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1/19/25

 

Dear Laurel Park Families,

 

Tomorrow is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which celebrates the life and achievements of Dr. King as well as recognizing the Civil Rights Movement that he championed. As an American who dedicated his life to service, justice, and equality, many Americans volunteer their time in his remembrance and legacy on this day.  We also recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27th. This is a day set aside for remembering the victims of the Holocaust and for reminding Americans of what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred, and indifference reign. This specific date was selected as it also commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the Nazi death camps. As we reflect on these significant days of remembrance, we encourage families to engage in meaningful conversations with their children about the importance of empathy, tolerance, and standing up for justice. These observances not only honor the legacies of those who fought for human rights but also serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for compassion and unity in our communities and beyond. Let us all strive to carry forward the lessons of these historical events in our daily actions and interactions with one another.

 

Every year, the Cary Chamber of Commerce recognizes teachers at area schools who have been nominated by the school community for the Cary Honor a Teacher Award. Please take a moment to nominate a Laurel Park teacher who exemplifies teaching excellence, creativity, and inspiration. The nomination window closes on Monday, February 3 at 5 PM. Once five Laurel Park finalists are selected and complete the application process, one will be awarded a plaque and cash prize on May 13 at the Cary Honor a Teacher banquet. Please click the form to nominate a teacher  https://forms.gle/q8enkvFfqGwANqUu8

 

Respectfully, 

Charelle Lovett, Principal

Follow LPES on Facebook

 

Upcoming Events / Important Dates (Community Calendar)

  • Jan. 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, No School
  • Jan. 21: 5th Grade Tracks 1 & 3 Cultural Arts Assembly
  • Jan. 22: Spirit Night at Red Robin, 11 AM - 10 PM
  • Jan. 23: 2025-26 Magnet and Year-Round Applications Due 
  • Jan. 24: Snack Cart (sign-up) & Happy track out, Track 3!
  • Jan. 27: Welcome back, Track 4!; International Holocaust Remembrance Day
  • Jan. 28: 5th Grade Track 4 Cultural Arts Assembly
  • Feb. 3: Track 4 Report Cards and Track 1 Interim Reports Go Home
  • Feb. 12: General PTA Meeting in Media Center @ 6 PM
  • Feb. 14: Yearbook art contest due to the Front Office
  • Feb. 17: Welcome back, Track 3!

  

Annual Asbestos Notification from WCPSS

 

Friendly Reminders for a Strong Quarter 3 Start

  • Smartwatches and Cell Phones: The only electronic device students should bring to school is the district-issued Chromebook. Personal technology (e.g., smartwatches, cell phones) should be turned off during school hours. Parents can call the front office to relay a message to their child.
  • Refresh Extra Clothing: We ask all students to have an extra set of clothes at school in case something happens. (We have limited clothes and undergarments in the office.) Please check to ensure the set at school is weather-appropriate and still fits. 
  • Snacks: Our sweet kids love a snack either before or after lunch. The Front Office has limited snacks for students, so please provide a snack from home if you are able. 
  • Grades 3-5 Chromebooks: Students are expected to bring their charged Chromebooks to school daily. These are not only used for classwork but for district and statewide testing that occurs throughout the school year. 
  • Conferences: Teachers will begin scheduling conferences to discuss your child’s academic progress. Each family is encouraged to meet with their child’s teacher at least twice a year—once during the 1st quarter and again during the 3rd quarter. Please sign up for a conference when invitations are sent out.

 

Spirit Night at Red Robin on 1/22

 

Help Ms. Shortley Shelve Books in the Media Center

Ms. Shortley is looking for parents to help with shelving books from 9 AM - 10 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please click the link to learn more and to sign up. 

 

 

Upcoming Cultural Arts Programs for 3rd & 5th Grade Students

ChamberSoul singer-songwriter and cellist, Shana Tucker to work with our fifth-grade classes on January 21 (Tracks 1 and 3) and January 28 (Track 4). Ms. Tucker’s workshop, “Tapestry of Songwriting”, is designed to introduce students and teachers to the essential components of song form (verse, chorus/hook, bridge, intro, outro); the relationship between melody, harmony, lyrics; and the role of musical storyteller through the art of songwriting. Students will translate essential elements of our ELA book, The Most Beautiful Roof in the World, into a song. They will create the lyrics for and provide essential input for the development of musical components. At the end of the experience, we will share our song with families! For more information, check out https://unitedarts.org/artist-directory/tapestry-of-songwriting/

 

Musician and teaching artist Charles Pettee will return on Feb. 5 to work with our Tracks 3 and 4 3rd-grade classes. Students will learn about the history of bluegrass music in North Carolina, connect the sounds and styles of music with the cultures that lived in NC then and now, and see how one culture has contributed to another. For more information, check out https://unitedarts.org/artist-directory/bluegrass-stomp-catch-the-bluegrass-bug/

 

Cultural arts workshops are funded by the LPES PTA. Thank you to families who have supported the PTA through fundraising efforts to make this and other cultural arts programs possible!

 

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. 

 

Student Yearbook Art Contest Sponsored by Student Ambassadors

Our K-5 students are invited to submit a design related to "Kindness is Cool" for our 2024-25 yearbook. Students are to create a black/white or color design on 8x11 blank paper. All submissions are due to the Front Office by Friday, February 14. Please contact Lisa Charns (lmcharns@wcpss.net) or Jenna Miller (jcmiller@wcpss.net) with any questions. 

 

Student yearbook art contest

 

 

Save the Date: 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony Dates/Times Confirmed

We cannot believe our 5th graders will be moving up to middle school in six months. After speaking with Salem and Lufkin Middles, we set our ceremony dates for Thursday, May 29 (Track 1) and Thursday, June 26 (Tracks 3 & 4) at 11:45 AM. More information will be shared with our 5th-grade families closer to the moving up dates. 

 

 

  

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

  • Spring AIG nominations for 4th and 5th grade students are now open. Nominations will be considered by the school's Committee for Gifted Education for AIG testing. Families can email Stephanie Atwell, our AIG teacher, at satwell@wcpss.net with questions and to nominate their child. The next testing windows are: January 13-17 (Tracks 1 & 3) and February 3-7 (Track 4).

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 January, we will focus on Conscientiousness -- You wish to do what is right, and you do your work well and thoroughly.

 

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!