Dear Families,

The school was humming along this week with myriad activities that brought into gear many of the components that go into developing scholars, artists and leaders.

Our students, in different grades, following different pursuits, demonstrated curiosity in abundance as they worked as scientists, historians, mathematician, and musicians. Curiosity is a need, a thirst or desire for knowledge. They questioned all they came in contact with and researched to gather the correct facts. It was a delight to see how fourth graders reveled in their understanding of the context of the paintings they saw at the Museum of Fine Arts; how 2nd graders were testing the hypothesis of their observations whilst learning the scientific method; how first graders turned their mathematical understanding of the number 100 into a series of games! Their evident joy in the learning process speaks miles. They loved learning about everything!

This is the core quality we work to develop in our students - the love of learning - which in the end is its own reward and its own source of joy.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Warmly,

Diana Lam

4th Grade Studies History through Art

On their trip to the MFA this past Tuesday, the fourth grade explored the various ways artists portrayed individuals as heroes. Students discovered that many artists portrayed their subjects in positions that resembled comic book heroes, such as with one arm out, one hand in waistcoat, or in the "thinking man." Heroes were either shown doing the thing that made them a hero, such as standing above a battlefield, or shown with the tools of their trade, Paul Revere, for example, was depicted with a silver teapot.

They also got another chance to identify the portraits of heroes and everyday artifacts particular to the Revolutionary time period. Going on a scavenger hunt, students searched for drop leaf tables, portrait of Henry Knox, pewterware, trunks, and other 18th century items.

The students demonstrated each of the five crew qualities Conservatory Lab holds dear, and they should very proud of themselves! Huzzah to you all!

Olivia Cox Wins the 1st Annual Concerto Competition

Congratulations to violinist Olivia Cox, who won the 1st Annual Conservatory Lab String Concerto Competition! The competition was open to all string players in grades 5-8. Each of the auditioning players played two scales and a solo piece. As the winner, Olivia will play as a soloist with five members of the Ives Ensemble and a pianist at this year's Spring Fling! She will also receive an award.

First Grade Learns to Extract DNA

This Thursday, 1st graders were introduced to the scientific method by Mariela Jaskelioff. Mariela is a bio-medical researcher at the Novartis Institute, and is Matias Welch's mom. She showed 1st graders how to extract DNA from a strawberry and a banana using the scientific method. First, she explained what cells and DNA are to the class. Then the class came up with a hypothesis to investigate: if bananas have more cells than strawberries, then do bananas also have more DNA than strawberries?

After going over the rules of lab safety, Mariela showed 1st grade all the tools and steps needed to extract DNA from the fruit. Then she actually did it! Mariela, assisted by Ms. Buckmire, successfully extracted DNA from both the strawberry and the banana. She and the class discovered that there was actually more DNA in the strawberry!

This was a wonderful way for our 1st graders to begin their unit on the 3 Little Pigs. It was important for the students to witness an actual scientist making observations and hypotheses, doing their own testing, and reflecting back on the hypothesis. Those are the same things our 1st graders do as scientists themselves, as they learn about and use all the different building materials in the 3 Little Pigs.

A huge thanks much to Mariela Jaskelioff! It was a terrific day, and the 1st graders were enraptured by the experiment.

Students Celebrate the 100th Day of School

In honor of the 100th day of school at Conservatory Lab this school year, the 1st and 2nd grades held a multidisciplinary celebration this Thursday on the theme of "100."

First, students were treated to 10 different kinds of yummy snacks that they used to practice their mathematical understanding of the number 100.

They organized 10 pieces of each type- totaling 100 pieces.

Following mathematical snack time, the 1st and 2nd graders tested how many of a variety of physical activities they could do in the course of 100 seconds. They jumped on one foot, clapped, and did jumping jacks as fast as they could. Finally, students used their literary chops to explore the question: "What will we be like when we are 100 years old?"

Congratulations once again to all of our students on their 100th day of school!

A Letter from Coach Kay

Hi everyone,

In May, Playworks is hosting an event called Run for Recess. This is the 6th year Playworks will be hosting this event. It consists of a 5k and a 1-Mile Fun Run. I will be sharing more about the event as we get closer, along with the link to register, and hope some of you can make it!

In the mean time, Playworks is beginning our Share the Love of Play campaign. The money myself, along with other Playworks coaches raise, will be matched by a donor at the end of the campaign for schools in Massachusetts. We have many incentives as coaches (one being a director at Playworks taking my spot as coach for the day, which would be hilarious). Also as schools this money goes towards leagues, equipment, junior coaches, and several other fun activities.

If you can help donate so I can win, because I love winning, or help share this with others who may want to take part! I have already shared it with family and friends, along with my old school district.

Here is the link, (2nd-5th your students may have made a debut in the pictures).... https://www.fundraise.com/playworks/kaleigh-jacobson-shares-the-love-of-play-2015

Also, a shout out to Conservatory Lab, thanks for making my blurb so easy to write due to the amazing school community I am able to be apart of everyday!

Play On,

Coach Kay

You're Invited to a Free Concert!

This performance at Hibernian Hall on March 7 will be an excellent event for children and adults alike!

Take Note:

It has been decided that we will have school on March 17, June 17, and tentatively April 3 (depending on availability of transportation) to compensate for some of the days we've missed over the past three weeks due to snow. School will be in session through at least June 26. Depending on weather and make-up days, the last day of school could be as late as Tuesday, June 30.

Our first day of school next year will be August 24th. There will be family orientations beforehand and all families will be informed of those dates.

The admissions lottery will be held on March 11. Over 600 applications for admission were received this year!

Thank you to all who have written letters of support for our building plans in Roxbury. Many more letters are requested, and all letters must be sent by March 6. Please give us your signed letters of support next week, and we'll mail them for you!