A Message from Principal Kelly

March 18, 2024

Dear Lakewood Elementary School Community,

We hope you have enjoyed this beautiful weekend. Here are our community updates via our weekly newsletter, "Eagles’ News from the Lake - Week of March 17th 2024." It's your go-to source for school information, updates, and announcements that you won't want to miss. 

Thank you for being an integral part of the Lakewood ES family. Here's to another remarkable week. 

Warmly,

Mrs. Levy - Acting Principal

Mrs. Khoury - Acting Assistant Principal 

March 11, 2024

Dear Lakewood Elementary School Community,

We hope you have enjoyed the weekend. Here are our community updates via our weekly newsletter, "Eagles’ News from the Lake - Week of March 10th 2024." It's your go-to source for school information, updates, and announcements that you won't want to miss. 

Thank you for being an integral part of the Lakewood ES family. Here's to another remarkable week. 

Warmly,

Mrs. Levy - Acting Principal

Mrs. Khoury - Acting Assistant Principal 

March 4, 2024

Dear Lakewood Elementary School Families-

We hope you have enjoyed the weekend.  Here are our community updates in our weekly newsletter, "Eagles’ News from the Lake, week of March 3rd 2024." It's your go-to source for school updates and any updates and announcements you won't want to miss. 

Thank you for being an integral part of the Lakewood ES family. Here's to another remarkable week. 

Warmly,

Dr. Kelly-Principal

Mrs. Levy-Assistant Principal 

February 26, 2024

Dear Lakewood Elementary School Families-

I hope this message finds you well. We look forward to seeing our amazing Eagles for a full week of school. Thank you to everyone who attended last Friday's International Night, I know it was an outstanding success. A special shoutout goes to our Co-Chairs, Mrs. Biancaniello and Mrs. Tsai, Lakewood’s School Wide Success Team and Instructional Leadership Team members, Mrs. Smith, Ms. Meron, and Ms. Wu.  Your commitment and hard work made the night a huge success, and we are grateful for your dedication to our school community.

Exciting news, we have rescheduled our School Improvement Plan with central office staff for 20, March at 6:30 pm. Please use this link to sign up to attend. 

We are looking forward to having our community members who have signed up for our walkthroughs. Please consider joining us on 3 April 2024. Currently we have 12 people signed up. We have 4 slots remaining. We would love to welcome you to Lakewood to see all the great teaching and learning happening, and the positive school climate. Please use this link to sign up. 

The Pizza Bingo Night has also been rescheduled for Friday, 15 March 2024 at 6:30 pm. Thank you, Mrs. Torrella for your hard work in rescheduling this event.  Lakewood community, we need volunteers. Thank you in advance for your support. 

Please review this week's Eagles' News from the Lake  edition to stay updated on the latest News and events happening at Lakewood Elementary. A friendly reminder that Friday,  1 March 2024 is an early release day, with dismissal at 12:55 pm. Please plan accordingly.

Warmly,

Dr. Kelly-Principal

Mrs. Levy-Assistant Principal

February 19, 2024

Dear Lakewood Elementary School Families-

I hope this message finds you well and savoring the joys of an extended weekend. As a reminder, there is NO SCHOOL MONDAY in observance of President's Day. 

A big shout out and heartfelt thanks to Ms. Malveaux for her full sponsorship of our Blacktastic Virtual Assembly, and Mrs. Morton for her fantastic support along with our School Wide Success Team, and  entire staff in helping to create authentic learning experiences for our school community during Black History Month. 

We also extend our utmost gratitude to Mrs. Roper-Bell, and Mrs. Thomas Lakewood’'s NAACP Parents' Council Representative for their efforts in coordinating and working to build an inclusive school community. 📘✨ Scholars and staff alike have been enjoying the activities and learning. There is more to come as we round out the month. 

It is a busy week ahead! Stay informed with dates and upcoming events shared in our weekly newsletter, "Eagles’ News from the Lake, week of 18 February 2024." Along with your child's classroom newsletter, it is your go-to source for school updates and any announcements you won't want to miss.

Join on Friday, 23 February 2024 for the highly anticipated International Night. It will be an evening that highlights and celebrates the rich diversity and cultures represented at Lakewood ES. Sending a HUGE thank you to the International Night Co-Chairs, Mrs. Biancaniello and Mrs. Tsai, and Lakewood’s School Wide Success Team . Your work in ensuring the success of the evening is greatly appreciated. 

We look forward to seeing our Soaring Eagles on Tuesday, 20 Feb. 2024. Here's to another remarkable week. 

Warmly,

Dr. Kelly-Principal

Mrs. Levy-Assistant Principal 

#OneBandOneSound

 

February 12, 2024

Dear Lakewood Elementary School Families,

Stay informed with dates and upcoming events shared in our weekly newsletter, "Eagles’ News from the Lake, week of 11 February 2024." It's your go-to source for school updates and any announcements you won't want to miss.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Lakewood ES family. Here's to another remarkable week. 

February 7, 2024

Here are some updates/reminders for today:

Principal’s Coffee - the Principal's Coffee scheduled for Tuesday, 2/13/24, is canceled.  While we value these opportunities to connect and engage with our school community, unforeseen circumstances have led to the decision to cancel the upcoming session. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  There will be more opportunities to interact with Dr. Kelly in the near future. We are actively planning and organizing events that will allow for meaningful discussions and collaboration between our principal and the community.  Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to future opportunities to connect.

School Improvement Plan (SIP) Review Meeting - The SIP meeting scheduled for 2/7/24 is being rescheduled.  We want to ensure that our school community's engagement is optimal, and, to avoid having two parent meetings back to back in the same week, we have decided to choose a new date for the SIP Review Meeting.  We are currently coordinating with our central office support staff to confirm a suitable and convenient date for the rescheduled meeting. Once the new date is confirmed, we will promptly communicate the details to all stakeholders.  We appreciate your understanding and flexibility in this matter. Your involvement is vital to the success of our school improvement initiatives, and we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Blood Drive - Please see the attached flier from the PTA with REVISED Blood Drive dates.

Black History Month - Black History Month is time to honor and recognize the significant contributions of African Americans throughout history. We have several events and activities planned.  Scholars are reading about significant events and contributions each morning on the morning announcements.  There will be a door decorating contest with a class winning a party.  We will also have a virtual assembly on February 22nd - Blacktastic.  Blacktastic invites classes to celebrate Black History Month and the joy of Maryland and DC Black history and culture with teaching artists and special guests. Enriching virtual performances and workshops—all in one day and for all grade levels!

Community Survey - As part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that our school meets the needs of our scholars and families, we are reaching out to request your valuable input.

 

Right now we have, approximately 17% of our wonderful community that filled out the school survey. We truly appreciate those who took the time to share their thoughts and we believe that every voice is essential.  We know that together, we can significantly increase participation.

Your voice is crucial in helping us understand your perspectives, concerns, and ideas. It only takes a few minutes to complete the survey, and your input will have an impact on the overall educational experience at Lakewood.

To participate, simply click on the survey link provided here:  Lakewood Community Survey Q2Your input is invaluable.  The survey is designed to be quick and easy.  We want to hear from as many voices as possible, so please take a moment to share your thoughts.  We have extended the survey deadline to Wednesday, February 7th.  Thank you in advance for your time and contribution to our school community. 

SGA spirit week - See the attached flier for the fun spirit week the Lakewood Student Government Association has planned.

Donations - As we continue our commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment, we are excited to announce opportunities for our scholars to engage in enriching cultural arts assemblies. These assemblies aim to educate and inspire our scholars by showcasing various cultural perspectives, traditions, and artistic expressions.

 

In order to make these enriching experiences possible, we are reaching out to our wonderful community to seek your support. Your generous donations will directly contribute to bringing professional and engaging cultural arts assemblies to Lakewood Elementary, creating memorable educational experiences for our scholars.

Why are cultural arts assemblies important?

Promoting Diversity: Cultural arts assemblies expose our scholars to a wide range of cultural backgrounds, fostering an appreciation for diversity and encouraging acceptance and understanding.

Educational Enrichment: These assemblies provide unique opportunities for scholars to learn about different cultures, traditions, and historical events through interactive and captivating performances.

Building Inclusivity: By embracing a variety of cultural perspectives, we contribute to creating a school environment that is welcoming and inclusive for every scholar.

How can you contribute?

Financial Donations: Your financial contributions will directly fund the cost of cultural arts assemblies, ensuring that we can bring high-quality and educational performances to our school. You can donate HERE AT THIS LINK.

Volunteer Support: If you have connections with cultural performers, artists, or organizations that align with our mission, vision and goals, we welcome your assistance in coordinating or recommending potential performers.

Spread the Word: Help us reach our fundraising goals by sharing this message with friends, family, and local businesses that may be interested in supporting Lakewood’s cultural arts assemblies.

Here is the online donation link, again. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant impact on the success of this initiative.  Let's come together as a community to provide our scholars with the enriching experiences they deserve. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to making these cultural arts assemblies a continuous reality for Lakewood Elementary. You can donate HERE AT THIS LINK.

Parent/Guardian Resources - There are many amazing things happening during the school day to support the learning of our students! At times, some students need some extra support to master new learning. MCPS has gathered resources that are free or low cost to families. These resources directly align with our curriculum used to teach our students each day. Let us know if you have any questions about your student’s academic progress. Click here ----> Family Resources

 

 

International Night - Mark your calendars for our International Night!  Friday, February 23 6:30–8:30 pm.  You can sign up for a cultural display, performance or food to share.  See the attached flier.

Have a wonderful evening!



Attachments:
Spirit_Week_February.pdf (55.8 KB)
International_night_flyer_2024.pdf (454.3 KB)
Lakewood_ES_Blood_Drive_revised.pdf (282.2 KB)

February 5, 2024

Dear Lakewood School Community,

We hope this message finds you well. We have two updates:

  1. There will be Blood Drive For Children’s National Hospital, Sponsored by Lakewood Elementary PTA on February 7th, 8th, and 24th. 
  • Did you know?….
    *As a result of the pandemic, blood donations
    dropped by 60 percent.
    *There is now a nationwide blood and platelet
    shortage, including at Children’s Hospital.
    *One unit of blood you donate can help 4-5
    children.
    *If you are willing to donate directly at Children’s,
    your blood can help address the shortage
    immediately, this month!

See the attached Blood Drive flyer for more information.

  1. As part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that our school meets the needs of our scholars and families, we are reaching out to request your valuable input.

Last quarter, approximately 14% of our wonderful community participated in the school survey. We truly appreciate those who took the time to share their thoughts and we believe that every voice is essential.  We know that together, we can significantly increase participation.

Your voice is crucial in helping us understand your perspectives, concerns, and ideas. It only takes a few minutes to complete the survey, and your input will have an impact on the overall educational experience at Lakewood.

To participate, simply click on the survey link provided here:  Lakewood Community Survey Q2

Your input is invaluable.  The survey is designed to be quick and easy.  We want to hear from as many voices as possible, so please take a moment to share your thoughts.  We have extended the survey deadline to Wednesday, February 7th.  Thank you in advance for your time and contribution to our school community. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Best regards,

Dr. Ebony-Nicole Kelly, Principal

Mrs. Leah Levy, Assistant Principal

Attachments:
Lakewood_ES_Blood_Drive-2.pdf (282.3 KB)

 

January 29, 2024

Dear Lakewood Family-

I trust this message finds you well. I want to share some important updates with you as we approach another week of engaging learning and community connections. A reminder that there will be no school for scholars tomorrow, 29 January due to a professional development day for our amazingly dedicated staff.

I’m so excited to share our Lakewood ESCommunity (Parent/Caregiver) Voice Survey for Quarter 2 here.  The purpose of this survey is to provide a platform to hear your voice and inform adjustments and enhancements that positively impact our school climate, as well as ensure consistent communication of trends, takeaways, and next steps. The surveys have been vetted through our instructional support, instructional leadership teams, PTA Executive Board, and NAACP Representatives. Please take time to submit your anonymous responses to the questions on or before Friday, 2 February 2024 by 11:59 PM. We would like 100% community participation. YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

As a reminder the surveys will go out at the end of each quarter, this is our second quarter distribution, and the window will be Monday 29 January 2024 to 2 February 2024. Please take a few minutes to complete our Quarter 2, community survey. We value your feedback. Here is the link.

Further details and more can be found in the latest edition of The Eagles News from Lake highlighting upcoming events and important information.

Warmest Regards, 

Dr. Ebony-Nicole Kelly

January 19, 2024

Dear Lakewood ES Family- Here are some important updates. 

Updated January 2024 Calendar-

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Please see the attached MCPS Weather Color Codes.

Food Services Update: 

In anticipation of potential inclement weather conditions Friday 19 January 2024, on Thursday, January 18th, we would like to inform you that our Food Services department provided grab-and-go meals for scholars at the end of the day. Our staff passed out the meals to each classroom. This proactive measure ensures that our scholars continue to have access to nutritious meals even in virtual learning scenarios. Please look for inclement weather guidance from MCPS. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Emily Hillig, RDN, as she is the Food Service Supervisor for Lakewood Elementary School.

For Grade Five Families ONLY:  Today we welcomed Ms. Fara Dillion, grade six school counselor at Robert Frost Middle School. She talked with grade five scholars about middle school registration and provided course registration forms to be completed at home. The slide deck is shared below to help families with their registration questions. Families, if by chance you misplace the forms, Mrs. Gottesman will have extra forms for distribution in her office. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. 

Registration Lesson for 5th Graders

ELD Newsletter: Please check out the January ELD newsletter from Mrs. Drake and Mrs. Hoffman, our ELD teachers. Click HERE

Comfort Cases Donation Drive sponsored by Lakewood’s SGA. Mrs. DeClement, SGA Sponsor,  shared this opportunity with SGA today and it was announced during the morning announcements. Please support if you are able. Please see the flyer below. 

A message from Mrs. Camilla Torrella, Pizza Bingo Night Chair: See info. and flyer below. 

"We are looking forward to Pizza Bingo Night. Due to impending inclement weather, we are going to reschedule Pizza Bingo Night for another day. However, we are still in need of volunteers, if you are interested in volunteering for the event, please sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA4A92EA0F58-47068162-2024?fbclid=IwAR2xzpqhPWEp6alEYeHhC4oWX4dwVvl6JTV3PJKwkJAxn1dVFQvJdDHyWLc#/ 

We will inform you once the new date is selected and inquire about your availability. Thank you for your flexibility."

Lakewood Family, I will continue to update as I learn information. Thank you, everyone. 

Stay safe and warm. 

Dr. Kelly

 

January 8, 2024

Dear Lakewood ES Family-

I hope that you have had a rejuvenating start to the new year. Welcome to 2024! We were thrilled to welcome our scholars back last week and are ready for exciting learning adventures.

Stay informed with dates and upcoming events shared in our weekly newsletter, "Eagles’ News from the Lake, week of 7 January 2023." It's your go-to source for school updates and any announcements you won't want to miss. Of note, next Monday, January 15th, marks Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s 95th birthday. There is no school for scholars and staff as it is the National Day of Service. We will share opportunities to give back to the community. 

Thank you for being an integral part of the Lakewood ES family. Here's to a remarkable new year filled with shared accomplishments and cherished moments.

Warmly,

Dr. Kelly-Principal

Mrs. Levy-Assistant Principal 

 

January 4, 2024

Dear Lakewood ES Family-
As we stand at the brink of 2024, on the cusp of a new chapter, I want to extend heartfelt New Year's Eve wishes to each and every one of you. May this transition into the new year be filled with joy, reflection, and anticipation for the wonderful possibilities that lie ahead.

A Happy New Year awaits, and I am excited that our soaring Eagles (scholars and staff) are back, filling our halls with their energy and enthusiasm. I have missed them. The promise of a fresh start and renewed connections awaits us. It has been a tremendous pleasure welcoming our scholars and staff back to school today as I had an opportunity to visit classrooms. 

As we embrace the upcoming year, please take note of these important dates to mark on your calendars. Our weekly community newsletter will resume Sunday evening. 

  • Wednesday, 3 January: scholars and staff back from Winter Break-YAY! 
  • Wednesday, 10 January: 5th Grade Parent Meeting-Frost MS (More details to come)
  • 8 January-16 February: WIDA ACCESS Assessment for Emerging Multilingual Learners
  • Monday, 15 January: Schools and Office closed: Dr. Martin Luther King Day/Day of Service
  • Wednesday, 17 January: School Improvement Plan Information Session with Central Office and Dr. Kelly (Lakewood ES Media Ctr., 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm)
  • Friday, 26 January: Last day of Marking Period
  • Monday, 29 January: No school for scholars- grading and reporting day

Let us step into the new year with hope, unity, and a shared commitment to making 2024 a year of growth, resilience, and positivity. Your ongoing support, engagement, and dedication make Lakewood ES a truly special place, and I remain eager to embark on this journey of discovery and learning with all of you.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year filled with love, laughter, and countless memorable moments. Here's to the adventures that await us in 2024, One Band One Sound!

Warmest Regards, 

Dr. Ebony-Nicole Kelly

December 28, 2023

Dear Lakewood ES Families-

I hope your holiday season is off to a great start; and that it has been filled with warmth, joy, and the company of loved ones! I’m passing by quickly to share a few important updates. I look forward to communicating with you again, Tuesday, 2 January 2024.

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  1. School Improvement Plan Information Session

I am pleased to share that we have some members from MCPS central office joining us to share with our community the new school improvement process. They will be sharing information and answering questions. I hope you can join us. Please sign up here if you are able to attend January 17th, 6:30 pm -7:30 pm at the Lakewood Media Center.

  1. Recess Update

After winter break fourth grade and fifth grade will be using the playground on Tuesdays and Thursdays. First graders will use the field on Tuesday and Thursday. Third grade will be on the field Tuesday and Thursdays. Kindergarten will continue to use the blacktop or  field on Tuesdays and Thursdays and second graders will continue to use the playground on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In a collaborative effort with scholars and staff, we are gathering a wishlist of recess equipment for purchase. 

Scholars reviewed the recess/lunch refresh slides  during class on Friday, 22 December 2023 with their teachers. These slides will also be reviewed again, upon our return Wednesday, 3 January 2024. At some point before returning your child to school, please take a moment to review with them the slides and updates as well. The more scholars see you in partnership with our collaborative school recess/lunch plans and procedures, the more successful, safe and fun the recess/lunch experiences can be. 

  1. WIDA Access assessment

Our K-5 Emerging Multilingual Learner scholars are going to be participating in the WIDA Access assessment, which measures their progress in each of the four domains of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These assessments will take place in all MCPS K-12 schools from 8 January-16 February; Lakewood ES will begin testing the second week of January.We appreciate your efforts, in advance, in making sure your scholars are present during testing dates. Scholars will use computers that have been preregistered for the test, so we will be in charge of making sure the Chromebooks are charged and ready and providing special headsets with microphones.  Scholars will not bring their own Chromebooks for this testing. Please encourage your child(ren) to try their very best, to take their time with their proctor, who will be monitoring the testing, and to reach out to your child's EML teacher, Mrs. Hoffman or Ms. Drake, with questions. Regularly scheduled ELD lessons for scholars will not take place after winter break due to testing. Lessons will resume in February when all testing is complete. Additional questions can be directed to Mrs. Levy, the Assistant Principal, as well as Mrs. Skrodzki (Reading Specialist), and Mrs. Khoury (Staff Development Teacher) who will also be providing testing and support for scholars. 

Warmly, 

Dr. Ebony-Nicole Kelly-Lakewood ES Principal

December 18, 2023

Dear Lakewood ES Families-

As we approach winter break, our hearts overflow with warm wishes for each of you. Before we depart, we have some exciting news to share and events to participate in this week: Wellness and Spirit week begins tomorrow, see below for more information. 

May this season bring you a well-deserved respite filled with peace, rest, and rejuvenation. From December 25th to January 2nd, let us all take a collective breath to recharge. Imagine, like trees shedding leaves, we release the stresses of the past year, making space for new growth. In this reflective time, may we embrace the serenity that accompanies a fresh start, reaching forward to the new year with hopeful hearts.

Thank you to Mrs. Donato, and Ms. Weich for working with our scholars to create a beautiful Winter Choral and Instrumental Concert. Scholars gave phenomenal performances. We are so proud of them. Thank you families for encouraging your children to participate in our choral and instrumental music programs. Your support is appreciated. 

Huge Congratulations to our NEWEST National Board Certified Teacher, Mrs. Shari Smith. Thank you to scholars in her class for helping plan a super fun surprise celebration. Thank you parents who were able to attend the party, and/or reached out to her, sent congratulatory gifts, and messages. We had a blast celebrating this professional milestone with her. I’m so proud of our scholars-they kept the surprise a secret up until the very last minute! Mrs. Smith is beyond deserving. We would also like to share some very honorable mentions and recognize the hard work of Mrs. Glazier (3rd grade teacher), Mrs. DeClement (5th grade teacher) and Mrs. Skrodzki (Reading Specialist) who completed additional components of the process and are well on their way to achieving National Board Teaching certification in the future. National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. It was designed to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. Please visit the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards website for more information. We will continue to elevate the profession at Lakewood ES. 

  

The Loose Coin Challenge was a huge success! Thank you, Mrs. Severe for spearheading the project, and thank you Mrs. Mahajan for coming in daily to help with counting the coins. We raised $2177.94! Mrs. Smith's second grade class won the final challenge, raising $355.68. The Winning Prize is Extra Recess and Cupcakes for the entire 2nd Grade. We look forward to doing this again next year, so start saving. 🙂

  

We are excited to share our festive winter wellness and spirit wear week. Showcase your enthusiasm and join in the excitement as we have a festive and fun-filled SPIRIT WEEK starting TOMORROW!. Check out the attached flyer for all the exciting details. Let's make this Winter Spirit Week a memorable one together! ❄️✨

  • Monday 12/18 Scholars dress like teachers/staff, and teachers/staff dress like scholars. 
  • Tuesday 12/19 Wear your favorite holiday sweater.
  • Wednesday 12/20 Wear your favorite holiday hats and socks.
  • Thursday 12/21 Wear your Lakewood gear.
  • Friday 12/22 Wear your favorite PJ’s.

We eagerly anticipate reconnecting in the new year, ready to embark on a journey of continued learning and discovery together. May this time wrap you in joy, and may the coming year unfold with moments of success and fulfillment. We wish you a heartfelt and wonderful winter break!

Warmly, 

Dr. Ebony-Nicole Kelly-Lakewood ES Principal

Mrs. Leah Levy-Lakewood ES Assistant Principal