Welcome!

Dear students and families,

As another new school year begins, I would like to reintroduce myself to you. My name is Zach Sparks, and I am one of the 5th Grade teachers here at Laurel Mountain. It is my profound privilege to work with your family this school year.

The 2020-21 school year will mark my fifth year as a member of the Laurel Mountain learning community and my thirteenth year of teaching overall. Along with teaching 5th Grade Language Arts & Social Studies, I enjoy following all University of Florida sports- GO GATORS! I also enjoy studying the wisdom of Mister Fred Rogers, whose work on television to educate, inspire and inform children about our everchanging world is what drives much of the work I do in my classroom. Please be sure to ask your child about our community circles and the discussions we will have about what it truly means to grow up and accept being who we are all meant to be.

During this incredibly unique time in our world, "radical grace" has become one of the many essentials necessary for this school year to be a success. While we are working to bring a sense of joy and enthusiasm to this school year, there is much about this time that will be uncommon and far beyond what we know to be normal about education. Extending radical grace to your child and to your family will be ever present in my heart and will be my intention in all I do this school year for you all. Regardless of how this school year looks, I hope you all will feel that same joy, same hope and same love that I pour into every school day during our time together.

I invite you to read more about me and my mission in working with your child this school year by clicking here. Thank you again for this amazing opportunity to do what I love and to pour as much as I can into your student this school year. I look forward to working together with all of you!

Blessings,

Mr. Sparks

Announcements & Reminders (A's & R's) - Updated August 7

• As of today, the first day of the 2019-20 school year will be on August 20th. It is very possible that this date may change. Please continue to follow the Round Rock ISD website and their social media channels for updated information regarding online learning and the school calendar.

• Each year, students are invited to bring in a framed family photo to the classroom to place on the shelf above our cubbies as a reminder that we are all indeed family. Due to the unique start of this school, you are asked to email a family photo to Mr. Sparks for our "virtual family photo wall". You'll find out more about this on the first day of school. Once we are able to safely transition to our classroom at LME, we will move those photos with us. Stay tuned for more info!

• Be sure to follow me on Twitter and please feel free to email me anytime you have questions or I can be of any help to you. Thanks!