The role of Academic Dean in this school has many facets to it, and the key goal is to ensure that every one of our students is being presented with a rigorous, exciting and engaging course of study.

As I approach my work every day I keep in mind the ways in which curriculum design, teaching and testing are aligned to assure student mastery of core subjects. I also want to provide the resources and support our teachers need to enhance the rigor of our curriculum. We are fortunate to have a tutoring program in the school, which is an opportunity to support the students in added measure. 

One of the key areas I oversee is the ANET process which we have found to be a valuable tool for diagnosing areas where students are struggling.  These tests are given four times a year and the data provides us with timely, actionable and student-specific data that will help the students improve.

The teachers and I review the data with intensity and focus to achieve results. I also organize all the state tests given to all students 3rd grade and up, formerly known as the MCAS, now known as the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers). This new test actually assesses deeper knowledge and is 100% aligned to the Common Core standards.  I personally love numbers and it gives me a deep satisfaction to make sense of the test numbers and what they mean, not only for the individual students but for the school as a whole.

In order to prepare students who wish to go to any of the exam schools or Independent schools, I will be looking into and scheduling entrance exams for these as well as collecting the application materials necessary.

My work is multi-faceted, keeps me running at a terrific pace and I love it.

For the past five years, I have loved teaching 1st and 2nd grade at Conservatory Lab.  It is here that I discovered my passion for the Expeditionary Learning model, and producing high quality work with my students. In my classroom, I held my students to very high expectations.  I believe that teaching students how to reflect, persevere, cooperate, and revise are just as important as the academics we teach- and that those skills enhance one another. 

 With our school's expansion, the school thought it was necessary to have a role that would support our new teachers in cultivating the mission and values of Conservatory Lab that I so deeply believe in.  This is how my new role as Master Teacher and Teacher Induction Coach was born. This role started this summer with a month of professional development for teachers, including a week of new teacher induction.  Some of the topics we covered included creating a strong classroom culture where students embody the crew qualities, and developing high quality lesson plans. Throughout the year, I will be working closely with teachers to elevate their instructional practices and ensure that all students receive the type of engaging and rigorous education that I cultivated in my own classroom.

Next week will be our school picture days and we know everyone will want to look their best.  Students will go out to the park and have their individual and class pictures taken in the beautiful natural environment close at hand by Photo Charm, a Boston-based school portrait photography company.  Please make sure your student brings in their order form - Thursday at the Dorchester site and Friday in Brighton.  Pictures can be ordered online after picture day but it will run more smoothly if your student has their form with them.  If you have more than one child at the same site and you want them to have their picture taken together, please email Toni Jackson, tjackson@conservatorylab.org, with that request.

Everyday, we expect our students to wear their school uniforms with pride!  Shirts should be tucked in and everyone should have a fleece as that is the only over-layer that can be worn in the building.  Everyone goes outside for recess so make sure your student is wearing sneakers every day and has a jacket for when the weather gets cooler.  If you are having any difficulty ordering or receiving a uniform delivery, please get in touch with Toni Jackson, 617-254-8904 ext 108.

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Our first two Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meetings of the year were both fun and informative.  PAC co-chairs Myriah Johnson and Jenna Wertheimer gathered families at both locations, on Tuesday in Brighton and on Wednesday in Dorchester, to welcome new families and renew connections with returning families.  At both sessions, information sheets were on display about upcoming school events that require family participation and gave attendees a chance to sign up to volunteer.  For more information on all PAC activities, check out their website at www.conservatorylabparents.com.

There are three upcoming events where we can use family support:

• Picture Day helpers - If you can spend an hour or two at school either in Dorchester on Thursday, September 25th or in Brighton on Friday, September 26th and would like to help walk classes out to the photo shoot, please email Toni Jackson tjackson@conservatorylab.org with your availability.
• Wrapping Paper fundraiser - Brochures are coming home in backpacks. The deadline for orders is 10/14/14 and the sales goal is $5000! Orders arrive at the schools in November.  Families can send a link to order online to their out of town relatives.
• Bookfair - will be in Brighton from October 27th to 31st and in Dorchester from November 3rd to 7th.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Felice Rutstein-Lee, feliceandspence@yahoo.com, with your availability.

The October PAC meetings will be held October 14th in Brighton and October 15th in Dorchester.  Meetings are from 5:30 to 7 PM and pizza and childcare are always available.