OCTOBER 23 - IN THIS ISSUE
YOU'RE INVITED
When the school year began 8 weeks ago (Can you believe it?) we were so focused on making sure we were ready to go that we didn't have time to stop and celebrate a major milestone--the opening of our Middle School campus. Thanks to a group of fabulous volunteers, staff, and students, we are not going to let this accomplishment pass without taking time to share our success, thank everyone who has been involved along the way, and enjoy the families and friends who helped make it happen. I hope you will join us for our Middle School Dedication and Ribbon Cutting event this  Sunday, October 29 from 2 to 4 pm. We look forward to celebrating the growth of our school with the Lab community and our partners. Please join us for:
  • a ribbon cutting ceremony and a few words from our administrative team;
  • a student dedication of a time capsule to commemorate the founding Middle School class;
  • the unveiling our new four-ton spirit rock; 
  • light refreshments; and
  • a fun get-to-know-you activity so you can connect with other Lab parents. 
Also, in case you missed it in last week's enews, please be sure to complete this Beginning of Year Family Feedback Survey by the end of the week. We rely on your feedback to continue to make our school stronger.

Have a great week.

Sincerely,

Mary Moss Brown
Head of School

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WELLNESS UPDATE FROM MRS. WHELAN
Our guest columnist Brett reminds us of the importance of unprocessed foods in today's Wellness Update.

Focus on Whole Foods

Consuming whole foods--unprocessed foods that don't contain preservatives, chemicals, fillers, artificial flavors or colors--is best for your health. A whole food can be eaten or cooked as you find it in nature. Foods that grow in the soil...on a tree...or come directly from animals, fish, or fowl...are whole foods. If, however, they are refined in a manufacturing plant or include additives (chemicals, preservatives, coloring or flavoring), they are not whole foods.  

Whole foods:
  1. Are lower in calories.  When comparing a whole food with its processed version, the whole version is often lower in calories. They come as nature made them without added fat, sugar, or sodium
  2. Are more filling. Whole foods are satisfying because they are nutrient dense, while processed foods lose fiber and other nutrients that leave you wanting more.
  3. Protect against disease. Whole foods contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phenolics, fiber, and other phytochemicals, which help lower risk of diseases, including: cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Yet, ingredients in processed foods can contribute to these diseases.  
  4. Are pure.  Whole foods don't contain harmful chemicals, preservatives, or additives, whereas many ingredients in processed foods can cause cancer, allergic reactions, and can interfere with the body's functions and metabolism.
  5. Help decrease unhealthy fat consumption.  Whole foods make it easier to avoid unhealthy fats (e.g., trans fats). These are often added to processed foods or are created during the cooking process of manufactured and fast foods.

More Info:

CHESS TOURNAMENT
Congratulations to the Lab Chess Team for winning a 1st place trophy at the first tournament of the season! Twenty-two Lab Chess Team players, ranging from kindergarten to sixth graders, represented the school at the event held at Olympic High School in southwest Charlotte on Saturday, October 14. The coaches are proud of all of the chess players for demonstrating sportsmanship, grit, and perseverance through 3 challenging matches.  
OPEN HOUSE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We have a few more open house dates (listed below) for prospective parents scheduled for the remainder of the year. If you are interested in volunteering to welcome prospective families and answer questions about your family's Lab experience, please sign up here. Don't worry if you have never helped out at an open house before. We will go over basic talking points beforehand. It'll be a lot of fun!!
  •   Tuesday October 24 - Middle School (grades 6 and 7) 
  •   Monday November 6 - Grades K-1
  •   Wednesday November 15 - Middle School (grades 6 and 7)
PTSO NEWS
YEARBOOKS! GET YOUR YEARBOOKS!
This is the last week to take advantage of the back-to-school yearbook special. Buy now and receive 4 free icons when you personalize your yearbook--a $12 value! Yearbooks are $25 and include both the lower and middle schools. Order your yearbook today.

ARTWORK CONTEST
Artwork for the yearbook cover contest is due this Friday Oct 27. This is the last week to submit entries. PLEASE make sure your child writes their name, grade, and homeroom on the BACK of the artwork. Some submissions have no information and it will be difficult to determine who they belong to.

CANDID PICTURE ALL CALL!
Want your kids' candid picture in the yearbook? Have great photos from a school related activity? PLEASE upload it on the ReplayIt app. Download the app once (you will need it as long as your child is registered at LAB School) and upload your photos as you take them. Please tag the children in the photos and their grades. TIP: Photos with more children are more likely to make it in the yearbook. It takes a village, so please help make this a great yearbook.

COKE PRODUCT UPDATE
Lab is no longer accepting Coke product bottle tops at the school, and we are no longer collecting caps for the school art project; however, we would love for you to create a Coke account, enter the codes from drinks you consume, and donate them to the school. This will help us earn valuable supplies for our school. Email Zoe Balsamo at [email protected] for more information. 

THANK YOU!
Thanks to all of our Lab families for your outstanding response to our Hurricane Relief Change Drive. Special thanks to Bita Clark for leading the effort and to all of our collection volunteers--Sue Hawes, Frances Glasgow, Pam Bradford, Jackie Peterson, Tracey Rosenberg, Mandy French, Elizabeth Benitez, Jessica Moulton, Zoe Balsamo, Mandy May, Kelly Bliss Smith, Kesha Dawson, Corinne Connor, and Angela Nevill. Also, a big shout out to Ms. Davino and her 4th graders for the creative signs and collection help. Once the money is counted, we'll let you know the results!

Thanks, also, to Leslie Mueller and Cynthia Wood for leading the Middle School's Beautification Work Day on Sunday, Oct 15. A huge thank you to all of our families and faculty that came to help. Our new campus looks amazing!

CLUCK! CLUCK!
Several families have asked for a way to help out with our middle school chickens, so we created a  sign up for donations of chicken feed and bedding in the upcoming months.  If you would like to help, sign up here and follow the links to the website where you can pay online and Mr Luft will pick up the supplies for our feathery ladies (since the site does not deliver). Thank you, Mr Luft! 
FACULTY BIRTHDAY TREATS
Parents! Help us celebrate faculty birthdays with a small treat during the month of each staff person's birthday. All you need to do is sign up for an open slot and bring a treat on the designated day. Learn more and sign up here. (We still need some help for November birthdays!) 
CALENDAR-AT-A-GLANCE
Tues, Oct 24 Middle School Open House 6:30 PM
Sun, Oct 29 MS Ribbon Cutting 2:00 PM
Tues, Oct 31 Love and Logic Parenting Series 8:45 AM
Wed, Nov 1
Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL
Sat. Nov 4 - 11
Toys & Co Fundraiser
Sun, Nov 5 Parents Party 3:00 PM
Mon, Nov 6 K-1 Open House 6:30 PM
Fri, Nov 10
Veterans Day-Holiday
Tue, Nov 14 Nothing But Noodles Spirit Night 4:30 PM
NEWS WORTH REPEATING
SAVE THE DATE for our first Parents Party on Sunday, Nov 5 from 3-6 pm. Join us at Triple C Brewery (2900 Griffith St) to watch the Panthers game, play corn hole, and meet other Lab School Parents! (We love our kids but this is a parents-only
event to meet and mingle with other parents.) We hope to see you there!
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LOVE AND LOGICĀ® PARENTING WORKSHOP presented by Wendy Petricoff, Owner of Charlotte Parenting Solutions! 
  • Who: 3rd-6th grade Parents/Guardians Dates: Every Tuesday, 8:45 am-10:15 am for 3 weeks beginning October 31 (Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 13) 
  • Where: Lab Middle School Large Commons 
  • Cost: $115 per family, includes a workbook 
Register directly with Charlotte Parenting Solutions--select Charlotte Lab Private Course from the drop-down menu.
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Please join the Lab Parents Book Club in October as we discuss  Raising Cain  by Dan Kindlon, PH.D. 
  • Book: Raising Cain, Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Dan Kindlon, PH.D.
  • Date: 4-Thursdays on Oct. 5, 12, 19 & 26
  • Time: 8:30-10 am or as soon as you can make it after drop-off.
  • Location: Amelie's on North Davidson. Grab a yummy treat or drink at the counter, then join us for the discussion. We meet in the courtyard area through the back door of the restaurant.
  • Alternative Viewing Option: Watch the PBS Home Video, Raising Cain, Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys
  • RSVP: Let us know you are coming by emailing Michele Davis at [email protected]. We need a minimum of 4 confirmed attendee's to hold the discussion.

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Lunch payments can be made at  K12PaymentCenter.com . I t is not necessary to order your lunch in advance; however, if your child requires a special meal (gluten free or vegetarian) please let Mrs. Malone know in advance.
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Please turn in the Box Tops you have saved over the summer and start reaching out to family, friends, and maybe even your church or neighbors to collect Box Tops and raise money for the school this year.  We will have a promotion running until October 27 to see which class can bring in the most Box Tops. 
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If you are making a change to your child's afternoon dismissal, please make sure to complete the online transportation form NO LATER THAN 2:00 pm. After 2:00 pm, you must call the school and let Ms. Fulcher (LS) or Ms. Clinch (MS) know.  And don't forget, e arly dismissal ends at 3:00 pm. If you arrive after 3:00 pm, you will be asked to wait to pick up your child until regular dismissal at 3:30 (LS) or 3:45 (MS). 
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Don't forget to like Charlotte Lab School on Facebook. There is also a Charlotte Lab School Parents Page. This page is managed by parents and not visible on Facebook for security reasons, so if you want to join the group, please email the page administrator Nicole Bowen, and she will invite you to join.
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Please note that on days that your child is sick or absent, we ask that you email his/her homeroom teacher and our Front Office Managers  Stefanny Fulcher   (Lower School) or Lauri Clinch (Middle School) before 8:30 am. A note from parents (and a doctor's note, if applicable) is necessary and should be sent immediately and no longer than 3 days after the absence. Don't forget that our funding depends on our attendance the first 20 days of school, so please make every effort to ensure your child is at school.
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Be sure to sign up for Remind 101 and receive last minute reminder texts from Lab. Just text the correct code (below) to 81010. Be sure to sign up for the Entire School messages, plus the relevant grade levels and after school if applicable. Standard text rates do apply. 

  • Entire School - @Fk2c2
  • Kindergarten - @bea6h
  • First Grade - @2a34d
  • 2nd Grade - @8g9ccd
  • 3rd Grade - @48h447
  • 4th Grade - @hea66
  • 5th Grade - @43gf3d
  • 6th Grade - @4dha6
  • After School - @labschoola
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    Parents are invited to celebrate their children's birthdays at school, and we ask that you follow these policies:
    • Parents may join their child for lunch and bring a small treat to share with advisory to celebrate their child's special day.
    • Birthday celebrations must be arranged IN ADVANCE with the child's advisor so that he/she knows when to expect you and can plan an alternative treat for those children who might not be able to enjoy what you bring.
    • All treats must be NUT-FREE
    Charlotte Lab School
    301 E. 9th Street
    Charlotte, NC 28202

    [email protected]

    General Info: 704-464-3830

     

    Teaching and Learning for the Next Generation