Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends and Future Bobcat Family and Friends:
I hope that you and your families are enjoying this beautiful Saturday weather. As we start winding down this school year, we continue to celebrate our students’ accomplishments while learning!
Last night, we had our very first Family Fun Night, which included inviting our LCMS families to see the movie, Home, for free and for a cake walk. I would like to personally thank teachers on the Clear and Focused Mission correlate for initiating and implementing this great idea: Dana Bono, Greta Cameron, Janelle Conley, Lisa Fletcher, Nikki Hankinson, Kitti Harlowe, Brooklyn Hendricks, Karen Hurst, Stephanie Laub, Patrick Scharf, Nick Schreck, April Swain, and Tony Swain. I also appreciate all of the donations of the cakes for the cake walk from our staff members! Next year, we hope to have more families join us on this night.
Furthermore, we have had three visits from our elementary schools. It has been exciting to have our Grade 5 students visit us. Our final visit will be with Trevilians on Monday, April 18.
On Tuesday, April 19, we will have our Rising Grade 6 Parent Night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Grade 5 students and parents are all invited to attend this evening in the LCMS Forum.
On Tuesday, April 20, we will have some more information about the special education programing at LCMS from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the LCMS Forum. Director of Pupil Services, Carla Alpern, and I will provide incoming Grade 6 parents and students with an overview of the special education programming at LCMS as well as to answer any specific questions that you may have.
Tuesday, April 26 – Rising Grade 6 Band Night with Kathy Allen from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at LCMS
Friday, April 29 – Grades 5, 6, 7 Dance from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at LCMS Cafeteria
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 – Brandon Woods and Sean Wright
Brandon Woods and Sean Wright 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, April 18 to Friday, April 22, we will have two new guest speakers to assist us with the announcements: Casey Beckett and Thelorse Hove.
Family, Career, and Community Leaders (FCCLA) Winners – Kaitlyn Hobbs and Abigail Willis
Congratulations to LCMS FCCLA 8th grade members Kaitlyn Hobbs and Abigail Willis who competed in FCCLA State STAR Events competitions this past weekend (April 8-10) and won big! Kaitlyn received a gold medal and a 1st place trophy in Teach and Train, Jr. Abigail Willis won a silver medal and a 1st place trophy in Career Investigation, Jr. Both young ladies represented our school well at the conference and in the competition. They have earned an opportunity to compete in the National STAR Events in San Diego, California in July.
This weekend, the LCMS FCCLA chapter also earned state recognition at the State Conference for completing projects in 7 national programs (i.e., Career Connection, FACTS, Financial Fitness, Leadership in Action, STOP the Violence, Student Body, and Families First). The LCMS FCCLA chapter received the Gold Outstanding Chapter Award. In addition, the chapter adviser, Gracie Quarles, was recognized on Sunday, April 10 for serving 15 years on the State STAR Events Management Team. A big thanks to Gracie Quarles for her leadership and vision in Family and Consumer Sciences as well as in the FCCLA organization.
Student Council Association (SCA) Talent Show Rocked – Tuesday, April 12
The students and teachers who performed in the First Annual SCA Talent Show on Tuesday, April 12 did an outstanding job to say the least. Congratulations to students: Abbie Alpern who sang Walk on Water; Kathryn Baylor who sang and performed sign language to Just Give Me a Reason, Makayla Blair who played the theme song to Star Wars on the piano, Earica Benton and Sadie Boyd who sang All of Me, Mikayla Carpenter who sang and played Lost Boy on the piano, Tiny Harris and Kaylen Amick who sang A Thousand Years, Keveanu Duncan who performed the comedy skit, “Kev and Keisha,” Robin Leslie and Abigail Willis who sang Heartbreak Girl and 5 Seconds of Summer on the guitar, Ashton Lonce who sang Out of the Woods, Gage Parrott who demonstrated his amazing yo-yo skills, Melissa Sluss who sang Take a Bow, Jaymie Snyder who performed Lord of the Rings Medley on the violin, and Rachel Upshur who sang Gold. There were also performances by staff members, including Kathy Allen, Mary Eden, Robbie Garnes, Laura Watkins, and Sharon Wills. Indeed, we are blessed to have such talented staff members and students! A big shout out to Conner Waldron and Natalie Watterson for their leadership and dedication to our students! Thank you to all involved and for all students and parents who attended!
Talented and Gifted (TAG) Students to University of Virginia – Wednesday, April 13
On Wednesday, April 13, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the Talented and Gifted Program had the opportunity to visit "the grounds" at the University of Virginia. Students took tours by UVA students themselves. In addition to learning more about academics and college life at the University via tour guides, students ate lunch on campus among college students in the Newcomb Dining Hall. Following lunch, students were taken to the campus bookstore where they were able to purchase orange and blue merchandise...After all, these colors may be in many of their futures!
Louisa Education Foundation (LEF) Approves Grants for TAG Academy and STEM I and STEM II
This summer, Rising Grade 6, 7, and 8 students will have opportunities to continue to enhance their learning and creativity through programs that LCMS will be running. I am personally grateful to staff members: Hope Hamblin, Kristina Johnson, Sarah Martin, and Richard Dye for their vision and leadership in these two different academies this summer. I so appreciate LEF providing us with the opportunity to have these programs for our students.
Introducing the Summer TAG Academy at LCMS
The two-week TAG summer enrichment academy will run simultaneously with summer school, giving students access to free transportation and a mid-day snack. It will cost only $25 for the full two weeks, which is part of the application processing fee once students are selected. The summer program will have a maximum of 60 students. The students in the program will be selected through an application process where grades and a written statement of interest will be considered. More information will be forthcoming on how to apply for this exciting summer program!
The Academy will contain rising 6th, 7th, and 8th current TAG students and also those students who are eligible for TAG the following year. The summer TAG Academy will be a hands-on exploratory curriculum. Students will use technology, math, and writing skills in a group setting that will promote cooperative workplace readiness and leadership. Students in the TAG Summer Academy program will have the opportunity to hear from 5-7 local business owners on the first day of the program. Two confirmed participating business owners include Louisa natives Kristin Hicks of For the Love of the Local and Wesley Chiles ofChiles Grounds Maintenance & Landscaping. Over the course of the two weeks, these students will use economic concepts to create a specific plan or product idea, conduct market research, and build either a prototype of their product or fine-tune a business model for those not creating a tangible product, such as a store or restaurant. This activity will allow students to work as a group to undertake a large scale project. At the end of the second week, students will present their business models or prototypes to a panel of judges (i.e., the same business owners from Day 1) using the research and information learned through the course of the two-week summer academy. Presentations from students will consist of sharing prototypes, floor plans, scale models or any other information vital to showing how their businesses will positively impact the lives of Louisa residents. Parents will be invited to attend the presentations.
STEM I and STEM II Summer Academies
STEM I and STEM II will run simultaneously with summer school, giving students access to free transportation and a mid-day snack. STEM I and STEM II will have a maximum of 60 students. The students in the program will be selected through an application process where a written statement of interest will be considered. For students selected and enrolled in either STEM Academy I or STEM Academy II, there will be an application processing fee of $10.00. For those students selected and involved in both STEM Academies, there will be an application processing fee of $15.00 to attend both. STEM Academy I and STEM Academy II are for any Rising Grade 6, Grade 7, and/or Grade 8 students who are interested in learning more about technology and science. Students who are interested in STEM Academy II must have participated in the STEM Academy last year or this year.More information will be forthcoming on how to apply for these exciting summer programs!
STEM I (2 weeks) June 13th – June 24th, Monday – Thursday
STEM Academy I will be a hands-on exploratory curriculum. The project-based science, technology, engineering, computer science, and math projects will promote cooperative, workplace readiness skills. The students will start each morning with a forty-minute session in the computer lab. The students will explore computer science by creating programs with loops, events, and conditionals as well as write algorithms. Robotic design and programing will be the first unit of study. The students will construct and program a robot to use various sensors and perform a variety of tasks. Students will work in groups to analyze their data and to troubleshoot their solutions for better results. Furthermore, air rocket design and construction will involve students’ designing, testing, trouble-shooting, and graphing their rockets’ range outputs. Also, solar-DC car competition will allow students to design and test a duel energy transportation system. Velocity will be calculated as the young engineers try to make their designs more efficient. Graphed data from the results will be interpreted. Students will explain to one another why their designs are most efficient and will be able to provide the data to support their analyses. Finally, solar hotdog cooking will be a hands-on, renewable energy, and engineering project. The students will follow blueprint instructions to construct solar cooker and test its efficiency.
STEM II (2 weeks) June 27th – July 7th, Monday – Thursday
STEM Academy II builds upon the knowledge base and skills of STEM I. In order for students to be involved with STEM II, students must have completed STEM I last summer or this summer, or have met certain competencies in the computer and technology classes during the school year. To be considered for STEM Academy II, students have either taken STEM Academy I in 2015 or in 2016. Students enrolled in STEM II will be provided with different tasks and a different set of problems to solve and graph.
Each day will start with a forty-minute session of computer science activities that students had learned in STEM I. The students will translate their names into binary code, discuss social impacts of computing, and create interactive games and stories to share with other students. This will be a deeper learning of coding than what students had explored in STEM I. Furthermore, pairs of students will engineer an egg-carrying rocket designed to land safely at a designated range. Crash engineering safety will be explored and used in prototypes. Rockets will be launched, and results recorded, observed, and discussed. Also, the young innovators will use sketch-up to explore 3-D design in order to design a useable 3-D print. The students will work with scale to come up with a SDL file and Afinia 3-D print. Additionally, electricity, generators, magnetism, and motors will be the next hands-on activity. Students will construct their own electric (DC) motor and explore how diodes, resistors, and other electronic devices affect the flow of current. Multi-meters will be used to read output of generators and check for conduction or insulation. Finally, aerodynamics and alignment are two of the topics in dealing with the force and motion of student-designed AP bottle racers. Students will try to reduce friction and integrate aerodynamic designs into their own racers. The design with the fastest time, down the race course, will be the champion.
LCMS Summer School – Monday, June 13 to Thursday, July 7
If your child will potential fail one or more classes, your child may be required to attend summer school at LCMS. Should that be the case, attendance would be required in order for your child to have the opportunity to advance to the next grade level. This week, Assistant Principal Rupert or I will meet individually with those children who may need to take summer school, and a letter will be given to your child this week should that be the case. Your child will also bring home a registration form and transportation form that must be completed and returned by Friday, April 29.
Below is an explanation of the criteria for a student to attend summer school or be retained:
Criteria for a student to attend Summer School:
- If a student fails Math or English
Criteria for a student to be retained:
- If a student fails Math and English
- If a student fails (Math or English) and Science
- If a student fails (Math or English) and Social Studies
- If a student fails Math, English, Science, and Social Studies
If your child is required to attend summer school, the start date will be Monday, June 13 and end on Thursday, July 7. It will be held every Monday through Thursday starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 12:00 p.m. each day. Please feel free to call Louisa County Middle School at (540) 894-5457 and speak with Joel Rupert if you have any questions regarding summer school.
Standards of Learning (SOL) Testing – Friday, April 25 to Monday, May 23
As required by the state, students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will take SOL tests during this time period. As always, students should rest the night before each test and eat a good breakfast. We will also have our regular breakfast at school each day. Your child should bring a pencil, paper, and a book to read on the testing days. Please encourage your child to display appropriate testing behavior during each testing session. It is important that your child arrive to school on time, particularly on these testing days.
As mandated by VDOE (Virginia Department of Education) regulations, if your child is in possession of or use a cell phone or any other technological device that may disrupt the testing environment during the testing session, your child could potentially be required to retake the SOL test or receive a zero on the SOL test. It is important that all electronic devices be put away; that is, locked in students’ lockers during this time. As always, we want the success of every child. We truly thank you for your continued support. Together, we can go from Good to GREAT!!! School + Parent/Guardian + Child = Success!!!
Grade 6 Students
Wednesday April 27, 2016 (Reading 6)Monday May 9, 2016 (Math 6) *Students taking Regular Math in Grade 6Monday May 9, 2016 (Math 7) *Students taking Advanced Math in Grade 6
Grade 7 StudentsTuesday May 3, 2016 (Reading 7)Friday May 13, 2016 (Math 7, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra - 7th Grade only)
Grade 8 StudentsMonday April 25, 2016 (Reading 8)Friday April 29, 2016 (Civics 8)Thursday May 5, 2016 (Math 8)Friday May 6, 2016 (Geometry only)Wednesday May 11, 2016 (Algebra only)Monday May 16, 2016 (Science 8)
A letter will be forthcoming to your child this week. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Principal Robbie Garnes at (540) 894-5457.
Grade 8 Spring Fling – Friday, April 29
For more information, please see the attachment,
“Spring Fling.” Grade 8 students can turn in their forms to LCMS Main Office. Tickets will go on sale during the week of April 25 during lunch.
After School Help – Tuesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 20
Student Schedule for Monday, April 18 to Friday, April 22 Monday, April 18 (B): 1, 2, 4, 3 5. (This is a “A” day for electives. Students go to Period 1, Period 2, Period 4, Period 3, and end with Period 5. ACE Block, clubs, and TAG have ended for this year. There is no Period 6.)
On Monday, April 18 (B):
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1, 2, 4, 3, 5 New schedule begins. ACE ends. Clubs end. TAG ends.
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On Tuesday, April 19 (A):
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1, 2, 4, 3, 5
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On Wednesday, April 20 (B):
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1, 2, 4, 3, 5
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On Thursday, April 21 (A):
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1, 2, 4, 3, 5
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On Friday, April 22 (B):
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1, 2, 4, 3, 5
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On Monday, April 25 (A):
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1, 2, 4, 3, 5
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On Tuesday, April 26 (B):
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1, 2, 4, 3, 5
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On Wednesday, April 27 (A):
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1, 2, 4, 3, 5
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On Thursday, April 28 (B):
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1, 2, 4, 3, 5
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On Friday, April 29 (A):
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1, 2, 4, 3, 5
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New Schedule – Monday, April 18
A new schedule will begin on Monday, April 18. Classes will be 78 minutes as opposed to 68 minutes. There will no longer be Period 6 or ACE Block. As there is no longer Period 6, ACE, Club days, and TAG will end. The longer blocks will assist students with having additional time to take the Standards of Learning Tests that will be occurring in late April through May, while still having the time to have important instruction in their classes. The schedule will be as follows: Period 1, Period 2, Period 4, Period 3, and then Period 5. For more information, please see the attachment, “April 18-May 26 schedule 2015-2016.”
Updates
LCHS Football Program Fundraiser – Saturday, July 16
The LCHS Football will be fundraising on Saturday, July 16, in the LCHS Cafeteria. LCHS Football is partnering with Custom Fundraising Solutions to raise money for the LCHS Football program by selling name brand mattresses at discounted prices. The company has been around for years and has recently moved into the Richmond area. This company has cut out the cost of owning a storefront, and this company uses high school gymnasiums and cafeterias as their show rooms in order to offer discount prices on mattresses. They will also donate a good percentage of their sales to the LCHS Football program and have helped other schools earn up to $20,000 per event. The LCHS Football team hopes to raise at least $6,000 to help purchase needed items for the football program. The LCHS Football team will also donate a percentage of their earnings to Cancer Research as they have been doing with all our fundraisers.
Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple. Information about Grade 5 events are marked in red.
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.
Monday, April 18: Grade 5 Trevilians Students Visit LCMS from 9:00 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.
Tuesday, April 19: Rising Grade 6 Parent Night (General Information) at LCMS Forum from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20: Rising Grade 6 Parent Night (Special Education Information) at LCMS Forum from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 21: Interim reports sent home.
Friday, April 22: Reality Store for Grade 8 students.
Friday, April 22: LCEA Talent Show from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. @ LCHS Auditorium
Monday, April 25: Reading 8 Standards of Learning Test. Reading 6 Standards of Learning Test Paper and Pencil only.
Tuesday, April 26: Rising Grade 6 Band Night with Kathy Allen @ LCMS from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 27: Reading 6 Standards of Learning Test.
Thursday, April 28: All Virginia Middle School Choir.
Friday, April 29: All Virginia Middle School Choir. Civics 8 Standards of Learning test.
Friday, April 29: Grades 5, 6, and 7 Dance at LCMS from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3: Reading 7 SOL
Thursday, May 5: Math 8 SOL
Monday, May 9: Math 6 SOL
Monday, May 9: All “A” Banquet at LCMS Cafeteria at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11: Algebra I SOL
Friday, May 13: Math 7 SOL
Monday, May 16: Science 8 SOL
Wednesday, May 18: LCMS Spring Chorus Concert at 6:00 p.m. @ LCHS Alan Jackson Auditorium
Saturday, May 21: Grade 8 Formal at LCMS Cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 24: Grade 8 Washington, D.C. Field Trip
Wednesday, May 25: Grade 8 Closing Ceremony Practice (Morning) and Grade 8 Field Day (Afternoon)
Thursday, May 26: End of 4th Marking Period. Grade 8 Closing Ceremony. Grade 6 and Grade 7 Field Days. Last day of school.
Friday, May 27: Teacher Workday.
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
