Conservatory Lab
Charter School

In This Issue

New Elementary School Staff

New Upper School Staff

New Administrative Staff

Three Upcoming Open Houses

Uniform Fittings

After School Care

2014/2015 School Calendar

Upcoming Events

Dudamel Orchestra performs with Boston Landmarks Orchestra

Wednesday, July 23

7 PM

Hatch Shell

Fitting Days

Tuesday, August 5
7:30 AM - noon
Brighton
Thursday, August 7
7:30 AM - noon
Dorchester

Open Houses

K1, K2, 1st Grade

Tuesday, August 26

Brighton

Grades 2, 3 & 4

Wednesday, August 27

Dorchester

Grades 5 - 8

Thursday, August 28

Dorchester

Middle School Orientation
Tuesday & Wednesday September 2nd and 3rd

First Day of School for All Students

Thursday, September 4th

School Calendar

Conservatory Lab

Grades 2 - 8

2120 Dorchester Avenue

Dorchester, MA 02124

617.254.8904

Grades K1, K2 & 1

320 Washington Street

Brighton, MA 02135
617.208.6200

www.conservatorylab.org

Family Notes

July 21, 2014

Dear Families,

It is with lightness in my heart and excitement in my spirit that I write to give you all an update today.

We have successfully moved the school that was at 25 Arlington St. in Brighton to 2120 Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester. Many thanks to all who helped with this enormous endeavor and special kudos to John Chistolini, Director of Operations and Elise Mostello, Academic Dean, who masterminded the whole move!

As we are getting ready for the incoming 2014-2015 school year, not only do we have a new site, we have a new administrative structure and many new faculty and staff to welcome into our fold.

Our school now has a Brighton location at 320 Washington Street which houses grades K-1, K-2 and 1st grade, with Brad Kershner as Director of Primary Grades. At the 2120 Dorchester Ave. location in Dorchester we are happy to have Shalem Livingston as Director of the Lower School which encompasses the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades. Shalem returns to Conservatory Lab after a hiatus of three years, wherein she taught in New York City. Before that Shalem had taught with us for 6 years. Robyn Pretlow is the Director of the Upper School, also at 2120 Dorchester Ave., which encompasses 5th grade and the Middle School grades of 6th, 7th and 8th.

As we stand ready to welcome 396 students this year (84 more than last) our expanded faculty and staff includes many new members who bring a rich and diverse set of training and experiences which will enhance the educational services we provide to our students. Many have advanced degrees and some also have experience working in Expeditionary Learning, Charter Schools and in the arts.

Join me in welcoming all these new members to our vibrant Conservatory Lab family!

Warmly,

Diana Lam

New Staff and Roles for Grades K1, K2 & 1 - Primary School

Brad Kershner

is excited to join our community as the

Director of the Primary School

. He brings a varied educational and professional background, having worked with students at almost every level from pre-K to graduate school in Chicago, New York, Cleveland, San Francisco, Berkeley and Boston. The bulk of his teaching experience has been in early childhood classrooms, and his time with young learners (and their teachers) has granted him both a depth of knowledge about early learning and a heightened sensitivity to the interdependent factors that impact child development. For the past three years he has been studying curriculum, instruction and leadership as a PhD student at Boston College. In this time he worked with several schools as an educational researcher in conjunction with the Lynch Leadership Academy to learn about leadership and educational change. This past year Brad also served as the Principal Intern at Mission Hill School--a Boston public pilot school in Jamaica Plain. In the fall he will be teaching a graduate course at BC and is looking forward to an exciting year at Conservatory Lab!

Emily Shepard is thrilled to begin her first year as a lead K1 teacher at Conservatory Lab Charter School. Originally from upstate New York, she earned her undergraduate degree in Visual Arts Education from Ithaca College, and went on to teach at an Expeditionary Learning school in Washington, DC. This past Spring, she earned her master's degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she focused on play-based learning in early childhood, and on the role of the arts in education. Outside of the classroom, Emily loves to cook, make art, and play with her adopted greyhound Oscar.

Thayer Lawson (K1 lead teacher) received her undergraduate degree from Wheaton College in Psychology and Education in 2008, and has been teaching in early childhood for five years. She spent her first two years teaching in a charter school in Washington, D.C. and then spent a year teaching English, to pre-k through eighth grade, at an orphanage in Guatemala. Upon returning to the states Thayer has been teaching K1 at a charter school in Lawrence, MA for the past two years. She is very excited to be joining the Conservatory Lab community and is eager to integrate music and rich hands-on experiences that foster students' curiosity and development into the K1 classroom. Outside of the classroom Thayer loves being outside, traveling near and far, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite children's book is Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae.

Jessica Tripp, K1 Teaching Assistant, grew up in Dennis, MA where she developed an affinity for sunshine and saltwater. After earning an English degree from Boston College, she relocated to Arlington, VA and worked as an assistant in a Pre-K classroom. Jessica returned to the area to attend the Harvard Graduate School of Education where she earned an Ed.M in Arts in Education. Jessica loves art museums, and has worked at various museums and arts centers, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She also enjoys reading, cooking, exploring new places, listening to music, and gardening.

Megan Wendling is starting her first year at Conservatory Lab as a lead K2 teacher. She grew up in North Carolina and attended Appalachian State University where she studied child development. She then went on to teach for two years in a state funded pre-kindergarten program for at-risk four and five year olds. Megan moved to the Boston area three years ago and has just finished a masters program at Boston College where she earned a degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an early childhood focus. She enjoys working with young children as they develop a love for learning and discovery. In her free time, Megan loves spending time with her friends and family, traveling, and spoiling her dog and cat.

This will be Amanda Dulberg's second full year at the Conservatory Lab Charter School. She earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Social Studies and her Masters in the Art of Teaching Elementary Education from Simmons College. Amanda did her undergraduate internship in the 1st grade classroom at CLCS in the 2012-2013 school year and spent the 2013-2014 school year doing a year-long practicum student teaching 1st grade. In her free time she enjoys doing yoga and experimenting with new vegetarian recipes. Amanda is thrilled to be teaching 1st grade!

Libby Frances Meehan is very excited to be joining the Conservatory Lab team as a 1st Grade Teaching Assistant. She has a bachelor of arts in theater (with a focus on costume design) and studio art from the University of Vermont. After moving the Boston area, Libby started a small business creating eco-friendly clothing, accessories, and cards which she continues to pursue today. She worked in a few of the Brookline Public Schools and then went on to get her Masters in Education with a focus on creative arts and learning from Lesley University. For the past few years she has been a lead teacher at the Martin Luther King Preschool in Cambridge. She now lives in Watertown with her fiance and her corgi-chihuahua Lucky. In her spare time Libby loves to sew, cook, and run by the Charles River.

New Staff and Roles for Grades 2, 3 & 4 - Elementary School

Shalem Livingston resumes her work with us as Director of the Elementary School, grades 2-4. Previously, she worked here for 6 years teaching kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade before expanding her expertise and experiences at other public and charter schools in New York City and South Shore, Massachusetts.

She has written multi-disciplinary and Expeditionary Learning curriculum for both Conservatory Lab and Community Roots in Brooklyn, NY. Mrs. Livingston has held roles as a Literacy Coach, Mentor, and Lead Teacher at Freetown Elementary School, Harlem Success Academy, and Conservatory Lab Charter School. She was a Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist in 2010. She brings over 10 years of experience in education and holds a Master's in Education from Lesley University, teaching licenses in Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island and an administrative license in Massachusetts.

Shalem's passion for children and education brings her back to her "roots" at Conservatory Lab. She is driven by the belief that academic, social, and artistic education is a freedom. Shalem insists that every child receives equal access to a quality education which is an investment essential for the future of our nation.

Becky McCarthy returns to Conservatory Lab with a new title - Student Support - Elementary Grades. She was born and raised in Boston where she attended Boston Latin School. She proceeded to attend university at Bucknell as Posse Scholar graduating with a degree in psychology and sociology with a concentration in human services. Through her college years Becky invested her time working for Citizen Schools, the Posse Foundation, and Rosie's Place and most recently, Becky worked at the English Language Center as an administrative assistant. Thanks to this job and the phenomenal international students she worked with, Becky can find free accommodations in almost every country in Europe!

Samantha Glasberg is teaching 2nd grade this year. She attended Simmons College for both her undergraduate and graduate work, earning a BA in Political Science and History and a Masters of Art in teaching elementary and special education. After learning as a student teacher in 2nd grade, Samantha is excited to begin as a 2nd grade lead. Outside of school, Samantha enjoys traveling, practicing Taekwon-Do, baking, and spending time with family and friends!

Alexa Teevens will be teaching 2nd grade.

Jacqueline Bovery is thrilled to be joining Conservatory Lab as a 3rd grade teacher next year. Jacqueline is a recent graduate of Boston College and received a BA in elementary education and applied psychology. She discovered her passion for teaching years ago while serving as an assistant dance instructor at her childhood dance studio. Outside of school, she loves to dance, swim, bake, and read at the beach!

Christina Tyndall is thrilled to join Conservatory Lab Charter School this year and will be teaching

3rd grade! Christina is originally from Cape Cod, MA and received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with ESOL Endorsement from the University of Tampa. From there, she taught at two renaissance title one schools, teaching grades K-4. She recently relocated back to New England and currently lives in Boston. In the classroom, Christina uses her positive energy to build an accepting environment where students feel confident about learning from mistakes and working hard to attain both educational and personal goals. Christina strongly supports implementing life-skills in the classroom, as they are significant skills for individual growth. Some of Christina's interests outside of the classroom are going for a run in the warm weather, listening to country music, relaxing on the beach, taking her dog to the dog park, going to a Bruins game, and having a BBQ with close friends and family!

Ivy Wagner, 4th grade, returns to Conservatory Lab after almost a decade spent caring for her family. A Dorchester resident, Ms. Wagner enjoys introducing others to the beauty that is this south-eastern corner of Boston, from the Neponset River for bird-watching to a pretty decent place to get a slice of pizza. Passionate about gardening, model building, and BBC television, she spends her "free time" exploring ways to make the physical world match her dreams.

Nicole Mulvihill, 4th grade, graduated with a B.A. In Media Studies from City University of New York, Hunter College and a M.Ed. in Instructional Practice from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. She has enjoyed working with students from 1st grade to high school in using the arts and hands on projects to connect educational experiences to the world in which we live. Entering her third year of teaching, she is very excited to begin teaching and learning with this year's 4th graders!

New Staff and Roles for Grades 5 - 8 Upper School

Robyn Pretlow, Director of the Upper School, is an experienced and enthusiastic educational leader who is currently an Adjunct Professor at Hunter College teaching Adolescent Development and Educational Psychology. Prior to moving to Boston, Robyn was Director of Academic Programs for New Heights, an educational non-profit in New York. Robyn was a co-founder and school administrator of Capital City PCS Upper School in Washington, D.C. an Expeditionary Learning school and member of the Coalition for Essential Schools Small Schools Project. Robyn began her career in education through the New Teacher Project as a DC Teaching Fellow. She has received a Masters Degree in Education from George Washington University, a Law Degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a degree in Comparative Area Studies from Duke University.

Ashley Jaundoo, Dean of Students, is an active member of the Educational Fraternity, Delta Kappa Epsilon; Ashley has dedicated her life's work to educating and molding the minds of young people. After receiving her B.A in Early Childhood Education from Spelman College in 2010, Ashley worked with several Atlanta Public School teachers on curriculum development and dissemination. In 2010, Ashley moved back to Boston, MA, where she became the Lower School Special Projects Coordinator, as well as a 5th and 6th grade teacher at Boston Collegiate Charter School in Dorchester, MA. She received her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Boston College Lynch School of Education, as a Donovan Urban Teaching Scholar. While pursuing her master's degree, she simultaneously co-taught a 1st grade class at the Dennis C. Haley Pilot School in Roslindale, MA. Ashley started at Conservatory Lab in November of 2014, teaching 4th grade. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, cooking enjoyable meals, and watching action movies.

Melanie Corning is teaching 5th grade this year.

Chris Nieminski is excited to join the staff as the

6th Grade Science Teacher. Chris has taught in both independent and public schools in Massachusetts and, most recently, spent the last year teaching English to kids in a small pueblo in Argentina. Chris has a Master's Degree in Middle School Education from Lesley University and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Vassar College where he was a two-sport athlete as a member of both the soccer team and as a walk-on college basketball player. While not in school, Chris enjoys reading, the outdoors, and hopefully finishing (and selling) his first screenplay.

Annabel Moorman, Middle School Math,

is excited to join the Conservatory Lab team! Annabel earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology at Oberlin College. She recently completed the Associate Teacher program at Brooke Charter Schools in Boston, where she taught fifth, sixth, and seventh grades. While her own educational background is in the sciences, Annabel has a passion for teaching math. Annabel enjoys traveling all over the world, but she also loves visiting her hometown of Lexington, Kentucky whenever possible. Outside of school, she enjoys painting, visiting museums, exploring new parts of the city, and horseback riding.

Valencia Patilla, Middle School ELA, is thrilled to join the Conservatory Lab Charter School. This will be her 4th year teaching ELA/ Reading in both elementary and middle school. She has had the opportunity to work in a diverse array of school systems ranging from charter, independent, and public schools. She has worked in both the traditional classroom setting as well as special education, thus helping her better understand the needs of the different students in her classroom. These experiences have made the scaffolding of material for all students a staple in her everyday routine. She has a passion for literacy and making reading and writing attainable for all students in a creative, lively, and relevant manner. Valencia enjoys working with middle school students and all of the spunk and quirkiness that they have to offer. In fact, they keep her current and trendy. Valencia received her BA from Emmanuel College in English, and is putting the final touches on her M.Ed from Lesley University in Middle School English and Reading Specialist. When finished grading and planning lessons, Valencia enjoys traveling, junk food, and listening to a good book on Audible.

New Special Education and Other Office Staff

As Director of Special Programs, Day Farenga's focus is to organize the services for students with special needs and to give them access to the curriculum while keeping expectations high. She has a Masters from Lesley University in Moderate Special Needs K-8, and has worked in this field for over 12 years. She was General Manager for music and alternative education companies and has 15 years in homeschooling, using alternative methods to teach every subject to her daughters and others. She lives in Medford with her husband and two daughters while a third is currently in Texas. She enjoys sailing, puzzles of all sorts, and traveling; especially after living in Germany for her teen years.

Roxanne Griffith, Interventionist, earned her BA in Education from Lesley University, and is looking to pursue a MEd at UMass Boston starting in the spring. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and being outdoors, and is a huge Boston sports fan! She was the President of her a cappella group in college, and values the incredible power and versatility of music in education. She is passionate about working with students of all abilities to help them recognize their full potential, and is very excited to be joining the Conservatory Lab community this fall!

Keuna Cho, Research & Evaluation Manager, is an arts education researcher, violinist, and music educator. She holds an Ed.M. in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a M.M. in violin performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Previously, Keuna studied Biology at Harvard University and worked as a researcher in a biology lab at Harvard Medical School. Deeply interested in understanding the many benefits of learning through the arts, she now devotes herself to measuring the impact of Sistema-inspired music education programs. During her time at HGSE, she has focused on formative and summative program evaluation, and has served as the evaluation consultant for the Community Connections program of the American Repertory Theater, as well as evaluator and project manager for the classical music education program Project STEP.

Wellete Ramsey, Operations, is so excited to be here at the Conservatory Lab Charter School. Her passion for music stems from her mom's musical past. She is a singer and studied music. She inspired her family's love for music through a variety of genres. Willete previously worked as an Early Childhood Educator and learned so much about children, students and teaching. Her passion is for teaching and for caring for children. She is happy to contribute to all of the great things happening at the Conservatory Lab, to be a part of our team. Her greatest dream is to write. She wants to write anything and everything, and to inspire children to explore their creativity through writing.

Martin Sarango, Operations, has recently joined the staff at Conservatory Lab. Born in California and raised in South Florida, Martin received his Bachelors degree from Berklee college of music in 2010. An active musician, Martin is currently member of one of Boston's premier production teams and as a guitarist performs regularly with local artists. Growing up, his music obsessed family inspired what would later become a career and passion. Outside of work Martin enjoys spending time with friends, strumming his acoustic guitar and cooking. Martin is excited to join the Conservatory Lab team and looks forward to contributing his unique blend of talents and skills.

Three Open Houses

There will be three Open Houses this summer. Invitations to your specific Open House(s) will be sent at the beginning of August but please read below and save the appropriate date(s).

For K-1, K-2 and 1st grades at 320 Washington Street on Tuesday, August 26th. There will two group meetings, one at 5:30 PM for all K-I parents and students and one at 6:45 P Mfor all K-2 and 1st grade parents and students. There will be special activities set up in two separate rooms for the students while the parents are in the information sessions.
For 2nd thru 4th grades at 2120 Dorchester Ave. on Wednesday, August 27th. There will be two group meetings, one at 5:30 PM for all 2nd grade parents and students and one at 6:45 PM for 3rd and 4th grade parents and students.
For 5th thru 8th grades at 2120 Dorchester Avenue on Thursday, August 28th. There will be two group meetings, one at 5:30 PM for 5th and 6th grade parents and students and one at 6:45 PM for 7th and 8th grade parents and students. At these meetings there will be paper and pencil assessments given to each group.

Uniform Fittings

Tucker Allen and his team from Allen's Uniforms will have "fitting days" at each location. You do not need to have your child fitted before ordering but many families have found it useful. Please note that these dates and times have changed.

Fittings at 320 Washington St, Brighton - Tuesday, August 5th from 7:30 AM to noon

Fittings at 2120 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester - Thursday, August 7th from 7:30 AM to noon

Uniforms can be ordered online here.

After School Care

As our hours have changed, some families have enquired about the possibility of after school care from 4 to 6 PM. For students at the Brighton location, there are a small number of openings in the after school program at the upstairs preschool, Our Future Learning Center. The cost is $15 a day and requires an application. For more information, call them directly at (617) 787-1475.

For students at the Dorchester location, 2nd through 8th grades, we are looking into a variety options. If you think you will require being able to regularly pick up your student(s) at a later time than 4 PM, please send an email to Toni Jackson, tjackson@conservatorylab.org. We will send out more information once we have it.

2014/2015 School Calendar

For a closer look, check out the updated calendar on our website.