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Greetings LWES Community!

This year, we are excited to introduce Grade-Level Family Nights at LWES! 💙

These special events will provide families with an opportunity to come together with our grade-level teachers, connect with one another, and learn more about what your child is learning at school. Each grade-level experience will focus on an area such as Social-Emotional Learning, Math, or Reading and will provide families with information and strategies to help support learning at home.

Grade-Level Family Nights will take place between the end of September and January and will be hosted by our grade-level teams. We are excited to share the specific dates and details with you soon!

And there is more to come! Throughout the year, we will offer a variety of opportunities for families to connect with us, including Coffee & Conversations and other family engagement events designed to accommodate varying schedules.

We look forward to learning, connecting, and partnering with you throughout the year.

Stay tuned—more information is coming soon! 🐾💙

~Dr. Burks, Ms. Geiser, & Dr. Andrade

Welcome back to school, LWES families!

As we plan for this school year and as resources and programs come our way, we want to hear from you! What do you need? How can LWES support your family?

Please note that the information shared in this form is accessible only to members of our Student Support Team and will be kept confidential within that team.

Families are reminded that students must abide by Board of Education Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media, and specifically Standard E. Student Use-Technology, please see below for additional information or visit the linked policy above.

No students, PreKindergarten-12, will be permitted to use cell phones and other personal technology devices during the student day except for reasons detailed in a student’s IEP, 504, or health plan.

Students may be in possession of personal devices, but they must be “away and silenced,” meaning devices are not able to be seen by either the student or staff member and are set to make no noise. Additionally, devices may not be a distraction.

Smart watches will be permitted to be worn to check time but may not be a distraction.

School administrators and school administrators’ designees may authorize use of a personal device in rare instances such as an emergency for communication purposes.

September

• 09/15: Hispanic Heritage Month Begins; 10:00am-12:30pm LWES Farmers Market 2026
• 09/21:Schools & Offices Closed - Yom Kippur
• 09/23: 4:00-8:00PM Paws for Cause: PTO Dine Out at Chipotle; 4:00pm- 6:00pm Annual Title I Night
• 09/29: 10:00am-12:30pm LWES Farmers Market 2026
• 09/30: 12:15pm 3 hour Early Dismissal- LWES closes; 6:00pm-7:00pm PTO Ice Cream Social & General Meeting

For a complete list of dates and events visit https://lwes.hcpss.org/events

As we begin September, we want to remind our LWES community of the important role that consistent attendance plays in our students’ success.

Just like LEGO bricks, each school day builds upon the one before it. When students are at school on time and every day, they are building their academic skills, strengthening relationships, developing confidence, and creating routines that will support them for years to come.

Now is the time to help our Panthers establish strong habits. Being at school and being on time matters. Even a few missed days each month can quickly add up and result in significant lost learning time.

We know that illnesses and unexpected circumstances happen, and when they do, we are here to support our families. On all other days, we ask for your partnership in making daily, on-time attendance a priority.

💙 Every day counts. Every minute matters. Together, we are building a bright future—one school day at a time! 🐾🧱

The Howard County Public School System is committed to ensuring equity and giving every child an opportunity to succeed. Essential to this mission is hiring and retaining highly effective teachers and support staff who are invested in providing safe and secure classroom environments where every child is encouraged to thrive.

Laurel Woods Elementary has been identified as a Title I participating school for the 2026-27 school year. Title I is a federally funded program that is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. Title I is designed to close achievement gaps and ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high quality education by providing funding for supplemental academic services and support.

The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains several provisions that promote a parent/school partnership through communication. One such provision gives parents at Title I Schools the right to ask for and receive information in a timely manner about the professional qualifications of their child's classroom teachers.

Please see all details at this link.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. Preventing bullying is an important part of this goal. HCPSS Policy 9460 prohibits bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, including hate/bias incidents, and intimidation.

HCPSS recently launched a new Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation (BCHI) Reporting Form that allows students, staff, and families to easily and confidentially report concerns. The BCHI Reporting Form should be used to report known or suspected incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, and hate/bias incidents. These may include physical aggression, threats, retaliation, teasing or name-calling, rumors, exclusion, threatening gestures, online/social media behavior, or conduct related to a student's identity or characteristics.

What happens after you report?

The school will address any immediate safety concerns. The targeted student's parent/guardian will be notified as soon as possible and an administrator will begin the investigation within two school days. Both families will receive written notice of the outcome within 15 calendar days, excluding extenuating circumstances.

A Note About Cyberbullying

In today's digital world, bullying can extend beyond the school day. Cyberbullying can occur through social media, text messages, group chats, gaming platforms, apps, and other digital spaces. Online behavior that occurs outside of school may still require school intervention when it has a connection to the school setting and impacts a student's safety or educational environment. Families are encouraged to talk regularly with their children about responsible online behavior and to save screenshots, messages, posts, or other evidence when concerns arise.

Not sure if it's bullying? Please still tell us. Peer conflict or other concerning behavior may not meet the definition of bullying but may still require school support and follow-up. Students and families do not need to decide whether something “counts” as bullying before asking for help.

For additional information or to submit a report, visit the HCPSS Stop Bullying website or review HCPSS Policy 9460.

Each year, all families must verify and update their Family File in HCPSS Connect. This is more than just a form—it’s essential to keeping your child safe and fully included in school experiences.

Accurate Family File information ensures we can quickly and effectively respond in the event of an emergency. It is also required for students to participate in field trips—and some grade levels already have trips scheduled early in the school year.

Please take a few minutes to complete this important step now. Click the button below to update your Family File today!

What you need to know:

• Family File must be completed every school year for every student.
• Parents/guardians must log in using their own credentials (not their child’s account).
• Your username is the email address provided at registration. If needed, you can reset your password directly from the login page.

What you’ll update:

• Family and parent/guardian contact information
• Emergency contacts
• Student information, including health details
• Permissions (directory, media release, etc.)
• Arrival/dismissal procedures
• Technology and program-related information

Please be sure to identify phone numbers as mobile to receive important text messages, including emergency alerts and weather-related updates.

New this year: Families can select additional race categories, including a Middle Eastern/North African option, in alignment with state guidance.

If you need support, members of our Family Resource Center will be available between Tuesday- Friday 8:45am-9:30am and 2:30pm-3:00pm this week to help. Please stop by the front office to log in.

Many HCPSS families may be eligible to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program.

Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including free college applications, free or reduced JumpStart dual enrollment tuition, discounted internet through the Comcast Internet Essentials program, and more.

Families must submit a new application every school year. During the first 30 school days, students with FARMs eligibility from the prior school year will continue to receive benefits. Any student whose family has not filled out an application by the 30th school day will have their status changed to full pay until a new application is received.

Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. It is very important that applications are filled out accurately and completely.

• Apply online (and you can change the language of the form on the top left of the page)
• Apply by mail: Paper applications will be available at all school front offices. Applications can be returned to the school or mailed to HCPSS Food & Nutrition Services, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Additionally, school staff are available to support you and your child. Please stop by the front office and we would be happy to assist you.

Answers to frequently asked questions on HCPSS meals and additional meals/nutrition assistance programs can be found on the HCPSS Help site. If you have questions regarding the program, please visit www.hcpss.org/FARMs or contact Food and Nutrition Services at 410-313-6743 or foodsvc@hcpss.org.

Resources to help with this program

• Direct link to apply for Free and Reduced Meals
• FARMs paper applications - In print production, to be delivered to schools and made available to families
• HCPSS Free and Reduced Meals webpage
• FARMs participation additional opportunities
• HCPSS FARMs FAQs

Morgan State University is hosting a STEM Expo on Saturday, September 26, from 10:00am–3:00pm. Students and families will have opportunities to participate in hands-on STEM activities, games, demonstrations, and workshops while learning about STEM careers and pathways. The event will also feature industry engagement, giveaways, and guided campus tours.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore STEM beyond the classroom, engage with STEM professionals and organizations, and make connections to future STEM careers and pathways.

Families and Community are invited to join HCPSS in partnership with the LGBTQIA+ Commission of Howard County and CARY to bring you this hybrid FAMILY Read the Rainbow and LGBTeaQi&A on Thursday, October 1, 2026 @ 6:00 pm. The first 50 families with children in grades 5 and under who register and attend the program will receive a free copy of the book, Rainbow Cookies by Lesléa Newman. FAMILY Read the Rainbow is a 30-45 minute virtual program in which participants get to meet an LGBTQIA+ inclusive author to hear them read their book aloud, and have a discussion with the author and our LGBTeaQi&A is an activity to bring together families and community who are looking to connect and learn together. This special combination program will provide attendees with the opportunity and option to join us in person at the Miller Branch Library. Registration is required as space is limited. Thursday, October 1, 2026 @ 6:00PM; HYBRID - in person at Miller Branch Library or virtual (select when registering). Registration is required.

Hopeful Voices will bring together youth, families, community members, and organizations in a welcoming environment where people can talk openly about mental wellness. The afternoon will feature artwork created by youth and community members, personal stories of hope and recovery, short films about mental wellness, a shared meal, access to mental health resources, and opportunities for meaningful conversation.

Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. Sometimes that means recognizing when we're overwhelmed. Sometimes it means checking on a family member, friend, neighbor, or colleague. And sometimes it simply means creating spaces where people know they can talk, be heard, and find support without judgment.

Learn more and register:
https://bit.ly/hopefulvoiceshoco

Please help us spread the word with families! The Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Saturday Math Academy is returning for the Fall 2026 session.

Certified teachers will provide engaging math instruction and enrichment for HCPSS students in grades 3–12 of all ability levels.

📅 Saturdays, October 10 – November 21
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
📍 Lake Elkhorn Middle School
💲 $80 or $40 for FARMS-eligible families

Registration opens Saturday, September 19 at 9:00 a.m. and will remain open until capacity is reached.