Dear Laurel Park Families,
Thank you for following our morning arrival and dismissal expectations, which have helped create safer conditions for our students. Carpool will be lighter and faster for the next few months while Tracks 1, 4, and 3 breaks rotate. All students will be back on campus in mid-February when we are scheduled to have our book fair and STEAM Night.
On November 25, Security Officer Smith spoke to all students about safety procedures when they are in the cafeteria during a weather event or lockdown. The brief talk included students practicing entering the kitchen and storage areas so they knew where to go and what to do.
Tomorrow morning, Superintendent Taylor and his Leadership Team including chiefs and area superintendents will be on campus to engage with Laurel Park students and staff to gain a comprehensive understanding of our innovative focus, vision, and purpose, and to support our ongoing efforts. Our 5th-grade Student Ambassadors will serve as greeters and tour guides during their visit. The team will also hear from four students about their experience at Laurel Park. I am excited about the leadership team to see and hear the incredible work happening at Laurel Park, the dedication of our staff, and the enthusiasm of our students as we strive to create a vibrant and inclusive learning environment.
Happy Holidays!
Respectfully,
Charelle Lovett, Principal
Upcoming Events / Important Dates (Community Calendar)
- Dec. 5-19: Stability Transfer Request Period
- Dec. 9: Superintendent's Leadership Team on Campus
- Dec. 11: Holiday Cheer for LPES Families Due to Alex Mumford
- Dec. 16-20: Kick-off to Winter Break Spirit Week
- Dec. 20: Happy track out, Track 4!
- Dec. 23-Jan. 3: Winter Break, School Closed
- Jan. 6: Welcome back, Tracks 1 & 3!
- Jan. 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, No School
- Jan. 23: 2025-26 Magnet and Year-Round Applications Due
LPES Science & Engineering Fair Winners
On Thursday, our students and families participated in our annual Science and Engineering Fair. Our students outdid themselves with their science projects! Families had an opportunity to hear from their peers about what their projects were trying to measure or answer. While announcing the winners, I was proud of our students who supported one another with cheers and applause. Below are the winners for each of the categories:
- Grades K-2
- 1st Place: James Davlantis (Do plants help reduce soil erosion?)
- 2nd Place: Elena Torres (Bath bomb fun)
- 3rd Place: Gavin Page (Magnetic strength in numbers)
- Grades 3-5 Projects for Fun
- 1st Place: Kevin Torres (How clean are your hands?)
- 2nd Place: Ella Strathmann, Lundy Harmon, & Tessa Conroy (How does the amount of borax affect the consistency of slime?)
- 3rd Place: Jonathan and Calvin Christian (Will it float like a disk or a log?)
- Grades 3-5 Regional Fair
- 1st Place: Clara Morgan (Iron in cereal)
- 2nd Place: Victoria Kline (Citrus/starch battery)
- 3rd Place: Amelia Graff (Do different fruits have different measurements of voltage?)
Our Student Ambassadors Say Thank You!
Our Laurel Park community goes above and beyond in a time of need. Students dug through their pantries and donated large and small nonperishable items to our annual Season of Giving Food drive. Items will be boxed and delivered to the Western Wake Crisis Ministry on Monday. Thank you!
Help Us Spread Holiday Cheer to LPES Families in Need
New Character in Author Scott Reintgen's Next Book
Author Scott Reintgen held a contest for a student's name to be included in his next book. Congratulations to one of our 4th graders, Archer Zimmermann, whose name will be one of the main characters. How exciting!
Mileage Club Participated in the Turkey Trot
Our Mileage Club trained for 8 weeks to participate in the Apex Turkey Trot a couple of weeks ago. Fantastic job!
Questions about 2025-26 Student Assignment?
All of your questions about enrollment, magnet and year-round applications, and the 2025-26 enrollment plan can be found on WCPSS's website at https://www.wcpss.net/Page/33751.
- 2025-26 Kindergarten Online Registration
- 2025-26 Application Dates and Events
- Approved Stability Transfer Rules
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.
Physical Education Reminders from Mr. Edwards
This is the last set of reminders from Mr. Edwards who retires at the end of December.
- Please make sure that your child has a pair of tennis/sneakers shoes at school each day.
- Please encourage your child and know 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.
Academically/Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Information from Ms. Atwell
Important links for ALL families:
- AIG Informational Session Slides
- AIG Testing Nomination Flyer
- AIG Brochure: Gifted Education Services in WCPSS
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 December, we will focus on Gratitude -- You are thankful and show appreciation.
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.
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!
NCDOT Aviation Art Contest
This year’s theme is “Women with Wings.” Read more about the theme at the NCDOT Division of Aviation’s art contest website. We invite all students who live in or attend school in North Carolina to focus their creativity on the incredible Women with Wings, who unite in a world where the skies are a canvas of peace and friendship. Using colored pencils, crayons, pens, or paint, artists can be inspired by Women with Wings to show how women from all walks of life find liberty and inspire others through their love for flight.
All students who participate will receive Certificates of Participation. Additionally, the top three entries in each age group, determined by date of birth, will be forwarded to Washington, D.C., to be judged in the national competition. The artwork of the national winners will be sent to Switzerland to compete in the international competition.
The 2025 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest entries must be received by Friday, January 17, 2025.
