Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends:
Student interviews for the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School are occurring today and tomorrow, and we wish our students the best of luck. Additionally, the annual judging for the Louisa County Middle School Science Fair occurred on Wednesday, February 4, and will continue today. JoAnn Marshall, a retired Louisa County science teacher, and Dr. Erich Dreyer, a retired physicist from the North Anna Nuclear Power Plant, are our judges for this year. Our top projects will advance the regional science fair in Charlottesville, VA, in March 2016. Congratulations to all of our students who participated in this endeavor!
On Monday, February 8, I want to wish everyone, “Happy Chinese New Year.” It is the Year of the Monkey. I wish everyone happiness, prosperity, and longevity:
福禄寿.
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 – Brynn Straley, Courtney Toews, Hayden Ussery, and Deirdre Varney
Brynn Straley, Courtney Toews, Hayden Ussery, and Deirdre Varney did an outstanding job with morning announcements! They were clear in their delivery of messages and enunciated each word with great accuracy. Without their help, Morning Announcements would not be as fun, enjoyable, or even as informative. From Monday, February 8 to Friday, February 12, we will have two new guest speakers to assist us with the announcements: Travis Waddy and Caitlynn Wallace.
National Drug and Alcohol IQ Challenge
This week students in their health classes have been taking the National Drug and Alcohol IQ Challenge. Health teachers (Thomas Black, Pam Fischer, Gary Hines, Terry Marks, and Nicholas Schreck) and Deputy Nathan Harris are reviewing with students the importance of not taking drugs and drinking alcohol. Attached are the questions that students are being asked daily by their teachers. Our goal is to ensure that 100% of our students live healthy lives and are knowledgeable about what occurs when using drugs and alcohol.
Assistant Principals Tom Connolly, Robbie Garnes, and Joel Rupert – Conversations with Students
During the month of February, Assistant Principals, Tom Connolly, Robbie Garnes, and Joel Rupert, will be meeting with students on a one-to-one basis who have received a “F” during Semester I and a “D” or below for this interim to see what they can do to assist our students in bringing up their grades. We want all of our students to reach their academic potentials while at LCMS and to be prepared for the high school and beyond. We will have discussions with students about what they believe the issues are, and from there, we will see how we can assist them in making more effective academic progress and what that will entail. Please also speak to your child if he or she is not making the academic progress that he or she is capable of. We also recommend reaching out to the individual teacher(s) as well. Thank you for your support in this important endeavor!
Spelling Bee – Tuesday, February 9
On Tuesday, February 9, Mary Eden (English teacher), Marylin Morrow (former LCMS Assistant Principal), Dr. Terry Oggel (Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University), and Virginia Bowers (Dispatcher and EMT for Louisa County Rescue) will be the judges for our grade-level spelling bees. We wish all of our students the best of luck, and we know that you can do it!
Penny Drive The Virginia Holocaust Museum is trying to collect six million pennies - one penny for each Jewish life lost during the Holocaust. Louisa County Middle School would like to assist the Virginia Holocaust Museum in their endeavor to collect enough pennies in remembrance to the lives lost. Last year, students collected and donated 53,200 pennies to the Museum. Pennies will be collected through your child’s Social Studies class from now to Monday, March 7. We are asking that you only send in pennies and not any other currency. Please see the attachment, “Parent Letter Penny Drive,” for more information. Thank you for your support!
PowerSchool Grades – Updated Weekly
Your child’s grades are updated weekly on PowerSchool. If you or your child have questions about your child’s grades or assignments, please contact your child’s teacher directly.
Interim Reports – Monday, February 15
Students’ interim reports will go out with students on Monday, February 15. The interim for the third marking period ends on Friday, February 12. Students will be in school on Monday, February 15, and this will be a “B” Day. Tuesday, February 16 is also a “B” day. This is to help even out the number of A and B days for electives during the months of January and February.
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!
After School Help – Tuesday, February 9 and Wednesday, February 10
Student Schedule for Monday, February 8 to Friday, February 19Monday, February 8 (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, February 8 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Reading/Writing
On Tuesday, February 9 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Reading/Writing
On Wednesday, February 10 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Reading/Writing
On Thursday, February 11 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 ACE Reading/Writing
On Friday, February 12 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4 Club A or Reading
On Monday, February 15 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1 Interims go out.
On Tuesday, February 16 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2
On Wednesday, February 17 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3
On Thursday, February 18 (B): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4
On Friday, February 19 (A): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5
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, February 4 and Friday, February 5: Student interviews for Blue Ridge Governor’s School
Tuesday, February 9: Grade-Level Spelling Bees @ LCMS Forum
Wednesday, February 10: Science Fair Awards at 6:00 p.m. @ LCMS Forum.
Friday, February 12: Club A or reading. Interim ends for 3MP.
Friday, February 12 – Saturday, February 13: All District Chorus at Culpepper Middle School
Monday, February 15: This is a B Day. There is school for students. Interim reports go home with students.
Tuesday, February 16: This is another B Day. 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 7 Benchmark.
Tuesday, February 23 and Wednesday, February 24: Grade 8 Gifted and Talented Students to Edgar Allen Poe Museum.
Tuesday, February 23: English 6 Benchmark.
Tuesday, February 23: District-wide Spelling Bee.
Thursday, February 25: Social Studies Benchmark.
Friday, February 26: Drama Field Trip to Swift Creek Mill Theatre to see the play, “The Little Lion”
Tuesday, March 1: Math 8 Benchmark.
Wednesday, March 2: Math 7 Benchmark.
Thursday, March 3: Math 6 Benchmark.
Monday, March 7: Science Benchmark.
Monday, March 7 – Friday, March 11: LCMS Book Fair
Friday, March 11: End of 3rd Marking Period.
Friday, March 11: LCMS Pot of Gold Dance from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the LCMS Cafeteria.
Monday, March 14: Teacher Workday. Students are not in school.
Tuesday, March 15: Classes resume for students. School doors open at 7:40 a.m.
Tuesday, March 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, March 18: Report cards go home. Club B or reading.
Monday, March 21: Grade 8 Standards of Learning Writing Test.
Wednesday, March 23: Grade 8 Standards of Learning Writing Test.
Thursday, March 24: All County Music @ LCHS Auditorium from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Monday, March 28-Friday, April 1: Spring Recess for students.
Monday, April 4: Classes resume for students. School doors open at 7:40 a.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
