A message from our principal, Lee Downey

1. A message from our principal, Lee Downey Something New at LCECHS An informal Mentor/Mentee Program is being implemented at the Early College that is planned to assist each child with reaching his/her potential. Students will be assigned mentors who will check with the students every morning and every afternoon. Specifically, we will check agendas to make certain assignments are listed, check homework in the morning for completion, check in with teachers weekly to monitor progress, and identify ways to help students improve. This will be a very supportive activity, not a punishment. If the grades are good, we will address other items of concern or interest. If the grades a low, grades will be addressed first. Additionally, we will begin a study skills class to teach students how to transfer their notes to effective study tools, how to match their study habits with the objectives for the course, and time permitting, how to take tests. We sincerely hope that you, the parents, will provide feedback on the effectiveness of the program. Another way you can support this effort is to apply the suggestions on Building Self-Concept provided on the next page. TheLenoir County Early CollegePHOENIXMarch 3, 2008 Vol. 1, No. 1 Greetings, Parents and Guardians! As our opening school year continues we are striving to improve in every way. We are aware that parental involvement is an important entity of a successful school, which is why we are implementing the PTSO/PTSA and an LCECHS Advisory Team. We are also trying to improve the support system we have in place for the students and parents. We have implemented a program called SMART Block which gives the students four hours of school time each week to get their assignments finished or receive remediation from any teacher. We have also started a school website www.lenoir.k12.nc.us/echs where students and parents can go get various information including the following week’s assignments for each class. This way parents can check up on their children to make sure they are completing their work on time. We are also sending a paper copy of the following week’s assignments home each Friday with every student for those parents that do not have internet access. Finally it is our hope that parental involvement and student achievement improve with these changes. If you have any questions feel free to call me at 233-6870 or e-mail me at ldowney@lenoir.k12.nc.us. Sincerely, Lee Downey Principal LCECHS

2. An Activity for You List three things at which your child is skillful. List three things you really appreciate. List three times your child proved to be a responsible person. Share these lists with your child. Talk to him/her about them. Initial Parent Planning Meeting On February 15th, parents representing different areas of the county met to discuss plans for starting a Parent – Teacher – Student Organization, fund raising suggestions, planning parent nights, and other concerns to the Early College Program. We are also interested in actively involving all parents/guardians of our students in school activities. In teams, we will call you to schedule an appropriate time to stop by your homes for a brief (no more than 15 minutes) visit to encourage your participation in the life of the school. Our next meeting will be on March 4, at 1:30 p.m., in Room 225, Administration Building at LCC. If you would like to join us, we would welcome your input and participation. Our Early College High School Program must complete paperwork to have our grant renewed. In order to complete the project, we need input from parents so we plan to be sending documents home with your child. For more information, please call Kathryn Pacha at 527-6223, Ext 335, or email me @kpacha@lenoir.K12.nc.us. I would like for all of you with email addresses to please send those addresses to me via email. The PHOENIX March 3, 2008 Vol. 1, No. 1 Self-Esteem and Student Achievement Ways I Can Help My Child • Give lots of praise when they are right or do good things. • Give more attention to positive behavior. • Give your child quality time. • Share favorite activities. • Give your child opportunities to make choices. • Give a hug, a kiss, or a pat on the shoulder. • Display the work. Praise it. • Really listen and give feedback. • Be honest. • Do not expect perfection. We all make mistakes.

3. RECRUITMENT for 2008-2009 Student and parent information sessions were held at the Lenoir County Middle Schools in late January and early February. (Angela Davis, Sean Moynihan (at the back), Kevin Chirico, O’Brien Hooker, and Chequitta Wilson) Some of our students made presentations in both the student and parent sessions at their former middle schools. Angela Davis presented at Frink, Sean Moynihan and Kevin Chirico presented at Woodington, Chequitta Wilson presented at Rochelle, and O’Brien Hooker presented at Savannah. All of them did an outstanding job. One of the greatest fears of all people is speaking in public. One would never think that watching these ninth graders! Other students from the Early College attended the LCC session to show support of their classmates. Allison Howard and Victoria Crumpton are shown here. RECRUITMENT Continued Our SGA also participated in the LCC parent information session. They served as greeters and offered the snacks that were provided. SGA members also spoke briefly at the meeting. We also thank our LCECHS parents who attended the information meetings in support of their children and our school. Their input was invaluable. Rebecca Miller (O’Brien Hooker) Jennie Davis (Angela Davis) Jini Manriquez (Kevin Chirico)Joyce Miller and Denise Wilson (Chequitta Wilson) The PHOENIX March 3, 2008 Vol. 1, No. 1 Go Parents! Go Parents!

4. The PHOENIX March 3, 2008 Vol. 1, No. 1 Lenoir County Early College High School Finalist in the Goody’s Good Deeds for Schools Grant!! On February 14, Goody’s Good Deeds for Schools notified LCECHS that we are one of three finalists for a $10,000 grant. From the application: KNOXVILLE, Tenn – “Goody’s Family Clothing, a retailer of moderately priced apparel headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., is launching Good Deeds for Schools, a grant program designed to help local schools pay for the things they really need but can’t afford through regular education funding.” “Through the newly created program, Goody’s will award half a million dollars in grants to K-12 schools in Goody’s communities. Classrooms and schools will have the opportunity to apply for one of 50 $10,000 grants for projects integral to enhancing students’ educational experience that the school would not otherwise be able to afford -- such as art enrichment programs, updated textbooks, or team sports funding.” “’Knowing that schools are consistently under-funded, Goody’s store managers expressed an interest in creating a campaign to help their neighborhood schools, and thus Good Deeds for Schools was born,’” said Mary Beth Fox, Goody’s Vice President, Marketing, Strategy, and Planning. “’We’re proud to support our local students and teachers through this program, which we believe will fit in nicely with our company’slong-standing mission to help children and families.’” On Friday, February 29, five students, with their parents, gave up time on their vacation day to come to school to be interviewed by WNCT, Channel 9 – Greenville. All of the students were articulate and positive about their experiences. The winners will be announced in April.