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Dear Laurel Woods Community,

¡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.

With Pride,

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

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

The BSAP Saturday Math Academy fall session is approaching! The program offers an in-person enrichment for Howard County Public School System students in all levels of math for grades 3-12, based on course availability. Registration will take place online Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 9:00 am until capacity is reached. Class space is limited. Families can register by accessing the HCPSS Connect Website on the registration date.

For more information, please visit: https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2025/09/black-student-achievement-program-bsap-saturday-math-academy-fall-2025-program/

BSAP SMA Fall 2025 Flyer (English)

BSAP SMA Fall 2025 Flyer (Spanish)

Wednesday, September 17 will be the first 3 hour early dismissal for HCPSS schools. LWES will dismiss at 12:15. Please make arrangements for an on time pick up.

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

• 09/15:CAW to Action: Wear Ravens spirit wear or Purple!
• 09/17: 12:15pm Student Early Dismissal
• 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

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 (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) program is specifically designed for parents/guardians of children and adolescents with anxiety issues, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other related concerns.

Learn more by clicking this link

The Howard County Public School System is committed to ensuring equity and giving every child an opportunity to succeed. Essential to this mission is hiring and retaining highly effective teachers and support staff who are invested in providing safe and secure classroom environments where every child is encouraged to thrive.

Your school has been identified as a Title I participating school for the 2025-26 school year. Title I is a federally funded program that is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. Title I is designed to close achievement gaps and ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high quality education by providing funding for supplemental academic services and supports.

The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains several provisions that promote a parent/school partnership through communication. One such provision gives parents at Title I Schools the right to ask for and receive information in a timely manner about the professional qualifications of their child's classroom teachers. A parent may request the following information:

• Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived
• Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher
• Whether the parent's child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications

If you would like to request the above, please submit a written request to the principal. The principal will provide the information to you within 30 business days of the date of your request.

Thank you for supporting your child’s education. Strong partnerships with parents and families are essential to a student's academic success and social-emotional well-being.

Do you have a child in kindergarten this year?

Stop by your child's classroom this Thursday, September 11th from 6:00-7:00pm to learn more about what your child will be learning about this school year. Childcare will be available for children in PreK and up.

If you have any questions, please reach out your child's teacher.

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.

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.

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