The Lawrence Elementary School

VISION:

The Lawrence School is an inclusive community that supports and values the academic, social, physical, and emotional development of every student through an engaging and relevant transdisciplinary curriculum that fosters students as collaborators, communicators, thinkers, and global citizens.

Principal’s Corner 

Principal’s June Newsletter

 Important Upcoming Dates

6/6         Field Day                             Rain Date is 6/7/19   

6/12       Last Day of School            

              Promotion Ceremony   10:00 am
       
              Students dismissed at 1:15 pm  

       Physical Education Update

Greetings from PE! Although short and wet, April was a great month. We have just wrapped up our volleying and striking units that was met with excitement and engagement. We learned some new games like Line Ball, Batter Up, and a huge favorite for students in grade 3-5: GAGA Ball. As we near the end of the school year, I can’t help but notice the growth in my PE friends- physically, mentally, and socially/emotionally. They all have worked really hard this school year.

We will wrap up the year with students learning and honing our cooperative skills through various activities. On June 6th [June 7th rain date] we will hold our school wide Fun in the Sun Field Day. During this day, students in K-5 will spend the day engaging in several fun activities that will allow them to display teamwork and school spirit. We will need as many parent volunteers as we can get to make this a successful event. Information will be sent home in Tuesday folders.

SNEAKER REMINDER: It is very important for students to have sneakers on days they have gym (safety). If your son/daughter wears sandals/boots/shoes/non-sneakers to school on the day they have gym, please SEND sneakers in their backpack. Thank you.

  Grants Awarded to Lawrence School Tied to Science

The Community Foundation of Middlesex County is supporting a grant opportunity created by the Connecticut Science Center’s Outreach Program that is running multiple hands-on lessons for students in grades 4, 2, 1, and K. The topics excite children to become inquirers and thinkers. Children get to explore many topics with staff from the CT Science Center. All of these topics are tied to the science curriculum for each of those grades. The CT Science Center is wrapping up its visits to Lawrence this month. On behalf of the appreciative teachers and enthusiastic students, I want to thank the CT Science Center and The Community Foundation of Middlesex County for their support of education and valuing the joys of curiosity and exploration.  

Attendance: If your child is absent from school for any reason, please provide a handwritten note to excuse your child’s absence. This note should be sent to your child’s teacher or the school office. Thank you for your help with this!

Lawrence Families and Teachers Care: last month we donated 151 pounds of food and this week we just sent over another 259 pounds of juice and canned goods to support the Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Thank you to everyone for their support!

  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.  

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 mutually-supportive school community of empathetic and collaborative individuals who are globally responsible, curious, and action-oriented.

    

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

    

5. We value a balanced and comprehensive arts and physical education program that enhances the core curriculum and allows students to explore, experience, and appreciate world cultures and language experiences 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.