Principal's Weekly Update for Jan. 18, 2026

Principal's Weekly Update for Jan. 18, 2026
Posted on 01/18/2026
Principal's Weekly Update graphic
LCMS Bobcat Parents and Families,

There will be no school tomorrow, Monday, January 19th, as we commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tuesday, January 20th will be an A day.

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! In remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the first video was released last week. Students who complete the video by tomorrow, Monday, January 19th, will be entered into a drawing to win a prize! 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.

January Jamboree: Friday, January 23rd
The Jingle Jamboree, previously postponed in December due to inclement weather, will now take place on Friday, January 23rd, as the January Jamboree, after school until 6:00. Students who previously registered are automatically registered for the new date. Additional students are invited to register! Permission forms with the $5 admission are due by Thursday, January 22nd after the last lunch shift.

Students will dance their hearts out in the cafeteria, enjoy shows and shorts in the forum, unleash their creativity with crafts and coloring in the classrooms, and play exciting games in the gym. This is a great opportunity to create wonderful memories with friends and classmates.

If a student previously registered for the Jingle Jamboree in December and is unable to attend the January Jamboree on January 23rd, you can call our office to request a refund or donate the registration fee to this fundraiser.

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 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!

LCMS Yearbook
Be sure to order your LCMS yearbook for $42 (price valid until January 30th). Students can take cash or a check payable to Louisa County Middle School to Ms. Ventre in room 901, or you can order online. Students can celebrate their journey, friends, and achievements in this incredible year, forever captured in our LCMS yearbook!

American Heart Challenge
The LCMS Health/PE Department will soon kick off our American Heart Challenge! Get a jump start and join now to earn your colorful wristband – Complete Finn’s Mission to learn how to help save a life and earn 8 service hours from the American Heart Association!
Get ready to change and save lives! Register today and complete Finn’s Mission! The deadline is February 28.
Join our school team on the FREE & fun “AHA Schools” App or at www.heart.org/Schools and complete Finn’s Mission to learn Hands-Only CPR & the warning signs of stroke.
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].


Looking Ahead



Valentine’s Dance on Friday, February 6th

We will have a Valentine’s Dance on Friday, February 6th 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. Permission forms must be turned in by Thursday, February 5th by 1:20 (end of lunch shifts). We are looking forward to this opportunity for social time and fun!


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
Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2026 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.