Upcoming Events
April 11
Progress reports due
April 13
Paper Orchestra Concert
3:30 pm in Scores Room
April 16-20
Spring Recess
(No School)
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Conservatory Lab
25 Arlington Street
Brighton, MA 02315
617.254.8904
www.conservatorylab.org
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| Family Notes
April 6, 2012
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Dear families,
Travel back in time to your own school days. Remember the buildings, the lined paper, and the freshly sharpened pencils. First days of school. What was the name of your favorite teacher? Your best friend? Now think back--What was one of your most positive learning experiences in school?
When we look deep into that well, there are not very many of us who answer that question by talking about worksheets, memorizing facts or passively sitting in our seats. Instead, when we think back, we identify our most positive learning experiences with stories about exciting projects we worked on, problems we solved, ways we helped our community, performances we participated in and pieces of work that we worked so hard on--whether it was writing a book, creating art or designing a hobby horse for a younger sibling--that we cherish them still today. We tell about particular teachers who mattered a great deal to us, about opportunities we had to be mentored, and about the growth that comes when a small group of people works together to achieve an ambitious goal.
We remember the unexpected, how one idea led to another and how we followed those ideas like true detectives until we really understood them and made them our own. We remember being puzzled and challenged to push ourselves to accomplish things we did not think ourselves capable of--whether in the library or at the easel. We remember the way people interacted with each other and with us--whether they were kind, thoughtful and compassionate--as counting for a great deal.
As educators, these are the experiences we strive to create for our students every day.  Warmly, Diana Lam Head of School
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Conservatory Lab's "Picturing America Conference" Inspires Educators
Friday, March 30th at  Wheelock College was the setting for the "Picturing America" Conference funded by the NEH which Conservatory Lab, along with the MFA, prepared for the 6o New England educators who participated. This was a forum to share the expertise that faculty and resident artists have developed in infusing music and the visual arts into the core curriculum with other elementary teachers in the area. Presenters on "The Great Migration" were 4th grade teacher Rachel Cates along with Resident Artists Levi Comstock and Chris Schroeder. Presenters on the Revolutionary War were 3rd Grade teacher, Ivy Delaney and El Sistema Co-Director Rebecca Levi.
In evaluating the conference, attendees were "impressed with the school's teaching methods and curriculum", "happy to see how both music and the visual arts can be instrumental in learning about history", "I love the interdisciplinary approach used by the teachers at Conservatory Lab."
One very enthusiastic participant summed it up: "this was the Best Professional Development event that I have ever attended!"
Kudos to Chris Schroeder, Conference Coordinator and all faculty and resident artists who participated!
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K2 Nutritionists Visit Local Grocery Store
 The K2 class took a trip to Whole Foods on Thursday to study food. The students were given a guided tour of the store, focusing on the different food groups and the comparative nutritional value of various items. Through a series of guided demonstrations, they smelled, tasted, and touched various vegetables, fruit, dairy, and fish.
As the students compared the odors of cheeses, sampled raw kale, and touched whole fish, they interviewed Sara Ensel about the origins and properties of many foods. They learned how a cucumber becomes a pickle and which vegetables give a body the most energy. The information gleaned from their interviews will fuel the research projects and informational song that will culminate their learning expedition, "What's On Your Plate?"
At the end of the trip, Whole Foods generously donated a snack bag full of healthy foods. What a treat!
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The Mayor of Somerville Visits Conservatory Lab
Conservatory Lab hosted Joe Curtatone, the Mayor of Somerville on Wednesday, April 4th for a tour of several El Sistema music classes. In his fifth term governing a city given the All American City award, Mr. Curtatone is a leader on many fronts such as President of the Massachusetts Mayor's Association and a board member of the National League of Cities, among others. Most saliently, he is a huge supporter of the arts in education and personally knows the importance of music as part of a quality education, having been a music student in violin, trumpet and percussion for many of his own school years.
Once again, Mr. Curtatone is demonstrating his leadership by taking an active role in beginning an El Sistema after-school program at East Somerville Community School, beginning in the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Rebecca Levi, has been the key resource and advisor from Conservatory Lab to all concerned in Somerville. Onward, Somerville!
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Place an Ad in the First Grade Play Bill
First graders are busy rehearsing their original musical, "Three Little Pigs, Inc.," to debut in May. They are also busy putting together a playbill. Don't miss this opportunity to advertise your goods and services to the Conservatory Lab community.
Send your advertisement or any questions you have to Rhonda Berkower at rberkower@conservatorylab.org. We would appreciate a $3 - $5 donation for each ad. Please send donations in an envelope addressed to first grade teachers Jovanne Buckmire and Katie Biro.
Donations will go towards the first grade Learning Through Music expedition fund. The deadline for submitting advertisements is April 24th. Stay tuned for news about play!
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Don't Miss The Paper Orchestra Concert!
The K2 Class will present their paper orchestra concert next Friday at 3:30 pm in the Scores room. Through song and movement they will demonstrate the skills that have prepared them to receive their real instruments!
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