Blog Discontinuation

As of June 2017, Lorena Middle School is no longer updating this blog. You can find the latest news and information from the school by visiting our website at ms.lorenaisd.net.

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Yearbooks On Sale Now

Yearbooks are on sale now through May 25th.  Don't miss out on the memories! Order your 2016-2017 yearbook today.  Cost is $25 per yearbook.  Forms are available in the front office.

May Teacher of the Month

Congratulations to the Lorena Middle School May Teacher of the Month - Mrs. Corrie Schrader.

This is Mrs. Schrader's first year to work at Lorena Middle School.  Mrs. Schrader teaches 8th grade Science.

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

Mrs. Schrader is an awesome Science teacher!  She is sort of strict but that makes class better.  Mrs. Schrader always makes sure we get whatever topic she is presenting.  I really like how she talks about Science and then gives us what it's like in the real world now. Plus, the greatest thing about Mrs. Schrader is that she is always happy and makes us laugh.  Mrs. Schrader deserves to be Teacher of the Month!

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

NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award

Pictured Left to Right:  Dr. Kucera, Superintendent, Mr. Kohls, ELAR teacher and NJHS Sponsor, Rylee Ritchie, NJHS President and Award Recipient, Dr. Drews, Lorena Middle School Principal

Congratulations to Rylee Ritchie! Rylee is the recipient of the 2017 National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award!  She will receive a $500 award to place in a college savings account.  Rylee is in the 8th grade and is the 2016-2017  NJHS President at Lorena Middle School. We are very proud of Rylee.  Congratulations again to this very deserving student!

April Teacher of the Month

Congratulations to the Lorena Middle School April Teacher of the Month - Mr. Craig Randolph.

This is Mr. Randolph's twenty-seventh year to work in education and all of them have been at Lorena Middle School.  Mr. Randolph teaches 6th grade Science and drives a bus route for the district.  

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

Mr. Randolph deserves to be teacher of the month. We get to do lots of cool things in his class. I especially like the rocks he lets us check out.  Mr. Randolph makes science fun.

Mr. Randolph is a team player.  He is always trying new ways to get students to understand science and enjoy the labs and lessons.  When he finds something that really works, he shares it with colleagues so all students benefit. Mr. Randolph is an asset to 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.

STAAR Testing

The first round of STAAR testing is Tuesday, March 28th and Wednesday, March 29th.  Because testing can go through lunches, we do ask that parents not stay for lunch on testing dates.  If you wish to bring your student lunch, we do ask that you leave it in the office. 

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Tuesday, March 28th - 7th Writing and 8th Math
Wednesday, March 29th - 8th Reading
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Please contact the LMS Office at 254-857-4621 with any questions or concerns. We appreciate your continued support.

March Teacher of the Month

Congratulations to the Lorena Middle School March Teacher of the Month - Coach Ashley Ellis.

This is Coach Ellis's sixth year to work at Lorena Middle School.  Coach Ellis teaches 7th grade Math and provides intervention to 7th and 8th graders in Math and Reading as well as Coaching in the Girls Athletics Program.  

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

I would like to recommend Coach Ashley Ellis for teacher of the month.  She has done an outstanding job this year working with students across multiple grade levels and subjects. She works with each of her students individually to see that they are caught up in all core classes and fills in any gaps they may have.  Coach Ellis also works hard as a coach.  She displays love for each of her athletes while teaching them the sport.  In addition to her coaching and teaching, she has been instrumental in finding technology resources for her students, but then shares them with the rest of her middle school colleagues in an effort to help all students.  Lorena Middle School is blessed to have her on our team.

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

Regional History Fair

Students above include Garrett Glaser, Fiona Fulton, Taylor Cargill,
Caden Meinzer, Alaric Burghard, Mason Strauch, Payton Cox,
Khi Ritchie, Coy Ritchie, Ryne Abel and Reed Michna.

On Friday, February 24th, eleven middle schools traveled to Baylor to compete in the Regional History Fair Contest.
Mr. Browder and
Mrs. Decker, Social Studies teachers at Lorena Middle School traveled to Baylor with the students.




A big CONGRATULATIONS to Fiona Fulton for receiving Honorable Mention for an Individual Website and Payton Cox for her First Place Individual Exhibit.  She also received special awards from the Museum Association of Waco and The Links, Inc. Waco Chapter.  By receiving a First Place, Payton has qualified for the State History Fair.  It must run in the family, pictured with Payton is her brother, Easton, currently at Lorena HS, who also received a first place finish.  Way to go guys!!!  Good luck at State!

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Lorena One Act Play Takes 1st Place at UIL Contest

Way to go Lorena One Act Play!!!

Lorena One Act Play Took 1st Place at Connally for UIL District 17-AAAA Competition

On Saturday, February 11th, the Lorena Middle School One Act Play competed in the District 17-AAAA competition at Connally High School.  Lorena beat out China Spring, Robinson and Connally to take 1st Place.  The wining performance this year was a play titled The Ghost of Enoch Charlton.  The students along with their director Mrs. Peevey worked hard and perfected their performance as they presented it to the entire school body and the community before presenting for competition. 

Individual students also received accolades for their performance.  Presley Deeds received All-Star Crew.  Jerod Crepelle, Rebekah Holle and Jade Bryan received Honorable Mention All-Star Cast.  Rylee Ritchie and Jenna Moffett received All-Star Cast.  Finally, the Best Actress award went to Olivia Johnson. We are super proud of this group!  Congratulations to the cast, crew and Mrs. Peevey for this great accomplishment.  Hard work pays off! Way to go!

February Teacher of the Month

Congratulations 

to the Lorena Middle School Teacher of the Month for February - Mrs. Kelley Campbell.

This is Mrs. Campbell's seventh year to work  at Lorena Middle School.  Mrs. Campbell teaches 7th and 8th grade Math.  

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

Mrs. Campbell is awesome.  She shows us not just tells us how to solve math problems.  We get to go in the hallways to work math and we get to break into groups.  It's always something different to make sure we get it.  Mrs. Campbell can be strict at time, like with learning lunch, but I know she tries really hard and wants us to be better students, especially as we get ready to go to high school. This is why Mrs. Campbell deserves teacher of the month.

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

Link to Quizlet for 8th SS Common Assessment #4

Quizlet for Early Republic and Age of Jackson

Common Assessment is Tuesday, February 7th

January Teacher Of the Month

Congratulations 
to the Lorena Middle School Teacher of the Month for January - Mrs. Jackie Pike.

This is Mrs. Pike's fifth year to work  at Lorena Middle School and twenty-fourth in education.  As a regular education teacher and Reading Specialist, Mrs. Pike works with all students in all grade levels. She also provides support for teachers in the core subject areas. This year, Mrs. Pike is coaching Chess for UIL.

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

We would like to nominate Mrs. Pike for teacher of the month.  I know she isn't like a regular teacher, but she really helps us a lot.  Mrs. Pike is always happy to see us.  Even when you are having a bad day, Mrs. Pike tries to cheer you up.  She has all kinds of seats and tables for us which actually help us pay attention more.  Mrs. Pike makes sure we understand different homework and helps us with tests too.  Even though she doesn't have regular classes, we think she is amazing and deserves to be teacher of the month. 

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

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.