Welcome to Laurel Park
2017-2018 Opening Newsletter
Welcome from Principal Bame
Dear New and Returning Laurel Park Families,
We are busy getting school ready to reopen for the 2017-2018 school year in just a few days! Our staff is very excited to welcome all our penguins to a wonderful learning environment where we focus on each individual child's unique gifts and talents. In order to support our efforts, please review the important information in this newsletter.
On Monday, all staff members will be wearing a RED staff shirt. Please be sure to ask questions from any of our staff. We are here to help you all transition with ease! It is also very important for all families to review our 2017-2018 Student Parent Handbook:
LPES 2017-2018 Student Parent Handbook
Kind Regards,
Mrs. Raleigh G. Bame
Laurel Park Principal
"Cultivating Learning, Growing Minds"
Other important links:
Quick Track Out Reference Card 17-18
For another look at our Orientation Presentation visit:
Please review the 2017-2018 Parent Handbook:
PLEASE READ: 2017-2018 LPES Student and Parent Handbook
Please see grade level supply lists for the new school year:
2017-2018 Grade Level Supply Lists
For more information about our Specialist classes:
Specialist Information Newsletter for 2017-2018
Bus Rider Information:
To set up lunch accounts:
BRING SCHOOL SUPPLIES THE FIRST DAY.... bonus or wish list items on Curriculum Night
Plan to bring in consumable items such as pencils, folders, notebooks, glue, highlighters, markers and crayons on the first day of school.
*** Please bring items such as tissue, sanitizing wipes, ink, copy paper or other large wish list items to your child's Curriculum and Supply Drop Off event noted below:
Tracks 1,2,3:
Thursday, July 20th
5:00 - 5:30 pm - Session 1
5:30 - 5:45 pm - Break for parking lot turnover
5:45 - 6:15 pm - Session 2 (a repeat of session 1)
Track 4:
Thursday, August 10th
5:00 - 5:30 pm - Session 1
5:30 - 5:45 pm - Break for parking lot turnover
5:45 - 6:15 pm - Session 2 (a repeat of session 1)
Are you READY for our new Penguin Pledge?
As a Laurel Park Penguin, I will be:
Respectful of myself, others, and school property,
Engaged in all activities,
Accountable for my actions,
Determined to do my best all
Year-long.
Bells, Bells, Bells - Our start and end times are the SAME as last year: 9:15 AM - 3:45 PM.
2017-2018 Arrival Reminders & Updates:
- We are pushing the idea of having morning greetings and welcome meetings in our classroom prior to our instruction beginning this school year. Students who purchase school breakfast will bring their food to the classrooms this year, rather than eating in the cafeteria. We hope this will enhance our classroom engagement from the very beginning of the school day.
Arriving at school FAQs:
If I am late coming to school can’t I just walk in?
- We need all parents to come inside with their student and sign them in at the front office on the computer. If arriving after 12:30 PM you will be counted as absent for the entire day.
Can I walk my child to class?
- Parents are encouraged to instill independent learners in their child. Please let your child learn to be an independent student and walk to class everyday on their own.
However, our bells will be adjusted to reflect the following:
- 8:40 - Bell will ring to signal opening of doors to all students
- 9:00 - Bell will ring to signal that announcements will be made (featuring a "Wow" fact of the day, daily thought, Penguin Pledge, and the Pledge of Allegiance"
- 9:15 - Tardy Bell will ring (as always) and instruction begins
**** Please try and have students at school as early as possible :)
2017-2018 Dismissal Reminders & Updates:
What do I do if I need to check my child out early for a medical appointment?
- Come into the main office and bring your government issued ID and ask for your child. Office personnel will call for your child via an intercom classroom phone. Please arrive before 3:15 PM to ensure we are able to get your child in a timely manner. If you sign your child out after 12:30 they will be counted as present on a regular school day. On early release days they must be in school until 11:30 to be counted as present and on Saturday school they have to be in school until 11:15.
- Walkers and Carpool riders are dismissed beginning at 3:40 PM. Carpool riders wait in the cafeteria to be called to the front of the school. Bus/Daycare/Van riders wait in the classroom until 3:45 PM and they watch the television for their bus name/number to be displayed on the screen and it is also announced over the intercom.
What is the procedure for changing the way my child will go home?
- If you find that you will need to change your child’s method of travel to reach home, please write a note to the teacher. A verbal message to office personnel cannot be accepted as it presents a safety issue. Email communication is not a reliable method of reaching your child’s teacher during the school day as they are teaching students and may not receive it before dismissal.
What if I have an emergency change?
- Please email the teacher if it is before 12:00 PM. After 12:00 PM, please contact the front office. This process is only for emergencies!
What if my child misses the bus or van?
- The office will contact the parent concerning transportation home. It is important that contact information is complete and current.
Can my child go home with a friend on the bus?
- WCPSS Transportation policy requires that every student be registered to a bus and bus stop in order to receive bus transportation service.
Every Student with a Bus Route Assignment will be TAGGED!
Fidget Spinners/ Toys
Please Label Personal Items
NO BALLOONS at School!
Volunteer Clearance Hours
Monday through Friday:
AM - 8:40 AM - 9:30 AM
PM - 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
a Note From Our Outgoing PTA President...
Dear Laurel Park Families,
Thank you for another amazing year. On behalf of our 2016-17 PTA Board, we would like to thank you for all of the efforts you put forth to make our school an incredible place.
Our year kicked off with a special initiative to plant new trees, clean up the grounds and add new playground equipment. Our students love the new elements like the Ga-Ga pit and tether balls and enjoy viewing the birds that took up residency in our new birdhouses.
Along the way, we celebrated so many wonderful programs. Our school Science Fair sent LPES students to Regionals and STEAM Night exposed our children to amazing items such as 3-D printers, dinosaur fossils, robotics and more.
So many of you came to the school every month to support our in-school programs such as our Character in Education or the Garden Club. These PTA Programs enrich our school and would not have been possible without your time and dedication.
Advocacy has always been the cornerstone of what we do. We were so proud of the support our PTA received this past spring with the fight to pass HB-13. So many of you rallied to make phone calls and send emails and it made the difference. Laurel Park Elementary PTA was recognized by Bill Fletcher as a school that was on the forefront of this issue and as one of the schools that motivated NC Senators to pass the bill.
Thank you to all who helped to fundraise this year. We know that it is not the most enjoyable part of what we do, but necessary to bring support to our students and staff. This year, our three main fundraisers GoPlaySave, Family Fun Night and Boosterthon brought in over $55,000. What an amazing effort! With these funds, we were able to support so many wonderful things for our school. Much of the funds were spent on numerous new pieces of large technology such as Smartboards and Touch Screen TVs. These items are used every day in the classroom. A large portion of fundraising dollars was also spent on Cultural Arts opportunities. Bright Star Theater Company, author and illustrator Henry Cole and our 5th grade Artist in Residency are just a few ways fundraising dollars were spent to enrich your child`s day. I am also pleased to mention that the PTA also sponsored a weeklong music residency with musician Beverly Botsford, where every child in the school was able to participate.
So often throughout the year, I am asked how PTA money is spent. This year, we created a special page on our PTA website to allow you to track our fundraising dollars. It is all part of the new PTA website that we created to keep you updated and informed. If you have not been out to visit, I would encourage you to visit the site and get a better idea of what the PTA is up to and how the money was spent through the past year. http://www.laurelparkespta.com
Finally, this will my final email as PTA President. It has been such an honor to serve this school and I appreciate all of the parents, staff, and students who have made volunteering for this position a pleasure. I am so fortunate to have been surrounded by others who share a passion for creating an environment for our students and staff to reach their best.
A huge thank you to Mrs. Bame, Mr. Nixon as well as the LPES teachers and staff. None of what we do as a PTA is possible without your support. I thank you for your partnership and for creating a safe, caring and supportive environment for our children.
I would also like to thank the PTA Board for their tireless commitment to our school as well as those who chaired committees. Your leadership made my job easy and your dedication allowed our student's so many opportunities, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.
There is so much more we can do!! Please continue to support our PTA by keeping up with our website, volunteering, becoming a member and attending meetings! The PTA is nothing without your continued support.
Thank you again for being such a wonderful school to serve.
Sincerely,
Michele Hilmey
Laurel Park Elementary School
Website: www.wcpss.net/laurelparkes
Location: 2450 Laura Court, Duncan, SC, United States
Phone: 919.290.2333
Twitter: @LaurelParkElem