Message from Principal Thompson

Stallion Families,

We are so excited to welcome our students into our doors in just a few short weeks. Our amazing teachers started back this week, and their excitement and energy was “out of this world”!

As we are gearing up for a fresh, new school year full of joy and learning, we acknowledge the increase of Covid cases due to the Delta variant. Last year we were able to keep our campus open with our masking and social distancing protocols. While there will be a few changes this year, we are diligently gathering input from health officials and our Lakewood SBDM team to determine the best course forward, but ultimately know that social distancing as much as possible, and wearing masks indoors are the two highest leverage actions we can take to slow the spread and protect all students and staff.

While I do understand we cannot require masks, I would like to take a moment to highly encourage and humbly recommend all students and staff wear masks indoors as we re-enter school this fall. I proudly stand by our mission and vision to be a community of leaders and problem solvers who advocate for all. Please join me in supporting all of our students and community!

Stallion Strong,

Principal Thompson

UPCOMING DATES

AUG 9: New Family Orientation @ Times Ten Too (7:30pm)

AUG 12: Meet the Teacher (last name A-K @ 4:30pm, L-Z @ 5:45pm)

AUG 14: 5th Grade Campus Clean-Up (9-10am)

AUG 16: First Day of School (staggered arrival times below)

AUG 16: "Boohoo or Woohoo" Breakfast for Kinder Parents (8am)

AUG 19: PTA Board Meeting (7pm)

AUG 31: Parent Info Night (3rd grade @ 5pm, Kinder @ 6:15pm)

SEPT 1: Parent Info Night (2nd grade @5pm, 1st grade @ 6:15pm)

SEPT 2: Parent Info Night (4th grade @5pm, 5th grade @ 6:15pm)

SEPT 6: Labor Day, No School

SEPT 10-12: FOL Camp Lakewood

SEPT 15: School Tour (9:30am)

SEPT 16: Site-Based Decision Making Committee (SBDM) Meeting (6pm)

SEPT 16: PTA Board Meeting (7pm)

SEPT 23: PTA General Meeting, Campus Showcase (7pm)

SEPT 27: Stallion Strong Campaign ends

 NEW ANNOUCEMENTS

"Meet the Teacher" Documents

If you can't make it or don't feel comfortable attending, no problem! All forms will be sent home with your child on the first day of school.

There are also links to a few documents we can distribute virtually.

TRANSPORTATION SURVEY - Click here to fill out virtually

GT NOMINATION FORM (1st-5th GRADERS ONLY) - Click here to access

(must print out and turn in hard copy. Not for incoming Kinders; only for students who have not been identified as Gifted & Talented previously and whose parents would like their child screened this year)

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL

FIRST DAY ONLY- Arrival

Kindergarten students will arrive at 7:30 AM.
1st - 5th grade students will arrive at 8:30 AM.
Staff will be all hands on deck beginning at 7:30 AM to help guide Kinder students to their classes.
Any student needing breakfast may enter through the cafeteria entrance at 7:15 AM.

Arrival- EVERY DAY beginning Tues 8/17

Doors open at 7:30AM
Tardy bell rings at 7:55AM
Any student needing breakfast may enter through the cafeteria entrance at 7:15 AM.

Dismissal by Mode of Pickup: EVERY DAY

3:05 PM: FOL, Big Thought, YMCA, and Bus will be either picked up (K & 1) or released (2-5).
3:10 PM: Announced carpool students will be sent to carpool and the remaining students will be taken into the auditorium and dismissed as they are announced.
3:15 PM: All walkers will be taken to their designated grade level locations and stand in a line with a grade/section sign. Students will be dismissed by the teacher in the PikMyKid app as solo walkers and/or as their parent/guardian arrives (Details on PikMyKid will be released in next week's eNews)

2021-2022 Campus Policy Summary

HOURS:

School hours are 7:45am - 3:15pm.

MASKS:

Masks will be STRONGLY ENCOURAGED this year in order to keep all of our students and teachers SAFE and IN SCHOOL. Keep in mind - if our teachers get sick and must quarantine, our students get subs for extended periods of learning time. Virtual school will NOT be offered this year; quarantining and asynchronous learning will be required for students for a period of 10 days. It's better for us ALL if we do our part to keep the spread down.

ENTRANCES:

Students will use the same entrances as last year. Parents will not be allowed inside the building during drop off, but will have designated "hug zones" outside of the drop off areas and staff will be right inside the doors to help students to their classrooms. (See campus map with grade-specific entry points in eNews)

DISMISSAL:

The PikMyKid App will be used for all student dismissals for the 21-22 year.

EARLY RELEASE:

The cutoff for early release is 2:30 PM, no exceptions. All early releases must be accompanied by an excuse note, or be subject to T-99 which will directly impact student attendance.

FRONT OFFICE DROP-OFFS:

This will only be allowed between 7:30am & 9:30am (birthday treats, water bottles, school projects) - no exceptions. Third party food delivery services not accepted (DoorDash, Favor, UberEats).

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS:

These will take place in the last 10 minutes of the school day. We are encouraging alternative birthday treats (e.g., bubbles, stamps, play-doh).

No items containing nuts.
Birthday treats should be brought in by students at arrival.
If a birthday treat must be dropped off, it must be done before 9:30 AM.
All treats should be individually wrapped and/or pre-cut.

Teachers are back at school working hard to prep for students' return!

PikMyKid App

We will be using this app for all student dismissals again this year.

More details and instructions are coming next week after student roster data is loaded into the system.

SPIRIT WEAR STORE IS OPEN!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER some rad swag for your kiddos! Tons of new items and colors- don't forget that students can wear these tshirts on Fridays!

School Supply Update

Edukits ordered before July 28th will be delivered directly to the classrooms.

Didn’t order an EduKit? No worries...grade-level school supply lists are posted on the PTA website! CLICK HERE!

Let's meet our goal before school starts!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

Lakewood Elementary PTA's primary funding resource
Raises critical funds to fill gaps in our school’s budget and support needs and wants that directly benefit our students!
School goal: $80,000! WE CAN DO IT!
We are asking for a contribution of $125 per student
For highest participation, we will be rewarding classes (TCBY), grades (free dress & treat), and parents of winning class (Coffee with Ms. Thompson)!
Each family that donates $125 will receive a new cutout yard sign
More details on website!

Introducing Dana Booth, 3-5th Grade Counselor and 504 Chair

A warm Stallion welcome to Ms. Dana Booth, who is joining us as the 3-5th grade counselor and 504 Chair!

Ms. Booth graduated with a BA in Sociology/Anthropology from Millsaps College, Texas A&M University- Commerce with an M.S. in School Counseling, and is on her way to an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) specializing in Play Therapy. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Counselor Education.

Ms. Booth comes to Lakewood with a robust background in education and mental health. In addition to serving as a classroom teacher in Mesquite ISD for 8 years, she has taught English in China, worked as a domestic violence counselor for at-risk youth, performed behavior therapy with children diagnosed with ASD, and completed a school counseling internship in Rockwall ISD.

Ms. Booth sees this school counselor position as her "dream job"- the culmination of all of her former education and experience.

Ms. Booth resides in Waxahachie with her husband and 2 yr. old son, Townes. Ms. Booth is elated at the opportunity to serve the Lakewood Elementary family. She is in awe of the amount of love, care and dedication the community shows our school. She can’t wait to listen, learn, and do all she can to help grow our Lakewood leaders!

Welcome, Ms. Booth!

Join the Lakewood Elementary PTA!

CLICK HERE to purchase your individual or family membership for the year.

In addition to supporting our school's mission, this is the only way to be included in the school directory! Read more about benefits and details on our website.

DISD "We're Ready" Info for Families

To view DISD's Safety Protocols Handbook and other back-to-school details, please find the "We're Ready" webpage.

 PREVIOUSLY SHARED INFORMATION

QUESTIONS ABOUT UNIFORMS?

 CALLING ALL NEW FAMILIES!

Mark your calendars for a new family orientation on August 9th at Times Ten Too, hosted by the PTA's New Families Committee.

Please sign up through the quick google form below to receive emails from this committee about the event as well as general information for all things Lakewood.

We can't wait to meet you!

New-to-Lakewood Family Sign-Up Link

Know a NEW LAKEWOOD STALLION? Rent a special yard sign for them!

Reserve a "New Lakewood Stallion" Yard Sign for your incoming Kindergartener or ANY NEW Lakewood Stallion! Celebrate the first day of school with a special surprise in your yard!

Fill out the order form by clicking HERE.

Deadline to order is August 9th. Quantities are limited!

About the Signs:

$25 to rent a "New Lakewood Stallion" yard sign (18x24)
Signs will be delivered Friday, August 13
Signs will be picked up Sunday, August 22
Proceeds benefit the LECPTA

5th Grade Campus Clean-up!

This school year, a different grade will be asked to help with a campus clean-up each month, starting with our new Lakewood leaders...our incoming 5th graders!

Come help us on Saturday, August 14th from 9-10am by picking up trash on the Lakewood campus so the school is sparkling clean for the first day of school. Trash bags and gloves will be provided.

Printable "1st Day of School" Signs

Check out these cute signs for your Stallions' first day of school!

Click HERE for grade-specific printable signs!

Help Water the Courtyard Garden!

Thanks so much to all the families, friends, teachers, and Master Gardeners who have signed up to water the new courtyard gardens this summer!

As we approach the hottest part of the summer, we still have several open dates available if you can help us keep the garden happy and ready to greet our students this fall! There will be so many new and exciting things to explore in the garden this school year!

SIGN UP HERE!