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Lemora Park principal reports rising reading levels, improved attendance and expanded community partnerships
Summary
At the Jan. 13 work session, Lemora Park Principal Angie Morris told the Battle Creek Public Schools board that the school has increased students reading at grade level from 20% to 43%, reduced chronic absenteeism by 30% and improved average daily attendance from 82% to 86% year-to-year.
Angie Morris, principal at Lemora Park, briefed the Battle Creek Public Schools Board of Education on Monday, Jan. 13, saying the school has made measurable gains in literacy and attendance and has expanded community supports and enrichment programs.
"Last year in September, we had only 20% of our students reading at grade level. This year, we had 43% at grade level," Morris told the board, adding that the school aims to have students reading at grade level by the end of the year. She said the school has read "895 books so far this year" and set a year-end goal of 2,000.
Why it matters: Early-grade literacy and attendance are key predictors of later academic success. The principal credited instructional changes and community partnerships with the gains.
Morris described several strategies and supports: an uninterrupted 120-minute literacy instruction block, abundant classroom books and reading time, a book vending machine purchased with a $2,500 budget to reward reading milestones, and an active before- and after-school program called Bell that currently serves 32 students. Morris also said the school saw a 30% reduction in the number of chronically absent students from the 2022–23 school year to 2023–24 and reported a daily attendance increase from 82% to 86%, a change the school received recognition for from the Department of Education.
The principal highlighted community partnerships: Overflow Church provides clothing and meals; the community action agency and foster-grandparent volunteers work in classrooms; Grand Valley State University provides student interns; FireKeepers Casino donates fresh food weekly; and students participate in service projects such as the Empty Bowls fundraiser and food deliveries to local charities.
Board members praised the work and asked about strategies. One trustee asked what the school had changed to produce the gains; Morris said the 120-minute uninterrupted literacy block, consistent access to books and strong teacher retention, supported by an instructional coach, were central. "We have absolutely amazing teachers at Lemora Park," she said.
Morris invited trustees and community members to visit the school and to volunteer as reading buddies. She noted plans for family events, including a Feb. 6 family dance and an art fair, and described student enrichment electives such as disc golf, gardening and running club.
The board thanked Morris for the presentation and several members expressed admiration for the school’s progress.
Short-term follow-up items noted in the meeting included invitations for trustees to visit and an encouragement for community volunteers to support reading programs.
