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

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. 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 for November 2018

November is my favorite month of the year! It is a time to think about all of the people and things that we are thankful for in our lives. I know that I am thankful to be able to work in a school with such a loving community, dedicated staff, and wonderful families and children. Showing our appreciation to others is a positive theme that will be reinforced throughout many of the activities here at school.

Our school community has been consistently showing how giving we are by participating in a variety of recent activities that benefit others. Thank you to our families who participated in these activities! They make a difference in people’s lives.    

• School-wide canned fooddrives in September and October for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry
• Third grader Justin C. raised over $1000 to fight breast cancer – Go Pink Tie Guy!
• We have collected over 300 boxes of stuffing so far to support local families
• Families donated their time to helping on field trips for grades 4 & 5
• Families helping to organize our Walk-a-thon! Out of the 11 schools in Middletown, Lawrence had the second best participation rate. We also raised over $2900 to support school activities.
• Many families helped in organizing our well-attended Bingo Boo Bash. A special thank you to Parent Eric Kutcher, who helped me when I lost my voice. Eric gave the directions and made all of the announcements like a pro – THANK YOU! What a night for me to lose my voice! J

Parent Conferences are fast approaching! That means that children will be receiving their first report cards soon! On Wednesday, November 28, Thursday, November 29, and Friday, November 30, parent conferences will be held for kindergarten and  grades 1- 5 so families can see how much progress their children have been making. We will have early dismissal each of those days; children will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m.

I want to strongly encourage every Lawrence School family to attend the parent conferences. This is the perfect opportunity to talk to the teachers about your concerns, questions, or your goals for your children. The teachers can share tips on how to help your children at home with homework, reading, and math. It is also important for your children to share their goals with you. We recommend children attend part of the conference so that they can share their progress with you. In addition, there will be a survey that we would like all families to take to help us in identifying goals. Thank you.

Annual Family Survey:  there will be Chrome books available during the conferences for families to take the school survey. We are hoping to hear feedback from all families, so we appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey. THE SURVEY OPENS ON NOVEMBER 13 and CLOSES DECEMBER 1, 2018.

A link to the survey can be found at the top of our website under the picture of Lawrence School. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES UPDATES

This is a friendly reminder about the importance of hand-writing an absence note for your children if they miss school for any reason. In order for the absence to be excused or verified, the office needs a written note within 10 days of the student’s absence. Thank you for your help with this.

BOOK FAIR NOTES

Annual Book Fair will be held from November 26 – November 30. The Book Fair will be open during most parent conferences, so you can drop by to shop before or after your child’s conference. We will continue with our traditional GRAND LUNCH on Tuesday, November 27, from 11:20 – 1:30 pm. Families can visit Lawrence and have lunch with their children or grandchildren. Then, they can visit the book fair together. This is a wonderful event to enjoy together!

Lunch Times for Children                   Grade 1                       11:20 – 11:45

                                                            Kindergarten              11:45 – 12:10

                                                            Grade 4                       12:10 – 12:35

                                                            Grades 2 & 5                12:40 – 1:05

                                                            Grade 3                        1:05 – 1:30

Please read the flyer in the Tuesday Folder for more information on the Book Fair! We are also looking for families to volunteer to help at the Book Fair. You can contact Parent Kelly Weisenberg if you are available to volunteer.   mikekellyluke@gmail.com  

DECORATING FOR BOOK FAIR

Our fall Book Fair will be here in a few short weeks. We are looking for about 15 artificial trees to help with the decorations in the media center. We would need them by Wednesday, November 21, and they would be available for pick-up after December 1. We are looking for all sizes and shapes. Please contact Kelly Weisenberg at mikekellyluke@gmail.com if you are able to loan us a tree for the book fair.

MUSIC NOTES

Don’t forget the winter concert is right around the corner! The date is TUESDAY, DECEMBER

11th and the snow date is Tuesday, December 18th. At the 9:30 am show, all students in grades K-3 will be performing. At the 11:00 am show, all students in grades 4, 5, and band will be performing. Please send your student(s) to school in a neat, clean, and dressy outfit. If you have any questions or concerns I am most easily reached by email at  harmonk@mpsct.org

CREATIVE MINDS IN THE ART ROOM

Mrs. Kaye, our talented art teacher, has a website that she created that describes what every grade level is learning in art. She would love for you to visit her website at your leisure.

1. Go to the Lawrence School homepage (www.middletownschools.org)
2. Scroll down the page to find a blue circle that says CONTACT US and select that button
3. Scroll down to the staff directory and in the text box, type in KAYEand hit search
4. Alison Kaye’s information will appear - Hit MORE
5. Click on My Website and voila, you have reached her beautiful website!ENJOY!

   2018 Application for Bernie O’Rourke Memorial 67th Christmas Toy Drive

Middletown families who receive free or reduced school lunch or are in financial need are eligible to apply between Monday, November 5 and Friday, December 7.

Bring the application to Middletown Recreation and Community Services Office at 61 Durant Terrace, Middletown.

Please bring to the office your proof of residency and each child’s birth certificate.  

Applications will be only accepted in-person. Gifts will benefit children 12 and under only.

Parents will be called to pick up your toys on a specific day between December 10th to 20th, when the toys are ready for pick up. Please call 860-638-4500 if you have questions. Applications can be found in the main hallway at Lawrence School or you can email the principal at gaudreauj@mpsct.org for an application, and one will be sent home with your child in an envelope.   

                   Important Dates and Events – Lawrence School

November 13:             Family Survey opens to provide feedback to Lawrence School; please check website

November 14:             KARATE SHOW at 4:00 pm in gym for those in the after school club  

November 16: Stuffing Drive Ends    Spirit Day (Funny or Crazy Socks) to celebrate our community spirit  

November 20: Picture Retakes Day              You can still order new pictures

Wednesday, November 21:                          Early Dismissal at 1:15 pm for all students

Thursday & Friday, November 22 & 23:        NO SCHOOL

BOOK FAIR is November 26 – December 1          come visit during parent conferences

November 27: GRAND LUNCH                    Families can have lunch with their children

Saturday, December 1:                                Holiday Vendor Fair at Lawrence School     9-2     Come by and see all of the creative items for sale     Book Fair will be open

Monday, December 3:                                    Early Dismissal at 1:15 pm for all students

Tuesday, December 11:                               Winter Concerts at Lawrence

                   9:30 am   K-3 students              11:00 am    Grades 4-5                              

  Social and Emotional Learning Opportunities

 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOVEMBER 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.