In The Laidlaw Loop
Family Update- March 22, 2024
Whether you are going someplace far away or staying close to home and relaxing, I wish you and your family a wonderful Spring Break. I look forward to seeing you at our Spring Open House & Celebration Of Learning on April 18th at 6:30PM (parents & students welcome to attend). Your student(s) will be eager to show off their learning from this year!
Happy Friday,
Renee
Please partner with us...
In recent months there has been a huge uptick with student misuse of their Smart Watches across the school, particularly in 3rd-5th grades (Gizmos, Apple Watches, etc). It has become increasingly disruptive to the academic environment. Smart Watches are only to be used for keeping track of time or using the timer feature during the school day. Any use outside of these parameters (during the school day) will result in your student's Smart Watch being held in the office until the end of the school day.
How can you help support your student in using their Smart Watch appropriately?
1. Please refrain from texting/messaging your student during the school day. If you need to get your student a message, please send it through the main office. We promise that we will get it to them.
2. Please speak with your student about how to use their Smart Watch appropriately during the day (the ONLY actions a student may take with their watch from 8:40-3:30 is looking at the time or using the timer feature)
3. Please enable "school hour" features (if applicable) to help minimize your child's ability to utilize their Smart Watch inappropriately during the day.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure that students are focused during the day with minimal distractions. We sincerely appreciate your support.
Arrival in the Morning
With the warm temps approaching we kindly ask that students do not arrive earlier than 8:25AM. Recently, students have been coming out to the black top or lining up in front of school as early as 8:05AM. We DO NOT have adult supervision outside until 8:25AM. Thank you for your attention and consideration to this.
WS-OTSC Circle of Friendship Party
Register NOW for the Annual WS-OTSC Circle of Friendship Party. Details HERE
Who:
All D101 and Off the Street Club students, Grades K-5
Where:
The Corral - LTHS South Campus, 4940 Willow Springs Road
When:
Saturday, April 27th, 12:30-3:30 PM
Why:
The Circle of Friendship Party is an afternoon of brotherhood between D101 and OTSC kids. WS students will pair up with a buddy from OTSC to form a new friendship while enjoying games, DJ Maximus, pizza, cotton candy and more!
Learn more about the event and REGISTER HERE!
We are also in need of volunteers to make this event run smoothly - please register using the links below:
Adult Volunteers Register HERE
High School Volunteers Register HERE
Junior High Volunteer Register HERE
Last but not least, we are collecting donations for Off the Street Club's Camp Closet. OTSC has a summer camp located in Wheaton, IL, and most kids do not have the means to arrive at camp with the essentials (think sheets, swim suits, sunscreen, etc.). Therefore, the club hosts a “Camp Closet” where the kids can go shop for items needed for camp.
CLICK HERE for the OTSC Camp Closet Amazon Wish list.
5 Essentials Survey
Dear Laidlaw Families,
Teachers, parents, and students across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey: Organizing Schools for Improvement. This survey was designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about Laidlaw.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago, on behalf of the Illinois School Board of Education. This survey identifies five indicators that can lead to important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. The five indicators that effect school success are:
* Effective Leaders *Collaborative Teachers
* Involved Families *Supportive Environments
* Ambitious Instruction
Research has shown that schools strong on these indicators, the “5Essentials” are 10 times more likely to improve student learning.
Your participation in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will help us understand the conditions at Laidlaw and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be conducted now through March 29 . To access the survey, please visit: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Donate A Book Week
Donate a Book Week will take place April 14-19 during library classes. More information to come after spring break. This well loved tradition has been a part of Laidlaw for 55+ years!
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 2023-24 calendar HERE
Upcoming Dates
3/23-4/1: Spring Break Vacation (no school). School resumes on Tuesday, April 2
4/4: IAR testing begins (3rd-5th grade)
4/18: Spring Open House/Celebration of Learning- 6:30PM
Laidlaw PTO Information
Laidlaw Plant and Flower Sale LAST DAY TO ORDER - March 22nd!
Click the link below or use the QR code to order your spring flowers online now via PayPal or Venmo!
https://form.jotform.com/240355479255159
Pick up date is Tuesday, May 7th at the Laidlaw Park Pavilion (after 10 AM), just in time for Mother’s Day! Home delivery is also available this year.
Any questions? Want to Volunteer on May 7th? Please contact LLFlowerSale@gmail.com
All proceeds benefit Laidlaw Elementary via the PTO
Couple Fun Lunch Volunteer spots still open - April 5th
Click HERE to volunteer!
Laidlaw Run Club (Grades 2nd-5th)
Run Club will be Wednesdays from 3:30-4:45 pm each week from 4/10-5/22 at Sereda Park and our focus will be to introduce running and fitness to kids and prepare them for the Western Springs Tower Trot (kid's 1K race or 5K race). Click here to register!
Register NOW for the Annual WS-OTSC Circle of Friendship Party
Who: All D101 and Off the Street Club students, Grades K-5
Where: The Corral - LTHS South Campus, 4940 Willow Springs Road
When: Saturday, April 27th, 12:30-3:30 PM
Why: The Circle of Friendship Party is an afternoon of brotherhood between D101 and OTSC kids. WS students will pair up with a buddy from OTSC to form a new friendship while enjoying games, DJ Maximus, pizza, cotton candy and more!
Learn more about the event and REGISTER HERE!
We are also in need of volunteers to make this event run smoothly - please register using the links below:
Adult Volunteers Register HERE
High School Volunteers Register HERE
Junior High Volunteer Register HERE
Last but not least, we are collecting donations for Off the Street Club's Camp Closet. OTSC has a summer camp located in Wheaton, IL, and most kids do not have the means to arrive at camp with the essentials (think sheets, swim suits, sunscreen, etc.). Therefore, the club hosts a “Camp Closet” where the kids can go shop for items needed for camp.
CLICK HERE for the OTSC Camp Closet Amazon Wish list.
Please contact Laura Reepmeyer with any questions regarding OTSC: laura.reepmeyer@ppmamerica.com
Upcoming PTO Events
Tuesday, April 2 - Spirit Wear Day
Friday, April 5 - Fun Lunch
Word From WSFEE
In less than 36 hours we completely “Sold Out” to our Casino Night event!
If you missed your chance to get tickets please join our waitlist here or go to wsfee.org events page.
A huge “Thank You” to everyone that bought tickets!!!
Stay tuned for more WSFEE updates! Coming soon.
Western Springs Community Happenings
Please click here for a current list of Western Springs community happenings and offerings!