The Raven Report
Loch Raven Technical Academy
“Learn, Respect, Teach, Achieve”
8101 LaSalle Road Towson, MD 21286
Mrs. Stacey R. Johnson, Principal
Phone: (410)887-3518 Fax: (410) 821-6398
Ms. Dareise Jones, Asst. Principal—Grade 6
School Webpage - http://lochraventech.bcps.org
Ms. Karen Anderson-Hoehn, Asst. Principal—Grade 7
Mr. Bryan O’Connor, Asst. Principal—Grade 8
Dates to Remember
December 3 - Interims Distributed
December 3 & 4 - Winter Theatre
Production, 6:00pm
December 9 - Parent Conference
Night, 4-6pm
December 14 thru 17 - Winter Art
Show and Concerts, 7pm
December 24 thru Jan 1 - Winter
Break, Schools Closed
January 4 - School Re Opens
January 15 - 2nd Marking Period
Ends
January 18 - Dr. MLK Jr. Birthday, Schools Closed
January 19 - Professional Dev.,
Schools Closed for Students
Contact Information
Main Office: (410) 887-3518

Mrs. Polk, Office Sec.

Ms. Tully, Bookkeeper

Ms. Krafft, Principal’s Secretary
Guidance:
(410) 887-5655

Mrs. Moyer, Secretary

Mrs. DeShields, Counselor

Ms. Frankle, Counselor
Health Suite: (410) 296-3270

Ms. French, School Nurse
Cafeteria:
(410) 887-3524

Mrs. Engelke, Manager

Mrs. Jones-Wade, PTSA President
From the Principal’s Desk
One Quarter Down
We have finished the first quarter of the school year and we are well into the second
quarter. We appreciate how you have worked with your child in order to help them
achieve success. We have been working hard here at LRTA to ensure that our children
receive the best first instruction as well as the supports that they need in order to master
the material taught if they don’t understand the information right away.
We have been taking a lot of time looking at class assessments as well as those issued by
the county, we are really trying to make sure that our students are performing at the
level that is expected. For our students who are not performing at that level, we are putting more supports in place for them to be sure that they are improving.
American Education Week just ended, we hope that you were able to come and spend
some time with your child and visit their classes with them. We received a lot of positive
feedback, we also received some feedback in reference to improvements that we need to
make.
There is still work to do and we are aware of it. Just like any organization or institution
there is room for improvement and we take steps each and every day in order to make
improvements to our instruction and procedures to provide the best experience for our
students.
We have also worked this quarter in order to provide social activities and experiences for
our students so that school is a fun place for them to be. We had our first school wide
enrichment activity, we had the Amazing Race on October 30 th, students completed a
series of activities that were related to math, social studies, language arts and science in
teams of five. The winners were determined by the teams who completed the most of the
activities in the designated time frame. Students had a great time and the faculty and
staff loved watching all of our students so engaged in learning and having fun while doing it. The PTSA hosted the Fall Ball and we have had a number of field trips to support
the content taught in our classes.
We want to make sure that you know that there are many resources that you can utilize
in order to help your child to be successful. We have the homework club every Tuesday
and Wednesday afterschool for students to get help with homework and each teacher
offers coach class either afterschool or during lunch. Students have plenty of opportunities to get assistance if they need it.
We also have a variety of afterschool clubs, sports team and activities for your child to
get involved in. We want to make sure that we can meet the needs of our students and
families. There is still plenty of time left in the school year for your child to make improvements if necessary and to get involved.
If you ever have a question, please don’t hesitate to call us. We are here to help you and
to partner with you to ensure your child’s success.
Lost & Found
Due to the overwhelming amount of lost and found items that accumulate in the office and the lack of space to store
these items, items will only be held until the bin is full. A Connect-Ed message will be sent home once the bins are
full to remind parents to have their students check the office for any lost items . After this time, all items remaining
will be donated.
Parents and Guardians,
Please remember that we need notes for your child’s absence. We must have those
notes within 5 days of your child’s return to school. In order to remind you, we have the
daily phone call coming home with our automated system. We also have a volunteer
who makes weekly phone calls to remind you to send in your notes.
In our LRTA Student Protocol, it reads:
Students, when absent, are required to present a written note of explanation signed by
their parent/guardian to the homeroom Teacher on the day the Student returns to
school. (If a parent/guardian does not present a note explaining the absence as soon as
the student returns, they must do so within 5 school days of the student’s return. After
that the note will not be accepted.) Absences not supported by a note will be considered unexcused and unlawful.
(Please see our full detailed procedure about Attendance and Lateness in the front of
your child’s agenda book.)
December2015/January 2016
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
12/1
12/2
12/3
12/4
B
A
B
A
12/7
12/8
12/9
12/10
12/11
B
A
B
A
B
12/14
12/15
12/16
12/17
12/18
A
B
A
B
A
12/21
12/22
12/23
12/24
12/25
B
A
B
Schools Closed
Schools Closed
12/28
12/29
12/30
12/31
1/1
Schools Closed
Schools Closed
Schools Closed
Schools Closed
Schools Closed
1/4
1/5
1/6
1/7
1/8
A
B
A
B
A
1/11
1/12
1/13
1/14
1/15
B
A
B
A
B
1/18
1/19
1/20
1/21
1/22
Schools Closed
Schools Closed
A
B
A
1/25
1/26
1/27
1/28
1/29
B
A
B
A
B
FYI to Parents and Guardians:
We are also supposed to discourage Parents and Guardians from bringing in cupcakes or cake for their
child’s birthday.
“PBIS at LRTA”
Loch Raven Academy’s PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports) Program is moving along planning and implementing events for all of our students who follow our Code of Conduct (Respect, Responsible, Safe, and Prepared)
in class and around the entire school each day. Students have been earning Raven Reward Points and are cashing
them in for a seat in the Raven’s Nest during their lunch periods, or needed school supplies in class or in homeroom.
Students also cashed in their Raven Rewards for a kickball, basketball, and conversation session held on October 30 th,
2015. This 1st Quarter school wide event was a BLAST!
The PBIS Program is also building upon our Mentoring New Leaders Initiative. This initiative allows students to meet
on a monthly basis with a member of the LRTA Family in a personalized, small group setting. Students met in their
mentoring groups back on October 14th to discuss “Thinking Before Speaking”. Students led discussions regarding how
words have meaning and can truly affect how we feel about ourselves. They also came up with strategies for helping a
peer out when others may use words to hurt rather than help. And, on Wednesday, November 25 th, students will be
working together to foster “Attitudes of Gratitude”.
We are also excited to announce the addition of our Safe School Ambassadors and the S.A.D.D. club to the PBIS family- welcome to all!
We want to give an extra “Shout Out!” to Ms. Jones and Ms. Buttner for leading the entire LRTA family toward making
good decisions every day. We are EXCITED for all the PBIS events coming soon to a school near you!
#Up2U_LRTA
#LearnLikeARaven
LRTA Student Council
LRTA is going to start a Student Council Chapter which will begin meeting after the first of the
year. Campaigning and elections will soon be part of the landscape of our school. Student Council is a wonderful
way to become an active member of the LRTA family. Students will be given opportunities through their membership to develop leadership characteristics and learn about the world during their academic life. In student
council students learn the skills of leadership, team building, and the art of prioritizing tasks and time. As a student leader, students get ample opportunities to speak out in public and communicate with large groups of audiences. They are responsible for leading task forces and managing groups of people. Many students in leadership
positions learn that their actions and decisions can make a difference. This inspires them to be more proactive
and alters their attitude towards their work and their life. They are dedicated to bring change and work passionately to make a difference in the world and in the life of others. This dedication and the determination to make
a difference stays with them throughout their life pushing them forward and helping them to change the world
with their actions. Watch for important dates as we begin our LRTA Student Council Chapter.
The moderators of the Student Council this year will be Mrs. Foderaro and Ms. Larkin.
The Wellness and Social Committee is well underway with several projects for our students,
including the Green School Club which meets after school and the weekly “Wellness Wednesday” updates
that help students focus on a new aspect of wellness each week. In the coming weeks, the members of the
committee and many school volunteers will help bring recess back to Loch Raven Technical Academy. Students will alternate to have access to recess on Fridays, during the last 10 minutes of lunch. If
you would like to offer to volunteer for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade recess, please email Ms. Penn
([email protected]). Faculty members, if you are interested in hosting/participating in after school
workout sessions please also email me.
Thank you, Ms. Penn
THE LOCH RAVEN
TECHNICAL ACADEMY
FOOD PANTRY
Loch Raven Technical Academy now has a food pantry to serve our school
community.The Food Pantry will be open on the 2nd Wednesday of each
month from 3 to 4 and the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 10 to 11
We will also respond to emergencies with an appointment.
If you are interested in volunteering during the hours of
operation or would like to donate non-perishable items feel
free to contact
Anna M. Williams- 410-887-3518 or [email protected]
Supporting our community in every way.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Loch Raven Technical Academy
410-887-3518
8101 LaSalle Road · Towson, Maryland 21286
Fax: 410-821-6398
November 23, 2015
Dear Parent/Guardian:
As we take a short break from school for Thanksgiving, on behalf of Team BCPS, I want to express our
gratitude for everyone who makes it possible for students to attend school every day, on time, and ready
to learn. Regular school attendance is the key to high school graduation and college and career readiness.
We are thankful for:
All of our students and families for making daily attendance a priority since they know the habit of
regular attendance will help students succeed in the classroom.
All of our wonderful teachers who pour their energy into making each classroom an exciting place
where students will want to come and learn.
All of our staff and community volunteers who provide the extra care and attention to support our
students.
As a school community, we are joining together to raise awareness about the importance of school attendance. Team BCPS has designated January as Attendance Awareness Month. During the month, parents
and students will receive information about the importance of school attendance and participate in exciting activities and incentive programs. Join us in making this month a success.
We encourage you to closely monitor your child’s attendance and work with us to raise awareness about
the importance of attending school every day and on time.
We wish you and your family a warm and restful Thanksgiving holiday.
Creating a Culture of Deliberate Excellence
Performing Arts Magnet News
On December 4, 2015 all of the Performing Arts Magnet will be attending the Towson University
Dance Company’s special school matinee. The Fall 2015 concert highlights Towson University
Dance Company in Dialogue – a series of works that include excerpts from Les Sylphides, a plot
less ballet that premiered on June 2, 1909 and a new piece that explores the various ways that
people create and sustain dialogues through non-verbal exchanges.
Jazz Band
The LRA Jazz Band has begun after school rehearsals on Thursday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:10
PM. If you are interested in joining the Jazz Band, please contact Mr. St. Pierre in room 105.
Inspirational Choir
The LRA Inspirational Choir has begun after school rehearsals on Tuesday afternoon from 3:00 to
4:10 PM. If you are interested in joining Inspirational Choir, please contact Ms. Epps in room
102.
Winter Concerts
Please come out and support our extremely talented students!!!
Monday, December 14, 2015 7:00 PM/LRA Gym
6th, 7th & 8th Grade Performing Arts Magnet
Tuesday, December 15th, 2015 7:00 PM/LRA Gym
6th, 7th & 8th Grade Strings
Wednesday, December 16th, 2015 7:00 PM/LRA Gym
6th , 7th and 8th Grade Chorus, Inspirational Choir
Thursday, December 17th, 2015 7:00 PM/LRA Gym
6th, 7th and 8th Grade Band, Jazz Band
LRA and Wishing Star Theater
present
LRA and Wishing Star Theater will be presenting LRA/Wishing Star Dinner Theater production of “How To Eat Like a Child” Dinner and a show is the way to go!!!
The production of “How To Eat Like A Child” will be performed:
Friday, December 4th
6:00 PM Dinner, LRA Cafeteria
7:00 PM Show
Saturday, December 5th
6:00 PM Dinner, LRA Cafeteria
7:00 PM Show
$15 Tickets include dinner and show!
*******Tickets may be purchased at the door on the night of the
performance or the ticket form that is attached.
MENU: veggie/meat lasagna, salad, roll, assorted drinks and dessert
If you are interested in helping out, please contact Ms. Prizzi at 410-887-3518 or [email protected]. Thanks you for your support of the arts at LRA!!
SCIENCE NEWS!
6TH GRADE
The sixth grade science students are beginning their “Energy, Electricity, and Magnetism” unit. They
are currently investigating the difference between potential and kinetic energy, and exploring the various forms of energy. They will also be making circuits in class to show the flow of electrical energy,
known as electricity. How can they incorporate light bulbs into their circuit and have it still work when
one light bulb is removed? Students will find out!
7TH GRADE
The seventh grade science students have finished studying cells and tissues and will be dissecting a chicken wing to examine how the different tissues work together to allow the chicken’s wing to move. They
are finishing their zoo projects and will be beginning the “Change Over Time” unit to determine if a
WOLF should be allowed to enter a dog show. We also are looking into a new hybrid that is becoming
more apparent here in the northeast- the coywolf, or woyote, and the impact it has on the question of
evolution and possible new species. This is not as easy a question as it may seem.
In GT, students are learning about many different organisms and how scientists classify them according
to different characteristics. Ultimately, students will compare two very different organisms in order to
see what makes them different- and if there truly is a difference!
8TH GRADE
The eighth grade science students are now starting to explore the magical world of Chemistry! They will
not only become familiar with the elements on the Periodic Table and see how the Periodic Table of Elements is organized, but they will also be preparing themselves to answer questions such as “What makes
up all matter?” and “How can different mixtures be separated?” As they progress through the unit, they
will engage in various laboratory investigations and demonstrate lab safety as they explore chemical
properties and chemical reactions.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE MAGNET
The 6th grade conservation science magnet students have finished setting up their fish tanks! Each
“Tank Team” will be responsible for maintaining their assigned tank throughout the school year, and
each student has a designated day of the week to feed the fish. In class, students are investigating and
learning everything there is to know about the beach, such as the composition of the water, surface currents and waves, tides, El Nino/La Nina, what causes the sea breeze, and even tsunamis!
The 7th grade conservation science magnet students are taking their expert weather forecasting and reporting to the morning announcements! Our new weather reporters are responsible for reporting the
weather each morning to the school, live from our own TV studio. Wish them luck!
The 8th grade conservation science magnet students are continuing to manage the school-wide paper recycling program. They are busy going around the school and emptying the paper recycling bins each week
for recycling. After they collect the paper, they weigh it and put it into the proper recycling dumpster to
be picked up. So far, they have collected over 2,000 pounds of paper from our classrooms for recycling!
In the classroom, they will be classifying living things and are preparing to dissect and compare various
aquatic organisms.
Physical Education News
As the weather changes, student activity will shift back indoors for PE classes. Classes will be entering
new units such as table tennis, floor hockey, or Fitnessgram. Weekly homework assignments will continue to be passed out the first day students have class for the week, and will be due the last time students have class in that same week. Uniforms continue to be on sale for the following prices, please
keep in mind we cannot accept checks.
PE Shirt - $10
PE Shorts - $10
PE Sweatshirt - $15
PE Sweatpants - $15
We are currently out of PE bags and will look to be receiving a shipment as soon as possible. Thanks
for your understanding.
Health
As the students who are currently in Health wrap up the Drug Awareness Unit, they will be turning in
an Anti-Drug Awareness poster to alert their peers to the dangers of various illegal drugs. These posters
will be hung up throughout the school and could earn them 10 student service learning hours. Following the Drug Awareness Unit, they will enter the Human Sexuality Unit. Those 8th grade students
should have already brought home a permission slip outlining the different topics that will be covered
in this unit. Students without a signed permission slip allowing them to participate in the unit will be
sent to a different classroom to complete an alternative assignment. Topics covered in this unit include
information about puberty, changing relationships, adolescent responsibilities, male and female reproductive systems, conception birth, infant care, contraception, influences on and consequences of sexual
activity, and the benefits of abstinence. Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS will also
be discussed.
8th Grade News
In an effort to make the 8th grade year memorable for our students, the 8th grade team
has decided to create an 8th Grade Parent Committee to assist with awards and recognition ceremonies, recess, activities, field trips, etc. If you would like to volunteer, please
email Ms. Lubin ([email protected]).
LIBRARY NEWS
Loch Raven Academy
Ms. Trader – Library Media Specialist
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
Thank You for supporting reading at LRTA.
Special Thanks to :

Grade 7 Law & Finance students (the CREW)

Administration, faculty, staff, parents & students of LRTA

Ms. Prizzi & crew for TV commercials
STRIVE for 25 – A personal goal for each student
Read 25 books throughout the school year and document your success! Join the growing
list of students who will receive invitations to the Strive for 25 Recognition Event at the
end of the school year. “Student Response Forms” are in the Library Media Center. Complete one form for each book that you have read this year. Please see Ms. Trader if you
have questions or need assistance.
Holidays are a great time to read with your children. The following suggestions and resources will help you find great “reads”
and ideas to share with your children.
Choose books that preteens and teens like:

Preteens and teens are increasingly interested in local, national, and international current events. Read editorials and articles from the newspaper and news magazines.

Preteens and teens are defining what makes them unique individuals and learning how they fit in the world. Read novels,
set in the past and in the present, with young characters who are experiencing and coping with the challenges of growing up.

Preteens and teens question authority. Read classic and modern novels that deal with "big" issues such as when the needs
of a community are more important than those of individuals.

Preteens and teens are striving for independence, yet still want to be connected to their families. Read your favorite books
and explain why they are important to you and read books that let you share laughter, a good mystery, an action-packed adventure, a science fiction journey.

Preteens and teens are gradually learning to think abstractly and understand the reasons behind views that differ from
their own. Read books that challenge them to think "out of the box" and see the world beyond their daily experiences.

Preteens and teens are thinking about what they will do in their lives--college, careers, and more. Read books that introduce a wide range of opportunities and experiences.
Source: Reading Is Fundamental
7th grade Art Studio with Mrs. Chenowith
7th grade artists have finished sketchbook journaling and have begun the research and planning of portraiture. Students researched a variety of portraits to discover ways that artist like Frida Kahlo, Kehinde Wiley,
Moriko Mori and Richard Avedon tell the story about their subject through pose, facial expressions, clothing,
props and background images. Students have explored personal ideas, super heroes and everyday heroes
to brainstorm possible options for their own hero self-portrait. Students are also developing their drawing
skills by modeling and drawing the figure through a series of gesture drawings to capture the pose and proportions of the human form. Next students will develop skill in seeing and drawing faces. We look forward to
seeing their final artistic choices.
8th Grade Visual Art Magnet and GT Art Studio with Mrs. Chenowith
Students have explored a variety of portraiture ideas and media through a series of activities designed to
create a sense of creative play, adventure and experimentation. Three minute portraits, “emo” portaits, portraits using a variety of media and collaborative portraits invite students to see the endless possibilities of
this timeless subject matter. Students are in the process of creating their final self-portrait that express
their own personal choices influenced by their self-directed research, media explorations and selected compositional effects.
Visual Art Magnet News
Completing personal works and practicing art skills at home are essential components to building a strong art portfolio. Each quarter we offer a reward to
incentivize our students to practice and create art at home. Approximately 20
visual art magnet students earned 100% completion of all at home enrichment
assignments and were invited to a special artist visit from Sam Lukowski who
impressed with his ghoulish stage and screen, special-effects, makeup artistry. Students had a great time and were introduced to a unique creative art
form!
Mrs. MK’s 6th Grade Art Classes have just completed a draw-
ing unit titled the Line that Connects. The students used their observational skills to draw a selection of personal items which represented
a theme. The objects were overlapped to create a connected a composition. They applied the ‘ping pong’ strategy of repetitive looking back
and forth from the object to the page to record contour edges located on the objects. This practice increases the development of the
hand to eye coordination. The unusual method of continuous line was
used while drawing to be able to keep track of the shapes. The artist
Albrecht Durer was investigated to understand how established artist
used inventive textures to describe multiple subjects. The students
used ballpoint pens to selectively add invented textures to each objects. They varied the sizes of the textures according to the proportions found within the many shapes of the objects. The backgrounds
were painted using watercolor and a choice of three different applications; flat wash, graded wash or wet on wet. The students were very
creative with their compositions and explorations with the variety of
materials.
The students are venturing into the study of form and value using
lighting effects building blocks, cylinders and containers in arrangements.
Albrecht Dürer May 21,1471 – 6
April 6,1528 a German painter,
engraver, printmaker
7th Grade Visual Art Magnet & GT and 8th Grade Visual Art students are currently working on
completing their Empowered Self-Portraits. Students studied a selection of portraits from
the National Portrait Gallery from their permanent exhibit, “The Struggle For Justice.”
“The Struggle for Justice” showcased major cultural and political figures—from key 19thcentury historical figures to contemporary leaders—who struggled to achieve civil rights
for disenfranchised or marginalized groups.
The exhibition, featuring more than
40 photographs, paintings, posters,
buttons and sculptures, includes
portraits of civil rights leaders Frederick Douglass, Thurgood Marshall
and Martin Luther King, Jr.; women’s-rights advocates Elizabeth Cady
Stanton and Betty Friedan; Native
American activist Leonard Crow
Dog; cultural icons Jackie Robinson
and singer Marian Anderson; United
Farm Workers organizer César Chávez; gay and lesbian rights leaders
and Special Olympics founder
Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
Thurgood Marshall
Marian Anderson
Students went on to research one activist or advocate that they were inspired by and emulated them in their pose for their own self-portraits.
Currently, students are accurately rendering the contour of their self-portrait to lay the
framework for the tonal values we will be adding soon. As eighth graders, students have
the option this year to choose from a variety of media and paper including graphite, charcoal, and conte sticks. Make sure to look for these portraits at our Winter Art Show!
6th Grade Visual Art Magnet Students are creating poster designs to celebrate National
Magnet Schools Month. Students have the option to express/interpret one of the Magnet
Schools of America’s (MSA) pillars: Diversity, Innovative Curriculum & Professional Development, Academic Excellence, High-Quality Instructional Systems, and Family & Community Partnerships.
We will be submitting the three most successful posters to the national competition at the
beginning of December, and the rest of the posters will be on display at our Winter Art
Show.
As soon as we complete our poster designs, we will be getting right back into observational
drawing, beginning with a still life of found objects.