Orville Wright Middle School Booster Club

A Word on Innovation and Autonomy

Orville Wright, Kentwood and Westchester HS are now iDivision schools!  As volunteers and parents we see this as a wonderful opportunity to help our neighborhood schools evolve into word-class centers of academic excellence.  There is plenty of hard work ahead of us, but we have taken the first steps in the process of making these good schools GREAT!

So we are autonomous... now what?

Now that we have entered the iDivision, we believe that it is crucial to the success of this process that your opinions be heard and considered.  In order to include those parents and family members who may not be able to attend meetings, we have prepared a form where you can submit ideas and suggestions for the school.  We will collect this information and present it to the Exploratory Committee and subsequent Governance group. Your submissions will remain anonymous; no personal information will be collected so that you may freely share your ideas and concerns. The link to the form is HERE and under Parent Resources.

Reminder to RECYCLE!

We have beautiful recycling bins located in high traffic areas around campus that are not being put to good use!  On several occasions students (and unfortunately staff) have been seen throwing things away that SHOULD go into the recycling bins.  PLEASE let’s all keep Wright as clean, and as green as possible!  Recycle!

UPDATE: Fundraising > Run 4 Wright > March 28, 2008

RUN 4 WRIGHT IS DONE!!! On Wednesday, March 12, 2008 all Orville Wright students had the opportunity to raise money for the school and show their commitment to personal fitness by running laps during P.E. class.  It was the 13th annual Run 4 Wright fundraiser, sponsored by the Orville Wright Booster Club.

Proceeds will help strengthen each department as we enter into the autonomy process through the iDivision.  This freedom to explore new ideas and expand upon proven ones will take funding!  Our goal is to improve literacy with the purchase of new books and learning tools, continue the process of updating our computer labs, fund more frequent field trips, assemblies, and provide funding for enrichment programs.  Last, but certainly not least we will help the P.E. department with the purchase of new equipment and services that will engage our children while encouraging them to develop healthy fitness habits.

We wish to thank all of our Seahawk family members who donated their time on March 12th and everyone who donated beverages!  As always – we could never do this without your support!

Pledge forms and forms are due Friday, April 4th 2008.

What do the students earn?
- The top 3 participants school-wide with collected pledges totaling $250 or more will receive a $50 Gift Card, raffle entries, and a visit to the MEGA table during the Party.
- Students with collected pledges of $150 dollars or more will attend the party, and have access to the MEGA Rewards Table with awesome items to choose from!
- Students with collected pledges of $50 to $149 dollars get to choose from the SUPER Rewards Table during the party!
- Students with collected pledges of $25 or more will attend the R4W Rewards party.
- Students will earn a raffle ticket for every $5.00 in collected pledges (with completed laps), for a chance to win a Wii Gaming System or Principal for the Day & lunch
  with Mr. Rochelle!!!  More prizes are being added, and the higher the number of pledges, the more chances you have to win!
- Students may earn 1 P.E. Point for every dollar received in pledges up to 100 points!
- Students may earn one (1) Community Service Hour for every $5 in collected pledges up to 20 hours ($100 = 20 hours)!

Autonomy is about Innovation…

The OWMS Booster Club and PTA Executive Boards are in favor of Orville Wright and all of the Westchester/Playa schools joining the Innovation Division.

It is our belief that this is a rare opportunity to radically improve the educational experiences for all of our students. This is not a token attempt at change, but a bold new partnership with entities that have the will and resources to create high achieving schools. By joining the Innovation Division and choosing Autonomy we bring decision-making to the school site where those closest to the children will have the freedom to make decisions based on what the students need, not on what the LAUSD wants or allows.

When you receive your ballot in the mail, please do not disregard it - every vote counts! Make an informed** decision; visit the LMU website HERE for more information on the Innovation Division, Autonomy and the LMU partnership.

Please join us in support of Orville Wright becoming an Innovation School. Let’s work together with our teachers, students, administration and Loyola Marymount University to turn this good school into a GREAT school!

On behalf of the Orville Wright Booster Club and PTA,

Gary Culbertson
OWMS Booster Club President

Ingrid Lamoreaux
OWMS PTA President

**The LMU report documenting the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) of community members and LAUSD employees and staff regarding the move to Autonomy and joining the Innovation Division is available HERE (view or download in PDF).

Fall 2007 - A message from Gary Culbertson

Welcome new and returning Orville Wright Families! 

We look forward to another year of funding continued growth at our wonderful middle school.  Congratulations to the administration, students, and staff for continuing the push for academic excellence and raising the school API!  This is a terrific accomplishment. There is so much to be proud of at Orville Wright.  The school is a success because of the many talented and dedicated administrators, teachers, staff and last, but certainly not least the hardworking students.

We aren’t afraid to “dream big” here, and we regularly turn these dreams into reality because we work together.  The Booster Club proudly serves the Orville Wright community and looks forward to meeting the needs of this school and its students for many years to
come.

We hope you will find our new website useful and informative.  It is a parent driven site, not affiliated with the LAUSD.  Our goal is to advocate on behalf of the students and stakeholders who are the Orville Wright community.  We want what you want, the absolute BEST educational opportunities for Wright students!  As the only approved 501(c)3 organization supporting the needs of our kids at Orville Wright, it is our mission and vocation to raise funds for their benefit. 

There are many opportunities to be an active family or community member at OWMS.  We hope that you will make the time to get involved.  Join us and become a positive presence on campus.

Thank you,
Gary Culbertson
President
OWMS Booster Club

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead

Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud.
- Helen Dyer