Students pick up their schedules on the first day of school, Aug. 21.

Eagles glide into another landmark year
Aug. 21 marked the beginning of yet another noteworthy school year for the Eagles. For the first time since the building opened in fall 2004, it houses all four high school grade levels, including the first graduating class in history, the Class of 2007.
Consequently, enrollment reached its highest mark with approximately 1,300 students. Thirty new employees joined the ranks of the staff; about one-third of them transferred from ACHS.
Principal Jim McKay said he is looking forward to "establishing some traditions at LCHS for both students and staff" and "enacting our school improvement plan and seeing it play out over the course of the next several years."
Among the goals outlined in the plan, which was drafted by a group of teachers and administrators, is the implementation of more student-owned learning strategies in all classrooms and among all subject areas. Additionally, the plan calls for working on and maintaining a positive school climate and encouraging staff and student participation in extracurricular activities.
Students and parents also should note some policy changes, which are outlined in the student handbooks and were introduced to classes by teachers this week. One of the more significant changes is in the attendance policy. Now, after five unexcused or excused absences within a semester, administrators will send a letter home to notify parents and guardians of the absences. After nine absences, students will be required to furnish a doctor's note. Without a note, subsequent absences will be marked as unexcused. With 15 absences, a student may be dropped from the class. Refer to page 38 of the handbook for additional information.