Principal Lombardo's Page

A Word from Our Principal...

2007-2008 School Year Mr. Lombardo

Hello, I am Jerry Lombardo, Principal of the Wenona Center. Wenona, operated by the Bay City Public Schools, actually houses two distinct programs: Wenona High School and Wenona Middle School. Both schools are an alternative education program offering opportunities to students, who for a variety of reasons, have been unsuccessful in their education endeavors.

For students to be eligible to participate in the Wenona High School Program, they need to have attended at least one year in a traditional high school. Here, at the Center, we provide a smaller, more personal environment. Enrollment is about two hundred fifty students. This allows us to get to know each student in a more personal way and to build relationships that will encourage students to complete their high school education. To help address their academic needs, classes are offered in traditional setting classrooms and in computer labs designed for independent study. The high school staff meets weekly to review students' performances and to reflect upon instructional strategies that will best meet the needs of their students. The most common stumbling block for students needing an alternative education program is excessive absences in school. Therefore, students at Wenona need to adhere to the school’s attendance policies, or they will find that even here success may be out of reach.

Wenona High School operates a Work Initiative Act Youth Program called STAR (Striving To Achieve Results). STAR participants meet twice a week after school engaging in work readiness activities. Each member also has an opportunity to apply his/her work readiness skills in a summer employment setting with area employers.

Wenona Middle School is a self-contained middle school program. Student admission to the program is a result of a disciplinary expulsion from his/her home school. Enrollment is limited to eighteen (18) students. It is the goal of the program to help students develop positive life skills while addressing their academic needs. Our goal is to return the students to their home school to resume their education with positive behaviors.
As principal, I wish to be of service to all of our students and families. I welcome the opportunity, at registration, to meet with each student and family to create a partnership that will lead to success for each student.

Sincerely,
Jerry Lombardo, Principal