Lower School Night

Drama Production: Tickets are selling fast for the Upper School drama club production of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, on Friday, February 1 and Saturday, February 2 at 8 pm. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Reserve tickets by calling the box office at 440-832-7844. All seats must be reserved in advance.

Understanding Your Child's Test Scores: Although standardized testing has become the norm, many parents have told us that they have never been given the tools to understand exactly what the test results mean. Join Lower School psychologist Dr. Ethan Schafer for a two-part workshop that will help parents understand test scores and place them in the proper context. Part I of "Understanding Your Child's Test Scores" will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 8:15 am. Part II will take place on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 8:15 am. Both workshops take place at the Lower School. Classes are geared more toward Lower School, but Upper School parents may benefit as well. Contact Dr. Schafer via e-mail or 440-832-7850 for more information.

Junior College Night: Juniors and their parents are encouraged to attend a Junior College Program on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 7 pm at the Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple. This event is sponsored by the CCIS (Cleveland Council of Independent Schools). Detailed information was sent home to parents; if you need more information please contact Mrs. Jennifer Mattes via e-mail or 440-832-7843.

Moms and Muffins: The Lower School Moms and Muffins takes place on Friday, Feb. 1 from 7:30-8 am. Invitations were mailed to all Lower School families. Please RSVP by Jan. 28 to Mrs. Pat Feith via e-mail or 440-832-7838.

Weekend Social - Save the Date: Lawrence students and families are invited to enjoy tobogganing at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville on Saturday, Feb 2, from 8-11 am. All grade levels are welcome. The Chalet will be closed to the public during these times, so there will be plenty of opportunity to ride! Cost is $5 per person (must be 42" or taller) and gloves or mittens must be worn.

Raising Resilient Children: On Monday, Feb. 4, from 1-2 pm at the Lower School, parents are invited to attend a teleconference on "Raising Resilient Children and Adolescents" presented by Robert Brooks from Harvard Medical School. In this presentation, Dr. Brooks describes factors that help children and adolescents deal more effectively with stress and pressure and become resilient. Lower and Upper School parents are welcome. Please RSVP to Mrs. Feith via e-mail or at 440-832-7838.

Winter Semi-Formal: Students in grades 9-12 are invited to attend the Winter Semi-Formal "Frozen in Time" on Saturday, February 9 from 7:30-11 pm in the Upper School Gymnasium. Tickets are $20 and will be sold during lunch from Feb. 4-8. Any parents who are able to donate snacks or beverages are asked to contact Miss Amanda Hedrick via e-mail.

Lower School Friendship Parties: Lower School homerooms will host Friendship Parties on Thursday, February 14.  Room parents are asked to contact their child's homeroom teacher to discuss activities and treats which can be planned for the afternoon.

  HEAD NOTES

As we begin our second semester, there is a quickening of the pulse - a real sense of anticipation for many of our students and their families - regarding what may be next in our students' academic careers. 

Early in the fall, I offered the observation that all schooling - all education - is or should be transitional. Over the years we have established Lawrence School as a place where successful transition happens for students with learning differences, who got "stuck" somewhere in their school experience before making the transition here. 

At Lawrence, we aspire to make change happen for kids. We celebrate transitions, even if it means we say farewell to students who have become part of our lives - and for whom Lawrence has been an important part of a continuing journey.  As we have grown in size and scope, we celebrate and share pride with our families as students successfully move to new and different challenges, environments and programs. 

Each student's story is different. Each dramatizes a quest for success in the face of obstacles - both in the classroom and in themselves. Most emerge not with triumph necessarily in hand, but with triumph clearly in sight and attainable. Each story is a drama with its own script, cast of characters, and supporting cast. Perhaps the anxiety occurs because we don't know how the play concludes. While we would like to write the entire script, some of it - of necessity - is improvised and we all must do the best we can with what we have in the moment.

Currently, we have seniors who are making post-secondary plans. College applications have been submitted and we now wait for word about what our choices might be.  This is also a time for families of younger students - those in our 8th grade - to consider what kind of high school will best suit their needs. Even 6th grade families may be thinking about what's next for middle school. Parents may want to consider other schools while students may be fearful.  Conversely, students may want to consider other schools and parents are the ones who are anxious and fearful. 

The topic of transition is one that brings with it lots of emotion, excitement and even anxiety. How do we know when it is the right time to transition?  On what basis will we make the decision?  What questions do we need to ask about the places our students will transition to? What questions might we ask about our students and their level of academic obtainment and acquisition of skills? How does a parent help and support their child through the process? Who helps and supports a parent through the process?

If our son is getting B's at Lawrence, how does that compare to other schools? Would he be able to get the same grades elsewhere?  If our daughter is a gifted athlete, should we opt for the school with a strong competitive athletic program even though she may not get all the same support academically?

I would like to explore these themes in this space over the next few weeks because I have heard from several parents and students who are - right now - in the middle of these kinds of discussions. Therefore, I ask those of you who have specific questions or thoughts about this important topic to write to me so that I might craft my column to be responsive to your specific concerns.

As these questions and considerations continue to shape our educational choices, I look forward to supporting all Lawrence families as our students continue to learn, grow, and try their wings.

Did this week's Head Notes column inspire you, puzzle you, or otherwise stir a response you would like to share? Let Lou know how you feel!  He welcomes all comments and correspondence via e-mail or phone (440-832-7820).