Principal's Welcome

Welcome to Lorena Middle School.

"Greatness is not a function of circumstance.  Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline." Jim Collins in Good to Great.

The 2013-2014 school year is off to a FANTASTIC start! In the Lorena I.S.D. a "Tradition of Excellence" has always been about the journey from good to great, or in this year's case, our journey to "Discover Extraordinary."  Lorena Middle School will support that district initiative by continuing to share our passion for learning with the students we serve in grade five through eight. With community and parent support, our goal is to ensure that each student has a challenging and safe learning environment in which to excel.

Lorena Middle School will "Discover Extraordinary" through high expectations, respect for ourselves and others, integrity, and excellence in all that we say and do.  For the 2013-2014 school year, our goal is to Dive Below the Surface to Discover Extraordinary.  So much more exists below the surface level.  Deep thinkers are created by diving below the surface to see all that lies beneath it.  At Lorena Middle School, all faculty and students have the opportunity to be EXTRAORDINARY and we will discover that throughout the school year.

It truly is an honor to teach the children of Lorena. Teachers will create many exciting and fun learning opportunities.  I have encouraged each of our students to get to know our teachers, value the opportunities provided, and be inspired by the great things they learn this year.

It's a great day to be a leopard and it's going to be an EXTRAORDINARY year at Lorena Middle School!

Back to School

WOW! The start of the 2013-2014 school year is right around the corner.
Tuesday, August 27th is the first day of school for students.

However, before the first day of school, we have a couple of back to school events planned for parents and students at Lorena Middle School.

Thursday, August 22nd at 6:30 p.m.      5th Grade Meet the Teacher
Students will get a chance to tour the school and check things out. Parents will learn more about what is expected in the 5th grade. Parents will also be able to pick up registration packets.  Completed packets can be returned to the campus on Friday, August 23rd.


Friday, August 23rd      Registration, Schedule Pick Up & Yearbook Photos
Parents will need to update and complete registration packets during their students designated grade level time. All shots and required records must be up to date before a student will be issued an official schedule. Yearbook photos will be taken on Friday so please make sure students are in dress code. Below are designated times for reach grade level. If you have students in mutiple grade levels, please come to the later scheduled time. Also, if you are unable to attend during your student's designated time, we will have registration packets in the office until 5:30 p.m. Registration packets and schedules may be obtained on Monday, August 26th as well.
                                                                 
                  7th grade  8:00 - 10:00      
                  5th grade  10:00 - Noon
                  6th grade  12:00 - 2:00      
                  8th grade  2:00 - 4:00

It's going to be a FABULOUS year at Lorena Middle School! We look forward to seeing everyone.
                                                                   

Important Back to School Information

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer break.  The start to the 2013-2014 school year will be here before you know it.  I wanted to remind all families that our registration and schedule pick-up will take place on Friday, August 23rd.  We will have more information about times for each grade level.  School pictures will also be taken on this day, so please make sure your student is in dress code and ready to start the school year.

A special note to 7th graders - 7th graders MUST have all their immunizations updated before they are allowed to enroll in school. All students must have one dose TDaP (tetanus diphtheria acellular pertusis) vaccine, one dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV4), and a second dose of varicella vaccine if they have not had the chicken pox disease and have had only one dose of varicella vaccine.  Additional information about school vaccine requirements is available on the Immunization Branch website at www.immunizetexas.com (click on the "school and childcare link").

Again - we hope you are enjoying the summer and we look forward to seeing everyone when we return in August.

Summer School

 

STAAR Bootcamp

The goal of TEA's Student Success Initiative (SSI) is to ensure that all students receive the instruction and support they need to be academically successful in reading and mathematics.  Students in grades 5 and 8 who have not met standard on the Math and/or Reading State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) during the school year will have a retest opportunity on June 24th for Math and June 25th for Reading. In an effort to prepare students for their STAAR retest opportunity, instruction will be provided at the LMS STAAR Bootcamp.

STAAR Bootcamp is scheuled on the middle school campus for the following dates:
Monday through Thursday, June 10th-13th, June 17th-20th and Monday, June 24th.

Times will be determined after we have received results from the second administration.  Please contact Dr. Drews or Mrs. Fields if you have any questions.

Academic Credit Recovery

Students are promoted only on the basis of achievement.  Students must maintain a yearly average of a 70% or above to receive credit for a course.  If a student fails 2 subjects he or she will be required to attend and pass summer school or pass a credit by exam in order to be considered for promotion or placement. 

Credit by Exam:  On July 15th students will have the opportunity to take a test to demonstrate mastery in the course or courses failed.  A student must score a 70% or higher to receive credit.  Tests are $50 per semester.  If a student scores below 70%, he or she does not receive credit.

Summer School:  Students must pay $100 for each course they did not pass during the regular school year.  Students must earn a 70% or higher to receive credit for summer school.

Summer School Dates:     Monday - Thursday, July 15th - August 8th (No Fridays)
                                       
Summer School Hours:    8:00 - 11:00

Please contact the Lorena Middle School office for more information.

May Teacher of the Month

Congratulations to Coach Larry Havard, Lorena Middle School's Teacher of the Month for May.  Coach Havard coaches boys athletics and teaches students 8th Grade U.S. History. This is Coach Havard's 19th year to teach at Lorena Middle School.

 

Information from Coach Havard's nomination is provided below:

I feel that Coach Havard has done a magnificent job guiding his 8th grade students to prepare for high school!  This year he has encouraged his students to advance their study habits and enhance their skills.  Preparation for test taking has been elevated to a higher expectation.  Initially, it may not have been an easy task for students to grasp, but it was better once they adjusted to this new level, it started a great foundation for high school learning.  Coach Havard is always easy to communicate with.  At any time I had a question or concern.  My emails would be answered very promptly and with great detail. He made sure all my questions or concerns were addressed, always asking if there was anything else he could do.  I am truly thankful for teachers like Coach Havard who have the desire to better students - THANK YOU!!!
 

Congratulations to Coach Havard!!

If you are interested in nominating a teacher for Teacher of the Month, please go to the following link LMS Teacher of the Month Nomination Form or contact the front office at 254-857-4621.

Parent Survey

Your Opinion Matters!

 The survey link available below is designed to gather parent feedback in an effort toward continuous school improvement. Thank you for your time.

2012-2013 Parent Survey - Middle School  

LMS Band Receives Superior Ratng

Congratulations to Mr. Chamberlin and the 7th and 8th grade Wind Ensemble.  The Lorena Middle School Wind Ensemble traveled to Midway I.S.D. to compete in UIL concert and sightreading.  The bands received a first division - a Superior Rating!  Way to go!!