LCMS Bobcat Parents and Families,
We are so excited to welcome our Bobcats back to school on Tuesday, August 12th, which will be an A Day. Tuesday will be a day of students reconnecting with teachers, staff, and peers!
It is helpful for students to bring their printed schedule to school for the first week or two while they are finding their classrooms. Students can also view their schedule in the PowerSchool Student Portal. Encourage your child that, of course, if they need help, they just need to ask the nearest adult! We are here to help ensure every student has a positive start to the school year!
Morning Arrival
Upon arrival at school, all car riders should be dropped off in the inner circle at the front of LCMS. It is important that cars
pull forward to the inner circle and drop off students in a timely manner to prevent any traffic congestion in the mornings.
Afternoon Pickup
No vehicles are permitted to park in the main entrance loop. All parents/guardians picking up their children at LCMS should use the parking spaces in the parking lot adjacent to the bus lot.
*Please ensure that you park in a parking spot; do not double park behind another vehicle. Also, do not stop in the main entrance loop; doing so can back up traffic on the road. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. Thank you for helping us maintain a smooth and safe parking experience for everyone.
Middle school students being picked up by a high school sibling should wait in the LCMS parent pick up area, and the LCHS student picking up their sibling should drive to the middle school after dismissal.
LCMS students may not walk to the high school parking lot.
Regular School Hours
We ask for families’ support in helping students meet the basic expectations of being at school and arriving on time every day. Regular school attendance supports a positive school experience!
7:40 - School doors open. Grab-n-go kiosks will be located on each grade level wing for breakfast distribution. Breakfast is available to all students, to be eaten upon arrival in the first period classroom!
(Remember that based on funding provided by the USDA, all LCPS students are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at school at no charge! No application is needed, and no further action is required. You may put money on your child’s lunch account to purchase items a la carte using
myschoolbucks.com.)
7:50 - Warning bell
7:55 - Tardy bell, 1st period begins (all students need to be in class, ready to learn!)
3:09 - Dismissal for all students who are not staying for approved after-school activities
5:55 -
Activity buses depart (available Monday - Thursday at designated stops for those students who stay for a school-sponsored activity; door-to-door bus stops cannot be accommodated)
To ensure student safety and building security, students may stay after school only if they have prior written permission from parents/guardians and school personnel and only if they are being supervised by school personnel. Students are not permitted to stay after for evening activities, including sporting events, without adult supervision and written parent permission.
Also, students may not go to the Louisa County library and then return to LCMS for an event; the library does not have structures in place to supervise our young Bobcats. Students should visit the library only for library-related purposes.
High Expectations for LCMS Bobcats
We will have expectations assemblies this week in order to set everyone up for success at LCMS and to set forth our high expectations. The highlights of the assembly will include respect, general good behavior and Bobcat citizenship, doing your best with academics, dress code and electronic device policies, and safety as our priority.
Parents and families, we ask that you support us with these high expectations. Please review the
Student-Parent Handbook with your child. We must work together to ensure a positive learning environment for every student where every child will reach their fullest potential!
School Dress Code
The administration and faculty believe that young adults should take pride in their appearance and dress. Dress, hair, and appearance that are of such a nature as to disrupt normal learning will not be allowed. If there are doubts about what should be worn or what is not appropriate, check with the administration. Dress with self-respect and decency in mind.
-Shorts, skirts, and dresses shall be of modest length. A guideline: when standing, clothing must cover skin and undergarments from the top of the armpits to below the buttocks with no undergarments showing.
-Shirts shall cover the abdomen at all times. Revealing or plunging necklines are unacceptable.
-Tank-style sundresses, tank-style shirts, and muscle shirts shall be worn if the garment has a shoulder strap that is at least two (2) inches wide and covers undergarments.
-Obscenities and undesirable slogans on T-shirts or other clothing, including those relating to alcohol, drugs, sex, gangs, tobacco, or that could reasonably cause a substantial disruption to the learning environment, shall not be worn.
-Hats, bandanas, or any other type of complete head covering, or gloves shall not be worn in the building, except for face coverings for health reasons. Bandanas and any bandana pattern material on clothing shall not be present in the school at any time.
-Sunglasses shall be removed when entering the building.
-Chains, spiked collars, and wristbands are not permitted on school property.
-Slippers or other footwear that may endanger the wearer or other students shall not be worn. Shoes must be worn at all times.
-Clothing, accessories, or items that represent or suggest costumes (including animal ears/tails, face paint, or other novelty items) shall not be worn.
There may be designated school-sponsored spirit days. Guidelines for those days will be communicated in advance and may include expectations related to safety, appropriateness, and school-appropriate themes.
-Students may not wear or carry blankets, capes, or flags as clothing or outerwear (e.g., worn over the shoulders or as a cape).
Cell Phone/Personal Electronic Devices
At Louisa County Public Schools, all personal electronic communication and smart devices are to be turned off and not in use by students during the school day from bell to bell. This includes cell phones. The school day begins with the arrival bell and ends with the dismissal bell.
These devices are not to be seen or heard at any point throughout the school day. Any cell phone that is in the hands of a student during the school day will be considered in use.
Smartwatches may not be used for any unauthorized activity. Earbuds may only be used at a teacher’s direction for instructional purposes.
For reference:
“Bell to bell” means after the first bell rings at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the school day. “Bell to bell” includes lunch and time in between class periods.
“Personal Electronic Communication Devices” include cell phones, wireless earbuds, smartwatches, smart glasses, iPods, tablets, and gaming devices.
“Smart device” means any personal device that can connect to the Internet and wirelessly connect, process and transmit data, including smart glasses, watches, and tablets.
First Offense: The personal electronic communication or smart device will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day.
Additional Offenses: If a personal electronic communication or smart device is confiscated more than once during a school year, a parent or guardian will be required to come to the school to retrieve the device.
Compliance with Confiscation: Students who refuse to comply with the request to turn over their personal electronic communication or smart device will be subject to further disciplinary action.
Unauthorized Usage: Unauthorized usage of personal electronic communication or smart devices during the school day will be subject to disciplinary action. Unauthorized usage consists of all forms of communication – including, but not limited to, communication with parents or other family members.
Students who need to communicate with parents or family members should report to the main office for permission to use a school phone.
Chromebooks
Students need to bring their charged Chromebook to school every day. Parents and families, please support your child in establishing a routine for charging the device each night and ensuring that it is in their backpack each morning.
Parents, if you have not already,
we encourage you to purchase the optional $20 equipment insurance through LCPS, which covers accidental damage at no cost for a first incident and at 50% of the repair cost or replacement, whichever is less, for the second incident of accidental damage. Please note that lost chargers are not covered by the protection plan, nor is intentional damage. Students purchasing the insurance may take cash payment or a check made payable to Louisa County Middle School to the main office.
Rivanna Gear and Apparel
Check out the
LCMS Online Store to get some Bobcat gear and show your school pride! Orders are customizable and are shipped directly to your house!
LCMS PTA
We encourage you to join the LCMS PTA as a supporting member ($10). By paying dues, you are not committing to attending meetings or participating in any way that does not interest you; you are simply showing your support for the work the PTA does at our school! Any adult individual can join the LCMS PTA...mothers, fathers, grandparents and extended family, teachers, school staff, community members, and business leaders! Sign up at
https://lcmspta.givebacks.com.
LCMS Parent Advisory Council
The LCMS Parent Advisory Council is an important component of our success, where school-related concerns are communicated to the principal. We work together to define and examine relevant issues within the school environment. The first meeting will occur on September 24th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the LCMS conference room. Follow-up meetings are scheduled for November 12th, January 21st, and March 4th. If you are interested in serving on the LCMS Parent Advisory Council, please contact Dr. Harper.