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

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Principal's Update for April 22, 2016

Dear LCMS Bobcat Family and Friends and Future Bobcat Family and Friends:

This week, my Grade 6 staff and I have been in the process of hosting our Parent Nights for our Rising Grade 6 students and their parents. We are excited to be seeing our future Bobcats very soon!

I would like to personally thank the following students for their kernels of wisdom Tuesday night: Ali Downey, Jamori Harris, Ginny Helmandollar, Alexis Lagon, Victoria Moore, Moriah Moss, Savannah Ray, Price Straley, and Caleby Wesbey!

·         Tonight, Wednesday, 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 We will be featuring Mr. Tom Connolly and his creative dance movements! Please see the attachment, “Dance Permission Form April 29,” for the permission slip.

·         Please see the attachment, “Tdap Info April 20,” regarding the letter about a booster dose of pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap) that is required for students entering the sixth grade. This letter will also be given to Grade 5 students at their respective elementary schools.

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 – Thelorse Hove 
Thelorse Hove is doing an outstanding job with morning announcements! Without his help, Morning Announcements would not be as fun, enjoyable, or even as informative. From Monday, April 25 to Friday, April 29, we will have two new guest speakers to assist us with the announcements: Moriah Moss and Sebastian Sayers.

Battle of the Books Competition – Saturday, April 16On Saturday, April 16, twenty teams met at Cedar Lee Middle School in Fauquier County for the 2015-2016 Battle of the Books Competition.  Our team, The Pretty Little Readers, came in 4th place. Congratulations to competing members: Abbie Alpern, Anne Cassett, Alexis Lagon, Morgan McKnight, and Victoria Moore, as well as our alternates, Trinity MacDonald, Danielle Perry, and Amber Thompson. Thank you to Sue Watson (Librarian) and Natalie Watterson (English 8 teacher) for volunteering at the competition on Saturday. I certainly appreciate the leadership of Rebecca Baughman (Librarian) and her coaching of our students!

Reality Store – Friday, April 22Grade 8 students and their teachers have been gearing up for Reality Store, which will take place on Friday, April 22. Students have been introduced to budgeting lessons. Friday is a great day for our students to experience what it means to be independent and to pay bills. We look forward to what they will learn from their hands-on experiences.

Louisa County Talent Show – Friday, April 22Come out and see Louisa County Talent Show this Friday night at 6:30 p.m. at the high school. The following students from LCMS will perform: Abbie Alpern, Kaylen Amick, Kathryn Baylor, Earica Benton, Makayla Blair, Sadie Boyd, Mikayla Carpenter, Keveanu Duncan, Tinly Harris, Robin Leslie, Ashton Lonce, Gage Parrott, Jaymie Snyder, Rachel Upshur, and Abigail Willis.

All “A” Banquet – Monday, May 9Congratulations to the following students for earning A’s in all of their classes including their electives for Marking Period 1, Marking Period 2, and Marking Period 3. Your hard work and efforts made a difference! If your child is on this list, please remind him or her to prick up an invitation from the library to attend this special event!

Grade 8 Students      Grade 7 Students       Grade 6 Students
Brandon Bickley
Alexis Chapman
Spences Antigo
James Bickley
Andrew Choffel
Olivia Backer
Alayna Campbell
Nathaniel Dwyer
Makayla Blair
Sydney Cherry
Emily Eppard
Grace Buck
Rachel Cleal
Lillian Farmer
Michael Campbell
Emily Coffey
Corinne Freeman
Morgan Caole
Olivia Grubbs
Logan Jenkins
Grace Choi
Caleb Hamel
Matthew Klapak
Quinton Collins
Ginny Helmandollar
Hannah May
Caiden Davenport
Trey Johnson
Nichole Powell
Alexis Downey
Jordan, Sadie 
Haley Rosson
Sara Ferguson
Nicholas Liles
Katharine Sandlin
Devyn Fox 
Sydney Madison
Carey Seay
Shaelyn Frey
Victoria Moore
Taaliyah Thompson
Nathan Gramling
Moriah Moss
Rachel Upshur
Julianna Gutierrez
Katelyn Parshall
Lydia Wilson
Amy Heidel
McKenzie Proffit
Mackenzie Wilson
Kendall Hyer
Walker Ray
Benden Wood
Michael Martinez
Ethan Snyder
Emma McGehee
Kyler Soriano
Madison Middlesworth
Grace Mitrenga
Alexandra Molineaux
Quyen Nguyen
Ximena Plaza-Arias
Maddox Pleasants
Robert Sisk
Alison Soriano
Josie Walker
Isabella Ward

LCMS Summer School – Monday, June 13 to Thursday, July 7
If your child will potentially 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 met individually with those children who may need to take summer school, and a letter was 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!!!
 If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Principal Robbie Garnes at (540) 894-5457.
Grade 6 Students
Wednesday    April 27, 2016   (Reading 6)
Monday          May 9, 2016      (Math 6) *Students taking Regular Math in Grade 6
Monday          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)

Middle Years – April 2016
Please see attachment, “Middle Years April,” on parents tips of how to help your child student gain more independence and earn privileges.

After School Help – Tuesday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 27
Student Schedule for Monday, April 25 to Friday, May 6 
Monday, April 25 (A): 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.)
On Monday, April 25 (A):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5 
On Tuesday, April 26 (B):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Wednesday, April 27 (A):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Thursday, April 28 (B):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Friday, April 29 (A):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5


On Monday, May 2 (B):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5 
On Tuesday, May 3 (A):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Wednesday, May 4 (B):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Thursday, May 5 (A):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Friday, May 6 (B):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5

Important Upcoming Dates – Added information and dates are marked in purple. Information about Grade 5 events are marked in red.

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 4
th 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,
Dr. Lisa C. Chen
Lisa C. Chen, Ph.D.
Principal
Louisa County Middle School