LL News: 1.12.25 January Updates and PTO Family Activity
Dear Long Lake Families,
This is Mrs. Burwinkel with your weekly update.
PICK UP/DROP OFF REMINDERS: As snow in our lot adds an extra layer of challenge at drop off and pick up, I am sending reminders regarding procedures. Safety is important for our students and families, and we ask for your continued cooperation in adhering to the guidelines we’ve established. With over 400 students at Long Lake Elementary, it’s inevitable that the parking lot will be congested at dismissal time. We have two dismissal times for students: Preschool dismisses at 3:50 p.m. and K-5th Grades dismiss at 4:02 p.m. To allow our 50 preschool families to dismiss earlier, we ask those families to move to the front of the carline between 3:30 and 3:50 p.m. For our K-5th grade parents, we encourage you to consider arriving a few minutes later than 4:00. By 4:08 p.m. daily, the parking lot clears out and spots are open in our lot. Our staff remain outside with students until everyone is safely picked up. This small adjustment can make a significant difference in easing congestion and helping things move more smoothly.
Recently, we’ve noticed more congestion in the parking lot, especially when cars park on the end caps, along the driveway, or within the moving car line. To help improve traffic flow, we ask that you park only in designated spaces and avoid blocking the car line. If there are not spaces available, please remain in the carline and find a space as soon as preschool families clear out. Ensuring that we are only parking in designated spots will help the line moves more quickly, and ensures dismissal becomes safer for all of our students.
It’s important to share that TCAPS has been working with an architect to review options for improving our driveway. This summer, construction will begin to widen the drive and extend the right-turn lane exiting the school. We hope these changes will help alleviate some of the congestion and make the pickup process more efficient.
Additionally, TCAPS staff have been in communication with the County Road Commission regarding traffic on N. Long Lake Road. While a previous traffic study did not result in any changes, the district has requested a new study due to the increased traffic in the area. We are hopeful that a new study will be conducted and bring additional improvements to the surrounding infrastructure.
We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and efficient dismissal process. By following these procedures, we are ensuring that all of our students can be picked up in a timely and secure manner.
Please take a moment to refamiliarize yourself with our drop off and pick up procedures below or attached here.
START OF DAY DROP OFF: Our Start Time is 9:05 a.m. and dismissal is 4:02 p.m. Students may begin arriving at school as early as 8:50AM. Before 8:50 AM, we do not have staff supervisionand students on campus must be enrolled in Extended Day programs. Parents must accompany students who are waiting at the doors. All students should be in class and ready to learn by 9:05 a.m. and students who arrive late must be escorted by a parent/guardian to the office to be signed in.
PICK UP: Dismissal for Preschool is 3:50 p.m. and Kindergarten through 5th grade dismisses at 4:02 p.m. Please wait in car line to pick up your child or park in a designated spot and walk to the sidewalk outside of school (by the rocks). Classes will exit the front doors and make their way to the car line area. Please only cross the lot in designated crosswalks and sidewalk areas.
CAR LINE:
- The drive along the school building is only for pick up/drop off. DO NOT get out of your vehicle along this drive!
- The Flagpole area is reserved for Jr. Kindergarten families only. 1st-5th grade families should not be parking along the sidewalk near the flagpole.
- Pull all the way forward and continue forward until there is not a space between you and the car ahead. Please only use the sidewalk side of the car for entrance and exit.
- Be ready. Unlock car doors, strategically place car seats, and contain pets.
- K-5th parents, please wait at the end of the building for preschool dismissal at 3:50 p.m. before pulling up to the stop sign. Jr. K and preschool families can pick up at the flagpole.
- Be patient. Your child and other children are watching how you problem solve with other adults.
INCOMING KINDERGARTEN & JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES: It is time to start thinking about kindergarten options for the 2025-26 school year! If you are considering having your child attend kindergarten or junior kindergarten at Long Lake next school year, please fill out this form: LL Kindergarten/Jr.K Interest List. Filling out this form does not enroll your child; but it does put you on our mailing list so that you will receive any information we send regarding kindergarten. If you have any questions, please call our office at 231-933-7800 SAVE THE DATE: February 10th will be holding an Incoming Parent Information Night on February 10th, 2024 from 5:30-6:30 PM in the school library. We hope you can join us!
SAVE THE DATE FAMILY FREE FUN NIGHT ESCAPE ROOM FEBRUARY 18: Once again, Long Lake staff have created an Escape Room style night of fun for all Long Lake families. Teachers have created a Rain Forest Theme Escape Room for all ages! Please save the date for February 18th from 6:15-7:30 PM. Families will work together to solve puzzles in classrooms to BREAK OUT and reveal a secret code. Once you know the code, families can take it to the cafeteria to unlock the prize!
FAMILY RESOURCE: READ ALONG: https://readalong.google.com/ Google Read Along is a free, super fun app that helps kids get better at reading. It’s like having a reading buddy who listens and helps with tricky words! The app has a collection of fun stories and games, and it encourages kids to read out loud. As they read, Google Read Along gives them helpful feedback on pronunciation and fluency.
Why it’s great:
- Lots of fun stories: Perfect for kids at different reading levels.
- Helpful feedback: The app listens as your child reads and gives gentle guidance.
- Track progress: Kids can see how much they’re improving!
- Easy to use: A kid-friendly design that’s simple to navigate.
PTO INFORMATION:
FAMILY WINTER ACTIVITY THIS COMING SATURDAY! Join us for sledding at Twin Lakes Park on Saturday, January 18th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Bring your own sleds and some hot cocoa to stay warm.
POPCORN POPPERS: Popcorn poppers are still needed for this year. Bring your friends and meet some new people for a fun night out for the kids. Please consider helping out. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F44ACAC29A0FBCF8-popcorn
BOARD POSITIONS: The PTO Board will have board positions for this coming school year available. The positions will include President, Vice-President and Treasurer. If you are interested in any position or would like more information about the PTO Board, please email longlakepto1@gmail.com. All candidates will be considered and will be voted on at a future PTO meeting.
DISTRICT INFORMATION:
SUPERINTENDENT OFFICE HOURS: Dr. John VanWagoner's next monthly open office hours for community members will be held virtually on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 5:00 pm. Community members may access the virtual meeting here or by calling +1 475-549-0438 PIN: 961 104 679#.
PARENT GUIDE: Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Families, We are pleased to share a free and confidential website for parents and families,ParentGuidance.org. This site was developed by licensed therapists and provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their child. Parents can find answers to a wide range of mental health questions, including anxiety, depression, self-worth, grief and loss, suicide ideation, family challenges, and more. Popular courses you might consider exploring include:
- Parenting with a Purpose"
- "Unlocking Your Inner Parent Superhero"
These courses, along with other resources on ParentGuidance.org, are designed to equip you with tools to strengthen the bond between you and your children.
Warm Regards,
Kate Burwinkel
UPCOMING DATES
January 17- PTO Popcorn Friday
January 18- PTO Sponsored Free Family Meet Up Sledding Event at Twin Lakes 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
January 20- Half Day of School for Students; Long Lake dismisses at 12:12 p.m.
February 3- Early Release Day Students Long Lake dismisses at 2:02 PM
February 4, 6, 7 CoGAT Testing (Optional for 3rd graders)
February 7- Report Cards Come Home
February 12- Count Day
February 13 PTO Meeting in the Library at 6:30 PM Join virtually: https://meet.google.com/fic-ofrz-jmu
February 18- Parent Fun Night- Escape Room Fun!
February 21- PTO Popcorn Friday
March 4, 11, 14- Parent Teacher Conferences
March 4 Early Release Day Students Long Lake dismisses at 2:02 PM
March 7- PTO Popcorn Friday
March 8- PTO Princess Dance
March 11- 9:30 a.m. 2nd Grade Music Program + Brown’s class
March 11 10:30 a.m. 3rd Grade Music Program
March 12 9:30 a.m. 4th Grade Music Program
March 12 10:30 a.m. 5th Grade Music Program
March 13 PTO Meeting in the Library at 6:30 PM Join virtually: https://meet.google.com/fic-ofrz-jmu
Stay Connected:
WEBSITE: http://www.tcaps.net/schools/elementary-schools/longlake/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/LongLakeElementarySchoolTCAPS
PTO FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Long-Lake-Elementary-PTO-305155839569856/
SNOW DAY NOTIFICATION: If you don’t receive text notifications for Snow Days and would like to, text the word “Yes” to 79041. The cell phone number must be on file as the primary number with the school.