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

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Principal's Update for April 27, 2016

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

Members of my Grade 6 staff and I are looking forward to hosting the Grades 5, 6, and 7 Dance on Friday, April 29. I know that Mr. Tom Connolly is gearing up for his dancing performance! Students should be dropped off and picked up by the cafeteria doors, which is behind the school. Please do not drop off or pick up students at the Main Entrance to LCMS.

Thank you for the applications that Richard Dye (Technology teacher) and I have been receiving regarding the STEM I and STEM II Academies. If your child is interested, please do not forget to fill out an application and turn it in no later than Friday, May 20. You can either drop it off at the Main Office in LCMS or mail it to Dr. Lisa Chen, Louisa County Middle School, 1009 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA 23117. Both Mr. Dye and I have been impressed with the quality of the applications that we have received. Some of them have even been typed!

As a reminder, Spring Fling for Grade 8 students has been moved to Friday, May 6 due to inclement weather. The event will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. rain or shine. The event will occur in the LCHS gymnasium and cafeteria.

Next week will be Staff Appreciation Week. I want to personally thank all of my staff for what they do for our students.

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 – Moriah Moss and Sebastian Sayers

Moriah Moss and Sebastian Sayers are doing an outstanding job with morning announcements! Without their help, Morning Announcements would not be as fun, enjoyable, or even as informative. From Monday, May 2 to Friday, May 6, we will have two new guest speakers to assist us with the announcements: Madison Amick and Jakayla Anderson.

LCMS Bands and Guitar Ensemble – Musicale Competition 
The LCMS Bands and Guitar Ensemble scored straight superiors at the Musicale Competition in Williamsburg, VA, on Saturday, April 23. The Sixth Grade Beginning Band, Seventh and Eighth Grade Concert Band, and the Seventh and Eighth Grade Guitar Ensemble all performed at Warhill High School before receiving a performance clinic during which the judge discussed both the strengths and weaknesses of each ensemble’s performance. The clinic was wonderfully informative and took place in front of both students and parents, creating an all-encompassing learning environment. After receiving the results, the group spent the rest of the day at Busch Gardens, a celebration of the year’s hard work. Congratulations to our students for their hard work, and thank you to our parents and teachers for helping to chaperone this trip as well as to the leadership and direction of Band Director, Kathy Allen.

VA Choral Director’s Association’s All-VA Middle School Chorus – Abbie Alpern and Moriah Moss
Abbie Alpern and Moriah Moss will be participating in the VA Choral Director’s Association’s All-VA Middle School Chorus. They will rehearse with nationally renowned guest directors from Thursday, April 28 to Saturday, April 30 and will present a concert on Saturday afternoon at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach. We wish both Abbie Alpern and Moriah Moss the best of luck, and thank you to Sharon Wills, Choral Director and Drama teacher, for her vision and leadership.

Lunches – No Charges Friday, May 6
There will be no charging in the cafeteria after Friday, May 6. All negative balances must be paid by Tuesday, May 24. If you have questions, please contact Linda Dmytryszyn at (540) 894-5457.

Auditions for Grade 8 Students
Auditions for the 2016-2017 Mainstage and Music Theater Ensemble classes for Grade 8 students will be held after school at LCHS on Thursday, May 12. Students should see either Sharon Wills or Sarah Porter to pick an audition information packet. Please see, “Auditions 2016,” for more information.
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
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 Students
Tuesday         May 3, 2016      (Reading 7)
Friday            May 13, 2016    (Math 7, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra - 7th Grade only)
Grade 8 Students
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)
After School Help – Tuesday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 4
Student Schedule for Monday, May 2 to Friday, May 13 
Monday, May 2 (B): 1, 2, 4, 3 5. (This is a “B” day for electives. Students go to Period 1, Period 2, Period 4, Period 3, and end with Period 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


On Monday, May 9 (A):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5 
On Tuesday, May 10 (B):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Wednesday, May 11 (A):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Thursday, May 12 (B):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Friday, May 13 (A):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5

Grade 8 Closing Ceremony – Thursday, May 26
For more information about the Grade 8 Closing Ceremony, please see “Grade 8 Closing Ceremony April 27.”

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

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