Call to action: National Day of Service
Dear Families,
Please be reminded that Monday, January 20th, as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday, we should also take part in the National Day of Service that is used to commemorate the life and work of Dr. King. As you know, the students and the LREI community have renewed the commitment to service, and many projects are ongoing. We also have new relationships established, with the help of our parent body, with Educational Alliance (visiting our Community Service Roundtable on Jan. 22), introduced to us by Karyn Bendit, parent of Marissa Bendit, Class of 2011, and with “My Purpose Party” which is a national service learning initiative that uses the medium of mainstream entertainment as a true force for social change and breaks open our underlying perceptions of what “giving” can be, introduced to us by Raella Rothman, Class of 2009. Shirley Staples, parent of Simon, Class of 2012, sent me the following this weekend:
…a family friend identified the opportunity below, which is how Simon and I are going to honor Barack Obama’s call for Americans to observe the National Day of Service. I’m passing it on since it sounds very family-friendly.
Our friend found this on the website, www.usaservice.org, where many NYC opportunities are listed:
THE DETAILS
JCC Day of Service: Use Your Day off to Do Good(Day of Service – January 19)
Join friends and neighbors from 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. on Monday Jan 19, 2009 as a part of the MLK Commemoration National Day of Service.
This event is FREE and open to EVERYONE. No pre-registration is required.
Projects will include:
-preparing food for are homeless shelters
-making welcome kits for children in area hospitals
-calling local and national officials to advocate against genocide
-donate gently used coats as a part of our NY Cares Coat Drive
Free bagels, coffee and hot chocolate will be served.
TIME: Monday, January 19 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
HOST: Dava Schub
CONTACT PHONE: 646-505-4383
LOCATION:
JCC in Manhattan (New York, NY)
334 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10023
DIRECTIONS: take the 1 or the 2/3 train to 72nd street–the JCC is a few blocks north on the west side of the street @ 76th Street and Amsterdam Ave.
If your child is committed to service and looking for that perfect leadership opportunity, Shirley’s wonderful son, Simon, introduced me to an organization called, “Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer.” This organization sponsors a student-run, 4.5-mile walkathon in Central Park to raise money for pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. The walk is organized by a group of students from a variety of independent schools in the area, including St. Ann’s, Beacon, Stuyvesant, Trinity, Packer, Spence and Calhoun.
“Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer” is looking for an LREI student to be the school’s Co-Chair. The Co-Chair(s) serve on the NYC Organizing Committee, which organizes the event, coordinates the fundraising efforts, and recruites a team of students who walk in order to raise money for this important cause. Please note, this leadership role is one in a significant charitable effort, as cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children, killing more children than all other diseases combined. If your child is interested in this extraordinary opportunity, please make sure he or she speaks to Simon Staples-Vangel, Class of 2012 or Celi Khanyile-Lynch, member of the Class of 2009 and Student Community Service Coordinator, or to me.
Finally, please check out the list of volunteer opportunities from Director of LREI, Phil Kassen.
I hope you will enjoy this national holiday and the historic inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and take the time to provide service for others who are in need. There is no better way to honor the courage, the work and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
All the best,
Ruth
Updates and Announcements:
- The school’s calendar can be accessed by clicking here.
- Click here to view the 2008-2009 LREI Calendar.
- For general LREI Athletics news go to this link . This page will provide general announcements, game summaries, league standings and game recaps.
*Class of 2009 Families, please read the updated and revised important letter from Ruth Jurgensen, High School Principal regarding Senior Project.
*Please read this important announcement from our Academic Support Center.
*Congrats to the LREI Robotics Team!
*The senior class is trying to locate a space in which to hold their prom. If anyone knows of a good space for this event, or has a contact of some sort, kindly email Vio Picayo at vpicayo@yahoo.com. Please respond as soon as possible, as time is running short before this late May event. Thank you.
*The first Coffeehouse for 2009 will be on February 7. The High School Community Service Roundtable will be sponsoring this event. If you would like to participate or your child would like to participate, please contact Micah at 212-477-5316, x 304. The coffeehouse on the calendar for Jan. 24 is canceled.
1. Save the Date for Karamu! Friday January 23rd… Karamu! is a multicultural celebration of music, dance, and food celebrating the diversity of our school and community – all are invited! Tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 20th. Discount tickets are available – please contact Juliet Burrows, jkka@mac.com. This event always sells out so get your tickets early! Here are ways to be involved: get tickets & come to the show, volunteer to help out on the day of or donate a prepared dish for the feast! We need food and volunteers!..Sign up boards are in the 6th Ave. lobby – please volunteer and join this wonderful community building event.
If you would like to solicit a donation from a restaurant or business please use this letter and forward information to Juliet. Thank you!
2. A message from Chap, Director of Diversity and Community
Join us for one or both of the following PA Diversity Discussions with Dr. Patricia Romney:
Wednesday January 28, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Sixth Avenue Auditorium
Thursday January 29th, 8:45-10:45 AM in the Sixth Avenue Cafeteria
3. A perfect gift!
LETTERMAN JACKETS NOW AVAILABLE!
Wool Letterman Jackets now available through
the LREI school store.
These beautiful warm, winter coats are now
available by special order only. The cost is
approximately $200 per coat. Each is personalized
with your name. For orders: Contact Kasey Picayo at
picayosmith@aol.com. See attachment for photo.
4. Red is Green Committee: January is recycle your greeting cards month! Save all your cards this holiday season and we’ll be collecting them in January. St. Jude’s Ranch accepts recycled cards which they use to make “green” holiday cards. The proceeds go towards helping abused, abandoned and neglected children.
5. CALLING ALL EMBROIDERY BUFFS!
Embroider a square for the 2009 Big Auction Community Quilt. All squares must be completed by February 1, 2009. Please see the attachment for details.
Sandra Song
Annual Fund and Special Events Manager