An Important Update from the Office
Lawrence School Family Handbook
Dear Lawrence Families,
We are off to a great start at Lawrence School, as the building has truly has come to life with children enthusiastically beginning their new year in the journey from Kindergarten to 8th grade! As Mrs. Horst, Dr. Ferdinand and I work our way through the hallways and classrooms, we see and hear great things happening. Teachers and staff are creating caring communities of learners, establishing the routines and expectations that make a classroom and school hum. Students are engaged in their learning, eager to make a good impression, and start the year off with success!
Not wanting to jinx it, but I'm thrilled to report that it’s been a very smooth start at Lawrence! Staff and teachers have been reinforcing our school-wide expectations - check out the school-wide matrix below and please review these with your child! The logistics and systems we have in place for cafeteria, recess, arrival, and dismissal seem to be working very well this year. We also continue to reinforce our safety procedures - reviewing and revising them as a staff, but also discussing with students in developmentally appropriate ways. Today, we had our first fire/evacuation drill with Brookline Fire - and we were incredibly impressed with the way students followed our most important message in an emergency: listen carefully to the directions of a Lawrence School adult. We are very proud of our students for exhibiting our core values: BE SAFE, BE RESPONSIBLE and BE RESPECTFUL during this drill!
Beginning a new school year is wrought with change: new teachers, new classmates, new routines and learning demands. However, our students continue to show us how resilient they are, and how willing they are to trust the adults at Lawrence. They quickly recognize our staff cares very deeply for them as individuals - and as a student body, and know they are in a safe place here. I'm filled with gratitude for the staff of Lawrence for all of the efforts they've made to make our launch so strong! Please make sure to give a warm, "thank you," next time you speak with one of them!
Reminder: New-To-Lawrence Caregiver/Parent Welcome/Meet & Greet: As a reminder, tomorrow morning, caregivers and parents for our new-to-Lawrence families are invited to join us in the Auditorium at 8:15 AM. Administration, Clinicians and Office staff, as well as representatives from the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) and LSA (Lawrence Special Activities) leadership will be here from 8:15-9:15 AM, to answer questions and greet new-to-Lawrence families. We have also invited our EL teachers (English Learner Educators) to join us for a continuation of this meeting from 9:15-9:45, specifically for our new-to Massachusetts/International family welcome.
As another reminder, next Thursday evening we open our year as a community with our PTO's Annual Lawrence Fall Picnic (Thursday 9/17 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM). We look forward to meeting you at these and other upcoming events, like the Principal/PTO forums, as well as our Fall Open House nights.
As I mentioned last time, with the Linked "In" With Lawrence School Newsletter, the office and admin team will share out needed key information for our community. We hope it gives everyone a bit more insight into all the amazing things that occur in a school. If you did not get a chance to read last week's Back To School Edition, click the link above or visit the school website. As a reminder, if viewing is challenging, open a new browser (at the top of every newsletter). Also, every newsletter is fully translatable - see the link at the top.
A few final key reminders for the community:
School Council Elections: We need you parents/caregivers to join the School Council! The Lawrence School Council is a state mandated structure made up of parents/caregivers and Lawrence staff. We are charged with reviewing and updating the School Improvement Plan and addressing issues that impact the school community. We have three open positions starting in September of 2026. Each term is for two years. The council meets about five times during the school year (Thursday mornings). This is a 2 year term. If you are interested in being a member, please send me a proposal as to why you would like to be a member and what contributions you can make to support the Council and the school as a whole. If there are more than three proposals, the PTO is mandated to run an election. Please send all proposals to Vanessa Bilello, via email, by September 18, 2026.The PTO will be helping us in coordinating elections, which will be held week of September 21st. Meeting dates/times are listed in the calendar below.
Drop off/Morning Doors: Please make sure that students are not arriving or dropped until 7:30, if they are headed to the cafeteria for breakfast. No students are allowed to be in the rest of the building until the doors open at 7:50AM. As a reminder, the school doors open at 7:30 AM, for those coming to breakfast in the cafeteria. All students who would like to attend breakfast should use the side door, near the Circle Garden to enter, as staff will be there to greet them beginning at 7:30. There is NO supervision prior to 7:30 and we will not be able to open the cafeteria door until this time (except for students riding a bus /van to school).
Forgotten Item Drop Off: We understand that children forget things! Please consider using these as teachable moments and do your best to ensure they bring everything for their day with them when they leave for school in the morning. However, lunches, musical instruments, sports equipment, etc., that are forgotten and delivered during the school day must be left with the Lawrence Office. They should be left at the Drop-Off Table in the front entrance vestibule or the Instrument Rack by the main lobby, with your child’s name clearly written on the object. (Post-it notes and markers are available on the table). As phone calls to classrooms are disruptive to teaching and learning, delivery will not be immediate. Lost and found articles are placed in a box located outside the cafeteria. We encourage families to label children’s clothing/belongings so they may be identified and returned. Unclaimed articles are donated at the end of each semester. NOTE: Articles of clothing left outside overnight may be immediately discarded if they become rain-soaked.
Tech Policy: As another reminder, students are expected to be following our "Off and Away" personal electronic device policy. This is essential - for the safety of all students and to promote an active and engaging learning environment!
The wealth of experiences I have had in my career, as well as time as a parent, has confirmed my belief that passionate learning is built on a foundation of compassion. Lawrence is a vibrant community of learners - students and adults! One of the biggest lessons I have learned as an educator is that we must possess strong hearts and minds, but also open ears and eyes. As principal, I strive to foster and grow our collaborative environment each year - built through strong culture, clarity of vision, transparent communication, and commitment to excellence. We do this by partnering together - home and school. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make this upcoming school year a positive experience.
Warmly,
Vanessa Bilello
Lawrence School Principal
Please contact us if you have any questions on events listed below!
Please review the dates below. We will add to these calendars as the year progresses. Contact the office with any questions.
September 15th - October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month!
- Thursday, September 10th - 8:15 - 9:45 AM Lawrence Auditorium - New Family Welcome w/ PTO & Admin - 8:15-9:15 AM for ALL new families; 9:15-9:45 AM EL/International New Families Welcome Continues (both events in Lawrence auditorium)
- Thursday, September 17th - 5:00 - 7:00 PM (rain date: 9/24) Longwood Park field - Lawrence Fall Picnic - (PTO sponsored)
- Monday, September 21st- No School, Yom Kippur (Category 1 Holiday)
- Thursday, September 24th - SCHOOL PHOTO DAY - Student photos (individual and homeroom) taken for the yearbook during the school day. More information coming soon!
- Friday, September 25th - Lawrence Leopards Spirit Day! Pull out your animal prints, spotted sweatshirts, and/or Maroon or Lawrence spirit wear to show your Lawrence Loyalty!
- Monday, September 25th - Thursday, October 1st - Costume Collection for Halloween Swap & Sale (PTO sponsored)
- Wednesday, September 30th - 6:00 - 7:30 PM - Lawrence Curriculum Open House (Grades 6 - 8) *Adults only. More information coming soon, please save this date!
- Monday, October 5th - 6:00 - 7:30 PM - Lawrence Curriculum Open House (Grades 3-5) *Adults only.Child care for ages 3-10 with PTO for the evening on a first-come, first-served basis - stay tuned! More information coming soon, please save this date!
- Thursday, October 8th - 8:15-9:15 AM Hybrid: Lawrence location TBD/Zoom - Lawrence School Council
- Thursday, October 8th - 5:30-6:00PM in Lawrence library - METCO Meet & Greet Dinner
- Thursday, October 8th - 6:00 - 7:30 PM - Lawrence Curriculum Open House (Grades K-2) *Adults only.Child care for ages 3-10 with PTO for the evening on a first-come, first-served basis - stay tuned! More information coming soon, please save this date!
- Thursday, October 8th - Friday, October 9th - Halloween Costume Sale (PTO sponsored)
- Monday, October 12th - No School, Indigenous People's Day
- Sunday, October 18th - 9:00 - 11:00 AM on the Longwood Park field - Lawrence Fun Run (PTO sponsored)
- Monday, October 26th - Friday, October 30th - LAWRENCE SCHOOL FALL SPIRIT WEEK! *Themes will be picked by our fall Middle School Leopard PAC (Principal's Advisory Council) members and shared with the community in early October!*
- Friday, October 30th - 1:15 PM - K-2nd Grade Halloween Parade - More information coming home soon!
- Tuesday, November 3rd- NO SCHOOL - MA Election Day & PSB Professional Development Day: Staff Report/Closed for Students
Conference Early Release Days - 12:40 pm Dismissal
Fall: 11/4 (K-6), 11/12 (K-8), 11/18 (K-8), 12/3 (K-8)
Spring: 4/8 (K-8), 4/14 (K-6), 4/29 (K-6), 5/5 (K-6)
*All staff will designate evening conference times, in addition to the Early Dismissal time. This is a dedicated week, TBA, during the Fall/Spring
School Council Dates: (Thursdays @ 8:15-9:15 am - Hybrid, Zoom & Location TBD) - October 8th, December 10, February 11, April 8, June 10
Principal/PTO Forums:
*These forums will alternate formats (zoom/in person), with the hopes of connecting with members of our adult community. Each forum will include a different, timely topic of interest related to the Lawrence School. Dates subject to change.*
- Thursday, October 22nd: 8:15-9:15 am (Hybrid, Library): Fall Feedback - Join the PTO leaders and school leadership to discuss the start of the school year: what worked, provide feedback, ask questions about upcoming events, connect with school/PTO!
- Thursday, December 3rd: 7:00-8:00 pm (Zoom): Theme TBA
- Thursday, February 4th: 8:15-9:15 am (Hybrid, Library): Theme TBA
- Thursday, April 1st: 7:00-8:00 pm (Zoom): Theme TBA
- Thursday, June 3rd: 8:15-9:15 am (Hybrid, Library): School Year Wrap Up
Lawrence Fall Picnic
Fall Picnic: Thursday 9/17
Join us for our kickoff community event of the year! Bring a blanket and enjoy a night of community fun with connect with old and new friends.
Click here to volunteer and help make PTO community events a continued success!
Halloween Costume "Swap & Sale"
Have any gently used or new Halloween costumes or accessories you no longer need? Donate them to the collection bin in the Lawrence School lobby all week, Monday–Friday (9/28–10/2).
Find a new-to-you costume for just $1 each on Thursday & Friday (10/8 & 10/9).
♻️ Help us keep costumes out of the landfill by giving them a second life within our school community.
👉 Sign up to help: Volunteer Opportunities
Lawrence Community Fun Run
Sunday, October 18th from 9-11 AM, join us for this annual event! This is a family-friendly 5K fun run and 1 mi walk/run for all ages and abilities. Get active with others from the Lawrence community! There will be finisher ribbons for all participants. NEW THIS YEAR: 1-Mile COLOR RUN 🌈 !!!
Fall Fest
More info coming soon! If interested in supporting the PTO with this event, please click here!
K-5 Glow Party
Join us the evening of November 13th for a fun-filled Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party for all K–5 Lawrence students and their families! Light up the night with music, dancing, games, and glowing fun. Pizza and drinks will be available for purchase, along with Lawrence logowear-including white T-shirts you can decorate and wear right on the dance floor!
👉 Sign up to help: Volunteer Opportunities