Dear Laurel Park families,
As the third quarter approaches, we begin to think about transitioning from one school year to the next. Please pay close attention to school and teacher communications about end-of-year events and timelines. We do our best to communicate important information multiple times and to put key events on the school's website calendar.
We ask families with rising 1st - 5th graders to contact Charelle Lovett (clovett@wcpss.net) and Elana Murray (emurray3@wcpss.net) by March 28 if you plan NOT to attend Laurel Park next school year (e.g., moving out of the area, transferring to another school, etc.). This will assist with our team’s planning for next school year.
April 1st is the next Lost and Found clean-out and donation to a local charity. Please remind your children to check the Lost and Found cabinet in the cafeteria. You are also welcome to look through the cabinet before or after lunch (before 10:45 AM and after 1:45 PM).
Thank you for supporting and attending last week's STEAM Night. It was wonderful witnessing our students and families enjoying the activities and engaging with one another. WCPSS even highlighted the event on their Facebook page!
Respectfully,
Charelle Lovett, Principal
Upcoming Events / Important Dates (Community Calendar)
- March 19: Ruckus Spirit Night, Pine Plaza, 5-9 PM
- March 27: Track 2 SSA Information Session @ 7 PM
- March 28: Happy track out, Track 4!, Quarter 3 ends for Tracks 2, 3, & 4
- March 29: Good Friday, No School
- April: Occupational Therapist Appreciation Month, Autism Awareness Month
- April 1-5: Assistant Principal Appreciation Week (Thank you, Mr. Barabasz & Ms. Canaday!)
- April 4: School Library Media Coordinator Day (Thank you, Ms. LeSueur)
- April 5: Tracks 1, 2, & 3 Quarter 3 Report Cards Go Home
- April 10: Tracks 1 & 3 Spring and Class Pictures
- April 12: Tracks 1 & 3 Field Day
Get Your 2023-24 Yearbook!
Our wonderful PTA opened yearbook sales for this school year. Please scan the QR code or go directly to Strawbridge's yearbook ordering site to place an order. All orders must occur by April 12.
Front Office Snacks
Our Front Office has run out of snacks to give to students who did not bring a snack during the day. If willing, please donate a box of individually packaged snacks to the office. Thank you!
Field Day Volunteers Needed
Mr. Edwards is excited to partner with the PTA and Taylor Family YMCA for our upcoming field days. Volunteers are needed to run the varying activities as grade levels rotate. Please sign up to volunteer here. We are looking for at least 50 adults to volunteer for each time slot each day.
3rd-5th EOG Testing Dates
The testing window for 3rd-5th graders is the last 10 days of school. We will give the initial subject test on the days below, and make-up testing days will follow after.
- Track 1:
- Testing window: May 20-June 3; retesting for certain students June 4-5
- May 21: Reading
- May 22: Math
- May 23: Science (5th grade only)
- Tracks 2, 3, & 4:
- Testing window: June 12-26, retesting for certain students June 27-28
- June 12: Reading
- June 13: Math
- June 14: Science (5th grade only)
24-25 Track Change Request Approvals/Denials Communication
Now that the WCPSS application and transfer windows are closed, administration can determine available track space. Ms. Lovett will communicate with families at the beginning of April about whether their track change request was approved or denied for the next school year.
Student Ambassador's Blue Jean Drive
The Student Ambassadors are still collecting gently used or new women's denim in celebration of Women's History Month. The clothing will be donated to the Women's Center of Raleigh. Thank you to those who have already donated items!
2nd-5th Grade Families, Please Charge Chromebooks!
We love that we are part of a school district where students have access to technology to enhance learning. Our 2nd - 5th grade students are expected to take their Chromebooks home daily to charge for them to be used the following day. Our classroom teachers are finding that more of their students are returning to school with Chromebooks not charged, which interrupts the activity flow. Teachers do have a few spare chargers in their classrooms, but not a class set. Please help by reminding your child to charge their Chromebook when they get home.
We Need Help To Fix Our Outdoor Classroom!
Did you know Laurel Park has an outdoor classroom in the back corner of the large playground? Over the years, the space has become less of an outdoor classroom and slightly more hazardous. We need help with finding a permanent solution to fix or replace the space's cement block foundation. This also includes fixing some of the drainage issues. Please send any landscape/small construction contacts to Julie Neild, our PTA president, at lpesptapresident@gmail.com.
Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) Nomination Windows & Info Sessions
- Track 2: March 27
- Tracks 1 & 3: the nomination window is closed
- Track 4: March 11-22
- Track 2: April 1-12
- Tracks 1 & 3: April 1-12
- Tracks 2 & 4: April 22 - May 6
Middle School Updates
Visit our Middle School Updates site for information on middle schools in the area. Ashley Truskowski (atruskowski@wcpss.net) will continuously update as she receives information for the upcoming year. Please contact her if you have any questions.
5th Grade Moving Up Ceremonies
Our 5th-grade families are already planning how to celebrate their children moving up to middle school. Please mark your calendars! Our 5th grade moving-up ceremonies will be:
- Monday, June 3 (Track 1) at 1:30 PM
- Wednesday, June 26 (Tracks 3 & 4) at 1:30 PM.
Laurel Park Character Strengths
Each month, a selected character strength is highlighted in the morning announcements and discussed during your child's Classroom Huddle/morning meeting. During March, we will focus on Perseverance -- You continue to work through something despite difficulty.
Friendly Reminders
- LPES Family Handbook
- Please remind your child to check the lost and found area in the cafeteria. We will donate lost and found items quarterly. The next donation is on April 1, 2024.
- Each child needs a labeled set of extra clothes to keep in their backpack or cubby. This is not just for bathroom accidents! The Front Office does not have extra clothes to give to students.
- Interested in volunteering at LPES? Register at www.wcpss.net/volunteer
- Students who arrive at school after 9:15 AM must be signed in by the parent/guardian via the QR code on the front door. Early check-out ends at 3:15 PM.
WCPSS Family Academy on Internet Safety
Scan the QR code below to register for this WCPSS-sponsored family learning session on internet safety.
