In The Laidlaw Loop
Weekly Newsletter: November 18, 2022
Dear Laidlaw Families,
Where do I begin? This was a FUN & Busy Week! I'll review some of the highlights:
My monthly book attribute push-in continued this week. Our theme for November is Collaboration. I've had such rich conversations with our students about the value of teamwork and honest testimonials about the benefit to working in a group and sometimes the strategies we need to employ when a group setting is hard. To put our own collaboration skills to the test, students in grades 2-5 also participated in an indoor classroom scavenger hunt and I put some twists on the competition to hone in on those group working skills.
Yesterday was our Laidlaw Loot reward day! All classrooms spent some time enjoying board games and card games together as part of our year long Laidlaw Loot positive behavior reward system.
Today was our first classroom buddy day. All grades K-5 are paired with another grade and students have a classroom "big/little" buddy. Today's project focused on service learning. After students got to know one another a bit better, they created Thanksgiving cards for residents of a local nursing home.
As we move into one of the most beautiful few months of the year (well, not the weather---but the spirit of the season!), I would like to take a moment to THANK YOU all for making my first few months at Laidlaw such a wonderful experience. I'm eternally grateful for the students, staff & families I get to work with every single day.
The Laidlaw Way Reflection Forms
There are separate reflection sheets for Kinder, 1st-2nd, and 3rd-5th grade. Each version of the reflection sheet offers students the opportunity to identify what happened, how that incident made them feel, and how other people in the situation (if applicable) may have felt as a result of it. Additionally, it gives them a chance to reflect on how they might fix the situation or an action they may take to prevent it in the future.
Additionally, there is both a student signature and parent signature line. The reflection sheet will be sent home for a parent to discuss with their child, sign, and return back to school. In most cases, you will likely receive a follow up email or phone call from the staff member who assigned the reflection sheet to provide additional context to the situation. If you don't hear from the staff member directly and you have additional questions about any reflection sheets that come home, please feel free to contact the staff member by phone or email to learn more.
We see these Laidlaw reflection sheets on a learning and growing opportunity for students to think about how they can be the very best Laidlaw student that they can be in the areas of being safe, respectful and responsible. Thank you for your support with these on the home front should one make it home to you.
Chess Wizards Winter Signup
2nd Sticky Finger Class Added
Parent Teacher Conferences 2022 Details
WSFEE UPDATE
Happy Thanksgiving! The WSFEE Board is thankful to partner with our amazing teachers, parents, and staff to enhance the education of D101 students. Visit wsfee.org or follow WSFEE on Facebook or Instagram (@wsfee_d101) to hear about events, sponsorship, and donation opportunities.
Winter Holiday Concert
Notes of Appreciation for Teachers
Gingerbread House Decorating Night- Dec 15th 6:00-8:00PM
Lunch Volunteers Needed
Laidlaw is looking for recess volunteers to support at lunch. As we did last year, we will be setting up a weekly schedule and pairing parent volunteers with grade levels during recess. The time commitment is 11:40-12:25, and we are looking for a weekly commitment (for example every Tuesday, or every Monday/Friday). One option that worked well last year for some parents was to split a day with another parent. Volunteering in our lunch room is a fantastic way to connect with the school community. Please contact Emily Haight (ehaight@d101.org.) if you are interested!
Right At School (Before & After School Care)
Elementary School Handbook
Important Dates
Thursday, November 23-25: Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, December 5: Spirit Day
Wednesday, December 14th: Late Arrival (10AM)
Thursday, December 15th: Holiday Concerts (9:30am/1:30pm)
Thursday, December 15th: Gingerbread House Decorating Night