For our students' sake, let us embrace what is upon us with bravery, camaraderie, excitement, and a positive outlook. So, to balance normalcy with the new, I now return to my fourth annual “welcome back-to-school” parent letter! I hope all of our families are finishing up a wonderful, safe, and healthy summer break, and that our students are getting ready for the start of school! Your LNC ES School Family is beyond excited to welcome back our former students and welcome aboard our newest Knights! We are now officially a complete school with 610 students.
Hopefully you have taken the opportunity to view our School Reopening FAQ’s already. We provided information over the past two months via our Summer Updates and Schoology posts. This letter provides additional valuable information to assist in the opening to the school year. Please do not hesitate to contact me (mholland@lncharter.org) with any questions.
By now you should have received a “Meet Your Teacher” letter introducing you and your child to his or her teacher for the school year. While we will be starting school remotely, we understand the importance of making personal connections with our students. Therefore, we are still planning to host our annual Meet the Teacher Event over the course of the first full week of school, although in a very different way. Please be aware that we will have staggered days and/or times for each grade level to accommodate health and safety protocols.
Please drop your child off on the designated day and time (the specific date will be provided by your child’s teacher) for the entire timeframe indicated below so they have the opportunity to meet their teacher, meet half of their classmates, and have a tour of the building, including their classroom. Due to the need to follow health and safety measures, this event is for students only. (Parents may leave campus and return OR stay in their car in the parking lot or carpool circle.) Please enter campus using our carpool lanes and drop your child off (using the far right-hand lane) at the practice field located on our ES campus. Your child will receive a temperature check from a staff member before parents may leave and before students are permitted to join their classmates on the field. Students must also wear a mask. Please pick up your child on time by using the carpool lane (far right) for retrieval of students at the practice field on the ES campus.
Meet the Teacher Schedule:
Kindergarten - Meet the Teacher will occur through Assessment Day and Staggered Start Days
First Grade - August 13 and 14 from 8:45-10:00 AM
Second Grade - August 17 and 18 from 8:45-10:00 AM
*Fourth Grade - August 19 from 8:30-9:30 AM and 10:00-11:00 AM
Third Grade - August 20 and 21- 8:45 - 10:00 AM
*Fourth grade is the only grade level that will be meeting with both groups on the same day.
As many of you know, we added one more class to each grade level, opening up the opportunity for some current staff to move to new positions. Ms. Pecorella will be teaching with the fourth grade team and Ms. Price is joining the second grade team. Ms. Gilbert is moving to the third grade team, and Ms. Lane will be teaching with the first grade team.
We also welcome the following new staff to our school family:
Please join me in welcoming Mr. Justin Wright to the LNC ES Family in the position of STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) Teacher. Justin most recently taught fourth grade and has an impressive background in the areas of math, science and technology. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Bethel University in Mishawaka, Indiana. Of personal note, Justin’s son, Ethan, will be joining us this fall in first grade. We are excited to have him join our specials team!
Please join me in welcoming Mr. Tyler Schroth to the LNC ES Family in the position of third grade teacher. Tyler has a math background teaching at the HS level as well as at the ES level (in third grade for the last six years). He received his Bachelor of Science in Communication from Wingate University in Wingate, NC. He received his teaching license through the NC teacher certification program of RALC (Regional Assistance Licensing Centers). Of personal note, his brother teaches math and his sister-in-law teaches chemistry at LNC HS. We are excited to have him join our third grade team!
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Juliane Kautz to the LNC ES Family in the position of EC (Exceptional Children) Teacher. Juliane has a notable background in the areas of occupational therapy, autism and behavioral disabilities. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Europäische Fachhochschule, a private university in Rostock, Germany. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Education from Western Carolina University through the NCDPI Residency License program. We are excited to have her join our EC team!
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Korrine Belfield to the LNC ES Family in the position of kindergarten teacher. Korrine most recently taught kindergarten in a Title I school. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Urban Youth and Communities from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC). Korrine received the Page and Ed Kizer Beginning Teacher of the Year Award from UNCC in 2018. Of personal note, Korrine attended LNC for 5th-12th grades and graduated from LNC in 2014. I was her MS Principal, and now she will be working for me teaching the youngest of our littlest Knights. We are excited to have her join our kindergarten team!
It is imperative for learning and school funding purposes that your child is engaged from day one. Therefore, daily attendance is crucial. Your teacher will be sharing with you the process for doing this. Failure to check in without prior communications to either Sue Scott (sscott@lncharter.org) or me for an excused reason could result in the student forfeiting their spot at LNC.
We are currently planning our ES Back to School Night. While Back to School Night may have to be accomplished through technology, you will have the opportunity to hear from your child’s teacher and learn about the curriculum and other grade-level information. We will livestream if necessary and have a recorded version for later viewing. A date and more details will be forthcoming.
