In The Laidlaw Loop
Family Update- October 27, 2023
First of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of the families who donated towards last Friday's Fall Fitness Fundraiser. The money earned is going towards some exciting new lunchroom enhancements that will benefit our 1st-5th graders on a daily basis. Mrs. Dolan and I look forward to sharing pictures with you once the items come in. Stay tuned! Your generosity is sincerely appreciated more than you can imagine.
Second, next week is an exciting one: Halloween! Please see all of the details for the annual Halloween parade and the classroom parties below. Should you still have additional questions after reading through, do not hesitate to reach out.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Renee
Students in Action this week
I loved getting to spend time in 5th grade yesterday to see teachers set the stage with their students for how effective iReady Math centers should look. Before the students even got into the actual Math lesson, class communities discussed what the transitions between centers should look like and what a good Math center "sounds like." Also, I loved hearing student Spanish presentations in 4th grade Spanish classes! Students chose different recipes to translate into Spanish and even had adorable props for the final recording portion that I got to see!
Halloween Parade & Parties
We look forward to Halloween FUN here at Laidlaw on 10/31. Please click here for all of the details.
Reminder: Pets at Dropoff/Pickup
This is a friendly reminder that pets are not allowed on school property, (on the blacktop, on the front grass of school, on the stairwells) especially at drop off and pickup time. Please be mindful that some of our students have a fear of animals and it can be dysregulating at arrival and dismissal for some students to come in contact with animals. Thank you for your attention to this.
Sign-up for Parent/Teacher Conferences
Monday, November 20th 9:00-12:00, 1:00-5:00, 6:00-8:00 (20 minute sessions) In-Person
Tuesday, November 21st 9:00-1:00 and 2:00-6:00 (20 minute sessions) Virtual
Kindergarten Fera Only - Friday, November 17th 12:30-3:30 (20 minute sessions) In-Person
Again this year, Laidlaw will be using PTC Wizard, an online Parent Teacher Conference sign up system.
The scheduling window opens Wednesday, November 1st at 8:00am and will close Friday, November 17th at 12:00pm
Please refer to the instructions below to schedule your conference.
Access PTC Wizard: https://app.ptcwizard.com/laidlawes When the window opens November 1st at 8 am, follow the wizard to complete your conference schedule.
If you have already registered for PTC through another building, you do not need to create a new login.
You may change your conference times up until the window closes on
Friday, November 17th at 12:00pm
Please Note Group Conferences:
· If your child sees a Resource or Intervention teacher and you would like a One on One conference please schedule through the PTC Wizard. If you want multiple staff members to sit in on your child’s conference, please call the office at 708-246-7673 to schedule. (before calling the office, please confirm with your child’s teacher exactly who needs to sit in on the conference. Due to busy schedules it is not always possible to add teachers at a later time.)
Please contact Mrs. Walker with any questions at ewalker@d101.org or
708-246-7673. Thank you.
Marla's Lunch- November
This is a friendly note to let you know that should you wish to order your student a Marla's lunch for Wednesday, November 8, that all orders are due by November 1st. November's menu is Buona Beef and there are options for a beef sandwich, cheese pizza, and/or a garden salad. As always, Marla's lunch is optional for students. Below are directions to order if you have not yet placed an order for Marla's lunch this year. If you ordered in October, your login information is the same and you simply log-in to order for November. If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Dolan (cdolan@d101.org).
NEW TO MARLAS LUNCH GET STARTED HERE: Go to: marlaslunch.boonli.com (bookmark this page) 1. Click on Create an Account 2. Click on New to Boonli and enter One-Time School Password: LE427 (case sensitive) ○ IMPORTANT NOTE: Please enter YOUR information for the account registration and enter the STUDENT information for the profile(s) PAYMENT INFORMATION: The program accepts payment by Debit Card or Credit Card: Visa, MasterCard & Discover and ACH/ECheck Program ● QUESTIONS: email marlaslunchinfo@gmail.com or call 224.269.0068 ● TECHNICAL SUPPORT (help navigating the site): email support@boonli.com or call 800.381.6511
Veterans Day Assembly
Veteran's Day Assembly: November 10th at 10AM
Every year one of our D101 schools hosts a Veteran's Day Assembly in honor of those who have served. I'm excited to share that this year is Laidlaw's turn. We are honored to have the opportunity for our students to show appreciation to our Veterans. The theme of this year's assembly is: Home of the Free, Because of the Brave. Beginning next Monday, we'll be kicking this event off with our students in a variety of ways:
1). Whole school announcement about the assembly and an overview of what Veteran's Day is and why we take time to remember these heroes.
2). Students will complete a project in their technology class (with either Mrs. Swanson or Mrs. Freer) and will utilize creative digital programs to answer to the question: What does bravery mean to me? Their work (and answers to that question) will be weaved into the assembly on November 10th.
3). In art, all students will learn about the red poppy flower and how it came to be a symbol of remembrance on Veterans Day. Each grade level will complete a red poppy flower project in art class and projects will be presented to Veterans at the assembly.
4). In music, our 4th and 5th grade students will learn and prepare a Patriotic song to perform at the assembly.
We look forward to gathering together as a whole school along with representatives from Forest Hills, Field Park, and McClure and our Veteran guests at the assembly on November 10th to celebrate together.
How can YOU get involved?
1. If you are a Veteran yourself OR have a family member, neighbor, or close friend who is a Veteran, we would love to honor them on November 10th by inviting them to attend. Please share THIS RSVP to attend link with Veterans to attend (details within). Alternatively, interested honorees can email me at repstein@d101.org to RSVP as well.
2. I am seeking out parent volunteers who would be interested in helping me decorate our Laidlaw gym for this event on Thursday, November 9th from 3:30PM-5:00PM. All supplies will be provided. I just need a few extra hands. If you are available to help me with this, please signup HERE.
3. I am seeking out parent volunteers who would be interested in helping with the Veterans Day Breakfast (which is from 9:00-10:00AM) immediately proceeding the Veterans Day Assembly. The breakfast is a small gathering of student representatives and the Veteran honorees. It is held at Laidlaw. All breakfast items are provided. We just need hands to help. Please click HERE if you are interested in helping with the breakfast.
*Please note, due to space constraints, the assembly is limited to the following: Laidlaw staff & students, the student representatives from other D101 schools, Veteran honorees (and one guest each) and parents who volunteer for the event in one of the ways above.
Club Amigos
CLUB AMIGOS is an extracurricular club for fourth and fifth graders. Club Amigos is a great way for your child to continue to learn about Hispanic Culture. We meet during the recess portion of lunch* and each club meeting has a different activity. Some activities we have done in the past include making piñatas, learning the Samba, Navidad ornaments, día de los muertos máscaras, y más! Your child can attend any or all of the Club Amigos meetings. We usually meet about once a month during the school year. The Club Amigos dates for Laidlaw are as follows (all Tuesdays):
October 24
November 14
December 12
January 23 (5th graders only)
March 12
April 16
May 14
*Since our meetings are during lunch recess, students do not need parent permission since they are at school during the lunch hour. If the student usually goes home for lunch, then he/she will need to make sure they pack a lunch and sign up to stay that day.
If you have any questions, please email your child's Spanish teacher at awilkin@d101.org , kdavey@d101.org, or jelder@d101.org .
¡Gracias!
The Spanish Team
Señorita Wilkin, Señora Davey, & Señora Elder
Sticky Fingers Cooking Class- WINTER
Please click here if you are interested in signing up for the winter session of Sticky Fingers.
Art Enrichment Class: WINTER
Please click here to signup for the WINTER Draw & Paint class at Laidlaw.
Right At School Opportunities
If you would like more information about the Right At School before and after care program, please see the included flyer or visit their website at https://rightatschool.com/.
2023-24 School Calendar
Please find the 2022-23 calendar HERE
Upcoming Dates
Oct 31: Halloween Parade and Class Parties (details TBD)
Nov 1: Late Arrival For Students (10AM arrival)
Nov 8: Picture re-take day and Marla's lunch (ordering info above)
November 14 - Book Fair (AM)
Book Fair w/ Loved Ones Open House (PM)
November 17 - Fun Lunch
Laidlaw PTO Information
Lou Malnati’s is donating 20% of orders placed on
Wednesday, November 1st to Laidlaw
They accept Takeout & Delivery orders (no 3rd party delivery apps) made online using the promo code GRPRSFUND23 or in store/by phone (708-246-3400) mentioning Laidlaw Elementary School.
Casino Night - November 11th (7-11 pm)
Don’t miss out on a fun night out with neighbors while supporting our school. Click here to purchase tickets before they sell out!
Book Fair/Loved Ones Open House - November 14th
Students can shop during the day with their class, after school with a guardian and NEW THIS YEAR, during the Loved Ones Open House at night. Click here for more details!
Fun Lunch - November 17th - Volunteers still needed in Hornbeck, Roth and Moody!
The next PTO Fun Lunch will feature entertainment by the famous Jesse White Tumblers and pizza for all students. Two volunteers/classroom are needed. Click here to volunteer!
Word From WSFEE
Stop by the Western Springs Park District Halloween Bash this weekend at Spring Rock Park. WSFEE is an event sponsor and board members will be on hand to judge the costume contest and answer any questions. As always, remember to visit wsfee.org or follow WSFEE on Facebook or Instagram (@wsfee_d101) to hear about events, donations and sponsorship opportunities throughout the year.
Western Springs Community Happenings
Please click here for a list of Western Springs community happenings including:
-Library Night