upcoming events

4:30 pm NSML Math Competition

7:30 pm U-High Theater's Fall Production of Dracula

7:30 pm U-High Theater's Fall Production of Dracula

Noon Bizaarnival

7:30 pm U-High Theater's Fall Production of Dracula

9 am 1st Grade Vision Screening

9:30 am Halloween Parade led by U-High Jazz Band

NO SCHOOL 9, 11, 12, High School Parent/Teacher Conferences

Noon Recital Featuring Advanced Musicians Grades 7-12

No School All Grades, Faculty In-Service Day

7:45 am Middle School New Parent Breakfast

7:30 pm 8th Grade Band/Choir/Orchestra Concert

No School Grades 6-8, Advisor-Parent Conferences

6:30 pm Middle School Jazz Band at Quad Club

7 pm Giant Gym Night, Grades 5-6

contact info

>All Schools contact information here

>Submit news that Lab parents can use here

in the halls

		Lab Teacher Visits Japan on Fulbright Middle School math teacher Anna Blinstein is in the middle of a three-week trip to Japan as part of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program. This program is designed to increase understanding between the people of Japan and the United States by inviting U.S. educators to visit Japan and share their experiences with fellow Americans upon their return. Continue >>
		CA-MRSA Awareness at Lab There has been much news coverage about community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). The Illinois Department of Public Heath issued guidelines for schools regarding both prevention and response and Lab will fully embrace these guidelines. Importantly, as a part of the University of Chicago, Lab benefits from the expertise available through such groups as the departments of Infection Control and Infectious Disease at the Medical Center. We feel confident that should this rare problem affect our community we will be able to respond swiftly. For sound information on this bacterial infection go to the CDC website.
		K-12 President's Challenge Each year students from kindergarten and up participate in the President's Challenge, in which their fitness is measured in five events: endurance run (a mile), shuttle run, v-sit and reach, curl-ups, and push-ups. The results are recorded and kept from year to year so students can track the progression of their fitness levels as they grow. Ask your child about his/her experience. Continue >>

n/k & lower schools

The Laboratory Schools is a member of the regional education association known as the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) that includes more than 200 schools from thirteen states. Every seven years, member schools undergo a reaccredidation process that monitors schools for adherence to two fundamental principles:

• >Full and accurate disclosure of mission, philosophy, program, qualifications of its professional staff, procedures, and services.
• >Congruence between the school's stated mission and its actual programs and services. Continue >>

The annual Halloween Parade will take place Wednesday, October 31, at 9:30 am. Students and teachers will parade through Blaine Hall and the High School, gathering in Kovler Gym for a program of favorite Halloween songs. Parents are invited to watch along the parade route and in Kovler. (Please allow room for the parade to pass.) Children who do not celebrate Halloween may spend this time in Blaine Library.

If you would like your child’s individual picture to be retaken or your child was not here on Picture Day, your child may be photographed on retake day, November 14. For retakes, send in the original package (keep the group photo). For new orders, pick up an order form in Blaine 103. Questions? Call Maria Carrillo at 312-360-0614 or Lisa Guynn at 312-861-1679.

The current issue of the "Lowdown" will be availble on Friday, October 26, placed in your child's backpack and available online at the "Publications and Bulletins" page on our website.

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middle school

The interim reports (grades 6-8) will be mailed Monday, November 5 in time for parent-teacher conferences. This report focuses on the student’s levels of achievement and effort and indicates if a student is on track at the semester mid-point. In addition to the brief narrative comment, a student's progress is gauged as "satisfactory or better," "low satisfactory," or "unsatisfactory." The information is intended to convey the student's level of progress and whether a problem needs to be addressed before the semester ends. In essence, it serves as an alert system for parents to assess if their child's effort and achievement are satisfactory. Grades will only be given at the end of the semester. Please note that rotation classes (art, drama, computers, home economics, and photography) meet for only one quarter and will not have interim reports.

If your student would like to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF this Halloween, humanities teacher Janice Moy has collection boxes, which can be obtained during lunch period this week. UNICEF works in more than 150 countries helping to save, protect, and improve the lives of children through immunization, education, health care, nutrition, clean water, and sanitation.

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high school

University High School's annual parent-teacher conference day is scheduled for Thursday, November 1 from 11 am-2 pm and from 4 pm-8 pm. See letter from principal Matt Horvaton the School's website for more information about this event.

Boys and girls cross country teams each won an IHSA class AA regional championship, U-High's girls tennis team won their first-ever IHSA sectional title, and a sophomore tennis player earned honorable mention All-State honors for her outstanding performance at the IHSA tennis tournament.
Continue >>

One hundred and eighty-eight students from grades 9-10 visited the Court Theatre on Thursday, October 11 to see a production of Seneca's Thyestes. This trip, organized by teachers in several departments, gave students a glimpse into the ancient world.

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community

The Middle/High School BSA is sponsoring a food, clothing, and toy drive through November 1. Boxes will be available in the High School and Blaine lobbies. (Please ensure items are placed in the appropriately marked box.) Middle and Lower School students may deliver items to their advisory or classroom. Food must be non-perishable, clothing must be new or nearly new, and toys must be new. All donations go to the Midwest Workers Association, which assists lowest-paid and unrecognized workers and their families. Thanks to BSA sponsor Frances Moore-Bond.

On November 17, Lab will recognize its parent and alumni annual leadership donors while showcasing recent improvements in the arts programs made possible by Connections 2007. The evening will feature the newly restored Middle School theater, Blaine 214, an exhibit of student-made art, and the U-High Jazz Band. The hosted wine tasting will offer a selection of international wine and gourmet food pairings.

The e-vite to this invitation-only event has been sent. If you have received it but not yet rsvp'd, reply online or by phone 773-702-4083. For information contact Monica Wilczak at 773-702-2051.

Lab families are invited to run the 25th Gargoyle Gallop 8K, on Sunday, October 28 at 9 am. The race begins and ends at the 63rd Street Beach House and features cash awards, trophies, a scenic course, shirts, and a children's race. The Gallop benefits Hyde Park's non-profit Blue Gargoyle which operates an alternative high school and provides no-cost counseling, education, and job training to more than 1,200 south side students, adults, and families.

Lab alum Rich Nayer ’76, the race founder and current organizer, still holds U-High's record for the mile!

Bizaarnival is a Halloween carnival organized by High School students and parents for the Lower School. This year Middle School students are invited to join the organizing committee during activity period. Students will meet with the High School committee and help make decisions about advertising, activities, locations, etc. Contact either Marrissa Miles-Coccaro, student chair and creator, at 773-726-3127, or World Language Teacher Marianne Zemil.

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