Upcoming Events
Sept 26
Half Day for Students- 11:45 Dismissal
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Conservatory Lab
25 Arlington Street
Brighton, MA 02315
617.254.8904
www.conservatorylab.org
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| Family Notes
September 21, 2012
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Dear Families,
Our newly released MCAS scores for 2011-2012 tell an exciting story. They depict a school that has made significant gains in the last four years both in English Language Arts (ELA) and in Math. They portray a school where achievement gaps are rapidly narrowing and test scores for all students are on par with the state average.
Under the new Massachusetts Department of Education ranking system, which has replaced the system mandated by No Child Left Behind, we are now a Level One school. This is a significant achievement. All schools in the state have been assigned a ranking between 1 and 5, where 5 is failing and 1 is thriving. The state measures data from four years, with the most recent weighted the strongest, and factors in the achievement of low-income students compared to the total average. A Level One ranking distinguishes Conservatory Lab as a model for quality teaching and learning.
The graphs below compare the Cumulative Progress Index (CPI) of Conservatory Lab, Boston Public Schools, and the state average over the last three years. This year we have seen significant gains in ELA, bringing us just above the state average. Our Math scores are slightly lower than last year, but they are still neatly in range of the state average. Among low-income students, we are significantly and consistently outperforming both BPS and the state average in both subjects.
Of course these test scores are only one angle of the story. For the full story, ask a kindergartner to tell you about primary and secondary colors, or have a 5th grader show you the form of a blues poem. Take a look at our YouTube page, full of triumphant performances by every grade, or peruse our bookshelves of literature and art created by our children. There are many ways to show learning, but any way you measure it, it is happening here. Thank you to our students, teachers, families, and staff for creating a place where learning happens day by day and year by year.
Warmly,
Diana Lam
Head of School
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First Grade Learns About Leaders
In this pivotal election year, 1st graders investigate American leaders from George Washington to Barack Obama, from Helen Keller to Martin Luther King, Jr., as they explore the guiding question: What makes a good leader? They began this expedition with a gallery walk, examining pictures of leaders and making notes of their observations and their questions. In a final project, an American Leaders Wax Museum, each student steps into the shoes of an American leader, showcasing the leader's special qualities and achievements. Students will also explore how voting gives people a voice in choosing our leaders. Through fieldwork at a local polling place during the presidential elections, students investigate the steps in the voting process and will survey today's voters on what they think makes a good leader. Throughout the expedition, students listen to and sing "America the Beautiful," "This Land is Your Land," and other iconic folk songs that express love and pride for our country and its people.
 
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Mr. Anantawan Honored with Award for Excellence
For his tireless work as an advocate and role model for people with disabilities, Dudamel Orchestra conductor Adrian Anatawan was awarded the 2012 March of Dimes Canada Rick Hansen Award of Excellence on Friday, September 14th in Toronto. Adrian is a key proponent of art for people with disabilities, particularly children. A documentary "Adrian Anantawan: The Story Behind the Notes" attests to that fact.
The Rick Hansen Award of Excellence is presented periodically to the rare individual who has made outstanding contributions, or who has accomplished an outstanding achievement benefiting the cause of persons with physical disabilities internationally.
Adrian has been a longtime friend of March of Dimes, and he inspires not only those living with disabilities, but people around the world with his spirit, determination and positive attitude.
We are so proud of you Adrian. Kudos!
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New Volunteers in K1 and K2
 We are thrilled to welcome three new volunteers to our afternoon staff working with K1 and K2! Ms. Anne Vera Cruz, K2 intern, is a student at Boston University's School of Education earning a Master's degree in Early Childhood Curriculum and Teaching. She completed her undergraduate degree in psychology in her native Philippines where she also led a choir for two years. She has worked in preschool, primary and secondary schools as a tutor and an educator.  Mr. Osiel J. Gonzalez, an assistant teacher in the K1 class, a literacy tutor across all grade levels, and an educational jack-of-all-trades is delighted to join us. He grew up in Cuba and immigrated to the United States in 1999. He graduated from East Boston High School and went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Romance Languages and Literatures from Harvard University in 2008. He's eager to make strides in the field of education and aspires to become a teacher in the near future.
 Ms. Trynn Sylvester, early childhood intern, is a current Master's student at the Harvard School of Education in Special Studies focusing on preschool and forest science. Before her arrival in Massachusetts this year, she was the lead teacher at the Southern Utah University Preschool where she piloted an outdoor preschool program. She brings her experience and passion for hands-on learning to her internship in our classrooms and, particularly, to planning quality outdoor learning opportunities for our youngest students.
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First PAC Meeting
As is the custom at our school, the first Parent Advisory Council meeting of the year was well attended. Over 50 parents were present to hear Head of School, Diana Lam, share the good news about the MCAS results and about Conservatory Lab's rating as a Level One school!
 Michelle Gurel, PAC Chair, welcomed everyone and outlined the role of the PAC in this school. PAC's mission is to support the teachers and their classrooms by providing buses for field work, purchasing special classroom supplies and working together on the big community outreach event - the Spring Fling! in March. All this involves a variety of fundraising activities which were further described by Felice Rutstein-Lee and Jenna Wertheimer. Sabine Voigt described our current wrapping paper fundraiser and distributed the packets which have been sent home with all students. Watch for follow-up instructions in an email from Toni Jackson. There was a long and substantive demonstration and explanation of the new PAC website, prepared by Adaleta Maslo-Krkovic. It is expected that this website will be a helpful information resource to parents in many ways, not the least of which will be providing timely information on bus schedules. An appreciative round of applause was given to Ms. Maslo-Krkovic for her diligent work on the website. Virginie Cazir made a presentation on the upcoming walk Saturday, September 22nd, in memory of her infant son, Gabriel. |
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March for Gabriel- March for Change!
 Join Conservatory Lab families in supporting the family of 4th grader Mark Anthony Cazir who lost his 17 month old brother, Gabriel Josh Cazir-Pierre, one year ago. Supporters are marching to bring attention to the policies of transporting young children and adolescents in the city of Boston. This is a family event and a short, 1 mile walk.
Registration begins at 9 AM and the March begins at 10:30 AM. Start location is Franklin Field, 63 Talbot Ave. Dorchester, MA 02124 with a reception after to be held at the District B3 Police Station, 1155 Blue Hill Ave.
Please wear Conservatory Lab T-shirts, uniforms or white clothing to show support and look for teal balloons at Conservatory Lab meeting place prior to the 10:30 am start.
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Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival
We are always on the lookout for free or low cost opportunities for our students and families to attend high-quality music performances in the city. This outdoor Jazz Festival celebrating "women in jazz" will feature several free concerts throughout Boston from September 27-30. For more information visit http://beantownjazz.org/schedule.html.
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