Rothchild Middle and Lonnie Jackson Academy

I visited both Rothchild Middle and Lonnie Jackson Academy last week. You must talk about these schools as one because they share a campus . . . and a kitchen with cafeterias on either side of the kitchen for the separate schools. Now, that is unique. I thought it was also unique that during the first few minutes that I was with Mr. Cox, Principal of Rothchild, and the first few minutes that I was with Mrs. Dowis, Principal of Lonnie Jackson, they both made the same statement, "We have some great kids here!" Before we can begin to educate any child, the leaders and teachers must believe in the ability of the students to learn at high levels and to respect them as learners. I felt that in both of these locations.

Both buildings are old and present challenges. Some things we can fix, such as the terrible erosion between the classroom wings at Rothchild and other things, such as the open corridors at Lonnie Jackson, with which we will have to continue to tolerate. In both cases, the principals and teachers were taking a "No Excuses" approach.

At Rothchild, Mr. Cox introduced me to a young man whose mother chooses for him to come to Rothchild. He gets up every morning and rides a city bus to get there and according to the Principal, rarely misses. I could tell by the conversation between the two that the principal and the student are far from strangers and that they have had many conversations about life and how the student can be successful. It was evident that the principal was counselor and mentor in that relationship and it didn't take long to see the respect between the two.

Even in the old building with its many challenges, I felt transformed as I walked into the media center at Lonnie Jackson. The media specialist had soft lighting, special reading spots, and it was an inviting and welcoming space for students. There was also a student restroom that the girls had transformed and had decorated with items they had brought from home. It was pink and prissy and the students showed alot of pride as they shared it with me.

The parents who send their children through the doors of these two schools can be assured that the faculty and staff care about their children, that the leadership is devoted to making a difference, and that there is an orderly environment for learning. Thanks for the tours, Rothchild and Lonnie Jackson!