PS 77-The NYC Laboratory School for Gifted Education
1700 Third Avenue • New York, NY 10128
(212) 427-2798
Fax (212) 423-0634
Dr. Mara Koetke, Principal
Denise Pérez, Assistant Principal IA
October 29, 2013
Dear Fifth Grade Families,
Here are some middle school updates:

Yesterday, I was informed that Lab Middle will now only consider students who rank them
1st on the middle school application. This means that families interested in East Side, Salk,
and Lab may only select one of these schools on their application. Lab has made a decision
to alter their admissions policy mid-way into the middle school choice process, and I realize
that this limits your choices. I have met with many of your about your application options,
and this is a from what I have discussed. Please let me know if you have any additional
questions about this information.
REMINDERS

On Friday, November 1st at 8:30 AM, Jimmy Bueschen, District 2 Middle School Choice
Coordinator, will be at Lower Lab to talk with parents about the choice and application
process. The session will be held in the cafeteria. Jimmy is an outstanding resource who
knows everything there is to know about the middle school application process, so please
plan to attend this valuable session. His presentation will be similar to that which he gave at
the District 2 Fair, but he will be able to answer additional questions in this smaller venue.
No RSVP necessary.

Middle School Panel: We are organizing a panel on Thursday, December 5th at 6:30 PM
featuring Lower Lab Alumni (students and parents) from various middle schools. We plan to
hear from students who currently attend various District 2 and Citywide schools. These
students and parents will share their experiences and viewpoints on their school. More details
will be provided soon.

Salk: Salk will hold an Open House for Lower Lab families on Monday, November 25th at
4:00 PM. Please enter at 319 E. 19th Street. No registration is necessary.

NEST+m: NEST+M (111 Columbia Street) will hold its Open Houses on Tuesday,
November 5th at the following times:
Session I: 8:30AM - 9:30AM
Session II: 10:00AM - 11:00AM
Session III: 11:30AM - 12:30PM
No reservations necessary. Please note that attending an Open House is not mandatory in
order to apply for admission.

Wagner Middle School Tours: Wagner (220 East 76th Street) will hold a tour for Lower Lab
families on Wednesday, November 20th at 9:00 AM. If you are unable to attend at this time,
there are also tours available on Wednesday, November 13th at 9:00 AM. You must
register in order to attend. To register, go to http://www.wagner167.org and click on “About
Us” to find the link to “School Tours.”

Clinton School for Artists and Writers: Clinton (425 West 33rd Street) Clinton tours are
full, but there is an Open House on Thursday, November 14th at 6:00 PM. For more
information, visit http://theclintonschool.net/ and click on “Admissions.” Please note:
“Clinton is expected to be in its current location at 425 West 33rd Street through 2014-15. In
the Fall of 2015 we expect to move to 10 East 15th Street, just off Union Square, and begin
our expansion to a 6-12 school, upon Panel for Educational Policy approval.”

Anderson: Anderson has now posted its admissions criteria for the upcoming year. Please
see my October 23rd letter for details or visit Anderson’s website,
http://www.ps334school.org/admissions/anderson-school-6th-grade-admissions

If you attend a school tour during the school day, be sure to bring a note from the middle
school to our main office so that your child is not considered tardy.

If you are attending a school open house/tour or the Middle School Fair, your child should
join you in order to get a sense of the school. If the visit occurs during school hours, please
get documentation of attendance so that your child’s lateness can be entered in the system as
a school visit.
I am at Lower Lab on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In spite of my limited schedule, I will make
every effort to keep you informed in a timely manner and to make arrangements to meet with you
as needed. I can be reached at ehoffman@schools.nyc.gov or (212) 427-2798, ext. 1371. My
office is located in Room 137.
Sincerely,
Elana