In The Laidlaw Loop
Family Update- November 10, 2023
Laidlaw was honored to host the Veterans Day Assembly this morning. It was such a meaningful event to pay homage to the service men and women who are connected to D101. Our Laidlaw students' learning from the last month was showcased in a variety of ways during the assembly: a slideshow set to music of the digital creations they made in technology class; an art gallery of red poppies they made in art class; a distribution of patriotic buttons for those students who used the button maker; and, our 4th and 5th graders gave an amazing performance of the song "Because of the Brave" for the entire audience. Mrs. Dolan and I are so proud of our students and the excellent Laidlaw Way behavior they displayed today as well. Here are some pictures to enjoy.
Have a beautiful weekend,
Renee
Students in Action this week
It was a beautiful week for class picnic rewards! Students in 1G, 2H, 3D, 4W, and 5M won the October Laidlaw Loot classroom competition and their prize was a special lunch picnic with me at the park. I'm not sure who really "won" though, because I sure had an absolute blast hanging with these Leopards over lunch during the course of this week.
Shop on the cart returns!
Our Laidlaw Loot incentive for the months of November and December will focus on individual student earnings. Students may earn PINK Laidlaw Loot(s) by displaying their very best Laidlaw Way (being safe, being responsible, and being respectful) during November and December combined. Pink loot may be used to "buy" items from our Laidlaw Loot Shop On The Cart, which I will bring around to all classrooms the week of December The cart has been loaded with all new goodies ranging in "cost" from 3 loots to 20 loots.
Attendance Matters
Attendance matters and we want your students in school. Make the most of classroom opportunities! When students are not in school, they miss opportunities to participate in classroom activities and socialize with their peers. By attending school each day they are not sick, students are more engaged in learning. Please use the guidelines below to help you determine when it is appropriate to keep your student home. If your student is well, we want them in school.
COGAT Testing: 3rd and 5th grade
Students in grades 3 and 5 will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of November 13. I will share detailed class schedules out next week.
The CogAT Test measures the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student compared to age mates and grade mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
The CogAT measures three different cognitive abilities.
• The verbal section measures a child’s ability to remember and transform sequences of English words, to understand them and to make inferences and judgments about them.
• The quantitative section measures a child’s understanding of basic quantitative concepts and relationships.
• The non-verbal section measures reasoning using pictures and geometric shapes. This section reduces the impact of language on the student’s score.
• The composite score is a total score for all three batteries.
Parents will receive these assessment results as soon as they're available for distribution.
November Student Ownership Attribute: Being Collaborative
Our D101 definition of COLLABORATIVE is: collaborative people are able to work together to produce or create something, and to work with someone else on a project or to solve a problem.
Some of the components I will be discussing when I push into each classroom this month are:
Collaboration is all around us - in our partner work, our group work, team sports, families, EVERYWHERE!
Collaboration helps us put together strengths and skills from different people - we are stronger when we think and work together!
Collaborative people are open to ideas and often learn new things and have great experiences working in new ways
We will discuss these talking points in connection with the following grade level texts:
Kindergarten: The Little Red Fort, by Brenda Maier
1st Grade: Officer Buckle and Gloria, by Peggy Rathmann
2nd Grade: Up the Creek, by Nicholas Oldland
3rd Grade: The Little Red Pen, by Janet Stevens
4th Grade: Boxitects, by Kim Smith
5th Grade: Someone Builds the Dream, by Lisa Wheeler and Loren Lang
Although this is our collective focus for the month of November, we’ll always be practicing being COLLABORATIVE throughout the year, and will be using these skills as a part of our December focus – being a GLOBAL CITIZEN! Stay tuned for more information about GLOBAL CITIZENS next month!
Sign-up for Parent/Teacher Conferences
Monday, November 20th 9:00-12:00, 1:00-5:00, 6:00-8:00 (20 minute sessions) In-Person
Tuesday, November 21st 9:00-1:00 and 2:00-6:00 (20 minute sessions) Virtual
Kindergarten Fera Only - Friday, November 17th 12:30-3:30 (20 minute sessions) In-Person
Again this year, Laidlaw will be using PTC Wizard, an online Parent Teacher Conference sign up system.
The scheduling window opens Wednesday, November 1st at 8:00am and will close Friday, November 17th at 12:00pm
Please refer to the instructions below to schedule your conference.
Access PTC Wizard: https://app.ptcwizard.com/laidlawes When the window opens November 1st at 8 am, follow the wizard to complete your conference schedule.
If you have already registered for PTC through another building, you do not need to create a new login.
You may change your conference times up until the window closes on
Friday, November 17th at 12:00pm
Please Note Group Conferences:
· If your child sees a Resource or Intervention teacher and you would like a One on One conference please schedule through the PTC Wizard. If you want multiple staff members to sit in on your child’s conference, please call the office at 708-246-7673 to schedule. (before calling the office, please confirm with your child’s teacher exactly who needs to sit in on the conference. Due to busy schedules it is not always possible to add teachers at a later time.)
Please contact Mrs. Walker with any questions at ewalker@d101.org or
708-246-7673. Thank you.
Sticky Fingers Cooking Class- WINTER
Please click here if you are interested in signing up for the winter session of Sticky Fingers.
Art Enrichment Class: WINTER
Please click here to signup for the WINTER Draw & Paint class at Laidlaw.
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
Nov 8: Picture re-take day and Marla's lunch (ordering info above)
November 14 - Book Fair (AM)
Book Fair w/ Loved Ones Open House (PM)
November 17 - Fun Lunch
Laidlaw PTO Information
Book Fair/Loved Ones Open House THIS Tuesday - November 14th
Students can shop during the day with their class, after school with a guardian and NEW THIS YEAR, during the Loved Ones Open House at night. Click here for more details! Parent volunteers needed for Book Fair and Loved Ones Open House!
Please CLICK HERE to RSVP for the Loved Ones Open House from 6-8 pm. Loved ones include anyone special in your child’s life - aunt, uncle, grandparents, family friend, babysitter, etc. Please include child’s classroom and how many loved ones attending. Students can show off their school and classroom where they can make a bookmark. They can also shop the book fair in the gym and stop by the photo booth!
Upcoming PTO Events
Saturday, November 11 - Casino Night
Tuesday, November 14 - Book Fair (AM)
Book Fair w/ Loved Ones Open House (PM)
Friday, November 17 - Fun Lunch
Thursday, December 14 - Gingerbread House Night
Thursday, December 21 - Holiday Shop
Friday, December 22 - Classroom Holiday Parties
Word From WSFEE
Do you have a Big Idea and just don't know where to start? WSFEE is here to help - contact grants@wsfee.org and we can help you through the grant writing process. Grants help support everything from school and classroom libraries to STEM supplies to buddy benches and lunch tables. Remember to visit wsfee.org or follow WSFEE on Facebook or Instagram (@wsfee_d101) to hear about events, donations and sponsorship opportunities throughout the year.
Sent from my iPhone
Western Springs Community Happenings
Please click here for a list of Western Springs community happenings including:
-Library Night