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“The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!”
Greetings Laurel Hall Families:
May has snuck up on us and we now brace for a myriad of culminating activities as we celebrate the rapidly approaching close of the school year.
Recently, our 4th grade students traveled to Sacramento, while the 5th graders enjoyed several days of adventure at Astro Camp. At the end of the month, our beloved graduating 8th grade class will embark on a ten-day journey to the east coast. Williamsburg, Gettysburg, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and New York City will be a few of the stops along the way in this final chapter of their Laurel Hall life.
Our sports program continues to buzz along while we also continue to enjoy incredible success stories. It appears that we may have a few more championships on the horizon which certainly bodes well for us since we do not emphasize “winning at all costs.” Rather, we pride ourselves in offering a program that is instructional, does not make “roster cuts”, emphasizes enjoyment over winning, and teaches students the importance of being a trusted teammate and a respectful opponent.
To continue being successful, we must always place respect at the forefront of everything we do. A few programs have emerged that exemplify what
is right with our teaching and learning community.
First, the Laurel Hall National Junior Honor Society has done a marvelous job putting together a “big and little” mentor program. A few months ago, Lucas Jimenez and Brandon Felix of NJHS came forth with a proposal to have 8th grade students pair themselves with lower primary students for a period of togetherness that would include, among other things, tutoring sessions, reading time, and homework help. The sight of the “bigs” mingling with the “littles” in various places throughout campus is downright heartwarming. The expression on each face tells me that the older kids are just as excited as the younger ones to be a part of such a collaborative program.
I also want to give a shout-out to my very own Principal’s Advisory Team. We are a team that includes 6 middle school students who have helped in elementary classrooms, and in other various ways all year. The students have also been instrumental in executing restorative practice and mentoring techniques to help solve conflicts. Thank you, Zoe Herpin, Grace Hilborn, Victoria Holmes, Ryder McNairy, Jordyn Patterson, and Sienna Scott, for being exemplary student leaders this school year.
Another student leadership group for positive change has also recently emerged. They call themselves T.S.M. – The Student Movement. Primarily, the group consists of 6th grade students, Ellie Ferro, Maliyah Kellam, Mantis Spino-Martin, Mayson Perez, and Stella Perez. All are interested in improving the student culture at Laurel Hall. They have already attended one of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion meetings and have written a few respectful petitions for change.
Finally, Campus Supervisor Kate King has assembled a group of student leaders who are dedicated to keeping our campus beautiful. Ms. King’s group is featured in the article below.
As we head down the stretch, we find ourselves filling the calendar with many year-end performances and events on the horizon:
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Tuesday, May 3rd - Middle School Instrumental Concert
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Friday, May 6th - Spring Pep Rally
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Saturday, May 7th - LHS PTO Hornet Social (adults only)
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Friday, May 13th - 8th Grade Culmination
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Wednesday, May 25th - Elementary Instrumental Concert
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June 1st - Elementary Music performances
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June 8th - 5th Grade Culmination
In a school year that began with questions of uncertainty, it is closing on a definite positive note. To that, I say, “Bravo!”
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jay
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