LCMS Principal Weekly Update for Aug. 4, 2024

LCMS Principal Weekly Update for Aug. 4, 2024
Posted on 08/04/2024
Weekly Summary Graphic
LCMS Bobcat Families,

We are excited to welcome our Bobcats back to school on Thursday, August 8th! While preparing for the first day of school is such an exciting time, it can also be a time when students experience nervousness. Please be assured that we are here to help ease the transition back to school and to a new grade level. For our new sixth grade Bobcats, be assured that all sixth graders are new to the building! Be patient with yourself in finding your way around. Teachers and staff are here to help! You are going to love it at LCMS!

Open House
We are excited to partner with you in the pursuit of excellence in your child’s education! We look forward to welcoming all our Bobcats in grades 6, 7, and 8 at Open House on Monday, August 5th from 3:30 to 7:00. Parking will be available in the bus lot and the main LCMS parking lot.
Bobcat gear will be available for purchase for both Bobcats and Lions near the stadium!
An optional protection plan for Chromebooks is available for $20 (cash or check) during Open House.

We encourage you to purchase the optional $20 equipment insurance through LCPS, which covers accidental damage at no cost for the 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.

It is helpful for students to bring the printed schedule to Open House and to school for the first week or two while they are finding their classrooms. 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!

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.)

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
5:45 - Activity bus departs (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.

Back to School “Paperwork”
Much of the beginning of the year “paperwork” will be completed online. Please access the link from the email sent from PowerSchool Registration and complete the documents prior to Open House. If you have questions or need assistance, you may call the help desk at 540-894-4373.

School Supplies
Per the standard yearly process at Louisa County Middle School, teachers will provide students with a list of recommended school supplies during Open House and the first week of school. For the start of the school year, students are asked to bring basic school supplies with them, such as loose-leaf paper (college-ruled), notebooks, pencils, and a water bottle.

Additionally, with the use of weapons detectors at our school, we also would like to provide you with a few guidelines that will help guide you as you make purchases in the near future:

- All three-ring binders should be 1.5 inches or less.
- Use plastic water bottles when possible. If you do purchase metal water bottles, please opt for small/medium-sized bottles.
- Avoid purchasing wheeled, rolling backpacks if possible.
- Do not purchase adult-sized scissors. Instead, opt for blunt, small/medium-sized scissors.

Students should bring a combination lock to secure their belongings in their physical education locker. Students will be offered a hallway locker with a built-in combination lock during the first full week of school.

Parking
Upon arrival at school, all car riders should be dropped off in the inner circle at the front of LCMS. It is important that parents/guardians pull forward to the inner circle and drop off their children in a timely manner to prevent any traffic congestion in the mornings.
Between the hours of 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm, no vehicles are permitted to park in the main entrance loop. All parents/guardians picking up their children at LCMS during this time period should use the parking spaces in the parking lot adjacent to the bus lot. 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.

Agendas and Lockers
Students will receive an agenda in their fourth period class on the first day of school. If a student loses their agenda, the replacement cost is $6.00. Students will be offered a hallway locker in the first full week of school in their homerooom class.

LCMS Athletics/Physical Forms/VHSL Guidelines
The LCMS Athletic Department offers students a variety of sports opportunities. For the 2024-2025 school year, athletes must submit a current physical dated May 1, 2024 or later before trying out for a sport. For more information concerning LCMS Athletics, please access the athletics website under the activities tab of the LCMS website: http://lcms.lcps.k12.va.us.

Please review our LCMS Back to School Letter that was mailed with schedules for more information for the beginning of the school year.

If you have any questions, or if we can help in any way, please call our office at (540) 894-5457. We are excited to kick off a great school year!

Amanda Harper, Ed.D.
Principal
Louisa County Middle School

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