Lutherville Lab Report

What's gone down & what's coming up at the leopards' lair.

September 13, 2024

Lutherville Families,

We had a packed and productive week at The Lab! We were grateful to host so many families at Back to School Night! If you were not able to join us for the opening session in the gym, the welcome slides are attached to the bottom of this week's newsletter. This week we also welcomed Towson interns in math (Thursday) and science (Friday). Towson is one of three colleges with whom we have forged partnerships to help future educators gain experience and provide additional individual attention and support to our students.

Our next Community Event is Fall Family Night just three weeks from this Tuesday, on October 8th. The anchor session for our Fall Family Night is a Cultural Fair in the gym! This is an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful diversity that makes Lutherville Lab such a special community featuring 28 different home languages and 93 students whose families have a primary home language other than, or in addition to English! We are seeking families who would like to display and share some of their family's cultural roots. We welcome returning families to continue to share and welcome new families to share as well! If you'd like to sign up or have questions, please reach out ot Shaimaa Hussein at shimaahussien86@gmail.com.

As of Wednesday September 11th, all student devices were inspected and in good working order. The BCPS grace period for device damage has concluded and we are counting on our students to be responsible and safe with their devices. Please support that effort at home with careful carrying and keeping the device away from uncovered liquids.

Finally, teachers are submitting paperwork for fall field trips. As a reminder from our Welcome Back correspondence, parents/guardians need to be approved volunteers at least one week before the field trip to be selected to chaperone. The process can be found here, and completed paperwork should be sent to Mrs. McDevitt at kmcdevitt@bcps.org.

In partnership,

-Mr. McComb

Calendar Reminders:

10/3 - Schools Closed

10/8 - Fall Family Night

We're grateful for a great turnout for Back to School Night.

Family Literacy Day

Family Literacy Day 2024: Advocating to Succeed

Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Join us at Banneker Hall in Morgan State University for a day filled with activities and workshops centered around K-8 literacy. This in-person, FREE, event is perfect for families looking to learn how to support and advocate for their student.

Join us for special entertainment while we celebrate the joy of learning together.

Sponsored by Maryland Initiative for Literacy & Equity (MILE) and National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED).

Stay after to watch the Morgan State Bears Football vs. Virginia University of Lynchburg Dragons

Registration information is in the attached flier.

Girl Scouts Costume Drive

COSTUME DRIVE/SWAP Organized by: Lutherville Lab's Girl Scout Troop 4104

Who? Everyone!

What? Bring old costumes/dress-up items that are school-appropriate (any size)

Where? To the box in the lobby or outside of Mrs. Ellingsworth's room 18

When? Collecting now through October 8th to be available for selection at Lutherville Lab's Fall Family Night (10/8)

Why? To clean out, reuse, have fun, share our things, support our community!

Details:

You don't have to donate to pick up a costume!

Special Education Series for Families

Please see the opportunity below from the Department of Special Education Family Support Services:

There’s an upcoming Back to School Special Education Workshop Series that could be beneficial for parents and caregivers of children who receive special education services in BCPS.

This series will cover essential topics such as understanding the behavior intervention plan, advocating for a student in school and community, behavioral and emotional management strategies, and much more. It’s an opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical tools that can help support a student’s educational journey.

Workshop Highlights:

Advocating For Your Child in the School and Community- Dr. Mirian Ofonedu from Kennedy Kreiger Institute

September 12th @ 12:30

Being the Best Advocate for Your Child with Disabilities at School and in the Community - Kennedy Krieger Institute

Supporting Behavioral and Emotional Needs- Dr. Kiu Eubanks from GPS Clinical

September 16th @ 9:00 a.m.

September 17th @ 1:00 p.m.

September 18th @ 6:00 p.m.

Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/6JWd2KdaCZ

Understanding Behavior Intervention Plan- Carly Hughes from Behind Behaviors

September 25th @ 7:00 p.m.

Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/m2Y3vxbvRL

Location: Virtual/Online

Cost: Free

Please share this information. Spaces are limited, so early registration is recommended.

For more details, call 443.809.5443 or email serc@bcps.org

Our 5th grade Kindergarten dismissal helpers rock!

Art Updates from Mr. Weigle

Respiratory Infection Guidance

Please see the guidance below from the Office of Health Services:

Students and staff who develop a respiratory infection (e.g., fever with cough, sore throat, and/or runny nose) should stay home until the fever is gone for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication and their symptoms are improving.

Health officials recommend that people with respiratory infections consult with their health care provider. Testing for COVID-19 and/or influenza is recommended for persons who are at higher risk for severe disease who might benefit from antiviral treatment and for those who have anticipated close contact for persons at higher risk for severe disease.

Persons returning to school and work after a respiratory infection are encouraged to use additional prevention strategies such as maintaining physical distance from others and wearing a mask for give (5) days.

A Towson science intern discusses their experiment with Kindergarteners

Notes from the PTA

4 PIECES OF NEWS:

1. CONGRATULATIONS TO SHANNON WEISS, NEW CO-VICE PRESIDENT

At Back to School Night Shannon Weiss, mom of two Lutherville Lab children, was elected as Co-Vice President. We are thrilled to have Shannon in this new role and hope you will thank Shannon for her continued dedication in supporting the school and our community.

2. WHAT DOES "MEETING YOU WHERE YOU'RE AT MEAN"?

Our goal for the PTA this year is to make your connection to the school and our community as easy as possible.

Maybe you:

- are active on social media

- are from a country outside the US

- like to bake or cook

- have funds to share

- have a vehicle or wholesale membership club to share

- connected to a local business or entrepreneur

- your child wants to be/is an entrepreneur

Great! Please click here to complete a quick survey and we'll reach out to you to make sure to maximize your time and efforts.

Specifically, we have committed to:

- financially:

* setting up a Venmo account for membership and event payments (still in progress)

* providing affordable spirit wear items such as water bottle stickers and scrunchies

* collecting outgrown spirit wear and recycling within our community

* coordinating a FunDrive Savers Thrift Store fundraiser at no cost to families by collecting gently used household items

- events:

* retaining many favorite traditions while also hosting "Playground Pop-ins" at local playgrounds (see below for first one this Sun!)

- volunteering:

* sharing one SignUp Genius per month that includes all opportunities for involvement

3. A BIT OF HELP IS NEEDED VIA THE SIGNUP GENIUS FOR SEPT & OCT

Please click here for opportunities to support the PTA this Sept and Oct. We appreciate your support!

4. CALENDAR OF FALL PTA EVENTS

Please click here the link above to see the calendar distributed at Back to School Night. We hope to see you at many of these events, most of which are free!

ONE UPCOMING EVENT:

THIS SUNDAY SEPT 15TH: PLAYGROUND POP-IN

3-5 PM, SEMINARY PARK (1412 BURTON AVE)

The weather looks to be beautiful so we hope you'll pop by any time to grab a popsicle and let the kids run off some energy! This will be a great chance to spend time with friends and make new ones!

ONE REMINDER:

PTA MEMBERSHIP - JOIN TODAY!

As a reminder, PTA memberships are to be renewed each year. Dues are $15 and your membership ensures that you receive communication from the PTA and allows us to support the school in tremendous ways.

As a reminder, there are three payment options:

1) Venmo:

We have been notified that there is a bug in Venmo's new system for charities and are awaiting an update. Those who have emailed to ask about Venmo will also be sent a link just as soon as it is up and running. We will make a decision by Oct 1 if this appears to no longer be a viable option for payment.

2) Online platform: Givebacks

or

3) Complete and mail/send in this paper form with check or cash.