Upcoming Events
May 7-22
Math and Science MCAS
May 16
Parent Advisory Council Meeting
May 20
Wind and Brass Recital
3:00pm
@ Boston Conservatory
May 24
First Grade Presents
"Three Little Pigs, Inc."
12:30pm
@ Veronica B. Smith Senior Center
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Conservatory Lab
25 Arlington Street
Brighton, MA 02315
617.254.8904
www.conservatorylab.org
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Dear families,
We engage our students in many kinds of service. When kindergartners shared their nutrition projects with 5th graders this week, they helped that class kick off their own study of healthy eating. When students from Abreu and Bernstein orchestras volunteer to teach lessons to beginning K2 string players, they are providing an invaluable service to the next generation of musicians.
Sometimes we also challenge our students to use their learning to serve others outside of our school community. The 2nd graders have recently released a pamphlet on snake care that will be distributed to local pet shops, to educate corn snake owners on how to keep these animals healthy and happy. The 1st grade musical will be performed at the Veronica Smith Senior Center, bringing joy to residents whose limited mobility can sometimes feel isolating.
This week we are particularly proud of our 5th grade class for their successful donation drive to Cradles to Crayons. Over several weeks, the students have put creativity, passion, time, and effort into advertising and organizing this drive, which has provided clothes, blankets, and supplies to families in need throughout the Greater Boston Area.
Service to others changes who we are and how we see the world. When we practice service to others, we develop greater compassion, empathy, and responsibility toward one another. These experiences are essential to our children's education.  Warmly, Diana Lam Head of School
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Fifth Grade Wraps up Donation Drive for Families in Need
The 5th grade class showed compassion and service through their donation drive for Cradles to Crayons last month. They created eye-catching posters to advertise the drive and wrote press releases that have appeared recently in Family Notes. Four large bins full of supplies were collected and taken to Cradles to Crayons, where they will be distributed to children in need, supplemented by an additional three bins from Conservatory Lab parent Casimir Deronette, who was inspired by the children's efforts to launch a similar drive at his work place.
In addition to the items donated, proceeds from a bake sale held at the February assembly will be donated to Cradles to Crayons to purchase new school and craft supplies.
In April, the students traveled to Cradles to Crayons, where they sorted and carefully polished and cleaned donated shoes to be given to families who can not afford them. In recognition for their hard work and service, the class was able to put their names on the "giving tree" at Cradles to Crayons, which lists people and organizations that have shown exemplary service.
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Second Graders in The Recording Studio
Last week the bass player and percussionists from the 2nd grade class traveled to Notable Productions, a professional recording studio, to lay down tracks for their upcoming single, "Snakes Are Born This Way," set for release later this month on the Conservatory Lab You Tube Channel. Daniel Cantor, the recording artist who collaborated with the young musicians, is known for his work with George McCurdy, touring drummer for Lady Gaga. Cantor and his colleagues called the children "delightful and talented," and said they were "impressed with their musicianship."
 The students' song is a snake-themed parody of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way." The music video will feature original choreography and lyrics that describe the biological adaptations of various snakes and their role in ecosystems.
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K1 Visits the Circus
Last Friday, the K1 class ran off to the circus in search of inspiration. For weeks they have been studying the animals, acts, and culture of "The Big Top," investigating the ways that circus performers use what we at Conservatory Lab consider the "Keys to Harmony:" cooperation, courage, perseverance, responsibility, quality, and joy. They took notes on the many surprising and amazing performances they experienced, gathering ideas for the circus performances they will present during the last week of school.
Among their favorite acts were a juggler who kept eight balls in the air, a clown who spit water unexpectedly, and Bob, a capybara, who performed the song "Dynamite." The students realized that the singing rodent was "just a trick," but were none the less impressed.
While the K1 class will not attempt every act they saw, they will take many lessons away about the culture and environment of the circus. Each performer has a unique talent, but they must cooperate to work their gifts into a cohesive act. The students also noted that although professional circus performers may make a mistake, they keep going. "A little girl did a flip," Indiana explained, "the first time she fell down, but then she persevered."
Stay tuned for more information about the K1 circus, which will take place in mid June.
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El Sistema Wind Players Will Present Concert at Boston Conservatory
The wind and brass players of Dudamel and Bernstein Orchestras will present a recital of solo and ensemble performances on May 20 at 3:00pm in the recital hall of Boston Conservatory, located at 8 The Fenway. Admission is free. Come support these talented musicians!
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"Three Little Pigs, Inc.," the musical, premieres at Veronica B. Smith Center
The first grade class will perform the musical "Three Little Pigs, Inc." on May 24 at 12:30pm at the Veronica B. Smith Senior Center. The play, written especially for them by playwright Brendan Shae, with original music by resident artist Levi Comstock, tells a modernized version of the fairy tale, with an emphasis on the properties of building materials. Come watch these budding thespians make their theatrical debut!
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