The Panther Post
Pride and Possibility: Writing Our Stories Together
Week of October 18th
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Greetings LWES Community!
Last Thursday, we hosted our first Surprise Attendance Day! Staff welcomed students with pom-poms, music, and extra Panther spirit to celebrate coming to school and learning together before the long weekend!
Every student who attended school received a special Attendance Panther Paw, delivered by Mrs. Golatt and our very own LWES Panther!
Our school wide attendance was at 96.8% last Thursday!
Thank you, families, for partnering with us to make regular attendance a priority. Every day is an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together! 💛
~Dr. Burks, Ms. Geiser, & Dr. Andrade
Thank You, PTO! 🎃💛
A big thank-you to our PTO for hosting the annual Trunk or Treat last Thursday! The rain held off, giving students and families a wonderful evening to enjoy the creatively decorated trunks, connect with staff and friends, and fill their bags with candy. Students then danced off some of that extra energy with music from the DJ! Thank you to the staff, families, and volunteers who helped make the evening so much fun.
We also want to thank our PTO and community volunteers for bundling up on Sunday, October 18, for the PTO Garden Cleanup! We appreciate your time, care, and partnership in keeping our school community clean and welcoming. 🐾
Bullying Prevention Starts With All of Us
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to strengthen our collective commitment to creating safe, supportive school communities where every student feels a sense of belonging. Bullying prevention is not just about responding when something happens; it is about the relationships, environments, and everyday actions that help prevent bullying from happening in the first place.
Bullying prevention starts at home, too. Families can make a difference by keeping the lines of communication open and regularly talking with children about friendships, school experiences, group chats, social media, and how they and their peers treat one another.
Encourage your child to identify trusted adults they can turn to when something doesn't feel right. Talk about what they can safely do if they witness someone being mistreated—such as getting an adult, refusing to join in or laugh, checking on the student afterward, or reporting what they saw.
Being an upstander applies online, too. Remind children that liking, sharing, forwarding, commenting on, or reposting hurtful content can increase its impact. Instead, encourage them to avoid participating, save evidence when appropriate, support the person being targeted, and tell a trusted adult.
Children also learn from what they see. Modeling kindness, empathy, inclusion, and respect for others helps reinforce the behaviors we want to see in our schools and communities.
Talk. Notice. Include. Speak Up. Together, we can help create communities where every student feels safe, supported, and valued.
More bullying prevention information and resources can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website.
A Helpful Resource for Families: HCPSS Special Education Handbook
Navigating special education can bring questions, and families don’t have to navigate the process alone! The HCPSS Department of Special Education created a Special Education Handbook to help families understand the special education process, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), available supports, and parental rights. The handbook also includes frequently asked questions and additional resources.
Whether your family is new to special education or looking to better understand your child’s services, we encourage you to explore this helpful resource. Your voice and partnership are essential as we work together to support your child’s success!
Let’s Help Lost Items Find Their Way Home! 🧥💛
Our Lost & Found is filling up, and we would love to reunite these belongings with their owners!
We’ll remind students to stop by and look for anything they may be missing. Please encourage your child to take a peek during lunchtime- you never know what familiar treasure they might find!
Parents and guardians are also welcome to check for missing items at the start or end of the school day. Please sign in at the front office when you arrive.
Suggestions for building math facts and number-concept understanding at home
Supporting your child’s comfort with numbers at home has a powerful impact on their confidence and success in the classroom. When students build strong number sense and math fact fluency in everyday, low-pressure ways, they are better prepared to tackle new concepts and participate fully in learning.
1. Play Quick Math Games
Make math practice fun with short, playful games.
Example: “Math War” using playing cards—flip two cards and race to add or multiply them.
Example: Roll two dice and have your child add, subtract, or multiply the numbers.
2. Build Number Concepts Through Conversation
Talking about numbers helps strengthen understanding.
Example: Ask, “What’s another way to make 10?” or “Is 42 closer to 40 or 50?”
Example: Count up or down while walking, riding in the car, or waiting in line.
3. Use Household Objects for Hands-On Practice
Concrete materials help children visualize math.
Example: Use pasta, buttons, or blocks to show addition, subtraction, or grouping.
Example: Create simple arrays with snacks (like arranging crackers in rows).
4. Encourage Skip Counting & Patterns
These skills help with multiplication and number sense.
Example: Skip count by 2s, 5s, or 10s while jumping, clapping, or tossing a ball.
- Example: Create patterns with colored objects and have your child extend them.
5. Try “Fact of the Week” Challenges
Focus on one fact family at a time.
Example: Post the 7s multiplication facts on the fridge and practice all week.
Example: Make a quick matching game for facts like 6 + 4, 4 + 6, and 10.
🤝 🌟Partnership Spotlight🤝 🌟
🐾 Community Corner! 🐾
Updates for the Week of October 19, 2026
💉 Protect Your Loved Ones & Stay Healthy This Season!
Join us for Free Flu Shots on 10/21/26 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Laurel Woods.
Why Get Your Annual Flu Shot?
✅ Keeps you and your family safe and protected
✅ Significantly reduces the risk of flu-related illness
✅ Helps build a healthier, stronger community together
✅ Recommended yearly for everyone 6 months and older
We are excited to begin forming the Laurel Woods Community Schools Steering Committee for the new school year! If you would like to help shape and support our Community Schools initiatives, please complete the interest survey below. Questions, please contact Alesia Richter - Community Schools Site Coordinator at alesia_richter@hcpss.org.
Steering Committee Survey/Encuesta del Comité Directivo
We continue to plan resources and support for the current school year, including holiday support. To help us plan, 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.
Family Needs Survey/encuesta sobre las necesidades de la familia
Virtual Family Resource Center - CHANGE of OPERATION PLEASE READ!
To help us restock and fulfill orders more efficiently, we will now accept orders once per month. Once the order window closes, all requests will be processed and fulfilled by the following Friday. Order dates for this school year are listed below. If you have an urgent need or require immediate assistance, please contact a member of our team.
Currently Closed - will open for order November 1, 2026
Laurel Woods Farmers Market
The market is this Tuesday, October 21st . Free produce from Gorman Farms from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (or until supplies last).
Laurel Woods English Classes
English Classes for registered students Tuesday, October 21st from 6pm - 7:30pm. .Registration is currently closed. If you are interested, please contact Alesia Richter at alesia_richter@hcpss.org.
Roving Radish Marketplace
Marketplace will be at Laurel Woods on Wednesday, October 22nd from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. All Exclusive Members receive 2-3 free items each week and 50% off all products.
We're so excited to share that Roving Radish gift cards will be back for eligible families starting this January! Just like last year, we'll have a limited supply and will make sure everyone who qualifies has a chance to apply. Stay tuned for more details soon! In the meantime, we'd love to see you at our Farmers Market for FREE produce every Tuesday at 11:00 AM right here at Laurel Woods.
Wishing you a fantastic week ahead! If you have any questions or need assistance with any of our programs, please contact a member of your Family Resource Team!
Alesia Richter - Community Schools Site Coordinator
Monica Maiden - Black Student Achievement Liaison
Gabriel Zaldivar - Hispanic Student Achievement Liaison
Nikee Singh - Family and Community Engagement Contact
Kelly Golatt - Family and Community Engagement Contact
Related Arts Color Days for this Week
PTO Panther Tracks
LWES PTO October 2026 Newsletter
🎃 Thank You, LWES Community! 👻
A huge thank-you to everyone who came out to our LWES Trunk or Treat and to all those who participated by decorating trunks! We appreciate everyone who helped make this event so much fun for our students and families. 🧡🖤
🏆 A very special congratulations to our Trunk Decorating Winners!
🍄 Mario-Second Grade
🧽 SpongeBob
🎤 Michael Jackson
Thank you again to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success!
🧹 REMINDER: LWES School Cleanup Day
📅 Sunday, October 18, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
We hope to see everyone there as we come together to help keep our school clean and beautiful! 💚
As we kick off the school year, our PTO goal is to reach 100 members, and we’re currently at 25! Thank you so much to everyone who has already signed up and shown their support. If you haven’t joined yet, we’d love to have you! Please see the flyer attached to join!
Your membership and donations make such a BIG difference at LWES! They help us:
Fund fun events like our Ice Cream Social and Trunk or Treat.
Show our amazing teachers some extra love during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Provide much-needed PE equipment for our students.
Support the theatre department.
Bring exciting and educational assemblies to our kiddos!
Every membership helps us do more for our school community, and we are so grateful for your support!
One more exciting reminder! We still have 24 Domino’s Slice the Price cards available! Each card is valued at $20, and you can get one for FREE! (Staff and Faculty, you count as a member and can receive a FREE card too ☺️)
Thank you again for being such an important part of our LWES community. We can’t wait to see what we accomplish together this year!
Upcoming PTO Events October
*10/18/26- PTO Garden Club 9:30-11am
*10/22/26-Noodles and Co Dine Out- 🍜 (Location: Towne Centre at Laurel 14700 Baltimore Ave, Laurel, MD 20707)
*11/19/26- PTO Meeting via Zoom
Join Us & Get Involved!
We believe our school community is stronger when families come together! 💙 We encourage all families to participate in school events, activities, and celebrations throughout the year. Whether you can volunteer your time, attend an event, share your talents, or simply show your support, every contribution makes a difference.
We also invite you to become a PTO member! PTO membership is a wonderful way to stay connected, support our students and teachers, and help make meaningful experiences possible for our school community.
Your voice. Your involvement. Our students. Our community.We hope you’ll join us at upcoming events and consider becoming a PTO member. Together, we can make this a wonderful school year for every child! 🌟
Upcoming Dates and Events
October
- 10/18: 9:30-11:00am PTO Garden Club
- 10/20:10:00am- 12:30pm LWES Farmers Market 2026
- 10/22: PTO Noodles and Co Dine Out- 🍜 (Location:Towne Centre at Laurel 14700 Baltimore Ave, Laurel, MD 20707)
- 10/27: 10:00am- 12:30pm LWES Farmers Market 2026; 4:30-6:15pm 2nd & 3rd Grades Family Night; End of 1st Quarter
- 10/28: School closed for students- Staff Professional Learning/Workday
- 10/29: 3rd Grade Field Trip to Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
November
- 11/01: Native American Heritage Month Begins; Daylight Saving Time Ends
- 11/02: Paws for Cause: PTO Dine Out at Chuck E. Cheese
- 11/03: Schools and Offices Closed- Election Day
- 11/04:10:00am- 12:30pm LWES Farmers Market 2026
- 11/05: 3:15-5:30 Spring Musical Rehearsals
- 11/06: Q1 Report Cards available in Synergy
- 11/10: 10:00am- 12:30pm LWES Farmers Market 2026
- 11/11: Veterans Day
- 11/12: 3:15-5:30 Spring Musical Rehearsals
- 11/16-11/20: American Education Week; LWES Book Fair
- 11/16: Fall Picture Day - Make Up Sessions
- 11/17: 10:00am- 12:30pm LWES Farmers Market 2026
- 11/19: 7:00pm-8:00pm PTO General Meeting
- 11/23-11/24: LWES dismisses at 12:14; Parent/Teacher Conferences; LWES Book Fair
- 11/24: 10:00am- 12:30pm LWES Farmers Market 2026
- 11/25-11:27: No school
For a complete list of dates and events visit https://lwes.hcpss.org/events
In case you missed it...
We had another amazing week at Laurel Woods, filled with learning, laughter, and community connections! 💙
On Tuesday, our second-grade Panthers welcomed community volunteers for CAW to Action Day! Together, they built and tested balloon-powered LEGO cars, putting teamwork, creativity, and engineering skills into action. Thank you to our volunteers for sharing their time and talents!
On Thursday, our Kindergarten and First Grade Family Night brought families together to explore ways to support reading in kindergarten and math in first grade. Thank you to our families and staff for making this a wonderful evening of learning together!
Our staff also enjoyed some friendly competition during Community Connection, with our partners from Blossoms of Hope joining the fun! They presented us with a generous donation to support social-emotional learning, our Zen Dens, and efforts to uplift and celebrate staff throughout the year. We are so grateful for their continued support!
And we have another reason to celebrate: seven “green” attendance days in a row, with school-wide attendance averaging 95.7%! Thank you, families, for helping our Panthers come to school ready to learn. Let’s keep this streak going! 💚
Thank you for helping us build a bright future together!
✅ Let’s Get Every Panther’s Family File Ready!
A big thank-you to the families who have already updated their Family File! If yours is still on your to-do list, please take a few minutes to complete it in HCPSS Connect.
Updated information helps us reach you quickly, keep your child safe, and prepare for exciting experiences, including upcoming field trips! Family File completion is required for students to participate.
A few quick reminders:
Complete Family File each school year for every child.
Sign in with your parent/guardian account. Your username is the email address provided at registration; you can reset your password on the login page.
Review contact information, emergency contacts, health details, permissions, and arrival/dismissal plans.
Mark phone numbers as mobile to receive important text alerts.
Click the button below to check this off your list today! 💙
💙 A Few Minutes Can Open the Door to Extra Support!
Thank you to the families who have already submitted their Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) application! If you haven’t yet, we encourage you to apply- you may qualify for meal benefits and additional resources, including discounted internet, college application fee waivers, and reduced JumpStart tuition.
A new application is required every school year. Benefits from last year continue for only the first 30 school days, so please apply promptly to avoid a gap in meal benefits.
Applying is easy:
Apply online—select your preferred language at the top left of the page.
Prefer paper? Contact our front office for an application and return the completed form to school.
Need a hand? We’re happy to help! Stop by the front office for support completing your application.
Learn more about FARMs and additional benefits or contact Food and Nutrition Services at 410-313-6743.
Healthy Choices Take Center Stage!
Join us in celebrating National School Lunch Week, October 12–16! This year’s theme, “Cafeteria Circus: Where Healthy Choices Take Center Stage,” celebrates how nutritious lunches help students learn, grow, and thrive.
School lunches include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk to fuel a great day. Encourage your child to try something new!
A huge thank-you to our wonderful cafeteria team: Brenda Zowd, Manager; Hui Xie; and Katelyn Vogelpohl, for keeping our Panthers nourished and ready to learn! We appreciate the care you put into serving our students each day! 💙
Happenings Around Town
Tanisha Burks, Principal, tanisha_burks@hcpss.org
Mary Geiser, Assistant Principal, Mary_Geiser@hcpss.org
Elissa Andrade, Assistant Principal, Elissa_Andrade@hcpss.org
9250 N Laurel Rd, Laurel, MD 20723
410-880-5960