Good afternoon,

We have about two and a half weeks of school left and are looking forward to finishing out this year on high note with a few exciting events to close us out.  Please see the updates below:

Spring Concert: The Spring Concert is Thursday, June 6th for one night. The event will look as follows:

• 6:15 – 6:45 – PS-K will perform
• 6:45 – 6:55 – 10 minute intermission to allow for PS-K dismissal
• 6:55 – 7:40 – 1st-5th grades will perform

Walking field trip permission slips will be sent home for those that would like to have afterschool students walked to Stuart Hobson.  Also, if interested in volunteering for the Spring Concert, please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1K_H1wNnGKMTwLfy0s-G9ZFo16zpcQODOcNU8rOiBbaA/edit?invite=CL7e6PgD&ts=5ce44a04#gid=0

End of Year Survey: As we continue to refine our practices at Ludlow-Taylor, please take a moment to complete our end of year family survey: https://forms.gle/FNsvorR2pTEBgRfE9

3rd Annual PJ Party: On Friday, May 31st from 6:00 – 10:00 a group of teachers will be hosting a pajama party and movie night for students in all grade levels (and an opportunity for parents to have a quiet night elsewhere) with all proceeds benefitting the PTO.  The event will include: face painting, pizza, popsicles, games, movies and more.  If interested in joining, please reach out to Ms. Golub at Elisabeth.Golub@dc.gov, to register.  We are asking for a $30-$40 donation for one spot and $50 for two or more.

Pride Celebrations:  Please join Mrs. Thomas, myself and the greater DCPS community on Saturday, June 8th from 4:00 – 7:00 to march in the Capital Pride Parade (beginning around 21st and P Street NW).  Please see Mrs. Thomas for further details or reach out to her at Brenda.Thomas@dc.gov.  Students will also be reading Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag this month to learn the remarkable true story of Harvey Milk and his fight for equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

2019 – 2020 School Budget: A huge thank you to our Local School Advisory Team that supported Principal Smith and AP Addison over the last month in developing our budget for next school year, including: Ms. Gordon, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Penn, Ms. Ford, Coach Smith, Mr. Phillips, Kyle Evans, Tracy Perrin, Karen Fligger, Katie Clark and Lauren McDermott.  We are excited to announce the following additions for next school-year:

• Full-time science teacher
• City Year partnership – group of AmeriCorps partners to help with instruction, direct student support, recess coverage, community events and more
• Part-time technology coordinator
• Part-time English language learner teacher
• Full-time school psychologist

Building Updates: Over the past few months, we have finalized our building modifications for next school-year, with construction beginning once school lets out.  Through these projects, we will be adding:

• Renovated multipurpose room with expansion into the dance room.  This will include a drop-down wall to separate a cafeteria and physical education side, new a/v system, new flooring, ceiling tiles, lighting and more
• Right-sizing of three classrooms to allow larger spaces for growing student body
• Solar panels on the school and canopy over the school’s blacktop to create an outdoor physical education space

End of Year Graduations/Promotions:  It is that time of year to start marking your calendars for end of year celebrations!  Please check with teachers on individual times, as we have tried to spread out promotion dates across a few days to allow families with students in multiple grades to attend.

• June 4th – PreK 3
• June 5th – PreK 4
• June 6th – Kindergarten Promotion
• June 6th – Spring Concert (at Stuart Hobson)
• June 7th – 5th Grade Promotion
• June 12th – Field Day
• June 13th – Field Day (rain date)

Articles we are currently reading:

• https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/53681/how-movement-and-exercise-help-kids-learn
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201001/the-decline-play-and-rise-in-childrens-mental-disorders 

Thanks to everyone for the continued support as we close out SY18-19!

Principal Smith

Good afternoon,
 
We cannot believe it is May already! We are sending out the updates this week a little early to help us prepare for a few events upon us including Bike to School Day (Wednesday), PARCC testing (Tuesday) and Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week.  Please see further information below:
 
Spring Concerts: Our Spring Concert has been moved to Thursday, June 6th for one night. The event will look as follows:

• 6:15 – 6:45 – PS-K will perform
• 6:45 – 6:55 – 10 minute intermission to allow for PS-K dismissal
• 6:55 – 7:40 – 1st-5th grades will perform

Walking field trip permission slips will be sent home for those that would like to have afterschool students walked to Stuart Hobson.
 
PARCC Testing and Logistics:  PARCC testing for students in general education will begin Tuesday, May 7th.  Thank you for your helping us to create a calm, supportive environment for our students as we try to reduce the stress of testing that many students can experience – we are confident each student will do his or her best!  Additionally, to accommodate testing, we are switching the morning breakfast and recess times between Grades 3-5 and K-2, so the schedule will look as below for the next two weeks:
Grades K-2
8:05 – 8:30 – cafeteria
8:30 – 8:50 – students run around outside
8:50 – 9:05 – students back to cafeteria for those that didn’t have breakfast yet.
Grades 3-5
8:05-8:30 – outside
8:30-8:50 am. – cafeteria /breakfast

Afterschool Enrollment begins Wednesday May 1st at 9:00 a.m. Registration is only available online at https://dcps.dc.gov/node/1063782.  As a reminder, students will need to be registered for the 19-20 schoolyear in order to register for afterschool (please call the main office if your student ID number is needed).  We are encouraging all families to enroll for school and afterschool asap!
 
End of Year Graduations/Promotions:  It is that time of year to start marking your calendars for end of year celebrations!  Please check with teachers on individual times, as we have tried to spread out promotion dates across a few days to allow families with students in multiple grades to attend.

• June 4th – PreK 3
• June 5th – PreK 4
• June 6th – Kindergarten Promotion
• June 7th – 5th Grade Promotion

 
Bike to School Day: Please join us for Bike to School Day Wednesday, May 8th! Details below:

• When: Wednesday, May 8th 7:30-8:15am
• Where: Lincoln Park- near Emancipation Statue
• What: This is Capitol Hill’s local celebration, but also the national event for the National Center for Routes to School with activities, snacks, local and national speakers, local businesses and organizations, and of course all your neighborhood friends!
• Also: Our school team, led by Coach Smith and Principal Smith will leave the par around 8:15 to head to LTES.

 
From the PTO:   Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! Please help us in supporting our entire staff with events throughout the week, including:

• Monday, 5/6—OPENING DAY: Omelettes cooked in JP's room from 7:45 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, 5/7—GRAND SLAM SMOOTHIES: Made-to-order smoothies in the lobby resource room at 8:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, 5/8—PRINCIPAL SURPRISE: Look forward to a home run treat from Mr. Smith.
• Thursday, 5/9—7th INNING MASSAGE: Located in the dance room. Sign-up for your time slot in the front office.
• Friday, 5/10—TAILGATE PARTY: Happy Hour at Red Rocks Pizza on H Street from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Pizza and one drink ticket will be provided.

On another note: starting May 4th and running until May 12th, Hill's Kitchen and Summit to Soul will both be hosting their Annual Giving Week.  Both shops will donate 15% of each sale to the DC school of the purchaser's choice and Ludlow-Taylor is participating.  Shopping at these stores between this weekend and next is not only a great way to support two local small businesses, but also support our school. Just don't forget to designate Ludlow-Taylor as your school of choice at checkout. And when you're in the stores, don't forget to give their owners Leah (Hill's Kitchen) and Kim (Summit to Soul) a shout out for their amazing support of our local schools!
Lastly, thank you to everyone who attended, assisted, or participated in last week's school auction.  It was a great success and simply another indication of the strong community support we are fortunate to have at Ludlow-Taylor.
 
Thanks for your continued support!
 
Principal Smith