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10/13/24

 

Dear Laurel Park Families,

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and Laurel Park strives to create a safe, caring, and inviting school community for all students, staff, and families. We use the motto, "See something, say something," to build trust and maintain an emotionally and physically safe community. (Family Resource)

 

This week, we ask our students and staff to wear orange on Wednesday for Unity Day. Wearing orange is a tangible way for the commUNITY to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying. This week and next, our Student Ambassadors will read books focused on kindness to K-2 classes during morning huddles, and students will view the classroom doors decorated to promote kindness. 

 

 

We will continue to collect items for hurricane victims through Thursday, Oct. 17. THANK YOU to each student, staff, and family who donated to this relief effort. This effort has served as an unexpected conversation starter for students about generosity, kindness, and service. On Monday, Shake Shack will donate 25% of sales to the same hurricane relief effort. 

 

 

 

Respectfully, 

Charelle Lovett, Principal

 

Upcoming Events / Important Dates (Community Calendar)

  • Oct. 14-18: National School Lunch Week
  • Oct. 14: WCPSS year-round application opens for the 2025-26 school year
  • Oct. 16: Unity Day -- Wear Orange
  • Oct. 18: PTA Snack Cart (sign-up to donate); Happy Track Out, Track 3!
  • Oct. 19: Trunk or Treat, 2-4 PM
  • Oct. 21: Welcome back, Track 4!
  • Oct. 23-25: Track 4 CogAT Testing
  • Oct. 28: Track 4 Report Cards Go Home
  • Oct. 29: PTA General Meeting @ 6 PM in Media Center
  • Oct. 31: Pajama Day!
  • Nov. 5: No School/Teacher Workday; Election Day; Spirit Day at Urban Air Morrisville

 

Spotlight on 4th Grade Music from Dr. Thompson

Fourth-grade students are learning about the composer and pieces that they will hear during their North Carolina Symphony field trip on November 21. Each music class leading up to the field trip focuses on one composer and piece from the concert. We learn interesting facts about the composer, listen to the piece, and then engage in activities that focus on particular musical elements found in the piece. So far, classes have played a 4 Corners game about musical tempo; performed a rhythm stick pattern along with the orchestra recording; learned how to listen and follow the form of music through listening maps; and played a game identifying musical meter in 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4. Ask them if they think that it will sound different to hear all of these pieces live!
 

Trunk or Treat is October 19, 2-4 PM

Trunk or Treat promotes a safe environment for neighborhood children and families to trick or treat. Kids can dress up in costume and trick or treat from trunk to trunk in the school's parking lot. There will be games, activities, trick or treating out car trunks, and a pumpkin decorating contest.

 

Feed Sweets Candy!

Students can feed Sweets donated bags of candy for Saturday's Trunk of Treat! The candy donation sign-up link is above.

 

Reflections Art Competition Deadline is October 21

The National PTA Reflections Art Competition, an annual extracurricular art competition, is seeking submissions from students in one of the six categories -- dance choreography, literature, photography, film production, musical composition, and visual art. The deadline for student submissions is Oct 21st. More details are on the PTA website: https://www.laurelparkespta.com/reflections.html.

 

 

Physical Education Updates from Mr. Edwards

In PE, kindergarten students continue focusing on class expectations, working on personal space, and locomotor movements (e.g., walking, galloping, skipping, side slides, and leaping). We have also added some dribbling or bouncing skills to work on eye/hand coordination. In 1st and 2nd grades, we continue to work on locomotor movement during warm-ups and before moving to dribbling and passing skills used in basketball.

 

This month, grades K-2 began to work on striking skills by using balloons to work on keeping them up in the air by themselves and in pairs. Grade 3 will finish up on dribbling, passing, and shooting skills before moving on to striking skills using balloons like the younger grades. In grades 4-5, we are finishing up team handball and then getting ready to start basketball skill work and small games. We will also be preparing for the mile run in late October or early November. So, make sure they are getting ready for this by working on some distance workouts. Then they will start to work on striking skills used in the game of volleyball using beach balls to play with. 

 

Just a few reminders:

  • Please make sure that your child has a pair of tennis/sneakers shoes at school each day. With all the wet weather in the past few weeks, there have been several more students coming to class with boots and other types of shoes that are not safe for them to participate in.
  • Please also remind them that the focus for PE class is to work on the different skills, teamwork, and making improvements each week on those skills and their overall wellness.
  • We all can be successful at this if we make sure to listen and watch the demonstrations before each new activity and then use our practice time during class wisely. If all of us do this, we will all improve and have a lot of fun together.

Have a great week,

Mark Edwards

 

Apex High School Student Asks for Your Feedback on Student Learning During COVID

A student at Apex High School is working on a project aiming to enhance her understanding of how COVID may have impacted students' literacy. She asks our parents to complete a brief survey. Your responses will be sent directly to the high school student, and she will use your responses for her project. https://forms.gle/d1EfCUPwYMKQn1op6
 
 

Going to the NC State Fair? Support Laurel Park!

The NC State Fair (Oct. 17-27) partnered with Tools for Schools again this year. A portion of fair ticket sales will go back to Laurel Park if selected when purchasing tickets online. Follow the directions below:

 

 

Looking for STEAM Night Activities & Presenters

Our STEAM Night planning committee is seeking interested families, staff, and businesses to provide activities during our annual STEAM night on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. This fun event highlights and celebrates the areas of science, math, engineering, arts, and mathematics. If you are interested in coming out that night and sharing your knowledge and expertise, please complete the participation form https://bit.ly/lpessteam2025. 

 

Academically/Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Information from Ms. Atwell & Ms. Baker

Important links for ALL families:

 

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. In October, we will focus on Leadership -- You have the ability to influence others to do the right thing. 

 

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. 

 

 

 

Laurel Park PTA Information (laurelparkespta.com)

Submit Photos to the Penguin Passport

Our students experience new and different places during track outs throughout the year. We would love for students to share their adventures with us! Participation builds community, celebrates diversity, and inspires others! Visit https://www.laurelparkespta.com/penguin-passport.html for more information.

 

Advocacy Chair Needed

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) began as a group of mothers who did not have the right to vote but found ways to advocate for children (i.e., child labor laws). Since the early 1900s, the PTA has worked to continue to advocate for children, provide families with relevant resources, and advocate for public education. The LPES PTA board is currently seeking someone to serve as the Advocacy Chair. This person will schedule parent sessions based on school needs (e.g., school safety, technology safety), attend Board Advisory Council meetings, and much more. Contact lpesptapresident@gmail.com if interested in serving in this position. 

 

Join the PTA

Laurel Park has an active PTA that serves as our primary parent-teacher organization. Advocating for public schools and sound instruction is the PTA's priority in supporting the school with clubs, coordinating school events, beautification, playground enhancements, teacher planning days, and instructional resources. PTA members will receive a 10% discount on all spirit wear!

 

YMCA of the Triangle Annual Campaign

Colleen Fitzpatrick, our YMCA site director, shared the following information below about the YMCA of the Triangle's annual fundraiser. Every year, the YMCA raises money to help fund outreach camps, swim lessons, scholarships, and more for YMCA families! Examples of some of the YMCA costs include:
  • $550 - Camp G.R.A.C.E will provide a child with Pervasive Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder with a two-week camp session to help build character development and social skills.
  • $500 - Leader's Club will provide a teen with a year-long program that builds character, teaches team work, and reinforces service.
  • $250 - Summer Day Camp/Camp EXCEL will provide a child with one week of camp, which includes activities like swimming, games, arts & crafts, and sports, while also providing them with positive role models and character development.
  • $110 - Youth Sports will help a child learn skills and make new friends through a season of youth sports.
  • $100 - Swim Lessons will allow a child to gain life-saving skills through a  series of swim lessons.
  • $60 - YMCA Membership provides a monthly membership for an adult in our community.
Please see https://give.ymcatriangle.org/fundraiser/5751412 for more information. 

 

Devoted City Church Trunk or Treat Fall Fest

LPES recently partnered with Devoted City Church for our Beautification Day and our upcoming Trunk or Treat on  October 19. They extended an invitation to the LPES community to their Trunk or Treat Fall Fest on October 26, 3-5 PM. This free event will have trunks, a bounce house, food, and fun!
 
Location: 590 Westhigh St. Cary NC 27513