9th Grade Information
In LMHS’s continuous effort to improve student engagement and achievement, the 9th grade students and 9th grade faculty members have been reorganized to utilize a “team approach.” This technique involves all students receiving instruction from a small interdisciplinary team of 4 or 5 teachers who share the same 80-90 students and a block schedule which allows for common planning time. The focus of the common planning time will be to develop solutions to individual student attendance, discipline, and learning problems. The team will use data to set goals and monitor trends in student behavior. Another component of this approach is a centralized learning environment including its own lockers, computer lab, and support center. Hallway D has been identified as the 9th grade hall and will serve as a location to develop class unity, enable students to easily locate classrooms, and provide adult mentors who have developing relationships with the students.
Goals:
- To increase the graduation rate.
- To increase individual GPA.
- To facilitate the transition to high school.
- To decrease the amount of learning problems associated with attendance and behavior.
- To identify and intervene early.
- To communicate with parents and other professionals.
- To encourage students to participate in extra-curricular activities and attend school functions.
- To improve student achievement as measured by the number of course and credits earned.
- To improve student attendance as measured by the number of students in school and attending classes on time.
- Encourage students to participate in extra-curricular activities and attending school functions.
Of special interest to students in honors level classes:
In order to ensure success at the honors level, the ninth grade team has established the following requirements for remaining in the honors class:
- Each student must maintain a minimum 75% class average. • Each student must maintain a minimum 85% homework completion rate.
- Each student must contribute positively to the learning community in the classroom (by not accruing multiple disciplinary referrals).
Students are encouraged and expected to far exceed these minimum requirements. However, failure to maintain these minimum requirements will result in the student losing the privilege to be in an honors class. Honors status can be re-evaluated at any time during the school year.
The 9th grade team:
Mary Verdi, Tom McCormack, Kelly DeVarennes & Amy Langford
Emails:
tmccormack@leepublicschools.net
ksdevarennes@leepublicschools.net
alangford@leepublicschools.net