IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

We had an exciting day in our classroom!  Today we did a little bit of everything.  We started Reader’s Workshop and Math Workshop.  The kids really enjoyed choosing their own books and exploring our materials.  Towards the end of the day we had Free Choice time where they got to explore the long awaited block area! Everyone was excited to play with the blocks and trains.  I am looking forward to tomorrow and all of the adventures we will have together.

Regan during Reader’s Workshop

"I made a lazer tag place" - Christian

Good evening families! I am sure by this time you have heard a lot of exciting stories and news about our first day from your child. We have had a very busy day here at the Lab School, including Reader’s and Writer’s Workshops, Math Workshop, some studio time and free exploration to learn about our room. One of the most exciting parts of the day was seeing the children thrive during work times. I love  how fearlessly the kids tried the new materials and activities I asked them to engage with and jumped right into our learning experience. I can’t wait to see where the year takes us.

Welcome!  I am thrilled that school will be starting so soon!  I have met so many families  this summer doing home visits.  It has been such a rewarding experience to meet and learn about you!  I hope to see many of you at our Back to School Night on Thursday, August 4th at 6pm.  You will be able to see the classroom, do a scavenger hunt with your family, and meet other students and families at this open house.

Here’s a little information about me:  I grew up in Pike Township in Indianapolis, and graduated from Pike High School in 2001.  I graduated from Butler University in 2005, and then went on to work at the Warren Early Childhood Center for four years where I taught preschool.  I have been married since 2005 to my husband, Andrew, and we live in a house in south Broad Ripple with our beautiful 13-month old daughter, Charlotte, and our two dogs, Stella and Izzy.

I am really excited to work with your families this upcoming year!

Hello! I am Mrs. Grotjan and will be working with all of the classes this year as  the studio teacher. I graduated from Butler University in 2001 and taught the last 9 years as a special education teacher at the Warren Early Childhood Center.

I grew up in Carmel, and still live there with my husband Scott and four children Emma 12, Molly 11, Sophie 3, and Collin 3 months.

I have been busy gathering and organizing materials this summer for our studio and can’t wait to share the space with our families and see the children begin working there.  Please stop by and see the studio with your children on August 4th during back to school night.

I am so happy that you are going to be a part of our community this year! Hopefully you are as excited as I am for the learning we have ahead of us!

I would like to share a little bit about myself with you…

I grew up just north of Indianapolis, in Westfield, Indiana. I lived with my mom and dad and my younger sister and brother. After high school, I attended Butler University, where I studied elementary education. I graduated in 2011, and was thrilled to find out that I would be teaching here at the IPS/Butler University Laboratory School! I am currently living in Broadripple, where I enjoy reading, painting, and working on projects for my house.

I can’t wait four our school year to begin! One of my favorite things about teaching is getting to know each and every one of my students. We are going to spend our time learning together and from each other!

Our first day of school will be August 8th, but hopefully I’ll get to see all of you before that, when we have our Back to School Night on August 4th at 6pm. You will get to see what your classroom looks like and meet the rest our friends!