In The Laidlaw Loop
Weekly Newsletter: September 6, 2022
Dear Laidlaw Families,
We made it through our first full week as a Laidlaw community! It feels like we are all really settling in now (students, staff & parents!). It always feels nice to return to routine after a fun-filled summer. I continue to be so impressed with our students! I spent time this past week in 4th grade, 3rd grade, and 2nd grade classrooms. Our staff is so dedicated to ensuring your students are building community with one another while setting into the expectations & routines of the classroom. I loved being part of some classrooms' morning meetings. A highlight for me was playing "Fidget Family" with Mrs. Roth's 4th grade class! I even had a part in the story and the students got to see me "mess up" when I didn't stand at the right time like I was supposed to. It was a great activity that strengthens our listening skills (apparently I need more practice myself) :-). Additionally, I got to see one of our new SEL lessons in action in Mrs. Dodoer's 2nd grade room. Students brainstormed what their "hopes and dreams" are for this school year and published them on classroom posters.
Thank you to all the PTO volunteers who worked so hard to make the ice cream social last Friday a success. It was such a well organized and well attended event! I brought my own daughter to it and she told me after that it was "better than just ice cream!" And, I couldn't agree with her more. Laidlaw's supportive community contributes greatly to why this is such a great place to learn!
In this week's In The Loop, please make sure to read about the following:
*Curriculum Night Schedule (Tuesday, September 6 from 6:00-7:30PM)
*Update on Gizmos/Apple Watches for Students
*Lunchroom Procedures
*Laidlaw's First (Annual) Family Fun Run
*Bike Rack Update
*Cub Scouts Signup
*and more!
Curriculum Night: Tuesday, September 6, 6:00PM-7:30PM
Gizmos and Smart Watches Update
I purchased my daughter her first Gizmo last weekend. She's in 3rd grade and we BOTH are appreciating the conveniences of being able to communicate with another more easily. I share this tid bit with you because I know first hand the value that Gizmos/Apple Watches provide from the parent lens. As an educator though, I also understand the distraction that they can cause some students when used during the school day. I wanted to take a moment to review with you a few smart watch related reminders.
Gizmo/smart watches can be used as communication tools for before and after school; however, students are not allowed to use their watches to communicate during the school day. We have the same expectations and communicate with our students about Smart Watches just as we do for cell phones; if you wouldn't use your cell phone in class, in the hallway, or on the playground - do not use the call/text functions of your Smart Watch!
Please help us foster strong communication and self-advocacy skills in our kids as we ask them to address concerns during the school day with their teacher, the nurse, or our office staff. We find that many students attempt to use their Smart Watches to communicate with parents during the day; any requests for lunch drop-off, illness pick-ups, forgotten materials, etc. need to be handled through our main office.
Additionally, we ask that you partner with us by choosing not to initiate contact with your child via their Smart Watch during the school day; please funnel all communications through our main office, so that we can ensure that messages are received properly by all involved and that our teachers, nurses, and staff are aware of any important issues or changes for your child. Please remember that Smart Watches are only allowed as time keeping devices during school hours; when you contact your child during the school day, you are placing them in the situation of deciding between following our school rules and connecting with you.
Thank you for your partnership and support in this realm.
Lunch Update
Another "first" after two years at Laidlaw is a normal lunch period! There are several staff members who work lunch in order to ensure a safe, smooth, and positive experience for our students at lunch, including Carrie Dolan, our dedicated lunch coordinator. I, too, am personally in the lunch room with the students most days as well as Mrs. Haight.
The lunch period this school year is shorter than last school year (by 10 minutes) So, students are getting used to a little less time to eat and play. However, even with all the new protocols we have in place to ensure student safety at lunch, students in each half of lunch still have at least 18-20 minutes seated at their tables with dedicated time to eat. There are about 5-6 minutes total of procedures to both enter and exit lunch (these procedures are important and necessary to keep kids safe as they get to their tables). There are a lot of students at lunch and our number one priority is that they are safely entering and exiting lunch while also providing them plenty of time to eat their food and nourish those bellies.
It is taking some time for students to get used to it our lunchroom procedures. However, every single day it gets quicker, smoother, and more efficient. I am confident this will continue as we move into our 2nd full week of school next week. It will be a well oiled machine before we know it.
I will close by saying that many students are spending a lot of time socializing at lunch (which is great!); however, gentle reminders at home that eating while in the lunchroom is the priority and and heavy socializing might be best saved for their time on the playground/blacktop are always encouraged. I will be reminding students about this myself during lunch today myself. Thank you for your partnership in providing these reminders to students.
Laidlaw Family Fun Run Oct 1
Attention all runners, walkers and Leopards in training! Save the Date:
On Saturday, October 1st Laidlaw School will be hosting their first ever Family 5K and Fun Run. Events kickoff at 4PM.
This event will include a 1 mile fun run, and an official chip-timed 5K through the Leopards' home of Old Town North. Following the race we will have a Kids 100 yard dash and a post race celebration.
Stay tuned for more details and registration coming soon!
If you or a local business you are a part of would like to sponsor this event please reach out to Laidlaw PTO to get in on the fun!
Bike Rack Reminder
Enrichment Update
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!
Arrival & Dismissal
Please review the map attached below that outlines the procedures for drop off in the morning and pick up in the afternoon. It is important that even on the first day of school, everyone abides by these expectations. Thank you in advance for helping arrival/dismissal run smoothly.
Just a reminder that the bell to line up for school rings at 8:30am, with students entering the building at 8:35am. Staff supervision will not begin until 8:25am, so please be mindful of this as you drop children at school or they walk to school on their own. When students arrive at school, they should report directly to their designated doors and line-up. They should not play at the park, unless it is before 8:25am and they are with a parent or caregiver. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and in making sure everyone’s day starts out safely!
Right At School (Before & After School Care)
Cub Scouts Signup
Indian Guide Information
Music Makers
Please feel free to contact Music Makers of Western Springs if you would like to learn more about our programs. We can be reached via text/phone at 708-246-8222 or email . You can also visit us via the following platforms:
Music Makers of WS: www.musicmakerstudio.com
Music Makers Theatre: www.musicmakerstheatre.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicMakersWS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicmakersofwesternsprings
Elementary School Handbook
Important Dates
Tuesday, September 6: Laidlaw Spirit Day for Students; (6:00-7:30PM): Curriculum Night for Parents
Monday September 12-Friday September 16: MAP testing for Grades 2-5
Thursday, September 22: Picture Day