Inspiring Leader Award for Ms. Lam

 

 

In her remarks Ms. Lam made correlations between Conservatory Lab And Hyde Square Task Force:  "We have a similar mission:  we are both committed to raising community expectations so that our youth can succeed in life.  Both of us are involved in bridging the wide chasms between current reality and the dream. Neither of us will tolerate the high degree of failure among our youth."

 

"We must hold fast to our mission and the dreams of youth.  We must strive to a higher level of commitment, a deeper sense of caring, and a broader range of service to ensure that they have both the opportunity and the inspiration to do their very best."  

 

 Bravo! Ms. Lam you continue to make us proud.

A Song Back in Time 

 

The 4th grade classroom zoomed back in time to Colonial America on Wednesday when Diane Taraz, director of the Lexington Historical Society Colonial Singers, paid them a call.  She came in period dress and played a lap dulcimer, an instrument that was common in 1776 America.  She asked the class to try to imagine what it was like in America just before the Revolution by listening to her songs and using the lyrics as sensory clues.  What did it look like?  What did it sound like?  Smell like? Taste like? Feel like?  With each song, the students gathered evidence and could describe the world more fully: children as pushcart sellers and apprentices, and outhouses and chamber pots instead of bathrooms.  Many of the songs had a chorus where the kids could join in.

Diane's visit is part of the beginning of the first 4th grade Expedition,  Stand Up! Speak Out!: The Founding of a Nation. Fourth graders will look at history through diverse perspectives as they investigate the pivotal events that led up to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, key battles of the War, and the process of writing the Constitution.  In two weeks they will follow the Freedom trail and learn more about the era from a local historian.  Revolutionary War music, with a focus on fife and drums, provides the soundtrack for the expedition. Students will perform on these instruments and discover the role music played during this defining moment in our nation's history.

The Abbado Winds, led by Resident Artist Chris Schroeder is a 19-piece wind ensemble comprised of first and second-year wind students at Conservatory Lab.  In the first months of school, their focus has been to build a strong ensemble culture outlined in our "Wind Ensemble Agreement."

 

We will have a fun and rewarding musical experience if we:

• Prepare ourselves, our music and instrument before the downbeat (beginning of rehearsal)
• Focus our energy on the task at hand
• Respect our fellow musicians
• Take Pride in the work we do together 

As the students have demonstrated tremendous success with this, we have been able to focus on musical aspects of rehearsing including producing full, confident tones on the instruments, listening and playing in tune with fellow musicians and performing Ode to Joy in two parts, Frère Jacques in a 3-part round and the Winds Chorale in 5-part harmony.  This semester's focused and prideful work will not only prepare us for our debut performance in December but will also ready ourselves for the Winter when we join forces with the Abbado Strings, creating the new Abbado Orchestra, debuting in 2014 Spring. Stay tuned to learn more about their work in a later Family Notes! 

 

The Lower School has welcomed three full time school support staff members, Gemma Falivene, Becky McCarthy, and Ami Landay.  They will support recess, classrooms and the day to day operations of the school. 

 

We are also happy to welcome a new K1 Teacher Assistant, Victoria Hunsucker. They have already proven themselves invaluable.  Please introduce yourself when you see them.

Plans are about to get underway for Conservatory Lab Charter School's most successful annual event. 

 

What:   The school's biggest concert and showcase of the year

Where:   Likely The Strand Theater in Dorchester but perhaps another??

When:   April or May date TBD

Why:     To showcase our students and their music and  raise money and awareness for the school.

 

Please join us in launching new committees. We need your help!

·        Steering Committee

·        Silent Auction Committee

·        Solicitations Committee

·        Event Production Committee

·        Day-of-Event Volunteers Committee

 

The first planning meeting will take place at the KROC Center, 650 Dudley St. Boston, MA 02125 on Saturday, November 9th at  2 PM.

 

Please let us know if you can attend.

 

Enthusiastically yours,

 

Beth Greene beth.greene@comcast.net and Casimir Deronette cderonette@gmail.com