Please complete the Lawrence’s Fall Family-School Relationship Survey by clicking here, or clicking on the image below. 

VISION:

The Lawrence School is an inclusive community that supports and values the academic, social, physical, and emotional development of every student. We create a safe environment and foster mutually-supportive relationships among all stakeholders so that all children can maximize their potential in order to succeed as global citizens. 

Principal’s Corner 

            Principal’s Message for January 2019

            The staff and I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! The New Year is often a time for reflection. I know how thankful I am that we have a school community that strongly supports education. 

Goal Setting is a very important and purposeful activity that we want all children to do. We want the children to learn that once you create a goal, there are specific things that they can do to achieve the goal. Effort and a great attitude help children reach their goals. Here are some simple things you can do at home to help with the development of this skill:

1. Talk to your children about the goals they have for themselves. Ask them what they need to do in order to meet their goals and share strategies. (Example – if your child wants to be a better writer, what do they need to do in their writing to make it better? It could be adding more specific details, using the 5 senses in their writing, or rereading their work more carefully for spelling and punctuation errors.). Creating goals around work habits, behavior, and following daily routines are also effective at this age.
2. Share with your child the goals that you have or had. Talk with them about how you met your goal and how that made you feel. Children usually look to their families as positive role models, so discussing your goals will help them with their goals.
3. Talking to your child about visualization helps with goal setting. Asking your children to picture themselves achieving the goal [SEE YOUR BEST SELF] and taking the necessary steps to meet the goal is an effective strategy. Here is a good question to ask: What will it look like if you have met your goal?
4. Distinguishing between a long-term goal and short-term goals. A common goal for a 2^nd or 3^rd grader is to learn ALL of their multiplication facts (long-term goal). A more reasonable short-term goal could be that the student will learn all of their 4 times tables by February. Breaking up long-term goals into smaller, doable chunks helps with children feeling that they have accomplished something in a short period of time.
5. Celebrating each success as the children meet short-term goals builds confidence and internal motivation in children. Seeing a child proud of himself/herself is what it is all about.

Another good goal is to attend school every day and to be on time. The children need to be in school by 8:50 am. When children are absent too often or are late to school, they are missing valuable instruction and many are not making the progress that other children are making. Another important reminder is that when your children are absent from school, a written note from you is needed to excuse the absence. The note can be sent in to your child’s teacher. Thank you.                                                    

    As we begin 2019, several teachers and parents are collaborating on some fun activities starting in January. We are looking for additional parents and teachers to join us and to share their ideas and talents. 

FAMILY FITNESS AND WELLNESS NIGHT is Wednesday, January 9, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at Lawrence. This free event is open to all families as there will be activities all throughout the school centered on physical activity, learning about nutrition, emotional and relational well-being, and relaxation/stress reduction. You and your family can engage with a glow-in-the-dark obstacle course, Cross Fit activities, Yoga, nutrition activities and creating healthy snacks, and learning about our emotions and self-regulation. PLEASE JOIN US FOR A FUN NIGHT!

DAILY MORNING FUN RUN starts on Monday, January 14 and continues every school day from 8:15 - 8:45 am. This is a great way for students, families, and teachers to get exercise every morning by walking, running, skipping, and galloping around our playground's blacktop or gym. We are trying to walk at least a mile a day. If you want to join, please sign up using the flyer from the Tuesday folder. We are looking for parents and teachers who can commit to volunteering once a week on the same day each week from 8:15 - 8:45 am. Please let the principal know if you can help.                                   Jim Gaudreau, Principal       860-632-2189. 

FREE PARENT/FAMILY GUEST SPEAKERS AND WORKSHOPS:    We are looking to hold several evening activities for parents throughout the school year on topics of interest to you. If you have a talent or specialty that you think will benefit other parents/families, please contact me to discuss being a part of these activities. EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO SHARE AND A TALENT, so please think about holding a workshop or finding a guest speaker that would benefit our families. Our School Governance Council is open to all ideas. We are sending out a survey on Survey Monkey to see what is of interest to you. Thank you for your time. 

100 Days of Kindness and Generosity Amazing Grace Challenge

This year our 100^th day of school falls on February 5th. To celebrate 100 days of school, each grade is being challenged to bring in 100 items of non-perishable food to donate to the Amazing Grace Food Pantry.  Our theme this year is 100 days of kindness and generosity. We all benefit when we reach out to others and each item donated represents an act of kindness and generosity to our entire Middletown community. We will start collecting food and toiletry donations now and continue the competition through Feb 5 (or later if we have any snow days). 

In addition, we want to send a big thank you to everyone for your kind and generous support.  We recently received an email from Amazing Grace indicating that Lawrence School donated 1,348 pounds of food in 2018 and that didn’t even included the 500+ packages of stuffing we donated to the Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project in November!!!

Library Media Center

In January, the American Library Association (ALA) holds its annual meeting and announces which books have won awards. At Lawrence School, we are very excited to get in on the action. Kindergarten and first graders will evaluate books for the Geisel award, which is giving to great books for beginning readers. Second and third graders will evaluate books for the Caldecott Medal, which is given for outstanding illustrations. Fourth and fifth graders will evaluate books for the Sibert Medal, which is given for great nonfiction books. Students will then vote on which book they think should win an award. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in February. It is always a very exciting day for the students. Will our winners match up with the ALA’s? We’ll see!

                                                                              Kerry Darby

Library Media Specialist

                  Amazing Grace Food Pantry & Boy Scout Collections

I am happy to announce that we collected over 200 packages of hot cocoa prior to vacation. In addition, we collected dozens of toys and books for families. Your generosity is helping to feed and support families in our community – thank you so much for your thoughtfulness! Our community is truly giving and loving!                  Jim Gaudreau   gaudreauj@mpsct.org                                     

                                                                CONGRATULATIONS!

We are pleased to announce that Alessandra Abanador (Grade 5-1^st Place) and Ana Cyr (Grade 5-2^nd Place) have been chosen the winners of the Fire Safety and Prevention Poster Contest.

Alessandra and Ana and their families are invited to attend the Awards Presentation which will take place at the Middletown Fire Department Headquarters, 533 Main Street, Middletown, Connecticut.

                             Dropping Students Off in the Morning  

Safety Reminder: It is important for families who are dropping students off in the morning to stay in the line of cars waiting for drop off. Children should try to exit quickly, preferably curbside so that students’ safety is not at risk from other cars driving by.  

Also, cars should not be parked in the line; this line is for quick drop offs only. Any families who want to walk their children to the school door or who want to take their time getting their children out of the car can simply park in the parking lot and walk their children to the sidewalk. We want all children to be safe as they exit from their car and walk to the door. Thank you.

                       Important Dates and Events – Lawrence School 

  Monday, January 28             Early Dismissal at 1:15 pm

  Monday, January 28              Grades 3 & 4 Talented & Gifted Nominations Due 

  Thursday, January 31            Community Conversations with Dr. Conner at Cross Street Church                          5:00 – 7:00 pm           

   Saturday, February 2            Groundhog Day

   Tuesday, February 5             100^th Day of School (Anticipated)   please participate in our food drive for Amazing Grace                                                        

  Social and Emotional Learning Opportunities

 CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL NEWSLETTER

We emphasize the importance of students being able to recognize their emotions and to learn strategies on how best to regulate their emotions. The staff has been trained in the RULER, a strategy from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (ei.yale.edu).

                R      Recognizing                  Identifying emotions in ourselves and others

                U     Understanding             Knowing the causes of emotions (why do we feel the way we do)

                L      Labeling                           Knowing feeling words to help us communicate feelings accurately

                E      Expressing                     Learning how to display our feelings and act in the school setting

                R      Regulating                     Developing strategies to manage our feelings

Your children will be coming home and will most likely be using some of the vocabulary and strategies we teach at school. You may hear about the META-MOMENT or TRIGGERS or your children may talk about breathing techniques and strategies. We will send home for you copies of the strategies and vocabulary we use so that you can also reinforce this at home if you so choose. Thank you.  

                                                 
NEXT PTA MEETING

Our NEXT PTA meeting will be Thursday, January 10, 2019 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the library. All families are welcome to attend, as we have free baby-sitting and light snacks. We love to hear new ideas and truly value your feedback, so please come by!

I am pleased to notify you that the Lawrence School and District Elementary Parent and Student Handbook 2018-19 is available on the Middletown Public Schools website, www.middletownschools.org.   Described in the handbook are district policies regarding discipline (suspensions and expulsions), dress codes, attendance, and bullying. Please take some time to review this document with your child.

If you are unable to access this handbook online, please contact our school office. If you would like to request a paper copy of the handbook, please call Mrs. Mosca, the school secretary, at 860-632-2158.

                     
 BIRTHDAY AND TREATS POLICY

We are asking all families for your support of the district-wide policy regarding food that can be brought into school by families. The BOE has adopted a policy that students will not be allowed to bring in cupcakes or treats other than fruits and/or vegetables for birthday celebrations.

Only fruits or vegetables can be brought in by families to be shared. We thank you in advance for your understanding and support as we work together to keep all children safe in our school community.  

MISSION STATEMENTS:

1. We foster students’ emotional intelligence because we believe social-emotional learning is key to the development of the whole child.

    

2. We cultivate a growth mindset among students, families, and staff because we believe in the value and importance of perseverance, varied learning dispositions, goal setting, and reflection.

    

3. We foster a safe and welcoming environment that promotes a school community of supportive, empathetic, and cooperative individuals who are socially responsible.

    

4. We engage learners by purposefully planning lessons that encourage inquiry and critical thinking, value student interest, and promote collaboration and discourse.

    

5. We value a comprehensive arts and physical education program that enhances the core curriculum and allows students to explore, experience, and appreciate world cultures, while encouraging creativity, curiosity, and healthy movement.

    

6. We provide rigorous challenges so students take ownership of  their learning as they use reasoning and thinking skills and academic risk-taking in order to develop creativity, perseverance, and  recognition of their role in the global environment.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The Middletown Board of Education is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, civil union, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or past or present physical or mental disability in any of its education programs, activities, or employment policies.  All educational programs and offerings, including vocational education and extracurricular activities, subscribe to this policy. Marco Gaylord, Director of District Operations, has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the district non-discrimination policies and may be reached at 311 Hunting Hill Avenue, Middletown, CT  06457; phone (860) 638-1485.