Upcoming Events
February Break
Feb. 18-22
(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
February 1, 2013
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Dear Families,
As our culture and economy become enmeshed with that of our neighbors around the world, we become increasingly interdependent. Our children will inherit the many challenges and opportunities that come with globalization. Their future will hinge on their capacity to think globally and act locally.
Our 5th grade class has been delving deeper into their study of climate change, with a trip to the Natural History Museum this week. In December, they explored the impact of climate change from the perspectives of many different regions of the world, with each student representing a different country in a mock summit. This week, they explored the subject from a more holistic perspective, exploring models, diagrams, and data that show long-term changes in weather patterns. I am impressed by the ease with which they synthesize all of these perspectives, making connections between science, economics, and politics.
In 4th grade, students are wrapping up their study of immigration. They have written journals through the eyes of families immigrating to the United States. They have studied our nation's policies surrounding naturalization and the reasons why people choose to immigrate to a new land. They have explored the diversity of our city and the many ways that our culture has been enriched by traditions and ideas brought from overseas.
By exposing our children to the world beyond our borders, we give them tools to communicate and cooperate in a global community. Technology puts us within a screen's touch of anyone and anywhere in the world, but it takes a deep understanding and an open mind to find mutual solutions to global challenges. With these tools, our children will take their place on the world stage.
Warmly,
Diana Lam
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5th Graders Study Climate Change at Museum of Natural History
 Thursday, a day that started out at 60 degrees and ended in the 30s, seemed quite fitting to board the 86 bus headed to the Harvard Museum of Natural History for the museum's Climate Change program!
In a classroom tucked behind the Mammal Hall, a museum educator led an interactive lecture to answer the question: How do we know our climate is changing? Fifth graders held and examined the rings of trees, rocks scraped by glaciers, and petrified wood- clues that scientists use to understand how our climate changed in the past and left marks of the transformation in the land. They looked at maps of carbon dioxide and temperature levels. They synthesized this evidence with their learning as ambassadors in the First Annual 5thGrade Climate Change Summit in December.
 Students also thought about why climate change matters to animals. They met a live African Bullfrog, an animal that uses its back legs to dig instead of jump. It digs down into the arid soil to avoid the hot African sun, sometimes hibernating for years! Students considered how climate change could affect the bullfrog and other animals, including humans, some that can and some that cannot move to new locations in search of the climate that suits them. Urged by the museum educator, students gave themselves a pat on the back, knowing that they had added so much to the presentation by sharing their knowledge, connections, and questions. Students returned to the classroom eager to continue their exploration of the science behind climate change in discussions, an activity and a lab next week. Want to learn more about climate change with your kids? Check out the events this weekend at the Brookline Climate Change Week, www.brooklineclimateweek.org.
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Strong and United Presentation at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Board Meeting
The ballroom at Bridgewater State College was the formal setting for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Board meeting held on Tuesday, January 29th. A representative contingent from Conservatory Lab made up of parents, board members and staff made the long trek out to plead the school's case for 275 additional seats.
A memorable three-part presentation was given by Kitty Pell, board member, giving background and context for the request; Carleen Tucker, spokesperson for the families in the school, eloquently sharing examples of the positive impact the school has had on her son and family and Adrian Anantawan, our Dudamel Conductor, playing a moving rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow on his violin before giving his passionate testimony of the value of music education in people's lives, especially young people's lives. Our speakers were supported by the presence of 15 other parents in the audience.
 All our parents have been outstandingly supportive throughout this whole request period, demonstrating once again the remarkable quality of unity of purpose at our school.
The final decision for our expansion request will be made on Tuesday, February 26th. We are cautiously optimistic about receiving a thumbs up.
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January Assembly
 Last Friday's assembly had the whole school singing, dancing, laughing, and crying with joy. From the dazzling footwork of Ezekiel Freeman-Fanfan to the dramatic performance of the K2 play, "Are You My Instrument?" with guest actor Xavier Smith in the starring role, the morning was filled with surprises and delights. Sergine Muzac and Amaya Rainey-Mendez, violinists from the Bernstein Orchestra, conjured a sweet and honest rendition of French Folk Song, and the Bernstein Winds previewed the St. Anthony Chorale by Joseph Haydn, which will become the first combined repertoire for the Bernstein Symphonic Orchestra this spring.
The assembly concluded with the freedom song, "Carry It On," led by Ms. Levi, in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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Composition Collaboration: Phase II
 Last Friday, five students from the Dudamel Orchestra visited the studio of Michael Gandolfi to continue their work on a composition project which will culminate in a joint performance with the Landmarks Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Gandolfi showed them where and how he works. They marveled at his custom computer, built for composing large scores and were able to each compose (and play back) a measure themselves using special software called Finale.
Mr. Gandolfi will make several more visits to the school to meet with the group and then to present the piece to the orchestra in March so they can begin rehearsals. The LSO chronicles this exciting project on their blog.
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Dudamel Orchestra to Perform with ProArte
Mark Saturday, March 2nd at 6:00p.m. in your calendars! This collaborative concert will take place at All Saints Church, 1773 Beacon Street in Brookline. The concert is a celebration of talented, young musicians. The Dudamel Orchestra has been invited to play before the winners of Pro Arte's Fifth Annual Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition. The competition highlights young instrumentalists under the age of eighteen who are residents of, or are students based in, New England. The concert at All Saints Church will showcase both the finalists of the competition and the members of the Dudamel Orchestra. The concert is free and open to the public.
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Community Concert: Play Ball!
Resident Artist, Chris Schroeder, will be the guest narrator for the NOVA Symphony's performance of Randol Bass' Casey at the Bat, their baseball-themed pops concert. For more information, check out http://symphonynova.org/.
Performances:
Friday, Feb. 8th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Old South Church
645 Boylston St,
Boston, MA 02116
Sunday, Feb. 10th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
King Philip Regional High School
201 Franklin St,
Wrentham, MA 02093
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