Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
Welcome to 2016! I wish your families and you much happiness, peace, and good health. I look forward to another great year of learning with your children and partnering with you.
As a reminder, school doors will open at 7:40 a.m. on Wednesday, January 6, which is an “A” day. All students will receive new schedules on Wednesday, January 6. Students’ core classes will not change. However, students, who are NOT enrolled in yearlong electives, will have different electives.
Upon arrival to school, students in Grades 6 and 7 will go to their first period classes at 7:55 a.m. (Students in Grade 6 will receive their new schedules in Period 4. Students in Grade 7 will receive their new schedules during Period 1.)
Upon arrival to school, Grade 8 students will first go to their Period 4 classes to pick up their schedules at 7:55 a.m. After Grade 8 students have picked up their new schedules from their Period 4 classes, they will then report to their first period classes at 8:00 a.m.
The bell schedule remains the same.
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 – Lexi Molineaux and Maddox Pleasants
Lexi Molineaux and Maddox Pleasants did an outstanding job with morning announcements! They were clear in their delivery of messages. They enunciated each word with great accuracy. Without their help, Morning Announcements would not be as fun, enjoyable, or even as informative. From Wednesday, January 6 to Friday, January 8, we will have two new guest speakers to assist us with the announcements: Iris Posadas and Aaliyah Powell.
Richmond Ballet – Wednesday, December 16
On Wednesday, December 16, students in the Talented and Gifted program partook in a field trip to see the Richmond Ballet perform the holiday classic, "The Nutcracker." Students enjoyed the accompaniment of a live orchestra, the Richmond Symphony. Prior to the show, students learned a little bit about ballet itself, the history of the show, and how the historical Loew's Theater in Downtown Richmond is known as the Carpenter Theater today. Following the performance, students enjoyed lunch at CiCi's Pizza, where the restaurant was practically shut down just for them! There were many smiles, laughs, and exclamations of excitement throughout the day! I would like to thank out our parent chaperones, students for representing LCMS in such a positive manner, and the leadership of Hope Hamblin (Grade 7 Social Studies teacher), Kristina Johnson (Grades 7 and 8 Math teacher), and Sarah Martin (Grade 6 Social Studies teacher) for spearheading such an event.
Louisa County Resource Center Thanks LCMS Students and Staff
The Social Studies department would like to thank students, parents, and staff for participating in a canned food drive that benefitted the Louisa County Resource Council. Over 1435 pounds of canned food were donated to this organization, which helped to assist many families in Louisa! According to Executive Director, Lloyd Runnett, the canned good that were picked up from LCMS were divided into bags and shared with over 3,000 neighbors. I would personally like to thank Grade 7 Social Studies teachers, Beth Brown, Hope Hamblin, and Eleanor Stover, for initiating such a great idea!
Student Attendance and Student Tardies
Beginning in January 2016, LCMS will be sending home letters to those students who have unverified absences of 5, 10 and 15 more days. The purpose of sending home such letters is to bring awareness of the number of missed days that a student may have and the importance of being in school and in class consistently in order to receive vital information and instruction. Within the month of December, LCMS had an average of 40 students coming to school late each morning. When students arrive to school late on a regular basis and/or miss classes on a regular basis, they are missing important information. Thus, as a goal for LCMS, we want all of our students to be present, and participating in the fun and learning at school. My staff and I appreciate your help and support in advance!
Student Portal – PowerSchool
Upon students’ return to LCMS in January 2016, all students in their Social Studies classes will receive training on how to use the student portal on PowerSchool. This will provide students with the opportunity to check on missed assignments and their grades. A letter will be forthcoming from students’ social studies teachers.
Parent Teacher Conferences – Thursday, January 14
A reminder that parent teacher conferences are on Thursday, January 14. If you are interested in setting up a 15 minute appointment with your teacher from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. please email or contact your teacher. Walk-ins are from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that night. Please note that teachers will be unavailable until 3:30 p.m. as they are finishing up with their day. Should you arrive between 3:09 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. please feel free to join me in the cafeteria! We look forward to seeing you then!
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
Spelling Bee Rounds
Around the weeks of January 6 and January 11, all students will be involved in the preliminary rounds of the grade-level spelling bee. Teachers will be notified by Wednesday, January 20 of the top 10 spellers in the grade-level preliminary round. The top ten spellers will then go on to the grade-level bee on Tuesday, February 9. On Tuesday, February 9, Grade 8 spellers will compete during Period 2, Grade 7 students will compete during Period 3, and Grade 6 students will compete during Period 5. From there, the top two grade-level spellers plus one alternate will move onward to the district-side spelling bee on Tuesday, February 23. Please see the attached study guides for spelling words for each grade-level: Grade 6 Guide, Grade 7 Guide, Grade 8 Guide.
Middle Years – January 2016
For more information for helping your child to study, please see the attachment, “January 2016.”
After School Help – Wednesday, January 6
Student Schedule for Wednesday, January 6 to Friday, January 15
Wednesday, January 6 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3 (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 3 class.)
On Monday, January 4: No school for students. Teacher workday.
On Tuesday, January 5: No school for students. Professional Day for teachers.
On Wednesday, January 6 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3 Classes resume for students. LCMS doors open at 7:40 a.m.
On Thursday, January 7 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, January 8 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 Club A or Reading
On Monday, January 11 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1 Report cards go home.
On Tuesday, January 12 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, January 13 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, January 14 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 Parent Teacher Conferences. 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. appointment or 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. walk-ins.
On Friday, January 15 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
Updates
2015-2016 Cassini Science for a Day Essay Contest
This contest is open to students in grades 5-12. Essays much be under 500 words. There are three essay topics that students can choose:
· Target 1. Saturn’s rings and three moons
· Target 2: Tethys, Enceladus, and Mimas
· Target 3: Saturn’s moon, Tethys, passing behind Rhea (27-frame movie).
Students will choose one of these topics to write an essay about why they think this image should be taken by the Cassini spacecraft. What questions do they hope will be answered by taking this picture? For contest rules, videos about each essay topic, a downloadable contest flyer, frequently asked questions, and more information, please visit http:go.nasa.gov/1lPEmxn
2016 Summer Enrichment Program
The University of Virginia Curry School of Education is offering an exciting opportunity for gifted and high ability students currently in grades 4-10. The online application is available at curry.virginia.edu/sep
Applications are due Monday, February 15.
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.
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.
Monday, January 12: 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, 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 students. School doors open at 7:40 a.m.
Friday, January 22: Club B or reading.
Friday, January 22: LCMS Dance from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the LCMS Cafeteria.
Friday, January 29: Club A or reading.
Friday, February 5: Club B or reading.
Monday, February 8: Interim reports go home with students.
Tuesday, February 9: Grade-Level Spelling Bee @ LCMS Forum
Wednesday, February 10: Science Fair Awards at 6:00 p.m. @ LCMS Forum.
Friday, February 12: Club A or reading.
Monday, February 15: Staff Development Day. No school for students.
Tuesday, February 16: Classes resume for students. School door opens at 7:40 a.m.
Tuesday, February 16: 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.
Wednesday, February 17: English 8 Benchmark (Multiple choice/writing simulation).
Friday, February 19: English 8 Benchmark (Writing prompt/essay simulation).
Friday, February 19: LCMS Dance from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the LCMS Cafeteria.
Monday, February 22: English 6 Benchmark.
Tuesday, February 23: English 7 Benchmark.
Tuesday, February 23: District-wide Spelling Bee.
Thursday, February 25: Social Studies Benchmark.
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
Principal
Louisa County Middle School
