Josie left the Spanish Immersion program at Jones Elementary two years ago and Jesse will finish the program next year.  That school is an extraordinary place that combines a world-class Immersion program with a regular neighborhood school and consistently leads Guilford County in the percentage of children who pass state mandated tests.  Last year 97% of Jones' students passed the state standards.  This year it will top 99%.

Jones is located in one of the poorest areas of Greensboro.  The school is situated right across the street from one of Greensboro's "projects" - Hampton Homes.  But that doesn't matter.  Excellence in academics and behavior is expected from all students at Jones and the entire student body by-God delivers.  There is no "acheivement gap" at Jones.  (How Jones acheived this without requiring school uniforms is a shocker... it must be an anomaly)

This morning's N&R covers the last day of school for Jones principal Mary Joe Lentz.  My family has had Mary Joe as a part of our lives for eight years now and watched how she guided the transformation of that school into one of North Carolina's premier elementary institutions - public or private.

Tough and soft - Mary Joe Lentz expects only the best from everyone and boy-howdy... she gets it.  I wish her great success in whatever she pursues after retirement.  She will be missed.

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Normally, at this time of morning (6 a.m.), I would be drinking my first cup of coffee and getting ready for a trip upstairs to give Jones Spanish Immersion 4th grader Jesse his initial wake-up call (note I said initial). 

After getting him to the bus stop by 6:45, it is my Grimsley Freshman Jack's turn to grumble at me for attempting to get his no-trouble-sleeping-til-noon 14 year-old butt in gear in order to drive him to school for "zero period" by 7:35. 

By the time I get back from Grimsley, Aycock 7th grader Josie is normally in the shower - but it is still a struggle to get her to arrive at school by the 8:40 bell (even though the school is less than a block away).  Sometimes I actually have to DRIVE her there to avoid a tardy slip.

But not today... no sireee.  Schoooool's... out . for . SUM-MER.

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