Welcome Back to Lander Elementary!
2017-2018 School Year
Dear Lander Elementary Families,
As Principal of Lander Elementary School, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2017-2018 school year, it is my fourth year as Principal of Lander and sixth year as a Mayfield Wildcat. We are very excited to have your children back in our classrooms. It is our mission to ensure that all students enjoy coming to school and learn in a positive school environment and we look forward to partnering with you to achieve this goal.
It is an exciting time of year and everyone wants to know what homeroom their child will be in. This information will be in Infinite Campus beginning Monday August 7th. You must complete your annual update in order to access this information. Kindergarten parents will be receiving specific information about the screening and we have recently added a brand new 1st and 2nd grade teacher, so those class lists may be changing and unavailable when you log-in Monday, but should be completed by the end of the day on Monday.
Morning Meetings
As we embark on the new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we accomplished last year. Last year we continued our use of Responsive Classroom practices which included adding a morning meeting each day with each grade level. During the morning meeting, the students get the chance to greet each other and share things about themselves. This important morning time, which will continue again this year, meets students' needs for belonging, significance, and fun; provides students with an opportunity to practice social and emotional skills; and prepares students for learning each day. We believe that a high-quality education for every child is built on the foundation of a safe and joyful learning community.
Academic Gains
We’ve also made progress in our quest to ensure students have the foundation they need for success throughout their educational careers. We have seen gains in our student achievement scores in the area of reading, early literacy and gifted students. Our achievement scores this past year at the highest level that they have ever been. Success in High School and beyond, very much begins with a solid foundation in elementary school and we are proud to provide that for our students.
Facility Improvements
Playground upgrades were finished last school year and the students very much enjoyed the expanded play spaces. This year you will notice new LED lighting in the gym which will result in a 10-15% energy reduction and savings, they will pay for themselves in approximately 5 years! We have also painted and installed new mats in the gym, updated paint in all hallways. A complete facelift of the Lander Road door and replacement windows is being completed. There is also work being done on areas of the back playground in order to address drainage issues.
Parent-Teacher Group
We are proud of the relationships that we have with families and parents. Last year, in collaboration with our Parent Teacher Group, we held our first Fall Walk-a-thon and our second Spring Read-a-thon, a portion of these funds have gone directly to installing new hoops in our gymnasium and supporting activities for our students. We will continue partnering with our PTG to provide activities that engage our students and raise funds to support their learning. We will be holding a Walk-a-thon this Fall and another Read-a-thon in the Winter, more details will be coming about these events.
Makerspace
Our Makerspace was revealed in October, this space gives students the opportunities to engage in STEM activities and incorporate some of the latest technology in problem based learning. Our Makerspace was the feature of a recent published article and we have had requests from school districts across our area to tour and learn about the options that we provide. We are grateful for the support of our PTG and local businesses such as Big Lots, Walmart, and Target who have all donated funds to support the Makerspace lab for our students.
Important Dates
As we start this school year, there are a few dates and events that you will want to mark on your calendars:
August 7th – class assignments will be posted in Infinite Campus
August 14th – class lists will be posted on our back playground windows. Join us from 3:00-4:00 to meet your child’s teacher and drop-off school supplies in the classrooms. From 4:00-6:00, our PTG will be sponsoring an Ice Cream Social, this will be a time to meet new families and reconnect after a summer away. Join the PTG!!
August 15th – First full day of school for students in grades 1st-5th
August 15th – 17th – Kindergarten Phase-In, information will be sent separately
August 17th – at 5:00pm Kindergarten Orientation
August 18th – First full day for Kindergarten students
August 25th – School Picture Day – ordering will be available online and information will be sent home with students
August 30th – at 7:00pm First Parent-Teacher Group (PTG) Meeting in the Media Center
August 31st – Parent Orientation 6:15-7:00pm for grades 1st, 2nd, 3rd
August 31st – Parent Orientation 7:15-8:00pm for grades 4th and 5th
Important Websites:
School Website: Lander Elementary
Info for Parents: Summer Central (don't forget to complete your OLR in Infinite Campus, must be done each year)
School Lunch Information: Food Services
Bus Information: AM and PM Busses and Transportation form for alternate address
School Supply Lists: Grades Kindergarten-5th
Lander Social Media: Facebook and Twitter
Detailed School Information: Welcome Packet
Mayfield City Schools App: Visit the App Store for Android or Apple
Join our Lander Parent-Teacher Group
Our Lander Parent-Teacher group works closely to support the school from activities, to classrooms parties, to Mini-Grants our PTG helps to make a great experience for our students! All PTG members get a copy of the school directory which has contact information for all of the students in the school, which is very helpful in planning for birthdays and play dates!
Meet the Teacher and Ice Cream Social Flyer
If you do NOT want your information included in the PTG Directory, click here
Stay in Touch!
Our families and other community members play a critical role in meeting the needs of all students as partners in supporting both your children at home and our work in the schools. We hope that you will join us in making this year awesome! We pride ourselves on communication, there are several ways to stay in touch with us, please utilize our website and social media pages. Also, if there is anything you need, please call our main office at (440)995-7350 or you can email me directly at fevans@mayfieldschools.org
Respectfully,
Felecia Evans
Principal
Lander Elementary School
Email: fevans@mayfieldschools.org
Website: http://www.mayfieldschools.org/landerelementary_home.aspx
Location: 1714 Lander Road, Mayfield Heights, OH, United States
Phone: 440-995-7350
Facebook: facebook.com/LanderSchool
Twitter: @LanderElem