Principal's Weekly Update for Feb. 1, 2026
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LCMS Bobcat Parents and Families,
Thank you for your flexibility and for supporting your students’ learning during these unexpected inclement weather days. To ensure continuity of learning while keeping everyone safe at home, Monday, February 2nd will be a Remote Learning Day.
Students will use Day 3 of the prepared instructional materials designed specifically to be completed at home without the need for an internet connection. (Days 1 and 2 were completed on Thursday and Friday, January 26th and 27th). As you review these instructions, please know that we are here to support you, and if you need any assistance at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Below is a reminder of how to access assignments:
In classes, teachers guided students on how to access their work offline. Since these assignments use offline modes for Google Slides, Docs, PDFs, and videos, no internet connection is required to complete the work.
Students can find their materials if they made them available offline in Google Drive by following these steps (typically Docs, Slides, and Sheets):
- Open Google Drive, either through a Chrome tab or by clicking on the Search key on the Chromebook (looks like a magnifying glass), finding and opening the Files app, and clicking on Google Drive.
- Look for files using the words Remote Learning Day in the title.
Students can find their materials if they made them available by downloading them to their Chromebooks by following these steps (typically PDFs, Word documents, screenshots, and videos):
- Click on the Search key on the Chromebook (looks like a magnifying glass)
- Find and open the Files app
- Click on the Downloads section
- Look for files using the words Remote Learning Day in the title (though videos & screenshots may not have been renamed)
We designed this process to ensure that all students can continue learning regardless of connectivity issues during inclement weather days.
If you have any problems, we are here to help! If you need any support or have questions, please don't hesitate to email your child’s teachers or reach out to me directly at 540.894.5457 or [email protected].
For a video summary of Remote Learning Day instructions, please click HERE.
LCPS Meal Distribution: Monday, February 2nd
LCPS will be providing school meals for pick-up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, Monday, February 2nd, at Louisa County Middle School and will send an email later today with more details.
Love Math Challenge
To increase math awareness and promote joyful mathematicians, First In Math is launching an exciting LCPS Love Math Challenge! First In Math is a digital site that provides 300+ engaging math games for all ages.
The challenge begins tomorrow, Monday, February 2nd, and ends March 2nd. ANYONE can access the First In Math site at no cost!
Login is simple:
1. Go to www.firstinmath.com. Click the Login button on the top right.
2. Username: louisa
3. Password: lovemath
For the Love Math Challenge, LCPS elementary schools and LCMS are competing in math games! The school that solves the most math problems at the end of the contest wins! Help us discover which school in Louisa County has the most LOVE for MATH!
FamilyLink® involves family members! For each student enrolled in the First In Math® program, one additional User ID is automatically created for a family member or friend to use! The FamilyLink User ID appears on the student's Homepage. FamilyLink players have full access to site content 24/7, and automatically become part of their own exciting, friendly competition. Check out www.firstinmath.com and get the competition started!
The National Civics Bee®
The Louisa County Chamber of Commerce and Louisa Forward Foundation are partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host a nonpartisan civics competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes, and there is no cost to participate. Finalists who advance to the national competition will compete for prizes worth more than $100,000.
Schedule of Events
For the 2026 National Civics Bee®, middle school students will submit answers in essay format in response to the following questions at the local level:
-Identify a specific problem, challenge, or opportunity in your community.
-What can you do to contribute to its improvement?
-What individuals or organizations would you work with to accomplish your solution? Examples include elected officials, business leaders, and nonprofits.
-How does your solution include Founding Principles and Civic Virtues?
Essays need to be submitted by Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Of the responses submitted, 20 students will be selected for the next step of the competition, which will be a live quiz event on April 16th, 2026 in the Alan Jackson Theatre at Louisa County High School. The top three finalists at the local competition will advance to the state competition, which will be held sometime between May and August 2026. From there, the winner will advance to the National competition in Washington, D.C. This is so exciting!
All LCMS students in grades 6, 7, and 8 who submit an essay will be invited to a pizza party during WIN Block in February to celebrate the accomplishment of civic engagement!
For more information, students can ask their social studies teacher or visit https://www.louisachamber.org/nationalcivicsbee/ and www.nationalcivicsbee.org.
We encourage all families to support their children in this enriching opportunity. Let's inspire civic participation and pride in our school community!
American Heart Challenge
The LCMS Health/PE Department will soon kick off our American Heart Challenge! Get a jump start and join now on the “AHA Schools” App or at www.heart.org/Schools to earn your colorful wristband. Complete Finn’s Mission to learn how to help save a life with Hands-Only CPR and the warning signs of stroke, and earn 8 service hours from the American Heart Association!
Complete the steps to Finn’s Mission to earn your Heart-Hero Socks, and you’ll also be entered for a chance to win 2 Super Bowl tickets to the 2027 Super Bowl!
Check to see if your employer has a matching gift program—it could double your donation! Follow the steps and forward the confirmation to [email protected].
Check out these videos from the American Heart Association:
American Heart Challenge Introduction
How to Join Our School Team Using the App
Valentine’s Dance on Friday, February 6th
We will have a Valentine’s Dance this Friday, February 6th after school until 5:30 (early pickups are difficult because students are still dancing). The permission form must be turned in by Thursday, February 5th by 1:20 (end of lunch shifts). Pizza, soda, water, chips, and candy will be available for purchase. After this long stretch of winter weather, we are looking forward to this opportunity for social time and fun after school this Friday! #middleschoolmemories
Looking Ahead
Due to missed instructional time, Monday, February 16th will now be a regular school day for students, and interim reports will be sent home with students on Friday, February 13th, a week later than originally scheduled.
Thank you for your continued support! We hope to have our Bobcats back in the school building soon. 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