Lutherville Lab Report

What's gone down & what's coming up at the leopards' lair.

March 1, 2024

Lutherville Families,

This week, the Board of Education received the Boundary Study Committee's recommendation for the Central Area. The video is here: https://vimeo.com/917511631

The presentation and discussion is ~25 minutes, beginning at 1:32:10 and concluding at 1:57:32.

The next event in the Boundary Study series is a Board of Ed Public Hearing on March 6th at 6:30 at Loch Raven HS. Speakers will be permitted limited time to speak. This could be an opportunity for community members from LL to share with members of the Board why community members overwhelmingly (from my perspective) advocated to LL representatives on the Committee for our Boundaries to remain.

Important Reminder: The BCPS Climate Survey is open and available for community input. This year's survey is more condensed and will take only a few minutes to complete. The input of our families is vital to us, so we greatly appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete the survey.

Clothes Donation Need: We have depleted some of our supply of children's clothes to offer if a child needs a sudden change and does not have one at school. We are seeking donations of:

-Size 4-6 Girls & Boys underwear, leggings, or sweatpants.

-Size 6-8 Girls & Boys underwear, leggings or sweatpants.

If you are able to provide, it is greatly appreciated.

In partnership,

-Mr. McComb

Calendar Reminders:

3/8 - Pizza Bingo @ Ridgely Middle

3/22 - Spring Break begins at dismissal

Friday Morning Dance Party!

MAP Testing -- Great News!

We are celebrating your children's achievement and our staff's hard work in support of them so far this year as measured by MAP Testing.

One of the markers BCPS uses is how many students are achieving at the 61st% of all students who take the test nationally. From our fall testing to our winter testing, Lutherville added and additional 10% of our students into the 61st% and above in mathematics. A remarkable achievement. We also increased the percentage of students exceeding that marker in reading.

But wait, there's more! Another way of using the MAP Assessment is to see how many students meet their projected growth target. This is only one measure on one given day, but it is a useful standardized marker to see how much students grow between October and February. This year, Lutherville Lab had 12% more students than last year meet their growth target in mathematics and 9.5% more do so in reading, across grades 1-5.

This is, again, remarkable year over year progress due to the great work of your wonderful children and our dedicated staff. Within this school year, and from one year to the next, we are seeing our students making great progress!

Ms. Malinda, our February recipient, passes the Lab Coat (our staff MVP award), to Mrs. Gillispie on the announcements this morning.

Spring Family Night -- A Music Jamboree!

Spring family night is Tuesday April 30th from 5:30 - 7:30. This year, we will be celebrating music and invite our community to be a part of the event!

We will have student groups perform and opportunities for students to teach parents some of the instruments they use in school, but want to also share the love of music in our community!

In addition, the PTA is helping to organize 3 opportunities for families to be involved with the musical portion of Spring Family Night.

1) A chance to show off your own student's or family member's musical talents by hosting an instrument demonstration - this will be in the gym and hallways between performances

2) Host a "tasting room" to engage families with the sounds of a genre of music you enjoy or are passionate about - this will be held in classrooms (the school can provide devices you can use to share recordings/music videos [school appropriate, please!])

3) Perform as a solo act or group - this will be held outside under the lights or in the Rec Room if it rains

We are also looking for volunteers for set-up, clean-up and help during the event.

Please share your interests via this Google Doc and we will be back in touch with you soon. Questions can be emailed to Liz Roe - lizroe7@gmail.com.

“Gym-NEWS-ium” PE News and Notes from Mr. Bruns

Kids Heart Challenge

Thank you to all who participated in our Kids Heart Challenge. We raised over $6,000 for the American Heart Association! I can’t thank you enough for helping fight this great cause. Our school will also receive a $600 certificate to use on PE equipment!

All prizes other than key chains will be delivered in mid April. Thanks again for all your support!

Lutherville Lappers

Lappers will start training next month, Tuesday, March 19th . Please see registration form for more details.

5th Grade Dance Program

The 5th Grade Dance Program is coming to Lutherville Lab March18th-22nd. A dance instructor will be teaching our students a variety of different dances. The program teaches students about the dance forms, their origins, and provides practical experience in social/partner dance, but emphasizes dance etiquette and decorum, both valuable character education components.

Attached, you will find an invitation from Mrs. Henderson, our Reading Specialist, to celebrate Read Across America week. The flyer was shared from parent Christie Miller, who works as a Reading Specialist at Timonium Elementary.

BCPS Board of Education Boundary Study Public Hearing - PLEASE ATTEND!

Next Wed March 6th at 6:30 pm at Loch Raven High School

As Mr. McComb stated earlier in this Lab Report, LL is still in a position to defend our reasons for not wanting any boundary changes. Despite the Boundary Study committee recommending a map that does not change our boundaries, the Board of Education, this past Tuesday evening, was not able to hear WHY we are asking for this map to be adopted. We hope that you will consider joining members of the PTA who will be attending this very important meeting. Your attendance and voice, should you feel comfortable speaking, will help increase the odds that the BCPS Board of Ed members who will vote on March 19th, recognize that LL is 1) fighting to keep intact a school family and community that mirrors, honors and prioritizes the diversity that exists in Baltimore County while investing in each child's academic success and sense of belonging and 2) wants to see that the burden of moving schools not fall to groups of people who have been historically marginalized. If you would like more information about this meeting please email Lisa Reagle, our PTA President, at luthervillelabpta@gmail.com.

Next Fri March 8th - Pizza Bingo - coolers, sodas and volunteers needed please

Planning to join us for Pizza Bingo? Able to help with materials and/or be present to help before, during or after the event? Please use this SignUp Genius and know we appreciate your assistance!

We can't wait to see you at our FREE event for LL families, PIZZA BINGO. Please join us from 5-7 pm at Ridgely Middle School in the cafeteria. Our fabulous and festive teachers will be calling the bingo and prizes will be provided for all attendees. Pizzas that have been pre-ordered from Olympia Pizzeria will arrive at 5 pm, drinks and spirit wear will be for sale and you may also bring in outside food.

Hershey Park Ticket Sales

Lutherville Lab PTA is offering discounted HersheyPark 1-Day Admission Tickets and Parking Passes available for purchase on our School Givebacks Site until March 22nd.

To purchase, head to our store site: https://luthervillelabpta.memberhub.com/store.

1-Day Admission Tickets will be sold for $45.00, an almost 50% discount. Parking Passes are available for $25.00 each, a savings of $10.

**Tickets will be distributed to you in April andare valid through January 1st, 2025.**

If you are unable to purchase online and would rather pay by cash or check, please contact us at luthervillelabpta@gmail.com prior to March 22nd.

BCPS invites stakeholders to participate in Curriculum Nights and Community Conversations

What: Team BCPS students, parents, caregivers, and stakeholders are invited to participate in the 2024 BCPS Curriculum Nights. These events are opportunities for families to learn more about BCPS curriculum and system efforts to improve instruction in English language arts, mathematics, early childhood education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and special education. BCPS staff will also discuss what families can expect to see their children learning in the academic priority areas and will provide tips and resources on how to support students at home. Attendees will have an opportunity to view curricular and instructional materials and ask questions. The Tuesday, March 12, session at Woodlawn High School will be livestreamed on the BCPS-TV YouTube channel.

In addition, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers invites the Team BCPS community to discuss a variety of important school system-related topics at upcoming Community Conversations. During the events, Dr. Rogers will share information about key BCPS priorities, hear from Team BCPS community members, and answer questions. Spanish interpretation will be provided at all sessions. Interpreting services for other languages are also available upon request at no cost to participants. Please contact 443-809-1250 as early as possible to request. The Community Conversation at Owings Mills High School on Wednesday, April 3, will be livestreamed on the BCPS-TV YouTube channel.

When and Where:

Curriculum Nights

Tuesday, March 12, from 6-7:30 p.m.

Woodlawn High School, 1801 Woodlawn Dr., Woodlawn 21207

Tuesday, April 30, from 6-7:30 p.m.

Dulaney High School, 255 E. Padonia Rd., Timonium 21093

Community Conversations

Thursday, March 14, from 6-7 p.m.

Owings Mills High School, 124 S. Tollgate Rd., Owings Mills 21117

Wednesday, April 3, from 6-7 p.m.

Eastern Technical High School, 1100 Mace Ave., Essex 21221

Wednesday, April 10, from 6-7 p.m.

Loch Raven Technical Academy, 8101 Lasalle Rd., Towson 21286

BCPS Summer Enrichment Programs

Students interested in the arts will find several summer enrichment opportunities offered by Baltimore County Public Schools. This summer, the school system will offer camps in visual arts, dance, instrumental music, songwriting, and musical theatre.

All programs are open to students entering Grades 5-12 in the 2024-2025 school year, except for the visual arts summer program, which will accept students entering Grades 3-12. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 17, or until spots are filled. Enrollment priority will be given to current BCPS students and children of BCPS staff. Bus transportation is available. Fee waivers are available for students who do not have permanent or adequate housing.

Summer Art Enrichment Camp

The Summer Art Enrichment Camp will be held from Monday, July 1, through Friday, July 12, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Pikesville High School, 7621 Labyrinth Rd., Pikesville 21208. The camp will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, for Independence Day. An open house/reception will be held in the evening on Thursday, July 11, to give students, families, and teachers an opportunity to see the artwork created during camp. The cost of the program is $140 per student and includes a camp tote bag. See the Summer Art Enrichment Camp registration form for additional details.

Summer Dance Intensive

The Summer Dance Intensive will be held from Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Pikesville High School. Students will take classes in contemporary, ballet, jazz, and choreography, and prepare for an end-of-week performance. The cost of the program is $130 per student and includes a camp T-shirt. See the Summer Dance Intensive registration form for additional details.

Summer Music Camp

Celebrating 37 years, the Summer Music Camp will hold two sessions. The first session, from Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, at Pikesville High School, will focus on orchestra and songwriting. The second session, from Monday, July 15, through Friday, July 19, at Dumbarton Middle School, 300 Dumbarton Rd., Baltimore 21212, is for band and ukulele. Both sessions will be from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The cost of each session is $130 per student and includes a camp T-shirt. See the Summer Music Camp registration form for additional details.

Musical Theatre Intensive

The 2024 Musical Theatre Intensive will be offered in partnership with Broadway Theatre Connection from Monday, July 15, through Friday, July 19, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., at George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology, 938 York Rd., Towson 21204. This Intensive will include musical theatre classes with professional artists, audition tips and techniques, and a showcase performance at the end of the week. The program is designed for students who have a passion for acting, singing, and dancing as well as a desire to work in a fast-paced environment. The cost of the program is $130 per student and includes a Broadway Theatre Connection T-shirt. See the Musical Theatre Intensive registration form for additional details.