OCTOBER 24, 2016 - IN THIS ISSUE
Q1 ALMOST DONE!
It is a busy time at Lab, and all you need to do is take a look at the long list of events in this enewsletter to get a sense of the action at school. I can't believe that we are almost finished with our first quarter; I am so proud of our faculty and students for their strong performance so far. Our community is growing stronger everyday, and students are showing the Lab way in school and when they are out-and-about on field trips. 

Think Pink
To celebrate the last day of the the quarter, students are invited to a enjoy a uniform-free day this Friday, Oct 28. And, students and staff can make it a little more special by wearing pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Given the staggering statistics--o ne in eight women in the United States will be  diagnosed  with breast cancer in her lifetime, and it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women--I know there are many Lab families who have been impacted by this disease. By wearing pink, we can show show our support for these survivors and their families. Even if your child doesn't have/won't wear pink clothing, they can participate with a ribbon, scarf, hair bow, face paint(!), or anything pink.

Communication
I also want to use this week's update to help answer some questions about what parents can expect regarding communication from their advisors and through Seesaw. As you know, we rolled out the Seesaw platform about a month ago, and we have heard great things from parents who are appreciating the updates and enjoying the additional glimpses into their child's work and subject areas. I have asked all advisors to post something on Seesaw a minimum of once per week, and subject area teachers should post something every 1-2 weeks for each child. If you have concerns about how Seesaw is working for your child and family, including feedback on how frequently you hear from your child's advisor or teachers, please take a moment to share your feedback directly with the school using this form. By taking the time to let us know your concerns, you will help ensure that we are communicating consistently and making improvements, when necessary.

As a reminder, if you have not yet logged onto Seesaw, it is easy to get started! And, it is a great way to stay connected to what your child is learning at Lab. Log in instructions were sent home in your child's green folder at the end of September. Please contact your child's advisor if you need the information resent. 

Thank you for being part of Lab School. And, let's keep up the great work as we move into the second quarter!

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Moss Brown
Head of School
PARENT EVENTS & VOLUNTEERS OPPORTUNITIES
Breakfast with Dr. Moss Brown - 10/25
We have heard that some parents would appreciate some time to ask questions and chat with Dr. Moss Brown in a more informal setting. Now is your chance! Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, October 25 from 8:15-9:00 am in the Music Room. We're going to keep it simple and ask parents to bring in some breakfast treats to share. Please RSVP here and sign up to bring a breakfast item. Parking passes are first come, first served. Otherwise, try the meters on Brevard St. 

Diversity Committee Meeting - 10/26
It's not too late to join the Diversity Committee, a team of parents and faculty who will collaborate to support a diverse and inclusive community for our students, families, and staff.  Our first meeting for this school year will be Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 6:00-7:30 pm. The team will spend time discussing how to address potential questions, concerns, and needs of stakeholders in our community and creating a plan to ensure that future Lab events, policies, and daily practices intentionally reflect the diverse and inclusive culture in our school. Please email Kendra Johnson if you'd like join the committee but cannot attend this meeting.

Spanish Speaking Volunteers Needed - 10/28
On Friday Oct. 28 , Charlotte Bilingual Preschool will be holding a Kindergarten Fair from 11:00 am-noon . We would love to have a few volunteers attend and spread the word about Charlotte Lab and encourage some of their preschoolers to become part of our Lab family! Please sign up using this link.

LabMoms Night Out - 11/3
Join LabMoms on Nov 3 from 6:00-9:00 pm at the Wine Loft at 2201 South Blvd. The Wine Loft will donate 10% of all food and beverage purchases during the evening. Last year, we had such a great turnout that we have decided to make it an annual event. New this year, Erin McDermott Jewelry will join our event and donate 25% of the sales of her products to our school. Erin has been designing jewelry in Charlotte for the past 8 years and her jewelry has been featured in Real Simple Magazine & Southern Living. All of her jewelry is handmade using semi-precious stones -- great to wear everyday or dress up for an evening out on the town.  If you are u nable to make it , feel free to shop online at www.erinmcdermott.com & checkout with the promocode = labschool. You will receive  free shipping and 25%  of the proceeds will still be donated to the Lab school. 

Kids' Brains & Screens Workshop - 11/7
Families Managing Media presents Kids' Brains & Screens on Monday, November 7 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the school. This is a seminar for parents focused on equipping families to successfully manage their childrens' screen use, including facts, tips, and solutions. We will also cover the brain science behind screen use, the developmental impact of screen entertainment on children, and strategies to manage video games, social media, and smartphone misuse and addiction in your children's lives. For more information, check out 
www.familiesmanagingmedia.com. Please email Meegan Whelan if you plan to attend.  This is a free event. 
FAMILY EVENTS
Bethlehem Head Start Transition Fair - 10/31
On October 31,  Bethlehem Head Start will hold a transition fair from 9:00 am-1:00 pm , and we need your help!  Bring your children and have them help share with other kids and parents what they love about Charlotte Lab. Use the link to sign up.

Leroy Fox Dining Night Out - 11/9
The next Dining Night Out is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9 at Leroy Fox (705 S. Sharon Amity Rd., 704-366-3232) from 4:00-11:00 pm. Leroy Fox will donate10% of sales, so take a break from cooking and enjoy dinner out with Lab friends!
 
Toys & Company Fundraiser - 11/5-11/12
Just in time for the holidays, shop at Toys & Co. (242 S. Sharon Amity Rd.) during the week of November 5-12. Mention that you're shopping to support Charlotte Lab School at checkout, and the school will receive 20% of the accumulated purchases! Remember to promote this to your friends and family!!

Hornets Game is Sold Out
Thanks to everyone that purchased tickets for the Hornets game. We are officially sold out with a profit of $1,000 for our school! Look for information on ticket distribution in the coming weeks. If you missed out on this event, we have two more Spirit Night fundraisers coming up later this year. Mark your calendars  for the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday, January 28 and Charlotte Knights on Friday, May 5.
LOVE AND LOGIC WORKSHOP
Ever wonder what happened to your brain cells since you've had kids?  Do your kids leave you completely speechless? Or argue about things that are absolutely absurd? Most kids have mastered the art of (not-so-subtle) manipulation by utilizing all their natural resources...tears, whiny voices, slamming doors, and disrespect. They earn high marks in never listening the first time you ask them to do something! Do you experience these and other symptoms?

If so...consider A LOVE AND LOGIC® PARENTING WORKSHOP. You'll get personal attention in a small group setting and tools to help make parenting a whole lot easier. You'll learn how to give time-outs, avoid ridiculous arguments, put together consequences that you can stick to, and b uild strong, healthy relationships with your children.

Dates: Four sessions: Nov 15, 29 & Dec 6, 13.
Location: UNCC Center City (right across the street) Room 805.
Cost: $110

SECOND GRADE FAMILIES - SUPPLIES NEEDED
A great big thank you to the LabDads who have helped our 2nd grade Sound Quest by building frames for our mobile sound garden. 

You can still support the 2nd grade Sound Quest by donating or recycling these items:
  • gift cards to Lowes or Home Depot
  • springs and coils
  • heavy plastic or metal containers
  • plastic party horns
  • pvc piping
  • tubes (weather resistant)
  • metal spoons (various sizes)
  • rubber bands of all sizes
Send them to school in the coming week in a bag marked "Quest Project." Questions? Email Colby Snyder.
YEARBOOK UPDATES
ORDER BEFORE OCT 28
Early bird pricing on yearbooks ends October 28. That is just one week away, so order now! If you purchase your yearbook before October 28, you can buy your yearbook at last year's price of $20 plus tax. With this early bird special, if you personalize the yearbook with your child's name ($5), you will also receive 4 icons for free (normally $3 each.) Buy now online.

COVER CONTEST
Create an original work of art for our Yearbook Cover Contest. Suggested themes include Life @ Lab, your Lab Community, or our new mascot, the Lab Lions. Take your time, do your best, and return your artwork by Nov 10 to the Art Room in the "Yearbook Cover Contest" box. Additional info was sent home in your child's green folder. Several finalists will be chosen, and the winning artwork will be featured in this year's yearbook. 
 
PHOTO FUN!
Please, please, please download the ReplayIt app on your smart phone. We need photos for the yearbook. Friends, school events you chaperone, candid class and teacher photos while volunteering, carpool, walker line, after school park play dates, all the clubs, we want it all! It is super easy and your child will love seeing his or her pictures in the yearbook. For questions, please contact Zoe Balsamo at [email protected] .
SNACK DONATIONS
Next time you are at the store, please consider picking up some snacks for our families in need.  We are currently looking for bulk cheerios, granola bars, and other items to replenish our snack supply. All snacks must be nut-free and should be delivered to the front office. 
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
Strings, Anyone?
Would your student like to learn to play the Violin? Community School of the Arts is starting group violin lessons at Lab on Fridays after school. The cost is $20 per session (plus CSA registration fee and violin rental).  

Intramural Cross Country for 4th and 5th Grades
We have secured a great coach for this program, and it starts  November 7. We'd love more runners to join us. The cost is $75 for the quarter-long class.  

Please email  [email protected] for more information on either of these classes.
CALENDAR-AT-A-GLANCE
Tues, Oct 25, 2016 Breakfast with Dr. Moss Brown 8:15 AM
Fri, Oct 28, 2016 End of Q1
Mon, Oct 31, 2016 Halloween/No School - Teacher Work Day
First Week of November Parent/Teacher Conferences Begin
Wed, Nov 2, 2016 CLS Board Meeting 5:45 PM
Fri, Nov 5-12, 2016 Toys & Co. Fundraiser
Tue, Nov 8, 2016 Election Day
Wed, Nov 9, 2016 Open House 6:30 PM
Wed, Nov 9, 2016 Leroy Fox Dining Night Out 4:00 PM
Thu, Nov 10, 2016 Classes until Noon - Half Day Teacher Work Day 8:00 AM
Fri, Nov 11, 2016 Veterans Day - HOLIDAY
Tue, Nov 15, 2016 Walk In Conference Night 4:00 PM
NEWS WORTH REPEATING
Loving our Lunch Volunteers! If you can help any day from 10:45 am-12:45 pm, your child(ren) will eat free that dayIf your child eats lunch at school, we hope you will consider volunteering regularly for this job. Sign up here.
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Sign up for text reminders using Remind 101. By subscribing to the Whole School AND your child's grade level, you will receive up-to-date text reminders of need-to-know information. Simply text the correct code to 810-10. Standard text rates do apply.
  • Whole School - @Fk2c2
  • Kindergarten - @2a34d
  • 1st Grade - @8g9ccd
  • 2nd Grade - @48h447
  • 3rd Grade - @hea66
  • 4th Grade - @43gf3d
  • 5th Grade - @4dha6

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Send in your Box Tops and other rewards. This competition ends next Friday and many of the grades are very close! Who will win? Give it your best shot and let,s see!
Charlotte Lab School
301 E. 9th Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

[email protected]

General Info: 704-464-3830

 

Teaching and Learning for the Next Generation