AUGUST 15, 2016 - IN THIS ISSUE
AND WE'RE OFF...
It's hard to believe that our summer is over and that teachers started today! Over 40 of us gathered this morning to kick off our second year; in addition to some goal setting that will guide our work all year, we worked on a special surprise for our students! Stay tuned for next week's enewsletter for the big reveal.
 
To get you and your children even more excited, we would like to share a preview of the curriculum changes we've made for the coming year:
  • Our popular Maker program will now be integrated every day, all year into the Quest curriculum;
  • Students will now have 12 weeks of enrichment programming in music, art, and theater (with Children's Theatre of Charlotte), allowing for an even more immersive experience;
  • Based on student feedback, we have decided to rotate through only 3 PE classes this year, which will include Taekwondo, Yoga/Pilates, and Sports Skills;
  • In addition to two PE classes each week, students will participate in group sports and team building activities every Friday led by Ms. Markle;
  • Advisory groups will meet twice each week for longer, more concentrated blocks; students will eat lunch with their homerooms this year.  
We will share more of our instructional plans at the Curriculum Night on September 20.  
 
We are also excited to introduce you to our new faculty members:
  • Samantha Dreyer: 1st grade math/quest
  • Mollie Smith: 1st grade literacy
  • Stephanie Hollands: 2/3 literacy
  • Maria Pollara: EC teacher supporting literacy
  • Erique Berry: 3rd-5th math 
  • Luis Morales: 3rd-5th Spanish
  • Dee Lanier: 2nd-5th Quest
You can check out the grade level schedule here. And, we will be sending out homeroom and advisory assignments no later than next Wednesday. Please plan to stop by to meet your teachers next Thursday between 3:00-6:00 pm. For a sneak preview of our space, we hope you will come help our fabulous faculty set up our space this Friday between 3:00-7:00 pm. 

Looking forward to the year ahead!

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Moss Brown
Head of School
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A MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS MRS. WHELAN
Last year, many of you heard me speak about my role as a Counselor at Lab, my goals for our students' social-emotional learning, as well as the structure and curriculum around our Advisory Program. We worked with the Hawn Foundation and brought their MindUP Program into our advisory program throughout the year. Our advisors used the MindUP curriculum in addition to various lessons that I created around a variety of different social-emotional topics that pertained to our student's ages and needs.

This year, we plan to utilize the MindUP curriculum again in advisory; and, we are pleased to announce that we will be bringing in an additional program called the Character Lab to advisory and our classrooms at large. These two programs will compliment each other in addition to the array of other advisory lessons that speak to specific social-emotional topics.   More information will be coming your way in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at mwhelan@charlottelabschool.org if you have any questions.
SET UP OUR SPACE NIGHT
This is one of our most important nights of the year! Please come help us organize, assemble, paint, clean, and more! We need EVERYONE's help to get ready for the first day of school.  No need to RSVP. Parents only please.

Date: Friday, August 19
Time: Drop in anytime between 3:00-7:00 pm

We are also looking for volunteer coordinators that night to work 2 hour shifts getting all of our parents started on their tasks. You'll be provided with a list of jobs that need to be completed and will help make assignments as volunteers arrive. Please email Susannah Lund if you are interested in helping to coordinate this event.

We ask that parents try to find parking at a meters or nearby surface lot during this event. Due to a large event at UNCC that night, we will have a limited number of parking passes available.
FALL SEMESTER AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Now, the moment you have all been waiting for...the unveiling of our Fall Semester After School Programs. We know that many of you are trying to plan your after school activities, so here is the first glimpse at our programs. Thanks to our fabulous Scientist-in-Residence Colby Snyder, we are going high-tech this year, and our programs are listed on this snazzy, custom website. (Note in addition to these programs, we are still finalizing programs with Children's Theatre and Community School of the Arts.)

Registration begins later this week, and After School Programs begin Tuesday, September 6. If you have any questions, please email afterschool@charlottelabschool.org. PS: You will also have a chance to meet our after school vendors and sign up at our Meet Your Teacher Night.
 
NEW THIS YEAR: Intramural Sports
We are excited to announce that we will be offering a variety of new intramural sports/activities for the 2016-2017 school year! Our After School Programs list the current offerings for 4th & 5th grade. If you are interested in volunteering to help coach/officiate any of the activities, please contact Melissa Markle via email. We would also love to know if you would like to coordinate an activity that you do not see on this list!
MEET YOUR TEACHERS OPEN HOUSE
Please drop by Charlotte Lab School on Thursday, August 25 to meet your teachers and advisor. Families are welcome to stop in between 3:00-6:00 pm to say "hello", explore our new spaces, and meet other families. Because this will be an important day for teachers to set up their classrooms, we ask that families keep their visits brief and supervise their children closely. Stay tuned for parking info. 

Our Meet the Teachers Open House is also a great time to:
  • sign up for after school,
  • drop off your child's outstanding enrollment forms,
  • speak with the bus and after school providers, 
  • shop at our used uniform sale (donations accepted in the front office anytime until 8/24.)
  • drop off medication for your child, and 

  • deliver your child's school supplies to their classroom.
We hope to see you there.
LUNCH @ LAB
Charlotte Lab School is partnering with Heaven Sent Catering to provide lunch catering service for the 2016-17 school year. The company will serve hot lunch each day, cafeteria style. Heaven Sent's food is nut-free, nutritious, prepared fresh daily and available in gluten-free and vegetarian options. Lunch will include an entree, vegetable, carb, dessert, and a drink for $4. Adults can also order lunch for $5 per meal. You can order lunch here.
 
Password: CLS12345
 
Anyone placing an order from Charlotte Lab School will use this password to access the school's lunch site. (The password is case sensitive.) The deadline for ordering lunch for the week of August 29 is Monday, August 22.  Heaven Sent Catering will be on site on August 25 for the Meet the Teacher's event.  Please come sample the food and direct any questions to Sandra Lee, Owner.
 
Complimentary Lunch (Free Lunch)
If you have been notified that you qualify for complimentary lunch, you do not need to place an order. Your child will be automatically enrolled unless your family opts out of the program by emailing Shelli Merritt. If your child qualifies for complimentary lunch and requires a vegetarian and/or a gluten free option, please email Sandra Lee at heavensentca0317@bellsouth.net.

DONATIONS NEEDED
Staff training has begun! We are excited to welcome our new and returning staff. Thanks to donations from some generous parents and area businesses, including the Steak and Hoagie Shop, Salsaritas, and Smoothie King, our staff will be well nourished throughout the two weeks. If parents are still interested in making donations to help support our staff in the coming weeks, we welcome drinks, such as water, lemonade, seltzer, etc., treats/desserts, and plates, napkins, & plastic wear. Feel free to drop off any of these items at the school in the next two weeks (ATTN: Susannah Lund).
 
We are also stocking our student snack cabinets this week, and we are looking for donations to help feed kids in need. Next time you are grocery shopping, please consider picking up some healthy snack items for our students. Note: New this year, all donated snacks must be dropped in the front office, and we will distribute them to kids in need. All snacks must be nut free.
HEALTH & MEDICAL FORMS
Help us make sure that we have all the information that we need about your child's health. If any of the following apply to your child, please be sure to complete the necessary forms BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. 
Note: The Medication Administration and all Action Plans must be renewed annually for returning families. If you have any questions, please email admissions@charlottelabschool.org.
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS NEEDED
We have a few important (and fun!) graphic design projects planned, and we need some help! If you are a designer (professional or self-taught) and would be willing to volunteer your services, please contact Susannah Lund at slund@charlottelabschool.org. Your time and skills will be greatly appreciated.
NEWS WORTH REPEATING
Our kindergartners will have a staggered start the first week of school, which means that each child will attend only one day from Monday, August 29-Thursday, September 1. All kindergarten students will attend on Friday, September 2. Please see below for the specific the day that your child should attend.
  • Monday 8/29 - Student's last name begins with A-Ca
  • Tuesday 8/30 - Student's last name begins with Ce-H
  • Wednesday 8/31 - Student's last name begins with I-O
  • Thursday 9/1 - Student's last name begins with P-Z
  • Friday 9/2 - All kindergarten students attend.
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There is still time to sign up for bus transportation. Everything you need to know can be found here.
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Uniforms Policies: Don't forget to (re)familiarize yourself with the Lab School Uniform Policies. You can find the info here. Keep in mind that s andals and boots are not allowed. And, any sweater or jacket worn inside must be navy. Help us start the year off right by knowing the rules.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
8/19/16 Set Up Our Space Night 3:00 PM
8/20/16 Playground Playdate - Latta Park 10:00 AM
8/25/16 Meet the Teachers Open House 3:00 PM
8/29/16 First Day of School! 7:45 AM
9/5/16 HOLIDAY Labor Day
9/7/16 5th Grade Overnight CAMP THUNDERBIRD
9/8/16 5th Grade Overnight CAMP THUNDERBIRD
9/14/16 BOG - Third Grade
9/15/16 BOG Make Up - Third Grade
9/20/16 Curriculum Night 6:00 PM
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