We strive to include all students in the classroom, however sometimes situations present themselves that homeschooling is needed.  Over the past month, my class has had the unique opportunity to use technology to keep in touch with a classmate while he is being home schooled for medical reasons. As a teacher, this is not the first time I have needed to provide curriculum and oversight to a student at home, however this is the first time that I have been able to do it while still teaching in my classroom. 

Christos is currently at home recovering from an illness.  He is being home schooled for two hours a day.  Each morning, Mrs Santoro-Trainor starts her school day with Christos.   She she gets him settled in on the couch and waits for the class to place a call via Skype. Christos uses an iPad while the class projects his video on the whiteboard.  On each end, the students have been excited to greet one another, and once greetings are complete we start classroom instruction. Christos participates with the help of his classmates, instructing them to answer questions on the whiteboard throughout Morning Meeting.  One of his favorite activities is when we complete attendance and he gets to answer "Mrs. T is at Christos' home!" 

As the morning progresses, we sometimes switch between using Skype and Splashtop Streamer.  Splashtop Streamer allows Christos to interact with the activities on the classroom computer, by way of the iPad.  While his classmates participate in activities outside of the classroom, Christos still has access to all the software on the computer, through Splashtop Streamer.  It allows him to remotely access and control the programs while at home.  He is able to complete reading, math and science activities with Mrs. T. 

The best part of this has been the way the students can keep in touch and connected while Christos is out of school.  It has benefited both Christos and his classmates, who are eager to interact with him and tell everyone they see that they saw Christos.   It has motivated them to work harder as they want to be called up to answer questions in order to get their turn in front of the camera.  This process has been very rewarding for all involved, and I am confident this will help with Christos' eventual return and transition back to the classroom.  

Spring bowling is up and running.  Tuesday bowling has 30 students signed up, while the Thursday group has 12.  Some new students have joined in on the fun of bowling, and are having a great time making new friends.

LABBB's Wednesday Recreation at Lexington High School has 35 students signed up between Fashion Time, Arts, Waling and Outdoor Games.

LABBB Recreation Department has some new activities starting later in the Spring, when we hopefully have no more snow on the ground. The biking club has come back after being in hibernation for a few years, and we hope to attract some avid bicyclists. The golf club is brand new, and Mr. Marc Bluestein (Chenery Middle School) is very excited to help other's learn a sport that he loves.  He is eager to start teaching.

LABBB Recreation has paired up with the Lexington Recreation Department doing an open gym at Estabrook School. The group has about 10 students that having been going on Saturday mornings to do some stretching, running, ball skills, volleyball and other games, with music in the background.

LABBB has also paired up with the Cotting School in Lexington for a Challenger Little League.  LABBB will have 15 students on a team that will play games on Saturday mornings at Cotting.  This is a new and exciting event.  The basketball games vs Cotting went so well, we decided to join them again in the spring for baseball. 

Mr. CJ McAluduff will be coaching for the LABBB team.