| Upcoming Events
Friday, September 27th
All School Assembly at 9 AM
Sunday, September 29th
Circle the City on Blue Hill Ave
From 1PM to 5PM
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| Conservatory Lab
Grades 3 - 7
25 Arlington Street
Brighton, MA 02315
617.254.8904 Grades K1 - 2 320 Washington Street Brighton, MA 02315
617.208.6200
www.conservatorylab.org |
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| Family Notes
September 20, 2013
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Dear Families,
The beginning of the year is a time for creating a sense of community. Each new group of students and their families brings with them divergent interests, abilities, languages and cultures. At Conservatory Lab, our goal in every instance is to celebrate individuals while creating a sense of a whole.
We are committed to building a community that is a fertile ground for supporting the academic and musical aspirations of each student! That is why we place such high priority in coming together this first month of school - creating an emotionally secure "home base" in which children can learn and families can find their niche. This is an especially important priority for us this year since we now have two sites. We are constantly taking photos of our children at work in all their various activities so we can share them with the entire school community to build identity and familiarity. We feel that our children are so beautiful and remarkable that just seeing their faces and smiles creates a sense of warmth and belonging for us all. They are all our children.
In every school, the family is a key ingredient. Sometimes, you may only meet the families at special meetings or occasions. In others, you will have the pleasure of seeing them every day when they drop off and pick up their children. We want to make a point of connecting in a variety of ways, from e-mails, to letters or notes sent home. Emails are a really important form of communication for us, it is so fast and immediate!
We place great value in expanding our school community to include the greater community in Brighton and the greater Boston Area. This week I had a most pleasant surprise as I received a call from WBUR-Radio's Emmy-winning reporter, Delores Handy-Brown who wanted to come and record the sounds and sights of our students at work. She came because, in doing research for her show, she had consistently heard that Conservatory Lab Charter School was something of which Brighton residents were proud. For our school community we are the center not only for an academic life but also for a social and artistic one. A significant part of what we wish to instill in our students and their families is how to build and be part of a strong and compassionate civic society.
Warmly,
Diana Lam
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Parent Advisory Council Info Fair Welcomes All Families
Wednesday evening the gym was filled with the sounds of old friends being greeted and new friends being made. All parents were welcomed by Head of School Diana Lam and then had an opportunity to check out all the information tables about ways families can get involved in the school. Parents were encouraged to visit every table by the lure of raffle tickets that were then used to give away student books and school bags and water bottles. 
Parent volunteers staffed every table, helping families sign up for the bus notification system and swap gently used school uniforms. They also explained school fundraisers and were selling water bottles and canvas bags which are part of the fundraising effort. Other parent volunteers collected contact information of parents willing to help out at future events and explained the working of the Parent Advisory Council to new families. As always, snacks were provided and children were watched over in classrooms downstairs.
It is a goal of the PAC to make it as easy as possible for families to learn more about the school and help out in whatever ways they can. Some parents love to chaperone field work, some make a monthly commitment to help out with cooking projects and others like to staff the book fair twice a year. Some parents prefer to help out by making phone calls from home or chaperoning weekend events. We encourage all families to attend the monthly meetings as a way to meet others and stay connected to the life of our school.
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New Year, New Ensembles
As the second week of school comes to a close, Conservatory Lab students have started to settle into their new positions in their respective orchestras-- familiarizing themselves with new repertoire, and for some, new instruments. Here is a look at this year's El Sistema Instrumental Ensembles:
The Suzuki students, who were assigned instruments after trying them out last week, includes 1st and 2nd grade students who are new to our school this year. Many of these students never held an instrument until they came to Conservatory Lab. Their learning focus is on general music and instrumental skills as well as the basics of proper instrument handling and care-taking.
 The Abreu Orchestra, which consists of veteran 1st graders (last year's K2 rockstars), is the first instrumental ensemble in which Conservatory Lab students take part. This group works on beginner instrumental training and focuses on the fundamentals of what it means to play together as an orchestra-- collaborative action, intense focus, discipline, healthy and strong body posture, and listening to others.
The Bernstein Orchestra, Conservatory Lab's 2nd grade orchestra, expands on the work done in the Abreu Orchestra and introduces the students to a variety of orchestral repertoire. This semester, they will learn two traditional folk songs: Simple Gifts and Dona Nobis Pacem.
The brand new Abbado Orchestra is in its premier season at our school. Comprised mostly of 3rd and 4th graders, this orchestra ventures into the world of more advanced repertoire. Having established the fundamentals of orchestral playing and culture, this group begins to work more intensively on the musicality of orchestral performance-- working on collective sound, phrasing, and advanced dynamics.
Last but certainly not least, Conservatory Lab's Dudamel Orchestra is the school's most advanced orchestra. This group of students from grades 3-7 work on very complex repertoire, including arrangements of works by composers such as Brahms, Ravel, and John Williams. As the most experienced orchestra at Conservatory Lab, Dudamel students are held to a very high standard of technical and musical proficiency. This semester they have begun work on the theme from Indiana Jones.
We look forward to showcasing the hard work of all our students at the Winter Concerts in December.
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Joining the Citywide Music Community
On Sunday, September 29th from 1pm to 5pm, our students and staff will take part in Boston's Circle The City on Blue Hill Ave, between Dudley Street. and Warren Street. The entire stretch of road will be closed off for the event to create a festival-like atmosphere featuring safe, car-free public space to walk, bike, roll and dance. Activities will include live performances, outdoor fitness, dance and yoga classes, healthy food, bike clinics, children's activities, roller skating, hula hooping, and countless other opportunities to have fun on the streets and in the parks.
Conservatory Lab will be tabling at this event from 1pm - 5pm, offering an instrument petting zoo and information about our school. At 2:30, our Dudamel Brass will take the stage and perform - you don't want to miss it!
If you would like to volunteer at the Conservatory Lab table, please contact Chris Schroeder at cschroeder@conservatorylab.org and here you can find a more detailed map.
 On October 5th, the Dudamel Brass will again take to the streets as part of the art exhibition, Play Me, I'm Yours, hosted by The Celebrity Series of Boston. This public art event places 75 pianos, donated by residents and decorated by local artists, throughout a city. Boston is participating from September 27th to Oct 14th. Our school will "host" the piano placed in Brighton Common behind the Senior Center on Chestnut Hill Ave.
On October 5th, the Dudamel Brass will perform at a number of these pianos. Below is the tentative schedule of where and when you could catch a glimpse of the group.
1:10 - Government Center
1:40 - Across from the State House
2:00 - Boylston T Station
2:40 - Copley Square
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Please Note:
 Each building has it's own phone number. If you are trying to contact anyone at 320 Washington St, the phone number is (617) 208-6200 and Mr. Rodriguez will be happy to help. If you are trying to reach anyone at 25 Arlington St, the phone number is (617) 254-8904. |
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Wrapping Paper Fundraiser
 Our fall fundraiser with Innisbrook is now under way. The company sells gift wrapping supplies, gifts and chocolates. 50% of every sale will go back to our school!!! Our goal is to raise $4,000 for the school. To place your order online 1.Go to www.innisbrook.com 2.Select "Enter Catalog Orders from your Worksheet" and enter our school number (116992), continue to EZ and enter your child's name. 3.Enter the catalog codes for the items you want. 4.Print the voucher and return voucher with your payment to the school (make checks payable to Conservatory Lab Charter School). NOTE: Out-of-town families and friends can also participate online. You can send them emails through the Innisbrook website. They pay with credit card and the products will be shipped directly to them.
If you don't have access to the internet and/or a printer, you may also return the completed order form (work sheet) and payment to the school and I will enter the order for you. The voucher (or worksheet) together with your payment must be returned to the school no later than Thursday, October 10th.
If you have any questions, please contact Sabine Voigt: 617-953-1652 or sabine_voigt@hotmail.com Thanks for supporting our school!!!
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