Happy Groundhog Day

Welcome to second semester - February 1st marked the halfway point in our school-year. It seems to be going to so quickly. I will be giving a State of the School address next Tuesday, February 9th at 8:15 a.m. in conjunction with the monthly Parents' Association meeting. I look forward to seeing all of you there.

Monday morning I found myself contemplating the deepest of questions with our youngest Labbies (one that I am sure many of us ask ourselves) - How does one know when they've become an adult? The 6th graders in Ms. Smith's and Ms. Zittel's are exploring the theme of "Coming of Age" while reading the novel The Red Pony. The write-in question allowed students to relate this theme to their own lives. The share-out erupted into a lively discussion of what defined adulthood. Students suggested that it was related to caring for yourself (doing laundry, cooking, etc). Others talked about having a job and being able to pay for things. There were also certain rites of passage that were named as pivotal to adulthood. Sadly, there was no resolution...no defining moment to when adulthood starts : ) The "Coming of Age" theme is also being explored by our 7th graders in Ms. McLaughlin's and Mr. Goldberg's literature circles.


We have started a nonfiction book club at lunch. A collection of 6th and 7th grade students are currently reading Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow. It is a graphic nonfiction book about the Jim Crow laws and baseball. The book club is part of a grant that Lab School was awarded last spring. Thank you to Ms. Lageoles, Ms. Eydlin and Mr. Goldberg for organizing the program. The goal of the book club is to get students interested (and practicing) reading nonfiction texts. Related to reading, I was sent a great article by a parent about the importance of our students reading for pleasure - folks should check it out.
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/757917--literacy-is-not-enough-if-content-is-mental-junk-food

Thank you to the Parents' Association and the families that helped make the movie night on Friday a wonderful event. Lab School's Food and Greening committee showed Super Size Me as part of an effort to get students to think more about healthy eating. We even got every single child to eat carrots - I consider this a brilliant success. This committee is doing some remarkable work - if you are interested in joining please let the PA know.

The Lab School Table Tennis Team had their first match yesterday. I am so excited to see such enthusiasm for our newest sport. Thanks to Ms. Riina and her team for all of their hard work.

Report cards will be mailed home (rather than backpacked) on Friday. Families should expect to receive them in their mailboxes by early/mid next week. Please contact Marilyn Coston if you have any questions.

Happy Groundhog Day - I'm wishing for an early spring.

Warmly,

Meg