LABCS Weekly Newsletter
1-17-26
RESPECT yourself, others, and our school.
Be RESPONSIBLE for yourself, your actions, and the learning environment.
Have a growth mindset and practice PERSEVERANCE.
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PTA Pizza - Pre-Orders Due
1/19/2026
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No School - MLK, Jr. Day
1/19/2026
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Tuesday Dress Theme - 100th Day of School
1/20/2026
Read More...
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PTA Pizza Day - Pre-Orders Only
1/21/2026
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WIDA/MLL Access Testing
1/21/2026
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Admissions Tour
1/21/2026, 1 PM – 2 PM
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WIDA/MLL Access Testing
1/22/2026
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$1 Dress Down and/or $1 Hat Day (no pajamas; no leggings unless a dress, skirt, skort, or jumper is over them)
1/23/2026
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WIDA/MLL Access Testing
1/23/2026
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Monday Dress Theme - tbd
1/26/2026
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WIDA/MLL Access Testing
1/26/2026
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Admissions Tour
1/26/2026, 10 AM – 11 AM
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Evening Seminar - "Walking in the Shoes of a Dyslexic - Dyslexia Simulation" (in-person)
1/26/2026, 6 PM – 8:30 PM
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Chick-fil-A Biscuits - Pre-Orders Due
1/27/2026
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WIDA/MLL Access Testing
1/27/2026
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WIDA/MLL Access Testing
1/28/2026
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Admissions Tour
1/28/2026, 1 PM – 2 PM
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WIDA/MLL Access Testing
1/29/2026
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WIDA/MLL Access Testing
1/30/2026
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$1 Dress Down and/or $1 Hat Day (no pajamas; no leggings unless a dress, skirt, skort, or jumper is over them)
1/30/2026
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Chick-fil-A Biscuits - Pre-Orders Only
1/30/2026
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Dyslexia Tidbit
Who were Orton and Gillingham behind the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
The Orton-Gillingham (O-G) approach is named after two pioneers whose combined work shaped how we understand and teach students with dyslexia and related reading difficulties.
Samuel Torrey Orton (1879–1948)
Role: Neurologist, researcher, and theorist
- Dr. Orton was a neuropsychiatrist and pathologist who studied children struggling to read and spell.
- He proposed that reading difficulties were neurological, not the result of low intelligence or poor effort—an important shift for the time.
- Orton identified issues with language processing and brain hemispheric dominance, helping lay the scientific groundwork for understanding dyslexia.
- He emphasized the need for explicit, structured instruction to help students with reading disorders.
Key contribution: Provided the scientific and neurological foundation for what would become the Orton-Gillingham approach.
Anna Gillingham (1878–1963)
Role: Educator, psychologist, and curriculum developer
- Anna Gillingham worked closely with Orton and was instrumental in turning his theories into classroom practice.
- She developed structured lesson plans, instructional sequences, and teaching materials for reading, spelling, and handwriting.
- Gillingham emphasized teaching that is systematic, cumulative, and diagnostic, adjusting instruction based on student response.
- She helped train teachers and published early manuals that spread the approach nationwide.
Key contribution: Transformed research into a practical, teachable instructional method.
Their Legacy
Orton provided the why (the science of reading difficulties), and Gillingham provided the how (effective instructional methods). Their collaboration resulted in an approach that is:
- Structured & Sequential
- Explicit
- Multisensory (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile)
- Diagnostic & Prescriptive
- Evidence-aligned with the Science of Reading
Today, the Orton-Gillingham Approach is considered the gold standard for dyslexia intervention and has influenced many modern structured literacy programs.
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Thank you:-
- to Officer Kenney who keeps all of us safe and secure in our school - Happy Law Enforcement Day; and
- to the LABCS Board of Directors for your support of the school, its faculty and staff, students, parents/guardians, and the community; we appreciate you - Happy Board of Directors Appreciation Month!
We apologize in advance to anyone accidentally left off.
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Orton-Gillingham Associate Level Training - June 1-12, 2026
Read More...
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OG Classroom Educator Training - June 15-19, 2026
Read More...
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A Note from the Front Office
Mrs. Kelly Disbrow
Absences
If your child is absent from school, you must provide a doctor's note or a parent note within 3 days of returning to school. You can send in a paper copy to the front office, or you can email: [email protected].
A Note from the Testing Coordinator
Mrs. Wendye Henderson
We were planning to send home MAP data from the Winter Testing on Friday, January 16, but we were experiencing printing issues. These will be sent home next week. We apologize for any inconvenience.
A Note from the Development Director
Ms. Debbie Vaughn
Murder on the Books
Saturday, March 28th
6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Anderson Arts Center
110 Federal Street, Anderson, SC
Mark your calendar for our 8th annual fundraising gala! On March 28th, we'll solve the mystery of the Murder on the Books. It's going to be a thrilling experience you won't want to miss!
We are looking for event sponsors and auction donations. Can you help? Please contact Debbie Vaughn at [email protected] for more information.
A Note from the Yearbook Coordinator
Ms. Stephanie Phifer
Yearbooks are on sale on MySchoolBucks.com and Jostens.com. The cost is $25. The deadline to order will be Wednesday, February 25th.
Parents of 8th graders are able to purchase an Ad for their graduating student. You can do so through the Jostens website. If you have any questions, please contact the Yearbook Advisor, Ms. Phifer, at [email protected].
A Note from the Student Council
Ms. Stephanie Phifer
Save the Date: Middle School Valentine's Dance on Friday, February 13, from 3:30-5:00.
A Note from the PTA
Mrs. Shelby Lear, President
Spirit Wear Sale
Our winter Spirit Wear sale runs Monday, January 12- Friday, January 30! Be sure to visit our PTA Facebook page to preview all of the designs. Orders can be placed through Givebacks, with delivery early to mid-February.
Pizza Day Volunteers
Looking for an easy way to help at the school and sneak in some time with your child during the day? Each pizza lunch needs volunteers, and we have several pizza days coming up throughout the rest of the year. It’s a simple, one-hour commitment and a great way to support the PTA while being part of the fun! Our next pizza day is Wednesday, January 21. You can sign up using the volunteer link.
As always, be sure to check out our PTA Facebook page for updates, reminders, and more ways to get involved!
Admissions Tours for Prospective Families for the 2026-2027 School Year
Tours will be given to prospective parents/guardians interested in applying for the 2026-2027 school year on the following dates:
- January 21, 26, 28
- February 2, 4, 9, 11
These tours will be given on Mondays at 10:00 am or Wednesdays at 1:00 pm.
If you are interested, please call the front office at 864-442-5580 to schedule your tour.
Space is limited and must be reserved.
Open Enrollment for the 2026-2027 School Year
Open Enrollment officially began on January 1, 2026, and ends at 11:59 pm on February 15, 2026. To access the application, click here.
Wait lists from the 2025-2026 school year do not carry over, so if you are on the wait list, you will need to re-apply for the next school year. If your child is currently enrolled at Lakes and Bridges Charter School, you do not need to re-apply as their spot is guaranteed for the next school year.
The lottery for qualified candidates will be held on Friday, March 20, at 3:30 pm at the school.
Dress Code Reminders
Please revisit the following dress code policies with your children (pp. 33-36 from the Student and Parent Handbook):
Pants
Pants can be any solid color for both male and female students. Students are expected to wear their pants at the normal waistline and pants must be hemmed. Pants should not contain any pins or staples as may be evident when first purchased. The material must a cotton or cotton-blend-type fabric; no nylon, leggings, jeggings, or jeans are allowed.
Furthermore, please be mindful of the following: no baggy pants, no distressed or tears, no shredded cuffs or rolled up cuffs, no cuffs dragging on the ground, no jeans or corduroy pants of any color, no cargo style pants (this is indicated by an exterior side pocket), no leggings or jeggings, no yoga pants, no design, pattern, logo, or lettering on the pants.
Skirts, Skorts, and Jumper Dresses
Skirts, skorts, and jumper dresses can be any solid color and possess a hem. Skirts and skorts should be worn at the normal waistline. Additionally, please note the following: skirts, skorts, and jumpers should not be higher than 2" above the knees.
Solid, black or white tights or leggings may be worn under a skirt, skort, or jumper dress in cold weather (tights may not have a design or pattern and may not possess any holes).
Sweatshirts and Sweaters
A sweatshirt or sweater is acceptable and must be worn on top of the polo shirt. Only sweatshirts/hoodies with LABCS or solid-color sweatshirts/hoodies are allowed. Students wearing a sweatshirt/hoodie that is not solid-colored or LABCS will be required to remove the sweatshirt upon entering the school. Chronic misuse of this will result in the student losing the ability to wear a sweatshirt/hoodie. All approved sweatshirts/hoodies must be clean and free from stains.
Sweatshirts and sweaters cannot:
- be worn inside-out;
- be worn alone; or
- possess any large logo, pattern (to include tie-dye), profanity, political statement, or similar;
- be dirty or stained
- have holes or tears in it.
If wearing a hoodie sweatshirt, hoods cannot be worn on the head in the building without permission. Misuse of this will result in the student losing the ability to wear a sweatshirt/ hoodie.
Monday Dress Theme Days & $1 Dress Down or Jeans Day/$1 Hat Day Friday Dress Codes
On these alternative dress days, the following apply
- NO holes or tears in clothing or jeans are allowed unless it is covered by fabric behind the tear(s).
- NO pajama bottoms or flannel bottoms allowed on any day, to include Friday Dress Down Day, unless the dress theme for Monday is specifically stated for Pajama Day.
- NO biking shorts allowed for boys or girls.
- if wearing leggings, a skirt, skort, or dress must be worn over them – no exception.
Snacks, Water, Breakfast, and Soft Drinks
Please make sure you send in snacks and a water bottle with your child every day. If a student forgets a water bottle, they will need to use the water fountains.
Just a reminder that breakfast needs to be eaten before students get out of the car unless it is Chick-fil-A breakfast day.
Finally, at no time are soft drinks (even non-caffeinated soft drinks) or caffeinated drinks allowed. Students will be asked to pour them out. Only water bottles are allowed in the building - no fast food drink cups will be allowed (even if they only have water in it) since the lids can come off easily or spill if tipped.
Admissions Tours for Prospective Families for the 2026-2027 School Year
Tours will be given to prospective parents/guardians interested in applying for the 2026-2027 school year on the following dates:
- January 21, 26, 28
- February 2, 4, 9, 11
These tours will be given on Mondays at 10:00 am or Wednesdays at 1:00 pm.
If you are interested, please call the front office at 864-442-5580 to schedule your tour.
Space is limited and must be reserved.
Open Enrollment for the 2026-2027 School Year
Open Enrollment officially began on January 1, 2026, and ends at 11:59 pm on February 15, 2026. To access the application, click here.
Wait lists from the 2025-2026 school year do not carry over, so if you are on the wait list, you will need to re-apply for the next school year. If your child is currently enrolled at Lakes and Bridges Charter School, you do not need to re-apply as their spot is guaranteed for the next school year.
The lottery for qualified candidates will be held on Friday, March 20, at 3:30 pm at the school.
Inclement Weather
taken from the Student and Parent Handbook, pp. 10-11
During the winter months, inclement weather can result in unexpected changes in school schedules. If snow and/or ice are evident or expected on any morning, school officials will generally follow the decisions of the School District of Pickens County and will try to announce a schedule change by 6:00 am. Students and parents should check with WYFF4 (TV and website) on any morning when snow or ice is evident or expected. Information is made available to employees, students, and parents through newsletter emails, social media, school website, and WYFF4 (TV and website).
A decision about closing schools or delaying the opening of school will be made as early as possible. If a school opening is delayed, WYFF4 (TV and website) will carry instructions about the time of the school’s opening. In the event that snow, ice, or other adverse weather conditions materialize during the school day, school officials will monitor conditions closely. If dismissing schools early becomes necessary, notice of the decision will be sent by phone, email, and/or all other available communication platforms.
Please remember that we are a school serving many counties areas with varied terrain. The weather and road conditions may seem fine in one area, while other areas are becoming hazardous. Our top priority in making a decision to close schools will always be student safety and teacher safety.
In the case of a school closing due to inclement weather, students will participate in virtual activities through Google Classroom for each of their classes. These are to be turned in completed in full when school resumes, or within 5 school days after returning, to not be counted absent. There will be approximately 5 hours/work during each inclement weather day.
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