Science, Technology and Engineering Success

Lorena High School science/physics teacher, Sam Bartlett, had a simple idea:  If you build it, they will come.  Last spring, with hopes of developing a local science club, Mr. Bartlett applied for and won a grant  from the Lorena Education Foundation to purchase parts and build a computer from scratch.   With his grant in hand, Mr. Bartlett then solicited students to form LSTEC (the Lorena Science Technology and Engineering Club).  Last week the students and Mr. Bartlett met after school to build their first computer, Leopard I.  With excitement in the air and an overall atmosphere of half business and half party, the students finally flipped the switch.  “There were cheers and high fives when we turned it on for the first time and it worked”, said Mr. Bartlett.  “I want to thank the Lorena Education foundation again for making this fantastic experience possible.”  He went on to explain the high school students will also form the Lorena High School BEST Robotics Team, using the computer to design and build a robot and then compete later this year in the Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology competition, or BEST Robotics.

LISD appreciates Mr. Bartlett, who, like so many other teachers in Lorena, strive to show students that science, math and technology can be fun, challenging and rewarding.  If you would like to help the Education Foundation make future grants like this possible, please mail your donation to the Lorena Education Foundation, P. O. Box 39, Lorena, Texas 76655 or contact them at EducationFoundation@LorenaISD.net. 

Open House

LHS Open House is scheduled for Monday, September 17th from 6-8 p.m.  There will be a short welcome and general informational session at 6 p.m.  This session will include miscellaneous information regarding Powerschool, PTO, LHS website, etc.  Following the informational session, parents will have the opportunity to follow a mock schedule to see how their child's day is spent.  Lunch and tutorials have been removed from the schedule due to time constraints.  During the classroom sessions each teacher will cover a typical day in class, their teacher web page, grading policy/percentages, their conference time, contact information, classroom expectations outside of class, and any other relevant information.  In addition, parents will have an opportunity to visit with our technology department in order to set up Powerschool or to simply ask questions.  We hope to see you all there!

Homecoming Week!

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 Homecoming Pep Rally will be a little different than a normal Pep Rally.  It will be held at Leopard Stadium at 9 a.m.  Students from every campus will attend and demonstrate their Leopard Pride for the Leopards and Lady Leopards.  The younger students bring a whole new level of enthusiasm to the stadium!  Due to Homecoming activities and associated excitement, all LHS students will be released from tutorials on Friday, 9/21.  Everyone is encouraged to come out and experience the spirit that is synonymous with Lorena ISD!

2012-2013 Tutorial Plans

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.