This year has been one of growing and striving for our entire school. Both at the lower school and at the upper school enormous strides have been made and great distances covered, some not as swiftly as desired and some taxed our patience. However, seeds were planted along the way that will bring fruition later in the year and whose blossoming will bring joy to all of us.

Like a poem and like spring, this growth comes in its own sweet time. Those around are waiting and watching to see it break through, to hear its voice and to nod their affirmation.

Have a delightful weekend.

Warmly,

Ms. Lam

Diana Lam

Information Session for Newly Admitted Families

Two weeks ago we held our admission lottery and over 75 families learned that they will be able to join our school community in the fall. LastThursday, we welcomed newly accepted families to an information session introducing them to our beloved school. Families were divided into two rooms, one for entering K1 and 2nd grade families and the other for new 4th grade and middle school families.

After welcomes by Head of School Diana Lam and Principal Annie Sevelius, both groups heard teacher presentations about Expeditionary Learning and Resident Artist presentations about El Sistema and music education. Both classrooms were singing by the end of the evening! These families were eager to learn about the educational opportunity that their child will have next year and it was a pleasure to meet and answer the questions of all our new families!

Pigs With A Problem

Grade 1 launched their engineering expedition, Building with the Three Little Pigs, with visit from the three little pigs! The pigs presented a problem to our 1st grade scientists: they are getting ready to move so they can attend OU (Oink University) and want to build a new house. The problem is, they can't decide what material to build with. The first and second little pigs still have their hearts set on building with straw and wood. They want to know if there is a way to build with these materials to make a stronger house. The third little pig is convinced that brick is best, but she is open to new ideas. First graders immediately set to work to figure out how to help the three little pigs make their decision.

On Thursday, they went on a neighborhood walk to investigate the materials that homes in Brighton are made of. Later, they will use the engineering design process to discover how they can build with materials to make them stronger.

Spring Fling! Updates

Don't forget to buy your tickets! Also, word on the street has it that there will be some great items in the raffle baskets including some very fancy Red Sox tickets. Make sure you bring $5 (or more) to buy raffle tickets.

We are getting ready to put on a great show!

From The Top Explains Contrapunctus

From the Top has collaborated with Conservatory Lab for the past two years as a chamber music medium; through its outreach program, high school students with a very high technical level coach Dudamel-aged students in chamber repertoire, guiding them through the experience of playing in a small ensemble without a conductor. While the performance of the music is valuable, the process of working in a small group, between students who are not very far apart in age, is the best outcome. Talented high school musicians learn what it takes to communicate as teachers and friends with younger students; Conservatory Lab musicians become highly engaged and motivated by the attention paid their work from a person they look up to. The total experience has given us a group of students who are aching to learn more and participate at a higher level in chamber music with their friends.

Last week, 4th graders Gabriel Joachin (clarinet), Tess Lepeska-True (cello), and Angelo Beauvais (cello) were joined by their 6th grade orchestra mates Mira Mehta (violin), Nora Feeney (cello) and Antwanai Miller (viola) to work with the From the Top Arts Leaders to prepare J.S. Bach's

The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080 Contrapunctus 1. Their performance at the end of the week showed how much they learned - to watch each other and listen carefully for cues and tempo. Contrapunctus is "melodic material that is added above or below an existing melody" and Bach wrote several for this particular Fugue. Our musicians played the first, or simplest. The Arts Leaders, Lilia Chang (violin), Nicholas Gallitano (viola), Calvin Kim (clarinet), Leland Ko (cello) and Ju Hyun Lee (cello) explained the technique and then performed the most complex, Contrapunctus 9 for the audience of friends, family and the entire Dudamel Orchestra. What a powerful example of the heights of music study and performance!

Reading Buddies

Just as high school musicians can be powerful role models for our younger musicians, our 5th grade readers and writers are inspirational for our emerging K2 students. Several weeks ago, Ms. Biro's K2 class wrote letters to Ms. Cates' 5th grade class asking if they would come and be "reading buddies". Ms. Cates' students responded with letters of their own and on Thursday made their second trip over to the Lower School to work with their new friends.

The 5th graders were greeted by kindergarteners eager to share their writing and receive feedback. Jonel described his meeting with Arlenois, "sharing my writing with my 5th grade reading buddy filled my heart with happiness!"

The 5th graders were equally ecstatic. "It was awesome! Giovanni was nice and friendly and always listened to what I had to say," said Junior.

The afternoon visit ended with the older students teaching the younger ones their favorite classroom crew game, The Warm Wind Blows, which requires good listening skills and gave the whole group another chance to have fun together. Many friendships are blossoming!

Playworks 5K Run

The Playworks 5K Run For Recess is Saturday, May 3rd (rain or shine), at Franklin Park Playstead Field. There is a 1 Mile Fun Run before the 5K at 10:00 am and the 5K starts at 10:30. It is a $25 registration fee and all proceeds go towards Playworks programs. Cash and checks are accepted. Checks can be made out to Conservatory Lab Charter School; all money raised by CLCS goes directly to the cost of having Playworks return next year!!

Any student who is unable to fundraise the $25 registration fee is still able to participate in the event.

Symphony Nova

Symphony Nova presents an evening of storytelling featuring Martinu's

La Revue de Cuisine Suite, Daugherty's Dead Elvis, and Stravinsky's L'histoire du Soldat. Our own Chris Schroeder brings the Soldier's tale to life as the Narrator, Solider, Devil and an array of entertaining characters. Perfect for all ages!

Two free tickets available for each family. Please contact Chris Schroeder directly at cschroeder@conservatorylab.org by end of day, Tuesday, March 18.

Free Concert at Hibernian Hall

The Boston City-Wide String Orchestra (including Ben and Oliver Lee) is performing in two songs with the band in this concert. This is a great program for children and adults who want to hear some fun music.

Come!! Enjoy!!