Notes

Outline

Lufkin Road Middle School History and Culture

Beginnings The WCPSS School Board announced the opening of a new year-round middle school in December, 1998. The school was slated to open July 1999 in the former AMSCO headquarters. Jim Palermo was named as principal in January, 1999.

Beginnings A leadership team began work of creating this new school in February, 1999.  This team consisted of:  Jim Palermo, Ann Turner, Diane Fitzgerald-Day, Lynn Flood, and Marti Capaforte. The team met part-time for Covey Training, to purchase supplies,  to hire staff, and to design the school program.

Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” Self examination to reach private victory and independence helps us work together toward public victory and interdependence. “Deposits” in the emotional bank account include:  seeking first to understand, keeping promises, being kind and courteous, clarifying expectations, offering apologies, and being open to feedback.  These principles became the bedrock values for our new school.

Institutionalizing Seven Habits Open Supply Closet:  With an abundance mentality, there is plenty for all of us.  When teachers are trusted to make wise decisions about the instructional materials they use in the classroom they will only take what they need.  Locked rooms and a limited supply lead to hoarding and poor use of the resources available.  Trust is key.

Institutionalizing Seven Habits Applying the Quandrant II Time Management Matrix:  We opened the school with two planning periods for core teachers with a commitment to spending time daily in effective team planning.

July, 1999 The faculty and staff met at Camp Caraway to create the school vision and mission.  It took two days of “fun” and team building to arrive at:  “LRMS – Shining the Light of Success on All” We read “Outlearning the Wolves” and dedicated ourselves to idea of “surviving and thriving as a learning organization”.

From “Outlearning the Wolves” “Mental models hold a great deal of power over us.  However, in a learning culture, individuals can release the fierce need to defend and justify their mental models and become adept at challenging and ‘trying on’ new ones.  Exploring yours and other’s is a great way to gain insights and build a broader understanding of the complex world around you.”

Focus on Technology We were proud of the fact that LRMS went “live” with internet connections in every room from our first day. We committed to using TAO (e-mail) as our primary means of communicating with each other. We stressed instruction and assessment that incorporated technology.

First year – 1999-2000 We shared the building with Apex HS 9th graders who were housed in the 7th and 8th grade halls. LRMS opened with 290 6th graders and a staff of 28. Though we did not have athletic teams we designated red, black and silver as school colors and “Lightning” as our symbol.

First Year – 1999-2000 We designated Lufkin as a World Class School and actively pursued corporate neighbors for the Business Alliance. Student-centered “hands-on” learning was touted as a unique feature of our instructional program. Our inaugural PTA has a 100% participation rate. ABC designation:  School of Excellence

Second Year – 2000-01 We added seventh grade and grew to roughly 650 students and 60 staff members. We returned to Camp Caraway to retreat and plan for Team Lufkin’s growth. We read “Shadows of the Neanderthal” and climbed into each other’s towers to see the big picture of LRMS. We instituted student-led conferences.

Second Year – 2001-02 We added some athletic teams and clubs. We began to discuss Quality and Continuous Improvement and ways to implement CI that incorporated more participatory management. We stressed “teaching and learning” and our mission at every opportunity. ABC designation:  School of Excellence

Lead management, not bossing In “Quality Schools” William Glasser decries coercion and urges lead management from principals and teachers.  At Lufkin the Leadership team governs daily procedures and practices and in many classrooms students set the classroom rules, decide on field trips and debrief daily activities with a plus/delta.

Commitment to team-based decision making Team Lufkin operates with many teams making decisions that affect each group.  Whether it is the Administrative team, clerical team, department, grade or track team, we believe that participation in the decisions that affect us involves and empowers us to realize the vision of LRMS we have created.

Third Year – 2001-02 We added eighth grade bringing enrollment to 930 with a staff of 80+. The hill was gone and we had a playing field in its place. We added an ESL program. ABC designation:  School of Excellence

Using the language of CI Training in Quality tools with Janet Peregoy Institutionalizing the PDSA cycle for continuous improvement Using data to make decisions Aligning practices with our mission

Commitment to Excellence LRMS teachers and teams are leaders in Wake County and have presented at the NC Middle School Association annual conference. LRMS students are award winners in academic competition. LRMS PTA has won several awards for individuals and programs.

Celebrating Success Focus on instruction regularly at Faculty meetings. Celebration of “Shining Stars” Numerous National Board Certified Teachers and applicants for certification We often celebrate holidays and milestones at Cathy’s house. We celebrate with a modified dress code on Fridays.

The Lufkin Learning Organization Focus on systems thinking Constantly self-examining Committed to hard work Leading with “heart” and a customer focus Implementing the FISH! philosophy

Fourth year – 2002-03 Our business partnership with EMC corporation results in the Quality Keys initiative. Two teams again present at the NC Middle School conference. Continuous Improvement is utilized to begin a new cycle of School Improvement The focus team evolves, combines SI. NCLB accountability changes the rules measuring student achievement.

Fifth Year – 2003-04 Enrollment: 1008 students Major initiatives for the year: Quality Keys Curriculum Mapping Discussion of grading practices

Fifth Year – 2003-04 CTE Programs recognized for Excellence in Wake County.  Highest middle school achievement scores in Keyboarding and Business Communication Technology. Once again, School of Excellence.

Sixth Year 2004-05 Enrollment:  1050 New base nodes added to our population Growing ESL population

Welcome to Lufkin! I am glad you have joined our School of Excellence! Lufkin is a place where we work hard, have fun, and care deeply about our mission to “shine the light of success on all”. Welcome to our professional learning community.