September 23
After School Help began on Tuesday, September 8. This is a great opportunity for students to catch up on work, to use the computers, and/or to see specific teachers for additional assistance. Please see the attachment, “After School Help Fall Schedule 2015,” for a schedule of staff members and topics addressed for assistance.
Student Schedule for Monday, September 28 – Friday, October 9
Monday, September 28 (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, September 28 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On Tuesday, September 29 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, September 30 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, October 1 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, October 2 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 (Wear Pink!)
On Monday, October 5 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On Monday, October 5 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On Tuesday, October 6 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, October 7 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, October 8 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, October 9 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 (Anti-Bullying Day and End of 1st Nine Weeks)
Updates
Band and Guitar Trip – Wednesday, October 28
The first band and guitar field trip of the year will be on Wednesday, October 28, to the Richmond Symphony. Students will report immediately to the LCMS Forum when they get off their buses after students have checked in with first period teachers. Students will leave at 8:00 a.m. and will return between Period 5 and Period 6. We look forward to an exciting trip for our students to the Richmond Symphony. Thank you for Kathy Allen (LCMS Band Teacher) for planning this trip for our students!
Chorus and Drama Students Trip – Friday, November 6
Chorus and Drama students will be seeing SISTER ACT at the Riverside Dinner Theater on Friday, November 6. Students should dress nicely - no jeans, please. All students should plan to pack a lunch and something to drink. Students may order a cafeteria lunch on the permission slip if that is needed. Students will depart around 8:30 a.m. and will return to school by 2:30 p.m. We look forward to an exciting trip to the theater for our students, and thanks to Sharon Wills (Chorus and Drama Teacher) for planning such an exciting excursion for our students!
Chorus and Drama students will be seeing SISTER ACT at the Riverside Dinner Theater on Friday, November 6. Students should dress nicely - no jeans, please. All students should plan to pack a lunch and something to drink. Students may order a cafeteria lunch on the permission slip if that is needed. Students will depart around 8:30 a.m. and will return to school by 2:30 p.m. We look forward to an exciting trip to the theater for our students, and thanks to Sharon Wills (Chorus and Drama Teacher) for planning such an exciting excursion for our students!
Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple.
Friday, September 25: Club B or Reading
Friday, September 25: NJHS Candidacy packets are due in the Main Office by 3:30 p.m.
Friday, September 25: NJHS Candidacy packets are due in the Main Office by 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 26: Louisa September Sizzler at LCHS Gymansium from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday, September 28: All students will take Science Benchmarks.
Monday, September 28: SOL Recognition for Elementary and Middle School Students at 7:00 p.m. in “The Alan Jackson Theatre” or the LCHS Auditorium
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)
Thursday, October 22: Blue Ridge Virtual Governor School with Director Marc Carraway
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.
Wednesday, October 28: Band and Guitar Trip
Thursday, October 29: Student picture day
Friday, October 30: Club B or reading
Friday, October 30: Club B or reading
Friday, November 6: Chorus and Drama Students Trip
Thursday, March 24: All County Music @ LCHS Auditorium from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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
Principal
Louisa County Middle School
