Dear Laurel Park Families,

This week's winter weather event will not dampen our spirits! Students were extremely excited about this week's spirit week, which will be extended to next week. (See the image below.) Due to the recent snow storms, we have run out of banked instructional hours, and students will make up days on the following dates below. We understand families may already have scheduled events or vacations on Saturdays. As the make-up day approaches, please communicate with your child's teacher if your child will not be in attendance. 

• Saturday, March 1: Tracks 1, 3, & 4
• Saturday, April 5: Tracks 1 & 3

We are VERY excited that the LPES Book Fair and STEAM Night are coming next week! Our annual book fair is February 24-28, from 8:45-4:45 PM daily. This year's theme is "Dive into a Good Book." A special book fair family night will be on February 27 during the annual STEAM Night; a time for students and families to have fun with hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities. 

Respectfully, 

Charelle Lovett, Principal

Follow LPES on Facebook

Upcoming Events / Important Dates (Community Calendar)

• Feb. 21-24: Spirit Week at Papa Murphy's Pizza (Cary and Apex); online orders only (Code word: LOVE)
• Feb. 24-28: Scholastic Book Fair, Family Shopping 4:15-4:45 PM daily; We 'Lovett' Spirit Week!
• Feb. 24: Tracks 3 & 4 Interims Go Home
• Feb. 27: STEAM Night and Book Fair Family Night; 5:30-7:30 PM
• Mar. 1: Saturday School for Tracks 1, 3, & 4
• Mar. 3-7: School Social Worker Appreciation Week
• Mar. 3: Spring and Class Pictures
• Mar. 5: Dancing Drum Cultural Arts Event
• Mar. 7: Happy track out, Track 1!; Track Change Request Due

WCPSS Seeking Feedback on Electronic Devices in Schools

The school district is seeking feedback from families about personal devices in schools. We ask that phones are silenced and left in their backpacks, and smartwatches are put in airplane mode if they are worn in school. The school district will determine what specific policy is needed for each school level. Provide your feedback by March 7 HERE.

Single Subject Acceleration Test Request Window Information

Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) is an acceleration opportunity provided for enrolled WCPSS students. K-8th grade students who meet specific criteria in Mathematics or English Language Arts have the opportunity to accelerate in one subject area. Only students who are currently enrolled and attending a WCPSS school during the open nomination and testing window are eligible to be considered for SSA. 

SSA Test Request Windows:

• Track 1: February 17-March 7
• Tracks 3 & 4: March 17-28

Helpful Resources:

• WCPSS SSA Information Site 
• Parent Informational Video about SSA (1-pager to accompany the video)
• Request Testing at https://bit.ly/WCPSS-SSA (scroll to bottom of page)
• Questions? Contact Stephanie Atwell, satwell@wcpss.net

Yearbook Ads Clarification & Spring Photos

This year, we shifted from Strawbridge to Lifetouch for photos and yearbooks. Lifetouch has sent several text messages and emails about ordering yearbooks and purchasing a yearbook ad. Only 5th grade families will have their ads added to the yearbooks. Ms. Shortley, our yearbook editor, will cancel any yearbook ads for students not in 5th grade. Thank you for understanding. 

On Monday, March 3, all classes will have their class picture taken and individual spring photos. A flyer will be sent home later this week with information how to order class and/or individual spring photos. There will not be a make-up day for spring photos. 

2025-26 Track Change Request

If you are seeking to request a track change for the 2054-26 school year, complete the linked form below for EACH child attending Laurel Park Elementary. While school administration would like to grant all requests, state class size limits, keeping families together on the same track, and other variables must be considered when assigning students to tracks/classrooms. This form documents a request for a track change for the 25-26 school year and does not guarantee a seat on a particular track. Track change requests must be submitted by Friday, March 7, 2025. If you do not wish to request a track change, you do not need to complete the form. Track change request form: https://forms.gle/f3FGPkTxwS5t7wc27

Save the Date: Curriculum Night on March 26 & April 9

We are excited about hosting a Curriculum Night on Wednesday, March 26 (Tracks 3 & 4) and Wednesday, April 9 (Track 1). There will be two 30-minute sessions, and families can choose from four sessions: addition/subtraction strategies, multiplication/division strategies, phonics/decoding, and reading comprehension. We are prepping materials and need to have a rough estimate of numbers. Please RSVP for the event here.

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. 

Important AIG Links for ALL families

Questions? Contact our AIG teacher, Stephanie Atwell at satwell@wcpss.net.

• 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 February, we will focus on Integrity -- You are honest and have strong moral principles. 

Friendly Family Reminders

• LPES Family Handbook 
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Lost and Found: Please remind your child to check the lost and found area in the cafeteria. We will donate lost and found items quarterly.
• Volunteering: Register at www.wcpss.net/volunteer
• Arriving Late / Leaving Early: 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!

You're Invited: Dare to Dream on Feb. 27, 7-8:30 PM