School Begins With Smiles

Monday morning finally came!  Uniforms were pressed, hair was brushed and lunches were packed.  Children were ready for school and, due to their dedication and fortitude, teachers were ready for them at both buildings.

Mr. Cruz Torres welcomed 3rd through 7th graders as they stepped off the bus behind 25 Arlington St.  There was a feeling of purpose as every student crossed the threshold.  Almost everyone was a returning student  - even our "new" middle schoolers spent time at the school over the summer - and all were looking forward to beginning this new chapter in their education.

^nd graders as they stepped off the bus (or were brought by their parents) behind 320 Washington St.  The feelings were more mixed at this new building: happy to start school and see old friends for sure but there was also some "first day" jitters.  After all, this school is new to all our students and even the 2nd graders needed to learn where to go.  As soon as students entered the beautifully painted and designed classrooms, however, they felt right at ease.  Their teachers were happy to meet them and had tons of welcoming activities to help them jump right in.  Although there are still some details and logistics to be worked out, everyone is bringing their positive attitude, their intelligence and their sense of humor to the effort.  In every classroom, friendships were made, circles were formed and singing could be heard. 

Everyone in both buildings is making music. Most of our Resident Artists start their day at 320 Washington St leading classes and beginning new orchestras.  Students are quickly learning the Conservatory Lab songbook.  Ask your little one to sing you a song!  Music time is in the afternoon at 25 Arlington St, beginning with pull-outs and private lessons in the early afternoons and Musicianship, Sectionals and Orchestra in the later afternoon.  Everyone is jumping in with two feet and we could not be more proud of the courage and respect we see on display in all our music classrooms.

Many of the classroom teachers have set up a classroom Shutterfly site for sharing news, pictures and reminders with the families of the students in their class.  In addition, we have a school-wide Shutterfly site where we post pictures of school events such as concerts and other trips outside the building.  

Every year during the first week of school, we take a photo of each student at the school and use those photos both as decoration in our hallways and in various spots in the classrooms.  It's a great annual marker of how we begin each school year and, as the children get older, a way to acknowledge how much they have grown.  We will post these portraits in the buildings next week but you can see them now online at our Shutterfly site, www.conservatorylab.shutterfly.com.  The password is music.

If you have already joined Shutterfly through your classroom, you are all set.  If you haven't, you can still view the pictures but you will have to sign up if you would like to order pictures.  The site allows you to order pictures and then pick them up at your local CVS or Walgreens.  They are usually less than $.20 per photo.  

It is a great joy to photograph all of your children and it's also a great way to learn their names.  We will all be ready for a quiz!