Wednesday was a thrilling day at LREI. As they greeted each other, teachers, students and parents were bubbling with excitement, thoughts, ideas and hopes. No matter which candidate one supported, it was not lost on anyone that we were living in an historic moment. Even our youngest students knew that it was a day to work hard to understand. Each division had an assembly to mark the day. These gatherings varied so as to be age-appropriate, yet all were joyful events filled with conversation, singing, speeches and, most of all, optimism.We are thrilled by the level of interest the students, in all three divisions, have shown for the candidates, the election process and the issues.
As many of you know the election has been a part of the curriculum throughout the fall and for many of our students for much of last year, as well. Our fourth graders worked with librarian Stacy Dillon to study electoral politics through a process of “electing” their favorite books. Stacy announced the winner on Wednesday. Congratulations go to Green Eggs and Ham. The middle school students participated in a national mock election that allowed them to vote on the major party candidates for President and on local ballot initiatives. I am looking forward to seeing the results. In addition, one of our middle school advisory groups spent time out and about in the neighborhood registering more than a dozen people to vote. In the high school, discussions, projects and assemblies dealing with the candidates and the campaign have been going on for quite some time. Throughout the primary season the high school students created a series of debates with students portraying the candidates. Our high schoolers are to be commended for their deep understanding of each candidate’s beliefs. One of our high school students even arranged for the candidates from the Socialist Workers Party to come in and speak to interested schoolmates about this party’s platform. Over the past couple of weeks, many high school faculty and students traveled to Pennsylvania on the weekends to campaign. A group of faculty and students spent last Thursday supporting the last moments of their candidate’s campaign as part of our Minimester—a series of three-day intensive classes in which all eighth – twelfth graders participate. (See Ruth’s blog from two weeks ago to see all of the Minimester offerings.) As I have said to a number of you, I have been in the school for five election cycles and have never seen this level of interest, education and commitment. I hope that our students’ interest in civic involvement remains at this level. Excellent work, all.
My family decided that we would vote very early on Tuesday morning. All agreed that the excitement of Election Day and avoiding lines was a good reason to set our alarm clocks to rouse us before the usual time. The plan was to vote and go out for a celebratory breakfast before the school day began. As I sat on the edge of my four year old son’s bed, watching him at peace and allowing him a last moment’s rest before our adventure began, I realized that there was a possibility, that is now a reality, that the first face he really remembers as the face of a leader, of a President, will be a Black man’s face. That for him and many others this simple fact will change their assumptions and judgments, the goals they will have and the plans they will make. Am I making too much of this? We will have to wait and see, but I don’t think so. While there is still much work to do, the fact that in a few short months the United States of America will have an African-American President will have a long lasting and far-reaching impact. I am eager, for myself and for our children, to see what the future holds. One final thought, I hope that the future holds a recognition that two people choosing to commit themselves to each other is good for everyone and that all people should have the same right to be a family. So even as we celebrate Tuesday’s victory, we should not ignore Tuesday’s defeats. We need to keep our eyes on any discrimination that needs our continued focus and energy.
On a completely different note…..I want to take this opportunity to remind you of some important upcoming due dates.
Irwin Scholar applications are due Monday, November 17, 2008. Each year LREI offers merit scholarships to students moving from our eighth grade into the ninth grade who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishment and promise in the areas of scholarship, citizenship, leadership and service.
Sibling and Alumni/ae Admissions to the Fours, Kindergarten and First Grade:LREI offers the option of Early Notification to siblings of current LREI students, and to the children and grandchildren of LREI alumni. Should you wish to participate in this program, please download the Early Notification form from our web site and submit by Monday, December 1, 2008. Please note that all Early Notification application files must also be completed by this date.
Tuition Remission deadline for applying for Tuition Remission is December 15, 2008.
Re-enrollment contracts will be mailed to all families no later than January 15, 2009.
Re-enrollment contracts are due on February 1, 2009.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.