Lutherville Lab Report
What's gone down & what's coming up at the leopards' lair.
April 5, 2024
We hope all in our community had a great spring break! It was wonderful to be reunited with our students this week, punctuated by an awesome college and career day this morning! Kudos to Mrs. Henderson for her efforts to recruit and organize the event.
Just prior to break our 5th grade students did an amazing job dancing through the decades, and we are very grateful to all families who were able to join us on Friday afternoon. That week before break our teachers also engaged in some instructional rounds -- visiting each other's classrooms to get a sense of instruction, often with a focus on writing, in other grade levels. It was great to see the insights our staff could make from seeing one another in action.
We are in testing season! We are excited for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to show off all that they have learned this year on the Maryland state assessments. Please note the following dates and support your children with getting a good night's sleep, good breakfast, fully charged device, and lots of love and encouragement to do their best!
3rd Grade ELA: April 8, 9, 11
3rd Grade Math: May 16, 22, 23
4th & 5th Grade ELA: April 11, 12, 18, and 19
4th & 5th Grade Math: May 22 and 23
Spring Family Night is coming up and we are seeking musicians or big fans of musical genres to share their love with our students! If you love classical music, blues music, hip hop, bluegrass, opera, etc. please consider hosting a tasting room (we can provide multiple devices you can link to a Spotify or Apple Music playlist) to give students and families a taste of the music you love! See more information below.
Monday there will be a solar eclipse. BCPS has directed all schools that outdoor activities are barred during the eclipse in an effort to protect children from the harmful effects of looking at the sun. Dismissal will still occur as scheduled and we will remind students and make efforts to stop students from looking at the sun during the eclipse. If you are interested in your child viewing the eclipse with protective eye wear, you would need to come sign them out.
Please note a few items attached to the end of the newsletter related to some community partnerships: Cockeysville Rec Field Hockey, Central Area Advisory Council, a community meeting for the Towson High School redevelopment, and an opportunity to register for the lottery for the BCPS online learning program.
In partnership,
-Mr. McComb
Calendar Reminders:
4/10 - Schools Closed for Students; KG + PK Round-Up
4/16 - Drama Club Performance, 7pm
4/18 - PTA General Meeting
4/26 - 1:05 Dismissal
4/30 - Spring Family Night 5:30-7:30
Mrs. Navarro meeting KG writers
5th Graders Dancing through the Decades
Haya teaches her class about Ramadan
Hour of Power Follow-Up
I wanted to share out to the community some impact data on our Hour of Power math initiative for grades 3-5 that ran during their double special day from the return from winter break to our release from spring break. I am sharing to celebrate this outcome as it took full community investment! Parents supported with duplicating games and activities, the PTA supported snacks, parents volunteered to support student learning, the staff went above and beyond for students, and the kids were their awesome selves. This initiative -- and its outcome, it a testament to the "ALL IN!" commitment that makes this school such a special place.
The initiative was driven by Fall math MAP Data, from which teachers tailored math games and activities to reinforce and grow targeted skills. With significant help from the community, PTA, and leadership from our special area and classroom teachers, we saw great outcomes for our students.
In 3rd Grade: 81% of students improved their national percentile rank in Mathematics, moved up an achievement band in one of the targeted skills, or both.
In 4th Grade, 82% of students improved their national percentile rank in Mathematics, moved up an achievement band in one of the targeted skills, or both.
In 5th Grade, 84% of students improved their national percentile rank in Mathematics, moved up an achievement band in one of the targeted skills, or both.These are remarkable outcomes worth taking a beat to pause and celebrate. We will take lesson learned, including the student perspective which we surveyed this week, and consider what lessons we can learn from this project for future years.
Kindergarten Round Up!
In addition to Kindergarten, we would like to extend the Round-Up Invitations to eligible PreK* students, and PreSchool students.
Who is eligible for PreKindergarten?
A student must meet the age of entry guidelines: 4 years old by 9/1/24, DOB 9/2/19 - 9/1/20, and at least one automatic eligibility criteria, or meets prioritized criteria (see attached Prekindergarten Facts Sheet for Parents).
Lutherville Lab does not currently house PreSchool classes, but for strategic planning we are happy to take your information for future PreK enrollment!
If you believe your student is eligible for 2024-2025 PreK, or you have any questions, please email Kelly McDevitt at kmcdevitt@bcps.org for more information.
Online Learning Program Application
The application for the 2024-2025 BCPS Online Learning Program will be available on the Department of Academics Programs and Options website beginning at 12 p.m. today, April 3, 2024. Applications must be submitted by 1 p.m. on May 3, 2024. Students must be entering grade 4 – 12 in School Year 2024-2025. Current VLP students do NOT need to re-apply. Enrollment in the BCPS Online Learning Program is limited to students eligible for enrollment in BCPS as defined in Board of Education Policy and Superintendent’s Rule 5150.
All applicants are selected for placement through a centralized random lottery process. All applicants receive email notification of their admissions status from the BCPS Online Learning Program and admission decisions for all applicants will be released by May 24, 2024. Since the lottery will be available to any Baltimore County resident in grades 4-12, it is unlikely that any school will have a significant number of students transfer into the program. More information, including a brochure, can be found on the DAPO website. Please contact the Office of Academic Programs and Options at 443-809-3033 if you have any questions.
Towson High School Community Meeting
Towson HS Addition & Renovation Project: Community Meeting on April 24 – On Wednesday April 24 from 7:00-8:00 pm in the Towson High School Auditorium, a community meeting will be held to provide updates on the Towson High School Addition and Renovation Project. All are welcome to attend.
College & Career Day Fun!
Spring Family Night -- A Music Jamboree!
Spring family night is Tuesday April 30th from 5:30 - 7:30. This year, we will be celebrating music and invite our community to be a part of the event!
We will have student groups perform and opportunities for students to teach parents some of the instruments they use in school, but want to also share the love of music in our community!
In addition, the PTA is helping to organize 3 opportunities for families to be involved with the musical portion of Spring Family Night.
1) A chance to show off your own student's or family member's musical talents by hosting an instrument demonstration - this will be in the gym and hallways between performances
2) Host a "tasting room" to engage families with the sounds of a genre of music you enjoy or are passionate about - this will be held in classrooms (the school can provide devices you can use to share recordings/music videos [school appropriate, please!])
3) Perform as a solo act or group - this will be held outside under the lights or in the Rec Room if it rains
We are also looking for volunteers for set-up, clean-up and help during the event.
Please share your interests via this Google Doc and we will be back in touch with you soon. Questions can be emailed to Liz Roe - lizroe7@gmail.com.
PTA Election Nominating Committee
In June, the PTA will be holding elections for two positions on the Executive Committee: PTA Secretary and a second Vice President position. The three additional Executive Committee positions - President, Treasurer and Vice President - each are currently being held by an individual who will be entering their second year of a two year term beginning in July. At this time, the PTA is assembling, per our bylaws, a team of three individuals who will serve as the Election Nominating Committee. Those serving on the Nominating Committee do not have to be PTA members and the time commitment is short and sweet - a few meetings and emails between now and June. If you are interested in learning more about and serving on this small group who will collect nominations from our LL community for these open positions - Secretary and VP - please contact us at luthervillelabpta@gmail.com by Monday, April 8th.
Lutherville Lab Fun Run
The PTA will be hosting our 2nd annual fun run as a fundraiser for the special education department. Saturday, May 4th (rain date May 11th) at 1pm on the school fields. Popsicles will be made available to every participant, with larger prizes up for runners. Flyers will be out next week, but you can sign up on the PTA's site here: https://luthervillelabpta.memberhub.com/store/items/842749
Welcoming Ms. L Back to Her Home
As many are aware, Ms. L (Loretta), one of our cafeteria staff, was displaced from her home for over a year due to a car driving into her house and then a tree falling on her roof. Ms. L was just recently, finally, able to move back in and we would like to celebrate her return by providing a gift card and a few meals for Ms. L and her sister. If you would like to contribute, please Venmo Hayley Rose - @Hayley-Rose-9 - with Ms. L in the memo or email luthervillelabpta@gmail.com about a meal or other item of donation. Thank you to Maija Johns for already providing a beautiful wreath for Ms. L's door!
HersheyPark Tickets Arriving in Approx 2 Weeks
Thank you to all those who placed orders for HersheyPark tickets. We will be in touch as soon as they arrive to let you know when the tickets and parking passes are being sent home through your student so you can keep an eye out!
Towson Hot Bagel (THB) Spirit Day this coming Wed April 10th from 6 am-4 pm
Please join us from 6 am until 4 pm at THB Timonium for a little breakfast, snack or lunch next Wed. 20% of sales marked for LL PTA will come back to support our school. Even gift cards count so perhaps you can consider buying one to use for future purchases or to have on hand to treat a friend or coworker!
There are 3 ways to order:
1) In person at register - tell cashier you are with LL and show flyer
2) In person at kiosk - get a receipt and give to THB staff
3) Order online (not through app - through www.eatthb.com) and enter code LLPTA20
Holi Celebration Honoring Yash Honna on Fri April 26th
In the beginning of the school year (August 19, 2023), our Lutherville Lab Family lost one of our own students, Yash Honna. Yash was a remarkable child whose enthusiasm, curiosity, and joy for life brought light to our Lutherville Lab family.
Last year, Yash shared with his teacher, Mrs. McGee, a book about a Hindu holiday, Holi, which he and his family celebrated. The book was Festival of Colors by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal. Yash and Mrs. McGee discussed the possibility of celebrating Holi at Lutherville Lab.
RSVP for and Donate to Spring Clean Up on Sat April 20th from 10 am - 12 pm, School Grounds
Please join us, family members and students, neighbors and friends, in cleaning and beautifying our school grounds with the help from a few Towson University students. This SignUp Genius is an RSVP for those who can attend and also provides a sign up for materials that can be donated before or during the event. We appreciate your help and participation!
We are pleased to announce that we will be holding our first Holi Celebration on Friday, April 26, 2024 (a half day). We wish Yash could be here to experience it with us, but we will honor his memory and celebrate his life on this special day. The mention of Yash will be brief and appropriate for our children: Yash's friends, Carson, Ethan, and Jasper reading, via a video, the book Festival of Colors. The PTA will provide white "Lutherville Pride" T-shirts for each child, and each grade level will have the opportunity to tie-dye their shirts. We will also use colored powder to place handprints on a display for future Holi observances.
Perhaps you can join us as a volunteer to help with tie dye and handprints? If so, please RSVP here.
And as some background: Holi is a traditional Hindu festival of colors and love, and is celebrated at the beginning of Spring. It represents the eternal love of Hindu deities Radha and Krishna, and is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil. The festival is highly inclusive, with one of its principal themes being unity. During the event, individuals let go of their inhibitions and start anew. At celebrations around the world, attendees color each other with colorful powdered dye/colored water covering everyone present in vivid hues.
We look forward to learning more together about this holiday, especially from our students and families who are Hindu and celebrate, and honoring Yash's memory.
Yearbook Orders Due Sun April 28th
Using ID code 15159724, head over to www.ybpay.com place your yearbook order.
A softcover copy is $20, hard copies are $25 and there are many add-on options for personalization including shoutouts to your student, a custom cover, autograph pages and stickers.
Contact Information
Website: https://luthervillees.bcps.org/
Location: 1700 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium, MD, USA
Phone: 443-809-7800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuthervillePTA/
Twitter: @LuthervilleLab