Greetings, Elementary Families!

I hope that you've been able to enjoy the time away these last two weeks and that the holidays provided you with sweet reminders of the redeeming work of our Savior! I've definitely loved the extra time with my family, but I'm also looking forward to seeing all of our students back at school this Tuesday, January 6!

As we enter a new year and a new semester, I'm deeply thankful for the partnership we share in guiding and nurturing our children during their elementary years. It is a joy to serve alongside you as we point our students to Christ in all we do.

Scripture reminds us in Ecclesiastes 4:9, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” When families and school work together, our children are strengthened and supported in meaningful ways.

As we move forward together, we ask for your continued partnership in a few key ways:

Healthy communication — When you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share, reach out! Speak truth, directly and in love, so that we can work together with clarity and grace. Ephesians 4:29-32
Trust and assume good intentions — Though we might not see eye-to-eye on everything and may occasionally need to have tough conversations, let's trust one another, believing that we care deeply and genuinely for each child. Proverbs 19:11
Unified support for growth — While we want our kids to do well and grow academically, we care even more about our kids growing in character as a reflection of their Creator and Savior. Let's teach, guide, and love our children through struggles rather than rescue them from the struggle. Romans 5:3-5
Engagement in your church community — Prioritize church attendance to help reinforce biblical truth, to have your child learn from other believers, and to be encouraged and challenged as parents to develop a Christ-centered home. Proverbs 27:17
Prayer and encouragement — Let's encourage one another and commit to praying for one another, for our students, and for our school community. Philippians 4:6-7

Our shared desire is to see each child grow in wisdom, character, and faith, rooted in the truth of Christ. Thank you for allowing us to partner with you in this important work!

Mrs. Yoder

Welcome to the Family!

This fall, two of our elementary teachers got to welcome their very own children to the world and become parents for the first time! We are so thankful for the gift of new life and praise God for their safe arrival. We are also thankful to Mr. Davis and Mrs. Satchwill for covering these roles here at school. Please join us in praying for these new moms and dads!

Mrs. Bell (Music) and her husband Colin welcomed little Leo Dean on October 6th. Mrs. Bell will be returning to school after Thanksgiving Break, and we can't wait to see her!

Mrs. Reyes (2nd Grade) and her husband Hugo welcomed sweet Samuel Ian on September 27th. Mrs. Reyes will be coming back to her classroom after Christmas Break!

Homecoming at LPCS!

All of our elementary students are encouraged to join in on the fun of Homecoming with our themed dress-up days for Spirit Week, and families are invited to attend Homecoming festivities on Saturday night! The theme days are slightly tweaked from the MS/HS themes, but we always try to keep it simple and align with theirs as much as possible and appropriate. For Dynamic Duos Day, students can be one of a pair all by themselves or with a friend (i.e. Batman and Robin, milk and cookies, salt and pepper, Mario and Luigi, Bluey and Bingo, etc.), or they can find a friend to twin with that day. As always, don't stress spirit week... It's just for fun!

Looking Ahead...

Re-enrollment will be opening soon! We will send details soon, but please know that we will have a short window in January for priority enrollment for the 26-27 school year for all current LPCS students.

Carline Reminders

Arrival: Please remember that students get picked up from holding room by their teachers at 7:45 each morning (8:15 on Mondays), so planning to arrive at that time will help your child start the day well and with a little less stress.

Dismissal: Carline ends at 3:05. Students being picked up by older siblings are taken to the foyer at that time, and all other students get signed into Aftercare. With the earlier dismissal, we aren't fighting MS/HS carline to get on campus for pick-up, so please plan to arrive by 3:05 so that your child does not have to get signed into Aftercare unnecessarily.

General: If other people are picking up or dropping off, please help them by communicating our carline procedures with them in advance.

Lunch Reminders

If your child needs a spoon or fork to eat their packed lunch, please pack one. Plastic ware may not be available to students.
Practice opening items at home so that your kids be as independent as possible.
Remind students not to trade food or snacks at school.
Lunch visitors must have a background check on file and eat in a designated area.
If ordering school lunch...
- Check dates of field trips, appointments, etc. No refunds will be issued unless your child has an unplanned excused absence (illness).
- Check the menu to make sure your child will eat what is offered. We see a lot of food wasted every day. Choose the "bento box" option if you have a picky eater.
- Orders for the week must be placed by the Tuesday before.
- Contact our food service crew (genuine@lakewoodpark.org) with lunch order questions!

Click Here to Report Safety Concerns

Click Here to Fill the Jar!

SALT Team Respect Challenge

For three weeks in December, our elementary student leadership team (SALT) initiated a Respect Challenge! Our student leaders have noticed an increase in disrespectful behavior toward staff and one another, so they are making an effort to highlight and celebrate how our choices to respect others is a reflection of the loving kindness that we receive from our God and Savior. The world is loud and sending lots of other messages to our kids. Let’s build them up in Truth and in their identity in Christ and trust God to continue to do His sanctifying work in our children and in us!

If you're struggling with respect at home, as well, check out this great article from Connected Families on how to foster heartfelt respect within our children.

Click Here to Apply

December Highlight Reel

We had such a fun and special time during our Elementary Christmas Chapel! Each grade helped lead a song, and our staff shared a couple of fun skits and closed us out with reading Luke 2 and singing Silent Night together.

Two of our 1st grade classes collected items to donate to the Ronald McDonald House and got to deliver them at Parkview and learn about how the RMH helps families. Our other 1st grade class collected items for Hearten House, a ministry here in Auburn.

Our Qtr 2 SALT Team learned about how the Salvation Army serves our community, and then they rang bells to help promote giving.

Our 7th Grade Language Arts classes performed scenes from A Christmas Carol and invited our elementary classes to be their audience.

From theme days and Jingles the Elf to hidden pickles and lots of snow, December was full of so much fun and so much JOY! Thank you to our teachers who kept our kids on track and learning in the month of December while still incorporating a whole lot of fun. A big thanks to the many parents who assisted with parties, field trips, and more... We appreciate you!!