In The Laidlaw Loop
Family Update- September 8, 2023
Students In Action
It brought me such joy this week to see all of the work our staff and students put into Camp Leopard Session 1 pay off in such fruitful ways. I'm seeing the students walk with zero voice levels in the hallways. I'm watching them stay in a single file line and over to one side of the hallway to let others pass. And, most importantly, I'm witnessing students being respectful to their peers and the adults at Laidlaw. I've been very impressed. The Laidlaw Loots were flying this week!
Speaking of Laidlaw Loot: our September LL Loot prize is a whole school reward and students are depositing their loots into one of three boxes (depending on which one they want to win): 1) All school PJ day; 2). All School Extra Recess; 3) All School Hat or Crazy Hair Day. Students may use their loots to vote through Wednesday, September 27th. The winning reward will be announced on September 28th and the reward day will follow shortly after.
Finally, I really enjoyed pushing into 4th grade Math Blocks this week to see iReady in action in 4W, 4P and 4R. The students were engaged in academic conversations around deeper mathematical questions and utilized math manipulatives to help them "show" their thinking.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.
Warmly,
Renee
MAP testing begins next week
Students in grades 2-5 will be taking the NWEA MAP test beginning next Monday, September 11th. Please visit this link for helpful information regarding the purpose and use of the MAP test within our school setting. All grades will be testing in their classroom Reading and Math blocks. Here is the schedule for testing next week:
2nd Grade Reading: 9/11 from 9-10AM
2nd Grade Math: 9/15 from 9:00-10:30AM
3rd Grade Reading: 9/11 from 10:40-11:40AM
3rd Grade Math: 9/12 from 9:00-10:00AM
4th Grade Reading: 9/12 from 12:45-1:45PM
4th Grade Math: 9/14 from 10:25-11:25AM
5th Grade Reading: 9/12 from 10:00-11:00AM
5th Grade Math: 9/14 from 12:45PM-1:45PM
Student Ownership Attribute: Principal Classroom Push-Ins
Our September Student Ownership Attributes are Resilient and Perseverant. One area of focus this year is to help our students rebuild their individual and collective stamina, and we thought the topic of stamina would pair nicely with these attributes.
Our D101 definition is: Able to continue a task, in spite of being presented with difficulties or limited progress, & recover quickly from setbacks. It's a great way for us to practice using our growth mindsets and keep going when we don't succeed the first time (or second, third and so on!).
Some of the components we'll discuss at the various grade levels are:
Resilient people never give up! They keep looking for a solution, and keep on trying, even when it’s tough.
Resilient people work hard to find the next step, to look at the bright side, and to focus on how they can get better.
Resilient people like to take on a challenge and do hard things.
In order to reinforce these messages, we're utilizing the following books at each grade level:
Kindergarten: Pete the Cat, by Erin Litwin
1st Grade: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, by Patty Lovell
2nd Grade: After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again), by Dan Santat
3rd Grade: Otis, by Loren Long
4th Grade: Rosie Revere, Engineer, by Andrea Beaty
5th Grade: Nothing Stopped Sophie, by Cheryl Bardoe
We're excited to be diving back into our Student Ownership attributes and helping our students grow in these traits!
Does your student go home for lunch?
If your student goes home for lunch, Mrs. Dolan wants to remind you of the following:
1. Your student may not return back to Laidlaw any earlier than 12:25PM
2. When they exit & return:
1st Grade- Students exit out the main doors (Door 1) and return through the main doors at 12:25 PM
2nd and 3rd Grade - Dismiss at the West Gym Doors onto the blacktop, and arrive at the blacktop at 12:25 PM entering with their classes ( 2nd grade doors / Door 6)
4th Grade and 5th Grade- Dismiss out the South Doors (5th Grade Doors / Door 2) and arrive on the blacktop at 12:25 PM entering through Kindergarten Doors ( Door 3). Students will not enter the gym while lunch is taking place.
Please have students exit and enter through their assigned door. Students who arrive back to school prior to 12:25 must remain outside on the blacktop or at the front door (1st grade) until 12:25PM.
Band and Orchestra
Did you miss Band and Orchestra sign up? Is your 4th grader still interested in joining... well, it's not too late! Please contact one of our directors for more information.
Dawn Fiebrandt, Band Director
708-485-2495
OR
Hannah Andrews, Orchestra Director
708-485-2543
Join Sticky Fingers Cooking Enrichment
If you are interested in joining the Sticky Fingers Cooking Enrichment club, please click here.
Join Chess Wizards
Join Art Enrichment
If you are interested in joining art enrichment on Thursdays, click here
Interested in Cubs Scouts?
Are you interested in Cub Scouts? Please click here for info.
Smart Watch Use
Smart Watch Procedure:
We know that many of our students come to school with gadgets, including phones and Smart Watches. While these are helpful tools for communication outside of school, within the school day we expect our students to remain focused on learning. Smart Watches are allowed at school, but can only be used in their non-interactive capacity as a simple clock.
To ensure that our learning environment is Respectful, Responsible, and Safe for all students, we do not allow Smart Watch use in the building or on the grounds between 8:30am line-up and 3:30pm dismissal (except for use as a clock/timer); this mirrors our expectations for cell phone use. Again, students may wear a Smart Watch, but it is to be on school mode or not in use during the day (other than for telling time).
We know that many students use their Smart Watches to communicate a need home to their parents/guardians; instead, we emphasize with our students the need to communicate via the trusted adults on site to help them navigate situations with peers, health issues, or other concerns. We also note that when devices are used in school, it is often a parent who is the one calling or texting their child; please don’t be that person. Should you need to reach your child, please contact the main office to help us emphasize the value of connecting with our trusted adults.
If a student is observed using their Smart Watch at school other than as a simple watch, we will take the following progressive steps:
For a first instance, the staff member will remind the student that devices are not to be used at school.
For a second instance, the staff member will ask the student to put the device in their backpack/locker.
For a third instance, the staff member will take the device to the office for the duration of the day; parents will be contacted for device pick-up and to problem-solve as partners to eliminate usage at school.
Thank you for helping keep our focus on learning!
Service Opportunity
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
Curriculum Night: 8/31: 6PM-7:30PM
Labor Day (no school): 9/4
Spirit Day: 9/5
LL Walk to School Day: 9/15
Map Testing Begins: week of 9/18 for 2nd through 5th graders
Picture Day: 9/26
Fun Lunch: 9/29
Family Fun Run 9/30
Laidlaw PTO Information
Charleston Wrap fundraiser starts TODAY, click below for more information!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YUsa3pxyOWmsA_gnR55pnv1K_ZzQssWD/view
Register today for the Laidlaw 5K and Fun Runs
https://raceroster.com/events/2023/77339/laidlaw-elementary-school-5k-and-fun-runs
Limited Time Spirit Wear Sale ends TODAY, September 8th - Order Now!
Upcoming Events:
Friday, 9/15 - PTO Walk to School Day
Friday, 9/29 - Fun Lunch
Saturday, 9/30 - PTO Laidlaw Family 5k & Fun Run
Saturday, 11/11 - Casino Night
LT Football Game Guidelines-FYI
Paint The Tower Event
Info on WS Paint The Tower Event.
Indian Guides Event
Centennial Celebration at Spring Rock Park
Click here for info on this event.