Holiday Break

All Lorena ISD campuses and offices will be closed December 19th through December 30th for the holidays. Teachers return on January 2nd for a professional development day. Students come back to school Tuesday, January 3rd.

We wish all of Leopard Nation a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

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School Board Election Information

Notice is hereby given that applications for a place on the Lorena ISD Board of Trustees election ballot may be filed between January 18 and February 17, 2017. Click here to read the Official Notice.

The election will be held on May 6, 2017. You can view the official Order of Election here.

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Winter Concerts

The Lorena ISD Music Department will be hosting several concerts this holiday season. Community members are welcome to attend all concerts. Admission is free, and all events will be held in the Lorena ISD Performing Arts Center. 

December 8 @ 6pm   - Middle School Band Winter Concert

December 12 @ 7pm - Middle School Choir Presents "A Christmas Celebration"

December 13 @ 7pm - High School Band Winter Concert

December 15 @ 7pm - High School Choir Presents "Sounds of Christmas"

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Winter Athletics Schedules

Lorena High School and Lorena Middle School

Winter Athletics Schedules

• HS Basketball (Women / Men)
• MS Basketball (Girls / Boys)
• Soccer 

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Talk More. Tech Less. Presentation

The Lorena ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) hosted a presentation by Dawn Wible called Talk More. Tech Less. on November 10th in the Lorena Middle School Library Media Center. The presentation focused on bringing awareness and action to the issue of technology dependency. Talk More. Tech Less. offers tools and training designed to guide and empower individuals, families, educators, businesses and groups to set up their lives in a manner where they control their technology habits and devices, rather than the other way around.  This is a relevant issue with a timely and effective solution to managing devices and bringing conversation back to our culture. If you were unable to attend the session, the full video is available to watch below or on our district YouTube channel. 

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Thanksgiving Holiday

All campuses and offices will be closed the week of November 21st - 25th for the Thanksgiving holiday. We are grateful for all the students, parents, teachers, and community members who make this district extraordinary. Enjoy the holiday! School will resume Monday morning, November 28th.

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Football Area Playoff Info

The Leopards defeated Gonzales 48-3 to win the Bi-District Championship Friday night. 

They will now play Liberty for the Area Championship this Friday, November 18th at 7:30 pm. The game will be played in College Station at A&M Consolidated High School. 

Pre-sale tickets will be available at the high school office starting Wednesday morning until Friday at 1pm ($5 for students / $7 for adults). All tickets at the gate will be $8. 

Lorena will be the home team. 

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Volleyball & Football Playoff Information

The varsity football team finished an undefeated run in district to clinch the 9-AAAA district championship! Their Bi-District game will be against Gonzales, this Friday November 11th. They will play at Dragon Stadium in Round Rock at 7:30 pm.

Presale tickets will be available in the high school office Wednesday - Friday at 1 pm. ($5 for students / $7 for adults). All tickets at the gate Friday will be $8.

Picture from @LHS_Leopards on Twitter

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Congratulations to our Regional Quarterfinal Champion Lady Leopard Volleyball team! They came from behind to defeat Caldwell in 5 sets to claim the title (22-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 15-9)!

The next stop in the playoffs is the Regional Tournament. The Lady Leopards will play Hargrave Friday, November 11th at 8 pm at Bryan High School. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students. Parking is available in multiple lots around the school, but there is a playoff football game as well so the lots will be busy. Fans should NOT park in the Wal-Mart lot.

Picture from @LHS_Leopards on Twitter

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Leopard Angels

As we have in the past, Lorena ISD is working with the community to provide Christmas assistance to families in need through our Leopard Angels program.

If you would like to help, stop by the Lorena ISD Administration Building between now and December 7th. The Leopard Christmas tree has names and lists of specific wants and needs.

Thank you for helping Lorena students and families!

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Veterans Day at Lorena ISD

Each year, Lorena ISD campuses pause on November 11 to honor the veterans in our community for their service to our country. All local veterans and communnity members are welcome to attend any of our programs.

Lorena High School

• Place: Performing Arts Center
• Time: 9:45 am
• If you would like to honor a veteran in your family in the HS Program slideshow, email his/her name, service branch, and picture to lhsvetsday@lorenaisd.net. 

Lorena Middle School

• Place: Lorena Middle School Gym
• Time: 11:15 am

Lorena Elementary

• Place: Performing Arts Center
• Time: 8:00 am

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Area Volleyball Playoffs!

Congratulations to the Lady Leopard Volleyball team! They won the Bi-District Championship Monday night by defeating the Athens Lady Hornets in three sets.

Next they will play LaGrange for the Area Championship. The game will be Thursday, November 3 at 7 pm at Bryan High School.

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TEA Public Education Vision Survey

Parents,

Due to the Every Student Succeeds Act, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is required to complete a state plan for the vision of public education in the state of Texas.  The Commissioner of Education, Mike Morath, has launched an online survey to get input from parents and the general public.  Your input will be used in developing our state vision.  Please consider taking this 10 minute survey.  They are accepting responses through November 18, 2016. 

Thanks for being a part of the process and supporting public education.

Joe Kucera, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Link to survey: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3003630/ESSA-Public-Input-Survey

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Upcoming Events!

Congratulations to the Lorena High School Band and the Lady Leopard Varsity Volleyball team for advancing out of district competition!

The band received all 1s at district and will compete at the Area Marching Contest at Crusader Stadium in Belton Saturday, October 29th at 3:30 pm.

The District Champion Lady Leopard volleyball team will play Athens at 7 pm on Monday, October 31st at Buffalo High School.

Picture from @LorenaVB_leps on Twitter

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LHS Teacher Selected for Exclusive Program

LHS teacher Jennifer Camplair has been selected to participate in the National History Day 2017 Understanding Sacrifice program.

As part of the program, Camplair will travel to Virginia, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Manilla to honor a fallen World War II hero and work with the other 18 selected participants to "develop lesson plans designed to reinvigorate the teaching and learning of WWII in classrooms around the world." 

To learn more about the program, National History Day, and Ms. Camplair's upcoming journey, read the full press release here.

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LISD Library Media Centers Book Sale

The Lorena ISD Library Media Centers will be hosting a book sale on Saturday, October 15th from 9 am to 1 pm in the Lorena High School Commons.
Books of all types and for all ages will be available. Suggested prices are $1 per book or $10 per grocery bag. (Please bring your own bags.)

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Homecoming Parade Drop Off and Information

Important: Walter, Larkin, and Betties Streets will be closed at 5:30 pm. Please do not pull in or park on those streets if you vehicle is not in the parade. Thanks!

All students riding on floats should be dropped off at the corner of Bordon St. and Walter St. If you have a young student, the PALS or Student Council members will be there to walk your child to their float which will be parked at the old Middle School.

No cars will be allowed to turn right onto Walter unless the vehicle you are driving is in the parade. Walter St. will be blocked off to all traffic except floats or parade entries. If you want to walk your child to their float, please park across the street in the large field across from Walter on Bordon St.

The parade route starts at 6:30 down Betties, turns left on Bordon and continues to Center. It then turns left on Center St, through downtown, past McBreyer Park. It then turns right onto Houston, continues past the Elementary School to the "alley." The parade will then turn right and proceed through the alley behind the Elementary School to the HS Gym. Trailers and floats will park on the side of the gym and drop students off to go to the HS Football Field. The community pep rally will begin as soon as the parade ends with the traditional Kindergarten/Senior walk.

Please know we have put this system in place to protect our students who will be walking on the parade route and in the lineup area. If you have any questions, please contact Cheri Borchardt at 857-3239.

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Dental School Program/Services October 25th

Oral health is an important part of children’s overall health and is a critical component in their ability to learn and succeed in school. Lorena ISD has partnered with Family Health Center to offer preventative treatment which includes a visual inspection of the teeth, X-Rays, cleaning and sealant application. These services will be offered to grade levels Pre-K through 8th grade.

Family Health Center will be at Lorena ISD for Dental service on October 25th, 2016. This service is available for your child with your signed permission and completion of the dental program packet. These packets will be sent home with students beginning the week of September 19th. The packets need to be completed and returned to the school office no later than October 6th at 9:00 am.

Please contact your child’s school nurse if you have any questions. 

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Pack of Hope Water Drive

Our district participates in McLennan County Pack of Hope, which is a volunteer organization that provides food for our students who might otherwise be hungry on the weekends. 

One way that we can receive the packs each week is by collecting items for the organization, and this year we are having a water drive. You can deliver the cases of water to any school office or look for the Counselor's Booth at the Back to School Bash on September 21st after the Homecoming Parade. We will be accepting monetary donations at the bash as well. $25 provides 5 students with a bag of food to take home for the weekend. 

If you have any questions about Packs of Hope, please contact our district Pack of Hope liaison, Sunnye Forrest at 254-857-8909 or any campus counselor!

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Homecoming 2016

If your organization would like to participate in the parade, please fill out the parade entry form by clicking here. 

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Join the Lorena PTO!

The Lorena Parent Teacher Organization is beginning its membership drive for the 2016-17 school year! The cost is $10 per family, which includes a campus wide directory. Additional directory copies are available for $5 each.

To join, please download and complete the registration form and then return it along with your payment in an envelope marked PTO Membership to any Lorena ISD campus.

We look forward to working together to enrich the education and experience of all the students of Lorena ISD!

Lorena PTO Registration Form

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Fall Athletics Schedules

Lorena High School and Lorena Middle School

Fall Athletics Schedules

• Cross Country (High School / Middle School)
• Football (High School / Middle School)
• Volleyball (High School / Middle School)

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Back to School Bash Rescheduled

Due to the amount of rain we have received and the fact that wet weather is still in the forecast, we have decided to reschedule the Back to School Bash to Wednesday, September 21st. The rain has affected our ability to handle overflow parking.

The Back to School Bash and all scheduled activities will follow the homecoming parade on September 21st. We appreciate your understanding, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, August 22nd for the first day of school.  Go Leopards!

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Important Back to School Dates and Information

The first day of school is fast approaching! Here are a few dates and times you will want to put on your calendar as we approach the big day!

You can find school supply lists here.

District Events:

First Day of School - August 22

Primary Campus:

Kindergarten Introduction - Choose from the Dates & Times listed here
Meet the Teacher - August 18 from 5 to 6 pm
Kindergarten/Senior Walk - August 19 at 7 pm (Back to School Bash)  Rescheduled Sept 21

Elementary Campus: 

Meet the Teacher - August 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Parent Orientation Night - August 30 at 5:30 (Performing Arts Center)

Middle School Campus:

Registration, Schedule pick up, and Yearbook Photos - August 19 (Drop in from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm)
Equipment pick up for 7th & 8th grade Girls & Boys Athletics - August 19

High School Campus:

Fish Camp (for incoming 9th graders) - August 19 from 10 am to 12 pm
Open House - September 12 from 6 to 8 pm
(Schedules will be delivered on the first day of school this year.)

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Returning Student Registration Now Open

How do I get started?

In order to access the online registration, you will need a PowerSchool parent account.   If you do not have an account or need any assistance, please feel free to contact your child's campus or the Lorena ISD Technology Department at 254-857-8925.  Please do not create a "new" student registration with Infosnap.  Returning students will register in PowerSchool.

Directions:

• When you login to PowerSchool, look for the arrow in the upper right hand corner. Use your mouse to click the arrow.

• A new window will now open.  In this window click the link "PowerSchool Registration"

• The Infosnap window will now open.  Please follow the directions on screen to complete registration.  Don't forget to Submit at the end of the form.

Help! I don't have a computer or Internet Access. 
You can come to the school to use a computer in one of our labs.  We have computers ready at the Primary, Middle and High School. Please note, Elementary campus registration is being conducted at the Primary campus.

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LHS Student & Teacher Selected for Prestigious Program

Isaac Romer & Dr. Greg Borchardt

Congratulations to LHS student Isaac Romer! He along with LHS history teacher Dr. Greg Borchardt have been selected as one of only 15 student/teacher pairs in the country to participate in the Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom Albert H. Small Student and Teacher Institute. After participating in the year long program, Isaac and Dr. Borchardt are traveling to France to the Normandy American Cemetery to honor a fallen American hero. For more information about this prestigious honor, please read the full press release here.

Isaac and Dr. Borchardt are blogging about their trip. Click here to read about their experience.

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Traffic Alert! Some Exits Closed for Travel to LHS Graduation

Lorena High School Graduation is in the Ferrell Center on Friday, June 3rd.  The northbound off-ramps to the 4th & 5th Street (Exit 335A) and University Parks (Exit 335B) crossings, along with the on-ramp from 4th Street will be closed until late August to accommodate the bridge repairs. Traffic can exit to the access road at 18th St., 8th St., or at MLK Blvd from the access-road bridge. Please be prepared to take an alternate exit for University Parks or enter the Ferrell Center via La Salle.

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Leopard Trail

Show your Leopard Spirit by sponsoring a personalized paw print that will be painted on the roads around each of the Lorena Campuses. All sponsorships will benefit Project Graduation.

The paw prints will be about 4 foot by 4 foot near your preferred campus. The paw prints will be painted before the 2016-2017 school year and will persist for the entire school year.

We have a limited quantity, and they will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Get yours today by returning the order form to any campus office.

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Teacher Retirees to be Honored at Reception

Lorena ISD cordially invites you to join us to honor these special staff members who have given many years of dedicated service to our students, schools and community.

Greg Blanchard

Kim Browne

Randy Fewell

Debbie Haigood

Kathy Lina

Kathy Westerfield

Keri Williams

Please join us for a retirement reception in their honor on

Tuesday May 24, 2016

4:00 PM to 6:30 PM

in the Lorena High School Commons.

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Bluebonnet Girls State

Congratulations to the following Lorena High School students who based on their scholarship, leadership, and character have been honored with the opportunity to participate in Bluebonnet Girls State - a program of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Rebekah Small
Savana Jones
Katie King
Bailey Allison
Ashlynn Sorrells

For more information about this program, visit the Bluebonnet Girls State website.

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You are Invited to...

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Lorena Education Foundation Awards Grants for 2016

The Lorena Education Foundation presented their annual grants on April 27th to teachers across the district. The foundation awarded grants to 9 applicants in a total amount of $18,443.14. The grants will fund creative projects and initiatives that will impact hundreds of Lorena ISD students.

Congratulations to the following grant winners:

Sunnye Forrest—$470.00

LPS—Technology & School Counseling:

Moving into the 21st Century

Jan Bradford—$2,940.00

LPS—Chromebook Composing

Ella Snodgrass—$5,427.80

LPS—Creative Collaboration through Chromebooks

Sharon Tucker, Nancy Carter, Dayna Patzke,

 Chris Jeffrey, Jennifer Johnson

Joan Sykora—$3,928.00

LPS—#thefuturebeginshere

Karen Channon, Susan Kilpatrick, Amanda Niemeyer, Jennifer Sykora, and Brooke Taylor

Jen Johnson—$2,111.34

LES—A Kinesthetic Environment:

Fidgeting Our Way to Learning

Christy Freeman

Rachal Roessler—$1,170.00

LHS—SSDC—NASA Houston

Sam Bartlett—$1,050.00

LHS—Lorena Best Robotics Team

Rachal Roessler—$732.00

LHS—Vernier Probes

Kerrie Swepston

Heather Scherr—$614.00

LHS—Spanish Cameron Park Zoo Trip

Karen Jeffrey

Congratulations to all these teachers, and thank you to the Lorena Education Foundation for supporting our students and teachers!

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LISD Roundup Registration Starting Now

If you missed PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN Roundup
for the 2016-2017 school year

Begin Registration Online Now

Parents are asked to complete a pre-k or kindergarten registration packet available online. To complete the registration process, parents must bring required documentation to the LPS Campus. Visit the Roundup webpage for more details.

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Lorena's Got Talent - April 23rd

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May School Board Election Information

The following documents contain information about polling dates and locations for the May School Board Elections. You can read the Notice of Election here.

Early Voting - April 25 - May 3

Polling Locations

Election Day - May 7

Polling Locations

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2016-2017 School Calendar

After soliciting input from LISD parents and teachers, the Board of Trustees approved and adopted the following calendar for the 2016-17 school year. Click here to view the full calendar detail.

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Lorena's Got Talent Auditions

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LISD Board of Trustees Names Lone Finalist for Lorena ISD Superintendent

A Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Lorena ISD was held March 2, 2016 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Lorena ISD Administration Building, 308 N. Frontage Rd. Lorena, Texas.

The Board of Trustees of Lorena Independent School District voted to name Dr. Joe Kucera as the lone finalist for Superintendent.

Dr. Kucera comes to Lorena after 2 years as Assistant Superintendent in China Spring ISD. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Saint Edwards University in Austin in 1995 and began his career in education at Midway ISD serving first as a teacher and coach, then as middle school assistant principal and eventually middle school principal. During his time at Midway, he also earned his master's degree in education (2000), principal certification (2001), superintendent certificate (2006), and doctoral degree in Educational Leadership (2008) from Tarleton State University. In 2008 he became principal of North Forney High School in Forney ISD and served there until his hire at China Spring in 2014.

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Notice - Public Hearing for Lorena ISD

The Lorena Independent School District is currently in the application process for the 2016-17 federal programs listed below:

             Title I, Part A – Improving Basic Programs

Interested parties, including non-profit private schools, are invited to attend this public hearing in order to receive program information and have opportunity to provide input into program planning.

Campus eligibility for Title I is based on low income data and enrollment.  Private Nonprofit Schools and/or Homeschools with government nonprofit status interested in receiving services for eligible students may contact Cheri Borchardt, Director of Federal Programs, at 308 N. Frontage Rd Lorena TX or at 254-857-3239.

The public hearing will be held:

Monday, March 28, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
Lorena Middle School Library

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Area Superintendents Volunteer for "Pack of Hope"

Area superintendents whose schools participate in Pack of Hope met to pack bags of food for their students this week. The McLennan County Pack of Hope "exists to erase child hunger in McLennan County by supplying participating school districts and their eligible students with backpacks of food from Friday to Sunday." For more information or to donate to this cause, go to the Pack's website at www.packofhope.org 

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LHS Student to Perform with Baylor Symphonic Band

Felicity Fulton, LHS band student and winner of the John Philip Sousa Foundation National Young Artists Solo Competition, will be performing a solo concerto with the Baylor University Symphonic Band. 

The concert will be Tuesday, March 1st, at 7:30 pm, in Jones Concert Hall on the Baylor campus. The concert is free and open to the public.

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Notice of Drawing for Place on Ballot

Notice is hereby given of a drawing to determine the order in which the names of candidates are to be printed on the ballot for the election to be held on May 7, 2016 in Lorena ISD, Texas. The drawing will be held at 8:30 a.m. on February 29, 2016, at the Lorena ISD Administration Building, 308 N. Frontage Road, Lorena TX 76655.

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2016-17 School Calendar Options

LISD is considering the following three options for school calendars for the 2016-2017 school year. You can click each hyperlink to view the full calendar, and we have provided a short summary of the major elements of each one.

If you have questions, comments or input about the calendar options listed below, please email LISD at calendarcomments@lorenaisd.net

Summary of Calendar Option 1

• School Day = 440 minutes
• Teachers begin on Friday, August 12
• Students begin on Monday, August 22
• A week off at Thanksgiving
• Christmas Break begins on Monday, December 19
• Teachers return from Christmas break on Monday, January 2
• Students return from Christmas break on Tuesday, January 3
• Students finish school year on Friday, May 26 (if no bad weather days are used)
• Teachers have 3 days staff development at the end of the year and finish school year on Thursday, June 1 (if no bad weather days are used)

Summary of Calendar Option 2

• School Day = 440 minutes
• Teachers begin on Monday, August 15
• Students begin on Monday, August 22
• A week off at Thanksgiving
• Christmas Break begins on Thursday, December 22
• Teachers return from Christmas break on Monday, January 9
• Students return from Christmas break on Tuesday, January 10
• Students finish school year on Friday, June 2 (if no bad weather days are used)
• Teachers have 2 days staff development at the end of the year and finish school year on Tuesday, June 6 (if no bad weather days are used)

Summary of Calendar Option 3

• School Day = 435 minutes
• Teachers begin on Friday, August 12
• Students begin on Monday, August 22
• A week off at Thanksgiving
• Christmas Break begins on Monday, December 19
• Teachers return from Christmas break on Monday, January 2
• Students return from Christmas break on Tuesday, January 3
• Students finish school year on Thursday, June 1 (if no bad weather days are used)
• Teachers have 1 day staff development at the end of the year and finish school year on Friday, June 2 (if no bad weather days are used)

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City of Lorena Water Notice

LISD Parents,

The school district received the attached letter from the City of Lorena regarding water quality. If you have any additional questions regarding the water, please contact the city at 254-857-4641. 

The letter states, "You do not need to use an alternative water supply." However, should you want, please feel free to send bottled water for your child to drink rather than drinking out of the school water fountain.  

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Drug Awareness for Parents Info Session

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Heroes for Schools - School Board Appreciation

Each January we take time to honor and recognize our seven dedicated school board of trustees members. These individuals work tirelessly to ensure that our school remains one of the best in the state. We thank them for their service to the students and staff of Lorena ISD.

Current board members:

Mary Timmons - President

Bruce Cresson - Vice President

William Woody - Secretary

Donny Stewart

Philip Jander

Greg Hansen

David Busch

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Notice for Candidate Filing Period

Lorena Independent School District will conduct school board of trustee elections on May 7, 2016.

The first day to file for a place on the ballot will be Wednesday, January 20, 2016. The last day to file for a place on the ballot will be Friday, February 19, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.

An application for a place on the ballot is available at the Lorena ISD Administration Office at 308 N. Frontage Road, Lorena TX  76655. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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