LCMS Principal Weekly Update for Jan. 26, 2025

LCMS Principal Weekly Update for Jan. 26, 2025
Posted on 01/26/2025
Principal Weekly Update graphic
LCMS Bobcat Parents and Families, 

Monday, January 27th will be an A Day.

Clubs on Tuesday, January 28th
We will have clubs at the end of the day on Tuesday, January 28th! This is such an exciting time for our Bobcats where each student is involved in their unique activity, so we ask that parents and families avoid picking up students for an early dismissal after 2:15 if possible, since students will be in clubs.

School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions
Our school, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Virginia Department of Education, is conducting the Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions. We will survey students in grades 6, 7, and 8, as well as classroom instructors and staff, between January 27 and February 7. The purpose of this survey is to measure student support, student engagement, school discipline, and safety conditions in each school. This information will be used to guide educational practices that produce a safe and supportive school environment. Please view the informational letter to read more about the survey.

Learning Materials for Remote Learning Days
As our Division Superintendent, Mr. Straley, recently communicated, LCPS has a proactive approach that has put us in a good position with our make-up schedule at this time:
Days 1-6: Made up through using banked time.
Days 7-10: These days would be made up using banked time.
Day 11: February 17 would become a regular school day.
Day 12: March 17 would become a regular school day.
Day 13-15: Remote Learning Days

NOTE:  days missed beyond 15 would require additional instructional time to be made up.

As we prepare for the possibility of Remote Learning Days due to missed instructional time, we want to ensure that you have all the information and resources needed to support your child.

On Monday, January 27th, LCMS teachers will guide students on how to make three days of learning materials available offline, ensuring they are prepared for the possibility of Remote Learning Days. This includes using Google Slides, Docs, Sheets, PDFs, and videos offline, so the Internet will not be required to complete assignments on Remote Learning Days.

To make it easy for students to find their assignments, we are using a consistent naming convention: Remote Learning Day (1, 2, or 3) Subject (Math, English, Social Studies, Science, etc.)
Students will be starring these materials in their Google Drive also so then they can use the Starred filter in Google Drive to find them easily.

Again, all assignments are designed to be completed without Internet access, ensuring that students can continue learning regardless of connectivity.

Please reach out to your child’s teachers with any questions you might have as we proactively prepare for the possibility of Remote Learning Days.

Black History Month Video Competition
Black History Month begins on February 1st! Bobcats will join their grade-level Google Classroom for the Black History Month contests by clicking the links on the LCMS Student Start Page! Daily videos will be posted during February highlighting the achievements of African Americans. Students will carefully watch Edpuzzle videos and answer the questions. Daily and weekly winners will be selected based on how well students score and how many videos they complete.

Pal Pops Available Now Online!

The LCMS PTA is excited to offer Pal Pops, available for purchase by students, staff, and family members! Looking for a fun and unique treat for friends? Pal Pops are the perfect candy rings to share with your pals! Sweet, colorful, and totally shareable, these candy rings make for an awesome, playful treat that’ll bring smiles all around.
Whether you’re celebrating with your besties or just sharing a little sweetness, Pal Pops are the perfect way to spread joy! Each Ring Pop will include a special message from the sender, and they are only $1 each. They will be available for cash purchases during lunch shifts on Tuesday and Thursday, February 4th and 6th, and can be purchased online. Sales will end on Friday, February 11th, so don’t miss out. Pal Pops will be delivered to 4th block classrooms on Friday, February 14th.


LCMS PTA Membership Drive
We encourage and welcome all parents, grandparents, and community supporters to join the LCMS PTA! Membership is only $5, and the funds will be used to support students and staff at LCMS. As an incentive to join by January 31st, the LCMS PTA is holding a schoolwide membership drive to win custom designed t-shirts! Memberships can be purchased online or by returning the printable membership form.

How much to join? $5 per member
Who can join? Anyone! Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Sisters, Brothers, Friends, Teachers, Community Members, the list goes on and on!
Do I have to volunteer? NO, but that would be AMAZING!
What are the Benefits of Joining? To support the school, students, and staff! Be the first to hear about LCMS PTA News/Events.



Looking Ahead:

Valentine’s Dance on Friday, February 7th

We will have a Valentine’s Dance on Friday, February 7th after school until 5:30. The permission form will be emailed to families the Sunday prior and provided for students in the cafeteria that week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Permission forms must be turned in by Thursday, February 6th by 1:20 (end of lunch shifts). We are looking forward to this opportunity for social time and fun!

February 3rd - 7th: Black History Month Spirit Week
Monday: Marvel/DC Monday
Wear your favorite Marvel/DC character attire in honor of past and present characters (such as Chad Boseman from Black Panther).

Tuesday: Sports Icons Day
Dress as your favorite black athlete, or athlete of your choice, or wear a jersey from a historically significant team.
*Students may purchase a wristband for $1 in the forum upon arrival to wear a hat for the day!

Wednesday: Unity Day
Wear green and gold to show your Bobcat Pride!

Thursday: Throwback Thursday
Take a trip through history by dressing in styles from different eras in Black history, from the Harlem Renaissance to the 1970s, 80s, or 90s Hip Hop fashion!

Friday: Dress for Success/College Day
Dress up in attire related to future career goals, inspired by successful Black professionals in various fields, or wear apparel from your favorite HBCU or other college/university.


LCMS Spreading Kindness Event on Wednesday, February 12th

On Wednesday, February 12th, we are excited to welcome guest speakers, and we will have a Spreading Kindness TEAM TIME event with each grade level. The Virginia Department of Education’s Virginia Kindness Week is the second week in February. Kindness is the foundation of our positive learning environment at LCMS, and we are looking forward to a special day with our Bobcats!

*Please note that we will have an alternate bell schedule on February 12th, which will slightly impact lunch shift times.

Integrated Reading Writing Assessment for 8th Grade Students
The Standards of Learning (SOL) Reading assessment includes an Integrated Reading Writing test item. Our 8th grade students will be taking a school-based simulated version of the test in the morning of Wednesday, February 12th prior to hearing from our guest speakers and enjoying the TEAM TIME event.

Eighth grade students will read a nonfiction passage online that may be about a history or science topic and then answer four to six questions about what they have read. One question is a writing prompt, or a question that asks students to write about what they have read. Students will complete this online in one session.

English Benchmark Test on Wednesday, February 19th
Bobcats in grades 6, 7, and 8 will take the English benchmark test on Wednesday, February 19th. We will have an alternate bell schedule, which will slightly impact lunch shift times. It is always important for students to bring their fully charged Chromebooks to school, and it will be especially important on Wednesday for the English benchmark test!

Parent Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, February 26th
Parent-teacher conferences will take place on Wednesday, February 26th from 3:45 to 7:00 p.m. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to stay connected with your child’s teachers about your child’s academic progress. Conferences play an important role in fostering collaboration, understanding, and support in your child's educational journey. We are eager to connect with you as we partner to provide the best possible middle school experience!

Future Dances
Continuing to look ahead, we will have a “Pot of Gold” dance on Friday, March 14th after school until 5:30 p.m. On Friday, April 4th, we will have a dance from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students as a way of welcoming our future Bobcats!

The 8th Grade Formal will take place for 8th grade Bobcats on Saturday, May 3rd from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. The theme (selected by votes from 8th grade students) is “Tropical Paradise!”

These are all great opportunities for middle school memories to be made!

We are looking forward to another great week at LCMS! If you have any questions, or if we can help in any way, please call our office at (540) 894-5457.

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