Penguin Press News
February 22, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL BAME
Dear LPE Families,
The return to school this month has gone very well! Our students are following the safety protocols and demonstrating maturity as we navigate these unusual times. We appreciate our community for the continued support and understanding.
Let's read together! You are cordially invited to join us for our 1st Lucky's Bedtime Story event on March 4, 2021 at 7:00 pm. Laurel Park staff and teachers are looking forward to reading live to students from the comfort of their homes. We will send out the event link information closer to March 4th. We plan to host these events twice a month.
Message from WCPSS: Please consider applying for meal benefits by Feb 26. By submitting a qualifying application, families will also support the district in qualifying for additional funds to support students and learning! Also, the NC Department of Health & Human Services will soon begin collecting free and reduced lunch data from WCPSS to determine families that will receive additional Pandemic Electronic Benefits (P-EBT) that will be issued in the coming months! By not applying for these meal benefits, you will miss the opportunity to receive direct P-EBT funds for your family!
Yes, meals will still be free for all students through June 2021 but we still need you to complete a meal benefits application so our school can be eligible for this extra funding next year. Information about applying for Meal Benefits for the 2020-21 school year can be found at www.wcpss.net/meals. Help our school continue to receive this funding by completing an application online at MySchoolApps.com. Paper applications can be requested by calling 919-588-3535.
Please review the noted dates at the bottom of this welcome message. Thank you!
Kind Regards,
Mrs. Raleigh Bame, Principal
Next PTA Spirit Night:
FEBRUARY - PANERA BREAD
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
4pm - 8pm
It's here! - Yearbook Information 2021
Yearbook Sale info & ordering links will be coming soon!
Until then, we’d love to have some awesome candid photos of your children from this school year! These photos can include anything from enjoying an LPES Spirit Night to your Virtual Academy student hard at work, remote learning spaces, first day back to school, supply pickup, students proudly wearing their Spirit Wear, etc.
Please follow the link below to upload:
plicbooks.com/go/b7MVg
If you have any trouble uploading, you can send them directly to rsinclair@wcpss.net with the subject Yearbook Candids.
Apex Friendship Middle School Virtual Tour
Middle School Preparation (Attention 5th Grade)
Middle school virtual open house dates for rising 6th graders are beginning to be scheduled. Below are two we know of now; others will be shared as we hear from the schools.
Lufkin Road Middle School: Thursday, March 4th at 6 p.m. The Google Meet link is: LufkinOpenHouse. A video and slides will be posted on their website after February 23rd to be viewed at the convenience of parents and students. There will be a Q and A the night of the open house.
Apex Friendship Middle School: Thursday, March 4, 2021 from 6-7 pm. Google Meet links will be shared at a later time.
Carnage Middle School - Students and their families will have an opportunity this year to attend a combined Curriculum Night and Magnet Welcome Night. The event will be held virtually, March 9, 2021 from 6pm-8pm. Please save the date! 😊
Holly Grove Middle School - Loads of good information & school tour at this website: https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/rising6thgraderegistration2021/home. Follow-up virtual panel Q & A sessions will be held on February 24, March 2, 3 & 4 (see details on link above).
Free Parent Webinar Sponsored by APSF
The Apex Public School Foundation invites parents & caregivers to join a free webinar featuring Ann Dolin with Educational Connections. Spanish translation will be provided.
Zoomed Out: 6 Strategies to Get Even the Most Reluctant Kids Focused, Engaged, and Motivated
Tuesday March 2nd
7:30 - 8:30 pm
What’s a parent to do when kids are unfocused and unmotivated when it comes to virtual learning? In this webinar, learn to “right the ship” so that parenting doesn’t feel like a grind. Discover practical, easy-to-implement virtual learning strategies for:
✓ Tackling the daily power struggle of just getting started
✓ Helping kids to focus during teacher-led instruction and when working independently
✓ Keeping kids engaged by encouraging them to ask questions and advocate for themselves
✓ Top hacks for getting “unstuck” when you feel overwhelmed
✓ Opening the lines of communication to improve the parent/child relationship
Please register in advance at ttps://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_lCyt_3JET6m6-4MxDeqVYw After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
La Apex Public School Foundation invita a los padres & personal encargado a unirse a un seminario web gratuito que presenta a Ann Dolin con Educational Connections. Se proporcionará traducción al español.
Zoomed Out: 6 estrategias para lograr que incluso los niños más reacios se concentren, se involucren y se motiven
Martes 2 de marzo
7:30 a 8:30 pm
¿Qué pueden hacer los padres cuando los niños están desenfocados y desmotivados cuando se trata del aprendizaje virtual? En este seminario web, aprenda a "enderezar el barco" para que la crianza de los hijos no se sienta como muy rutinaria.
Descubra prácticas de estrategias de aprendizaje virtual y fáciles de implementar para:
✓ Abordar la lucha diaria de solo poder empezar
✓ Ayudar a los niños a concentrarse durante la instrucción dirigida por el maestro y cuando trabajan de forma independiente
✓ Mantener a los niños involucrados animándolos a hacer preguntas y abogar por sí mismos
✓ Los mejores trucos para "sacudirse" cuando se siente abrumado
✓ Abrir líneas de comunicación para mejorar la relación padre / hijo
Regístrese con anticipación en:
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_lCyt_3JET6m6-4MxDeqVYw
Después de registrarse, recibirá un correo electrónico de confirmación con información sobre cómo unirse al seminario web.
4th and 5th Grade AIG Spring Nominations
Dear 4th and 5th Grade Families,
We are now accepting Spring Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) student nominations for 4th and 5th grade students only. The purpose of the Wake County Public School System's AIG Program is to provide an appropriately challenging educational program for students who perform, or show potential for performing, at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment. If your student demonstrates higher level academic or intellectual abilities, please contact your student's classroom teacher about whether an AIG nomination should be considered. We will be accepting 4th and 5th grade Spring AIG nominations through Friday, February 12, 2021.
All AIG candidates will be asked to take an AIG test, which this school year, 2020-2021, will be different, to the past due to COVID-19. AIG candidates will not take the Cognitive Abilities Test or IOWA test this school year. They will be given higher level, ELA and Math enrichment activities, created by WCPSS AIG teachers to demonstrate their need for AIG differentiation. The Laurel Park Elementary School Based Committee for Gifted Education (LPES SBCGE) will be evaluating AIG candidates based on both informal and formal indicators for AIG eligibility. Informal indicators will be the student's learning behaviors, student performance, student interest and student motivation. Formal indicators will be the AIG Test created by WCPSS AIG teachers, past Cognitive Abilities Tests, IOWA tests, End of Grade scores, report cards, ISIP data, classroom ELA and Math unit assessments, level 4 opportunities, and enrichment opportunities. AIG Testing will be conducted the week of February 22nd.
Thank you,
Amy Stone, MAED, NBCT
AIG Teacher
Laurel Park Elementary School
2450 Laura Duncan Road, Apex, NC 27523
We are busy creating our mini masterpieces in art class!
Please drop off your student’s artwork from Art class in
the ART box set up in front of the school starting 2/9.
Please drop it off anytime by 3/5 or send it in with your
student if they are Plan B.
Thank you,
Laura Benner
Art teacher
Laurel Park Elementary School
PHYSICAL EDUCATION NEWS AND NOTES - February 2021
Dear Laurel Park Families,
I hope this letter finds you and your family safe and healthy. My name is Mark Edwards and I am the Physical Education teacher here at Laurel Park. I want to take a few minutes of your time to introduce the kids heart challenge that your child will be participating in over the next six weeks during their PE classes. Please take a few minutes to read the attached letter. All the students will be introduced to jump roping skills during class and the importance of staying active. This year we will be doing all donations online using the KHC app or the website. So please do not send in checks or cash.
You can find directions on how to get started on the attached letter. (found at the bottom of the newsletter)
Please try to help your child look at the app or website and collect donations to help other kids that have special hearts and make our community healthier. The app and website also have a lot of great videos and activities. Some students have already donated online so we are off to great start. We would like to collect donations over the next 5-6 weeks. We would like to finish up donation collections at the end of March.
I would like to thank you all in advance for your support for this great cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at mjedwards2@wcpss.net.
Thank you again and stay healthy,
Mark Edwards
Physical Education Teacher
Laurel Park Elementary School
Apex, North Carolina
GO HAWKEYES!!!!!!
Positivity Project Resource for Families
P2 for Families is an easy and effective way for families to discuss the importance of character strengths and positive relationships. It is differentiated for grades Pre-K – 2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each character strength follows a 1-1-3 model: 1 quote, 1 video, and 3 questions to drive conversations around character at home.
Please choose your child’s grade level found at the link below:
Do you know your child's email address?
Want more answers to tech questions?
Go to Students and click on Remote Learning Resources and FAQ on the Laurel Park Website.
Parent and Student Tech Guides (WCPSS)
Grocery Store Rewards Cards
Laurel Park Elementary School
Website: wcpss.net/laurelparkes
Location: Laurel Park Elementary School, Laura Duncan Road, Apex, NC, USA
Phone: 919.290.2333
Twitter: @LaurelParkElem