In The Laidlaw Loop
Family Update- February 23, 2024
Mrs. Dolan and I have had such a wonderful time pushing into classrooms to reflect back on our All Abilities Fair event earlier this month. February's student ownership attribute (showing empathy) has been the perfect springboard for those discussions. February is a special month in D101 for many reasons and we are grateful that we get to engage in these meaningful empathy & kindness discussions with our students.
Today was a special day here as we welcomed our 3rd grade families to the "World's Fair" project exhibition. This is a time honored Laidlaw tradition for our 3rd grade students. As the culmination of a research project, students make homemade models of famous Chicago landmarks. I was so impressed by the collection of work this year.
Finally, I wanted to give a HUGE congratulations to the three finalists who represented Laidlaw at the regional Science Expo today at Brookfield Zoo: Elise Schaefer, Maggie Stroka and Stella Ippolite.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Renee
Laidlaw Art Fair: I Wonder
Announcing “I Wonder…” 2024 Laidlaw Art Fair, Tuesday March 12 @ 6:30pm-7:45pm. The art fair includes student art exhibit and up-cycled toy-making craft stations (exhibition is not mandatory). Family and friends welcome! We are looking for volunteers for art supplies, art mounting and station volunteers at the event. Please reach out to jillmvanh@gmail.com or kelleyquinnclark@gmail.com for more details.
Artwork submissions can be dropped off artwork to Kelley Clark @ 4073 Garden Ave. by March 1. Bin on porch. Please fill out your registration form linked here. This helps us identify who belongs to what.
WSFEE Awards Sensory Grant to Laidlaw
Laidlaw's staff and students are BEYOND GRATEFUL to WSFEE for awarding an incredibly generous sensory space grant to our school. Curious about what a sensory room, hallway is and how it is impactful to student learning? Check out this student-led video here (by some of Laidlaw's very own awesome 5th graders) to learn more about the grant and the items that we purchased with it.
5 Essentials Survey
Dear Laidlaw Families,
Teachers, parents, and students across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey: Organizing Schools for Improvement. This survey was designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about Laidlaw.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago, on behalf of the Illinois School Board of Education. This survey identifies five indicators that can lead to important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. The five indicators that effect school success are:
* Effective Leaders *Collaborative Teachers
* Involved Families *Supportive Environments
* Ambitious Instruction
Research has shown that schools strong on these indicators, the “5Essentials” are 10 times more likely to improve student learning.
Your participation in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will help us understand the conditions at Laidlaw and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be conducted now through March 29 . To access the survey, please visit: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
D101 Book Drive
D101's Book Drive is Coming! Please support D101's book drive benefiting Open Books, a literacy non-profit providing book access and literacy programs to children and families in Chicago.
Collection boxes will be in the Laidlaw entrances the week of March 4th - March 8th. You can donate any book in good condition; they are especially in need of children's books and books in Spanish.
Laidlaw Loot All School Reward: Jan/Feb
And the winner is in! Our Jan/Feb whole school award is:
Build a fort and bring a flashlight day
Classroom teachers will be holding this in their classrooms in the next week. Stay tuned for details from classroom teachers.
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 2023-24 calendar HERE
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, February 27: Band Concert (7PM- McClure)
Thursday, February 29: Orchestra Concert (7PM- McClure)
Saturday, March 2nd: Spelling Bee (9AM at Laidlaw)
Tuesday, March 5: Spirit Day
Laidlaw PTO Information
Spelling BEE - March 2nd
The Laidlaw Spelling Bee is back for another un-BEE-lievable year!! Students will have the chance to participate in their grade level spelling bee and test their skills in a fun, yet supportive environment. The bee is open to students in grades 1-5 and each grade will be in separate classrooms occurring simultaneously. Parents are welcome to quietly move from class to class if you have multiple spellers. A printed word list will go home with your student this week. Register HERE by Tuesday, Feb 27th! Volunteer HERE (volunteers needed in 4th and 5th grade)
D101's Book Drive - March 4-8
Please support D101's book drive benefiting Open Books, a literacy non-profit providing book access and literacy programs to children and families in Chicago. Collection boxes will be in the Laidlaw entrances the week of March 4th - March 8th. You can donate any book in good condition; they are especially in need of children's books and books in Spanish.
Announcing “I Wonder…” 2024 Laidlaw Art Fair, Tuesday March 12 @ 6:30pm-7:45pm.
The art fair includes student art exhibit and up-cycled toy-making craft stations (exhibition is not mandatory). Family and friends welcome! We are looking for volunteers for art supplies, art mounting and station volunteers at the event. Please reach out to jillmvanh@gmail.com or kelleyquinnclark@gmail.com for more details.
Artwork submissions can be dropped off artwork to Kelley Clark @ 4073 Garden Ave. by March 1. Bin on porch. Please fill out your registration form linked here. This helps us identify who belongs to what.
March 14th is Laidlaw’s St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser
Help us reach our school goal of $15,000. If you are new to this annual tradition please consider having your child join in either as a Shavee or supporting a friend meet their fundraising goal. Click HERE for more info!
Save the Date! Off the Street Club (OTSC) Circle of Friendship Party
April 27th from 12:30-3:30 PM at The Corral at LT South. Participant and volunteer sign-up coming soon!
Upcoming PTO Events
Saturday, March 2 - Spelling Bee, 9-10 AM
Week of March 4th - D101 Book Drive
Tuesday, March 12 - Art Fair, 6:30-7:45 PM
Thursday, March 14 - St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser
Word From WSFEE
Don't miss out! Tickets for Casino Night go on sale February 27th @ 9:00am CST. This is going to be the event of the spring! Tickets will be available to purchase on wsfee.org. WSFEE is thankful to everyone for their support & generosity to help in funding necessary grants providing brighter futures for our @d101 community.
Western Springs Community Happenings
Please click here for a list of Western Springs community happenings including:
-Music Makers Spring Signup