In The Laidlaw Loop
Family Update- December 15, 2023
Laidlaw is certainly in the holiday spirit after yesterday's festivities! Thank you to all the families who came out to support our students at our annual holiday concert. The kids did an AMAZING job. Huge kudos to our music teachers, Mrs. Grublesky and Mrs. Nemeth, for all of their hard work preparing our Leopards! If you would like the link to the recording of the concert (AM or PM), please complete this form by Wednesday, December 20th and I will email you the link(s) directly. Due to technical difficulties adding a password to the recording(s), I can not send the link out directly in my public newsletter out of respect for the students who are on the "no public photo/video" list. Thank you for understanding.
The fun continued into last evening at Laidlaw's annual Gingerbread Decorating Night! It was fantastic to spend time with families as they decorated their family gingerbread house.
The holiday season of fun continues into next week with the following:
1. HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK (please see the detailed schedule below).
2. Holiday workshop, presented by PTO (Thursday) (details below)
3. Polar Express Buddy Experience (Friday) (details below)
4. Class Holiday Parties (Friday)
Enjoy the weekend with your family.
Renee
Holiday Spirit Week, presented by student council (December 18-December 22)
PTO Holiday Workshop- Thursday, Dec 21
Holiday Shop
The Laidlaw Gym transforms into a special Holiday Shop on Thursday, December 21. Similar to the Book Fair, students will shop during the school day with parent volunteers managing the store. Small gifts currently displayed in the school entrance will be available for purchase via cash or check only. Parent volunteers will also wrap the gifts for students to take home to surprise their families. Instructions for students with cash envelopes will be coming home on Monday, December 18th. CLICK HERE to volunteer!
Polar Express Day-Dec 22
To celebrate the start of winter break, next Friday, December 22nd will be Polar Express Day at Laidlaw. It's PAJAMA DAY for our holiday spirit week AND students will gather with their buddy in the gym for Polar Express themed craft activities and a special presentation of the movie, The Polar Express. All students in grades Kinder-5th will participate. Class parties will be held that afternoon.
Nurse's Office Update
Please click here for an important update from the nurse's office.
*NEW* Winter Offering: Theatre Production Enrichment- Registration LIVE
Laidlaw is excited for a new winter offering in 2024 (which begins in early February and runs through May): Theatre Production Enrichment Workshops. Registration is LIVE HERE. Details HERE
Class Description: This class is the perfect theater experience for elementary school performers! Appropriate for beginners as well as more experienced actors, this enrichment class will provide musical theater and performance training to all involved - right at their own school! Throughout the program, students will study the foundations of musical theater: singing, acting, and dancing. Students will also apply the tools and practices they are learning to rehearse a small showcase presentation: Rotten to the Core: Songs of a Disney Villain! Family and friends are invited to view the showcase on the final class day. Enrollment is limited to guarantee the best experience for all students involved, so register beginning December 15th
Mondays, 3:30 - 4:30 pm (10 sessions & final performance)
Open to students Grades K - 5
Tuition & T-Shirt: $255
Minimum Enrollment: 18
Maximum Enrollment: 30
Draw & Paint Art Enrichment Class WINTER registration
Interested in art enrichment on Tuesdays after school? Click here for details and to register.
WINTER CHESS WIZARDS REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Sticky Fingers Cooking Class- WINTER
Please click here if you are interested in signing up for the winter session of Sticky Fingers.
Interested in Subbing?
Our three elementary schools and McClure Junior High need YOUR help, as we often need more engaging, effective subs than we have available to support our students. With the phenomenal students in our community, subbing in D101 is a highly fulfilling, lovely way to connect with and support our schools and all of our children!
What are the benefits of subbing?
It’s flexible! We often book subs (where we can) in advance, so you can pick and choose when the dates/times/assignments work for YOU. You can choose whether or not to be “on call” for unexpected needs and/or to let us know that you’re always available on x days and at y times.
It’s simple! Some of our subs do not come to us with a background in education, and that is okay! A successful sub is someone who will work hard to follow clear, simple plans from the experts (our teachers!) and - most importantly - who will take care of our students at a high level. That’s it!
It’s connected! We appreciate subs from within our parent community, as you know our students and are already invested in our school community. We generally place parent subs in buildings that are NOT their “home” building, which gives a great chance to learn more about all of our schools -- and doesn’t fluster your kids to see you in the hallway ;)
It pays well! Reach out to inquire more about sub pay; we are at or above the daily average pay for subs in the area!
What does the job entail?
Subs can fill all kinds of positions, depending on our needs:
General classroom teacher (ie “I’m teaching third grade today!”)
Specials teachers (ie “I’m in PE today!”)
Classroom teaching assistants and/or 1:1 aides to support student needs (ie “I’m helping out in first grade today,” or “I’m supporting John Doe in the classroom today!”)
Subs can work for a full day or a half day, depending on need and availability.
Lesson plans and support to understand the role are provided for every sub role and position, and our warm and welcoming teachers and staff are here to support YOU as you support our students.
How do I sign on to become a sub?
Feel free to reach out to us here at Laidlaw if you are interested in this opportunity!
Click here to see the basic requirements to gain sub licensure.
After you are registered on our sub list and ready to go, we’ll help match you to the best fit for schools and positions.
Special Parent Presentation- January 25th
Join D101 for a special, PARENT presentation on January 25th at 6PM at LT High School. This is a free event and open to all D101 parents. Speaker Heather Tedesco will present: The Ten Essentials of Parenting workshop. Details HERE.
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.
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
ALL WEEK: Holiday Spirit Week
Thursday, December 21 - Holiday Shop for students (during school)
Friday, December 22 - Polar Express Buddy Day & Classroom Holiday Parties & last day before winter break
Laidlaw PTO Information
Composting Luncheon Pilot - Friday Volunteers still needed for Friday, December 22nd - sign up here!
Holiday Shop
The Laidlaw Gym transforms into a special Holiday Shop on Thursday, December 21. Similar to the Book Fair, students will shop during the school day with parent volunteers managing the store. Small gifts currently displayed in the school entrance will be available for purchase via cash or check only. Parent volunteers will also wrap the gifts for students to take home to surprise their families. Instructions for students with cash envelopes will be coming home on Monday, December 18th. CLICK HERE to volunteer!
Poster Contest for all Illinois Student Artists
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) have collaborated to create more visibility for young Illinois artists and showcase their talent, as well as reinforce the importance of the arts in the growth and development of our students. The theme for the 2024 contest is: I wonder... The contest includes four entry levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. A panel of judges will select a winner and two runners-up in each entry level. All winners and runners-up will have their original work displayed by the ALPLM from March 11, 2024 to August 15, 2024. The winning students in each entry level will have their work featured on a poster to celebrate Illinois Arts Education Week. Submissions must be postmarked by January 5th, 2024. Please see the flyer linked below for details and look out for a flyer coming home in your student's folder. If students submit work, please have them take a photo of their work before they send it in, so that we can display it at the Spring Art Fair. CLICK HERE for more details!
Laidlaw Learning Fair - Tuesday, January 23rd
ALL interested Laidlaw students are invited to participate to tell others about something that interests you. It can be about anything: history, art, music, science, math, language, one of your hobbies, a model you built, your favorite author, or one of your collections. Be creative! The most important part is to have fun learning and putting your presentation together. Then plan to share your knowledge on the night of the fair! It’s okay to work with your parents, other family members, or to partner with friends. CLICK HERE for more information!
Upcoming PTO Events
Thursday, December 21 - Holiday Shop
Friday, December 22 - Classroom Holiday Parties
Tuesday, January 23 - Laidlaw Learning Fair
Word From WSFEE
Please read below to learn more about the businesses that generously sponsored the 2023-24 district calendar!
Holly Carollo, @properties: Holly is a real estate professional committed to
serving the Western Springs community where she lives and works. Holly
specializes in working with sellers to prepare their homes for the market through
her staging and home improvement expertise.
Initially Ewe: Our store is a baby/children’s boutique. We carry unique baby
items (think baby shower, bringing home baby gifts), toddler toys, books, crafts,
and fun birthday gifts for babies through elementary school aged children. We
are also known for personalizing items by adding monograms.
Mattix Music Studio: We provide fun and enriching musical education for
students of all ages and abilities in Western Springs. Conveniently located at the
Grand Avenue Community Center, the teachers at Mattix Music Studio work with
students every week to help them become excellent musicians and thoughtful
artists. Join the fun with lessons and classes for every musician in your family!
Petty & Dragstrem Orthodontics: Dr. Kristie Dragstrem and Dr. Bill Perry
specialize in braces and Invisalign for the whole family. Conveniently located at
Wolf Road and 55th Street in Western Springs with hours before and after
school. Check us out on Instagram @pettydragstrem
Spring Orthodontics: A modern orthodontic practice located in downtown
Western Springs. Dr. Mathrani specializes in orthodontics for both children and
adults. Our services include aligner treatment, braces, retainers, tooth whitening,
and we offer complimentary consultations. We work with a variety of insurance
companies and pride ourselves on excellent results and customer service. Give
us a call at 708-505-2525 or visit our website to book an appointment at
Western Springs Community Happenings
Please click here for a list of Western Springs community happenings.