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Dear Laurel Woods Community,

We are excited to see everyone this week for our Black History Trivia Night on Thursday! If you have not RSVP’d yet, please be sure to scan the QR code on the flyer below and register today. You will not want to miss out on this fun and engaging evening filled with community, learning, and celebration.

We also invite you to join us for Coffee and Conversation on Friday, February 27th. We will have a special guest joining us to help answer questions and continue the discussion from last month’s gathering. We hope you can be there for this meaningful time of connection and conversation.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Warmly,

LWES Admin

As you know, we are working toward our goal of a 95% attendance rate. For the past three weeks, we have maintained an attendance rate of 93.9%, and we would love your help in increasing that for the upcoming week! Every day matters, and your support makes a big difference in helping our students succeed.

To help motivate and celebrate our students, 3rd and 4th grade recently earned Pumped Up Recess from our November/December Attendance Challenge. These grade levels achieved 95% or higher attendance for 10 days—what a great accomplishment! 🎉 We had planned to celebrate earlier, but due to snow days, we rescheduled and celebrated this past Friday.

Students enjoyed a variety of fun and unique recess options, including a dance room 💃, game room 🎲, Perler beads room, and even Hover Soccer ⚽. It was wonderful to see their excitement and teamwork throughout the celebration. Students had a great time!

Our next incentive is Attendance Bingo, which will take us all the way to Spring Break! Classes are working hard to fill up their BINGO boards by showing up each day and being ready to learn. As a school, students can earn exciting rewards such as a schoolwide Pajama Day, a PJ and Plushie Power-Up Day, or even a fun PJ Parade! 💤🎈

Thank you for partnering with us to support strong attendance and help our students build positive habits that lead to success.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we navigated arrival and dismissal during the recent snow. Now that conditions have improved, we wanted to provide an update on our arrival and dismissal procedures.

Our morning arrival procedures will remain the same, with car loop using the inner loop and all students entering through the front of the building (or the side entrance for Early Childhood and Kindergarten).

For afternoon dismissal, we will also continue to have all students exit through the front of the building (or the side entrance for Early Childhood and Kindergarten). The only change in the afternoon is that our car loop will return to the access road.

Having all students enter and exit through the front or side entrances allows us to provide greater safety and security across the entire LWES campus. Additionally, reducing the number of crosswalks used during car loop helps create a safer route for both students and staff serving on arrival duty.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a safe and smooth process for everyone.

On March 4th, all students will take group pictures with their homeroom class for the yearbook. Order forms will come home this week. Picture orders may be placed online at mylifetouch.com using our school code: EVTGCNRBR or by returning the order form with payment in the attached envelope on picture day with your student.

Click here to view the flyer.

We are excited to invite our families and community members to join us as Mystery Readers at LWES! 📚✨ This is a fun and meaningful way to share your love of reading while connecting with our students.

Mystery Readers visit classrooms to read a special book aloud and help spark a joy for reading. You are welcome to bring a favorite book (all selections will be pre-approved) or work with the teacher to choose one.

On the day of your visit, the fun begins as students try to guess who their Mystery Reader is using clues! 🤔 Clues will be collected from each reader ahead of time and shared with the class before your visit.

If you are interested in participating, please complete the form. We would love to have as many families and community members as possible join in this special experience!

Thank you for helping us create engaging, joyful, and memorable reading moments for our students. ❤️

Stay in the loop with all the exciting events hosted and organized by our Family Resource Center — you won’t want to miss what’s coming up! 👀📅

Click on the link below! 👇

We truly value input from our families and community partners as we strive to grow and improve. Your feedback helps us better serve our students—so please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with our LWES administrative team. Your response can remain anonymous, or you can provide your name for a follow-up phone call.

🩷🩷🩷Raise Craze is here! This is a unique way for us to raise money for our school while making an impact in our community. During this fundraiser, students ask friends and family for donations via the online Raise Craze platform while paying it forward by serving others. What a great way for us to teach our students the importance of kindness and gratitude while raising much needed funds. Students will spend time serving, not selling!

• Registration Link: https://my.raisecraze.com/join Code: 893-440

• Enter your child’s name.

• Select at least 3 Acts of Kindness.

• Enter 5-10 email addresses of potential supporters.

• Raise Craze will send all emails, reminders and thank you notes.

• Emails will never be shared with third parties or used for marketing.

At A Glance:

• Dates: February 13 - February 27

• Our Goal: $3,000 and 200 Acts of Kindness Completed

Every student can participate in Raise Craze by completing Acts of Kindness (AOK), so we are aiming for 100% participation. Need help getting started? Check out the Raise Craze Instructional Video at raisecraze.com/instructional-video/ or contact ptolwes@gmail.com

Don’t forget to follow along with our progress by viewing our leaderboard: https://my.raisecraze.com/leaderboard/for/annm18aw/

📅 Upcoming PTO Events:

• 📚📖📕 Yearbook sales are open online! Use code: 15436926. Yearbooks are $28 through 3/31. From April 1st to May 1st, the price increases to $30. Don’t delay, order your yearbook today!

• March 3rd - Join us for a fundraiser at Chuck E. Cheese 12:30-9pm!

February

• 02.23: Vision Van - Vision Screening for 3rd - 5th Graders
• 02.24: Vision Van - Vision Screening for 3rd - 5th Graders
• 02.25: 8:45am
  SNAP-Ed Train the Trainer for Families; 2:30pm
  SNAP-Ed Train the Trainer for Families Afternoon Session; 5:00pm Mobile Library
• 02.26: 6:15pm Black History Trivia Night
• 02.27: 8:45am Coffee and Conversation w/Admin

March

• 03.02- 03.06: College & Career Week
• 03.03: 9:00am United Way Reading Event; 12:15pm Schools Close 3 Hours Early (No half-day pre-K/RECC)
• 03.04: Class Pictures
• 03.05: 7:00pm Wizard of Oz Parent Meeting
• 03.13: 9:30am Sing a Rainbow - with Maryland Opera; United Way Recess Partnership Days
• 03.14:Pi Day
• 03.16: 9:00am Kindergarten In-House Library Visit
• 03.17: 11:00am Howard County Library! 3rd Grade
• 03.19: 7:00pm PTO Meeting
• 03.20: Schools Closed
• 03.25: 5:00pm Maryland Science Center's Family Science Night
• 03.26: Clubs/groups Pictures
• 03.30-04.06: Spring Break

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

Great news! Starting now, our lunchroom will be selling tasty treats during lunchtime on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Please note: Snacks will not be available on half days.

🛍️ Snack Lineup & Prices:

• 🍪 Cookies – $0.50 each

• 🧁 Rice Krispies Treats – $1.00

• 🍦 Frozen Treats – $0.75

What a great week at Laurel Woods! Students celebrated the 100th day of school and ended the week spreading kindness and joy during Valentine’s celebrations. A huge shout-out to our PTO for visiting classrooms and offices with their Sunshine Family Cart and sharing kindness with our staff—we truly appreciate your support. We are also grateful for the PTO and community members who came together this weekend to help clear off the blacktop. Our students will be excited to have that space available for outdoor recess this upcoming week as temperatures move into the 50s.

Last week, we also shared a follow-up to our January Coffee and Conversations. In that communication, we noted that we were still gathering information and would provide additional updates. Please take a moment to review our updated questions and answers from the January Coffee and Conversations. The most recent responses are highlighted in pink. We are continuing to gather information and resources and will share updates with you as they become available.

Beginning Wednesday, February 18th, you will find a small table along the left wall of the vestibule where we are asking you to leave any student materials you are dropping off, including student folders, instruments, lunches, etc.

Please make sure the student name is visible and use the call box to let the front office know the materials are there. They will ensure delivery to the student. Thank you.

Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. While the official dates encompassing the holiday vary by culture, please see this flier to reflect the school holiday on February 17th.

We would like to recognize and support the students and staff in our school community who will be observing Ramadan. Ramadan is anticipated to begin on the evening of Tuesday, February 17 and continue for approximately 30 days. As the start date is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon, these dates may vary. This is a sacred time of fasting, reflection, and prayer for many in our community.

To support students who are fasting, we will provide a supervised alternative location during lunch for those who prefer not to be in the cafeteria. Students may use this time to relax, read, or participate in another quiet activity with peers.

If your child will be fasting and you would like them to use this alternative setting, please contact Ms. Wilmes at Susan_Wilmes@hcpss.org or Ms. Koch at Catherine_Koch@hcpss.org so we can make arrangements.

• Tip One- The "Morning Huddle": With the colder weather and darker mornings, getting out the door can be a challenge. Try a "5-minute huddle" the night before: check the homework and put it in the backpack, bags are by the door, and the weather forecast is checked. A little prep goes a long way in preventing "attendance stress" the next morning!
  

• Tip Two - To help keep our school’s specific attendance email and contacts handy, we recommend bookmarking your school’s website or saving the attendance email in your phone contacts for quick access.

Calling all young athletes ready to learn, grow, and compete! The Western Howard County Warhawks football program provides a fun, safe, and supportive environment where players of all experience levels can develop their skills and confidence. Our dedicated coaches focus on fundamentals, teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership—both on and off the field.

Whether your child is new to football or looking to build on their experience, the Warhawks offer an inclusive program that emphasizes player development, physical fitness, and a true love for the game. Most importantly, we pride ourselves on building a strong football family where athletes make lasting friendships and unforgettable

See Howard County Rec and Parks Activity Guide or www.gowarhawks.com in February 2026 for registration and cost. Registration is now open.

HCPSS families are invited to attend the 2026 Family Academy Conference on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 5:30–8:30 pm at Long Reach High School. This free, districtwide event brings families, educators, and community partners together for an evening of learning, connection, and support. Families can enjoy a light dinner, a community resource fair, interactive workshops focused on academic achievement and well-being, and free childcare. Workshops will include topics such as college and career readiness, special education supports, curriculum updates, and hands-on learning strategies for use at home. Interpretation services will be available.

Register online: English, Español, 中文, 한국어

Saturday, March 14, 2026 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Cedar Lane School

The HCPSS Special Education Resource Fair provides families with information available from the community and HCPSS to support their students receiving special education and related services. Get connected to: Services within HCPSS, Recreational Activities, Camps, Community Groups, Service Providers, Transition Information, Assistive Technology, Behavioral Health, Howard County Government Resources, and Much More!

This spring, HCPSS again will offer its Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions program (SPACE), a no-cost, evidenced-based training program to assist parents/guardians in helping their children manage anxiety. HCPSS will offer five SPACE groups, listed below. Each group will be facilitated by two licensed HCPSS mental health staff members.

• Two groups for parents of middle and high school students (one virtual and one in-person)
• Two groups for parents of elementary students (one virtual and one in-person)
• One group for parents of Pre-K students (ages 4 & 5)

All groups will meet weekly, starting the week of March 9, 2026 and ending the week of April 27, 2026, for a total of seven sessions. There will be no meetings the week of Spring Break (March 30-April 6, 2026). Register here

The HCPSS Family Empowerment Academy is designed to equip parents and guardians with practical strategies, resources, and insights to support their children’s academic, social, and emotional success. The academy will take place on four consecutive Saturdays- March 7 through March 28, 2026, from 9:00-10:30 AM- and will feature interactive learning experiences, guest speakers, and opportunities to connect with other HCPSS families. Participation is limited to 30 participants, and registration is first-come, first-served. Attendance is encouraged for all four sessions. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Please complete the application form to be considered for participation.

Brainfuse HelpNow is now available 24/7 for all library users, expanding access beyond the previous 2 p.m.–midnight live tutoring hours. This means students and caregivers can connect with live online tutoring and academic support anytime that fits their schedule. Brainfuse HelpNow is available on the HCLS website and video and written instructions on how to use the resource are available here. First-time users will need to create a username and password

HCPSS families are invited to save the date for the 2026 Family Academy Conference on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6:00–8:30 pm at Long Reach High School. Families can look forward to a light dinner, a community resource fair, and interactive workshops focused on academic achievement, well-being, and family engagement. Workshop topics will include college and career readiness, special education supports, curriculum updates, hands-on learning strategies for use at home, and more. For more information, visit HCPSS News

Howard County is full of wonderful resources for families. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start looking. There’s a helpful website that brings all these resources together in one place. You can search by topic and zip code. You can visit the website using the link below or download the CAREapp Howard County on your phone for easy access. We hope this tool makes it easier to find services for food, health, housing, transportation, education, employment assistance, and more https://findhcresources.org/

The Mental Health Advisory Council (MHCAC) is a group of community members who seek to remove barriers and build awareness for behavioral health support in Howard County for our children and families. Check out this flyer for more information.