Dear Laurel Park families,
As we continue to build a strong and vibrant community, I want to take a moment to express our deep gratitude to the incredible LPES family and community volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to making our programs successful. National Volunteer Appreciation Week was April 22-26, a time to recognize the incredible contributions of our dedicated volunteers.
Our volunteers bring enthusiasm, kindness, and a selfless spirit that truly make a difference. Whether coordinating events, managing our student clubs, helping with classroom activities and small groups, or supporting behind the scenes, our volunteers make everything we do possible.
Our fantastic PTA serves as an avenue to volunteer at LPES. This team of parents and teachers help to plan, organize, and implement many of our annual events, such as Fun Run, Trunk or Treat, book fair, movie night, and STEAM night. Our PTA board is currently seeking a treasurer for the next school year. Please contact the Nominating Committee at LaurelParkESPTA@gmail.com if you are interested in serving in this position. The next PTA general meeting is Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 PM in the media center. We hope to see you there!
Respectfully,
Charelle Lovett, Principal
Upcoming Events / Important Dates (Community Calendar)
- May 1: School Principal Appreciation Day
- May 3: Tracks 1 & 2 Quarter 4 interims go home
- May 4: Spring Beautification @ 8:30 AM
- May 6: National School Nurse Day (Thank you, Nurse Heide!)
- May 7-9: Tracks 1, 2, & 4 Teacher Appreciation
- May 8: Bike, Walk, or Roll Day
- May 10: Happy Track out Track 2!; Family Movie Night @ 6 PM (LPES Field)
- May 13: Only Tracks 1 & 4 on campus
- May 14-16: Track 3 Teacher Appreciation
- May 14: Welcome back, Track 3!
- May 15: PTA General Meeting @ 6:30 PM, LPES Media Center
- May 17: Speech Pathologist Appreciation Day (Thank you, Ms. Haywood!); Last day for the Family Survey
Roofing Update
Thank you for your patience and understanding as our big beautiful blue building gets a new roof. Roofers made it to the last section of the roof above the 5th-grade hall last week. Once they complete this section, they will add the metal roof panels and install our skylights. The May 1st deadline has been pushed to June or July. The roofers know our testing windows and will not be on campus during those weeks.
LPES Spring Beautification Day -- May 4 @ 8:30 AM
Please join us for our Spring Beautification Day! Community members and families will spruce up Laurel Park's grounds on Saturday, May 4, 8:30 AM - 12 PM. Bring gloves, shovels, wheelbarrows, etc. to help mulch areas and weed the garden. We appreciate your help! (Sign up here)
Complete the Panorama Family Survey by May 17
We need your feedback! The Panorama Family Survey is now open through May 17th. Thank you to those who already submitted a survey response about Laurel Park's school environment and engagement barriers. Access the survey here: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/wakecounty/family/surveys?language=en
Bike, Walk, or Roll to LPES on May 8!
What is Bike & Roll to School Day?
Bike & Roll to School Day invites participants to celebrate the joy of active commuting while building a sense of community and school spirit. Whether addressing the need to make routes to school safer for active trips or encouraging children and teens to be more active, these events can be powerful tools to inspire lasting change. Of course, they are also fun!
How to participate?
- Bike or roll from your home with a parent or responsible adult
- Create a biking or rolling "bus" with a group of your closest friends
- Join a group - see the schedule below for rally locations and departure times!
- Volunteer! Get in touch at LPESWalkBike@gmail.com.
- Spread the word! See our resources at the bottom of the page.
What is the schedule for the May 8, 2024 Walk & Roll to School Day?
8:15 AM: Picardy Pointe departs from Pond
8:30 AM: The Trace departs from mailboxes at Dotson Way
8:35 AM: Apex Community Park departs from the first baseball field closest to Laura Duncan Road
8:40 AM: Ellington place departs from the playground
8:40 AM: Linville Ridge departs from open field near corner of Candun Drive and Laura Duncan Road
8:45 AM: Laurel Crossings departs from patio
8:45 AM: Laurel Park Place departs from Royal Berry Court
ARRIVAL: Penguin Point
Questions?
Feel free to reach out to us at LPESWalkBike@gmail.com.
For more about the Walk, Bike & Roll to school program, see their site at www.walkbiketoschool.org.
May 10 is the LPES Family Movie Night
We are excited about bringing back a night of fun and movie-watching on Friday, May 10, at 6 PM. The PTA has organized food trucks and games between 6-8 PM. The movie, rated PG, will begin at 8 PM. All activities will be outside on the field and carpool loop. Movie night will be rescheduled for May 17 if there is inclement weather.
WCPSS Project Enlightenment Workshops for Kinders & Families
Project Enlightenment, an early childhood prevention program for WCPSS through kindergarten, offers parent workshops throughout the year. We shared the information below with our rising kinder families, but they are also great for families of current kinders. For more information: https://www.wcpss.net/domain/13965
Lucky's Bedtime Stories Returns!
Lucky's Bedtime Stories returns during Ms. LeSueur's final few months as our media specialist. Join teachers and staff virtually on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM for a few bedtime stories. Use the Google Meet code lpes reads to access the storytime. We ask that you use your child's WakeID Account to access the Google Meet.
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)
Please Charge Chromebooks for 3rd-5th EOGs!
As teachers begin to prepare for upcoming End-of-grade testing for our 3rd-5th graders, students need to get into the habit of charging Chromebooks at home so they can be used during the day. Students will be asked to bring their chargers to school closer to testing days to keep both the charger and Chromebook at school to ensure the technology is sound during testing.
Family Fun Night @ Salamanders Baseball
The LPES PTA is partnering with the Holly Springs Salamanders. Sunday, June 9th is Family Night. Tickets are $12 per ticket or $22 for an all-you-can-eat ticket. It is also Princess and Pirates Night and Sunday Funday, where the kids can dress up and run the bases after the game. Purchase tickets at https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Laurelpark. Two dollars of every ticket will go back to the LPES PTA!
A Note from Nurse Heide
Hello Laurel Park Families! Spring is upon us, so you know what that means. That’s right, health plan updates and renewals! As your school nurse, I will be reaching out over the coming weeks to touch base about your student’s health plans and whether any changes need to be made for the 24-25 school year. I am required to speak to a parent or guardian to reassess your student’s health care needs before I can renew any health plans. I do understand that it can be hard to take a phone call while at work. If this is the case, please return my call and leave a message letting me know how best to reach you.
If you have a student who has medications at school, a new 1702 form will be required when the new school year begins in July. Your doctor may complete the 1702 form anytime after April 1, 2024, and it will be valid for the 24-25 school year. For your convenience, I have included the link for the 1702 form:
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I can be reached at 919-524-1894 or hcassimatis@wcpss.net
Here’s to a happy and healthy spring!
Heide Cassimatis, BSN, RN, NCSN
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
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 April, we will focus on Kindness -- You use your words and actions to better the lives of others. In May, we will focus on Self-Discipline -- You control yourself and your actions to do what you know you should.
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.
- 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.
2024-25 LPES Information
Rising Kindergarten Orientation (Newsletter)
We look forward to seeing returning and new families at the rising kindergarten orientation on Wednesday, May 29th at 6 PM in our gym. This 1-hour event is geared towards caregivers. We will not have childcare for the orientation but will share information afterward.
Meet the Teacher & Supply Drop-Off
Our 2024-25 Meet the Teacher and Supply Drop-off is Wednesday, July 3 from 1:30-3:00 PM (Tracks 1 & 3) and Friday, July 26 from 4:30-5:15 PM (Tracks 4). The PTA partners with Sprout School Supplies for grade-level kits. More information will be shared about Sprout School Supplies at a later time. Next year's school supply lists are posted on the school's website.
2024 WCPSS Letterland Days
Throughout the week of May 13-17, different Letterlanders can be found at various locations around Pullen Park. Join WCPSS community members daily from 10 AM to 8 PM for a scavenger hunt to locate your favorite Letterlanders. On May 13 and May 16 from 5 to 8 PM, additional fun and exciting themed activities will be located at stations around the park. Register for Letterland Activity Nights
