Principal Update for 8th Grade Families
Posted on 04/21/2025
8th Grade Bobcat Parents and Families,
The end of the school year is fast approaching, and for our 8th grade Bobcats, that means the anticipation of culminating middle school events such as scheduling for 9th grade, the 8th Grade Formal, the 8th grade field trip to Busch Gardens, the 8th Grade Bobcat Bash, and the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony! These are all momentous occasions, and I am excited to celebrate with our Bobcats! I am reaching out today to give some information about these exciting events to help you prepare.
8th Grade Scheduling This Week During Health/PE Classes
8th grade Bobcats should have brought home the LCHS Program of Studies (linked here), the CTE Pathways book (linked here), and a letter from the LCHS counseling department (linked here) about scheduling classes for 9th grade next year. Please take time to review these resources and select elective courses using the directions in the letter.
The LCHS counseling team will meet individually with 8th graders for 9th grade scheduling this week during Health/PE classes. To streamline the process, we request that students take the completed high school scheduling letter to the scheduling meeting.
8th Grade Formal: Saturday, May 3rd
Date: Saturday, May 3rd from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Louisa County Middle School (Cafeteria and Gymnasium)
Theme: Tropical Paradise
-$15 Per Person/Ticket
-Hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and snacks will be provided!
-Permission forms (linked here) and money will be collected during lunch shifts on Thursday and Friday, April 24th and April 25th.
Drop-off students beginning at 7:00 at the main entrance of the middle school. Pick up students beginning at 9:30 at the same entrance.
*Early pickups are difficult because students are still dancing! Pickups will begin at 9:30, but you can come between 9:30 and 10:00 to stagger the line.
Our 8th Grade Formal Committee will work to transform our gym and cafeteria into a stunning Tropical Paradise-themed setting!
8th Grade Field Trip to Busch Gardens: Tuesday, May 20th
We are looking forward to taking our 8th grade students to Busch Gardens on Tuesday, May 20th!
If your child would like to participate in the field trip, please return the permission form (linked here) with payment of $50.00 to room 802 (the 8th-grade teacher workroom) during morning arrival to school by Friday, May 2nd (late permission forms will not be accepted). Students who are not attending the trip will be required to attend school and will be provided with supplemental activities. Students not attending school must have a written excuse per the attendance policy for the absence to be excused. We are encouraging every student to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!
- Students and chaperones will need to be at LCMS before 8:30 a.m. to depart by 9:00 a.m. Students may ride their regular bus to school.
- Students will be returning to LCMS at 7:30 p.m. Please make sure transportation for your child is at LCMS by 7:30 p.m.
- Students will need to bring snacks for the bus and a bagged lunch unless they request a bagged lunch through the LCMS cafeteria.
- Students will need to dress appropriately for the trip (sneakers, comfortable clothing, sunscreen if applicable).
- For this trip to be a success, students must be on their best behavior and meet all school expectations.
- Students may bring a small bag to carry; however, all bags will be searched by security upon entering the park.
- Students may bring cameras and cell phones, but please be advised that any cell phones or cameras lost will be the responsibility of the student.
- Busch Gardens is a Cashless Park.
8th Grade Bobcat Bash: Wednesday, May 21st
On the morning of Wednesday, May 21st, 8th graders will have promotion ceremony practice. Following rehearsal, 8th graders will receive their guest tickets to the promotion ceremony and then enjoy an 8th Grade Bobcat Bash, including a cook-out lunch and activities such as cornhole, bounceables, yearbook signing, music, and t-shirt tie-dying!
By Friday, May 2nd, please complete the permission form for your child to participate in the cookout lunch (hamburger/cheeseburger, hotdog, and bag of chips – no cost), and/or the bounceables.
*Students will also have the option to pack their lunch and/or choose a lunch from the cafeteria.
We are looking forward to a day of fun with our 8th grade Bobcats!
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony: Thursday, May 22nd
Date: Thursday, May 22nd at 8:30 a.m. at Louisa County High School (Gymnasium)
The ceremony will start at 8:30 a.m., and students must report to LCMS on time (by 7:55 a.m.) to participate.
-Students should arrive wearing semi-formal attire:
-Boys -- pants (no jeans/shorts), dress shirt/collared shirt, tie/bowtie (optional)
-Girls -- dress/pants (no jeans/shorts), blouse/collared shirt
-No flip flops, hats, hoods, or sunglasses
-Each student is permitted three guests into the ceremony. All individuals attending the ceremony will need to have a ticket. Tickets will be given to students after rehearsal on May 21st.
-Guests arriving at LCHS will need to enter through door 34, located on the right-hand, lower level of the school. (This is also the entrance to athletic events within the gymnasium.)
-Parents/Guardians and guests will park in the lower student parking lot.
-Each student will be awarded a certificate by a member of the LCMS administrative team and have their picture taken crossing the stage.
-Following the ceremony, parents/guardians and other attendees will be invited into the LCHS cafeteria for a reception.
This is an exciting time for our 8th grade Bobcats! If you have any questions, please call our LCMS office at (540) 894-5457.
Amanda Harper, Ed.D.
Principal
Louisa County Middle School