Yesterday I made my way up to The Bronx to watch our gators run in the second Cross Country (XC) meet of the season at Van Cortlandt Park. This is the first year Lab School XC - it exciting to see how well our team is doing. The 1.2 mile was the perfect challenge for our young runners. A lap around the bandstand area and then path continued back deep into the woods. As a spectator I was not able to see what our runners faced but I was told harrowing stories of the mud and multiple hills. This race was much harder than our first and is great practice for the 5K in December. It was great to see so many families there to cheer on our Labbies.
Van Cortlandt Park (and a portion of the course that our students ran) is one of the most famous XC courses in the country. Each year there is a HS meet that involves students from across the country. It is also rated one of the most challenging XC courses. Kids (and adults) have been running races there since the early 1900's. We were in good company yesterday.
This week is a busy week for a school. It is Open School Week, Parent-Teacher Conferences and MS Tour Season. I have already gotten to see some of you and I look forward to seeing many more in the coming days.
This morning I was able to sneak into a few classrooms. 803 was having a "Big Chair Debate" in Humanities class with Ms. Woodburry. The students were debating the best way to be an activist (through literature, newspaper, rallies, revolution). The debate was a wonderful example of a student centered (and directed) lesson. The debate became very fiery and passionate - showing me that they have thought a lot about these topics.
703 is working on the Ivy lab with Ms. Cortes in Science. The students are given two ivy leaves to grow and monitor over the course of several weeks. One of the leaves is placed in a cup of water and the other is subjected to another variable of the small group's choosing. These variables ranged from soda to honey. Every few days the students make scientific observations on their Ivy leaves - measuring its length, mass and visual appearance. I love this lab because it challenges students to apply multiple steps of the scientific process in authentic ways. It also expects a high level of skill and diligence in data collection. It is great to see students take such pride in their work.
Our next Parent Book Club meeting is Monday, November 23rd at 5:30 pm. We will be discussing the first three parts of Last Child in the Woods. It was great to see so many of you at the first meeting (and hopefully even more will join for our second). The group had a thoughtful conversation about their own childhood experiences in nature. We also discussed how nature connects to other aspects of healthy living. To end today's blog I am going to give each of you a a little homework (from the last book group). Take 5-10 min to reflect and write about your first childhood experiences in nature (consider how these experiences have shaped you). Share your reflections with your children.
Warmly,
Meg
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Second Quarter
Congratulations everyone - we have made it to second quarter. It is hard to believe how quickly this is year going. Parent/Teacher conferences are coming up next Monday and Tuesday ( a memo was backpacked home and info is posted on the school's website). Report cards will also be distributed next Monday, November 16th. Please call Marilyn Coston at 212-691-6119 ext 1091 if you have any questions.
This past weekend reminded me of why I love New York so much. On Sunday I headed for a run in Central Park. It was the perfect day - warmish, clear, the leaves hundreds of colors and people everywhere. Kids active and playing outside. More than anything I was struck by how easy it is to discover nature and participate in physical activity within our own city (when we choose to do so). The run reminded me of the topics discussed in our first book selection for our parent book group.
Our first book, Last Child in the Woods explores what parents can do to help children experience nature. I hope that many of you are able to come to our first book club meeting. There is no need to read the book in advance of the first meeting (again, this is meant to be low-stress and commitment :) I have included two articles to start our conversation.
I hope that others will be able to see the connection between health, farming, nature and nutrition. I think that a lot of great things will come out of our first book discussion and I am looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday, November 12th at 5:30. We will be meeting in the library (on the 2nd floor).
Soccer and Flag Football seasons are winding down. Last Thursday I was lucky enough to watch both teams play on their fields along the East River. I am so proud of what our student athletes have accomplished this season - I am impressed by their character, sportsmanship and dedication. Athletics has brought out the best in our young Labbies. The playoff season for Flag Football starts today - Go Gators!
As one season comes to an end another begins. Basketball tryouts are starting for both girls and boys. Cross Country - Lab Runs Far also has two more meets this season (one this Sunday).
The great Egg Drop contest is starting to take shape with the Science Olympiad team. Ms. Gatti's room was a blur of laughter, play, foam and cardboard on Friday afternoon. Students were divided into teams - each designing their own special "egg protection" capsule. The goal of course is to protect the egg when dropped from very high. The contraptions were incredibly creative - perhaps the funniest was the chicken w/ feathers and all (a play on what is found inside). There was some debate about how well chickens could actually fly.
This is the first year that Lab has done the program. Ms. Gatti has done a wonderful job recruiting kids to join the team It was wonderful to see so many moms there helping out as well. If you are interested in volunteering please let Ms. Gatti know.
Much more to report but need to sign-off for now...
Warmly,
Meg
This past weekend reminded me of why I love New York so much. On Sunday I headed for a run in Central Park. It was the perfect day - warmish, clear, the leaves hundreds of colors and people everywhere. Kids active and playing outside. More than anything I was struck by how easy it is to discover nature and participate in physical activity within our own city (when we choose to do so). The run reminded me of the topics discussed in our first book selection for our parent book group.
Our first book, Last Child in the Woods explores what parents can do to help children experience nature. I hope that many of you are able to come to our first book club meeting. There is no need to read the book in advance of the first meeting (again, this is meant to be low-stress and commitment :) I have included two articles to start our conversation.
The first is an article Nicholas Kristof who writes directly about experiences in nature and Louv's book http://bit.ly/natureDeficit
The second article is about the role of experience in improving students' schema (specifically experience on a farm). A Moo-Moo Here, and Better Test Scores Later
I hope that others will be able to see the connection between health, farming, nature and nutrition. I think that a lot of great things will come out of our first book discussion and I am looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday, November 12th at 5:30. We will be meeting in the library (on the 2nd floor).
Soccer and Flag Football seasons are winding down. Last Thursday I was lucky enough to watch both teams play on their fields along the East River. I am so proud of what our student athletes have accomplished this season - I am impressed by their character, sportsmanship and dedication. Athletics has brought out the best in our young Labbies. The playoff season for Flag Football starts today - Go Gators!
As one season comes to an end another begins. Basketball tryouts are starting for both girls and boys. Cross Country - Lab Runs Far also has two more meets this season (one this Sunday).
The great Egg Drop contest is starting to take shape with the Science Olympiad team. Ms. Gatti's room was a blur of laughter, play, foam and cardboard on Friday afternoon. Students were divided into teams - each designing their own special "egg protection" capsule. The goal of course is to protect the egg when dropped from very high. The contraptions were incredibly creative - perhaps the funniest was the chicken w/ feathers and all (a play on what is found inside). There was some debate about how well chickens could actually fly.
This is the first year that Lab has done the program. Ms. Gatti has done a wonderful job recruiting kids to join the team It was wonderful to see so many moms there helping out as well. If you are interested in volunteering please let Ms. Gatti know.
Much more to report but need to sign-off for now...
Warmly,
Meg
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
It's Already November
A school with no children is how I find myself today - a perfect moment to catch -up on the last few weeks. It has been a busy time at Lab School. We held our first ever Lab MS pep rally on October 24th. It was an amazing event that brought me back to my own childhood. One of my goals for this year was to improve school culture (and school spirit). The pep rally was a perfect moment for our children to celebrate each other and our school. Each fall sports team (Cross Country, Soccer and Flag Football) and our Lab After school Programs (Science Olympiad, Freewrite, MS Math Team, Animation After school and Drama Club) made beautiful banners and were introduced to the school. We were also led in a school-wide cheer...
Everybody Stand Up
Gators Get Together
When I Say 1-2-3
You Say L-A-B
There was a lot of green, a lot of cheering and some beautiful music from 702. It brought tears (of happiness) to my eyes. I was so proud of our students and our little school.
Then this past Friday Lab celebrated Halloween in style. It started with the 8th grade annual room decorating contest. Every year the 8th grade students decorate their homerooms (which are judged by a collection of faculty members. This year Ms. Kim and 804 won with their scary Prom Night theme - it was quite the sight. We also held out fist annual Spookfest (sponsored by the Parents' Association - and the special hard work of Stacey Zausner). It was a wonderful event for the whole family. Kids came in costume and we watched Beetlejuice - an all time favorite Halloween Movie.
It is hard to believe that the first quarter is almost over - that we have been in school for nearly two months. It certainly has gone fast. This year I have found that one of my favorite moments everyday is when I spend lunch duty outside with our 7th and 8th graders. It is always a delight to be able to interact with students in a different context. I am often reminded how young our students really are. In Kelly Park kids are engrossed in play - tag, make-believe, laughter, the jungle gym and ball sports. Nothing is "too cool" during this time - you would never believe that they are middle schoolers. This is a side of our children that I realize parents rarely get to see at this age.
Folks always wonder how we spend our faculty conference days. Today we are working on the final components of our school-wide goal setting initiative. Our Goal Setting system will challenge students to develop individualized goals and action plans to work towards these goals. Students will be goal setting in each subject area.
Lastly, I wanted to remind everyone about our parent book group. Throughout the school year we will be reading three books. The first is called Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. Our first meeting will be in the library on November 12th from 5:30 -7:00. There is no need to read the book in advance of our first meeting. I will be writing more about this book on my next blog post.
I hope this finds everyone well. Go Vote!
Yours,
Meg
Everybody Stand Up
Gators Get Together
When I Say 1-2-3
You Say L-A-B
There was a lot of green, a lot of cheering and some beautiful music from 702. It brought tears (of happiness) to my eyes. I was so proud of our students and our little school.
Then this past Friday Lab celebrated Halloween in style. It started with the 8th grade annual room decorating contest. Every year the 8th grade students decorate their homerooms (which are judged by a collection of faculty members. This year Ms. Kim and 804 won with their scary Prom Night theme - it was quite the sight. We also held out fist annual Spookfest (sponsored by the Parents' Association - and the special hard work of Stacey Zausner). It was a wonderful event for the whole family. Kids came in costume and we watched Beetlejuice - an all time favorite Halloween Movie.
It is hard to believe that the first quarter is almost over - that we have been in school for nearly two months. It certainly has gone fast. This year I have found that one of my favorite moments everyday is when I spend lunch duty outside with our 7th and 8th graders. It is always a delight to be able to interact with students in a different context. I am often reminded how young our students really are. In Kelly Park kids are engrossed in play - tag, make-believe, laughter, the jungle gym and ball sports. Nothing is "too cool" during this time - you would never believe that they are middle schoolers. This is a side of our children that I realize parents rarely get to see at this age.
Folks always wonder how we spend our faculty conference days. Today we are working on the final components of our school-wide goal setting initiative. Our Goal Setting system will challenge students to develop individualized goals and action plans to work towards these goals. Students will be goal setting in each subject area.
Lastly, I wanted to remind everyone about our parent book group. Throughout the school year we will be reading three books. The first is called Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. Our first meeting will be in the library on November 12th from 5:30 -7:00. There is no need to read the book in advance of our first meeting. I will be writing more about this book on my next blog post.
I hope this finds everyone well. Go Vote!
Yours,
Meg
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