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Rising Kindergarten Newsletter

LPES MascotWelcome Kindergarten Families!

 

Dear Rising Kindergarten Families,

Welcome to Laurel Park! We are thrilled to have your child join our vibrant and caring school community. Starting kindergarten is a major milestone, and we are honored to be a part of this exciting journey with your family.

 

What to Expect This Year
Kindergarten at Laurel Park is a time of discovery, learning, and growth. Our dedicated teachers foster a safe and joyful environment where children can develop their academic, social, and emotional skills through play-based and structured learning.

 

Meet the Team
We have an exceptional group of kindergarten teachers and support staff who are passionate about early childhood education. 

  • Track 1: Daniele Gannon, Kelly Greene
  • Track 3: Kristen Roberts
  • Track 4: Melissa McGahey, Wendy Yothers

 

May 28th's Kinder Orientation

 

Important Dates (wcpss.net/calendars)

It is extremely important that you download your child's track in/out schedule to know when your child is in school, which days are Teacher Workdays, and when there is no school due to holidays. Click the link above to download a calendar to your mobile device.

  • Kindergarten Parent Orientation: Wednesday, May 28, 6-7 PM, LPES gym. We will begin at 6:00 PM in our gym with an informational program, followed by time available to answer frequently asked questions. This event is geared toward parents and childcare will not be provided. Our PTA and other school vendors will also be on hand. 
  • Kindergarten Playdate: Saturday, June 21, 10:30 AM - 12 PM, LPES Playground
  • Staggered Entry:
    • Tracks 1& 3: Preselected day, July 7-10, 9:30 AM - 2 PM
    • Track 4: Preselected day, July 28-31, 9:30 AM - 2 PM
  • Meet the Teacher:
    • Tracks 1 & 3: July 11, 11 AM - 12 PM
    • Track 4: August 1, 11 AM - 12 PM
  • First Day of School: 
    • Tracks 1 & 3: July 14
    • Track 4: August 4

 

 

Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Please review our arrival and dismissal procedures to ensure a smooth and safe transition each day. These procedures can be found in our Family Handbook. 

 

Arrival time from 8:45 - 9:15 AM: If a student would like to purchase breakfast, they will go straight to their classroom for teacher direction. Instruction begins promptly at 9:15 AM. Arriving after 9:15 AM? Scan the QR code on the front door to sign your child in.

 

Early check-out should be completed before 3:15 pm. Scan the QR Code on the front door to check your child out of school. Walkers and daycare vans are dismissed at 3:40 pm. Parents meet students at Penguin Point (near the spirit rock). Please do not bring dogs on school property during dismissal.

 

Carpool and bus dismissal begin at 3:45 pm. All carpool students need a carpool number. If your student needs a carpool number, please complete the Google form the kindergarten team will send out shortly before the staggered entry week. Carpool tags will be sent home on your students staggered entry date. Administration will message families if a bus leaves campus after 4:30 pm.

 

Can I pick my child up from the classroom in the afternoon? No, students need to follow school dismissal procedures. Again, this establishes routine, independence, and safety for all. Students will always go home the same way initially communicated unless we have a note from parents in the daily folder.

 

What if I need to change transportation during the school day? Please call the front office at 919-290-2333 by 3:15 pm each day. Do not email the teacher with changes the same day of the change.

 

How to Stay Connected
We encourage ongoing communication between school and home. You can stay informed through:

 

Supporting Your Child
The transition to kindergarten can bring big feelings for both children and parents. It’s normal! We’re here to support you every step of the way. Establishing routines, reading together, and talking about school will help your child feel more confident.

 

 

We are so excited to begin this journey with you. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. Here’s to a wonderful year of learning and growth at Laurel Park!

 

Respectfully,

Ms. Charelle Lovett, Principal

 

2025-26 School Supply Kits

Click on the link to view the school supplies needed for your kindergartner. Our PTA partnered with Sprout School Supplies for grade-level-specific school supply kits. Want to save time and money? Order a Spout Supply Kit online now at sproutsupplies.com using School Code LPES001. The deadline to order your kit is 06/10/2025. Questions? Contact PTA member Sarah Johnson at sovos@gmail.com.  
 

 

Welcome from Mrs. MacEntee, K-2 School Counselor

Hello Families! My name is Caren MacEntee, and I serve as the K-2 school counselor for Laurel Park. I am so excited to welcome our newest penguins to Laurel Park! The school counselor's role is to support all students' social-emotional growth. I provide short-term individual counseling, topic-based small groups and classroom guidance lessons, and consultations with parents & teachers. School counselors support students' transitions, especially at the beginning of the school year, ensuring they adjust well to their new school. Students will see me in the hallways welcoming our new kindergartners. When I am tracked out, our 3-5 grade counselor, Mrs. Truskowski will be available to meet with kindergartner students when needed. 

 

Need Health Plan Support?

Please contact our school nurse, Heide Cassimatis, at hcassimatis@wcpss.net. School nurses in Wake County serve 2-3 schools. Ms. Cassimatis will usually be on campus at least three days week.

 

Before and After School/ Track out Childcare Options

In addition to the Taylor YMCA, who serves students on campus at LPES, the following have confirmed that they will be providing before and after care for Laurel Park students for next school year.

 

Opting in/out of School Communications

I am not receiving messages. How do I sign up?

Parent/Guardian contact information is uploaded from the WCPSS student information system, Infinite Campus, each morning. If you are not receiving messages, contact the school to verify and/or update your contact information.

 

According to the school, my contact information is correct, but I am not receiving messages.

Email

  • If you are not receiving emails and your contact information is correct, you may have accidentally unsubscribed. Email smsubscribe@wcpss.net to re-subscribe to messages.

Text Messages

  • You must opt-in to receive text messages. To opt-in, text YES to 67587.
  • You will not receive any text messages from WCPSS if you do not opt-in.

NOTE: The school district does not pay for your text message fees that may be charged for sending or receiving text messages. Check with your wireless carrier for possible charges.

 

What is a SchoolMessenger parent/guardian account?

 Your SchoolMessenger account is a free and easy way to stay connected with events at your student’s school and WCPSS.

  • Review recent voice, text and email messages sent by the district and your student’s school.
  • View your contact information.
  • Manage your contact preferences.

Visit go.schoolmessenger.com to create an account. You must use the email address entered in PowerSchool for your student. View SchoolMessenger: Parent Account Setup for step-by-step instructions (English | Spanish).

 

How do I opt-out of WCPSS messages?

IMPORTANT: If you opt-out from WCPSS text messages or unsubscribe from WCPSS emails, you will no longer receive any messages from your student’s school or from the district.

  • Recommended: Use your SchoolMessenger account to customize your notification preferences and only receive the messages you want.
  • To opt-out of all text messages from SchoolMessenger, visit www.schoolmessenger.com/txtmsg/ or text STOP to 67587.
  • To unsubscribe from all emails, click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email.

 

WCPSS-sponsored Marbles Kick-off to Kindergarten

Every year, WCPSS partners with Marbles Museum to kick off kindergarten! The event will be held on June 26 for year-round students from 3-7 PM. Registration is required at https://my.marbleskidsmuseum.org/37185/40820