Dear Laurel Park Families,
What an amazing year it has been serving as Laurel Park's school leader. One of the gifts of education is that nearly every experience can be connected to a teachable moment or life lesson. This year brought many opportunities that strengthened my resilience, patience, and love for the work we do each day.

Our school theme this year focused on being a marigold -- a flower known for enriching the soil, attracting pollinators, and protecting neighboring plants. Much like marigolds, we thrive when we support and uplift one another. Education is a people-centered profession where relationships, collaboration, and a sense of belonging are essential to building a strong community. Thank you for trusting us to pour into your children each day and for partnering with us throughout the year.

As we close one chapter and prepare for another, we celebrate our outgoing 5th-grade students as they continue their educational journeys in middle school. At the same time, we look forward to welcoming our newest penguins as they begin their Laurel Park adventure in kindergarten. It was wonderful to see many of our incoming kindergarten families connect at last week's Kindergarten Playdate hosted by our PTA.

This season is always filled with mixed emotions as we say farewell to some families while eagerly opening our doors to others. Whether your family is joining us, moving on, or returning next year, we are grateful that Laurel Park has been part of your child's story.

This week, teachers have scheduled end-of-year celebrations at various times. If you plan to attend, please remember that signing into the building through our Visitor Management System requires a valid photo ID. We encourage you to allow extra time for check-in. We also kindly ask that Laurel Park siblings remain with their classes and not attend a sibling's end-of-year celebration.

On Friday, we will celebrate our 5th graders as they move up to middle school. Cafeteria doors (near the courtyard) will open at 10:30 am, and the ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00 am. Families with younger Laurel Park students will receive a separate email outlining procedures for checking out younger siblings to attend the ceremony.

Friday is also the final day of school for Tracks 3 and 4. Fourth-quarter report cards will be sent home with students. While the school year ends for our students, our staff will continue working into next week as we prepare for the 2026-27 school year.

Please continue reading below for important information and updates as we look ahead to another fantastic year at Laurel Park Elementary.

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

• June 26: Tr. 3 & 4 5th-grade Moving Up Ceremony @ 11 am (Doors open at 10:30 am); Tr. 3 & 4 Report Cards go home; Tr. 3 & 4 Last Day of School
• June 30-July 2: Teacher Workdays
• July 3: Holiday / Building Closed
• July 6: Tr. 1 & 3 Meet the Teacher / Supply Drop Off, 2-3:30 pm (floating event)
• July 7: Tr. 1 & 3 First Day of School!
• July 7-10: Kindergarten Staggered Entry (child attends one day from 9:30 am to 3 pm)
• July 13: Tr. 1 & 3 Kindergarten Meet the Teacher / Supply Drop Off, 11 am - 12 pm
• July 14: Tr. 1 & 3 Kindergarten First Full Day of School

2026-27 Teacher Assignment Communication

July 1st marks the start of the 2026-27 school year, and it is just around the corner! Families in grades 1-5 will receive their child's teacher assignment on Tuesday, June 30. Once teachers are assigned, no class change will be made. Kindergarten families will receive their teacher assignment after staggered entry. Click the link to see who our teachers are on each grade level team. (Pictures will be added soon.)

Rising Kindergarten Orientation Slides

Please review the Kindergarten Orientation Slides if you missed joining us on May 27. Slides include general information about Laurel Park and staggered entry. Reach out to the school if you still have questions. 

School Supply Lists

Check out the school lists on our website for grades K-5, including students in ECS. Any family needing support with purchasing school supplies, please contact our social worker, Tessa Barrans, at tbarrans@wcpss.net. 

School Meal Price Increase

The School Board voted to increase the price of elementary breakfast to $2.25 and elementary lunch to $4.00 to help cover increasing food costs. If your family needs support with purchasing meals, apply for free or reduced price meals here. 

Meet the Teacher / Supply Drop Off

Students in Grades 1-5 will meet their teacher and drop off their school supplies on Monday, July 6th (Tracks 1 & 3), 2:00-3:30 pm, and Wednesday, July 29th (Track 4), 4:30-5:15 pm. Kindergartners will attend school one day during the first week of school, and attend a Meet the Teacher on July 13th (Tracks 1 & 3) or August 5th (Track 4), 11:00 am-12 pm. 

Walking/Biking to school? Sign up!

Students who are in grades 2-5 may walk or bike home alone with parent permission. Students in grades K-1 must leave campus with a trusted adult. Unfortunately, that is not their older LPES sibling. If you plan to have your child(ren)'s transportation be a walker or bike rider, please complete the form for each child before the first day of school.

Register with the Taylor Family YMCA for Before- & After-school Care

Laurel Park partners with the Taylor Family YMCA for before- and/or afterschool care. Families register directly with the YMCA to create a schedule specific to the family. Doors open at 7 am, and student dismiss directly from the cafeteria to their classrooms at 8:45 am. In the afternoons, students are released from their classrooms at 3:45 pm to go to the cafeteria if they participate in after-school care with the YMCA.

The 26-27 Garden Club has openings!

The Garden Club is seeking new students to join them next school year. Interested in your child participating in the monthly meetings? Contact club coordinators at lpesgardenclub@gmail.com.

2026-27 WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook Only Available Online

Due to budget reductions, the district will not print or distribute paper copies of the 2026-27 Student/Parent Handbook. The online handbook will be posted on wcpss.net by June 26, and the link will be included in the district’s back-to-school message. Parents will not be required to sign the handbook signature sheet this year.

2026-27 School Events -- Mark Your Calendars!

• August 26, 2026: General PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm in media center
• August 28: Family Fun Night & Ice Cream Social (formerly movie 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
• April 16: Family Fun Night
• May 15: 3rd Annual Sneaker Ball (School Dance)
• May 19: General PTA Meeting

Laurel Park Monthly Character Strength

In June, we will focus on Optimism: You believe good things can happen.

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.
• Grades 3-5 Chromebooks: Students are expected to bring their charged Chromebooks to school daily. These are not only used for classwork but also for district and statewide testing that occurs throughout the school year.
• 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. 

Art Buzz Kids Camps

Looking for a creative and engaging experience for your child? Art Buzz Kids, the family-friendly program from Wine & Design, offers exciting art camps, classes, and special events designed to inspire imagination and build confidence through hands-on creativity. Each camp features fun, kid-approved themes, unique art projects, and opportunities for children to explore new skills while expressing themselves. Best of all, every young artist takes home their own masterpiece, and families are invited to celebrate their accomplishments at a special art showcase at the end of the week. It's creativity, learning, and fun, all in one colorful experience!

Email: apex@wineanddesign.com / Website: www.wineanddesign.com/apex-nc 

Laurel Park PTA Information (lpespta.org)

Join the PTA

Laurel Park has an active PTA that serves as our primary parent-teacher organization. Advocating for public schools and sound instruction is the PTA's priority in supporting the school with clubs, coordinating school events, beautification, playground enhancements, teacher planning days, and instructional resources. PTA members will receive a 10% discount on all spirit wear opportunities.

PTA Seeking Volunteers

The LPES PTA has a vibrant community of volunteers, but they need your help! There is a place for everyone -- whether you have a few hours a month or the capacity to take on a larger project. Click the link to learn more about available micro and mini volunteer roles. The PTA wants to continue to offer fun events for families, and they cannot do that without volunteer support!

Spirit Rock Rentals are Open for 2026-27

Celebrate your favorite Penguin with a personalized Spirit Rock message. Whether it's a birthday, sporting event, achievement, teacher appreciation, or any special occasion, the Spirit Rock is a fun way to share your excitement with the school community. Reserve your date today and learn more at lpespta.org/spirit-rock!