Friday tutorials at LHS will be a little different this year. We have designated Friday tutorial time for a variety of activities such as UIL academics, club meetings, and various staff development initiatives. Therefore, all high school students will be released each Friday at 2:40 p.m. All other week days are regular tutorial days that can be used by students to catch up on work, extend learning, get help from teachers on homework, bolster understanding of difficult concepts, etc. You may click the image on the right to access a readable version of our Friday tutorial plans for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year.
Students also have the ability to earn weekly exemption status from tutorials each Monday. Students who have an 80 or higher in all courses and have all work up to date are allowed to exempt tutorials. This means exempt students are not required to attend tutorials and have the option to leave campus, stay in tutorials, or go to one of the designated areas to wait for extracurricular practice or until the bus arrives (buses run at regular time). The areas that have been designated for exempt students are as follows: commons area, library, Ag shop if enrolled in Ag, gym or field house if participating in the appropriate sport, or the band hall if enrolled in band. Students will not be permitted to loiter in the parking lot or hallways. It is important to remember that exemption from tutorials is a privilege and not a right. There may be times throughout the year where students will be required to attend remediation during tutorials regardless of exemption status. This mandate will be in effort to help students foster a stronger understanding of particular concepts so that they can be successful on the required state assessments. Our goal is for tutorials to remain an incentive for students, so mandatory tutorials times for exempt students will not be frequent. As always, LHS wants what is best for our students both academically and socially. If you have questions regarding our tutorial time (2:45-3:25 daily) please feel free to contact the high school at 857-4604.
The LHS Robotics team won first place in area and earned its way to the regional competition in Dallas. At right you see members of the team holding up the trophy they received for their victory.
In Dallas at the regional Texas BEST Robotics Competition the LHS team competed against 60 other teams from all over Texas and New Mexico. While we did not place in this contest, the students had a great time and saw a lot of amazing things. They came home feeling proud to have advanced to this contest and bubbling with ideas on how to do better next year. 
The Lorena PALS participated in Relay for Life on October 27th. The students raised approximately $500.00 for cancer research. They had a blast competing in various contests as well. LHS PALS won 2nd in the baton contest and 3rd in spirit. In addition, Miranda Prado was the proud winner of the hoola hoop contest! Thirty-two students stayed the entire night, from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. We appreciate these wonderful students.
PALS students have also been working with younger students from the Primary, Elementary, and Middle School. The High School students have a blast during this time. During their efforts to serve as positive role models, they have commented on how much they learn from the younger students as well.
As you enter the high school office you will notice some pumpkins to the right. Nancy Wood had the idea to add some October spirit to the office. She bought some pumpkins and asked Mrs. Rosas and the art department to paint them using our campus theme. The picture to the right is the result. A big thanks to Nancy Wood for taking the initiative to be creative!
Each month a staff member is recognized at a faculty meeting for “Exceeding Expectations”. LHS employees may be nominated by students, colleagues, and parents to be placed in a drawing to receive a token of appreciation. 
Our LHS Robotics Team will be participating in the BEST Robotics
Competition Mall Day at Richland Mall tomorrow from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Robotics teams from all over the Central Texas area will be practicing on the
official “Playing Field”. The event tomorrow will not be judged and is
held to give us a chance to try out our machines. 
Homecoming is just around the corner! We will begin Homecoming activities the week of September 17th. Students and teachers will show their spirit and creativity by decorating their classroom doors and each day during tutorials grade levels will compete against one another in Homecoming Wars. Homecoming War activities consist of tug-of-war, dodge ball, and an interesting inside race. Students really get into the games in their quest for bragging rights. Nevertheless, it is fun to watch our students have fun through friendly competition. 
The 2012-2013 LHS Varsity Cheer Squad attended a National Cheerleading Association camp held at Tarleton State University in June. The squad had an outstanding showing throughout the week. They received Superior Evaluations and earned the coveted "Spirit Stick" daily. They were one of only two schools to receive a spirit stick on the first day of camp. Every member of the squad was nominated by the NCA staff to try out for the NCA All American Cheerleader Team. LHS Cheer had a total of eight members who earned All American Honors this year. The most in school history and more than any other school attending the camp! Congratulations Ladies!