In The Laidlaw Loop
Family Update- August 25, 2023
High Fives For A Fabulous Start
There was a contagious energy in the air these last few days--both from our Laidlaw staff & our students. Despite the heatwave on Wednesday & Thursday, our students did an excellent job pivoting to an indoor recess schedule. It has been wonderful having the halls and classrooms filled again!
I look forward to meeting & seeing all of our parents/guardians at next Thursday's Curriculum Night, held here at Laidlaw. Curriculum Night is an adults only event. Details are contained below.
I hope to see all of you today at the ice cream social, which begins at 5:00PM at Laidlaw Park.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Renee
Arrival & Dismissal Reminder: No Pets
A HUGE shoutout for the smooth arrival and dismissal times these first few days. Even with some of the changes, I'm grateful for everyone's cooperation. One Reminder: PETS of any kind are not allowed on school grounds at arrival and dismissal. If you have a pet, please keep them on sidewalks away from our students. Thank you for your cooperation.
Camp Leopard
Mrs. Dolan & Mrs. Epstein are excited to bring Camp Leopard to our Laidlaw students this year. We are committed to ensuring all of our students are able to display The Laidlaw Way (being safe, responsible, and respectful).
Mrs. Epstein & Mrs. Dolan kicked off Camp Leopard on Thursday. They are meeting with every class during the class's first rotation into PE class. At the first Camp Leopard, Mrs. Epstein and Mrs. Dolan are going over/practicing the following:
-An introduction/reminder of what "The Laidlaw Way" means & why it is important
-A review over how to line up quietly into number order and practice walking in the hallway with a voice level zero
-A review over how their grade level enters the gym for lunch and another practice of lunchroom procedures
-A review of how we dismiss from lunch
-An review/introduction to Laidlaw Loots and how they can be earned for displaying The Laidlaw Way
Our second Camp Leopard meeting will occur mid September. Mrs. Dolan will push into all classrooms to continue Camp Leopard then.
2023 Curriculum Night Schedule
Please click here for a detailed schedule of Curriculum Night
Band and Orchestra
If your child is interested in joining the 4th grade Band or Orchestra, please be sure to read the email sent out by Dawn Fiebrandt on Thursday, Aug. 24. Please contact Dawn Fiebrandt with any questions.
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.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures- copied from last week
Please view the arrival and dismissal details below We do have one major change this year: Maple Ave (between Forest and Hampton) will be closed to traffic at arrival and dismissal times. Closing Maple Ave. during arrival and dismissal will allow for a much safer experience for our students and the supervisors who work at the corners at arrival and dismissal.
Bell Schedule
Bell Schedule
Nothing has changed from last year regarding the bell schedule.
Regular School Hours
8:40 – 11:40 a.m. and 12:30 – 3:30 p.m: Grades 1-5
8:40 – 11:40 a.m :Kindergarten (A.M.)
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Kindergarten (P.M.)
Bell Schedule
8:30 a.m.: Bell to line up
8:35 a.m.: Bell to enter school
8:40 a.m.: Tardy Bell
11:40 a.m.:Morning Dismissal Bell/Lunch Bell
12:25 p.m.:Bell to line up and enter school/End of Lunch
12:30 p.m.:Tardy Bell
3:30 p.m.:Afternoon Dismissal Bell
Message from Mrs. Dolan Regarding Lunchtime
We are so excited to resume lunch in the same fashion that we did last year. Students who choose to stay at Laidlaw for lunch will eat between 11:40 am-12:25 pm; part of this time will be spent eating in the gym, and part will be spent playing during lunch recess. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders will eat first; 4th and 5th will eat second. Families have the choice to have their student(s) come home for lunch (11:40 am-12:25 pm). Students who go home for lunch may not return to school until 12:25 pm. Please CLICK HERE to complete a quick Google Form to let us know your lunch plans. This form will not “lock” you into a permanent choice, as we understand plans may change, but it does give us a starting point for developing accurate lunch attendance records. The safety of your children is always our highest priority. To ensure safety, it is important that there are minimal changes to the lunch schedule once it is set moving forward. Please complete this form ASAP.
Students in grades 1-4 will be sitting by classroom tables at lunch to start the year. 5th graders will have assigned seats at lunch to begin the year. This ensures that we can take some time to make sure all students know the lunchroom expectations and are able to follow them so that we have a safe experience for all students during our busy lunchtime process.
Additionally, are you interested in volunteering for recess duty this year? We greatly appreciate the help. If so please click here.
11:40:
Grades 1, 2 & 3 eat in the gym
Grades 4 & 5 outside for recess
12:05:
Grades 1, 2, & 3 outside for recess
Grades 4 & 5 eat in the gym
Questions about lunch? Please email our Dean of Students, Carrie Dolan at cdolan@d101.org
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!
Medication Drop Off
If your child will need any medication administered at school, please feel free to drop it off anytime during school hours on Monday, August 21, Tuesday, August 22 or during school hours, beginning Wednesday, August 23. We do need a doctor’s order to administer medication at school. If you have any questions about medication drop-off, please contact Amber Knoll, our Laidlaw school nurse. Laidlaw will NOT be hosting a medication and forms drop off event this year prior to the school year starting.
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
Ice Cream Social - TODAY, 5-6:30pm
Laidlaw families are invited to attend this fun event with the beloved cake walk, bounce houses, games, music, pizza & hot dogs for purchase and of course, ice cream!
Limited Time Spirit Wear Sale - now thru 9/8
Click here for NEW Laidlaw Spirit Wear options!
And, please add these into your Upcoming Events section:
Friday, 9/15 - PTO Walk to School Day
Saturday, 9/30 - PTO Laidlaw Family 5k & Fun Run (Registration opens soon!)