Week of December 28, 2025

Dear Students and Families,

As we welcome the start of a brand‑new year, I hope each of you has enjoyed a restful and joyful winter break. A new year brings fresh opportunities to learn, grow, and continue building a strong school community together. I’m excited for all that 2026 has in store for our students, our staff, and our families.

This is a friendly reminder that school will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus, ready to begin the next chapter of our school year with energy and enthusiasm.

For our high school students, the return from break also marks the beginning of the second semester. This is a great moment to set new goals, refocus on your coursework, and take advantage of the fresh start ahead. Your teachers and counselors are here to support you as you step into this next phase of the year.

We also hope to see our families in the stands as our boys’ and girls’ basketball seasons continue. Your encouragement means so much to our student‑athletes, and your presence helps build the spirit and pride that make our school community so special. Come out, cheer loudly, and help us keep the momentum going.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and inspiring New Year.

Warm regards,

Ms. Cohen

A Message from Nurse Redmon, School Nurse

“Respiratory viral season is here. Because of common and overlapping symptoms, distinguishing between respiratory illnesses can be confusing for parents and caregivers. Questions about vaccination and the latest guidance about what to do to help prevent spread of respiratory viruses add another layer to the confusion.

Infectious diseases experts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital emphasize that distinguishing between viruses can be difficult for anyone, including clinicians. It is important for families to practice healthy habits such as hand washing, cough and sneeze etiquette, and staying up to date on seasonal vaccinations. Experts have cited an increase in pneumonia and whooping cough viruses and are anticipating those to continue this respiratory season.

“Every child is different, but we do know that this time of year brings with it a wave of sickness that gets passed around from child to child,” said Jason Newland, MD, chief of infectious diseases at Nationwide Children’s. “We also know that while the majority of these cases will be able to be cared for at home, any of these illnesses can turn severe for some.”

Illnesses like colds and pneumonia caused by viruses like influenza, RSV, and COVID-19, and bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumoniae (walking pneumonia) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal disease) during this season can often present with similar symptoms and can impact children in different ways. Some children, like those with underlying medical conditions or who are immunocompromised, are at greater risk for severe disease. 

These common viruses may share similar symptoms such as a sore throat, fatigue, cough, or headache. Viruses such as RSV can present with more severe symptoms, including wheezing or shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, especially in infants less than 1 year of age. Symptoms more specific to COVID-19 include loss of taste or smell. Both COVID-19 and influenza can present with sudden onset of fever along with body aches and pain. Bacterial and viral pneumonia can present with a number of symptoms, including fever and wheezing, or abnormal sounds in a specific area of the lungs being a distinguishing symptom. With any illness, if a child begins to have difficulty breathing, a high fever, or a cough that does not improve after three to five days, experts recommend bringing them to their clinician to be evaluated.” Nationwide Children’s

School Lunches

Lunch Menus - Parents - Lake Lure Classical Academy

Household Income Form

For funding purposes, it is essential that all families complete the Household Income Form linked below. If you have already taken the time to submit this information, we sincerely appreciate your prompt response. If you have not yet completed the form, we kindly ask that you do so at your earliest convenience. Your participation directly supports our ability to secure important resources and funding that benefit all students and programs within our school community.

Household Income Form

The Counseling Corner

Click Here for Weekly

Counseling Updates

Please contact your counselor if your family is experiencing any needs so that we can connect you with resources and support.

Please check these College and Career Opportunities frequently (The link is always in Mrs. Powell’s email signature as well). 

It may be cold outside now, but applications for summer enrichment programs are heating up! Please make sure you check your email frequently for updates and opportunities. You can also check THIS LINK that is always in Mrs. Powell’s email signature for programs and information. 

The Shelton Challenge is a six-day, residential program at NC State University for current 9th-11th graders built on the Shelton Leadership Center’s core values and is designed to help high school students enhance their capacities to become values-based leaders. This immersive program is designed to transform potential into real-world skills through mentorship, self-reflection, and shared discovery. The program invites emerging leaders to be part of an engaged community for the week and participate in activities designed to teach leadership concepts such as ethical decision-making, civic and social responsibility, effective communication, collaboration, and goal setting. Are you up for the Challenge? https://sheltonleadership.ncsu.edu/shelton-challenge-programs/ 

A.I.G.

The holidays are upon us, family gatherings, celebrations, and setting our sights on the new year. What a perfect time to discuss with your child the importance of setting goals, new year resolutions, and planning for success.  Just as important is to reflect on strengths and accomplishments. We all have successes, no matter the size and that’s what can keep us motivated.  Here is a graphic organizer being used at school to start discussions. Students are challenged to create a personal goal to be accomplished by March 1, 2026 and an academic goal to accomplish by the end of the third grading period. Have fun playing games, connecting, and making memories during this time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

School Improvement Team Communication



Our current school improvement plan is located on the NC Star/Indistar system at https://www.indistar.org/ 

To access our school improvement plan, use the following login information:

Guest Login: GuestS17751

Password:GuestS17751

Don't be left out in the cold! Order your yearbook today!

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/2039717/Lake-Lure-Classical-Academy/

*If you have any yearbook questions, please email Mr. Burgess at dburgess@llcharter.org

In The Event of Inclement Weather Expect A Remote Day

We have had a couple of close calls recently with potential winter weather. In the event that we do have inclement weather, it is our plan to implement a remote school day. Lake Lure Classical Academy is authorized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to use a total of five remote days over the course of the school year.

Please note that we have asked teachers to provide paper assignments to students to have on hand in the event that we do have a remote day. Additionally, middle school teachers will post to Google Classroom, and high school teachers will post to either Infinite Campus or Canvas.

In the event of inclement weather, if Rutherford County Schools or Polk County Schools close, then LLCA will also close. If Henderson County Public Schools, LLCA will make a decision about closing if the impacted area in Henderson County affects our bus routes and bus stops.

We will post all school closings and delays on Facebook, our school website, WLOS News 13, WYFF News 4, WSPA News 7, WAGY radio. We will also send out an Infinite Campus Message via email, voicemail, and text message.

If you have not opted into receiving text messages in your parent portal, you will not receive text messages. So please ensure that you have opted into receiving text messages. This link provides information about receiving notifications from Infinite Campus Parents & students - Infinite Campus

Elementary Clothes Closet

Elementary Clothes Closet is accessible each week on Fridays from 8:00-9:00 am in Mrs. Kristin’s Room. Donations are accepted at any time and can be dropped off at the front office or sent with your student.

Lake Lure Classical Academy’s

mission is to offer 

a classical, knowledge-based education 

that fosters critical thinking, civic responsibilities, and virtue for all.