An Important Update from the Office
Lawrence School Family Handbook
Dear Lawrence Families,
We look forward to welcoming our parents/caregivers to Lawrence School for our annual Curriculum Night/Back to School "Open Houses," beginning with our 6-8th grade adult caregivers this Wednesday, September 30th, from 6:00-7:15 PM. As a reminder, all of our Curriculum Nights at Lawrence are adult only (with the exception of infant/toddler under the age of 3). This is to ensure that there is space in classrooms, as well as to keep the focus on both relaying important information around grade level curriculum, expectations and routines as well as building connections between our educators and adult caregivers. We are grateful that our PTO has arranged to support with childcare for our K-2nd and 3-5th evenings, but please note that we do not provide care for this week's Middle School night.
For our Middle School parents/adult caregivers, this year's evening will give you the opportunity to experience a little bit what it is like to transition between classes in a similar manner to your child and see the classrooms where they spend their time learning each day. We have the evening set up with rotating schedules, so that adults will have the opportunity to both spend time in your child(ren)'s homeroom (Advisory) classroom for grade level information, as well as building in time to visit World Language, science, math, ELA, and social studies classrooms with those educators. Additionally, specialists (counselors, administration, EL and special educators, as well as representatives from our art and wellness departments), will be on hand to greet you.
Below, you will see the schedule template your child will be filling out in Advisory before Wednesday night:
- 6th grade parents/caregivers: please know your child's HOMEROOM teacher's name, since you will start your evening in that classroom (we will have room numbers clearly posted Wednesday). Please note that ALL 6th grade homerooms are on the third floor, so you can proceed directly to that classroom for a 6PM sharp start. Your child's homeroom teacher will have your student's completed schedule waiting for you when you arrive.
- 7th grade parents/caregivers: you will retrieve your student's schedule in the main lobby Wednesday evening between 5:45-6:00 PM, where we will have them sorted by student last name/grade. You will then proceed directly to the first "stop" on their schedule which will correlate into their "A block class," which will be either Ms. Miller (room 213, Ms. Moodie (rm 318) or Mrs. Hollander (rm 309).
- 8th grade parents/caregivers: you will retrieve your student's schedule in the main lobby Wednesday evening between 5:45-6:00 PM, where we will have them sorted by student last name/grade. You will then proceed directly to the first "stop" on their schedule: 8th grade families will start in either World Language classroom (1st floor), English Learner classroom (3rd floor), Learning Center (3rd floor), auditorium/art room (2nd floor).
- Directions will be posted Wednesday, but please note that the transition to the three World Language rooms (in the library/media room and rooms 144 and 145 on first floor) is a TIGHT transition, so be prepared to get your steps in to and from those rooms! All other educators/rooms will be on the 2nd/3rd floors for Wednesday evening to shorten the walking transitions.
- All families will able to visit EITHER the World Language teacher, the Special Education team OR one of our 6-8th English Learner educator (Sarah Wolff)'s classroom during the evening.
- 7th/8th grade families will also have a period within their class rotations where they can visit with Mrs. Bilello, Ms. Martinez (guidance counselor), and Ms. Goldring (7/8th Health & PE) in the auditorium, as well as stop by the art room to see Ms. Abi's efforts to transform her room into a TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) art studio for our middle school artists! 6th grade families will have a double block with your child's homeroom teacher.
Please note, in reviewing the sample schedules below that our evening will be one of quick transitions (9 minutes per class period/2 minute transition times) and we will be starting PROMPTLY at 6PM to ensure that educators are able to get home at a reasonable time after our evening together.
We are grateful for the efforts that all of our educators are putting into providing an informative evening for our families, but also want to remind everyone that these Back to School nights are NOT the time for individual conferencing about student needs. If you have specific concerns/questions related to your child, please reach out to the homeroom teacher or specialist to schedule a time to chat. Since conferences are not provided for every student once they are in middle school, it is important for families can reach out, if needed, to schedule time with teams of educators and we will do our best to accommodate your requests for conferences later in the year.
Again, we look forward to meeting you Wednesday!
Warmly,
Vanessa Bilello
Lawrence School Principal
Sample 6th Grade BSN Schedule
Sample 7th Grade BSN Schedule
