February 1, 2010

Dear Parents:

It's hard to believe that we are half way through the year and four weeks into the 3^rd 9 weeks. This has been a very challenging year as we have entered into a new building, and begun to form a new family with new administration and additional teaching staff. In doing so, we have stepped up to the challenge and have adjusted to our environment.

Getting our reading incentive off to a start has been difficult because the library was without books and checkout software through the middle of the 2^nd 9 weeks. But, we are up and running now. Incentives have also been put in place for the top readers. Continuing to develop our students' reading skills will help us to be a "SUCCESSFUL" school. As you know, Laurel Middle School is labeled "At Risk of Failing". We are shooting for the stars to become a "High Performing" school. We can reach for the STARS but it will take all of us working together. At Laurel Middle School, The Renaissance to Excellence, we are committed to providing our teachers with the professional development needed to ensure that our instructional techniques will aid in increasing student achievement. We want you, the parent, to be committed to:

•   ensuring that your student is attending school every day
•   making sure your student takes part in after school or Saturday school
•   helping  your student complete homework and reading nightly
•   assisting your student to put forth 100% in their daily learning experience

Our focus is student achievement. We have taken MCT2 practice tests to acclimate both the students and teachers with the testing process. It also gives teachers data that will help them to evaluate individual student's skills and assist in developing lesson plans. Looking at the star is not enough; we want to be the STAR. Again, we are asking for your total support in all we do.

We thank you for entrusting your students to us at LMS - The Renaissance to Excellence.  

Sincerely,

Jeannine Agee

Principal

Laurel Middle School held a Reading Fair recently. First place winners were Jerry Booth, Steven Caston, Analy Cordova, Miseal Martines and Rodolfo Lopez. Second place winners were Drieonna Nixon, Jamarcus Smith, Tahj  Meadows and Kearra Keyes. Third place winners were Jacquair Arrington, Konika Page, and Michelle Gomez. Pictured 1st row: Miseal Martines, Analy Cordova, Kearra Keyes, Konika Page, Michelle Gomez and Jerry Booth 2nd row: Jamarcus Smith, Rodolfo Lopez, Drieonna Nixon and Steven Caston Not pictured: Tahj Meadows and Jacquair Arrington