Upcoming Events
Monday, Oct 24
School Picture Day
Wednesday, Nov 2Progress Reports Due
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Conservatory Lab
25 Arlington Street
Brighton, MA 02315
617.254.8904
www.conservatorylab.org
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| Family Notes
October 21, 2011
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Dear Families,
In the national conversation about education, test scores seem to trump all other measures of student, teacher, and school success. They are held up as concrete, consistent measures of achievement. While test scores provide important information, we too often forget that they are only one indicator of the learning that is taking place, the quantification of a single aspect of education. We can take the temperature of the water in a river, but this will not tell us how it feels to swim in it-how it tastes to drink it-what is most important about the water.
At Conservatory Lab we think it is important that students leave our school with habits of mind that will serve them in new situations. The listening and performance skills studied in El Sistema build confidence and self-discipline. Multidisciplinary teaching requires students to synthesize information in creative ways, and in the upper school, "Crews" ask students to be leaders and team members. A Conservatory Lab student has the skills to become an innovator, an entrepreneur.
Test scores are an important indicator of academic success. They measure mastery of skills and content knowledge. But what matters most in life cannot be expressed on bubbled answer sheets. The confidence, discipline, creativity, and interpersonal skills which distinguish a Conservatory Lab education can only be measured in the richness of our students' lives and in what they give back to their community. They are learning to make a difference, to "think different," and to apply their skills and knowledge in service of a world that needs them.
 Warmly, Diana Lam Head of School
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A Race to the Finish
Last Wednesday, students in the Upper School could be seen racing around the field outside with hoola hoops, spoons, and balls, building human pyramids and working out word puzzles. To an onlooker it may have resembled an episode of the popular reality game show, The Amazing Race, without the exotic locations and vindictive camera asides. The outdoor challenge was the second in a series of team building activities which take place weekly during the Upper School's "Crew" time. On mixed teams, students engage in outdoor activities that develop listening, cooperation, and communication skills.
In this activity, students had to complete five activities as quickly as possible, collecting clues that would allow them to complete the final challenge: assembling the words of a leadership quote from the late Steve Jobs. All four teams completed the initial challenges, so that it was a true race to the finish as they grappled with the final obstacle.
Crews meet Monday through Thursday in the afternoons to support one another in the transition to upper school, strengthen peer and adult relationships, and to build community and teamwork skills.
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Open House: A Night of Curricula and Community
Last Friday's Open House was marked by a voluminous and enthusiastic family turnout. Teachers in each classroom presented curriculum goals, highlights of the coming year, and resources for reinforcing classroom learning at home. Families were able to experience classroom routines and rituals that are part of students learning every day. Principal Annie Sevelius expressed her gratitude for the efforts of teachers and families who participated, "I am very excited about how much background knowledge families will have heading into parent/teacher conferences."
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Sarah Chang Dazzles Families and Students
Last Sunday, Conservatory Lab students and families took their seats in the audience at Symphony Hall to enjoy an afternoon of violin and piano sonatas, masterfully performed by Sarah Chang, a musician of international acclaim. Chang began concertizing as a young child and has made a  smooth transition into her adult career as one of the most sought-after violin soloists. Her active, imaginative interpretations of Brahms and Franc mesmerized an audience that spanned generations. Following the concert, students were observed trying out Chang's gravity-defying E string backbend. Our thanks go to the Boston Symphony for providing the free tickets. Keep an eye out in Family Notes for more opportunities to see great music in the community.
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Community Concert
Saturday, October 29, 2011
10am-4pm
Symphony Hall, Boston
Come join the fun as Classical New England hosts the 13th Annual Cartoon Festival. Kids of all ages can enjoy classical music, their favorite Warner Brothers cartoons on a giant screen, live performances, storytellers, and more, all set in the beautiful Symphony Hall.
For a complete schedule, visit the WGBH website
25 Free Tickets are available. Contact Toni Jackson today, they are first come, first served!
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