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Linked "In" with Lawrence School
Principal's Update 11/6/23
October Scenes from the Lawrence School
Combined 5-8 Chorus Sings Halloween Highlights with Ms. Linhart for K-2
UPDATES FROM THE OFFICE
Dear Lawrence Community,
Later this week, our K-5 families will be starting to meet with teachers for our fall conferences. These represent just one of the many ways that Lawrence School educators collaborate with families and communicate areas of strengths and of focus for students. As educators, we always seek to promote close relationships with families, knowing it is critical to partner together for the benefit of our children. We recognize that these are your most precious commodity - and therefore, a natural point for pride, frustration and certainly, worry. This can make for difficult conversations and certainly, emotional ones. Below, in the "Raising Good Humans" resource section, I've shared some helpful articles about ways families can prepare for conferences. Here is one that I found particularly thought-provoking, from the perspective of a teacher/parent.
Certainly, this era of technology at our fingertips has aided us in building positive home-school partnerships. The ability to hold a meeting with Zoom, or shoot off a quick email, has allowed two-way communication to become so much easier. However, technology has also negatively contributed to the stress and anxiety that many educators feel today. Social media posts, misconstrued tone/intent in an email between home/school and a sense of urgency to respond to every parent email right away (while balancing the multitude of other responsibilities in an educators' day) add to the complexities of the job. While the challenges of technology are certainly not limited to just to educators, the unique space we inhabit - partnering with families around their most precious possession, makes these communications that much more emotionally charged. So, as I shared at our Middle School Open House, let's always try to assume positive intent. This is perhaps one of the best lessons we can teach our children together.
As you know, the time set aside for conferences can seem like a short period of time when you are talking about one of your favorite subjects - your child! However, please remember your child's teacher is on a tight schedule - trying to manage all the conferences with each family just as eager as you are! You can anticipate that Lawrence teachers will be discussing personal development for your child in the critical areas of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making, as well as details about academic development.
Please, come in with an open mind, ready to learn about your child's strengths and prepared to leave with areas of focus/goals and potentially challenges for your child, as well. Many of us educators are parents, too, and we all recognize the sensitivity that comes with discussing a child's weaknesses with families. It can be hard to hear that your child is struggling to take responsibility for a challenging behavior - or finding it difficult to master a new concept in math. Even in my short time at Lawrence so far, I have come to know that our educators are firmly committed to helping children succeed. However, this does mean partnering with families and sharing challenges, along with the bright spots. Please, be open to these conversations and remember to think big picture: a conflict with a peer does not necessarily mean there is bullying, just like trouble with inferential reading does not always point to a learning disability.
We value and build on the knowledge each parent/guardian has of their child to make sure their time at Lawrence is enjoyable and successful. Positive lines of communication between home and school enable the children to receive continuity of education, care and support within both the home and school settings - it definitely helps them to feel more secure when they receive consistent messages from both. Some final thoughts on this topic:
Your views about our school and your child's experience are welcome - and there are a range of communication channels that parents and other members of the school community can use to enable a two way flow of information between themselves and the schools: phone, email, Zoom meeting, in-person conferences. It is helpful to think about the purpose of communication to determine which means would be most helpful.
We recognize that from time to time you may have a concern that you wish to raise with the school. It is vitally important that any concerns regarding the well-being of your child are shared with us, when appropriate. We cannot support children if we are not aware that anything is happening!
We are committed to responding to a parental concern as quickly and as sensitively as possible in order to resolve the issue promptly. Please recognize that your child's educators are responsible for several dozen children and have many, many responsibilities - and limited time to complete these jobs. While sending an email may seem quick and easy, teachers frequently carefully craft thoughtful responses to families, so assume that it may require a few days for a response from a teacher (typically two school days).
If there is an urgent/emergency need regarding your child, it is often best to include office staff (including administration, nurse, secretaries) and/or a member of our behavioral-emotional support team in your call/email, to ensure a timely response. Think about the content of your communication - it this an "immediate," "within 2 days" or "by the end of the week?"
We are excited to welcome you into your child's school world in coming weeks. We know that the partnerships between home and school build for stronger outcomes and look forward to giving you a closer look into their school world.
Vanessa Bilello
Principal, Lawrence School
KEY DATES FOR LAWRENCE SCHOOL
Important Dates for our Community
Please contact us if you have any questions on events listed!
Click below to view more important dates:
- Wednesday, November 8th - Early Dismissal K-6 (Students dismissed @ 12:40) - LUNCH IS SERVED (Grades 3/K have option of ordering cold bagged lunch to go: please see letter from the Assistant Principals for info)
- Wednesday, November 8th: 4:00-5:00 pm - Principal/PTO Forum: Location - Zoom meeting: https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/4807989970; - Topic: Creating Connections - Navigating Conversations between Home and School
- Thursday, November 9th: Artbarn performances (in Lawrence Auditorium): Gr. 1-3 from 8:30 – 9:15am & Gr. 4-6 from 9:45 – 10:30am
- Friday, November 10th- No School, Veterans Day (observed)
- Wednesday, November 16th - Early Dismissal K-8 (Students dismissed @ 12:40) - LUNCH IS SERVED (Grades 3/K have option of ordering cold bagged lunch to go: please see letter from the Assistant Principals for info)
- Wednesday, November 22nd - Early Dismissal K-8 (Students dismissed @ 12:00) - BAG LUNCH IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL STUDENTS
- November 23rd - 24th - No School, Thanksgiving Break
- Thursday, November 30th - Early Dismissal K-6 (Students dismissed @ 12:40) - LUNCH IS SERVED (Grades 3/K have option of ordering cold bagged lunch to go: please see letter from the Assistant Principals for info)
- Wednesday, December 6th - Early Dismissal K-6 (Students dismissed @ 12:40) - LUNCH IS SERVED (Grades 3/K have option of ordering cold bagged lunch to go: please see letter from the Assistant Principals for info)
- Thursday, December 7th -- 8:05-8:55 AM - Lawrence School Council
- Friday, December 22nd - Early Dismissal K-8 (Students dismissed @ 12:00) - BAG LUNCH IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL STUDENTS
- December 23rd - January 1st - No School, WInter Break
Conference Early Release Days - 12:40 pm Dismissal
Fall: 11/8-W (K-6), 11/16-TH (K-8), 11/30-TH (K-8), 12/6-W (K-8)
Spring: 4/3-W (K-8), 4/11-TH (K-6), 4/25-TH (K-6), 5/1-W (K-6)
School Council Dates: (8:15-9:15 am via Zoom) Oct. 26, Dec. 7, Jan 2, March 5, May 7
Principal/PTO Forums (Topics to be shared in advance)
- Tuesday, October 24th: 8:15-9:00 am* (IN PERSON)
- Wednesday, November 8th: 4:00-5:00 pm (ZOOM)
- Wednesday, January 17th: 7:00-8:00 pm
- Wednesday, March 13th: 8:15-9:15 am
- Wednesday, May 22nd 8:15-9:15 am
UPDATES FROM THE LAWRENCE PTO
RAISING GOOD HUMANS: SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES
More Social-Emotional Resources for Families
- How to Raise Successful Kids without Over-Parenting: a TED Talk by Julie Lythcott-Haims
- Stop Doing these 8 Things for Your Kids this Year
- ParenTeen Connect: A Resource for Supporting Middle Schoolers
- Podcast: Helping Kids Deal with Stress & Anxiety While Facing Adversity w/ Katie Hurley
- How Kids Learn Resilience
- The Single Most Important Parenting Strategy
- Brene Brown's Parenting Manifesto
- What is SEL and Why is it Important?
Staff Goosechase 2023: Highlights Video
KEY INFO FOR LAWRENCE SCHOOL
Security Reminders:
School Doors: Just a reminder that we ask for everyone’s support to prevent ‘tailgating.’ While holding the door open for others is a polite thing to do, it can be a security risk in our schools. Please do not hold the door open for others; we kindly ask that all visitors pass through our buzz-in system at the main entrance to the school. Between school hours (7:50-2:30/2:40), ALL non-staff adults MUST check in first with the office and be accompanied/have permission to enter the school halls.
Item Drop Off: In order to maintain school safety and minimize disruptions, all adults are reminded that they must ring the bell and check in at the main office during school hours. If you are dropping off snacks/lunch/instruments, you will be asked to fill out a sticky note with name/room # and your student will be notified to come pick it up. Adults MUST leave delivered items with the main office and MAY NOT walk around the school halls unattended/without office permission.
Student Drop Off Locations: We've been reminded by our partners at the Brookline PD that morning drop offs/afternoon pick up by motor vehicle is NOT allowed on Newell Rd. There is signage to these rules: please follow protocols and use the Francis Street drop off/pick up zone if driving to Lawrence. If you use Francis Street for this purpose, drivers may receive a moving violation and a parking citation.
Other Key Info:
School Hours:
School hours will continue to be Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am - 2:30 pm and Fridays from 8:00 am - 1:40 pm. The front door opens at 7:30 AM for students choosing to eat breakfast in the cafeteria (students must report to the cafeteria and stay there until 7:50 AM). Door around the building (see below for your child's location) open promptly for students not entering for breakfast at 7:50 AM daily.
Arrival for the ‘23-’24 School Year:
There are multiple entrances for students and staff to use when arriving to and exiting the building. Students must arrive at and leave from their assigned entrance every morning and when school is dismissed. Students in grades K-2 will meet their teacher at a determined location close to their assigned door. Teachers in grades K, 1 and 2 will communicate with their classes directly about meeting locations. Doors are clearly labeled with homerooms to assist with this process.
Front Door on Francis Street: KG, 3R, 4MC, 6M, 7B, 8D, 8H, 8C
Playground entrance near cafeteria: KC, 2A, 3M, 3P, 3W Door # 4
Playground entrance near the bike racks: KO, 1F, 1L, 5E, 5M Door #3
Side Entrance on path between Francis Street and Newell Rd: 1P, 5N, 6A, 6S, 6YS, 7LM Door #13
Classroom Door: 1C (Door # 2), 2T (Door # 10)
Back Door by Courtyard: 2W, 2GS, 7M Door #9
Back Doors off of Newell Road across from tennis courts: KP, 4C, 4W (KP Door # 15) and 4C & 4W will enter at the adjacent door (Door #16)
Students who take a bus will meet their adult support staff and enter via the cafeteria side door or front door pending the weather.
Late Arrivals/Tardies: Starting each day in class on time helps set the tone for learning all day. Please, work together with your child to establish strong morning routines at home that allow you to ensure that they are ready to start their day at Lawrence by 7:55 am. Students (and families) should plan their morning to arrive no later than 7:55 am so that students can be in their classroom, with materials and ready to learn, by 8:00 am. Students will be marked tardy if they enter their classroom after 8:00 am. Staff monitoring the doors will leave them at 8 am sharp so they can begin their day with students. Since doors will be locked at 8 am, anyone arriving after that time must go to the front entrance to be checked in late and receive a tardy pass from the office.
Dismissal:
Kindergarten, first grade and second grade students will be walked out via assigned doors (above) and dismissed to their caregivers.
Grades 3-8 students will walk to their caregivers or homes when dismissed by their teacher.
Information for Parents/Caregivers:
If for any reason you need to pick up your child(ren) during the school day, please come to the main entrance on Francis Street to sign them out.
When you arrive you can ring the bell and share your name, your child(ren)’s name(s), their homeroom(s), and the reason they need to be dismissed. A member of the front office staff will then connect with staff in the building to have your child(ren) dismissed. Children in Kindergarten - Grade 2 will be walked down to the main lobby to connect with the adult waiting. Children in Grades 3-8 will be dismissed independently from their classrooms, check in at the main office and walk out through the front entrance with the adult waiting. Students are welcome to return to school after an appointment, but should sign back in at the office so that their attendance is recorded accordingly.
NO STUDENT may be dismissed before the end of the school day without an adult waiting outside for them.
What do I if my child is going to be absent?
Contact our absence line at (617) 879-4343
What about lunch?
FREE MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS: Free meals are available to all students once again this year, due to MA state funding. No documentation/application is needed to receive these benefits. Only complete, reimbursable meals are eligible (1 meal, with milk, per lunch period). Single milks, double meals, etc. are NOT FREE and will be charged accordingly. See the Updates from the Cafe section for more info.
How can I get involved? Lawrence Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)
Families are encouraged to learn more about volunteer opportunities with the PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization)! It is a great ways to become part of our community at Lawrence - and is an extremely important supporter of our school! You can find links to this organizations here.
The PTO provides students in our elementary schools with a variety of enrichment programs during the school year to enhance and support classroom instruction. THE PTO also helps organize parents/guardians to volunteer at Lawrence - whether you are available weekly or for special events, please reach out to the PTO to learn more. The PTO counts on your membership to support activities in the schools that are enjoyed by all. For more information, please visit the PTO website. Check out the informational flyer below!
Volunteering
As a reminder, any volunteers do need to have an up-to-date CORI on file in the office. Check with the office for details. Volunteer opportunities are frequently coordinated through our PTO.
IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGY UPDATES
TECHNOLOGY INFO FOR THE LAWRENCE COMMUNITY
As a reminder, students should not be using any technology during the school day, except under the direct supervision/direction of teachers/staff of Lawrence School. For this reason, students are required to keep all cell phones/smart devices (including smart watches) off and out of the classroom. We recognize (and love!) how many of our students are increasing independence by walking/biking home - and know that these devices help families feel connected. We get it - and are happy for students to keep devices IN THEIR LOCKERS/BACKPACKS.
We are also hearing daily about situations where students are receiving texts (via smart watches or phones) during the school day - usually from parents/guardians. This has become a major distraction to our classrooms - and is also a safety concern. We have had students text home to ask a parent to pick them up - without anyone at school knowing. I'm sure you can appreciate that we are much better able to support students during the school day if we are aware that they are not feeling well, or are coming to school anxious or worried. A quick email to the classroom teacher/nurse/office/counselor will make us all aware there is something we should be looking out for. Please, help our teachers (and students) - refrain from texting/calling your children during the school day!
Administration and Staff at Lawrence School have implemented changes this school year to our technology policies, consistent with practices at other middle schools across the state and within Brookline, in response to challenges related to technology use in schools. We have found that student access to personal devices during the school day can significantly distract them. We are hopeful that this will help students stay focused in the present moment, on their learning tasks and decrease the possibility for social distractions or, even worse, cyber-bullying, during our school days.
***If your K-4th child is currently wearing a smart watch, please set it to "silent" during school hours. If a student becomes distracted by a wearable or is using a device during the school day, staff will hold onto it until dismissal. ***
GRADES 5 - 8 POLICY:
For reference, here is the Technology Contract signed off by our Middle School students/families. While these were shared out already with our Middle School families, in order to support the transition into middle school, especially given the social demands that pick up significantly around the start of 5th grade, we are asking that all 5th grade students/staff also follow the middle school Technology Contract.
- Cell Phone and Smartwatch Expectations:
- Students are to have their cell phone and/or smartwatch turned off and in their backpack or locker upon entering Lawrence School - from 7:30am to 2:30pm (M-Th) and 7:30am to 1:40pm (F) or during other scheduled activities (e.g. Homework Club or during field trips).
If a student has their phone and/or smartwatch out for any reason, the teacher will ask the student for that device and the student will hand it over.
Progressive Responses for Phones and Watches
1st Offense: Teacher takes device > brings it to the office > student picks it up at the end of the school day
2nd Offense: Teacher takes device > brings it to the office > student picks it up at the end of the day > email sent to family
3rd Offense: Teacher takes device > brings it to the office > family called to pick up phone at the end of the day
4th Offense: Teacher takes device > brings it to the office > meeting with administration, family and student
UPDATES FROM THE CAFE/PSB FOOD SERVICES
Return to Lunch in the Cafe @ Lawrence School!
Please, make sure that your child is aware of our daily breakfast/lunch options BEFORE coming school if they are getting a meal here. Families are asked to review menus at home, to assist in choice-making, especially with younger students. These efforts will help cut down on time spent in line. If your child learns their lunch code (especially grade 3 and up), it also speeds up our lines and prevents the need for scanning lunch cards.
Currently we have assigned seating in the lunchroom. Observations and feedback has demonstrated that assigned seating, determined by staff, decreases anxiety for many students. While certain grade levels may mix seating between homerooms (either initially or over time), staff at Lawrence is committed to fostering a safe lunchroom environment for all students. Student's lunchtime is consistent each day, and for most grade levels, they will be in the cafe with the majority of the students in their grade, and possibly one other grade level. We will share more information regarding the expectations within the cafe in future editions of the Linked "In" newsletters.
Student Meals
All students can access their meals by going through the serving lines in their school cafeteria. Lines are set up with dual pin pad and barcode scanners, with the goal is to provide students with multiple ways to register their meals at the POS (register). K- 5 students will receive an ID card prior to the start of the school year. Each ID card will include a student pin and a barcode scanner. Either can be used to access their account. It will be useful for students in lower grades to start memorizing their pin as this will be used as they move through the system! Middle school students will use their pin which is their LACID and can be found in each staff portal. Students in middle school are encouraged to memorize their pins for this to be successful.
Breakfast:
The Food Services Department is committed to working with schools and principals to help assure that all students have a chance to start their day with a healthy breakfast. Their goal is to serve at least 70% of the students in attendance breakfast each day. Breakfast is available in all schools starting at 7:30 am. Grab and Go breakfast carts will be available at the entrance for students to grab on their way in.
Lunch:
A SINGLE Free lunch is available to all students (if they want a second one, it does need to be purchased). All schools now have a salad bar where students can access fresh fruits and vegetables most of which are locally sourced. Student lunches do include milk. Students need to take a lunch to receive a free milk. There will continue to be hot/cold lunch options - and this year, with the numbers of students and limited space, students are asked to stand in one of two lines: the hot lunch line OR the cold lunch line. These will be labeled at the entrance to the cafe. Students bringing from home will enter the cafe through the "exit" door to go to their assigned lunch table.
Monthly and weekly menus will be posted outside the cafeteria for review. Lawrence will review the basic lunch options on announcements Monday morning. Middle school teachers are asked to post the monthly menu in visible locations in their classroom. K-5 staff are asked to review the lunch choices (hot vs cold) from the monthly menu during their classroom Morning Meeting.
UPDATES FROM THE PSB SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
With school return, we also see the return to all sorts of viruses and illness. As a reminder, all our school nurses follow all the current COVID protocols this district/town have established and are currently in place for all of the schools, in terms of reporting out to families. As an individual school, we do not establish these policies, but follow those that are decided by the public health officials. For more information on Health services, check out the district webpage, put together by the Public School of Brookline Health Services - there is a lot of excellent information there.
In terms of additional protocols in place within the schools, we continue to be a mask-friendly environment in all of our schools. Students are encouraged to wash hands/sanitize frequently and families are asked to follow health protocols listed on the district website. Also, PSB is still requiring teachers/classrooms/offices to use air filters this year. The air filters were given to classrooms that were determined to need them based on air exchange per hour. They have been an effective tool. We know that the fall is a time when we typically see an increase in respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and COVID. Continuing with key mitigation strategies, and using our available resources is an important way for our community to stay healthy. The custodial staff maintains (vacuums out, wipes down internals) each unit quarterly, and replaces the filters when the unit notifier light indicates. (depends on the usage of the unit).
If you have specific concerns or questions, please reach out to our school nurses or the district team.
QUICK LINKS & FAMILY SUPPORTS
COMMUNICATION/TRANSLATION INFO
Our school website has static information, but it is also updated with current news and bulletins. Every few weeks, you can expect the school-wide newsletter from the principal’s office, Linked "in" With Lawrence School. This newsletter is distributed to families via email and can also be found on the school’s webpage. You can also follow us on our new Instagram page (lawrenceschoolpsb) for more updates, videos and pics! We can't wait to share the great things happening at Lawrence each month!
In addition to the above school-wide methods, please communicate openly with your child’s teacher(s). Each teacher has an email address and voice mailbox. You can find their contact information on our school website.
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