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

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Principal's Update for December 2, 2015

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:

I hope that you and your loved ones had a relaxing Thanksgiving Break. It is hard to believe that we are already in December! Much learning and fun continue to occur at LCMS.

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 share.

The following are some important updates and announcements.

Announcements
Morning Announcers – Ashton Lonce and Skylar Loving
Ashton Lonce and Skylar Loving did an outstanding job with morning announcements! They were clear in their delivery of messagesThey enunciated each word with great accuracyWithout their help, Morning Announcements would not be as fun, enjoyable, or even as informative. From Monday, December 7 to Friday, December11, we will have two new guest speakers to assist us with the announcements: Michael Martinez and Megan Mitchell.

Welcome Kristin Madison – Long-term Substitute for Grade 7 Guidance Counselor
We are excited to welcome Kristin Madison, a graduate from LCHS in 2009, to join us as the long-term substitute for Jaclyn Jacobson. Ms. Madison attended James Madison University and graduated in December of 2012 with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in family studies. As of December 2015, she will graduate from Longwood University’s Counselor Education Graduate Program with a focus in School Counseling. Ms. Madison has completed an intern with us. We are excited to have her and her experiences. Ms. Madison will be starting as the long-term substitute for the guidance counselor position for Grade 7 beginning Tuesday, December 8. She will be with us until January when Ms. Jacobson will return back to us from maternity leave.

Agenda Club – Grade 6
Students who need a bit more assistance with organization skills work with Annie Floyd (Grade 6 Guidance Counselor) in the Agenda Club. Students are expected to write down their homework assignments and to get their teachers to sign their agendas each day. At the end of the day before leaving school, the students come to see Ms. Floyd as a check-in. Ms. Floyd further reviews homework topics with students as well as their expectations for studying. Students can be recommended by their parents or teachers for this additional support. If this is something that would be helpful for your child, please email Annie Floyd directly at floydam@lcps.k12.va.us

LCMS Winter Concert – Thursday, December 3 at LCHS Alan Jackson Auditorium
Please join us for the LCMS Winter Concert this Thursday, December 3. Grade 6 Band, Grade 6 Chorus, and Grade 7/8 Guitar Concert will be performing at 7:00 p.m. at the LCHS Alan Jackson Auditorium. It should be a spectacular show!

PTA – Cane-O-Grams Wednesday, December 2 to Friday, December 11
The PTA will be selling Cane-O-Grams from Wednesday, December 2 to Friday, December 11. Deliveries will be made on Thursday, December 17 during ACE Block. Cane-O-Grams will be sold during lunch on Thursday, December 10, and Friday, December 11, at which time students will be able to purchase Cane-O-Grams for parents, teachers, or friends. Each Cane-O-Gram will be tied with a red ribbon and come with a gift tag. The price will be $1.00 each. Students will also fill out forms as well for whom the Cane-O-Grams will go. All forms are due back by Friday, December 11. No orders will be taken after this date. Attached is the form, “Cane-O-Gram.” Forms and monies can further be handed into the Main Office in the morning and before lunch. For more information, please contact Shanna Hart at rustyandshanna@gmail.com

Canned Food Drive – Thursday, December 3 to Friday, December 18Louisa County Middle School students will be participating in a canned food drive through their Social Studies teachers from Thursday, December 3 to Friday, December 18. The canned food items collected will be donated to the Louisa County Resource Council's Food Pantry as a way to help out families during the holiday season. Social Studies teachers will be accepting donations of non-perishable canned food items or boxed goods, no glass please, beginning this Thursday, December 3. Teachers will also be keeping track of the donations that are coming in from students. Thank you to teachers Beth Brown, Hope Hamblin, and Nell Stover for such a great idea and fundraiser.

University of Virginia Basketball Game – Tuesday, December 8
On Tuesday, December 8, the LCMS Girls’ Athletic department will attend a free women’s basketball game at the University of Virginia. In addition to watching the game, our student-athletes will participate in informational sessions on the topics of nutrition, physical fitness, academic success, and preparation for college. A great big thanks to Terry Marks, LCMS Athletic Director, and Beth Brown, LCMS Social Studies teacher and Cross Country/Track coach, who are the sponsors for this event!

Displayed Student Art – Tuesday, December 8 at Louisa Arts Center
The following art students have work on display in the “Young Artists” exhibit at the Louisa Art Center through the month of December. There will be an opening reception on Tuesday, December 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The public is invited, and we hope that you will be able to join us.       

Bradley Eyler              Flowers in Relief         6th grade         
Vita Fomin                  Flowers in Relief         6th Grade             
Yelena Nguyen           Flowers in Relief         6th Grade     
Haleigh Romano         Flowers in Relief         6th Grade  
Brent Wallace             Flowers in Relief         6th Grade    

Noah Alewine             Summer Meadow        6th Grade 
Nick Brown                Summer Meadow        6th Grade   
Anna Wallace             Summer Meadow        6th Grade   
Anjelina Watson         Summer Meadow        6th Grade 

Abigail Fish                 Oil Pastel Flower        7th Grade 
Lydia Wilson              Oil Pastel Flower        7th Grade  

Carey Seay                  Ink & Oil Pastel          7th Grade  

Robbie Mach               Relief Painting            8th Grade
Madison Martin          Relief Painting            8th Grade
Isabella Plamp             Relief Painting            8th Grade
Everett Robinson        Relief Painting            8th Grade
Natalie Smith              Relief Painting            8th Grade
Laura Turner               Relief Painting            8th Grade

“The Nutcracker” Event – Wednesday, December 16
On December 16, students participating in the Talented and Gifted program across all grade levels will attend the Richmond Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker." The production takes place in the historic Carpenter Theatre in downtown Richmond. The Richmond Symphony will accompany the dancers to bring to life this enchanting holiday tale. Students will enjoy lunch at CiCi's Pizza following the ballet and will return to school in time to ride their regular buses home. Students in the Talented and Gifted program have expressed an interest this year in attending more multicultural events and are very excited for this opportunity!

After School Help – Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9

Middle Years – December 2015
Please see the attachment, “December 2015,” for more information on how to help your child read more effectively.

Student Schedule for Monday, December 7 to Friday, December 18Monday, December 7 (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, December 7 (A):                        1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
On Tuesday, December 8 (B):                        1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, December 9 (A):                  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, December 10 (B):                     1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, December 11 (A):                         1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5

On Monday, December 14 (B):                      1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 (ACE Math)
On Tuesday, December 15 (A):                      1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 (ACE Math)
On Wednesday, December 16 (B):                 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 (ACE Math)
On Thursday, December 17 (A):                    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 (ACE Math)
On Friday, December 18 (B):                         1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 End of 2nd Nine weeks. Club B or reading.

Updates

Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School (BRVGS) Application Process
As the final part of the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School application process, your son or daughter must interview, take achievement and ability tests, and complete an essay administered by the school. These parts of the application process will occur during the month of January. BRVGS applicants will take the Standford 10 Science test and the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) on Tuesday, January 12, during Periods 1 and 2, and the Stanford 10 Reading Comprehension and Math Problem Solving tests on Wednesday, January 13, during Periods 1 and 2. Applicants will take the essay test on Wednesday, January 20, during Period 1. Interviews will be held on Wednesday, January 27 and on Thursday, January 28. Your son or daughter will be assigned to a 10-minute interview slot on one of these two days. Students will be excused from their classes on these days, but will be required to make up their missed work.

A letter will be forthcoming to your child who is involved in the application process for permission from the parent in order to participate in the required BRVGS testing, interview, and essay administration. Please note that a student cannot retest after completing the testing. If your son or daughter is ill during the designated testing times, a testing time will need to be rescheduled. If parents have questions, please feel free to contact Sarah Porter (Grade 8 Guidance Counselor) at portersa@lcps.k12.va.us or Todd Ryan (LCHS School Counseling Director) atryante@lcps.k12.va.us

Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST)
BLAST will offer a dynamic three-day residential summer experiences on the campuses of Old Dominion University, Virginia Tech, and University of Virginia in the Summer of 2016. Through innovative hands-on sessions taught by faculty members and staff, students will explore the fun and excitement of STEM while residing in a college dorm. Current Virginia 8th and 9th grade students with at least a C+ average and a desire to explore STEM opportunities are encouraged to apply. BLAST is offered free of charge to students. However, transportation to and from the universities is the responsibility of each family. Students who have previously participated in BLAST are not eligible. For more information, please see www.blast.spacegrant.org The deadline is Monday, February 1.

Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple.*Please note that the week students return to school, they will be taking benchmark tests.
*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 8 Benchmark
*Wednesday, December 9: Math 6 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.

Monday, January 4 – Teacher Workday. No school for students
Tuesday, January 5: Staff Development Day. No school for students.
Wednesday, January 6: Classes resume for student. School doors open at 7:40 a.m.
Friday, January 8: Club A or reading.

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.

Monday, January 11: Report cards are sent home.
Thursday, January 14: Parent teacher conferences 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. appointments only, and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. walk-ins.

Monday, January 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. No school for students.
Tuesday, January 19: Classes resume for student. School doors open at 7:40 a.m.
Friday, January 22: Club B or reading.
Friday, January 29: Club A or reading.

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