MAY 1 - IN THIS ISSUE
INNOVATION FUND CLOSE-OUT CHALLENGE
Dear Families:

This is the final week of our annual fundraising effort, and we need your help to reach our goal. As of April 27, we have raised $185,302--just $14,698 to go! If you have not already done so, please make a donation, today.

So far, 54% of our Charlotte Lab School families and staff have donated to the Fund. I would like to thank each and every family who has participated! But we aren't done yet. Let's show the community that 100% of our families are committed to making our school great (and beat last year's participation rate of 85%). Your donation may also help your child win a pizza party for his/her class.

A donation of any size will make a difference. Did you know that: 
  • $1 = one app for a student tablet;
  • $ 5 = semester-long subscription to Mathletics for one child;
  • $10 = a new nonfiction book; and
  • $20 = lunch for a week for one student in need. 
How You Can Help: 
Along with your child, use the form & envelope that were sent home last Friday and return your gift by Friday, May 5. (We need your name in order to count your donation toward class participation.) The class with the highest % of participating families will win a pizza party. Note: If your family has already donated to the Fund, we appreciate your support, and your family has already been counted as a participant.

We will be wrapping up our annual fund this Friday. Please help us reach our ambitious goal so that we can continue to provide all of the wonderful resources that make Lab so special.
 
Thank you again for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Mary Moss Brown
Head of School

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WELLNESS UPDATE FROM MRS. WHELAN
As a school, we are mindful that the mention of EOGs can bring up stress and apprehension for our students. As you hopefully noticed last year, our goal is to have a balanced approach when preparing our students for these tests. Teachers continue to introduce material and strategies for these exams in the same manner they would explain a new lesson or project throughout subject areas. Testing tips of the day and multiple practice problems are presented on a regular basis; although teachers are aware that providing a calm and optimistic outlook around the EOGs is also important.

For more tips and suggestions around test preparation and test anxiety, check out these Test Preparation Resources.

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DIVERSITY CORNER
As our community continues to engage issues related to race and socioeconomic mobility, one of the Diversity Committee's goals is to provide resources for families to discuss these difficult topics at home. Interrupting cycles of inequality is no easy task, yet it can start with simple and honest conversations with your child.  

Jaime-Jin Lewis' article, "Five Myths of Talking about Race with your Child" identifies top reasons parents avoid discussions of race, why these reasons need to be re-examined, and she offers simple talking points you can use to get the conversation started at home. Learn more here



2, 4, 6, 8...WHO DO WE APPRECIATE?
CHARLOTTE LAB SCHOOL STAFF, OF COURSE!

The Staff Appreciation Committee has big plans this week to recognize our fabulous staff. Here's a peek at some of the fun things the PTSO has planned:
  • Staff will find a fridge stocked with drinks and snacks;
  • Staff will be treated to coffee, muffins, popcorn, fruit and candy during the week;
  • Staff will end the week with a catered lunch; and
  • King of Pops will visit Lab on Tuesday (tomorrow!) at dismissal. Pops will also be available for purchase by parents and students near the walker line. Each fun-flavored, gourmet pop costs $3.50. Cash sales only. Your purchase supports our Staff Appreciation Event.
Thank you to everyone who has donated treats and supplies for the week. 
GIRL SCOUTS, ANYONE?
Parents, would you and your daughter be interested in starting a LAB Girl Scout Troop? If there is sufficient interest from girls and parent volunteers, we could have a troop that encompasses the entire elementary and perhaps middle school. 
  • K-1 are Daisies
  • 2-3 are Brownies
  • 4-5 are Juniors
  • 6-8 are Cadettes
We will need at least one troop leader at each level and a "cookie owner." Please email Cat Malone if your family is interested. 
STUDENTS INVITED TO LEARNING CIRCLES @ UNCC
We are teaming up with UNCC's Urban Design Department on a fun "tactical urbanism" project designed to raise the visibility of the crosswalks at 9th and Brevard Street. This event will take place this Friday, May 5, so be sure to check out the cross walk transformation during dismissal at noon. (That's right, it is a half day!)

UNCC has also invited interested students to present short (2-3 minutes) mini lessons in public on topics and areas of interest. If you think your child may be interested, please contact Colby Snyder. These "learning circles" will take place Friday after school, and parents must accompany students who attend. 
CHARLOTTE LAB @ CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS
We are looking forward to seeing Lab families come out and cheer on the Charlotte Knights and the Charlotte Lab Chorus on Friday, May 5.

Tickets were put in your child's green folder last Friday, so please be sure to check. If you cannot locate your tickets by Thursday May 4, please email: 
lesliemueller@icloud.com.

If your child will be performing with the chorus, please report to Guest Services no later than 6:10 pm. Guest Services is located behind section 104.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We still need volunteers for the following Lab events:

Beginners Day and Orientation Day Volunteers
  • May 2 & 4 from 8:00-10:30 am. Welcome students and parents. Sign up here.
Book Fair Volunteers
Proctors for World Language Testing
  • May 9, 11 & 12. Volunteer to proctor tests. Sign up here.
Multicultural Night 
PTSO & DIVERSITY MEETING ON MAY 9
We've decided to do things a little differently this month, and we are combining our final PTSO and Diversity meetings of the year.

Please plan to come next Tuesday, May 9 from 6:30-8:00 pm

Proposed agenda includes:
  • End-of-Year Report by Mary Moss Brown
  • Diversity Committee Update and Survey Results by Members of the Diversity Committee
  • Selection of New PTSO Board
  • and much, much more.
Parking is free at Hal Marshall Annex on College Street and babysitting is available by emailing PTSO@charlottelabschool.org. Cost for child care is $5/family, but don't let the expense keep you from attending.

We look forward to seeing you there.
PARENT BOOK CLUB - ALL WELCOME
Join us on four Thursday mornings in May as we discuss the book Blessings of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel, PHD.  Participants will be asked to read 2-3 chapters of the book prior to each discussion. Not able to attend all four discussions?  No problem, join us whenever you are available. Check out wendymogel.com for more information.
 
Book club will meet immediately after drop-off. Get your child safely to school, find a parking spot (parking passes will not be available), grab coffee or a muffin over at Einsteins (in the UNCC building), and then join us for a group discussion. Prior to the first meeting, purchase a copy of the book Blessings of a Skinned Knee, through  Amazon Smiles
 
Book Club Details:
  • Date: 4 consecutive Thursdays on May 4, 11, 19 & 25
  • Time: 8:30-10:00 am
  • Location: Break Room at UNCC, check with the lobby attendant for room number (it will change from meeting to meeting)
Prior to the 1st Meeting:
  • Purchase Blessings of a Skinned Knee, by Wendy Mogel, PHD
  • Read the first 2 - 3 chapters of the book. 
RSVP: Let us know you will be attending by sending an email to Meegan Whelan
CALENDAR-AT-A-GLANCE
thru May 12 MAP Testing (see schedule)
Wed, May 3 Middle School Parent Orientation Night - New & Returning Families 6:30 PM
Fri, May 5 Classes until noon - Half Day Teacher Work Day noon
Fri, May 5 Knights Spirit Event 7:05 PM
Fri, May 5 Girls 4/5 Choir Sing National Anthem at Knights 7:05 PM
Tue, May 9-12 Book Fair
Tue, May 9 General Meeting - PTSO & Diversity Committee 6:30 PM
Fri, May 12 Muffins with Mom 7:45 AM
Mon, May 15 Multicultural Night 6:30 PM
Tues, May 16 Multicultural Night - Poster Session 7:45 AM
Tue, May 16 Chipotle - Midtown 4:30 AM
Fri, May 19 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast 8:15 AM
Sat, May 20 New Families Park Playdate (location tbd) 10:00 AM
May 23, 24 & 26 EOGs
Fri, May 26 Teacher Workday- FACULTY RETREAT - NO CLASSES
Mon, May 29 Memorial Day - HOLIDAY
Fri, Jun 2 Report Cards Home
Mon, Jun 5 Kindergarten Showcase 1:00 PM
Tue, Jun 6 Year End Carnival & Field Day all day
Wed, Jun 7 Last Day of School
FIELD TRIP CALENDAR
Since we have implemented summary billing, you will not always receive a separate notification for upcoming field trips.  To assist with your planning, this calendar captures upcoming field trips.

Thu, May 4 10:30 - 12:30 Harvey Gantt Museum Guided Tour Castro (3rd)
Fri, May 12 8:45-10:45 CLT Bilingual Preschool Outreach Program Select 5th grade students
Fri, May 19 8:45-10:45 CLT Bilingual Preschool Outreach Program Select 4th grade students

If you have a 2nd, 3rd, or 5th grader, please send in your field trip money as outlined in the March 2, 2017 letter.
NEWS WORTH REPEATING
Spring Testing Schedule can be found here.
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Charlotte Lab School
301 E. 9th Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

info@charlottelabschool.org

General Info: 704-464-3830

 

Teaching and Learning for the Next Generation