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

Friday, November 6, 2015

Principal's Update for November 6, 2015

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

I look forward to seeing you tonight at the football game! Go Lions.

I also want to thank the many parents, grandparents, and family members who attended the NJHS Induction Ceremony last night. This was a proud moment as the following students were inducted into National Junior Honor Society, based not only on their academic achievement but also on the five pillars of NJHS: scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship, and character. For more information, please see the attachment, “NJHS Induction Program.” Congratulations to our 2015-2016 inductees!

As always, please feel free to contact me at chenlc@lcps.k12.va.us if you have questions, concerns, or anything that you would like to shareIt is through and with our partnership with you that we will make LCMS the best school for every single child. Thank you!
The following are some important updates and announcements.

Announcements
Morning Announcers – Julianna Guiterrez and Tyler Hopkins
Julianna Guiterrez and Tyler Hopkins did an outstanding job with morning announcements. They were clear in their delivery of messages, and they enunciated each word with great accuracyWithout their help, Morning Announcements would not be as fun, enjoyable, or even as informative! From Monday, November 9 to Friday, November 13, we will have two new guest speakers to assist us with the announcements: Ava Huddle and Audrey Hudson.

Wells-Fargo Grant - $1000.00
Each year, Wells-Fargo Bank makes a $1,000 contribution to a nonprofit organization of their choice. For the second consecutive year, Wells-Fargo Bank of Louisa has chosen Louisa County Middle School as the recipient of the $1,000 donation. Wells-Fargo wanted to show Louisa County Middle School that they care about the students in their community. On Wednesday, November 4, Grade 7 Assistant Principal Robbie Garnes and English Department Chair Katherine Duke attended a breakfast in Charlottesville, Virginia hosted by Wells-Fargo and accepted the $1,000 donation on behalf of Louisa County Middle School.

Louisa County Middle School is extremely grateful to the Wells-Fargo Bank of Louisa for such a donation. I am most grateful to Mr. Garnes for initiating this partnership with Wells-Fargo last year.

Katherine Duke’s English 8 Classes Student Presentations – Friday, November 13
During the week of November 9, students in Katherine Duke’s Grade 8 English classes will finalize their research and organize information about the 1950’s and 1960’s. Students will be creating a visual presentation to share with their classmates, and parents have been invited to attend student presentations on Friday, November 13 in the LCMS Forum. If parents are interested in attending, please remember to sign into the Main Office first before going into the Forum. The following are a list of times of when the presentations will be held:

2nd Period Presentations will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
3rd Period Presentations will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
4th Period Presentations will be from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
5th Period Presentations will be from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

After School Help – November 10 and November 11

Student Schedule for Monday, November 9 to Friday, November 13Monday, November 9 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 (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 4 class.)

On Monday, November 9 (B):                        1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Reading/Writing
On Tuesday, November 10 (A):                     1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Reading/Writing
On Wednesday, November 11 (B):                1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Reading/Writing
On Thursday, November 12 (A):                    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Reading/Writing
On Friday, November 13 (B):                         1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 Club B or Reading

On Monday, November 16 (A):                     1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Math
On Tuesday, November 17 (B):                      1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Math
On Wednesday, November 18 (A):                1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Math
On Thursday, November 19 (B):                    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Math
On Friday, November 20 (A):                        1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 Club A or Reading

Updates

Computer Adaptive Testing for Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8 Students
Last year, the Virginia Department of Education implemented a Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) model for the Grade 6 Math Standards of Learning (SOL) test. This year, the Virginia Department of Education will expand the Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) model to include the Grade 7 and the Grade 8 Math Standards of Learning (SOL) tests as well. This model was field tested in schools throughout Virginia in 2013 in preparation for its use last year with our Grade 6 students. Students in Grades 6th, 7th, and 8th are currently receiving practice in their Math classes as preparation for this format of the Math SOL Test- Computer Adaptive Test (CAT).

The CAT testing model is different from the current Standards of Learning online tests in that the test delivery software customizes, which test items are administered to the individual students. The computer determines which items to administer to a student by scoring the student’s response to a test item and then selecting the next item based on the student’s response. The process of choosing test items, scoring the responses, and selecting the next items to be administered is repeated throughout the test. The Virginia Department of Education has developed a “Frequently Asked Questions” brochure to provide parents and guardians with information about the CAT test. Please see the attachment, “Computer Adaptive Testing,” for more information. More information will also be sent to parents at a later date.

Please feel free to contact Tom Smith, LCPS Director of Secondary Education, at 540-894-5115 or by email atsmithte@lcps.k12.va.us Questions regarding the test scheduling should be directed to Mr. Robbie Garnes, who can be reached at 540-894-5457 or by email at garnesrm@lcps.k12.va.us

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

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. 
Tuesday, December 1: English 6 Benchmark
Wednesday, December 2: English 7 Benchmark
Thursday, December 3: English 8 Benchmark
Thursday, December 3: Grade 6 Band, Grade 6 Chorus, and Grade 7/8 Guitar Concert at 7:00 p.m. at LCHS Auditorium

Monday, December 7: Math 7 Benchmark
Tuesday, December 8: Math 6 Benchmark
Wednesday, December 9: Math 8 Benchmark
Friday, December 11: Social Studies Benchmark
Monday, December 14: Science Benchmark
Tuesday, December 15: 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.

Friday, December 18: End of 2nd Marking Period.
Monday, December 21- Friday, January 1: Winter Break. No school for students.

Tuesday, January 4 – Teacher Workday. No school for students
Wednesday, January 5: Staff Development Day. No school for students.
Thursday, January 6: Classes resume for student. School doors open 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 Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The competition begins at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 24: All County Music @ LCHS Auditorium from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 16: Final Battle of the Books Competition will take place at Cedar Lee Middle School, 11138 Marsh Road, Bealeton, VA Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The competition begins at 10:00 a.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