LWE News & Notes

Website: https://lakewindward.fultonschools.org/

Location: 11770 E. Fox Court Alpharetta, Ga 30005

Phone: 470-254-7050

Instagram: lake_windward_es_gators

2026-2027 School Year

• 10/25-10/30-Be Well, Be Kind Week
• 10-28-10/30-Book Fair Shopping Days
• 10/30-Book Character Dress Up Day
• 11/3-Remote learning day

As the cooler months set in, more families utilize the carline rather than walking to school so please allow for this when planning your morning commute. Please note that Lake Windward Elementary School practices ‘Bell to Bell’ instruction, which means learning starts at 7:40am. Students are expected to be in their classroom at their desk ready to learn before the bell rings. As always, students who arrive by bus are never marked tardy. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Thank you for all the generous donations! Mr. Rosny and Ms. Aeli had a wonderful custodial appreciation day!

Families are welcome to join their child's class during the scheduled shopping time if assistance is needed with selecting books.

If you choose to volunteer at the Book Fair, please note that volunteers will assist all students and support Book Fair operations, including working the cash register, rather than shopping with their own child.

For more information, visit the Book Fair webpage: https://lakewindward.fultonschools.org/students-families/media-center/book-fair.

Questions? Contact Ms. Brandon

Tuesday, November 3, is a remote learning day for students, as many FCS schools will serve as polling locations. Your child’s teacher will share remote learning assignments by Friday, October 30th. Please contact your student's teacher if you have any questions!

Thank you for your support!

The annual application window for submitting a Change of School Assignment (COSA) request is now open until December 18, 2026. Families of students in kindergarten through 12th grade can use the COSA process to apply for a school transfer taking effect during the 2027-2028 school year.

Top 10 Things to Know

Below is a summary of key points for parents, with full information posted at www.fultonschools.org/COSA.

1. The COSA process covers all transfer-related programs, including those due to parent preference (no specific academic, hardship or medical reason needed), children of FCS employees, magnet studies, and options made available through state law, such as the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship and Georgia Public School Choice/Open Enrollment.
2. The list of COSA-eligible schools is published on the COSA website. Up to three (3) schools, in priority order, may be selected during the online application.
3. Applications will only be accepted for schools on the COSA-eligible list. Schools that are part of current Redistricting/ Consolidation/ Closure planning or at a high enrollment capacity are not COSA-eligible.
4. Parents can apply any time during the application window of Oct. 20, 2026, through Dec. 18, 2026.
5. Acceptance or denial will be emailed in late January 2027 to parents/guardians.
6. If a transfer is approved, parents/guardians/students must provide their own transportation to the accepting school.
7. To continue enrollment, students must meet attendance, academic and behavioral requirements.
8. If COSA is approved, students are eligible to remain at the school through their terminal year (5th, 8th, 12th) and do not need to reapply annually unless moving on to middle or high school. Students with an IEP or Section 504 plan may stay if their program remains available at the school.
9. Students with transfers approved before August 1, 2024, may remain through the school’s highest grade without a new application.
10. Transfer requests for children of military families, children experiencing homelessness, and victims of violent criminal offenses are subject to separate requirements under applicable laws. Families should confirm the COSA application steps and deadlines that apply to their situation.
    
    

Magnet Programs and Schools Without An Attendance Zone

Students wanting to attend a magnet program at a location outside of their home attendance boundary must first submit a COSA application. If a transfer is granted, students can then apply for admission into the magnet program through the school. COSA acceptance does not guarantee magnet program placement, so parents should contact the school for specific program participation criteria.

Also, schools without an attendance zone do not require a COSA application. These are FCS Innovation Academy, Global Impact Academy, The Promise Career Institute, F.A.V.E. (Fulton Academy of Virtual Excellence) and FCS charter schools. The Accelerated Career Program/FCS Middle College at North Springs High School allows any student, regardless of their attendance zone, to apply and does not require a COSA application; however, admission to North Springs’ STEAM magnet does require COSA.

More Information
For complete COSA requirements and guidelines, visit www.fultonschools.org/COSA. Questions can be emailed to StudentAssignment@fultonschools.org.

Planning travel around an upcoming student holiday? While we always want our Gators at school, we understand that families sometimes need to travel. Please email lweattendance@fultonschools.org as soon as possible to request a remote learning day for your child. Students are allotted five remote learning days per semester, and advance notice is greatly appreciated!

On November 3, 2026, Fulton citizens will vote on whether or not to continue ESPLOST as the funding source for these projects. For those unfamiliar, ESPLOST is the one-penny education sales tax that has funded new and replacement school construction, additions and renovations, technology innovations, transportation upgrades and safety improvements in our school system. Fulton County Schools has created a special webpage with information about Capital Plan 2032 and ESPLOST at www.fultonschools.org/ESPLOST. We encourage you to visit that page to view information about our school’s projects as well as general information about districtwide improvements.

🎉Thank you to all the families who have already become LWE PTO sponsors! Your support helps provide valuable enrichment opportunities for our students.

Attendance Matters ALL DAY, EVERYDAY. Excused and unexcused absences easily add up to too much time lost in the classroom, putting students at risk academically. In order for students to learn and achieve to their fullest potential, it is critical that they attend school and are engaged in the learning process. Student absences, whether excused or unexcused, impact a child's ability to succeed in school.

Some absences are unavoidable. Occasional absences related to health reasons are to be expected, but they can quickly add up.

The important thing is to get your children to school as often as possible and on time! Please don’t forget to email lweattendance@fultonschools.org (and cc the teacher) when your child is absent. Additionally, please remember that the late bell rings at 7:40. Students need to be in their classroom ready to learn at that time. If you are a car rider, please leave a few minutes earlier in the morning to get your child to school on time.

Lateness causes disruptions in learning, and it has an impact on academic success. You will receive an emailed letter from your school social worker once your child has accumulated 12 tardies.

If you have any questions, please reference the FCS Attendance Policy, https://www.fultonschools.org/attendancematters, reach out to the school, or contact Ronda June, LCSW, school social worker: juner@fultonschools.org

Lake Windward now has two options for after school childcare, Monday-Friday.

Y After School

Tutor Shop

Weekly After School Programs:

Monday-Challenge Island & Premier Martial Arts

Wednesday- Kid Chess

Thursday-Kid Create Art

Register as a Volunteer

Fulton County Schools Calendar

Contact Ms. Busing

busing@fultonschools.org