Updates and Upcoming Events

As you have probably seen if you’ve driven by LCHS in the last week or so, there has been a lot of activity lately. We have seen the arrival of many of the pods and the teams are working on getting them connected to each other and the utility lines. They have been doing a great job and a lot of progress is being made. We are still planning on having the modular high school ready to go for the start of the 2^nd semester.

As I mentioned in my last blog, we do have several questions that we are working on answers for. One of those questions was parking and we have a plan for that.  In order to accommodate the number of staff and student cars, we are planning on expanding the lot near the old track, the lot near the Alternative Education Center, and the upper student lot to hold more vehicles. We are also exploring the possibility of creating a new lot using part of the currently fenced off area behind the CTE wing. Based on our plan, we should have enough spaces for all of the cars we see on a daily basis. Of course, we will need to change some of the currently assigned spots, but we will make those changes happen as smoothly as possible.

I also wanted to let everyone know that report cards will be coming out on Friday, November 11th.  Please be sure to ask your child to see his or her report card.  We will also be having Parent Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, November 16th from 5:30 - 7:30.  This is a great time to talk with your child's teachers about his/her progress during the first nine weeks.  I hope to see everyone there. 

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I can be reached at 540-894-5436 or at smithte@lcps.k12.va.us.

The Modular High School is Coming

If you have driven by LCHS in the last week or so, you may have noticed some changes.  In preparation for the modular high school, some trees and light poles have been removed, the tennis court fence has been taken down, and the utility lines have been marked.  We should shortly see the arrival of the first pods which will serve as the home of LCHS for the foreseeable future.  The new modular high school will let us (and the Middle School) get back to a more normal schedule. 

Of course, things won't be completely normal and we will have to work through some things.  We will see some changes in where staff and students can park, we will need to change where students can be picked up and dropped off, and we will need to find a place for our tennis team to practice and play matches.  But, as with everything else we've had to change this year, I know that this community will work together to find solutions to any and all problems that we will face.

Changing gears a little bit, not only is the modular high school coming, but so is Homecoming.  The SCA has done a great job this year in adapting to the new circumstances we face.  We are having two weeks of Spirit Days, including Decade Day, Formal Day, and, of course, Green and Gold Day.  On Friday, October 28th, the day of the Homecoming game, the students want to show their support of the fight against breast cancer by having a Pink Out Day.  Make sure you come out on Friday to enjoy all of the Homecoming festivities and support the Lions as they face Charlottesville.

Thanks for visiting my blog.  As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.  I can be reached at 540-894-5436 or at smithte@lcps.k12.va.us.

Changes

Since I have not blogged since the events of August 23rd, I thought it was time to begin posting here again.  We've all been through a lot over the last month, but we are starting to settle in to our "new normal".

What does our "new normal" look like?  In some ways, things are clearly different.  We are having classes in a new building and our school day is longer.  Some of the things we are used to having around are not there.   But, in other ways, things have not changed.  I still see our faculty and staff doing what they need to do to ensure that our students get the education they deserve.  I still see our students giving their best in the classroom and on the athletic fields.  And I still see our parents and community members giving of their time, energy, and resources to make sure that our students have what they need to be successful.  For the work that everyone has put in to help make this transition as successful as it has been, I just want to say thank you.

School is Almost Here!

With school almost ready to start, this past week was a busy one at LCHS.  It started off last weekend with the Louisa County Agricultural Fair.  I stopped by the FFA stand for dinner on Friday evening.  As always, the BBQ was great.  It took a lot of work by our students, parents, teachers, and alumni to make that happen and I want to thank them for the great job that they did.

Then early Monday morning came Midnight Madness, the traditional beginning of the football season.  It was great to see so many of our LCHS students, parents, and community members out at midnight to cheer on the Lions.  And, football isn't the only sport getting ready for the new season.  Our golf, volleyball, field hockey, and cross country teams have all been working diligently to get ready for their upcoming competitions.  If the dedication our student-athletes and coaches show in practice is any indication, all of our teams are going to have a great year.

I was also able to spend some time Friday night watching our LCHS Marching Band perform their preview show.  For two weeks, the band students worked hard during their band camp to practice for the upcoming season.  As everyone saw on Friday night, their hard work paid off.  They looked and sounded great!

One of the many things that make LCHS a great place to be is the fact that so many of our students are involved in extracurricular activities.  Whether it is a sport, the band, FFA, the yearbook, the newspaper, or one of our many clubs and organizations, our students find ways to connect to the school outside of the classroom.  This makes LCHS more than just a school.  It makes LCHS a community.  

Summer Time

This is my first blog ever!  As I journey into this new way of communicating, I find myself amazed at all of the different ways technology permits us to share ideas.  

I hope everyone is having a great summer.  I can't believe that school starts in a little over a month.  It seems like graduation was just a couple of days ago.  

Everyone at LCHS has been working hard to get ready for the new school year.  The building is looking better and better every day and teachers are coming in to set up their classrooms.  While we all are excited about the upcoming year, many of our rising seniors were at school this past week having their senior portraits taken and they were VERY excited.  The smiles on their faces said it all.        

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we'll see everyone in August!