Dear Small Learning Community Student and Parent,
Let me take the opportunity to welcome you to Laney High School’s small learning community! This is a very exciting opportunity for you and your child. The small learning community will enable the teachers to design instruction around the individual needs of the learner. Working in a cross-disciplinary academic team, teachers will share instructional techniques, plan interdisciplinary instructional activities, and exchange information on the strengths and weaknesses of each student. Through this community the teachers will be able to provide rigor and relevance to all of their lessons, and build strong relationships with all of their students.
- The Small Learning Community vision is to facilitate growth of each student to become a productive and contributing member of society who is committed to life long learning. The Small Learning Community will provide a more rigorous and relevant educational experience by fostering meaningful relationships among teachers, peers, and parents.
Goals & Objectives: This fall The Navigators will be implementing the new ICARE program which is an acronym encouraging students to:
get Involved, demonstrate admirable Conduct, maintain a positive Attitude, exhibit Responsibility, and give their best Effort.
Parental Contact: As a small learning community, we recognize that parental involvement is a key factor in the success of students; therefore, we have put in place several means for parents to stay informed on their child’s progress throughout the school year.
1) Student-Led Conferencing: The Navigators will be hosting student-led conferencing during the Fall and Spring semesters this year. This is an excellent time for parents to sit down with their child and listen as their child shows off all of the work they have completed up to that point. More information will be sent home as the conference dates near, but please go ahead and note which semester your child has World History and mark the coordinating date on your calendar.
Fall Semester: Tuesday, November 17
Spring Semester: Tuesday, April 13
2) Progress Reports: Also, progress reports will be issued every other Wednesday. Please look for these and if you have NOT received one, please contact us immediately.
3) Teacher Websites: Please utilize the Navigator’s Web site which is located on Laney’s homepage www.nhcs.k12.nc.us/laney. Important information such as field trip dates and progress report dates will be posted. To access the website simply click on ‘‘small learning community’’ on the left hand side of Laney’s homepage. From there, click on ‘‘Navigators.’’ It will be updated as often as necessary. It is there for your benefit! It also lists the websites for each individual teacher in the Navigators’ community.
Field Trips: We hope to attend one field trip this year. The purposes of the field trip are to incorporate cross curriculum collaboration, improve team building within the community, and provide academic enrichment. Parental participation is welcomed as we are always in need of chaperones.
Tardy Policy: A student is late if he/she comes into class one second after the bell rings. All students are expected to be in class ON TIME!
First Tardy- verbal warning
Second Tardy- verbal warning
Third Tardy- call home and a 30 minute detention *
Fourth Tardy- referral to the Dean of Students
* If a student does not show up for the 30 minute teacher-issued
detention for the third tardy, the student will be referred to the Dean.
Hall Passes: Each student will be given three hall passes from each teacher for each nine-week period.
Behavior Expectations: Students should be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing! It is that simple! Parents will be contacted as needed and any support they can provide will be greatly appreciated.
The Navigators’ Motto: Helping students sail successfully through their freshman year.