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Dear Laurel Woods Community,

Join us in celebrating our Community Site Coordinator, Ms. Alesia Ricther.

The Health Department will not be administering the flu shot at schools this year. Below is a list of other opportunities for getting the flu shot.

Sat., Oct. 4

11am - 2pm

Hope Bible Church Harvest Festival

9112 Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046

Sat., Oct. 4

12pm - 4pm

Howard County Recreation & Parks Fall Festival
North Laurel Community Center

9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd, Laurel MD 20723

Wed. Oct. 8

3pm - 6pm

Miller Branch Library

9421 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Wed. Oct. 8

5:30pm - 8:30pm

Hispanic Heritage Month Resource Fair
Deep Run Elementary School

6925 Old Waterloo Road, Elkridge, MD 21075

Sat. Oct. 11

11am - 2pm

Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department Open House

5700 Rowanberry Dr, Elkridge, MD 21075

Fri. Oct. 17

12pm - 4pm

Dar Al-Taqwa Mosque

10740 MD-108, Columbia, MD 21042

Wed. Oct. 22

4pm - 7pm

Elkridge Branch Library

6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075

Wed. Oct. 29

6pm - 7:30pm

Homewood Center Trunk or Treat

10914 MD-108, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Sun. Nov. 2

12pm - 1:30pm

Chin Bethel Church Elkridge

6801 Douglas Legum Dr, Elkridge, MD 21075

Sat. Nov. 15

8am - 4pm

Howard County Health Department

8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045

Sun. Nov. 16

8am - 4pm

Howard County Health Department

8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045

Walk-ups are accepted at all Health Department flu clinic events. No pre-registration is required. Additional dates for walk-up flu vaccination at the Health Department will be announced later in the fall.

The Howard County Health Department will offer FREE flu shots at various community events this fall. Below please find more information about the flu vaccines available: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/seasonal-flu

• Many local healthcare providers and pharmacies also have flu and other fall respiratory vaccines available. Contact your preferred location directly for more information.

We are so excited to begin our fall season of Girls on the Run next Thursday from 3:15-4:30! This is a program for girls in 3rd to 5th grades that promotes positive self-esteem, friendship, and community engagement. Our practices, which will be held each Monday and Thursday from 3:15 until 4:30, include a lesson on the aforementioned areas as well as the opportunity for the girls to get a workout by running, jogging, and/or walking. The season will then culminate in an exciting 5K event on December 6th.

If you haven't yet registered, it is not too late ( registration form is available in Spanish as well) and scholarships are still available. Please contact www.gotrcentralmd.org to register or 443-583-7740 for any questions.

Sincerely,

Coaches Peltzman and Cierlitsky

Please help us make arrival and dismissal safe.

• Use the LWES carloop.
• Do not use The Season's parking lot to drop-off, pick-up students.
• Do not make U-turns in the middle of the street.

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! 👇

The Spirit Wear Shop is now open through 10/10! Click here to shop:

https://selectspiritwear.com/collections/laurel-woods-elementary

Save the dates:

Chipotle Dine Out 4-8pm - 9/23

PTO General Meeting @ Title 1 Night - 9/25

Ice Cream Social 6-7pm - 9/30

Fall Garden Club - 10/11

Trunk or Treat - 10/16

Upcoming Dates:

• Non-Event Fundraiser 9/5-10/3
• Chipotle Dine Out 9/23 4-8pm
• PTO General Membership Meeting @ Title 1 Night 9/25 4-6pm
• PTO Ice Cream Social 9/30 6-7pm

September

• 09/23:Rosh Hashanah - Schools and Offices Closed
• 09/25: 4:00-6:00pmTitle 1 Night w/PTO
• 09/30: 6:00-7:00pm PTO Ice Cream Social (Cafeteria)

October

• 10/02: Schools & Offices Closed, Yom Kippur
• 10/17: Schools Closed for Students, MSEA Convention/Professional Work Day
• 10/20: Schools & Offices Closed, Diwali
• 10/31: 12:15pm Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Professional Work Day, End of 1st Quarter
  

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

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!

Today marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15)! During this month, we celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of individuals with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

We encourage families to join in the celebration at home! Here are a few ideas:

📚 Book Suggestions

• Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal (Grades K–2)

• Abuela by Arthur Dorros (Grades K–3)

• Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (Grades K–3)

• Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle (Grades 1–4)

• Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh (Grades 3–5)

🎉 Family Activities

• Cook a traditional dish from a Hispanic country and talk about where it comes from.

• Listen to Hispanic music as a family — salsa, merengue, bachata, or mariachi are fun places to start!

• Watch a family-friendly movie that celebrates Hispanic culture (Coco, Encanto, Vivo).

• Learn a few new Spanish words together and practice using them throughout the week.

• Share family stories or traditions that connect to your own cultural heritage.

Together, we can build cultural appreciation and understanding for all.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has implemented new school safety protocol to be used when protective actions are required during the school day. The new protocols are based on the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol, a nationally recognized school safety framework that provides clear and simple language and actions for schools to follow during emergency situations. The HCPSS Office of Safety & Security led the process for evaluating and adopting this response protocol, which is endorsed by the Maryland Center for School Safety.

The new protocols integrate practices and terminology specifically for school settings and have been analyzed by school safety experts.

The Hold protocol is used when all hallways must be cleared, but normal classroom operations may continue. This could include scenarios such as a medical emergency or fight between students.

The Secure protocol is used when there is an emergency outside the building. This could include scenarios such as police activity in a nearby neighborhood, an aggressive animal on campus, or a non-specific threat.

The Lockdown protocol is used when there is a perceived or actual threat inside the building and immediate security measures are necessary. This could include scenarios such as an intruder, or a student or staff member within the school who poses an immediate threat to students and staff.

The Evacuation protocol is used anytime students and staff must exit a building or a particular part of the building. This could include scenarios such as floods, fires, hazardous materials incidents, or other situations that may render the school site unsafe.

The Shelter protocol is used when there is a specific hazard that requires you to take protective action inside the building. This could include scenarios such as severe weather, a hazardous materials spill, or other air quality emergency.

Schools will use these terms in messages when protective actions are required during the school day. We encourage parents/guardians to speak with their children to help familiarize them with these new terms. More information about these protocols may be found online.

All students in grades 1-5 will take the Measured Academic Progress (MAP) assessment during the Fall testing window.

The data from the MAP assessment will help schools and teachers measure your student’s academic progress. The MAP test does not affect grades and the difficulty adjusts depending on how your child responds. To learn more about the MAP assessment, please visit: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/common-questions-families/

Please note that there is no need for your child to study for the MAP assessment. Arriving on time to school on testing days is very important, however, if your child is absent, makeups will be offered within the testing window. As usual, please make sure they are well rested and eat their normal breakfast the day of testing.

The Fall testing schedule is:

Gr 1 - ELA 9/16, Math 9/19

Gr 2 - ELA 9/26, Math 9/30

Gr 3 - ELA 9/25, Math 10/1

Gr 4 - ELA 9/29, Math 10/1

Gr 5 - ELA 9/25, Math 9/30

Online registration for the Fall 2025 Black Student Achievement Program Saturday Math Academy will open Saturday, Sept. 20 at 9:00 a.m. The in-person enrichment program is open to all HCPSS students in all levels of math for grades 3 through 12. Class space is limited.

Date: Saturday, Sept. 27, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Location: Oakland Mills High School
This districtwide event is open to all HCPSS families and will feature:

• A session with Superintendent Bill Barnes
• Resource tables hosted by HCPSS offices and local organizations
• Information on programs, resources, and services available throughout the school year
• Childcare and language access provided

For additional information, please visit the Family Academy Kickoff HCPSS News Post
Flier: English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean

This fall, HCPSS again will offer a no-cost, evidenced based training program to assist parents/guardians in helping their children manage anxiety. Facilitated by HCPSS licensed social workers, school counselors, and school psychologists, the SPACE program (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is specifically designed for parents/guardians of children and adolescents with anxiety issues, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other related concerns. Parents/guardians interested in participating in SPACE should complete the registration form associated with the group they wish to join (see below) by Sept. 26. Please note that space is limited; parents/guardians may be placed on a waitlist if sessions fill up.See flyer at this link.