The Friday before Winter Break, the High School took the time to celebrate History Instructor Bill Bailey’s 50th year of teaching.  Bill has not been with us for the 50, but in his four and a half years here, he has truly made a lasting impression on our students.  They rallied together to plan the celebration; 50 students, 50 red roses and 50 adjectives or stories that demonstrate Bill’s important impact on the community.

After our assembly, Bill took the time to write me a letter expressing his feelings about the honor.  In it, he said, “Perhaps one indication of my appreciation is that after reflecting on 2009 as we approach the new year is my sense, without a doubt, that the tribute you, Phil, the faculty, and most importantly, the students offered me was the highlight of the year and perhaps of my entire teaching career.  I found it all so overwhelming and so gratifying…Wednesday night, I went to dinner with four other history teachers [from prestigious schools in the Northeast] who have become very close friends…I told them about Friday…they reflected on the reputations that exclusive private schools have, citing Exeter in particular.  [With all in agreement], they determined Little Red must be a truly extraordinary place with far more emphasis on community and the well-being of all who are a part of it…” Bill went on to say how happy, rewarded, and fulfilled he has been here.  Thank you, Bill!

On Tuesday, in observance of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,  we welcomed Larry Jay Tish and Ron Jones, and their show,“The Black/Jew Dialogues.”

Photo by: Marissa Bendit ’11. Ron Jones and Larry Jay Tish, “The Black/Jew Dialogues.”

Photo by Marissa Bendit ’11. Ron Jones and Larry Jay Tish, “The Black/Jew Dialogues.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. worked tirelessly, through dialogue and other non-violence methods to encourage remarkable change:  open housing opportunities, voting rights, job equality, and the end of segregation, and to oppose the Vietnam war and racial and economic injustice.  It is our duty, and every citizen’s duty to continue in Dr. King’s footsteps as often as we can and bridge the divides that separate us from one another.  Tuesday’s program encouraged bridge crossing, conversation and dialogue through laughter and thoughtful reflection on the history of prejudice and racism. Taking the time, paying attention and participating in the assembly was truly honoring Dr. King’s legacy and remarkable life.

As we also begin to hear the horrible news from Haiti and the devastating effects of the earthquake this week, we must reflect on what else we can do to help one another, especially the people of Haiti. Today, students gathered in class meetings to begin to plan to support relief efforts.  As a community, we have decided to change the theme of the next coffeehouse on Saturday, February 6, from a community service roundtable event to a benefit for Haiti. Monday, a day off from school is, as you know, a National Day of Service, a “Day On,” honoring Dr. King’s work.  There is much to do in our local community and for others outside of it.

What are you doing on Monday?

More great student news!

• Maya Peart-Hill, Class of 2012, has been “selected to participate in “Expanding the Walls Program,” a unique [seven month] program for teens that uses photography as a medium to explore community, identity and history, at the Studio Museum of Harlem.   It was quite a rigorous selection process that required her to undergo two interviews [and secure three recommendations!]“.
• Both Robert Kiley, ‘10, and Kai Furbeck, ‘10 have been honored by Young Arts 2010 as Merit Award winners in Photography as well as New York Regional Award winners in photography.
• From the National Merit Scholarship Corporation:  ”This year about 34,000 commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.  Commended Students are placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2010 competition by taking the 2008 PSAT/NMSQT.”  Congratulations to Kai Furbeck ‘10 and Ben Neuhaus ‘10 who have been named “commended students” in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program.
• From the National Achievement Scholarship Program:  I am pleased to announce that one of our seniors has been named “among some 3,100 Outstanding Participants in the National Achievement Scholarship Program being referred to U.S. colleges and universities.  This student scored in the top 3 percent of more than 160,000 Black Americans who requested consideration in the 2010 National Acheivement Program when they took the 2008 PSAT/NMSQT.”  Congratulations to Devon Brown, ‘10.

Starting with the amazing play, “The Spirit of the Lenape” written and directed by Meghan Farley-Astrachan, students in the high school have been busy. Then yesterday, the community was fortunate to experience an inspirational assembly presentation by the “Fierce and Fabulous” Feminism English class. The group, members of the Class of 2010 and 2011, Frank Shanley, Zoe Lubin-Fosha, Ayana Workman, Chloerose Bree-D’Orazio, Chappell Laird, Chelsea Dalessandro, Jake Goodman, Sonrisa Murrary-Fox, Jenny Sonenberg, led by instructor Ileana Jimenez, informed the high school on the continuing serious problem of child trafficking here in New York City and in the United States. They presented their findings and introduced outreach workers from the organization, GEMS, Girls Education and Mentoring Services, who participated in the Q&A. When the community was asked why we should care about this issue, Julian Pratt, ‘12, responded, “If we don’t care, that says something about our humanity. No matter where this is happening in the world, it is not acceptable for us to accept that it is.”

The class is accepting donations of winter clothing, toiletries, hygiene products, baby items and children’s clothes and toys for GEMS. There is a box in the lobby until December 14. From Ileana Jimenez:

If you feel further inspired, you can host a screening of the film Very Young Girls in your own home by ordering the film via Netflix and inviting friends over to watch and donate. Proceeds from your house party would go directly to GEMS. Information here: http://www.gems-girls.org/index.html

At this, the end of the first trimester, students are wrapping up papers, projects and other coursework. Even though there is a significant amount of work, our students continue to be passionate about their classes beyond the school day. This Saturday, thirteen members of Bill Bailey’s Constitutional Law class will be attending The New York City Bar Association Symposium for High School Students ,“My Rights, My Nation: Talking About Constitutional Rights Now and in the Future” from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information please visit their website at http://nycbar.org/myrights.

Finally, today we welcomed back Ella Sauders-Crivello, ‘08 and the organization she works for, “Charity:Water”. Again, as with Tuesday’s assembly, students left inspired and encouraged. We hope they consider the wonderful service both GEMS and Charity: Water provide as Community Service Day, Friday, December 11 approaches. Volunteering one’s time can make a huge difference to organizations and individuals. As this is the week before Thanksgiving and the edge of winter, isn’t this a perfect time to reflect on that which we are grateful for, what we have harvested this year?

As the weather cools and days darken, many teachers might be tempted to hunker down inside with their students and stick to their tried-and-true lessons and routines.  Not so at LREI.  Throughout the high school, the faculty are engaging students in provocative discussions, assigning challenging and relevant projects, leading experiential trips around the city, and welcoming inspirational guests into their classrooms.  In this way, the faculty inspire students to pursue their own academic passions and model how to be life-long learners.  Here are just a few of the exciting things happening in high school classrooms this fall:

• Art Teacher Janet Atkinson writes: It was a busy beginning of the school year in the art studio.   11^th grade students made shoes from cardboard and are now concentrating on an observed still life painting.  Other students visited the Chelsea art show of LREI parent Anne Delaney.  Anne graciously agreed to meet with the students to discuss her work and take questions – what an amazing opportunity!
• Sergei Mikhelson’s 12th grade Advanced Math class just completed a project on finding an optimal production policy for companies using Linear Programming and started discovering the Election Theory, where they examine the advantages and drawbacks of different voting models. 11th grade Algebra II students are in the final stage of creating a drawing using only graphs of functions discussed throughout the course.
• Last week, the entire 9th grade wrote an interdiscplinary essay analyzing the character of Antigone (from the play by Sophocles) through the comparative lens of the life of Socrates.  English Teacher Jane Belton and History Teacher Tom Murphy collaborated on this innovative writing assignment.
• Meghan Farley Astrachan’s 12th Grade Drama class is writing and recording Radio Plays with WNYC Radio!
• Music teacher Vin Scialla writes: LREI World Music Series kicked off the year with master mandolinist, Snehasish Mozumder.  The performance focused on “Music from India: tradition to invention.” A masterclass with Snehasish and Sameer (tabla) followed the performance with an intimate Q & A for LREI student musicians.   Snehasish Mozumder, an exploratory string virtuoso, expands the boundaries of the mandolin instrument.
• In Tom Murphy’s Global War on Terrorism class, students are practicing to be policy-makers of the future, researching and writing their own policy briefs.
• Janet Atkinson and Susan Now took their 12th grade Studio Art and Photography classes to see Emma Thompson’s exhibit in Washington Square Park called Journey, an art installation that explores one woman’s “journey into hell” when she was trafficked to the UK.  The installation will be in WSP from today November 10 until November 16.  Click here for details.
• In the Constitutional Law elective, history teacher Bill Bailey runs the discussion using the Socratic method, typical of a law school class.  Students must be ready to answer any question with correct legal vocabulary.  This week’s topic was school desegregation, with students studying Supreme Court Cases from Brown to Bakke.
• The 10th grade Dance students worked on a group piece, featuring 90-second solo material by each dancer.  During class, teacher Peggy Peloquin conferences individually with students to guide them through the creative process.
• Students in English teacher Ileana Jimenez’s “Fierce and Fabulous: Feminist Literature” class watched the film Very Young Girls, about the commercial sexual exploitation of girls in NYC.  This documentary was made by the organization GEMS (Girls Educational Mentoring Services): it’s mission is to “is to empower young women, ages12-21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking, to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential.  GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth.” Visitors to the class include two outreach workers from GEMS the executive director from Equality Now, Taina Bien-Aime.  Ileana writes, “I’m proud of our students for taking on these conversations seriously, and for my colleagues and I to be engaging our students in taking action against these horrific crimes against women and children.”

Our Video Justice Film Festival was a success!!  We raised over $1500 for a variety of great charities!! Special thanks to our panel of Jurors: Andrew Fried, Serina Mayer, Christin Meador, Barry Pousman, Crissy Spivey, and Jeffrey Flug. Congratulations to the winners:
First Prize – “From Our Point of View, Joining Hands to Save our Community”  The Awesome Girls, New Orleans Video Voices

Second Prize – “Sticks and Stones”  Ali Salas and Marcel Salas from Packer Collegiate

Third Prize – Static Nation”  Samuel Bondy, Mirlene Fevrier, William Johnson, Makara Levin, Celina Ramos, Yeuri Santos, Anthony Stukes, DCTV

Special thanks to our student and faculty committee members: The Community Service Roundtable, The Human Rights Club, Human Rights History Course, 11th grade Media Arts Course, Ana De La Cruz, Kary Caiza, Jane Kovich, Ayana Workman, Jake Goodman, Jimmy Rogers, Kayla Green, Gabe Cook, Zoe Snow, Nate Lewit, Daniel Montoya, Woobens Celony, Nazir Khan, Danny Sarmiento, Jordan Seagal, Devon Brown, Cameron Diggs, Gracen Cloud, Ashley Wilens, Rachard Kemp, Lidor Foguel, Tom Murphy, Vinay Chowdhry, Nick Sullivan, Micah Dov Gottlieb and many more!

None of this would have been possible without the help, support, and encouragement of Ariadne Meyers and “My Purpose Party”.  A film of the planning, organizing, and event will be screened here at EI, and at other schools around the country to inspire students to do projects like this.Please see the evenings program- attached below – for info on the evening

VJ Program

For a dramatic writing project in Meghan’s 9th and 10th Drama classes, students were required to write a ten-minute play that they had to complete in five weeks and submit online to a new playwriting contest for teens put together by Elton John and Billy Eliot the Musical in conjunction with Fidelity Investments. All of the plays were quite remarkable, but special congratulations go to 10th Grader, Ayana Workman, who has been named a finalist in the Fidelity FutureStage Playwriting Contest! Ayana’s play entitled “Lucy” was selected as one of the top five plays from 500 submissions from high school students from NY and NJ. Ayana will be honored at the Gala Finale on June 15th at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway.

From Julia Heaton:

I just witnessed an amazing event taking place in the high school library – a room full of teenagers being transformed into activists.  Rachel Maddow of MSNBC spent an hour with our students speaking about her life as a student, academic, community organizer, journalist, and activist.  Though she claims that she never tries to “inspire,” her talk was certainly inspirational — and relevant and funny and provocative and powerful.  Our students were so impressive, as always, giving Rachel their rapt attention and peppering her with insightful questions about her work and her opinions.  In turn, she offered advice that is so in line with LREI’s mission and values:  find a wrong in the world and fight tirelessly to make it right, work hard to achieve excellence, use your advantages and talents to serve a greater purpose, the importance of writing and reading and evidence.  Above all, she conveyed the message that a life of activism can be fulfilling, not to mention fun.

This event would not have been possible without the incredible organization and energy of our colleague Ileana Jimenez.  Ileana worked her magic to get Rachel in the door (even though Rachel says that she “doesn’t do speaking engagements”) and then facilitated the talk with expertise and grace of a professional.  Is there a spin-off show in Ileana’s future?

One student said to me as he left the room, “This literally changed my life.” I know I speak on behalf of many in attendance when I say that I couldn’t agree more.  I was very proud to be a part of LREI today.

We are also very impressed by the work of this year’s Scholastic Key winners! Montana Jaro, ‘10, won a Silver Key for her short story “Down the Stairs”, which she read at the fiction/memoir assembly. Celi Khanyile-Lynch,’09, won a Gold Key for her personal essay/memoir titled “Identity Search.”

As the election season comes to a close, I have to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work of our history department during the seamingly endless time period between the primaries and this week. The history department, Tom Murphy, Bill Bailey, Mark Bledstein and Nick O’Han have been the community’s teachers and have educated faculty and students alike through a series of assemblies and through timely elective offerings.

The assemblies have included presentations, mock debates and discussions on the primaries, each candidate participating in the primaries, the issues and election strategy in the primaries. Once the candidates were determined, we were able to start the year with a workshop on the electoral college, then to the candidates’ position on a variety of issues, including energy, foreign policy, gay marriage, and the economy.

Action has been inspired by these assemblies. Almost every weekend in October, faculty and students have travelled to far and wide to canvas; one of the options for students in Bill Bailey’s American Government and Politics class was to travel with Bill to Pennsylvania. For the students who participated in this option, they were quite shocked by the blatant racism they encountered while canvasing for Barack Obama. In fact, members of the department were worried about what students may be exposed to but ultimately it was decided that students need to experience a difference of opinion to say the least (we are a pretty bias school with the majority of the community supporting Obama openly; we do have community members also supporting McCain). Today, even more students, participating in Bill’s Election minimester are on their way to Pennsylvania; others are headed to Obama’s Brooklyn headquarters to help out today. It is terrific to see the engagement of our students; this election is important to them. Regardless of the outcome, on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 8:30 AM, the community will gather together as a community to support each other and to discuss the results in a thoughtful and respectful manner, as all assemblies require.

Next week is “Minimester”! While some faculty call it “Megamester” because it feels so big, Minimester, our three day immersion program, is a wonderful break from the every day, and something the community really enjoys. The 2008-2009 program offerings include:Bike Minimester! with Nick Sullivan and Susan Now

Students will be biking through NYC to several destinations near and far. They will learn about bike repair, and will also work with Transportation Alternatives, an organization that among many other things gives recommendations to the city about how to make biking in New York a safe and viable form of urban transportation and fun. Great eats will be found on their trips!

CSI: LREI with Preethi Thomas and Margaret Magee

“If you have ever wondered how forensic scientists use fingerprints, DNA and fibers to investigate crimes, then this minimester is for you.  We will investigate a crime of our own to determine “whodunnit.”  In order to thoroughly and accurately investigate a crime scene you must be extremely attentive to detail in order to determine what the evidence is telling you.  Investigation of this crime scene will include amny of the following:  Documenting the scene, dusting for fingerprints, fiber identification, blood spatter analysis, handwriting analysis, hair identification, DNA fingerprinting and bloodtyping.”

Chinese culture with Mark Bledstein and Guo-Qing Heaton
Students will learn how to write in Chinese characters. They will create Chinese ink and brush landscapes. Take a guided tour through Chinatown. Enjoy both the wonders of Chinese cinema and a slide show on contemporary Chinese art. Sample popular Chinese music and “dig into” authentic Chinese lunch.

Election 2008-History in the Making-You Can Make a Difference! with Bill Bailey, Meghan Farley Astrachan and Stephen MacGillivray
“Join us if you love politics. Join us if you think you know a lot or if you think you know “next to nothing” about the subject. We will spend the first day learning about the electoral process with both the White House and the U.S. Congress as subjects. Once we have some basic facts under our belts, we will look at the campaign in depth, examining the Republican and Democratic platforms, the debates, political ads and the issue of accuracy and of appeal, the battleground states, and whatever else might unfold. The class does not pretend to be uncommitted in the race, and Thursday, we will head to Pennsylvania (by bus) to campaign for Barack Obama. We’ll do some role playing to build our confidence before we meet with residents of Wilkes Barre or Scranton who are enthusiastic about Obama, skeptical or hostile. On Friday, we will debrief and look at polls. Bring your lunch on Thursday and enough cash to stop for fast food on the way home.”

Friday Afternoon Live-Sketch Comedy with Micah Dov Gottlieb and Vin Scialla
Live from EI . . . its Friday Afternoon!!!
“Do you like Saturday Night Live? We will recreate the SNL experience by writing and performing a twenty-minute sketch comedy show in two and a half days. From filming our own “parody” commercials, to the weekend update, let’s make EI Laugh! We will need writers, actors, musicians, and directors.”

Hidden New York with Nick O’Han
Put on your urban archeologist’s hat and go exploring in your own (or at least some new Yorker’s) backyard. New York is one big archeological dig. Visit places that tell New York’s story, see spaces inhabited by ghosts of the past, and peel back the layers of history all around you.

Kitchen Sink Printmaking with Karyn Silverman and Celine Kagan
“Have you ever used a potato to create a one-of-a-kind tee-shirt? Here’s your chance! Printmaking is often thought of as an expensive medium, requiring lots of special equipment and training. But basic print techniques and household tools can be used to transform vegetables, soap, sponges, erasers and other common items into fabulous monochrome printmaking materials. We will experiment and explore materials and surfaces and make a variety of textile and paper prints. We will spend some time searching for raw materials at grocery stores and in nature and then work on creating art from the unexpected.”

Mapping the Psyche with Antonio Valle and Ruth Jurgensen
Astrology is a form of imagination emerging from nature and having relevance for everyday life, which can take us into areas of self-reflection as no other system of symbols and images can do. This minimester will be an introductory course on the basic building blocks of astrological language. Participants will be taken on a fascinating journey through the solar system, the ancient planetary knowledge, and the energies represented by their astrological equivalents; and then through the signs of the zodiac, their elements and qualities, and the ways in which different planets express through them in the astrological chart.

Russian NY with Tom Murphy and Sergei Mihkelson
In this minimester students will explore Russian New York. A century ago millions of Russian immigrants poured into New York. Bringing their language and traditions, these immigrants transformed the Lower East Side. In the late 20th century further waves of Russian immigration left their mark on outer boroughs. For three days students will explore both the Jewish and Christian threads of Russian culture in New York. We will visit Brighton Beach and sample traditional cuisine.

Conceptu-what?? with Zoe Harris, ‘09, Vinay Chowdhry and Janet Atkinson
“Does hearing the term “conceptual art” make you bored, interested, angry, nauseated, frustrated, befuddled or perhaps all of the above? If your answer is yes to any of these, this is the minimester for you! Together, we will explore the curious world of contemporary conceptualism, in all of its forms, by visiting galleries and museums, attending a lecture, watching films, and learning about aesthetics and historical contexts the work different artists we see. We’ll discuss what we like, dislike, don’t understand, and just plain despise, what works and what doesn’t, representation, themes, and messages, and then on the last day create our own pieces in response to what we’ve seen.”

PASSION FOR FASHION with Adele deBiasi-Pelz
An exploration of women’s fashion and design influenced by French and American artists. Students will research and write about designers of their choice and keep a sketch book. We will visit museums and view art exhibits around the city . (A sketch book is required)

Rube Goldberg Machines with Stephen Volkmann
During this minimester, students will explore simple machines and energy transfer through a mechanical system. We will begin by researching Rube Goldberg cartoons/machines and look at some examples on the. Students will then explore how everyday materials can be transformed into machine elements. After reviewing simple machines and energy transfer students will work in groups to design and then construct a Rube Goldberg machine complete with a Rube style sketch.

Fall Produce Minimester with Thea Aquiar, ‘09, Jessica Wilson, ‘09, Jane Belton and Julia Heaton
“During this minimester we will be learning about and cooking with fall produce! We will visit the farmer’s market and an apple-picking orchard where we will learn about, see and use fall produce first hand. Then we will learn to cook using our knowledge and all of our fresh fall ingredients. Feel free to bring your own recipes to share.”

Architecture and Urbanism: Constructing the City with Peter Bonfanti and Sarah Barlow
What makes a city? What makes something a neighborhood? In this minimester, students will explore these questions through the lens of architecture. While New York City is much more than the sum of its buildings, the forms of those buildings play a profound role in shaping our experience of the city.
Each day will begin at school, with a combination of lecture, discussion, and research on that day’s central topics. These topics will then be illustrated and expanded upon through a visit to a different neighborhood each afternoon: the Upper West Side on the first day, Battery Park City on the second, and the East Village on the third. Students, be forewarned: we will be walking two to three miles each day, so come prepared!

Faculty, who work tirelessly all year, somehow find the time to plan and implement these exciting workshops, and I know students appreciate their efforts. Students are signing up for workshops this week with Micah Gottlieb, Dean of Students.