Week of December 15th, 2025

Winter Concert - 2025

Thank you to all of our wonderful parents for coming out to enjoy this year’s Winter Concert! Your support and enthusiasm help make events like this so special for our students. We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to our dedicated teachers, to Ms. Kristin for her behind-the-scenes coordination, and to our Music Teacher, Ms. Boyd, for her passion and hard work in bringing the performance to life. It was a truly joyful evening, and we are grateful for everyone who helped make it happen!

End-of-Course (EOC) Testing Reminder

Biology EOC: Monday, December 15th

Math 3 EOC: Wednesday, December 17th

This is a reminder of EOC testing next week. Biology testing will be Monday, December 15th, and Math 3 will be Wednesday, December 17th. Both tests will begin at 8:00.

These important assessments provide valuable information about students’ understanding of the material covered throughout the semester and help guide future instruction.

As we approach testing week, we encourage families to support students by helping them establish a calm evening routine, get plenty of rest, and arrive at school on time each morning. A good breakfast and a positive start to the day can make a big difference in helping students feel confident and prepared.

Thank you for your continued partnership. If you have any questions about EOC testing or what to expect, please feel free to reach out to our testing coordinator, Beth Murphy, at mmurphy@llcharter.org. 

From Nurse Redmon, School Nurse

“The bitter winter elements can be brutal on the body. But is there any truth that you can "catch a cold" if not properly dressed outside? Dr. Jesse Bracamonte, a Mayo Clinic family physician, explains why colds and other viruses are more common in the winter months. When your parents told you to put on a coat before you go outside or you'll catch cold, there's a small kernel of truth to that.

"If you're a little bit colder outside, your body's immune system may just drop a little bit because it's spending extra effort to keep you warm. That's not with everybody, but, in some cases, it may predispose you to a cold," says Dr. Bracamonte. But, he says, the cold weather itself doesn't cause the common cold. However, as winter temps dip down, the chances of spreading a respiratory virus go up because more time is spent indoors with others. "When it's cold outside, typically people gather around the fireplace or around your home. Therefore, if people are sick, you're more likely to be in close proximity to someone who is ill, thus catch the cold," says Dr. Bracamonte.

He says if you do catch a cold or one of the common viruses that cause the common cold, it's important to remember that it's a virus in most cases, not a bacterial infection, so antibiotics usually don't help. Staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, and eating healthy are all important. "In most cases, for most healthy people, we call it supportive management: time, rest, chicken soup, and just staying away from others is usually the best medicine," he says.” - Jason Howland © 2025. Mayo Clinic News Network. All Rights Reserved

School Lunches

It is time to place your child's December lunch order through Meal Magic. Please remember that the meal order cutoff date is midnight on the Tuesday prior to being served. For example, if you wish to place an order for the week of December 1st, your order needs to be made before midnight on November 25th. Click the links below to create your account, access your current account balance, or to view the November lunch menu.

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/ 

Friday, December 19, is a noon release day before the start of the winter break. We have some fun activities planned for the students, and we need help with providing food/snacks for the day if you are able to assist. We set up the food in our gathering room and share with all high school students and staff (about 150 people total - if everyone chips in a little, we'll all have plenty!):

• 9th grade - Sweets - Cookies, cupcakes, donuts, fudge, candy, etc.
• 10th grade - Savory snacks and fruit - Sausage balls, little smokies, pigs in a blanket, mini corn dogs, poppers, summer sausage, fruit tray, etc.
• 11th grade - Salty snacks - Chips, popcorn (pre-popped), Chex mix, crackers and cheese, dips, salsa, etc.
• 12th grade - Drinks - Individual servings only, please - canned soda, juice pouches, bottled water, etc. 

You may bring any non-perishable items to Mrs. Powell's office any day this week. 

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

Outdoor Education - Mrs. Warner

Please help support our Envirothon team on Thursday, December 18 through our inaugural Hot Cocoa bar fundraiser! Envirothon is a nature science academic team. We are looking for new members, so if you know a student interested in science, in grades 6th and up, send them to Ms. Warner. For more information about Envirothon, check out the NC Envirothon Website.



Thanks to our ongoing partnership with Chimney Rock Park, we have again been given a set of “Raptor Passes” that allow two adults and up to three youth into the park for free! If you are interested in reserving a pass for your family please fill out the Chimney Rock Raptor Family Pass Reservation Request.



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.

A Note from Mr. Fair, Dean of Students

As we move into December and the weather continues to turn colder, we’ve noticed that many students are arriving at school without appropriate winter attire. We want to remind you that our partnering vendors offer a wide selection of approved winter apparel to help keep your children warm and comfortable—while still in uniform. These jackets and hoodies also make great holiday gifts and ensure students are prepared for frigid mornings.

Please remember that non-uniform jackets, sweatshirts, and head coverings must be removed upon entering the building. We encourage families to consider investing in approved, logoed cold-weather items so students can stay warm throughout the school day.

We appreciate your ongoing partnership and wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Link to Uniform Vendors (page 2)

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.

The Lake Lure LEO Club Members will be conducting its annual LEO Club Eyeglasses, Reading Glasses and Sunglasses DONATION DRIVE entitled “GIVE THE GIFT OF Vision” which begins next week on Tuesday, December 9th. The current 9th Grade LLCA LEO Club members will visit all classrooms in the Elementary, Middle and High School to solicit donations which will be sent to those in need residing overseas in the Developing World. The LEO Club Members will visit the classrooms on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the next two weeks. 

For each used pair of eyeglasses, sunglasses or reading glasses donated, the students will receive a “Lion” sticker in appreciation and the student who donates the most pairs of used glasses in Elementary, Middle and High School will be awarded with one of the 3 grand prizes, a LEO Club stuffed LEO the Lion. 

Please contact Ms. Hoyle for any questions and Thank You for giving the gift of vision to those in need this Holiday Season!

Lake Lure Classical Academy’s

mission is to offer 

a classical, knowledge-based education 

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