Panther Post
Sept. 17 - Sept. 22
Hello Lopez Families,
We had a wonderful week with everything going on at Lopez. Watching the kids compete is one of my favorite activities as a principal. Win or lose, they always give it their best and do so respectfully. We had a lot of success this week and I can't wait to follow their progress. They put in so much work before and after school and then on top of that, stay up with their grades. I am proud of them.
Now that the classes are in full swing I want to point out a couple of things. First, don't forget to go into Family Access and set triggers to notify you if grades slip to whatever threshold you want. Keeping track of your kids grades is one of the most important ways to help them out. They are kids and will have slip ups, but the triggers can make sure slip ups don't become habits.
The second thing about grades, is a clarification of when grades are missing. We have had quite a few inquiries when parents see an assignment and there is no grade. Usually that means it has not been graded yet. Teachers have a week to get those in. Some will be quick, but others might take longer due to the time it takes to grade each one. Grading essays or short answer questions can take much longer than a multiple choice test for instance. We want to make sure the teachers have time to really evaluate the items so they can best help the kids. Also, you might see something listed and graded as missing with a zero when really they just have not turned it in yet. This happens sometimes if they go on a field trip, or are missing due to an excused absence. Sometimes that zero can be a shock to some but it is done with a purpose. It is much easier to track for the teacher, as well as the parent if it is done that way. Plus it will have no effect on the grade once it is turned in.
On a last note, I want to talk about something that is important to me, and should be for you as well. Woven into the success of our nation has been the neighborhood schools. Here in Texas it is even more so because our laws have established a level of local control through small districts and elected school boards. I believe in that concept and it is one of the reasons I truly listen to our community concerns and try to do what is best with that in mind. I think listening to the members of such a successful community is why Lopez can compete with any school in the state. The amount of opportunities for the growth of the whole child here is astonishing. The amount of assistance to kids who struggle, whether it be academically or emotionally, is amazing. Sometimes the neighborhood schools are labeled "traditional" public schools but what we do these days is far from traditional.
The reason I am saying this, is because that story is often not told. In the age of social media, it is often just the negative stories that come out. Schools are not immune to this. All too often, isolated incidences are expressed as the overall standard for the school. Think about this, if someone saw some kids tearing up the Whataburger up the road and posted on social media that Lopez students are undisciplined, poorly behaved kids, how would that make you feel? What if that post went viral and it made the state news? What if one of your relatives called and said they were sorry you have to send your kids to such an unruly school? I think at that point you would step up and say, wait a minute. I send my kids to the best school in town!
We all know that there will be unresolved issues at some point. Sometimes we will make a mistake and we will try to fix it. Sometimes we may disagree with a request or concern too. If those disagreements get splashed on social media, we look no better than the example about trashing Whataburger. We should be looking for ways to support our neighborhood schools, not just in the traditional ways, but now also in their image. Counter bad posts you might see with a good one of your own. Express gratitude when you feel it is deserved. Highlight all the good things so when those out of town relatives call, they will say they are jealous that your kids are at such an amazing place. One of the ways you can do this is to get involved with RootEd. Click on the link and see what others in the area have started. Let's be proud of what our community has developed through local control and let the stories of our experience shed light on what we can all do when we work together.
Sincerely,
Mr. Wernli
STUDENT FEEDBACK LINK
In a previous email, I discussed creating a link for students to provide feedback to make Lopez better. Here is the link below. Please talk to your kids and use the suggestions I gave to make sure their suggestion is effectively proposed.
Link to student feedback form https://goo.gl/forms/v560kRVMw5A1z5sK2. (Must be logged into NEISD google account) See attachment below titled STUDENT INPUT LINK.pdf
Upcoming Important Dates
Mon - Sep 17
All day - Flex Monday - Counseling
4 – 8pm - 5th Grade Strings Fair, Cafeteria and Stage
Tue - Sep 18
9:30 – 10:30am - Volunteer Orientation, Library
Wed - Sep 19
All day - STAN Presentation KIN, CLC
4:30 – 8pm - 7th and 8th FB VS Hill, 7th Lopez 8th - Hill
Thu - Sep 20
4:30 – 8pm - VB 8th Ike/7th home, Gym
Sat - Sep 22
9am – 12pm - VB 7th A&B tourney - Driscoll
LEAD CONNECTION
Lopez Middle is proud to be the 1st Middle School in the state of Texas to be recognized as a Leader in Me, Lighthouse Campus. What does that mean for us and how does that make Lopez unique?
At Lopez, we want to create an atmosphere of self-advocacy where students and teachers are able to find their voice and help to motivate others to become strong leaders in our school, personal life, and throughout our community.
How do we work to achieve this?
Along with the tradition of academic rigor our focus is on developing students with strong character. We challenge students to set goals, celebrate achievements and learn time management, just to name a few. These tools are intended to help guide the students in becoming self-directed and strong leaders.
Each week in our parent section of the Lopez Panther Post you can read about how Lopez students are making connections to 7 habits. These habits will be cultivated by the students. The win-win will be strong leaders and people ready for college and the workforce.
Sharpen the Saw:
Dear Lopez Families,
As we say hello to our 2018 school year, it is good to reflect on what we did over the summer to reward ourselves; Sharpen the Saw. Won’t you please share your experiences with our Lopez family of how you have sharpened your saw this past summer Ex. sending family or individual photos of events you attended, vacations you enjoyed, or maybe you sat back and read a book.
Please share your photos by emailing them to Mr. Toback at ftobac@neisd.net or by bringing developed pictures to Lopez Middle School. The pictures can be grayscale or color. They will be displayed inside the school for all to enjoy. (they will not be returned)
Everyone Has genius:
Dear Lopez Families
Celebrating each other’s achievements is rewarding. Lopez Middle School dedicates a display celebrating student genius. If your child is involved in something outside of school, we would love to celebrate with them and share with others their genius. Please send in a picture of your child participating in the activity and we will add it to our display. Ex. Karate, charity work-volunteering, horseback riding, mountain biking, gymnastics.
Please share your photos by emailing them to Mr. Toback at ftobac@neisd.net or by bringing developed pictures to Lopez Middle School. The pictures can be grayscale or color. They will be displayed inside the school for all to enjoy. (they will not be returned)
i LEAD Lopez Challenge
Healthy Schools flu vaccination program is coming to Lopez Middle School on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 from 11:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M . Parents may sign up for their students to receive flu vaccinations at no cost. If the clinic did not receive a signed consent this week, you can still sign-up online at: register.neisdflu.com
Library News
Author Visit, October 4: visit the Smore for more details Jennifer Nielsen
Check out her newest Historical Fiction Release, Resistance book trailer.
COUNSELING CORNER
Hello Lopez Family!
I’m Debbie Cheslock and I am thrilled to be your STAN Counselor. As a STAN ( Student Teacher Assistance Network) Counselor, I take a holistic approach to mental health serving students, parents, and faculty with social and emotional learning. I meet with students individually and in groups. I help define goals and a plan of action, teach guidance curriculum, provide parent trainings, and work with PALS and student organizations. In a nutshell, it is my mission to assist the students on their journey through middle school while developing their character education and social/emotional needs. I divide my time between Lopez and Bush Middle School. I am on campus Wednesday/Friday and every other Monday.
Please complete the survey below regarding topics students face in our world today, and how we can assist them: