In The Laidlaw Loop
Family Update- April 5, 2024
I sincerely hope everyone had a joyous Spring Break. It certainly did not feel like we returned to school on Tuesday to "Spring." Mother nature looks to be much kinder to us next week...thank goodness!
On behalf of ALL of our students & staff, I want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to our amazing PTO for donating two, new gaga ball pits to Laidlaw. All of our students have been so excited to put these to use. Unfortunately, the weather hasn't cooperated much this week to test them out, but they are eager to "hop in" next week. A special thank you to PTO Board President Amanda Luther for her coordination efforts to have these installed over Spring Break so that there was no disruption to the student recess area. If you haven't been by the corner of Maple and Hampton, do make sure you drive by and take a peek.
Happy Friday,
Renee
Parent Input Request
This is the time of year when we begin the process of creating class lists for the upcoming school year. The following parameters will guide class placement:
- All classes at all grade levels will have children representing a broad range of academic abilities, needs, and backgrounds.
- Class placement will be made based upon the development of the whole child --academically, socially and behaviorally.
Class lists are carefully constructed by current grade-level teachers and staff who work with each student, with final decisions determined by the building Principal. We take class list determination very seriously, weighing the needs of each child and striving to build balanced, productive, supportive classes. A great deal of time, thought, and consideration goes into the creation of class lists, as this is a critical element to a thriving school experience for all.
Knowing that our staff works arduously to build thriving classes, if you wish to share insight for your child’s specific needs, this is the time to do so. Parents who wish to make a statement to describe their child’s academic, social and/or behavioral needs may do so in writing. Please use THIS LINK to provide that information. Please know that this information is seen by Renee Epstein, building principal. These comments, focused on the child’s learning style and specific academic/social needs, will then be given consideration as a part of the process.
We cannot accept any requests or avoidances for specific teachers.
I will accept responses until April 28th.
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.
Parent Presentation-April 11
Should your schedule allow, join us for this presentation (held on April 11 at 6:30PM). It should be incredibly powerful evening full of useful tips for raising students in a digital age.
Marla's Lunch (April)
We are excited to announce that Marla's Lunch will be serving up Ledo's Pizza on Thursday April 18th. Please turn in your orders by April 10th at noon.
If you have not placed your order yet,
please log in and do so before the deadline on 4/10 at noon.
To begin ordering, click HERE!
EASY ORDERING TIPS
DO YOU WANT TO COPY THIS SAME ITEM SELECTED TO OTHER CHILDREN?
*Simply Click (add a person + icon) next to the selection you made right side of the screen
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.
Donate A Book Week
Hello Laidlaw Families, "Donate a Book" is coming! This well loved event has taken place at Laidlaw for close to 60 years and adds so many new books to our library collection. Students/families MAY "donate a book" for $15. During library class students will preview book choices available (books purchased from the last DAB funds) and choose one to "donate.” A book plate in the front of the book acknowledges the donor/family. That child is the first to check it out when the book plate is ready. Upon return, the book is placed in circulation for all to enjoy! •Please send money in an ENVELOPE with your child's name & teacher by Thursday, April 11th. •If you have children in multiple classrooms, feel free to pay with ONE check, indicating all childrens’ names/classes on the envelope. •Make checks payable to: LL Library Activity Fund. •If sending cash, please send the exact amount. Please email me directly with any questions. Thank you, Mrs. Freer
Upcoming Spanish Dance Unit
¡Hola familias!
The Spanish dance unit is on the horizon, and the Spanish team wanted to reach out to make you aware of the expectations for students. The Spanish dance unit is an exciting one in which students get the opportunity to experience a different culture and learn a new Spanish dance each school year from grades 1-5. The unit is a quick one. Students have about 2 weeks to learn the dance (about 4-5 class periods) and then they perform this dance at an all school assembly. In order to learn the dance steps properly, we need student cooperation and participation during all practice sessions which take place during Spanish classes. Students are expected to have voices off when directions are being given, maintain personal space, and be respectful of their teachers and classmates throughout the class period. We don't anticipate any problems, however we feel it is important to share our plan if anything arises. Students will be given one warning for misbehavior above and beyond a redirection or repeated directions, and a parent will be contacted regarding the misbehavior. If a problem persists a second time, the student will be asked to sit out of the dance unit and will be given an alternate written assignment to complete about the history and culture of Spanish dance during any remaining practice sessions. Expectations will be explained to students on the first day. Thank you for your support during the Spanish dance unit.
If you have any questions, please contact Karin Davey (kdavey@d101.org), Jen Elder (jelder@d101.org), Marina Nemeth (mnemeth@d101.org) or Amy Wilkin (awilkin@d101.org). ¡Gracias!
McClure's Musical
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
4/4: IAR testing begins (3rd-5th grade)
4/18: Spring Open House/Celebration of Learning- 6:30PM
Laidlaw PTO Information
New Gaga Ball Pits
Students came back from Spring Break to new gaga ball pits made possible by PTO fundraising events! Special shout out to Mr. Forbes and Z for their help in the gaga pit glow up!
Laidlaw Run Club (spots still available in 4th and 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!
Word From WSFEE
Western Springs Community Happenings
Please click here for a current list of Western Springs community happenings and offerings!