LEMS Principal’s Weblog

The combined bands of Lugoff-Elgin Middle School performed last night at the LEHS Auditorium. The 6th, 7th, 8th, and Honor Bands all gave outstanding efforts. Our band director, Jessica Carter, does an amazing job instilling in our students a genuine love of music while providing a superior instrumental education. I was very proud of the job of our students did. Not only did each band perform, but at the end of the program all of the bands performed as one unit for a patriotic salute. It was well done. I would like to thank the high school, Mr. Glenn Price, Mr. Craig Corey, Ms. Carter, the LEMS Bands for a great evening.

On Tuesday April 8th, the 8th grade Science teachers, Mrs. Pollet Hampton and Mrs. Pam Humphries, with the help of Mrs. Paula Costello coordinated our annual 8th grade Science Fair. The fair consisted of projects in 10 categories ranging from physics to botany. The projects were completed by our 8th grade students. The judges had a very difficult task judging over 100 projects. I really appreciate the efforts of our volunteer judges. I would also like to thank our ladies for the outstanding job they did with the fair. Mostly,  I want to applaud the efforts of our students. There projects were exceptional. They showed a clear understanding of the scientific process. The projects were detailed and showed great creativity. I would also like to thank the great parent support. I have said it before, students whose parents take an active interest in their child’s education do better in school. Thanks to all and a job well done.

Last night, Mrs. Jacob and Mrs. Costello presented our school renewal plan to our School Improvement Council. This is part of the Kershaw County School District’s 5 year accreditation report. This was formerly known as a SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) report. The SACS is now known as AdvancEd. This organization maintains the accreditation for all schools in our area. In the past, each school had to undergo this process individually. Now, the whole school district participates in this process at the same time. It involves an extensive review process at the district level and the development of renewal plans at the school level. During the fall of 2008, the district will host a visiting review team. This team will analyze the district’s document as well as the individual renewal plans.While the team is here, they will visit many, if not all, of the schools in Kershaw County to meet with teachers, parents, and students. As that time grows near, more details will be forthcoming. Our school renewal plan will be available for review in the front office.  

As you probably know now, although Lugoff-Elgin Middle School was a finalist for the Carolina First’s Palmetto’s Finest competition, we were not chosen as the winner. While understandably disappointed, I have had an opportunity over the evening to reflect on the process. This morning a young lady asked me if we had won. When I told her no, she responded, “at least we tried. You never win if you don’t try.” What a great comment to start my day! As I told our students this morning, whether or not we win the award, our school is the same today as it was yesterday. The same commitment to our students. The same commitment from our faculty. The same commitment to our faculty to use innovative, creative instructional strategies. The same commitment to make personal connections. Lugoff-Elgin Middle School is the Home of the Mighty Leopards.

This past weekend, several staff members at LEMS presented informational sessions at the SCMSA conference in Myrtle Beach. Additionally, our school was recognized as a finalist for the Palmetto’s Finest Award which will be given out tonight. Our staff does a great job of spreading the word about the great educational strategies being used at our school. It is important as professionals that we share what we are doing well, and listen to what others are doing well so we can improve. We haven’t cornered the market on great ideas. That ’s the whole reason for sending staff to conferences such as these. Our staff is always looking for an edge to help our students do better. There is much to be proud of at LEMS.

Last week, I had the opportunity along with 3 other Kershaw county principals, to attend the National Association of Secondary School Principals conference in San Antonio, Tx. It was an outstanding conference. I was able to bring back to our school many new ideas to share with our faculty and have already shared some of them with the other principals in our district. One of the more interesting experiences I had was the chance to sit and talk to the principal of Kotzebue Middle School which is located north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska. To say there were differences in what she deals with on a daily basis and what we deal with in SC would be an understatement. Her school is connected to the high school and has a combined student enrollment of 450. LEMS has 631 students 6-8 grade. To get to athletic events for their school, they must fly great distances. We ride a bus no further than 1 -1.5 hours. They cancel recess when its 35 degrees below zero. We cancel recess when there is a heat advisory. Among their athletic events is Native Eskimo  Olympics. Our intramural programs have basketball and softball. Yet for our differences, we have commonalities as well. We are both concerned with maximizing time on task, and maximizing student achievement. We both want our students to be safe and explore their world in a way that leads them to success and fulfillment. I hope that Mrs. Lucas and I can expand on our short conversation into a long lasting cultural exchange between the Mighty Leopard Family at Lugoff-Elgin Middle School and our new friends the Kotzebue Middle School Huskies.

On Wednesday February 13th, I was named the Principal of the Year in Kershaw County by my fellow administrators. I am honored to be chosen to represent them. The administrators in our Kershaw County are a collection of some of the most outstanding school leaders in our state. Many of them holding state offices in education organizations. May of them coordinating outstanding, award-winning schools. I am very proud to be included in this group of education professionals. My second point of this blog would  be why we seek recognition in the first place. While human nature craves that “pat on the back”, there should be more than just self-satisfaction. Our school has chosen to enter the Schools to Watch and Palmetto’s Finest competitions because we believe that the programs and strategies that we use on a daily basis makes a difference in the lives of our children. We believe that contrary to some of the media perception of education in South Carolina, there is academic excellence in our state even when using a national model for excellence. There are great things happening in education in our state and it is right in here in Kershaw County.

Last night our math department held Family Math Night. This was an opportunity for families to come to school with their students, play games, and hopefully see the connections between games and mathematics. Some of the games were created by our students. It was a rousing success. Attendance was better than expected. Our PTO sold pizza and drinks. It was a great event to help build positive home-school relations. I appreciate the time and energy our math department gave to host Family Math Night. I would especially like to thank Heather Hoffman who headed the project up.

 With Leopard Pride

Dan Matthews

February 6th is on Palmetto’s Finest Finalist Visit. I couldn’t be prouder than the teamwork, the school pride, and the hard work from the LEMS Family. Included in the family are our students, custodial staff, faculty members, secretarial staff, volunteers. I am humbled by the ability of our family to come together to get the job done. The school looks great; the students have the right attitude; the teachers are prepared. The great thing is this happens everyday at LEMS. Our kids have the right attitude. Our teachers give it 110% everyday. This dedication to our mission makes this school and great place for students to learn, and a staff to prosper.

This past weekend, I attended a conference for administrators. The theme of the conference was “Many Voices, One Message”. This theme spoke to educator’s role in the political process. Educators comprise one of the largest voting blocks in our state. However, rarely do we coordinate our efforts to effect political change. Unfortunately, public education has come under increasing scrutiny and even attack by some corners. This is the reality of the current political atmosphere. We, the educational community, must become active participants in the political process. Indeed, the era of political apathy has to come to an end. If we do not become involved, then we cannot complain about the outcome. It is our civic duty to be an informed and engaged electorate.