LABCS Weekly Newsletter
1-31-26
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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Monday Dress Theme - "Retro Day" (dress like a past era - no pajamas, leggings, or sweats)
2/2/2026
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PTA Pizza - Pre-Orders Due
2/2/2026
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Admissions Tour
2/2/2026, 10 AM – 11 AM
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LABCS Board Meeting - Virtual
2/2/2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Read More...
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PTA Pizza Day - Pre-Orders Only
2/4/2026
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Admissions Tour
2/4/2026, 1 PM – 2 PM
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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)
2/6/2026
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Quarter 3 Interim
2/6/2026
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Monday Dress Theme - "Valentine's Colors" (wear red, pink, hearts - no pajamas, leggings, or sweats)
2/9/2026
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Admissions Tour
2/9/2026, 10 AM – 11 AM
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Admissions Tour
2/11/2026, 1 PM – 2 PM
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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)
2/13/2026
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Dyslexia Tidbit
What are the Benefits of a Dyslexia-Focused Educational Environment for Children with Dyslexia?
Many traditional public schools have adopted the Science of Reading, and teachers in grades K-3 have been receiving LETRS training. However, a specialized school like Lakes and Bridges Charter School creates a dyslexia-focused educational environment that is designed around how dyslexic brains learn best—and that makes a huge difference.
Here are the key benefits, framed in a way that’s helpful for educators and parents alike.
Academic Benefits
Instruction That Matches the Brain
- Uses explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction
- Emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
- Prevents guessing and builds real reading skills step by step
Multisensory Learning Improves Retention
- Lessons engage visual, auditory, and kinesthetic pathways
- Students see it, say it, hear it, and move with it—making learning stick
Faster Skill Growth
- Targeted instruction reduces frustration and accelerates progress
- Students often make stronger gains than in traditional classrooms
Social-Emotional Benefits
Increased Confidence & Self-Esteem
- Students no longer feel “behind” or “different”
- Strengths are highlighted, not hidden
- Mistakes are treated as part of learning—not failure
Reduced Anxiety Around Reading
- Safe environment to read aloud
- Predictable routines reduce stress
- Students are not put on the spot without support
Sense of Belonging
- Peers face similar challenges
- Students feel understood rather than singled out
Instructional & Classroom Benefits
Trained Teachers = Better Outcomes
- Educators understand dyslexia and how to teach it
- Instruction is intentional, diagnostic, and responsive
Built-In Supports
- Assistive technology (audiobooks, speech-to-text)
- Accommodations are normalized, not “special”
Data-Driven Instruction
- Frequent progress monitoring
- Instruction adjusts based on student need—not a fixed curriculum pace
Long-Term Benefits
Stronger Executive Functioning
- Organization, planning, and self-advocacy are taught explicitly
Improved Academic Identity
- Students begin to see themselves as capable learners
- Many dyslexic students thrive in higher-order thinking once reading barriers are removed
Lifelong Learning Skills
- Resilience
- Self-confidence
- Understanding how they learn best
Bottom Line
A dyslexia-focused environment doesn’t lower expectations—it removes barriers so students can meet high expectations.
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Thank you:
- very belatedly to Mr. Charles Wigington for the donation of some larger traffic cones and the two large cement blocks near the exit that act as an extra barrier of safety for the students when they are playing in the parking lot.
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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Parking Lot Map - Early Stay and Early Dismissal Traffic Pattern
Read More...
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A Note from the Front Office
Ms. Heidi
We understand that learning from home—especially during Inclement Weather eLearning days—can sometimes be challenging for students and families.
Our goal is for eLearning to support student growth—not to add stress to families. If your child encountered difficulties completing assignments, staying focused, or accessing materials last Monday-Wednesday, or if we have any eLearning Days this coming week, we encourage you to communicate those challenges with your child’s teacher.
Teachers are happy to work with families to provide clarification, flexibility, or additional support when needed. Your feedback helps us reflect on what is working well and where we can improve the eLearning experience for all students.
If you find your child is frustrated, please feel free to stop them after about 20 minutes of productive work, set it aside, and let the teacher know.
We appreciate your patience, partnership, and continued support of your child’s learning. Thank you for your understanding and for all you do to support learning at home.
Below is the expectation for what eLearning Days should look like as set by the SC Department of Education. Daily instruction is interpreted as "on-class" instruction, which would be synchronous.
"What should an eLearning Day look like?
Because eLearning days are regular workdays, teachers should be available to students and parents during school day hours. However, alternate schedules may be used to include daytime and evening hours if this better accommodates the needs of students.
For any eLearning day used, the district certifies that each eLearning day will be 5.5 hours for students in kindergarten through grade 8 and 6.0 hours for students in grades 9-12, or a minimum of 200 minutes of daily instruction. Lessons provided should require a minimum of 200 minutes of instruction (video, reading, listening); the remainder of the time is for student engagement, studying and work completion, etc. These times are cumulative across subjects."
A Note from the Nurse
Mrs. Dava House
As measles continues to spread through the Upstate, we are preparing in case Lakes and Bridges is affected.
Symptoms of measles are similar to the flu but with a rash that appears 3-5 days after the initial symptoms. Please have your child seen by a health care provider if they develop a rash in conjunction with an illness to rule out measles.
Symptoms of measles include:
- High fever
- Red eyes
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Rash 3-5 days after first symptoms
Measles is transmitted through breathing. An exposure is defined as sharing an area with an infected individual, such as a classroom or lunchroom. If Lakes and Bridges students have an exposure to an infected individual (4 days before or 4 days after the rash appears), we will follow the SC Department of Public Health protocol. Any students or staff who are exposed and do not have documented MMR immunization status will be excluded from school for 21 days after the exposure. Ms Heidi is currently waiting to hear back from the Charter School District to form a plan for any affected students who have to be quarantined since we are only approved for eLearning for Inclement Weather Days.
If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact Nurse Dava (864-671-6265 or [email protected]) or your healthcare provider.
A Note from the Front Office
Mrs. Kelly Disbrow
Attendance for e-Learning Days
Students must turn in all work assigned during e-Learning for January 26-28th no later than Wednesday, February 4. Students will be marked absent for any day they did not complete their work.
Snacks and Lunch
Please make sure you send in snacks with your child each day. Also, please make sure you are sending in a lunch each day with your child.
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
PTA (Performance Task Assessment) testing will take place February 23-27. Those students who will be taking this will be contacted by Mrs. Henderson.
A Note from the Reading Coach
Mrs. Jessica Hudson
Greenville Drive Reading All-Stars
All students have a chance to earn a FREE ticket to a Greenville Drive baseball game with before the game Parade of Champions on the field and fun merchandise! Turn in your reading logs by February 13th. For more information on the dates of the games, click here.
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 PTA President
Mrs. Shelby Lear
Next Pizza Day is February 4
Pizza orders are open for Wednesday, February 4. The deadline to order is midnight on Sunday, February 2. Click HERE TO ORDER!
Volunteers Needed
Pizza Wednesdays run smoothly thanks to parent volunteers. If you have about one hour on a Pizza Wednesday, we’d love your help. Sign up to volunteer
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.
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 26 (if we have school), 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.
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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