Laurel Park Elementary Families,
It has been a great start to the school year at Laurel Park! One of the unique aspects of being a multi-track, year-round school is that we have the joy of welcoming students and families over about six weeks, with a staggered start for PreK and Kinders.

When our Track 3 students return on Monday, August 24, all of our students, a little over 600 Penguins, will be on campus together for the following three weeks. This also coincides with the start of traditional-calendar schools, which means families should anticipate some delays with carpool, yellow bus transportation, and special education transportation.

As bus drivers adjust to routes that now include traditional-calendar schools, buses may arrive later than usual in both the morning and afternoon. Families of students with new drop-off and pick-up times received an email on Thursday, August 13, to alert you of this. If a bus is delayed, Transportation will send a SchoolMessenger text to families. If your child's bus has not arrived at Laurel Park by 4:30 pm, the school will also send a text update. Please remember that the Here Comes the Bus app tracks the bus, not the driver. If a substitute driver is using a different bus, the information shown in the app may not be accurate.

You may also notice increased traffic on the roads and a longer carpool line as more families return to their regular routines. While the line may look intimidating, our staff works hard to keep it moving safely and efficiently.

Please do not park and walk your child to the front of the school or drop your child off in the parking lot to avoid the carpool line. All carpool students must remain in their vehicle and use the designated carpool loop for arrival.

We appreciate your patience as our entire community gets back into its routine. Expect some delays, plan a little extra time, and know that our priority is getting every Penguin to and from school safely.

Respectfully,
Charelle Lovett, Principal
LPES Family Handbook
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Upcoming Events / Important Dates (Community Calendar)

• August 18: Tr. 1 AIG Parent Information Q & A Session (virtual), 6 pm
• August 19: Tr. 4 3rd-grade BOG3
• August 21: No School / Teacher Workday; PTA Snack Cart
• August 24: Welcome back, Track 3! (all students on campus); PTA Chick-fil-A Spirit Night (Peakway), 4-8 pm
• August 26: PTA Meeting in media center, 6:30-7:30 pm
• August 28: BIMAS opt-out forms due; Picture Day! (make-ups November 19); Ice Cream Social, 5:30-7:30 pm
• August 31-September 11: Apex Leadership Fundraiser
• Sept. 1: Kinder Dental Screening
• Sept. 4: Tr. 3 & 4 Q1 Interims
• Sept. 7: No School / Holiday
• Sept. 8: Tr. 3 & 4 AIG Parent Information Q & A Session (virtual), 6 pm
• Sept. 10: Fun Run Event (Sept. 11 rain date)
• Sept. 11: Happy track out, Track 1!

Interested in learning more about advanced learning? Join us on August 18 for a Q&A session

Families have the opportunity to join Stephanie Atwell and Natalie Bornholdt as they answer your questions about advanced learning services at Laurel Park and beyond. They are changing the format from years past by flipping the presentation. You will read the notes or listen to the presentation FIRST. Gather any questions you have and then attend the virtual question-and-answer session on August 18 or September 8, 6-7 pm. 

Presentation: LPES 2026 Parent Presentation - Advanced Learning Opportunities

Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/jst-hxhz-ued

Please reach out to Stephanie Atwell with any questions–or any questions that cannot wait!: satwell@wcpss.net 

Donations needed for Lucky's Pantry

LPES has a community pantry in the front of the building that stocks nonperishable foods, household essentials, and toiletries for families and community members in need. Good news: Lucky's Community Pantry now has an Amazon Wishlist! To assist us with stocking the pantry, see the wishlist link below. THANK YOU! 

Lucky's Community Pantry Wishlist

New Club Alert! Laurel Park News Network (LPNN) Seeking 4th & 5th Grade Students and Club Co-Sponsor

We are excited to launch LPNN (Laurel Park News Network), a student-led news crew for 4th- and 5th-graders, and are looking for a co-sponsor! LPNN will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45–4:30 pm (meeting dates to be shared soon). Students will work as producers, writers, anchors/reporters, and members of the tech crew to create school news broadcasts. Have an interested student? Complete the application here.

Mrs. Noland, club sponsor, is especially hoping to find someone to help who is not on Track 1, so LPNN can keep running while Track 1 is tracked out. You would not need to attend every meeting! She is mainly looking for someone who can help keep things moving when she is out and occasionally lend a hand when available. No news or video production experience is necessary. If this sounds like something you would enjoy, please let Kat Noland know (knoland@wcpss.net)!

Interested in Joining Chess Club? See info below.

Applications for the 2026-27 LPES Chess Club are now open! We will return on Thursday, August 20th at 3:45 in the Media Center. 

Our goals are to have fun, learn, and play lots of chess! Here's more information about what to expect. 

If your child is interested in joining, please complete an application: https://forms.gle/9ZfRX7jTmVECKaSs6

Members of the Chess Club are selected by a random drawing. Being a member last year does NOT guarantee a spot this year. We use a random drawing system to give all LPES students a chance to be members of the club.

Club Ambassadors for 2026-2027 are Doris "Dori" Gammon and TBD (email info@lpespta.org if interested in volunteering for this club this year!)

Sign up for Mileage, Craft, and/or Jump Rope Clubs!

Mileage Club: Open to students in grades K-5. Mileage Club members will meet on Tuesday and Friday mornings on the LPES track at 8:15 am, from October 6, 2026 through May 28, 2027. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/22kwazr7haGX9Hvr9. 

Craft Club: Open to students in grades K-5. Craft Club members will meet on the first and third Thursdays in the Art Room from 4-5 pm, beginning on September 3. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/7MTSL7Pcg1xxkmuo6 

Jump Rope Club: Open to students in grades 2-5. Jump Rope Club members will meet the second Tuesday of the month from September 2026 to May 2027 from 3:45 to 4:45 pm. Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/Z6B1HEWpeCQaKqJ66

Fall Picture Day is Friday, August 28

We will partner with Lifetouch again this year for yearbook pictures. Students will have their picture taken on August 28, and the make-up picture day will be November 19. (Class pictures are scheduled for the beginning of March.) Your child's teacher can share with you their exact picture time if your child will be arriving late or leaving campus early.

Have an hour to spare and would like to help our kids look their best? Sign up to volunteer here.

Come to our Ice Cream Social on Friday, August 28!

Our PTA sponsors numerous annual events for students and families to come together and enjoy. The first event on campus is an Ice Cream Social, with food trucks, lawn games, and ice cream from 5:30-7:30 pm on the LPES field. (This event will replace our annual movie night.)

We are seeking a few volunteers for the event to help with setting up, cleaning up, and monitoring games throughout the event. Available to help? Sign up to volunteer here.

Check your calendars, Tracks 1 and 4!

We learned there is an incorrect 2026-27 calendar floating around the internet if you simply search for the multi-track year round calendar. You must go directly to WCPSS's website or our site to view the correct calendar. Make sure you have marked the following:

• Track 4 tracks out on Tuesday, October 6
• Track 1 tracks in on Wednesday, October 7

Renew Your WCPSS Volunteer Status for the 2026-27 School Year

Adults who were approved to volunteer in the 2025-26 school year will receive an email outlining the volunteer review process for the 2026-27 school year. Check your spam or junk mail folder. This simple process to renew your volunteer status occurs from July 1 through October 31. After October 31, the process to sign up and be cleared to volunteer will take a little longer. 

Laurel Park Monthly Character Strength

In August, we focus on the following character strength on the morning announcements and morning meeting: Responsibility -- You do what you are supposed to do and take care of your things, your work, and your actions.

Ways to Support our Families & Community

We continue to add non-perishable food items to our Lucky's Community Pantry near the school's front entrance. Have items to donate? Please bring them to the front office or place them in the pantry.

Purposity is a new platform for WCPSS that allows our school team to share the real, immediate needs of students and families in our community. Families and staff can scroll through a list of posted needs, choose one they feel connected to, and meet it in just a few clicks. 

Friendly Family Reminders

• Smartwatches and Cell Phones: The only electronic device students should bring to school is the district-issued Chromebook. Personal technology (e.g., smartwatches, cell phones) should be turned off during school hours. Parents can call the front office to relay a message to their child.
• Extra Clothing: We ask all students to have an extra set of clothes at school in case something happens. (We have limited clothes and undergarments in the office.) Please check to ensure the school set is weather-appropriate and still fits.
• Become a WCPSS-approved Volunteer (must be completed annually)
• Arriving Late / Leaving Early: Students who arrive at school after 9:15 am must be signed in by the parent/guardian via the QR code on the front door. Early check-out ends at 3:15 pm. 

2026-27 School Events -- Mark your calendars!

• August 26, 2026: General PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm in media center
• August 28: Ice Cream Social (formerly movie night)
• September 10: Fun Run Event
• October 6: Curriculum Night
• October 7: Walk, Bike, or Roll to School 
• October 24: Trunk or Treat
• November 18: PTA General Meeting
• December 3: Science & Engineering Fair
• February 17, 2027: General PTA Meeting
• February 25: STEAM Night, 5:30-7:30 pm
• April 16: Family Fun Night
• May 15: 3rd Annual Sneaker Ball (School Dance)
• May 19: General PTA Meeting

Town of Apex CommUniversity: Back-to-School Community Connection & Conversation

What is one thing you would like town leadership to continue improving? Join the Town of Apex on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Wake Tech Community College - Western Wake Campus for a special CommUniversity: Back-to-School Community Conversation featuring Wake County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert P. Taylor.

As families prepare for the upcoming school year, Dr. Taylor will share updates on the district's priorities, including student achievement, school safety, family engagement, student wellness, and key initiatives that will shape the educational experience of Wake County students.

Following the presentation, Town Manager Randy Vosburg will moderate a live question-and-answer session, allowing attendees to engage directly with Superintendent Taylor and ask questions about the upcoming school year.

The evening will conclude with a Community Connect Resource Fair, where residents can connect with Town departments, community organizations, and local partners offering programs and resources that support students and families.

This free program is open to parents, caregivers, educators, students, and all community members interested in learning more about Wake County Public Schools and the resources available to help students succeed. Register to attend. 

Laurel Park PTA Information (lpespta.org)

What is the PTA?
We get this question a lot! The mission of our school PTA is pretty simple: To provide an enriching and engaging learning environment for all of our students while also growing our already vibrant school community. We also support and advocate for our awesome teachers, and we cannot do so without the help of our school families. Last year, thanks to your support, the PTA was able to:

• Provide teacher mini-grants to offset classroom expenses
• Provide each student with their own LPES Field Day T-Shirt
• Fund ongoing training for our teaching staff
• Fund learning websites for our teachers to use within their classrooms
• Sponsor school clubs for our children (Chess Club, Lego Robotics, Jump Rope Club, etc.)
• Sponsor and facilitate fun family activities including: movie nights, trunk or treat, STEAM night, sneaker ball, and much more! 

Get Involved
Looking for a way to get more involved in your child’s school experience? We would love for you to join us! We have opportunities throughout the year that can accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. 

• Join the PTA: Visit the LPES PTA webstore to join and pay dues for the year: https://laurelpark.givebacks.com/shop
• Attend our first meeting: We welcome everyone to join us for our first meeting of the year on August 26 at 6:30 pm in the media center! It’s a great opportunity to meet other LPES parents and learn more about our plans for the upcoming school year. Children are welcome to join us! Girl Scout Troop 2068 will be helping to run activities for the children in attendance. 
• Volunteer: Check out our list of opportunities for ways to help throughout the school year: https://www.lpespta.org/volunteer-opportunities