MARCH 13, 2016 - IN THIS ISSUE
BIG NEWS
Dear Parents, 

What a busy month it has been at Lab! I have several exciting announcements to share this week.

Lab School In The News
In case you missed it, check out an  article about Lab's efforts to increase socioeconomic diversity, which was published in the Charlotte Observer last Friday. We are so pleased to share news about our diversity efforts and changes to the lottery procedures with the larger Charlotte community. I encourage you to forward the article along to your friends and family to help spread the word about your school! Please also save the date for an upcoming town hall meeting on April 5 where we will continue our conversations about diversity and inclusion at Lab.

2017/18 Lottery
Speaking of the lottery, our admissions lottery for next year will take place on Monday, March 20, and the results will be posted on our website by Tuesday, March 21 at 4:00 pm. 

Middle School Update
I have good news ... we have found a location for our middle school! Unfortunately, it is still in the hands of the attorneys while they review the lease, and therefore we are not able to share the location at this point. (I know it is frustrating!) We have been told that this final stage of the process may take another week, but in the meantime, here are a few things we can share:
  • The location is 0.9 miles from our current school. And even more exciting, it has parking!
  • The building will enable us to  expand the number of students in each grade (6th-8th) to 100, ultimately growing the middle school to approximately 300 students.
  • All 5th graders and their parents are invited for a sneak peak of the building on Monday, April 3 from 8:15 - 9:15 am. Please mark your calendars; more details will be coming soon.
We are VERY excited about the space and can't wait to share it with you. Thank you for your patience as we work through the final negotiations.
Sincerely,

Mary Moss Brown
Head of School
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WELLNESS UPDATE FROM MRS. WHELAN
It is hard to believe that our students are beginning their 8th character trait this month. It has been exciting and rewarding to watch students of all ages become engaged and excited when they learn about the upcoming trait. This month we will be covering the concept of Purpose. As usual, I encourage you to review some of the resources below with your children and facilitate conversations around the topic.

PURPOSE
Having purpose means being driven by something larger than yourself.

Ways to Show Purpose:
  • Being oriented toward a stated future goal;
  • Being able to articulate an interest and the "why" behind the interest;
  • Showing a sense of awe about something may create purpose;
  • Looking beyond yourself; and
  • Service to others and pride in one's work (contributing to the classroom community or household community through chores & jobs with a sense of pride)
Follow up Questions for Students:
  • What is your purpose in coming to school every day?
  • Have students generate their own questions about what they are reading
  • What kind of person do you want to be?
  • What kind of impact do you want to have?
  • Create questions to enlarge the purpose behind the books in the resource list below   
Character Books and Resources
Websites/Videos
Articles
Books
  • The Mitten Tree by Candice Christiansen (K-1); about giving back
  • Doors in the Air by David Weale (K-3rd); about the awe in the world 
  • Angelo by David Macaulay (2nd-5th); about selfless service leading to change
  • Rachel Carson: Preserving a Sense of Wonder by Joseph Bruchac and Thomas Locker  (3rd-5th); demonstrates the a sense of purpose through her biography and love of nature 

COUNSELING INTERN
The Wellness Department is excited to announce that Megan Remsen, a Lab parent and experienced Counselor, will be spending two afternoons a week volunteering her time. As part of her internship, Andrea Miller and Meegan Whelan will be working with Megan to expose her to various activities and responsibilities related to counseling at Lab. 

More about Megan: 
Megan  Remsen's three children attend Charlotte Lab School and are in kindergarten, second, and third grades.  She graduated from Saint Joseph's University with a B.S. in Psychology and attended Temple University where she earned an M.Ed., specializing in Counseling Psychology.

Megan  counseled students at Henry Charles Lea School, in Philadelphia, and Conestoga High School, also in Pennsylvania.  At both schools, she had the opportunity to work closely with the students and families, counselors, and teachers. During her time at Henry Charles Lea, she lead groups on self-esteem, bullying, grief and loss, anger management, and behavioral concerns.  At Conestoga, her counseling responsibilities were focused on academic needs, including assisting those students who were struggling academically and helping students with study and organizational skills. 

Megan  currently works as a lead teacher at Christ Church Kindergarten; she has been a coach for a number of years at Charlotte Junior Soccer, and she has dedicated many hours volunteering at Levine Children's Hospital working with the children, their families, and the staff.   Megan  is very excited about the opportunity to intern and spend time with students at Charlotte Lab School. 
MATCHING GIFT CHALLENGE
We need your help to make the most of a matching gift challenge at Lab. A very generous Lab parent has offered to match all donations to the Lab Innovation Fund that come from 1) families who have not donated in the past and 2) friends, extended family, and community members. In other words, the matching challenge is designed to help us expand our community of donors. Every dollar raised from these sources will be matched, up to $3,000!

Here's how you can help:
  • Make a gift. If you have never donated before, every dollar that you donate will be matched. Make your gift today
  • Spread the word. Do you have friends, neighbors, colleagues, or relatives that would consider supporting the school? If so, send them an email (draft copy can be found here) and ask for their support. We will also be sending Innovation Fund brochures and postcards home in Friday folders to help you spread the word.
Every dollar raised from donors in the above categories will be matched. The matching gifts challenge runs through March 31 so don't wait! 
BREAKFAST WITH DR. MOSS BROWN & LAB BOARD MEMBERS
Our next Breakfast with Dr. Moss Brown is coming up on Wednesday, 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.
LAB'S GOT TALENT
Calling all 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders! Don't forget to sign up for the Spring Talent Show by Friday, March 17. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 26 from 6:30-8:00 pm. To sign up, you may complete the form that went home in green folders last Friday or sign up here.  

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!
LAST CHANCE TO RSVP FOR PI NIGHT
Today is the last day to RSVP for PI Night, sponsored by Tresata. To RSVP, please find the email invitation that was sent to all families on Friday, March 3. If you are having trouble locating the email, try searching for Tresata PI Night in your inbox. You must RSVP before midnight tonight if your family plans to eat dinner at school. Note, this is not a drop-off event.
SPRING DANCES UPDATE
Please make sure to RSVP for the Spring Dances by this Friday, March 17. The Girls Spring Fling is Friday, March 24 and the Boys Glow Show is Friday, March, 31. Details and registration info went home in green folders a few weeks ago and can be found here.  

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. 
PTSO EVENTS
Pizza Peel Dining Night Out
Join us at the Pizza Peel on Monday, March 27 from 5-9:00 pm for another fabulous dining night out. The restaurant is located at 1600 Central Ave. 10% of sales will benefit Lab.

Charlotte Knights Game
Come enjoy an exciting night out with the Charlotte Knights baseball team and help support our school! Our chorus will be performing the National Anthem, and $4 of every ticket sold will go directly back to Charlotte Lab School. Forms went home in  Friday green folders. Questions? Contact Leslie Mueller.

Game Date:  Friday 5/5 
Gates Open:  6:00 pm 
First Pitch:  7:05 pm
Price Per Ticket: $14

Deadline to purchase is  April 17, 2017
*Please make all checks payable to Charlotte Lab School
LAB'S NEW RUGBY TEAM
We have 13 students signed up and only 7 spots left for Spring Rugby! Students in grades 2-5 are encouraged to join the team! The first practice is Friday, March 24 from 4-5:00 pm. At the end of 7 weeks, the team will go on to compete in a HUGE touch rugby  tournament on May 7.
 
Coed, 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 .
 
If you have questions about Lab Rugby, you can email Coach Danny
RETURNING TO LAB
Please complete the Intent to Return form that was sent home in green folders last Friday. Collecting this information will help us to plan for our upcoming admissions lottery, finalize sibling enrollment, and make the most of our new student events this spring. We appreciate your honest feedback on this form, and all information will be kept confidential by the school. If you are not sure whether your child will be returning, please mark "Maybe/Undecided" on your form and you will have a chance to update that information later this year. 
GREEN DAY (the color not the band) ON FRIDAY
In celebration of the last day of Q3 (and St. Patrick's Day, of course) students can wear green instead of uniforms on Friday, March 17. 
LAB'S FIRST HACK-A-THON
HACKATHONclt*, the biggest tech event in Charlotte, brings to the Queen City the FIRST ever miniHACK -- an all day tech event for kids!

Tresata will be hosting Charlotte Lab School's awesome young technology stars for a day of "geeking out" & 'hacking in' - challenging them to showcase ideas through code. 

This miniHACK is hosted by Tresata in the South End (1616 Camden Road.)

DETAILS:
HACK language - MIT SCRATCH
FOOD - provided by Harris Teeter
TIME FOR HACK - 1 hour
JUDGING - Points for all things code, storytelling & enthusiasm
PARTICIPATION - Ages 8-10 (3rd, 4th & 5th Grades), Individual competition 
PRIZES - Awesomeness in many mini bundles

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Colby Snyder at csnyder@charlottelabschool.org
 
*WHAT IS HACKATHONclt?
Dreamt up by Tresata and powered by Harris Teeter,  since 2013 HACKATHONclt's purpose has been to educate, challenge, entertain and inspire innovation and engender productive, positive, tech powered dialogue in a city poised to become the next tech hub in America.

HAMMER DOWN FOOTBALL COMBINE 3/26
This event is an open house for any new players (boys and girls) interested in the  Hammer  Down Football program (an AAU team out of South Charlotte). The team consists of four age groups: 8U; 10U; 12U; and, 14U. Learn more here.

Club sports provide unique opportunities for charter school students to play sports not otherwise offered by their schools.   The average charter school (like ours) tends to be too small to support football. So if your child (girl or boy) is interested in tackle football, please plan to attend this combine (tryout) so that he/she can explore the opportunity through  Hammer  Down Football. 

Last year,  Hammer  Down's 10U, 12U and 14U teams won NC State Championships and the 14U team won Nationals. In case you are wondering, many girls play Hammer Down football, including one of the 14U team's starting defensive line!

CALENDAR-AT-A-GLANCE
Tues, Mar 14 PI Day - Math Night 6:00 PM
Wed, Mar 15 Parent Breakfast with Mary and Lab 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
Mon, Apr 3 Building Preview Event for 5th Grade Students and Parents 8:15 AM
Wed, Apr 5 Town Hall Meeting 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
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
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 PTSO General Meeting 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
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
June 5 or 6 Year End Carnival & Field Day all day
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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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
  • After School - @labschoola
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