Dear Laurel Park Families,
Our Track 1 and Track 3 students kicked off the 2026–2027 school year on July 7, and it has already been exciting to see classrooms filled with learning, new friendships, and students settling into new routines. The first few weeks of school are always busy as everyone adjusts to new teachers, classmates, and grade-level expectations.

This week will be a little quieter around Laurel Park before our calendar shifts again. Track 3 students will track out on July 29, and we look forward to welcoming our Track 4 students for their first day of school on Thursday, July 30. (26-27 Calendar)

As a reminder, Track 4 kindergarten students have an assigned staggered entry date. On their designated day, kindergarten students will attend school from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. Kindergarten families will use the carpool loop for both arrival and dismissal. To help traffic flow smoothly, we ask families to enter through the parking lot by following the large Laurel Park flag, which will allow you to bypass the regular carpool line.

As we continue through these warm summer days, here are a few friendly reminders for all families:

• Heat and Recess: North Carolina temperatures can rise quickly. We closely follow district weather guidance, which may require us to shorten or cancel outdoor recess to keep students safe. Please send your child with a labeled water bottle each day.
• Walker Procedures: If your child is designated as a walker/biker, the adult picking them up must also arrive as a walker/biker. Please do not park on campus and walk over to pick up your child, as this creates safety concerns and traffic congestion during dismissal.
• A Change of Clothes: Accidents happen at every grade level! We encourage all families to pack a complete change of clothes, including undergarments, in your child's backpack. Having these items readily available helps students return to class quickly and comfortably if needed.

Track 4 families, continue reading this edition of the Penguin Press for important back-to-school reminders and information to help your child have a successful start to the school year. We cannot wait to welcome you to Laurel Park!

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

• July 28: 3rd-grade Tr. 1 & 3 BOG Testing; Panera Bread Spirit Night (Beaver Creek), 4-8 pm
• July 29: Happy Out, Track 3!; Tr. 4 Grades 1-5 Meet the Teacher / Supply Drop Off, 4:30-5:15 pm (floating event)
• July 30: Tr. 4 First Day of School!
• July 30-August 4: Tr. 4 Kindergarten Staggered Entry (child attends one day from 9:30 am to 3 pm)
• August 5: Tr. 4 Kindergarten Meet the Teacher / Supply Drop Off, 11 am - 12 pm (floating event)
• August 6: Tr. 4 Kindergarten First Full Day of School; Tears & Cheers for Tr. 4 Kinder families during arrival in courtyard (red tables)
• August 7: Tr. 1 Q1 Interim report sent home
• August 18: Tr. 1 AIG Parent Q&A (virtual), 6 pm
• 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

3rd Grade Beginning of Year (BOG3) Reading Test

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Beginning-of-Grade 3 (BOG3) Reading Test is an early-warning assessment. Administered during the first 15 days of third grade, it establishes a reading baseline and satisfies "Read to Achieve" requirements for students who score at Achievement Level 3 or higher. 

Tracks 1 and 3 3rd-grade students will take the BOG3 Test the morning of Tuesday, July 28. 

BIMAS-2 Screener Information

In our continuing efforts to support the well-being of all our students, we will be administering a universal screener of social, emotional, and behavioral health. Our district uses the Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System-2 (BIMAS-2) research-based screening tool. This will help all of our students thrive academically by identifying students who may benefit from additional social and emotional support and interventions.

This will not require you or your child to do anything. Your child’s homeroom teacher will complete a questionnaire about your child’s actions and emotions displayed in class during a one-week time span. 

Parents have the option to opt out of the homeroom teacher completing a screener on their child. Track 3 students will receive the opt-out form this week, and if opting out, the form will need to be returned by July 29. 

Attn. Track 4: 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) be a walker or bike rider, please complete the form for each child before the first day of school.

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. 

Laurel Park's Family Handbook

Please review the linked handbook for information about Laurel Park procedures and processes. Below are answers to frequently asked questions:

• Teacher communication: Teachers typically communicate via Talking Points (text-like application) and email, and are expected to respond within 24 hours. Red communication folders are sent home weekly with work samples and school-related papers. Teachers also email newsletters at least twice monthly for important classroom information.
• Transportation delays: The Transportation Department will send a SchoolMessenger text message when there is a bus delay. Use the Here Comes the Bus application to track your child's bus. This app does not always work when there is a substitute driver.
• Toys: We ask that toys (e.g., Pokemon cards, fidgets/small trinkets, stuffed animals) remain at home.
• Birthday parties/food: Birthday parties are an off-campus activity. We cannot provide parents with a class list with student information, but we can send home invitations on your behalf to all students in the class. Teachers can coordinate with families if wanting to send something home in honor of a child's birthday. With the number of food allergies in each class, we ask that families do not provide celebratory cupcakes/treats but books, pencils, or other small trinkets. 

Renew Your Volunteer Status for the 26-27 School Year

Families 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.

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. 

From the Transportation Department: Decline Yellow Bus if Not Using 

If your family will not be using yellow bus transportation services for the 2026-27 school year, please visit our website, click on “Decline Transportation,” and submit the form. Removing students who do not intend to ride the bus from our rosters will allow us to provide the most efficient service possible.

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)
• September 10: Fun Run Event
• 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
• April 16: Family Fun Night
• May 15: 3rd Annual Sneaker Ball (School Dance)
• May 19: General PTA Meeting

Laurel Park Monthly Character Strength

In July, we will focus on Respect: You treat people, places, and things with care.

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. 

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!

The 2026-27 Spirit Wear Shop is Open!

Check out https://coolschoolspirit.com/laurelpark/

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!