Wow! What an amazing first month for the Lab Innovation Fund. Please join me in thanking these families and friends of Lab for their generous donations to our annual fund. Our goal for the first month was to raise $100,000; and on the final day of February, we had a few gifts that put us over the top. Our total raised so far = $107,754 from 60 supporters. We are well on our way!
However, we still need your help to reach our target of $200,000 by May 1. If you have not already made a donation, we hope you will consider making one this month. You can learn more about the Lab Innovation Fund on our website; please consider making a gift today.
In the past, many of you have asked what percentage of our families have made a gift to the school. I am so proud to share that last year, 85% of our families made a donation! This is an amazing statistic, and we hope to meet (or exceed) this level of participation this year, as well!!
We would also love to hear why you support Lab. By taking a moment to share your reasons for giving in this short survey, you may also inspire other families and community members to make a donation to our school. I look forward to hearing from you and to sharing your feedback and perspectives with the whole Lab community.
Thanks again to everyone who has already made a donation, or who has plans to do so, in support of the Lab Innovation Fund. And, stay tuned next week for information about an exciting matching gift challenge.
Sincerely,
Mary Moss Brown
Head of School
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WELLNESS UPDATE FROM MRS. WHELAN
Over the past few months, we have received very positive feedback on several different themed assemblies that we have provided for our students. This year, the Wellness Committee created an action plan to provide information on different topics, including nutrition, dental health, media/cyber awareness, playground safety, calming techniques in the classroom, flu prevention, and more.
Last Friday, Lab parent and member of our Wellness team Amelia Abbott spoke to all of our students about the importance of healthy eating and watching our sugar consumption. Here are some recommended resources if you want to further explore this topic with your family:
When it comes to the flu and sickness, this year has been a challenging one. The Wellness Committee is taking steps to review our current protocols when children become ill or have the flu at school in order to ensure that our community is healthy and well. We plan to have an additional assembly in the coming months to continue to discuss proper hand washing and flu prevention and provide information around what students can do to prevent sickness.
I am also pleased to share the following Flu Prevention Update from Dr. Nick Clavin, Lab Board Member & Parent and Chair of the Wellness Committee:
Dear Parents,
Have any of you felt like this flu season has been worse than recent years? If so, you are correct; our region has had a higher than normal prevalence of influenza cases this flu season. This increase has been significant enough that some of our local hospital systems have tightened their visitation policies. The good news is that with a better understanding of what the flu is and how it is transmitted, we can help decrease the likelihood of our children getting sick.
From person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with the flu.
By touching things with the flu virus on them and then touching one's mouth, nose, or eyes.
3. What can you do to keep from getting the flu?
Get a flu vaccine
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water (or an alcohol based sanitizer if not available) for 20 seconds (sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself twice) after you cough, sneeze, eat, or use the restroom.
Disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces (doorknobs, desks, keyboards, phones...)
Stay in good general health (get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, and eat well)
4. What should you do if you are sick with flu-like symptoms?
Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without a fever-reducing medication)
Try and limit contact with others while sick
If you are concerned about the severity of your symptoms contact your healthcare provider.
All of this information and more can be found on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu.
Sincerely,
Nick Clavin, MD
LAB'S GOT TALENT
We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting our first Talent Show on Wednesday, April 26 from 6:30-8:00 pm. The show will be open to students in grades 3-5. At this point, we are trying to get a sense of how many students may be interested in participating, so if your child wants to plan a 60-90 second act, either solo or with friends, please complete this form.
Acts may include, but are not limited to, singing; musical instrument; dance/gymnastics routine; magic act/circus act; theatre/poetry/comedy; martial arts; and more!
DON'T FORGET TO RSVP FOR PI NIGHT
Don't forget to RSVP for PI Night, which will take place at the school next Tuesday, March 14 (PI Day!) from 6:00-8:00 pm. This is an event for parents and kids, featuring
a one-of-a-kind Mime-matics presentation by Dr. Tim Chartier, professional mime and mathematician; math games; and a pizza dinner, all sponsored by Tresata.
All families received an email invitation from Eventbrite last Friday. Please RSVP using that link. You must RSVP by Monday, March 13 so that we know how much food to provide. If you are having trouble finding the email and would like to attend,
email Susannah Lund to RSVP. Please be sure to include the total number of adults and children attending.
HELP WITH OUR SPRING DANCES
The Girls Spring Fling is Friday, March 24 and the Boys Glow Show is Friday, March, 31. Details and registration info went home in Friday's green folders. Please sign up no later than March 17.
We also need volunteers and donations for these events. Use the the sign-up links below to volunteer your time and/or drinks or snacks. Thank you in advance for all of your help.
*Items can be dropped off in carpool or brought to the school the morning of the dance. Due to limited storage at school, please do not drop off items prior to Friday, March 24 (Spring Fling) and March 31 (Glow Show). Thank you!
GET INVOLVED!
Charlotte Lab School has many opportunities to become involved in your child's education. Please consider volunteering at school. The 2017/18 PTSO Volunteer Interest form went home in green folders last Friday and can be found here. Take a look at all of the different volunteer positions, and make a commitment
to help in any way that you can. Our goal is for every family to get involved. Contact Kristin Allen, VP Nominating Committee at kristinallen2@yahoo.com with any questions.
LAST OPEN HOUSE OF THE YEAR
Open houses are a lot of fun to attend as a parent volunteer! You get to share all of your great Lab knowledge and experiences with interested families, and they appreciate having parents who can answer questions about Lab. If you would like to come help out at an open house, March 9 is your last chance this year. Please sign up here if you can attend, and meet us in the main lobby at 6:00 pm to welcome visitors. Thanks so much to all of our volunteers throughout this school year!
LAB'S NEW RUGBY TEAM
We are excited to announce that Lab will have a RUGBY TEAM this spring for students in grades 2-5! The Lab Lions will play two-hand touch rugby, practicing on Fridays from 4:00-5:00 pm. The first practice is Friday, March 24. At the end of 7 weeks, the team will then go to compete in a HUGE touch rugby
tournament on May 7.
Two-hand touch rugby is a fun, safe sport that teaches teamwork, wholesome competition, respect for teammates/ opponents/officials, fitness, communication, and above all, is a lot of fun!
The cost for the 7-week season is $75 and includes a team shirt, a rugby magnet for your car, and end of season medals for the players (plus the winning team gets a trophy for their school).
Register here.
Please make a note of the following scheduling changes:
Multicultural Night (aka International Night) is now on May 15. It was originally scheduled in March, but we have moved it to May due to this month's busy schedule.
Walk-In Conference Night on April 4 is canceled.
We made the decision to cancel this spring's Walk-In Conference Night. Parents will have the opportunity to schedule a conference with their advisor AND receive written progress reports the week of March 27; therefore, we feel that the additional Walk-In Night is not necessary. Keep in mind, if you would like to meet with a teacher that is not your child's advisor, please contact that teacher directly only after you have met with your child's advisor and received his/her progress report.
Check out the full calendar below for other important dates. We can't believe the end of the year is already in sight!
MIDDLE SCHOOL PANEL DISCUSSION RECAP
Thank you to everyone who attended the Middle School Panel Discussion a few week's ago. The panel included employees, parents, and students from Charlotte area schools and attendees received valuable information about middle school options. The panel provided a unique forum for questions and discussions. Check out the following feedback from parents who attended:
"The Middle School discussion was very informative about the transition from elementary to middle school and was greatly appreciated. I learned a lot about the class schedule and the different activities that are available for 6th graders. I like how Ranson Middle School Principal allows the students to take extra credit classes towards high school." --Cynthia Junious
"It was most helpful and highlighted some very useful information about some of our middle school options. Hearing from a principal, then multiple parents and students, made it a very captivating evening and worth the effort. Thank you all for putting it on." -- Gina Jurch
BREAKFAST WITH DR. MOSS BROWN & LAB BOARD MEMBERS
Our next Breakfast with Dr. Moss Brown is coming up on March 15 at 8:15 am. This month, she will be joined by several members of Lab's Board of Directors. This is a great opportunity for informal discussion with school leadership.
We're going to keep it simple and ask parents to bring in some breakfast treats to share and have an open discussion time with Dr. Moss Brown and the Board members about your Lab School questions.
Please RSVP and consider signing up to bring in a breakfast item.
CALENDAR-AT-A-GLANCE
Thur, Mar 9
Prospective Parents Open House
6:30 PM
Tues, Mar 14
PI Day - Math Night
6:00 PM
Wed, Mar 15
Parent Breakfast with Mary and Board
8:15 AM
Fri, Mar 17
End of Q3
7:45 AM
Mon, Mar 20
Teacher Workday- NO CLASSES
8:00 AM
Fri, Mar 24
Girls Spring Fling Dance
6:30 PM
Mon, Mar 27
Conference Week
Mon, Mar 27
Pizza Peel Dining Night Out
5:00 PM
Fri, Mar 31
Classes until noon - Half Day Teacher Work Day
noon
Fri, Mar 31
Boys Glow Show
6:30 PM
Fri, Apr 7
Teacher Workday- NO CLASSES
Mon, Apr 10-17
Spring Break - HOLIDAY
Mon, Apr 17
Teacher Workday- NO CLASSES
8:00 AM
Fri, Apr 21
First Ward Park Playdate
3:45 PM
Fri, Apr 21
Brixx Dining Night Out
4:30 PM
Apr 25 & 26
MAP Testing
Wed, Apr 26
Talent Show
6:30 PM
Fri, May 5
Classes until noon - Half Day Teacher Work Day
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
8:00 AM
Tue, May 9
PTSO General Meeting
6:30 PM
Fri, May 12
Muffins with Mom
7:00 AM
Mon, May 15
Multicultural Night
6:30 PM
Tues, May 16
Multicultural Night - Poster Session
7:45 AM
Fri, May 19
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
8:15 AM
May 23 & 24
EOGs
Fri, May 26
Teacher Workday- FACULTY RETREAT - NO CLASSES
Mon, May 29
Memorial Day - HOLIDAY
Fri, Jun 2
Report Cards Home
Wed, Jun 7
Last Day of School
NEWS WORTH REPEATING
Questions on how to make the most of the My School Anywhere (MSA) school directory? Download the MSA app! It's available from the Google Play store and the Apple App store -- just search "My School Anywhere" and get it free. Not sure if you have access or misplaced your login information? Email Nola McClure to request access or simply reset your password on the login screen.
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Lunch orders must be placed at least 7 days in advance to allow the caterer enough time to purchase/prepare the appropriate amount of food. If you are purchasing lunch on specific days, you must let the caterer know which days your child intends to eat lunch at least 7 days in advance by emailing or adding a note to your order.
Also, we only have silverware (well, plasticware) available if your child has purchased school lunch. If your child brings his/her lunch, please send all utensils from home.
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Have you noticed that the car-rider line is moving more quickly? That is because of our fabulous morning volunteers. You can help keep the line moving by volunteering with morning carpool. Sign up to let us know you are coming.
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We are in need of
uniforms in larger sizes (7-12) including tops, pants, and navy sweaters/fleeces. If you have any to donate (new or gently used) please let us know. Drop off your donations at the front office.
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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.
