The Panther Post

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Dear Laurel Woods Community,

We would also like to recognize Ms. Zowd, Ms. Bradley, and Ms. Ai during National School Lunch Week, Oct. 13 - 17! Please thank them when you see them for all they do in providing us with a delicious, healthy lunch each and every day!

With Pride,

Dr. Burks, Ms. Braxton, & Ms. Lee

🎉 Calling All K–2 Families! 🎉

Do you have a student in Kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade?
Then you won’t want to miss our cozy and exciting Primary S'Mores Reading Night!

📚✨ Come in your comfy PJs and bring your favorite stuffed animal for a night full of reading data, reading strategies, smiles, and snuggly fun!

📅 Date: October 15, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Laurel Woods Elementary School

Mark your calendars and RSVP today — this will be a night to remember! 🌙💫

Families may be eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits including free or discounted college tuition, testing and application fees, program fees and many others. Details on the Free and Reduced Meals program, including a link to apply, are available online.

PLEASE complete the FARMS application.

Families are urged to check their eligibility and complete a FARMs application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year.

Please visit HCPSS Connect to update your Family File for this school year. Parents must complete the Family File every year to ensure that we have the most current and accurate information for each and every student.

Parents must complete the Family File every year to ensure that we have the most current and accurate information for each and every student. Parents/guardians will be asked to provide or update the following information:

• Student Information
• Parent/Guardian Contact
• Emergency Contacts
• Please list multiple emergency contacts!
• Medical Information
• Arrival/Dismissal Procedures and Transportation Options
• Photo Approval
• Data Confidentiality
• Student Creative Work Approval

Resources:

• FAMILY FILE QUICK REFERENCE CARD (ENGLISH)
• FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (ENGLISH)
• FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (SPANISH)
• FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (KOREAN)
• HOMEPAGE FOR HCPSS CONNECT GUIDES & TUTORIALS

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! 👇

Save the date for the Annual LWES PTO Trunk or Treat! Next Thursday, October 16th from 5:30-7:30pm in the LWES Parking lot. There is no school the next day so come out for candy, dancing and fun!

We are looking for volunteers to help with our biggest event of the year. We expect 600 students to attend! Please sign up here to donate candy and/or host a trunk:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A45A5AA22A0F58-21713277-trunk#/

We will offer prizes for the most creative, best theme and best overall! We hope to see you there!

October

• 10/14: Vision & Hearing Screening
• 10/15: 6:00-7:00 Primary (K-2) S'More Reading Night
• 10/16: 5th Gr. Field Trip - DC Monuments; 5:30-7:30 PTO Trunk or Treat
• 10/17: Schools Closed for Students, MSEA Convention/Professional Work Day; Musical Auditions for Spring Musical
• 10/20: Schools & Offices Closed, Diwali
• 10/22: PTO Dine Out @ Red Robin (kids eat half off); Intermediate Reading Night
• 10/23: Fall Picture Day
• 10/29: Dental Clinic; 2nd Gr Field Trip-Robinson Nature Center
• 10/30: Dental Clinic
• 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

The HCPSS Partnerships 2024–2025 Annual Snapshot is now available. The snapshot includes a link to school system partners including each school’s partners, as well as system wide, curricular, and program office partnerships. The Snapshot highlights the essential role our partners play in ensuring every student has the tools to succeed beyond graduation.

The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. Stories and poems must be typed and saved as a Word Doc or Googledoc. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to Lauren Konick by December 15, 2025. Contact Lauren Konick with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.

As many Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) families are impacted by the federal government shutdown, we understand that many people in our community may experience financial hardship or uncertainty. HCPSS remains committed to supporting all students and families during this time.

Howard County families who have lost pay due to the shutdown may apply for the Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FARMs) program and the HCPSS Food and Nutrition Office will determine their eligibility status within 24-48 hours. Families that would not ordinarily qualify for the FARMs program could be eligible for the remainder of the school year because of the current loss of income.

Families that are adversely impacted, including those who do not receive FARMs assistance, will have the remainder of the school year to pay off any meal balances incurred during the government shutdown.

Additionally, many students may be suffering fear or anxiety about their family’s current financial situation. Student Services staff at each school are prepared and available to assist students at any time during the school day. Numerous resources are also available for families on the HCPSS website, and other supports are available through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services.

Now that your child(ren) are back in school, enjoying new learning experiences and making new friends, it’s a good time to develop a Family's Help Bank. Emergencies or illnesses can arise unexpectedly, and having a plan in place can make all the difference.

This document will guide you in identifying trusted family members, friends, or neighbors who can step in to help ensure your child(ren) get to school safely when you need extra support.

Individual student pictures will be taken on Thursday, October 23, 2025. All students will have their picture taken for the yearbook. Students who are absent will have an opportunity to have their picture taken at a later date. If you'd like to order a picture package, order forms will be coming home with every student soon. Orders may be placed online at mylifetouch.com using our school code: EVTHPC9RB or by returning the order form with payment in the attached envelope on picture day with your student. Click here to view the flyer.

The Howard County Local Children’s Board is partnering with the Maryland Coalition of Families to host a Family Leadership Institute – a free two-day training opportunity for Howard County parents and caregivers of school-aged children with mental/behavioral health challenges. The deadline to apply for this program is October 17th. This event is being held November 7th-8th, at Columbia DoubleTree (5485 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045).

Participants will receive valuable information on:

• Understanding your child’s mental and behavioral health needs
• Navigating special education services and other related systems Finding your voice as an advocate for your child, your family, and your community
• Recognizing the importance of self-care for your own well-being and your ability to support your loved ones

You can apply directly through this link: Family Leadership Programs - Maryland Coalition of Families. Support for childcare & transportation expenses is available if needed.

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.

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.

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.