01.22.2023

Principal Meg's Weekly Message

Dear Lab Middle School Families,

Each morning last week I walked out my front door to see a waning crescent moon sitting low on the horizon. Each morning the crescent moon shrinks just a little bit, until only a sliver of light remained in the early dawn sky. I feel deeply connected to the moon and enjoy greeting it when I see it in the morning. Rushing, rushing, rushing as I get ready for work, make kids' lunches, and do early morning good-byes – I open my front door to darkness, the early morning stillness and the moon. It is strange to say it, but the moon often takes me a bit by surprise when I see it – I'm in awe of its beauty. 

For many (including me), the moon helps track the passing of time and reminds us of the cycle of the year. Most of the holidays that I celebrate are marked by the phases of the moon. Watching the waning (now new) moon of this past week, I was reminded that we were approaching Lunar New Year once again. Of course, I knew this because it was on my calendar but to have the moon reminded me of it as well filled me with joy in my soul. 

It has been such a gift to celebrate Lunar New Year with our community over the past 15 years, to learn about the traditions, meanings and customs that fill this time – to be welcomed in celebration with the community. Lunar New Year has become incredibly special to me, and I am forever grateful.

Being The Year of the Rabbit I decided to read up on what the rabbit symbolizes (most of our 6^th graders are born in this year). In all that is going on in our world, I was pleased to learn that the rabbit symbolizes peace, thoughtfulness, and intelligence. In the story of the Chinese Zodiac, it was the rabbit that opted to use the raft because he knew that he was not a good swimmer. Rather than just diving into the river to win The Great Race, the rabbit used his cleverness and intellect to cross the river safely. May we all be a little more like the rabbit in the year to come.

May this year, the Year of the Rabbit bring Good Fortune, Wellness and Peace. 

In Kindness,

Principal Meg

iReady Benchmark Diagnostic Testing

This coming week (Wednesday 1/25 – Friday 1/27) students will be taking the second round of the iReady Diagnostic Testing. All students will take the assessments over the course of two days (the two days that they will not be doing Sports Day – see schedule below). Each day they will work on iReady periods 1-3. Students who are approved for remote learning during the week can take the assessments remotely. Any students who have not completed both diagnostics by the end of the day on 1/27 will be given additional time and be notified of next steps. 

iReady Testing Schedule:

1/25 – 7^th Grade and 8^th Grade

1/26 – 6^th Grade and 7^th Grade

1/27 – 6^th Grade and 8^th Grade

Note on Calendar – January 30^th there IS school

There IS school on Monday, January 30^th. High Schools and 6-12 schools are closed that day but Middle Schools (and Elementary Schools ARE open). I know that the calendar can be a little confusing and I always receive questions regarding this day.

Next Book Club Meeting – Friday, February 3rd

Join us for our next Parent-Guardian Book Club on Friday, February 3^rd at 9:00 AM via Zoom – ALL are welcome. We will be discussing the book Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Daniel Siegel. The Parents’ Association has purchased copies of the book. If you would like one, please reach out to our Parent Coordinator Marilyn Coston at [email protected]. Below is a brief description of the book. 

Between the ages of twelve and twenty-four, the brain changes in important and, at times, challenging ways. In Brainstorm, Dr. Daniel Siegel busts a number of commonly held myths about adolescence—for example, that it is merely a stage of “immaturity” filled with often “crazy” behavior. According to Siegel, during adolescence we learn vital skills, such as how to leave home and enter the larger world, connect deeply with others, and safely experiment and take risks.

Drawing on important new research in the field of interpersonal neurobiology, Siegel explores exciting ways in which understanding how the brain functions can improve the lives of adolescents, making their relationships more fulfilling and less lonely and distressing on both sides of the generational divide.

Manhattan Youth Newsletter

The Manhattan Youth newsletter is back! If you have not received our weekly newsletter you can sign up here. We post weekly student highlights, a student newsletter section, and recaps of our weekly activities.

Athletic Program

Families may view our upcoming schedule of games here.



Holocaust Remembrance Day Program 

We have reached capacity for this program. To be added to the waitlist please email us at lab@manhattanyouth.org

Families will have the option to sign up for two options: 

• Wednesday, February 1^st: Live Virtual Testimony from a Holocaust Survivor (3PM-4:30PM)
• Thursday, February 2^nd: Field Trip to Jewish Heritage Museum’s exhibit, The Holocaust: What Hate Can Do (3PM-5PM)

Students attending either (or both) programs will be required to attend a mandatory meeting on Friday, January 27^th from 3PM-4:30PM in order to prepare.

Spring Musical Auditions 

>>Sign Up Here<<

Information on how to prepare for auditions will be shared this upcoming week with all registered families.

Audition Information

• Date: Tuesday, February 7th 
• Time: 3PM-6PM
• Location: Auditorium

Further information on rehearsals and show dates will be published in February.

Black History Month Celebration



On Friday, February 10^th Lab Middle School will be hosting a school-wide Black History Program. This program is a partnership between the Lab MS Parents Association, Manhattan Youth, and Lab Middle School. All students will participate in an interactive concert during the school day. Manhattan Youth will then host workshops in the afternoon for students to learn drumming, dance, and poetry. Registration for the workshops will open next week!

Enter the 2022-2023 Student Yearbook Cover Contest!

Winners will have their drawing or design on the 2022-2023 yearbook cover.

Official Rules:

1. Your design must be an original concept. It can be hand drawn or done digitally. If hand drawn, please scan it so that it can be submitted in digital format.
2. Your design must include the words “New York City Lab Middle School”, the year “2022-2023, and our 4 school values, “Collaboration, Compassion, Academic Rigor, Diversity & Pluralism” on the cover.
3. You must submit to Manhattan Youth After School at [email protected]. Please write “Yearbook Cover Contest” in the subject line.
4. The design must be school appropriate!
5. Deadline: February 15^th. We cannot accept late submissions — sorry!

 Help Sponsor a Teacher for Lunar New Year!

We still need assistance fundraising for our Teacher Tickets!

The Parents Association provides sponsorship for a number of teachers to attend Lunar New Year.

If you are attending or even if you’re not attending...

Sponsor a Teacher!

$65 sponsors a full Teacher Ticket.

Any donation - even smaller, partial amounts - is greatly appreciated and will help us achieve our goal of funding all teachers who want to attend.

Thank you for your support!

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE! PHOTO DAY IS COMING!

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

(makeup day will be March 22, 2023)

We need your help in making it a success!

Our photo partner is once again Stomping Ground Photo. They will need your email so that once your photos are complete, they can send each of you an identifying code to view your student’s individual photo gallery.

Please complete THIS FORM and provide your email, so that Lab has permission to give it to Stomping Ground. 

If you have more than one student at the school, please fill out a separate form for each student.

The deadline for email submission has been extended to MONDAY, January 23, 2023.

Additional details about Photo Day are forthcoming! If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Shop Amazon Smile to Benefit Lab Middle School

Did you know that you could support Lab MS by shopping? When you make purchases from Amazon for home or business, please choose to shop from Smile.Amazon.com and select to support "The NYC Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies Parents." Every dollar helps!

January

• Wed 1/25: SLT Meeting, 7:45 AM
• Wed 1/25: Sports Day, 8:30 – 11:00 (6th grade)
• Thur 1/26: Sports Day, 9:15 – 12:30 (8th grade)
• Fri, 1/27: Sports Day, 9:15 – 12:30 (7th grade)

February

• Fri, 2/03: Principal Meg's Book Club, 9 AM
• Fri, 2/03: Lunar New Year Celebration, 6 PM
• Tues, 2/07: Picture Day, Stomping Ground Photos
• Tues, 2/07: CECD2 Meeting, 6:30 PM
• Thurs, 2/09: PA Executive Meeting, 8:30 AM
• Tues, 2/14: PA General Meeting, 8:30 AM

Click here for the NYC DoE Calendar. 

CECD2 Meeting Feb 7th.

The District 2 Community Education Council's next monthly meeting will be via zoom at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, Feb. 7th. The agenda for the meeting is still TBD.

Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 

Time: Starting 6:30 PM

Location: Remote - Participate via Zoom or Watch the YouTube Livestream*

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlf-mpqTkjHNNHlb5bznf_Zk9M3X-zzS_-

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/CECDistrict2

Stay Informed

CEC D2 https://www.cecd2.net

New York City Council https://council.nyc.gov

New York State Assembly https://nyassembly.gov/

New York State Senate https://www.nysenate.gov

Key Email Addresses and Links

You may find contact information on our website at https://www.labmiddleschool.com/apps/staff/. 

Here are some quick links for your reference:

• Principal: Megan Adams ([email protected])
• Assistant Principal: Matt McGinley (mmcginley4@schools.nyc.gov)
• Parent Coordinator: Marilyn Coston ([email protected])
• Pupil Accounting & Principal's Secretary: Toyia Thompson
• ([email protected])
• RAPP Coordinator: TBD
• Parents' Association ([email protected])
• Judah Levenson, Manhattan Youth Program Director: ([email protected])
• Faithe Yates, Manhattan Youth Assistant Program Director: ([email protected])
• Manhattan Youth Absence & Early Dismissal Notification Form