Lutherville Lab Report
What's gone down & what's coming up at the leopards' lair.
December 1, 2023
We had a great week of learning at The Lab! It was great to celebrate such a successful Read-A-Thon! Thank you to all who participated. This week, in most grade levels, students concluded a Reading Unit this week and it was good to see the growth already in student writing this year through their culminating writing pieces.
Today we hosted a class from Towson University. Their professor has overseen interns at Lutherville and was so impressed with the work we do, particularly in special education -- including students, meeting needs, differentiating -- that she asked to bring her class. The students got to visit classrooms and talk with classroom teachers, administrators, special educators, a parent/guardian, and a behavior interventionist. They left convinced of what we know -- this is a special place.
We look forward to next week's concert performance from our 5th graders!
Mr. McComb
Calendar Reminders:
12/5 - Winter Concert
12/19 - Skate Night
12/22 - Asynchronous Learning Day
12/23 - School Closed; Winter Break Begins
1/2 - Schools Reopen
In partnership,
-Mr. McComb
Scenes from the Week
Congratulations to Ava W. for earning BCPS Honorable Mention for her Fire Safety Poster Design!
A Towson University Education Class spent the morning with us Friday learning best practices in Special Education after their professor supervised interns at LL and saw the great work our staff does.
Boundary Study Survey & Information Session
This afternoon (Friday), you should have received a separate communication alerting you that there is a Survey open to the community to give feedback on the 4 Options for rezoning in the Central Area. The survey is open through December 17th.
As a school community, we want to provide additional information and context to support completing the survey, if you wish to have it. Over a dozen PTA members attended the Public Information Sessions to hear perspectives from other community members present from other schools. The PTA will be sharing that information as well as their endorsements in student folders next week.
The Lutherville Lab members of the Central Area Boundary Study will also be hosting a Google Meet on Thursday, December 7th at 7:00-7:30pm, to discuss the 4 options and differences between them, as well as answer any questions our community may have. We will use the Google Meet Code "LLBoundaryStudy"
The session will be recorded and a link will be shared in the December 8th Lab Report so that you can view at your leisure, if you wish, if you can't join us Thursday.
LL Boundary Study Info Session
Thursday, Dec 7, 2023, 07:00 PM
Google Meets: "LLBoundaryStudy"
Welcome Ms. Blair!
We are so pleased to welcome Ms. Victoria Blair to Lutherville Laboratory as our new 4th grade teacher! Ms. Blair will graduate from Towson University this month, having just completed her teacher internship in 4th grade at Colgate Elementary School. Ms. Blair will graduate with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and minor in Linguistic Diversity.
Ms. Blair's passion for supporting multi-lingual learners is rooted in her experience as an English Learner as a child in Baltimore County Public Schools, having grown up in the Catonsville area and graduated from CHS. She was drawn by the opportunity to work with the diverse student body and committed staff at Lutherville Lab.
We give our great thanks to Amanda Wolfe, who saw a need at Lutherville and stepped up and stepped in to fill that need. She has been working with Ms. Blair this week to create a smooth transition for our students. We are deeply grateful for her service, which was captured by her receipt of the Lab Coat, our peer-to-peer staff MVP Award, which she received in November.
Hour of Power!
During Monday's professional learning day, our faculty met and commited to launch an innovative plan to provide some additional personalized learning during the school day to our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders during their extra rotation time on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2:00 - 3:00. We are calling it a "Power Hour" and it will run from the return from Winter Break until we go out for Spring Break. We believe this opportunity will help grow all our students, and we need our community's help!
We are seeking partnership in multiple ways to make this program happen for our amazing students:
- If you're available, volunteer to come in and play a game or activity with students!
- Helping to prepare materials in the month of December (at school or from home)
- Donating funds for books for some students, or snacks
We are working with our higher education partners at Goucher, Loyola, and Towson to find future teachers excited for additional opportunities to serve students, but are also open to connections with family members, retired educators, and community members who would like to work with 3-4 students to support their learning activities. All volunteers will complete BCPS Volunteer Training and Background Checks.
Mitten Tree and Toys for Tots
It is hard to believe that the holidays are quickly approaching. For Lutherville Lab, it is a time to remember children that need our help. We are continuing our tradition of the MITTEN TREE. We will collect NEW mittens, hats, gloves, and scarves to decorate our tree in the lobby. These will be donated to a shelter in our area. The mitten tree donations will run from Monday, November 27th-Friday, December 15th. All sizes are needed.
We will also collect toys for children through Kids Helping Hopkins. We need NEW unwrapped toys. Please do not send in plush toys or stuffed animals. Please consider sending in items for the Mitten Tree or a toy for Kids Helping Hopkins. Our children have gained so much from the experience of giving to others. The toy drive will take place from Monday, November 27th-Friday, December 8th.
Thank you so much in advance for your donations.
Wishes for a wonderful holiday season,
Mrs. Kiewe- School Counselor ikiewe@bcps.org 443-809-7835
Letters to Santa Opportunity
Our partners at BCPD asked us to share this opportunity for children to write to Santa. Letters can be dropped at the address in the image and will receive a response.
Read-a-Thon Congratulations and Thanks
We're incredibly proud of our 173 readers who read for 99,435 minutes (109% of our goal) and are very grateful for your support which made our fundraiser a success. We raised $10,764 (89% of our goal) and are excited to celebrate our success by using the funds for winter and spring initiatives. Pizza parties, with pizza donated by Olympia Pizzeria, were held today for Mrs. Zagurski's class as the winner of the most minutes and Mrs. Levy's class for the highest contribution to raised funds. Individual student recognition is coming next week and top class per grade special events before the end of December.
Spirit Wear Pop-Up Sale TOMORROW, Sat 12/2
1-3 pm at Towson Hot Bagel (THB) in Lutherville
Just in time for the holidays, drop by tomorrow to purchase a new sweatshirt, t-shirts and more! Girl Scout cookie sales (a great stocking stuffer!) will also be happening at the same time.
Celebrating Teachers & Staff - Contributions by Dec 14th
1) Each year, during the holiday season, traditionally students and families shower their homeroom teachers with kindness, in the form of cards and gifts to show thanks. If there is a coordinated effort for your student's class or grade you will be hearing from a Room Rep in the next week. This year, we’d like to also extend the generosity to the rest of our staff, who work tirelessly to support our students and school in their roles as custodians, cafeteria staff, adult assistants, front office staff, related arts and special education teachers and more. If you would like to contribute towards a gift of thanks for each of these dedicated professionals, please Venmo @Lisa-Reagle-3 with the note “LL staff gift” so we can purchase a thank you holiday treat on behalf of the whole school community! You may also send in cash or a check made out to Lutherville Lab PTA in an envelope marked "PTA" by Thurs Dec 14th. Thanks for your consideration!
2) Are you someone who likes to cook or bake? If so, we would love your help with our annual Soup & Salad Lunch for teachers and staff which will take place on Friday, Dec 15th. This SignUp Genius includes options to make or purchase food, drinks and supplies as well as help with set-up and clean-up.
Coming Next Week: Boundary Study Voting Guide in Student's Folder and PTA Email
You may be wondering: if Lutherville Lab's boundaries are not set to change in the four proposed maps, why should I still vote?
Nothing is set until the Board of Education announces their decision on March 19 and weighing in throughout the process shows we are engaged. This is our continued chance to voice our priorities. By voting, we can support options that help other schools. We want to raise their voices and concerns, especially as it relates to equity and diversity. Additionally, we hope that this will help us to have other schools’ support should we need it later.
And why is the PTA issuing recommendations and endorsing certain maps?
As mentioned earlier in the Lab Report, we value your thoughts and feedback and we also understand there is a lot to process as these maps change. We want you to feel informed and prepared to respond in a way that is meaningful rather than cast a limited-view vote or no vote at all.
Thank you for keeping an eye out for the guide, for letting us know if you have any questions and for VOTING by Dec 17th!
Next PTA Event: Skate Night - NOTE DATE CHANGE TO TUES 12/19
6-9 pm at Skateland,8019 Belair Rd, Nottingham, MD
$5 per person - covers entrance fee and skates, pay at the door
Outside food will be permitted.
Contact Information
Website: https://luthervillees.bcps.org/
Location: 1700 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium, MD, USA
Phone: 443-809-7800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuthervillePTA/
Twitter: @LuthervilleLab