In The Laidlaw Loop
Family Update- March 1 2024
There were lots of exciting classroom happenings this week:
All students in grades K-5 participated in Mrs. Kreuzer and Mrs. Dolan's fastest class competition! The competition was part of Laidlaw's fitness unit, which focused on cardio endurance, strength training and balance, flexibility and meditation. Each class in the school participated in a 3 minute run to see which class could get the most laps. These classes were deemed the fastest by those that had the average highest number of laps per person. Congrats to Mrs. Wesson's 4th graders and Mrs. Hornbeck's 2nd graders for winning the competition.
Our 2nd graders were hard at work this week learning how to measure! In order to bring this skill "to life," students made their own robots and then utilized measuring skills to take accurate measurements of the robot's limbs. They were so proud of their creations and of their mathematics skills!
I also had the chance to push into some Spanish classes and see first hand the wonderful cultural units that are taking place right now. In addition to teaching our students some Spanish language foundations, our Spanish team is committed to teaching Spanish cultural elements as well.
I look forward to seeing many of you at tomorrow's Laidlaw Spelling Bee. Best of luck to all participants.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Renee
Laidlaw Art Fair: I Wonder
Announcing “I Wonder…” 2024 Laidlaw Art Fair, Tuesday March 12 @ 6:30pm-7:45pm. The art fair includes student art exhibit and up-cycled toy-making craft stations (exhibition is not mandatory). Family and friends welcome! We are looking for volunteers for art supplies, art mounting and station volunteers at the event. Please reach out to jillmvanh@gmail.com or kelleyquinnclark@gmail.com for more details.
Artwork submissions can be dropped off artwork to Kelley Clark @ 4073 Garden Ave. by March 1. Bin on porch. Please fill out your registration form linked here. This helps us identify who belongs to what.
WSFEE Awards Sensory Grant to Laidlaw
Laidlaw's staff and students are BEYOND GRATEFUL to WSFEE for awarding an incredibly generous sensory space grant to our school. Curious about what a sensory room, hallway is and how it is impactful to student learning? Check out this student-led video here (by some of Laidlaw's very own awesome 5th graders) to learn more about the grant and the items that we purchased with it.
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/
D101 Book Drive
D101's Book Drive is Coming! Please support D101's book drive benefiting Open Books, a literacy non-profit providing book access and literacy programs to children and families in Chicago.
Collection boxes will be in the Laidlaw entrances the week of March 4th - March 8th. You can donate any book in good condition; they are especially in need of children's books and books in Spanish.
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
Tuesday, February 27: Band Concert (7PM- McClure)
Thursday, February 29: Orchestra Concert (7PM- McClure)
Saturday, March 2nd: Spelling Bee (9AM at Laidlaw)
Tuesday, March 5: Spirit Day
Laidlaw PTO Information
D101's Book Drive - March 4-8
Please support D101's book drive benefiting Open Books, a literacy non-profit providing book access and literacy programs to children and families in Chicago. Collection boxes will be in the Laidlaw entrances the week of March 4th - March 8th. You can donate any book in good condition; they are especially in need of children's books and books in Spanish.
Announcing “I Wonder…” 2024 Laidlaw Art Fair, Tuesday March 12 @ 6:30pm-7:45pm.
The art fair includes student art exhibit and up-cycled toy-making craft stations (exhibition is not mandatory). Family and friends welcome! We are looking for volunteers for art supplies, art mounting and station volunteers at the event. Please reach out to jillmfinn@yahoo.com or kelleyquinnclark@gmail.com for more details.
Artwork submissions can be dropped off artwork to Kelley Clark @ 4073 Garden Ave. by March 6th (deadline extended). Bin on porch. Please fill out your registration form linked here. This helps us identify who belongs to what.
March 14th is Laidlaw’s St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser
We are almost there! Please help us reach our school goal of $15,000. If you are new to this annual tradition please consider having your child join in either as a Shavee or supporting a friend meet their fundraising goal. Click HERE for more info!
Laidlaw Plant and Flower Sale is Here!
Click the link below
https://form.jotform.com/240355479255159
Sale opens Friday, March 1st.
Orders are due by March 22nd.
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.
Save the Date! Off the Street Club (OTSC) Circle of Friendship Party
April 27th from 12:30-3:30 PM at The Corral at LT South. Participant and volunteer sign-up coming soon!
Upcoming PTO Events
Saturday, March 2 - Spelling Bee, 9-10 AM
Week of March 3rd - D101 Book Drive
Tuesday, March 12 - Art Fair, 6:30-7:45 PM
Thursday, March 14 - St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser
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 list of Western Springs community happenings including:
-Music Makers Spring Signup