Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
Today, students will be involved in the anti-bullying walk during Period 6, and staff and students are wearing orange to show their support against any bullying-like behavior, which is not tolerated at LCMS.
This week, student representatives in Student Council Association (SCA) have been meeting with Natalie Watterson (Grade 8 English teacher) to video-tape their speeches for various leadership positions for SCA.
Mary Eden (Grade 8 English teacher) and I met with the LCMS Principal Ambassadors, Victoria Moore and Ryan Wheeler, on devising a plan for a fundraiser on behalf of the National Junior Honor Society, such as the “Boo Grams,” as well as other community service opportunities that students in the NJHS would like to assist. I look forward to meeting with these students each month as they will provide me with feedback on how to make this school even more student-centered for all students.
On Thursday, October 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. please join us in the LCMS Forum for the internet safety presentation with Rusty McGuire and Sergeant Chuck Love. If available, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. join us for some cookies and punch. Louisa’s Commonwealth Attorney, Rusty McGuire, and Louisa County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Detective, Sergeant Chuck Love, will provide us with more information on the potential dangers or risks that children may face when using social media and how our students can use the internet safely.
Finally, I would like to thank all parents and guardians for their support in the afternoon pick-up. This is again to ensure the safety and well-being of you and our students!
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 – Clauriz Claudio and Taren Coles
Clauriz Claudio and Taren Coles 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, enjoyable, or even as informative! From Tuesday, October 13 to Friday, October 16, we will have two new guest speakers to assist us with the announcements: Kourtney Dalton and Caiden Davenport.
Louisa Wrestling Tournament a Success
On Saturday, September 26, the Louisa Wrestling Team hosted its 10th Annual September Sizzler wrestling tournament at LCHS. This tournament had over 160 competitors from Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and even Florida. Ages ranged from youth (5-11) to college for this event. This tournament had 50 more participants than last year’s tournament that was held at LCMS. We are continually trying to build the youth and middle school programs at Louisa. In order to build a program, wrestlers and parents joined together to run this great tournament each year. This tournament serves as the team’s main fundraiser and supports the costs of the entry fees and travel expenses for in-season tournaments. Thank you to all of the staff members and parent involved as well as to Coaches Ty Boyer, Trevor Gallo, and Dan Leale, for your time and assistance in this important event for our students!
“5 to Drive” Campaign Helps Parents Protect Teen Drivers – Captain Poindexter
The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office is joining with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Louisa County High School to promote the “5 to Drive” campaign during National Teen Driver Safety Week (18-24 Oct) and State Farm’s Celebrate My Drive Campaign (12-25 Oct). These campaigns have important and complementary roles in helping parents talk to their teen drivers about important rules of the road and encouraging teens to make positive choices. “Even though our Louisa County teens might be gaining some independence and getting older, protecting them from harm shouldn’t stop now,” said Sheriff Fortune. “The ‘5 to Drive’ campaign will give parents the tools they need to keep their teen drivers safe now and in the future.” Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for U.S. teens 15 to 19 years old. In 2013, more than 2,614 teen drivers were involved in fatal passenger vehicle crashes. The “5 to Drive” campaign addresses the five most dangerous and deadly behaviors displayed by teen drivers. The idea behind the campaign is to give parents the words to use when they talk with their teens about the rules of the road. NHTSA’s website, www.safercar.gov/parents, has detailed information and statistics about the five rules designed to help save the lives of teen drivers.
The “5 to Drive” rules for parents to share with their teens are:
- No Drinking and Driving - almost one out of five (19 percent) of the young drivers (15 to 19 years old) involved in fatal crashes had been drinking, even though they were too young to legally buy or possess alcohol.
- Buckle Up, Every Trip, Every Time, Front Seat and Back. – 64 percent of all the young (13- to 19-year-old) passengers of teen drivers who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2013 were not wearing seat belts.
- Put It Down. One Text or Call Could Wreck It All. - The age group of 15 to 19 years old has the highest percentage of drivers who were distracted by cell phone use and involved in a fatal crash. In 2013, 156 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted teen driver.
- Stop Speeding Before It Stops You. - In 2013, almost one-third (29 percent) of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were speeding.
- No More Than One Passenger at a Time. - The risk of a fatal crash goes up with each additional passenger.
Teen drivers need to follow these rules and other restrictions outlined in Virginia’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law. Parents need to highlight these rules and explain to their teens the deadly consequences of unsafe driving practices. The “5 to Drive” campaign can help parents start that conversation and encourage teens make positive choices. “We are hoping that the ‘5 to Drive’ campaign will get the word out to all parents and their teens,” Sheriff Fortune said. “Don’t stop protecting them now that they can drive. Your teens need your guidance and behavior expectations now more than ever.” Surveys show that teens whose parents impose driving restrictions typically engage in less risky driving and are involved in fewer crashes. Teens can’t listen if you don’t talk! For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week and the “5 to Drive” campaign, please visit www.safercar.gov/parents.
For more information about State Farm’s “Celebrate My Drive” campaign, please visit www.celebratemydrive.com.
LCMS School Library Website
Parents and Guardians, do you know about all the helpful tools on the LCMS Library’s webpage? It can be accessed from the LCMS home page under the LCMS tab. The library staff wants to provide easy access to many of the resources students often need for classwork and library use.
Here are a few of the links that can be found on the LCMS Library page:
· Destiny Catalog (home) link will allow students and parents to look up books in our Library collection from home.
· Accelerated Reader quizzes for books students have read are only to be taken while at school.
· AR Book Finder website can be used to find out if there is an AR quiz on any specific book.
· FAQ link will provide answers to many frequently asked questions about our Library.
· Resources tab links students to a variety of reference tools like World Book Online Encyclopedia andGrolier Online Encyclopedia. These are two great resources to begin a research project before “googling” on the Internet. To log onto these sites: username: louisa password: findup
There are many additional links to explore. Please check out this informative webpage. I would like to thank our librarian staff, Sue Watson, Rebecca Baughman, and Jennifer Filer, for always making the LCMS Library a wonderful place for our students to read and a very resourceful place for our students to learn.
End of First Marking Period – Friday, October 9
The end of the first marking period is on Friday, October 9. The parent portal for grades in PowerSchool will be temporarily closed from Friday, October 9 at 3:30 p.m. until Thursday, October 15 at 8:00 a.m. This will allow teachers the time to input grades and comments on students’ report cards. Report cards will be sent home with all students on Friday, October 16.
Parent/Teacher Conferences – Tuesday, October 20
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 20 by appointment only from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you are interested in setting up an appointment with your child’s teacher, please contact your child’s teacher to set up an individual appointment. Appointments will be on a first come-first serve basis. From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. teachers will be available for walk-ins. School will still be in session until 3:09 p.m. You are welcome to park in the Central Office Parking Lot. Should you arrive after 3:09 p.m. please feel free to wait in the LCMS Cafeteria. Please note that teachers are finishing up with bus and after school duties. As such, parent conferences will not begin until 3:30 p.m. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing on Tuesday, October 20 for parent/teacher conferences!
After School Help – Wednesday, October 21
As Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 20, after school help will only be available on Wednesday, October 21 during this week.
Unveiling and Dedication – Saturday, October 24
On Saturday, October 24 10:00 a.m. Linda Collins, the President of the A.G. Richardson Alumni Association, cordially invites you to the unveiling and dedication of a historical marker. This historical marker is honoring the site of the Archie Gibbs Richardson High School and the Zelda Carter Morton Elementary School and the contributions of African-American parents, children, and community leaders. The ceremony will take place at the Thomas Jefferson Elementary, and the marker will be placed on Route 33 East of Louisa on the Thomas Jefferson Elementary site. We hope to see you there!
Student Schedule for Tuesday, October 13 – Friday, October 23Tuesday, October 13 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2 (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 2 class.)
On Monday, October 12: Teacher Workday. No school for students.
On Tuesday, October 13 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, October 14 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, October 15 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, October 16 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 (Reports go out. All Country Music Night at LCHS Stadium.)
On Monday, October 19 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On Tuesday, October 20 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, October 21 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 3
On Thursday, October 22 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, October 23 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 Club A or Reading.
Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple.
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. Students will bring all of their items to be dismissed from the LCHS Stadium.
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. Students will bring all of their items to be dismissed from the LCHS Stadium.
Monday, October 12: Teacher Workday. No school for students.
Tuesday, October 13: School resumes for students on Tuesday, October 13. School doors open at 7:40 p.m. LCMS Parent Advisory Council meets with Dr. Chen in the Main Office Conference Room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PTA Board meets from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Main Office Conference Room.
Wednesday, October 14: Marc Carraway (Director of Blue Ridge Virtual Governor School) meets with Grade 8 students in LCMS Forum for 15 to 20 minutes in Mr. LoBello’s and Ms. Harkin’s math classes.
Thursday, October 15: Internet Safety Program with Rusty McGuire and Sergeant Chuck Love at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Forum. Please join us for cookies and punch at 6:00 p.m. in the Forum.
Friday, October 16: Report cards for the first nine weeks are sent home with students. All County Music Night at LCHS Stadium.
Tuesday, October 13: School resumes for students on Tuesday, October 13. School doors open at 7:40 p.m. LCMS Parent Advisory Council meets with Dr. Chen in the Main Office Conference Room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PTA Board meets from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Main Office Conference Room.
Wednesday, October 14: Marc Carraway (Director of Blue Ridge Virtual Governor School) meets with Grade 8 students in LCMS Forum for 15 to 20 minutes in Mr. LoBello’s and Ms. Harkin’s math classes.
Thursday, October 15: Internet Safety Program with Rusty McGuire and Sergeant Chuck Love at 6:30 p.m. in the LCMS Forum. Please join us for cookies and punch at 6:00 p.m. in the Forum.
Friday, October 16: Report cards for the first nine weeks are sent home with students. All County Music Night at LCHS Stadium.
Monday, October 19: ACE Math occurs from Monday, October 19 to Thursday, October 22 during the last period of the day.
Tuesday, October 20: 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.
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
Monday, November 2: Staff Development Day. No students come to school.
Tuesday, November 3: Division Holiday. No students and staff come to school.
Thursday, October 29: Student picture day
Friday, October 30: Club B or reading
Monday, November 2: Staff Development Day. No students come to school.
Tuesday, November 3: Division Holiday. No students and staff come to school.
Wednesday, November 4: School resumes for staff and students. School doors open at 7:40 a.m. ACE Reading/Writing begins for students on Wednesday, November 4 and Thursday, November 5 during Period 6.
Thursday, November 5: NJHS Induction Ceremony @ LCMS Forum at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 6: Chorus and Drama Students Trip. Club A or reading
Friday, November 6: Chorus and Drama Students Trip. Club A or reading
Monday, November 9: ACE Reading/Writing begins from Monday, November 9 to Thursday, November 12 during Period 6.
Thursday, November 12: Grade 7 and Grade 8 Band and Chorus Concert
Friday, November 13: Club B or reading
Monday, November 16: ACE Math begins from Monday, November 16 to Thursday, November 14 during Period 6. Picture make-up day
Tuesday, November 17: Interim reports go home with students. Dr. Chen meets with the LCMS Parent Advisory Council from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Main Office Conference Room. PTA Board meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Main Office Conference Room.
Thursday, November 19: Picture Make-up day.
Friday, November 20: Club A or reading
Wednesday, November 25: No school for students and staff.
Thursday, November 26: Division Holiday. Happy Thanksgiving. No school for students and staff.
Friday, November 27: Division Holiday. No school for students and staff.
Monday, November 30: Classes resume. School door opens at 7:40 a.m.
Saturday, January 9: Battle of the Books Competition. Snow date is Saturday, January 23. This event will take place at Warrenton Middle School, 244 Waterloo Street, Warrenton, VA (Times are still to be determined.)
Saturday, January 9: Battle of the Books Competition. Snow date is Saturday, January 23. This event will take place at Warrenton Middle School, 244 Waterloo Street, Warrenton, VA (Times are still to be determined.)
Saturday, April 16: Final Battle of the Books Competition will take place at Cedar Lee Middle School, 11138 Marsh Road, Bealeton, VA (Times are still to be determined.)
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
