COVER STORY | A BIG DEAL ON LAVERGNE AVENUE
WHAT DIFFERENCE CAN LEADERSHIP MAKE? Kids are showing up. A t Le l a n d , ge tt i n g stu de nts i n t he d oor e v e ry da y i s a m i ss i on … a n d i t ’ s work i n g . The school has a long memory of excellence . In 2004, the U . S . Department of Education named Leland a Blue Ribbon School . In 2021, GreatSchools gave it a Thrive Award for a positive , supportive learning environment … and she ' s building on it . Leland ' s families are working families … parents and grandparents who send their children through those doors every morning trusting that someone inside will see them , believe in them , ‘ love on them ,’ and help them grow . Many are stretching every dollar and instilling every trust to do it . Leland ' s job is to honor that trust . Principal Franklin - Allen will be the first to tell you that the work isn ' t over . The children are still climbing … and the adults at Leland are climbing right beside them . According to Principal Franklin - Allen , the answer is , “ We can do what we must to get kids in the door .” In a city where chronic absence remains one of the biggest challenges schools face , that commitment shows . In her words : “ Attendance is at an all - time high , teachers enjoy learning with students , and our Mustangs feel valued , supported and loved !” That doesn ' t happen by accident … it ' s a culture decision , made every morning by the adults in the building . Former principal and CPAA Board Member Tyrone Dowdell said , “ Kids show up where they feel known , safe , and expected . A principal sets that tone and creates that expectation .”
“ A tt e n da n ce i sn ' t a num be r to us . I t ' s e v e ry chi l d w e g r ee t b y n a m e a t t he d oor bef or e a n d af t e r s ch ool . If you ' r e not pr e s e nt , w e not ice … a n d w e ' r e ca ll i n g , v i s i t i n g h om e s to s ee w ha t support i s n eeded a n d h ow w e ca n p a rtn e r w i t h fa m i l ie s so t ha t stu de nts ca n a tt e n d s ch ool dai ly w i t h a ll t he r e sour ce s t he y n eed to gai n som e l e v e l o f su cce ss dai ly .
— PRINCIPAL ALESIA FRANKLIN-ALLEN
One Union | One Voice | One Direction • 15
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