In The Laidlaw Loop
Family Update- October 6, 2023
Last Saturday's Family Fun Run was an absolute blast. Not only was the weather sublime, but so many families came out to cheer one another on and to run as a family. Shoutout to our amazing PTO volunteers who made the event possible! And, congratulations to our students, parents, and Laidlaw alumni who placed in the top 10 for both events:
One Mile Fun Run
Elise Roussel
Greyson Kuta
Michael Kuta
Josh DeProsperis
Quentin Arendt
Landon Schierle
Elle Tyrrell
Nora Schierle
Ben Gelbuda
Will Rohe
5K
Drew Gibbons
Andrew Gamboa
James Rydberg
Ben DeProsperis
Kate DeProsperis
Jack Gilbert
Gavin White
James Doty
Finn McNaughton
Bruno Ippolite
Enjoy the long weekend and make sure your Leopards rest up! We have MANY fun happenings coming up the next few weeks.
Warmly,
Renee
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.
Laidlaw Loot Reward: October
During the month of October, classrooms will be competing against one another (at their grade level) to see which room can earn the most Laidlaw Loots for displaying their very best Laidlaw Way. Winning classes at the end of the month will have a special class picnic during lunch with Mrs. Epstein at the very end of the month (before the weather turns!).
Notes Regarding Morning Drop Off on Hampton Ave.
Now that we are a few weeks into the school year and the weather has turned a bit, the traffic is heavier at drop off and pickup. We are committed to ensuring a smooth drop-off each morning on Hampton for our Kinder, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. A few specific notes:
1. We have ordered clear signage to create a student drop off "zone" on Hampton. After assessing the morning drop off this week, we realize that a clear student drop off zone is necessary. While we wait for the signage to arrive, there will be staff out directing traffic in the meantime.
2. Please DO NOT PARK on Hampton in front of the blacktop and get out of your car. This clogs up the car line. This should be a student drop off line. Please pull up as far as you can to the student drop off zone before letting students out of the car. Again, we will ensure there is clear signage moving forward.
3. Please be patient at drop off and at pickup as we perfect the drop-off and pickup process. We prioritized student safety by closing Maple Ave this year. We realize that has added some additional traffic to Hampton Ave and we are actively seeking out improvements for all families.
THANK YOU for your understanding and cooperation with the above.
Care Vs. Conflict Conversations
In anticipation of our Fall Climate Survey the week of October 16th, I will push into all 1st - 5th classrooms to connect our school-wide expectations (Respectful, Responsible, and Safe) to the caring community we create here at school. We will talk about the value of a safe, comfortable classroom and school community, and how we each play a part in making sure that we all belong.
We will discuss, as well, what happens when we encounter "social conflict" and work to normalize that conflict, talk through how to solve conflicts, and how to determine whether a situation/interaction is RUDE, MEAN, or BULLYING. We spend quite a bit of time unpacking these terms, as we want our students to have clear and accurate vocabulary to describe their interactions and - especially! - the challenges they will face when they encounter social conflict.
Students will follow up on these definitions and conversations when they interact with the Climate Survey -- read on below to learn more!
Climate Survey
Each Fall, we administer the District 101 Climate Survey to all students in 1st through 5th grades to gather information about student concerns and social-emotional wellbeing, and to offer a structured chance for students to share their thinking and for us to follow up with conversation and care. Please be on the lookout for the Climate Survey the week of Oct 16th:
We ask that 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders take the survey with a parent at some point throughout the week
4th and 5th graders will receive the link directly from their Mrs. Swanson and take the Climate Survey in their Tech class.
Thank you for your support and assistance as we ask our students to share their thoughts and feelings with us; we value this as a chance to check in on and with our kids.
October Student Attribute Focus: Effective Communicators
Our Student Attribute focus for October is: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS
Our D101 definition of EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS is: Effective communicators are people who can share their thoughts and feelings with others in a simple, clear way that works!
Some of the components we will discuss at the various grade levels are:
Words are powerful–choose them carefully!
“HOW” you say something is often as important as “WHAT” you say.
LISTENING is a really important part of being a good communicator!
We communicate with our bodies and our words.
Words can bring people together.
Make sure what you are communicating is TRUE.
Digital communication can be tricky–think before you “speak” (5th grade)
We'll be discussing these talking points in connection with the following grade level texts:
1st Grade: Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker… by Christianne Jones
2nd Grade: Quiet Please, Owen McPhee… by Trudy Ludwig
3rd Grade: Mr. Peabody’s Apples… by Madonna
4th Grade: Mango, Abuela and Me… by Meg Medina
5th Grade: Nerdy Birdy Tweets…by Aaron Reynolds
Although this is our collective focus for the month of October, we’ll always be practicing being EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS throughout the year, and will be using these skills as a part of our November focus–COLLABORATION! Stay tuned for more information about COLLABORATION next month!
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 11: Marla's Lunch
Oct 6: District Inservice Day (no students in attendance)
Oct 9: No School
Oct 11: Marla's Lunch (optional to order lunch-details above)
Oct 12: Bus Evacuation Drill (time TBD)
Oct 20: Fall Fitness Fundraiser
Oct 23: 9:30AM/Lockdown Drill
Oct 31: Halloween Parade and Class Parties (details TBD)
Nov 1: Late Arrival For Students (10AM arrival)
Laidlaw PTO Information
Nabizada Family Winter Clothing Drive Extended
Click here for more information.
Art Appreciation Volunteers
The Laidlaw Art Appreciation program provides a hands-on opportunity for students to learn about important artists and their works. It’s also a great chance to spend time in your child’s class. Sign-up genius links went out for each grade in this weeks PTO blast. For more information email artapplaidlaw@gmail.com.
Fall Fitness Fundraiser - Friday, October 20th
Click here for more information on pledges!
Upcoming PTO Events
Friday, October 20 - Fall Fitness Fundraiser
Saturday, November 11 - Casino Night
Tuesday, November 14 - Book Fair (AM)
Book Fair w/ Loved Ones Open House (PM)
Word From WSFEE
Western Springs Foundation for Educational Excellence (WSFEE) is already at work this year, approving our first grant to help support the newly renovated Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) classroom at McClure. We are so excited to see what students will cook up in the new space! WSFEE will also continue our partnership with D101, helping to fund the multi-year Renovation for Innovation Program. These renovations allow classroom designs to match innovative teaching and learning methods and include everything from classroom furniture to lighting upgrades. Remember to visit wsfee.org or follow WSFEE on Facebook or Instagram (@wsfee_d101) to hear about events and sponsorship opportunities throughout the year.
Western Springs Community Happenings
Please click here for a list of Western Springs community happenings, including:
-WS Fire Department Open House
-Lions Fall League