IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

We did it! Today our class filled our rock jar to earn our very first classroom reward! For anyone who doesn’t know, we have been working towards an ice cream party since the beginning of the year. We have a jar in our classroom for rocks. Any time the WHOLE class is doing what they are supposed to, or goes above and beyond in a certain task, I put a rock into the jar. When the jar is full, we get a classroom reward! And today, we filled the jar with the final rock! So on Thursday, at 1:30, we will be celebrating with our ice cream party. Anyone who would like to come in and celebrate with us is more than welcome! I’m excited to celebrate our class’ good choices and move on to our second classroom reward!

Today was a fantastic day!  We were quite busy with working on our puppets and three sheeters, learning about “ing”, counting doubles, and getting more tally marks because of our great choices of listening and following directions.

Speaking of our tally marks for our Listening Lookout Points, the kiddos and I had a nice discussion today about what we wanted to do for our class party once we get 25 points (we have 12 points currently).  Some suggestions were putting some balloons on our table, having an ice cream party, and watching a movie.  We ended up with the idea to have a pajama party where we can eat popcorn and watch a movie.  I cannot begin to tell you how excited the children are with this idea to have a  pajama party!  I will let you know when we are getting close to reaching our goal of 25 points so that you can be prepared for your child to wear their pajamas to school.

VERY IMPORTANT NEWS!  A permission slip went home today for our class field trip!  On November 16th, we will be going to the White River Recycling and Transfer Facility.  We will be studying how the facility works.  Our class wants to implement a school wide recycling program so we will be taking notes!  Please sign and return the permission slip no later than November 14th.  Finally, we will be gone during our normal lunch hours so I ask that all students bring a sack lunch. 

BreAnna is working on her letter writing with the IPad.

We have a new piece of technology that the kids are getting a chance to use in the classroom.  Each day, some students get the opportunity to work on the IPad.  We have many apps for literacy and math.  The kids love to use it!  The new question in the classroom is, “Can I play with the IPad?”

Emily makes a "Lab School Parent" name tag for the Magnet School Fairs.

Last week IPS hosted two Magnet School fairs on Wednesday night and Saturday morning. In preparation for the events, students from Mr. Smith’s Book Club made “Lab School Parent” name tags for Lab School parents who attended the event to answer questions for prospective families interested in our school.

Lab School student Ruth paints with children who are shopping for a school.

Lab School parent Mrs. Beery speaks with a prospective parent.

Lab School parent Mr. Price speaks with a prospective parent.

The Magnet School Fairs were a big success and the Lab School table was very busy at both events.  Our table featured staff members and parents who provided their own perspectives on our school for families wanting to know more about Reggio Inspired, Project-based learning.  Our table also included many activities for children including water color painting and the ever popular Magna-Tiles.

As the student recruitment season continues, our school will host an open house on Thursday, November 10th from 5-7 PM.  Once again, staff and Lab School parents will provide information to prospective families and children will be offered a variety of activities to enjoy while their parents learn about our school.  Please tell your friends about our school.  The most effective method for promoting our school is word of mouth!

I remember when I was young, my parents never used the word “if” when they spoke of college.  They always used the word “when.”  This was curious because no one in my family had attended college until I went to Butler University.

This year Indianapolis Public Schools has begun a College and Career Readiness initiative.  As part of this initiative each school is working to help all children see their future as a high school graduate and college student.  You may have noticed displays in the hallways of our school focused on college.  Examples include the display in our front entry showing where the staff members at School 60 attended college.  You may have also noticed that our hallways are labelled with college names and logos.  Butler Way is of course in the area of the school where our classrooms are located.  Further efforts include field trips to Butler University.  Mrs. Bucher’s class has already visited Butler once on a trip to explore Clowes Hall.  At some point this year each class will visit Butler.

As parents there are many things you can do to prepare your child for college.  Beginning a savings account while your child is young that can help pay for college is important.  In fact, Indiana offers a tax credit to families that save for college using an Indiana 529 account.  The tax credit is a 20% credit on funds invested up to a maximum credit of $1,000.00.  Helping your child succeed in school by spending time with them on homework and volunteering at school can help your child prepare for college.  But, one of the best things you can do to help your child prepare for college is what I was lucky enough to have parents do for me.  When you speak of college, talk about “when” your child goes to college, not “if.”

Ron Smith