Laurel Park Elementary Families,
We have wrapped up Week 1 of fundraising with Apex Leadership, Co., and we are excited to begin Week 2 with our culminating Fun Run event on Thursday, September 10! The Fun Run is a time for family and friends to cheer on their students as they run around smaller tracks set up on the field by grade level. There is music, cheering, and excitement as students run/walk to meet their goal of 42 laps.

Because of the ongoing heat, we have shifted the Fun Run events so three grade levels will run on the field at a time instead of two. 

• 9:30-10:20 am: Grades K, 1, & 2
• 10:30-11:20 am: Grades 3, 4, & 5

Please remember to have students wear sneakers on Fun Run day and to bring a bottle of water and a change of clothes, in case they want something dry to wear for the remainder of the day. Students will receive an Apex Leadership shirt to wear for the event. 

Thank you for supporting Laurel Park!

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

• August 31-September 11: Apex Leadership Fundraiser
• Sept. 7: No School / Holiday
• Sept. 8: Tr. 3 & 4 AIG Parent Information Q & A Session (virtual), 6 pm
• Sept. 10: Fun Run Event (Volunteer!); Cub Scouts Q & A in cafeteria @ 6 pm
• Sept. 11: PTA Snack Cart; Happy track out, Track 1! (Tr. 1 quarter 1 ends)
• Sept. 25: Instructional Assistant Appreciation Day
• Oct. 2: National Custodian Appreciation Day (Thank you, Maria!)
• Oct. 5: City Barbeque Spirit Night (Kildaire Farm Rd.)
• Oct. 6: Happy Track out, Track 4! (Tr. 3 & 4 quarter 1 ends); Penguin Quest Curriculum Night, 5:30-7 pm
• Oct. 7: Walk, Bike, & Roll to School; Welcome back, Track 1!
• Oct. 9: Tr. 1 & 3 1st-grade field trip
• Oct. 10: Campus Beautification Day, 8:30 am - 12 pm (Sign up!)

Field Trips are Coming!

Our students take at least one field trip each year to various parts of the local area (grades K-4) or Charlotte, NC (grade 5). We recognize that rising gas costs and the decrease in student enrollment have increased field trip prices this school year. Please contact your child's classroom teacher if you need financial assistance. We partner with the PTA to support families who need it. 

Interested in learning more about advanced learning? Join us on September 8 for a Q&A session

Families have the opportunity to join Stephanie Atwell 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 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 

New Club Alert! Crochet Club Seeking 2nd-5th Grade Students

Join us for a fun, relaxed hour of crochet for 2nd to 5th grade students! No experience needed - beginners will start with the basics (holding the hook, making a slip knot, and the chain stitch) before moving on to single crochet and simple projects like coasters, mini pouches, or granny squares. More experienced members are welcome to work on more advanced patterns and larger projects. The Crochet Club will meet monthly starting Sept. 22 in the STEM Lab from 4 - 5 pm.

Link to Interest Form: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfalipNxZizNMJOl8740eJ0pBsQIHYJ8vaDDNOE5BSOOdfcwA/viewform?usp=dialog

Seeking a D&D Expert to Teach 4th- & 5th- Grade Students

We have several eager 5th-grade students who are interested in starting a Dungeons and Dragons Club for 4th- and 5th-grade students to meet after school. Ms. Atwell, AIG teacher, can sponsor the club weekly on Tuesdays, but she is seeking at least one other adult who knows and has played the game. Contact Ms. Lovett at clovett@wcpss.net if interested.

Missed signing up for a club? Clubs below are still accepting students:

Chess Club: Open to students in grades 1-5. Chess Club members meet every Thursday, 3:45-4:30 pm, in the media center. If your child is interested in joining, please complete an application: https://forms.gle/9ZfRX7jTmVECKaSs6

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

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. 

LPNN: Ms. Kat Noland is looking for a few more 4th- and 5th-grade students interested in joining one of the newest clubs, Laurel Park News Network, to work as producers, writers, anchors/reporters, and members of the tech crew to create school news broadcasts. Club members will meet weekly on Tuesday, 3:45-4:30 pm, beginning October 13 in Ms. Noland's classroom. https://forms.gle/Rwe4Nm55arzRxD4B9

Laurel Park Monthly Character Strength

In August, we focus on the following character strength on the morning announcements and morning meeting: Creativity -- You use your imagination to make new ideas, solve problems, or create something unique.

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? Lucky's Community Pantry Wishlist

Purposity is a 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!

• September 10: Fun Run Event
• October 6: Penguin Quest (Curriculum Night), 5:30-7 pm
• October 7: Walk, Bike, or Roll to School 
• October 10: Fall Campus Beautification Day, 8:30 am-12 pm
• October 24: Trunk or Treat, 2-4 pm
• November 13: Family Fun Night
• November 18: PTA General Meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm
• December 3: Science & Engineering Fair, 6-7 pm
• February 17, 2027: General PTA Meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm
• 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, 6:30-7:30 pm

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

WCPSS Online Donation Options

Our district now accepts one-time and recurring donations via our district website. Families and community members can support the Angel Fund, Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year programs, WAKE Up and Read, Tools4Schools, and Special Education. Click the link to learn more.

Peak Beginnings Looking for Students

Community partner Peak Beginnings received additional funding to expand to another cohort this fall, and they are seeking students for the new class. Children in the new class will need to have birthdays between Sept. 1, 2022 and August 31, 2024. Email communications@peakbeginnings.org for more information.