Lorena MS School Report Card from TEA

Below is a final copy of the State of Texas 2015-2016 School Report Card for Lorena Middle School.  This is a report required by the Texas Legislature and prepared by the Texas Education Agency. The report provides information concerning student performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), as well as information on student enrollment, class size averages and financial expenditures.

A copy of the School Report Card for any campus and district within the state of Texas can be found on the TEA Website.

Hard copies of this report card are available in the LMS front office. 

December Teacher of the Month

Congratulations 
to the Lorena Middle School Teacher of the Month for December - Mrs. Deborah Dunford.

This is Mrs. Dunford's third year to provide instructional assistance at Lorena Middle School.  Mrs. Dunford works with all students in all grade levels. She also provides support for teachers in the core subject areas. 

Below is a portion of the nomination letters Mrs. Dunford received:

I would like to nominate Mrs. Deborah Dunford for teacher of the month.  Mrs. Dunford goes above and beyond everyday for her students.  She makes extra learning activities, flashcards and gives incentives for learning many different class's material.  Mrs. Dunford even volunteers after school to help her students with their History Fair projects.  Mrs. Dunford is pulled in many directions during the day and she goes about each day with a smile on her face.

Lorena Middle School is blessed to have a jewel like Mrs. Dunford. She is full of gusto and love for students and staff. There is not a day that we don't see her making many steps through the hallways in search of a group of students to encourage and support or running to the rescue of a teacher in distress.  WOW! From the bottoms of our hearts, thank you Mrs. Dunford - you are a constant support to everyone at Lorena Middle School.

If you would like to nominate an educator for Teacher of the Month, please contact Dr. Drews the LMS office at 254-857-4621.

THANK YOU

Thank you for voting Lorena Middle School #1 Public Middle School again in the Waco Tribune-Herald's Readers' Choice Awards.  We are honored to be a school of choice in Central Texas. Thank you again for your continued support.

November Teacher of the Month

Congratulations 
to the Lorena Middle School Teacher of the Month for November - Mrs. Jennifer Bailey.

This is Mrs. Bailey's first year to teach at Lorena Middle School.  Mrs. Bailey teaches 7th and 8th grade advanced math and 7th grade math.  Before coming to Lorena ISD, Mrs. Bailey taught in Kentucky while her husband, the minister at Lorena First Methodist was attending seminary.  While she taught one year in Robinson ISD when they moved to the area, Mrs. Bailey got to Lorena ISD as soon as she could.

Below is a portion of the nomination letter Mrs. Bailey received:

I think Mrs. Bailey should be Teacher of the Month.  Mrs. Bailey goes out of her way to help us be successful.  She wants us to pass and do our best.  Mrs. Bailey does whatever it takes to make us understand math.

If you would like to nominate an educator for Teacher of the Month, please contact Dr. Drews the LMS office at 254-857-4621.

Vote for your favorite CANdidate Food Drive

Lorena Middle School is sponsoring a can food drive now through November 3rd. Students are encouraged to vote for their favorite CANdidate by placing can goods and nonperishable items in the bucket in front of their favorite candidate.  Students may vote for Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton or Gary Johnson. All donations will be given to the Lorena Food Pantries.

Red Ribbon Week

Monday - War on Drugs (wear camo)

Tuesday - Turn Your Back on Drugs (backwards clothing)
Wednesday - Sock it to Drugs (crazy socks)

Thursday - One School, One Goal (Leopard Spirit)

Friday - Be at the Top of Your Game (Jerseys)

Monday through Friday, October 24th through October 28th, is National Drug Prevention Week also known as Red Ribbon Week.  While we stress making healthy choices throughout the year, now and in the future, Red Ribbon Week is a week selected to focus on saying no to drugs. Messages from our school counselor will be shared throughout the week. Each day there is a theme to coordinate with our message of saying no.

Student Council Supports Domestic Violence Prevention in October

Stop the Violence
Theater Public Service Announcement

The Lorena Middle School Student Council selected their first project for the 2016-2017 school year.  October is Domestic Violence Prevention Awareness month.  In an effort to support the local domestic violence shelter, travel toiletries are being collected throughout the month of October during students' tutorials.  Mrs. Peevey and her Theater 2 students performed a play called "Stop the Violence."  The performance was phenomenal.  The performance conveyed the importance of speaking up and staying safe.  If you would like to see the performance, please click on the title above. If you would like to make a donation, please contact the Lorena Middle School office at 254-857-4621.

October Teacher of the Month

Congratulations 
to the Lorena Middle School Teacher of the Month for October - Coach Andrew Kohls!


Coach Kohls teaches 7th grade English Language Arts and 7th & 8th Advanced English Language Arts at Lorena Middle School.  He is in his 5th year of teaching, all of them at Lorena Middle School. 

Below is a portion of the nomination letter Coach Kohls received:

We would like to nominate Coach Kohls for teacher of the month.  Coach Kohls really tries to get to know all of his students.  He brings a high energy to the day.  Coach Kohls is passionate and excited about his subject and that makes students want to be in his class.  It is obvious he cares about the students he teaches and even those he doesn't.  Sometimes Coach Kohls even eats lunch in the cafeteria with us.  No other teacher does that.  He give us a hard time but he really cares.  Coach Kohls deserves to be Teacher of the Month.  He makes Lorena Middle School better.

If you would like to nominate an educator for Teacher of the Month, please contact Dr. Drews the LMS office at 254-857-4621.

Homecoming Activities

Lorena ISD will be celebrating homecoming week September 19th - 23rd.  The Homecoming Parade is Wednesday, Sept. 21st, beginning downtown at 6:30 p.m. and ending at Leopard Stadium with a Lorena-Wide Pep Rally.  There will be a theme each day of the week (listed below) to celebrate and support our Lorena Leopards.  Go Leopards!! #SpecialOPPS

Monday is Twin Day

Tuesday is Hero/Villian Day

Wednesday is Hawaiian Day 

Thursday is Leopard Day  

Friday is Spirit Day   

The first week of the 2016-2017 school year has been AMAZING!  Thank you to everyone for helping LMS get off to such a great start.  

Meet the Teacher is scheduled for Monday, August 29th at 6 p.m. Everyone will start in the LMS Gym.  Parents may park in the front or in the back.  After introducing teachers and sharing campus information, parents will follow an abbreviated schedule so they will  have a chance to meet each of their students' teachers.  There will be an opportunity to sign up for a more in depth parent-teacher conference in each teacher's room.  We will provide a copy of your student's schedule if you need one. 

We look forward to seeing you Monday night at 6:00 p.m.  

Back To School

The start of the 2016-2017 school year is right around the corner.  Online registration opened August 1, 2016 and must be completed by Monday, August 15th.  Registration, schedule pick-up and yearbook photos will take place on Friday, August 19th at Lorena Middle School from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Students must be in dress code to take yearbook photos.  Although teachers will be working, this will be a chance for students to check out their schedule and place items in their assigned lockers. A chance to meet the teachers is Monday, August 29th at 6:00 p.m. at the middle school.  School Supply Lists are found on the Lorena ISD web page under "For Parents".  Please contact the LMS office if you have any questions. The first day of school is Monday, August 22, 2016.  We are looking forward to a fantastic school year full of Special OPPORTUNITIES!

LMS Yearbooks

Order your 2015-2016
Lorena Middle School Yearbook

Order now through June 3, 2016

Cost:  $25.00 each

Cash or Check accepted.  Please make checks payable to Lorena Middle School or LMS.

Supplies are limited.  No late orders accepted.  Sale ends June 3, 2016.  Order forms are available in the LMS office.  Please Note:  Yearbooks will not be printed until summer.  Yearbooks will be distributed to students in Fall 2016. 

Contact Mr. Glaser with any questions you may have.

Wednesday,
May 18th is an early release day! Students will be released at 12:25.

May Teacher of the Month

Congratulations 
to the Lorena Middle School Teacher of the Month for May - Mr. Pat Browder!



Mr. Browder teaches 6th grade Social Studies at Lorena Middle School.  He is in his 21st year of teaching, all of them at Lorena Middle School. 

Below is a portion of the nomination letter Mr. Browder received:

Mr. Browder deserves to be teacher of the month.  In his class, we get to learn about places all over the world.  To help us know everything, we get to use chromebooks and lots of technology.  What I like most about his class is when we play quiz games, we are learning and having fun at the same time. Mr. Browder always jokes with us and we know he is there for us. That's why I think Mr. Browder should get to be Teacher of the Month. He is great!


If you would like to nominate an educator for Teacher of the Month, please contact the LMS office at 254-857-4621.

End of Year Dates to Remember

In this last six weeks of the school year, there are LOTS of activities to keep in mind.  

May 11 - Athletic Physicals @ the HS

May 12 - 7th & 8th Athletic Hot Dog Banquet

May 16 - Leopard Olympics and Board Meeting @ 7pm

May 17 - 7th & 8th Band to Six Flags

May 18 - 6th grade Lexington Trip and Early Release

May 23 - 8th grade Incentive Trip and 5th grade visit to LMS

May 25 - AR 120 points Six Flags Trip

May 26 - Awards Ceremonies in LMS Gym
                6th @ 8:30, 7th @ 9:30 and 8th @ 10:30

                Band Recital at LMS

May 30 - No School

May 31 - 7th grade Incentive Trip and 6th grade History of Lorena

Thank you in advance for your support.

We Want Your Feedback - 2016 Parent Survey

In an effort to gather information and improve our schools and district, we are requesting your participation in a short parent survey. The survey will be available until May 6th. We want to hear from you.

Please take a few minutes and provide us with feedback in order to make our schools the best they can be. We appreciate you being partners with us in our most important responsibility of educating your children.

2016 Parent Survey

*If you have students at more than one school, please fill out a survey for each campus. There will be a link at the end of the survey for you to submit another.

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April Teacher of the Month

Congratulations 
to the Lorena Middle School Teacher of the Month for MApril - Mrs. LorAnn Newman!



Mrs. Newman teaches 6th grade English at Lorena Middle School and is the LMS Student Council Sponsor.  She is in her 3rd year of teaching, all of them at Lorena Middle School. 

Below is a portion of the nomination letter Mrs. Newman received:

I think Mrs. Newman should be teacher of the month because she is very understanding and an amazing teacher.  Mrs. Newman lets you have fun, but at the same time makes sure you get your work done.  When we get into talking about the U.S. Presidents, Mrs. Newman also makes sure you are respectful to them.  When I walk into Mrs. Newman's classroom, I immediately know that it will be a wonderful time of fun, laughs and incredible times.  I absolutely love Mrs. Newman and her classes.  I really like the way Mrs. Newman teaches and the way she makes it a marvelous class period.  She definitely deserves to be teacher of the month.


If you would like to nominate an educator for Teacher of the Month, please contact the LMS office at 254-857-4621.

STAAR Testing 

Tuesday, March 29th and Wednesday, March 30th are STAAR testing dates on the Lorena Middle School Campus. The 7th grade Writing STAAR and 8th grade Math STAAR are administered on Tuesday.  The 8th grade Reading STAAR is administered on Wednesday.  On these two days, students may not have guests join them at lunch.  Food can be left in the office, but no guests on testing day please.  Thank you for your continued support.

March Teacher of the Month

Congratulations 
to the Lorena Middle School Teacher of the Month for March - Mr. Cory Smith!



Mr. Smith is not a regular teacher but he has made a huge difference on the middle school campus.  He works with all grade levels in various capacities, helping students and teachers. This is Mr. Smith's first year at Lorena Middle School.  Mr. Smith received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Abilene Christian University.  Mr. Smith's greatest passion is serving others through education and ministry. 

Below are portions of the nomination letters Mr. Smith received:

What a blessing it has been for teachers and students to work with Mr. Smith.  He is a positive male role model who many of our students need.  He goes above and beyond with his students and is always there for them.  He has developed a small life lesson class on Friday mornings before school and it has been very beneficial to those who attend.  He is always willing to help with a happy heart. When Mr. Smith works with our students, many don't even realize they are learning.  He gives them the tools they need to be successful when they face difficult situations.  Because of him, students are better equipped to make well-informed positive decisions.  Mr. Smith is an amazing addition to the Lorena Middle School staff. He is irreplaceable and I am so thankful he is part of our LMS team.


If you would like to nominate an educator for Teacher of the Month, please contact the LMS office at 254-857-4621.

Science FAIR

Science Fair is due Thursday, February 25th.  Tables will be set up in the MS gym.  If you are helping your student bring their board in the school, please park in the parking lots.  We will have time for public viewing, Thursday night from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.  Students may take boards home after 6:30 Thursday night.  Science Fair is for 6th and 7th graders only.  Please contact your science teacher with any questions or check his or her website.  Thanks. 

Friday, February 12th at Lorena Middle School

Friday, February 12th 
Friday morning from 9:00 am to 11:40 am, all 7th and 8th graders will be traveling to area nursing homes to visit residents in a Day of Service.  Students will deliver fleece lap blankets and Valentines Cards.  Students will also have banners and music created to play during their visit.  Our hopes are to brighten the days of others in our surrounding communities.

Lorena MS PTO will be hosting a Gym Night and Dance.  Gym Night is 6:00 to 7:30 pm and is for LMS 6th graders only.  The Dance is from 7:45 to 9:30 pm. and is for LMS 7th and 8th graders only.  Cost of admission is $5 and includes two slices of pizza and a drink.  Parents are asked to drop off in the back and pick up students in the front.  Please contact the office if you have questions or if you would like to volunteer.  

There will also be a Drug Awareness presentation for parents who may be interested.  The first session begins at 6:00 and a second session at 7:30 in the LMS Resource Side of the Library (across from the front office).

February Teacher of the Month

Congratulations to the Lorena Middle School Teacher of the Month for February - Mrs. Deborah Peevey!

Mrs. Peevey has been nominated and selected as Lorena Middle School's February Teacher of the Month.  Mrs. Peevey teaches Theater 1 and Theater 2 as well as 6th grade Character Education at Lorena Middle School.  She also directs the UIL One Act Play for LMS.  This is her 3rd year at Lorena Middle School.  

Below are portions of the nomination letters Mrs. Peevey received:

Mrs. Peevey gives her all to everything she does.  She has very high expectations for herself and for her students.  Lorena Middle School is fortunate to have such hard working educators dedicated to excellence.  Most recently, Mrs. Peevey has been instrumental in the Leopards Lending Hands project.  She has organized a trip to area nursing homes as a service project.  Every LMS student and many parents have helped contribute to this project.  We have hundreds of fleece lap blankets and all tutorial classes have been creating personal Valentines Cards.  On February 12th, all 7th and 8th graders will deliver Valentines Cards and Fleece Lap Blankets to the residents.  What a great lesson for our students to learn - giving back to our community.  I'm sure this project will touch the hearts of many nursing home residents.  In turn our students will have a chance to participate in a great volunteer opportunity.  Kuddos to Mrs. Peevey for taking on this project in addition to her other responsibilities.  


If you would like to nominate an educator for Teacher of the Month, please contact the LMS office at 254-857-4621.

Congratulations to the Lorena Middle School Teacher of the Month for January - 
Coach Whitney Holdbrook!

Coach Holdbrook has been nominated and selected as Lorena Middle School's January Teacher of the Month.  Coach Holdbrook is the Middle School Girls' Athletic Coordinator.  She teaches 7th and 8th Grade Athletics and Physical Education to all grades at Lorena Middle School.  She is also an assistant coach at Lorena High School.   This is her 3rd year in education and her 1st year at Lorena Middle School.  

Below are portions of the nomination letters Coach Holdbrook received:

Coach Holdbrook deserves to be Teacher of the Month.  For the first time, girls basketball has a C team.  She has given all girls interested in playing basketball an opportunity.  Coach Holdbrook is always positive.  She is firm and has high expectations for us but helps us too.  Coach Holdbrook helps us set goals and then makes sure we work hard to achieve them. She ROCKS!  Coach Holdbrook is a great addition to Lorena Middle School and deserves Teacher of the Month.


If you would like to nominate an educator for Teacher of the Month, please contact the LMS office at 254-857-4621.