Weekly Newsletter - October 18, 2026 |
Dear LME Families,
As we settle into the rhythm of the school year, I find myself thinking about what it truly means to be part of a community. At LME, our strength isn’t just in our academic and extracurricular programs—it’s in the way we show up for one another and for the world around us. Service comes in many forms, and over the coming weeks, we have several exciting opportunities for our students and families to reflect on, contribute to, and take pride in our school and local community. Every student and family is unique, and we love that our upcoming events offer different ways and levels for everyone to get involved and represent who they are: Reflections: This program gives our students a creative voice to express themselves and reflect on important themes through art, writing, music, and photography. It’s a wonderful way for students to represent our school’s creative spirit and share their unique perspectives with the broader community. The Sock Drive: A simple, tangible act of kindness can make a huge impact. By participating in our Sock Drive, students learn how a small action—donating a basic necessity—can bring warmth and dignity to neighbors in need. Campus Clean Up Day: There is something truly special about coming together to care for the physical space where our children learn, play, and grow. Campus Clean Up Days are some of the most hands-on, meaningful ways to teach our kids active stewardship and pride in their environment. These are days throughout the year where we can show up for our school. Whether you can lend a hand for thirty minutes or two hours, bringing our families to help pull weeds, trim brush, or tidy up the campus shows our kids that caring for our shared space is a joint effort.
Civic Leadership: Exercising Our Voice Beyond our campus grounds, service also means participating in the civic life of our community. Voting is one of the most foundational ways we model civic engagement for our children. Early Voting begins this Monday, October 19th. I encourage all eligible adults in our school family to make a plan to vote. Whether you cast your ballot early or on Election Day, participating in our democratic process sets a powerful example for our students about the importance of using your voice to shape the future of our neighborhood, school district, and nation. Service isn’t about how much time or money you have—it’s about heart, action, and showing up together. Whether your child submits an artistic reflection, drops off a pair of socks, joins us with a pair of work gloves on Clean Up Days, or walks with you to the polling place, every contribution counts. Thank you for everything you do to make Laurel Mountain a vibrant, supportive, and caring place to learn. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working alongside you all in the weeks ahead!
Warmly, Julia Wood President@lmepta.org |
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| Recap: School Finance 101 Parent Education Meeting On Tuesday, October 13th, LME parents gathered virtually for a School Finance 101 presentation featuring special guest Ludivina Cansino, CFO of Round Rock ISD. The session offered a clear look into how public school funding works in Texas and how it impacts our campus and district: Budget Breakdown: RRISD operates on two separate budgets—Maintenance & Operations (M&O) for day-to-day running expenses/salaries, and Interest & Sinking (I&S) for debt and capital projects. Low Tax Rates: Round Rock ISD maintains the second lowest tax rate among surrounding school districts. Attendance-Based Funding: Texas public school funding is driven primarily by Average Daily Attendance (ADA), rather than total student enrollment. The Inflation Gap: While district operating costs (like utilities, insurance, and fuel) have surged since 2020, the state's Basic Allotment per student has only increased by $55 (less than 1%). Ballot Measure Discussion: The meeting reviewed the upcoming VATRE/Prop A measure on the ballot and discussed its potential impact on district maintenance, operations, and funding. More info on the VATRE can be found on the district website. RRISD’s Commitment: In response to statewide funding challenges, RRISD remains focused on protecting the classroom, prioritizing spending on students, finding operational efficiencies, and maintaining long-term financial stability.
Want to learn more? Here is a link to the presentation from Tuesday. If you have additional questions, please email Julia at president@lmepta.org. If you participated in the event, please make sure to complete the event survey. Thank you to CFO Ludivina Cansino and all the parents who tuned in to stay informed and engaged! |
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| Moms Night Sponsored by Recess Thank you to everyone who came out for Mom’s Night Out at Jardin last Tuesday! It was such a great evening to unwind, catch up, and enjoy some time together. Here are a few highlights from the night: Inside Look at Recess: Molly, co-founder of Recess, dropped by to share all about the platform—what it is, how it works, and how it takes the stress out of finding and booking kids' activities and camps. Swag & Takeaways: Molly spoiled us with fun Recess swag goodies and brought along helpful handouts so everyone could easily explore local activities from home. Delicious Bites: Thank you to Recess for providing the delicious appetizers.
It was fantastic connecting with everyone and discovering a tool that makes planning family schedules so much easier. Visit hello-recess.com to explore activities near you, and be sure to use our school code LaurenMountainFam when you book. Every booking gives 3% back to our parent group! Already using Recess and want to provide feedback or request features, join The Recess Inner Circle on WhatApp! |
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| A Sweet Treat for Our LME Teachers & Staff! Did you know that the PTA provides Teacher Lounge Snacks throughout the school year? This week, we fully stocked the lounge with a selection of tasty snacks and refreshing drinks to keep our incredible staff energized. We love our teachers and staff at LME, and this is just one small way we say thank you for everything they do! A special shoutout and thank you to our Snack Coordinator, Jaime Raymond, for taking the time to shop for and deliver all the treats this week! |
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Movie Night Recap: A Lovely Evening Under the Stars! Friday night was a wonderful evening under the stars watching Goat together! This Movie Night was a reward the students earned during the Fun Run last year, and we were so happy to finally make it happen. While the crazy winds gave us a bit of a challenge early on, we were all so thankful once they died down and let us enjoy the movie. A huge thank you to Ling Chen and Denise Garcia for all their hard work with setup and keeping the popcorn flowing! We couldn't have pulled it off without you. |
| Cool Photos - Submit them! Did you capture amazing memories from this past week? We would love to see them!! Share your photos here: Walk Bike Roll to School Share your photos here: Movie Night |
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| Save the Date: Spirit Night at Main Event! Mark your calendars for an evening of fun with your LME family! Join us for our upcoming LME PTA Spirit Night at Main Event Austin. It’s a great opportunity to connect with friends, enjoy games and food, and support our school! When: Sunday, October 18th | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Where: Main Event Austin (13301 N Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78750) - What to Expect: Bowling, Arcade Games, Laser Tag, Gravity Ropes, Food & Fun!
Drop off your itemized receipt with a PTA rep by 8pm for LME to receive 20% back!
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| Make a Plan and Go Vote!! Texas voters help shape the future of our schools and communities by electing leaders whose decisions impact public education. Early voting begins this Monday, 10/19, and ends 10/30. Election day is 11/3. Key Resources: - You can find your sample ballot and voting locations here - Information on how local, state, and federal elected officials make decisions about public education. Your vote matters! - Nonpartisan voter guide from the League of Women Voters. |
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| RRISD VATRE = PROP A As a PTA, we voted to support RRISD Prop A. Prop A is a Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE). This is a local school funding election that asks voters to approve the district’s request to increase the maintenance and operations tax rate. Unlike a school bond election, a VATRE doesn’t create new debt. Instead, it fuels the district’s daily operations, and importantly this year it supports our educators through pay increases. More information can be found on the District VATRE Site. |
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| Unleash Your Creativity: 2026 LME Reflections Program! The Texas PTA Reflections Program invites our students to dream big, create something amazing, and share their talents with our school community and beyond! Students in grades Pre-K through 12 can express themselves around this year's official theme: "What My Culture Means to Me". Original works can be submitted in six categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. Judges evaluate entries based on creative expression, technique, and the student's Artist Statement explaining their piece. Entries start at Laurel Mountain Elementary, with top pieces advancing to council, state, and national levels! Looking for inspiration? You can find examples from prior years here: Texas PTA Reflections Collection Important Details & Key Dates: How to Submit: All submissions must be digital and emailed to reflections@lmepta.org by the deadline. Submission Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026
(Note: Participating students must have at least one household member with a current PTA membership.) Have questions? Reach out to our Program Chair, Kristyn Wilkerson, at reflections@lmepta.org. We can't wait to see what our LME creators come up with! |
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| Westwood vs. McNeil: Sock & Underwear Drive
We are going head-to-head with McNeil High School for a friendly rivalry drive benefiting the Round Rock ISD Clothes Closet! There’s a lot on the line: The principal of the losing school will have to wear the opposing school’s jersey at the October 30th football game. Let’s show our Warrior pride and help Mrs. Campbell stay in orange! Drive DetailsItems Needed (New & Unopened): How to DonateDrop Off in Person: Bring new, unopened items to Laurel Mountain and leave in the clothes closet bin. Order Online via Amazon: Have donations shipped straight to the drive!
Every donation directly supports students and families in our district through the Round Rock ISD Clothes Closet. Let’s rally together, support a great cause, and ensure Westwood takes home the win! |
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| Fall Campus Cleanup! Join us for an afternoon of cleaning up LME to get our campus ready before the big Carnival weekend! When: Sunday, November 1st | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Where: Meet at the N2N Studio (located behind the school, near the lower playground) What to Bring: Cordless garden tools, work gloves, hats, and a smile!
We will be doing light landscaping around the entrance, N2N building, bus circle, and reading garden and will do trash pickup throughout campus. Hope to see you there! |
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| Get Your Carnival Wristbands! The LME Carnival is Coming Saturday, November 7 from 11 AM–3 PM!
🥳 Carnival wristbands are NOW ON SALE!
Pre-Sale Special — Only $25! Purchase your All-You-Can-Play wristband by October 30th and enjoy: ✨ $5 savings per wristband
💦 3 FREE Soak the Staff tickets 🎟️ Discounted raffle ticket bundles 🍿 FREE 85 oz. popcorn from Southwest Theaters! So much fun is included!
Bounce houses, $10k in raffle prizes, obstacle courses, a 25-foot rock climbing wall, carnival games, face painting, a giant bubble lab, princess hair & makeup, and SO much more! -Wristbands are for ages 3–13. Children under 3 and adults are FREE! -Don't wait! Pre-sale ends 10/30. Wristbands will be $30 on Carnival Day! -This is a community-wide event! Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join the fun! 🎟️ Purchase your wristbands here:
https://www.lmepta.org/open_forms We can't wait to celebrate with everyone! 🎪❤️ |
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| Beyond the Carnival Wristband! There are more ways to help make Carnival magical beyond purchasing a wristband. From donating books and baked goods to lending a helping hand, our LME community is what makes it happen! 📚 BOOK WALK — Give Your Books a New Adventure! Donate your gently used children's books to our Carnival Book Walk! Drop them in the collection bin outside the school office. 🧁 BAKE SALE — Calling All LME Bakers! Help stock our Carnival Bake Sale with your favorite sweet treats! Drop off baked goods on Friday, November 6. Sign up here to donate:[BAKE SALE SIGN UP] 🦁 CLEAN UP CREW — Be a Carnival Closing Hero! Help us wrap up the fun by packing up tables, chairs, signs, and decorations. A little time makes a BIG difference! Sign up to help:[CLEAN UP CREW SIGN UP] Every book, baked treat, and helping hand makes a difference! Thank you for helping bring the LME Carnival to life! ❤️ |
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| Science Fair Volunteers Needed! We're looking for volunteers to help make this year's Science Fair a success! We aim to have our full roster filled by October 24th. Open volunteer roles include: 🌟 Future Science Fair Lead Wanted: This will be our current Chair's final year, so we are also looking for someone to shadow and learn the ropes to take over next year! Interested in joining the team or shadowing? Email sciencefair@LMEpta.org! |
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| Yearbook Purchase & 5th Grade Pridelines! Order Your 2026–27 Yearbook Planning for the 2026–27 LME Yearbook is underway! Books are $30 (+ service fee) and ordered directly through Jostens. Personalization is available for $8.
5th Grade Prideline Ads Celebrate your graduating 5th grader with a personalized 1/8-page ad! Include a favorite photo, sweet note, or words of encouragement to give them a lasting keepsake. |
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| Your PTA Membership Gives You a Voice—Take the 5-Minute Survey Today!
One benefit of PTA membership is being connected to opportunities to make your voice heard on issues affecting children. Our partner, Friends of Texas Public Schools, wants to hear what families want and need from public schools. Student learning is essential, but test scores and ratings don’t tell the whole story. What does a successful school provide for your child? Take five minutes to share your perspective. Your responses will help give families’ priorities a stronger place in conversations about public education. Responses are confidential, and we do not collect identifying information.
Take the survey
Responses are due by October 25, 2026.
Not yet a PTA member? Join our PTA to stay connected to opportunities like this and help strengthen our collective voice for children.
Join the LME PTA today:https://www.lmepta.org/membership
For specific membership questions, please contact our Membership Chair, Taylor Romero at membership@lmepta.org. |
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| This September, Laurel Mountain Elementary reached over 100% of our 2025–2026 total membership, earning our PTA the Early Bird Achievement Award! |
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We have officially reached 500 members, earning a spot in the 500 Level of the Difference Maker Club! Only 185 PTAs across Texas have reached this threshold or higher, and your LME is one of them! |
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| Spirit Night at Waterloo Icehouse! Take the night off from cooking and support LME PTA! Meet us at Waterloo Icehouse (6203 N Capital of Texas Hwy) on Monday, October 26th, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Eat, drink, play, and support our school community! |
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| Fall Appreciation Week is Coming Up! We are excited to celebrate and honor our amazing school staff during Fall Appreciation Week! Monday – Staff Door Decorating: We ask that students write a sweet letter or note of appreciation for their teacher. These will be proudly displayed on classroom doors to kick off the week! SignUp To Help : Help provide treats and drinks through out the week. Fall Appreciation Signups
Keep an eye out for an email from your child’s Homeroom Parent soon with more information on how to participate and show our staff some extra love! |
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| LME Dad Hangout at Austin Beerworks! Calling all Laurel Mountain Elementary dads! Join us for a casual evening to connect and hang out. Come raise a glass and meet other LME dads! |
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| Annual Halloween Candy Drive! Got extra trick-or-treat sweets? Help us share the sweetness! Laurel Mountain Elementary PTA is hosting our Halloween Candy Drive from October 26th through November 9th. What to donate: Unopened candy Where to drop off: Collection bins inside the LME Front Office Who it supports: Central Texas Food Bank (& LME teachers too 😊)
It’s a great way to clear out extra treats while supporting a wonderful cause in our community! |
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| Kingdom Planners - Platnium Sponsor Dreaming of a family vacation? Kingdom Planners is an LME parent-owned travel agency specializing in Disney destinations, Universal, cruises, resorts, and more. Planning these vacations can be exciting, but also overwhelming. Their Travel Advisors use decades of firsthand travel experience and destination knowledge to simplify the process, creating personalized recommendations and custom itineraries around each family’s wishes. Kingdom Planners takes care of the planning details so their clients can focus on the fun, pack their bags, and enjoy the magical vacation! Visit Kingdom Planners! |
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Calling all Interested Sponsors! LME PTA offers sponsorship opportunities to businesses or individuals that care about our School and Community. These sponsorships are mutually beneficial to the business and our LME PTA and school community. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email our Sponsorship Chair, Crystaline Lopez at sponsors@lmepta.org.
Find out more and purchase sponsorship at our website: https://www.lmepta.org/sponsorlevels
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Upcoming Events | | Sunday, October 18 | | | Monday, October 19 | | | Monday, October 26 | | | Wednesday, October 28 | | | Friday, October 30 | | | | Sunday, November 1 | |
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