Lutherville Lab Report
What's gone down & what's coming up at the leopards' lair.
August 25, 2023
It has been an "ALL IN" week at The Lab. The staff has been working diligently to prepare for the arrival of students on Monday, as so many of our families saw on Thursday evening. It was so energizing to meet new students and see our returning students again and the enthusiasm on all faces.
This week we engaged in professional learning focused on acknowledging our many strengths as a school and our values that can push us to continue our journey to be the best school we can be. We shared strategies we'll implement to insure all students voices are valued and heard, how teachers will work together to discuss interactions and instructional decisions, and a year-long project in student study to learn from the experiences of our students. Through these initiatives we expect to better serve every child at Lutherville, and look to disrupt patterns of students we have under-served in the past. The week was also tense, as we each found our way through the expectant joy and hope of a new school year and the sorrow and grieving of a student lost.
That said, we are so, so excited for Monday!
Please remember to have bus riders at the bus stop 10 minutes before the busses scheduled arrival and remind children to not approach the bus until it has come to a complete stop. Our doors will open at 9:05 with breakfast and lunch served for free to all students interested.
Thank you to the families of the 276 students who completed the Transportation Survey! We will work on Monday to have clarity on dismissal plans for all others. Please support us with helping your child get into a school routine tonight if they are not in one already! All details for arrival and dismissal are in the Transportation Letter attached (which came home on Tuesday evening).
If you feel so moved, you can join families across the County in celebrating the Back to School season with the hashtag #Back2BCPS.
In partnership,
-Mr. McComb
Remembering Yash
Yash embodied so much of what is wonderful about children in Kindergarten: infectious enthusiasm, deep curiosity, pure imagination, endless possibilities, love of learning, a yearning to connect.
On Sunday evening, I had the chance to join school staff, neighbors of the family, and friends of Yash who stood together in vigil at the family's home. We shared the pain for lives lost too soon, for missed opportunities to connect and support, for pain unjust and unimaginable. Members of the community spoke of a loving family and kind neighbors and of a commitment to better connect going forward.
On Monday we shared the news with staff, and were supported by social workers and counselors from the BCPS Traumatic Loss Team. We watched a video of Yash reading a story, shared memories, and our feelings.
We will carry Yash's memory and spirit with us as we open on Monday. Members of the BCPS Traumatic Loss Team will be with us in addition to our school counselor, psychologist, and social worker, should students who knew Yash struggle with the return. Our staff will not be bringing the loss up to students, but have prepared with how to acknowledge questions and concerns should students have them and connect children to support as needed. We will continue to communicate with families should concerns arise.
Welcome Receptions for New Students Entering 1st-5th Grade and Their Families - please RSVP
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and our School Counselor, Mrs. Ilene Kiewe, invite students who are new to Lutherville Lab this year and entering grades 1st-5th plus their families to meet one another, learn key information about Lutherville Lab and ask questions as the school year gets underway.
Families may choose between two sessions which will both be held in the library.
-Tues Sept 5th from 5:30-6:00 pm
Or
- Tues Sept 12th from 4:45-5:15 pm (just before Back-to-School Night which begins at 5:30 pm)
To RSVP please click here.
