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

Friday, May 6, 2016

Principal's Update for May 6, 2016

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

Last night, I had the pleasure to meet Hope Hamblin’s family. She was honored as our Teacher of the Year for LCMS. Congratulations to Hope Hamblin again! Ms. Hamblin helped to spearhead our penny drive. Under her leadership, LCMS raised collected 82,333 pennies, which is the fifth largest donation ever according to Matthew Simpson (Director of Guest Services at the Virginia Holocaust Museum). Thank you to all who contributed and participated in the LCMS Penny Drive!

As a reminder, we have three exciting programs that will be available to Rising Grade 6, Rising Grade 7, and Rising Grade 8 students. We hope that as many students will take advantage of STEM I, STEM II, or the Summer TAG Academy! Please see attachments for these applications. The last day that applications will be accepted is on Friday, May 20.

Spring Fling for Grade 8 students is today, Friday, May 6. 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. Grade 8 students who are attending will meet Dan Barrett (Grade 8 Math teacher) in the cafeteria after school to walk over to the high school. After the event, Grade 8 students may be picked up outside the LCHS Gymnasium.

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 – Madison Amick and Jakayla Anderson
Madison Amick and Jakayla Anderson did an outstanding job with morning announcements! Without their help, Morning Announcements would not be as fun, enjoyable, or even as informative. From Monday, May 9 to Friday, May 13, we will have two new guest speakers to assist us with the announcements: Makaylah Anderson and Jeremiah Ayers.

LCMS Academic Team 
Congratulations to the LCMS Academic Team for placing 1st in the State of Virginia in this Spring’s 3-2-1 Competition. This team also came in 80th in the country out of 100 teams. The team, captained by Ginny Helmandollar and consisting of Andrew Choffel, Nick Herbert, Matthew Klapak, Carter Knight, Josh Main, Kira Pencak, Danielle Perry, and Rachel Upshur did an amazing job coming together after only three practices for their first ever competition. Thank you to Tom Jordan (Grade 6 Social Studies teacher) for organizing this competition!

Technology Student Association (TSA) Competition – Friday, May 6 to Sunday, May 8
Seven of our TSA students will be attending Technosphere in Richmond from Friday, May 6 to Sunday, May 8. Attending the three day TSA event will be: Walker Bourne, Giovanni Brown, Jacob Burch, Kylee Cormier, Cameron Knight, Ranae Leiffer, and Dashay Shelton. The students are competing against other students from around the State. The students are entered in the following events: Electrical Applications, System Control, Micro Controller Design, Problem Solving, Technology Bowl, Forensic Science, Mass production, Technical Design, and Catapult Design. TSA Advisors, Scott Harper (English 7 teacher) and Richard Dye (Technology Education teacher) are hoping for some top ten finalist in the competitions.

Advanced Chorus Auditions – Tuesday, May 10
Auditions will be held on Tuesday, May 10 after school in the chorus room for students who are interested in trying out for the auditioned Grade 7/8 Chorus for 2016-2017. Students must have been in Chorus or Band for a year in order to have the knowledge of reading a score and sight-singing. For the audition, students will sight-sing for Sharon Wills and sing a song of their choice. Mrs. Wills will do some vocal exercises with interested students to check their ranges and will talk to the students about their goals. Auditions will be from 3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will take each student approximately 5-10 minutes to audition. Interested students may sign-up for an audition time with Ms. Wills and arrange transportation home for that time. The activity bus is available if needed. We wish our students the best of luck!

Grade 6 Students in Talented and Gifted Program to North Anna Power Station Visitor Center – Thursday, May 19
On Thursday, May 19, the Grade 6 students who are in the Talented and Gifted Program will be attending a field trip to the North Anna Power Station Visitor Center. Students will be leaving at 9:30 a.m. and returning at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 19. Thank you to Sarah Martin (Grade 6 Social Studies teacher) for putting together this trip!

TAG Newsletter
For more information about what has been occurring in the TAG Program at LCMS, please see the attachment, “TAG Newsletter, Volume I, Issue 3.

Cross Country Information and Program
For more information about the Cross Country Program at LCMS and training, please see the attachments, “LCMS Cross Country Q and A,” and “Cross Country Training Program.

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.

LCMS Summer School – Monday, June 13 to Thursday, July 7
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 StudentsFriday            May 13, 2016    (Math 7, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra - 7th Grade only)
Grade 8 StudentsFriday             May 6, 2016         (Geometry only)
Wednesday     May 11, 2016       (Algebra only)
Monday          May 16, 2016       (Science 8)
After School Help – Tuesday, May 10 and Wednesday, May 11
Student Schedule for Monday, May 9 to Friday, May 20 
Monday, May 9 (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, 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


On Monday, May 16 (B):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5 
On Tuesday, May 17 (A):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Wednesday, May 11 (B):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Thursday, May 12 (A):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5
On Friday, May 13 (B):
1, 2, 4, 3, 5

Grade 8 Closing Ceremony – Thursday, May 26
Students will receive 4 tickets for the Grade 8 Closing Ceremony at graduation practice on Wednesday, May 25.

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

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