Originally delivered on 8/8/2024 2:01 pm

SUBJECT: eNews BACK TO SCHOOL Edition

AUGUST 8: Meet the Teacher 

AUGUST 9: Kinder Popsicles on the Playground

AUGUST 12: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (Kinder: 7:45 am arrival; 1st-5th:  8:30 am arrival)

AUGUST 12:  Kinder Boohoo Breakfast

AUGUST 22:  PTA Board Meeting (8:15 am)

AUGUST 23: Spirit Store Closes

AUGUST 26:  GT Info Night 

AUGUST 27:  Grade Level Info Night - 3rd (5:00 pm); Kinder (6:15 pm)

AUGUST 28:  Grade Level Info Night - 2nd (5:00 pm); 1st (6:15 pm)

AUGUST 29:  Grade Level Info Night - 4th (5:00 pm); 5th (6:15 pm)

SEPTEMBER 2:  LABOR DAY - NO SCHOOL

SEPTEMBER 11:  LOLA After School

SEPTEMBER 11: FOL Fall Kick-Off Happy Hour

SEPTEMBER 15:  4th Grade Campus Clean-Up 

SEPTEMBER 20-22:  FOL Campout (Camp Grady Spruce)

SEPTEMBER 27:  LW Dreams Spirit Wear Day

OCTOBER 10-14:  FALL BREAK - NO SCHOOL

OCTOBER 20:  Fall Fest

OCTOBER 27: 3rd Grade Campus Clean-UP

NOVEMBER 5:  ELECTION DAY - NO SCHOOL

NOVEMBER 8:  LECPTA Auction Party

NOVEMBER 9 & 10:  LECPTA Home Tour

NOVEMBER 15:  Family Movie Night

FULL LWE CALENDAR
'24-'25 DISD CALENDAR

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Dear Lakewood Elementary School Families,

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, I want to address an important topic that impacts us all. Due to various factors, we are anticipating larger class sizes this year. We understand the concerns this may bring, and I want to assure you that we are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for every student.

Our dedicated teachers are well-prepared to problem solve any need that may arise. They have strong classroom management skills and effective systems in place. Over the past few weeks, they have been working extremely hard to prepare for all of our students as we begin a great school year together. Their commitment to your children's education and well-being is unwavering.

We are also actively working in partnership with our school leadership to address class size concerns. Our goal is to re-level classes as soon as possible to ensure a more balanced learning environment. We are closely monitoring allocations and will make adjustments where needed.

Your understanding and support are greatly appreciated as we navigate these challenges together. It is crucial that we have up-to-date information through the DISD Registration Portal to ensure an accurate count of all students. We will keep you informed of our progress and any changes that may occur, and we kindly ask for your flexibility as we make these adjustments.

Thank you for being such an important part of our Lakewood community. Together, we can ensure a successful and joyous school year for our students, and we will continue to provide an excellent learning environment for every student. 

Stallion Strong, 

Principal Thompson

Student Safety

As we focus on excellent instruction and joyful classrooms, I want to remind our community of our top priority: student safety. With the help of our staff and community, we continue to reinforce the following precautions:

  • Controlled, monitored entrances to our building with parent guests and volunteers checking in at the front office at all times.
  • Commissioned Security Officer stationed on campus during school hours.
  • Shatterproof window filming. 
  • Video surveillance system to monitor grounds.
  • Volunteer background checks in VOLY prior to volunteering in the building.
  • Front office check-in system (Raptor System Technologies and ID) to verify identification and screen for sex offenders.
  • PikMyKid dismissal system to secure students at the pick-up location and notify parents of dismissal.
  • Controlled, monitored front entrance with locked secondary security doors for entry from the foyer.
  • All staff and district employees must have visible badges at all times.
  • Staff monitoring hallways throughout the day.
  • Lock-blocks on every classroom door to immediately secure the room from the inside in the event of an emergency.
  • Daily perimeter and door checks outside of the building.
  • Locked exterior doors accessible only by electronic keycard or front door buzzer.
  • Perimeter fencing on Wendover to secure the campus grounds.
  • Regular safety drills to prepare for emergencies.
  • District and State-performed campus safety checks.
TONIGHT!!!
**IMPORTANT MEET THE TEACHER INFO**
  • Enter via the entrance your child will enter on the first day of school (Front door:  kinder, 1st, FLS, TC; Rear door:  2nd-5th)


  • Bring all school supplies with you (Edukits delivered to your home or ones you purchased on your own)


  • Visit the cafeteria to learn about AFTER SCHOOL options
IMPORTANT 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL INFO
*1st DAY OF SCHOOL ARRIVAL TIMES*

On the 1st day ONLY, 

arrival times will be staggered as follows:


KINDER:  7:45 am 

1st - 5th:  8:30 am 


The schedule for the remainder of the year is below.

Please enroll/register before the 1st Day!

Reminder: all NEW Lakewood students need to enroll and all RETURNING Lakewood students need to register before the first day.  If you haven't done so already, please click here.  


Failure to register may impact your child's class placement.  Please see guidance below. 

PowerSchool Assistance

PowerSchool is a DISD online tool that allows parents/guardians to access their students' grades, assignments and attendance. Please email the following front office staff if you need parent portal access in PowerSchool. Please include the students’ first and last names. For access to students from the last name below, please email the following:

We will respond within 48 hours starting on August 1.

  • District Code: TKBS
  • School Code: Only pertains to Pre-K students 
  • Who to call for help? 972-925-5560
  • Click here for more details on PowerSchool from DISD
Calling all KINDERS!!

Join us to meet classmates, buy spirit wear, and chat with the New Family PTA Committee to have all of your questions answered.  

No RSVP needed!

NEW STALLION YARD SIGNS

Celebrate your student’s first day of school at Lakewood Elementary with a New Lakewood Stallion yard sign! These are for kindergarten students and any new student to LWE.  

 

Reserve your sign today by clicking the photo.

  • Quantities are limited, so order your sign now!

  • Signs are $25

  • Signs can be picked up at Popsicles on the Playground: Friday, August 9 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on the Big Playground.

 

All proceeds benefit LECPTA!

This year we will continue to use PikmyKid as our dismissal platform. Now is a great time for all families to get their apps set up! 

Below are some helpful links for families when it comes to registering and using the parent app.

If you don't see your children in the app, please email Mrs. Nowakowski at brmckinney@dallasisd.org.  

'24-'25 BUS ROUTES

If your child is riding the bus, please email Mrs. Nowakowksi the student name and bus route so that she can add it to your student's PikMyKid account. BRMCKINNEY@dallasisd.org. 

Using the PikMyKid app (details below), please ensure that you have designated your child's mode of transportation with their bus number, or they will not be boarded on to the bus and you will have to come and pick him or her up from school.

In the mornings, buses will follow their designated routes and drop off at Lakewood. There are staff members on duty to escort and supervise bus riders in the school cafeteria until school starts. 

In the afternoons during dismissal, students will go to their designated bus rider's location to be escorted to busses and verified in the Pik My Kid App before boarding. 

The campus behavior coordinator shall take steps to maintain acceptable student conduct while riding school buses, including the discretion to deny the privilege of school bus transportation.  All Student Code of Conduct Offenses are subject to the same disciplinary actions while riding Dallas ISD provided transportation.  Students are expected to follow bus rules.

Please see additional Bus related information at https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/59008

DISD BACKPACK POLICY

In our ongoing effort to ensure safer schools, Dallas ISD will require clear backpacks for all students in grades Pre-K-12.

As an additional option, mesh backpacks will be acceptable, however, clear ones are preferred. Students may carry a small, nonclear pouch in their backpack to hold personal items, such as cell phones, money, and hygiene products. Each student will be provided one durable clear backpack for the year to support families at no cost. Parents may also purchase their students’ clear or mesh backpacks that meet the District’s policy. See more information here.

A clear backpack policy alone does not ensure complete security. This proactive measure is just one of several updates to enhance student and campus safety. As a reminder, Dallas ISD’s Comprehensive Safety Plan is available at dallasisd.org/safety.  We encourage everyone to visit the district’s website and social media channels for the latest updates.

School Supplies

If you ordered supplies from Edukit prior to June 16, they will be in your child's classroom on the first day of school.  


If you purchased the kit after June 16, they will be shipped to your home.  You can bring the kit with you to Meet the Teacher.  


If you still need to purchase school supplies for your child, you can access the lists for each grade here so that you purchase the correct items:  Edukit

New Family Presentation

If you were unable to join us at the New Family Orientation this week, click here to view the presentation.

Room reps are such an essential part of our school community.  Thank you in advance for volunteering!  One Team, One Dream! 


Room Reps will be chosen randomly and announced on the evening of August 27.  Be on the lookout for a post on instagram! 

Pre-Orders close AUGUST 23!  

Don't delay! 

Click image above to order now!

GET IT TODAY - Lakewood Dreams Limited Edition Merch!

Fall is (hopefully) coming soon! Get your kids ready for cool mornings by pre-ordering your limited-edition here! 


These can also be worn on Lakewood Spirit Day on 9/27. All pre-sale online orders end on 9/8. Order today!

NEW SMART TECHNOLOGY POLICY

Rationale: Research has shown that the use of smart devices such as cell phones, smart watches, and AirPods during school hours can significantly impact student achievement, behavior, mental health, and social interactions. In an effort to support all our students, we are implementing a consistent policy across the Woodrow Feeder pattern. This unified approach is based on data indicating that these devices distract from learning, reduce instructional time, fragment student attention, and contribute to anxiety, bullying, and addiction. By removing access to these devices during school hours, we aim to create a more focused, supportive, and community-oriented environment for our students.


Protocol:

  • Collection and Storage: Upon arrival, homeroom teachers will collect students' smart devices, including smart watches, Gabb watches, cell phones, and AirPods. These will be stored in labeled pouches within a storage tub, kept in a secure area inaccessible to other students.


  • Non-Compliance: If a student does not comply with this policy, an administrator will collect the device, and the parent will be required to pick it up from the front office. Parent contact will be made immediately after the first offense.


We believe that these measures will greatly benefit our students by enhancing their focus, improving their mental health, and fostering better community interactions. Your support and cooperation are vital to the success of this policy.

Thank you for your understanding and partnership in making Lakewood Elementary a great place for our children to learn and grow.

'24-'25 School Year Theme

This sports and teamwork-themed year will embody the spirit of collaboration, unity, and shared goals, emphasizing that together we can achieve greatness.

After School Care Options

Looking for after school care options?  Check out our list of resources here: https://www.lakewoodelementary.net/afterschool

Visit the Lakewood Coop!
Embrace the Power of Dreams!

LECPTA’s Lakewood Dreams Auction Party is on November 8, 2024 at The Empire Room (tickets on sale 9/26)! Get a full vision of the theme by watching this video!

And don’t forget to follow @LWDreams on Instagram for info, inspo and more!

Take a minute and think about who you know coming into Lakewood this year and forward this email to them so they can subscribe themselves!  


Don't forget to have your spouses subscribe, too, and anyone else who is actively involved with your kids' schedules (nannies, grandparents, etc).


While you're at it, make sure you and anyone new to the school is following @Lakewoodelementarypta on Instagram and on Facebook!



Lunch Buddies Update for the 2024-2025 School Year!
  • Lunch Buddies is a chance for a parent to join their child for lunch once a semester. After classes are set, PTA will circulate a Sign-Up Genius for parents to claim their date!
  • NEW! For Fall of 2024, Lunch Buddies will occur every Wednesday from September 4, 2024 - December 4, 2024. 
  • NEW! Lunch Buddies will only happen on Wednesdays in the Fall, rather than five days a week, but each grade will NOT have an assigned month like last year, so parents can pick a date across the entire semester. There will be two spots for your class each Wednesday. 
  • Parents are asked to limit their lunch visit/sign-up to one guest per semester. 
  • PLEASE NOTE: Lunch Buddies is not the same as Lunch Bunch. Lunch Bunch parents volunteer to help teachers oversee and clean the cafeteria. Two Lunch Bunch volunteers for each section (K-2 and 3-5) are needed EVERY DAY to help lunch run smoothly and allow teachers a much-deserved break
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