Thank you!

As you have probably heard, I have resigned my position as principal of LCHS effective at the end of the 2013-2014 school year.  Having been at LCHS for 16 years, this was certainly not an easy decision, but I feel it is time for me to explore other opportunities.

I can't thank everyone enough for their support over the last 3 years.  To say that the LCHS community has been through some challenging times recently would be an understatement.  I will never forget how the LCHS community - the faculty, staff, students, parents, and community members - rose to the occasion and came together to meet these challenges.  I will always be proud of what we accomplished.

While I will be leaving at the end of the year, the school year isn't over and we still have work to do at LCHS.  Our teachers are working to adjust curriculum because of the inclement weather days and we continue to provide the best education to our students.  Our spring sports are getting ready to begin and our student-athletes are ready to represent LCHS.  And, our Fine Arts students are working to get ready for the annual Arts Festival and for the spring production of "Legally Blonde".  As you can see, we have many events happening at LCHS over the next few months.  Please come out and support our students in their many endeavors. 

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

LCHS INFORMATION

This past week, we have sent home three letters to our LCHS families.  Each of these addressed various issues impacting the LCHS community.  In case the letters did not make it home, I want to take this opportunity to review the information that was sent out.

GRADUATION

The first letter, which was sent home with our seniors, addressed graduation.  Weather permitting, the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2014 will be held at 6:30 pm on Friday, May 23, 2014 at the Louisa County High School Stadium.  We will check the weather forecast on the morning of Thursday, May 22nd and, should the threat of inclement weather preclude us from holding the ceremony on Friday, the ceremony will be moved to Saturday, May 24th.  We will attempt to hold the ceremony at some point during the day on May 24^th.  Should the weather still be uncooperative, the ceremony would be moved to the afternoon of Sunday, May 25^th.  At this point, we have been unable to secure a suitable rain site, which requires us to plan to have the graduation ceremony at the LCHS Stadium.  More details regarding the ceremony will be provided at a later date.     

ADDITIONAL TIME TO THE SCHOOL DAY

The second letter dealt with the addition of 15 minutes to the school day to make up for time missed due to inclement weather.  Starting on Monday, February 3rd, the bell schedule at LCHS will be adjusted.  Starting on February 3rd, our first bell will ring at 7:55 am.  ROAR Block will begin at 8:02 am and first period will start at 8:38 am.  Our new dismissal time will be 3:30 pm.  By adding more time into each period, we will be able to make up for the time we missed because of the snow. 

DR. PETTIT'S LETTER

Dr. Pettit also sent a letter home to LCPS families addressing the days missed because of inclement weather and the plan for making up time if we should miss more days this winter.  The full text of her letter is below:

Families of Louisa County Public Schools:        

This has been an unprecedented year for inclement weather closings and delays. These disruptions have not been conducive to student learning.  The instructional time that we have missed­ - and any more that we may miss in the coming weeks­­ - must be made up to meet state requirements and allow our students to achieve at the levels expected by LCPS, Louisa County, and your family.

Our 2013-2014 school calendar was created to accommodate 10 missed days.  We have exhausted those built-in options. Five days did not need to be made up because of the length of our daily schedule. Our two built-in make-up days - the February 17 holiday and March 17 teacher workday - have been converted to regular school days. Three additional days missed will be made up by the 15-minute increase in the instructional day that begins Monday, February 3. Although we do not know what the coming weeks of winter will hold, the following make-up days will be scheduled as needed in the event of inclement weather:

After January 30:  1st day missed:  May 27   2^nd day missed: May 28   3^rd day missed: May 29   4^th day missed: May 30

The approved school calendar referenced these as potential make-up days if needed. Missing more than four additional days may result in adding more instructional time to each school day or additional days.

While we cannot control the frigid temperatures or conditions on state roads, we can ensure that we respond appropriately, with an emphasis on preserving the quality of instruction for all of our learners. Overcoming this challenge will require the combined efforts of our teachers, students, staff and families. Students may receive additional homework as the year progresses.  Assignments that help reinforce lessons taught by our teachers may be sent home more than has been customary in the past. This will allow our teachers to maximize concept development in their classroom time without sacrificing student review.  Schools may also send home links to various skill-building and knowledge-building websites.

We are shifting our window for SOL testing as late as possible in the school year. Writing assessments will now be given later in March. Your child’s principal will send home details of these date changes. These adjustments will give our students the best chance for success by maximizing instructional time before the state assessments are given.

We know the missed days, the schedule changes, and the academic challenges ahead aren’t easy on your family. We appreciate your support of Louisa County Public Schools as we work together to maximize learning for our students this year.

Sincerely,

Deborah D. Pettit

Division Superintendent

 

As Dr. Pettit mentions in her letter, everyone at LCHS is working to ensure that we maintain the quality of instruction for all of our students in all of our classes.  While we have missed several days, we will continue to ensure that the students of LCHS receive the best education possible.

As always, thank you for your continued support of LCHS.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 540-894-5436.