Conferences and Communication

– Guest blog from Director Phil Kassen

Dear LREI Families,

Over the next couple of weeks, each of you, across the divisions, will have the opportunity to have conferences with your child’s teacher(s) or advisor(s). These meetings are essential moments in your children’s school year as the conversations that happen on these days align the efforts of school and home, reinforcing and strengthening the work done by all. As many of you know, in the middle and high school divisions the students become the third and guiding voice in these conversations, allowing for an ever more accurate understanding of the classroom experience.

The School’s goals in these discussions are to give families a sense of the student’s experience in school, to celebrate successes and to work with the family to support areas of challenge. We look forward to hearing from students and families about these areas and to creating strategies that ensure increasing success for all. While clearly the exception, there may well be times when the educators and family members disagree about the best ways to address concerns and, as is always the case in our community, we look forward to respectful conversations about these areas as we work to reach consensus. Clearly, all share the goal of creating the best school year possible for each student.

One other thought on the essential partnership between school and family. There will be times throughout the school year when families have questions or concerns and might not be sure to whom to turn for assistance. These questions might concern the School’s educational program or might have to do with the general operation of LREI. In order to help with this question, we created a diagram (click here to view), which we previously shared with those families new to LREI who attended our orientation program—LREI 101. While each situation is different, we hope this diagram helps when you are unsure who is most likely to have the answer to your question. As stated on the chart, “Look for the person most directly involved with your question or concern and contact that person first.” This can be difficult. However, finding a way to approach the person most closely involved, no matter how uncomfortable, will, more often than not, lead most quickly to an answer. When in doubt, ask anyone and we will help you to find the correct person or people with whom to confer.

Thank you all for your honest and thoughtful partnership.

Best,

Phil

PS. Families of fourth graders, please click here to read Middle School principal Mark Silberberg’s invitation to a tour of the Middle School. He is eager to share all of the ways in which the School’s progressive mission is experienced each day by our middle schoolers. Please don’t miss this tour on Monday, November 12th at 8:45AM.

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Parent Teacher conferences will be held Friday November 2nd (LS only) and Friday November 9th (All divisions). As in previous years, the school will offer childcare options for families. There will be two sign ups per conference day – one for Full Day (8am-4pm) childcare and one for Conference-only childcare (parents will drop off and pick up children throughout the day when they are in conferences). Full day childcare will be $20 per child per day (please bring nut/seed free bagged lunch; light snacks will be provided). Conference-only childcare is free of charge. Sign up sheets will be at the reception desk of the Sixth Avenue building up until the Thursday before conference days. Please get in touch if you have any questions, Kim Cherubin, ext. 215 or kcherubin@lrei.org.

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Family math and science night is an exciting evening for children and adults who want to have fun and explore math and science by doing hands-on activities. The Third and Fourth grade night is Tuesday, Nov. 6th, from 6pm to 7:30 in the Big Room (click here for a pdf flyer). The First and Second grade night is the following Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 6pm to 7:30 in both the Auditorium (Math) and Cafeteria (Science) (click here for a pdf flyer). Childcare is available for both nights, please sign up for children who are not in the grades for which the events are organized.

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The Parents of Children of Color Committee at the Lower and Middle Schools warmly invite all children of color (and their families) to our first potluck breakfast this year. Our “Meet-and-Greet Potluck Breakfast” will be held on Tuesday November 6, 2007 so mark the date! This is a great opportunity for our children to get together and socialize in a fun relaxing atmosphere before the start of the school day. All details are in the attached flyer, please click here. This affair is not only for members of the committee but for all children of color (and their families) at LREI, so please invite a friend or two from your class. A few points to note:
– It will be a potluck affair, so please bring something tasty to share.
– Sign-up sheets are on the PA bulletin board(s).
– Siblings are welcome.

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A message for Kindergarten families: Next week, we’ll have our first Kindergarten Parent Assembly (Wed., Nov. 7th at 8:45 AM in the auditorium). We’ve been singing lots of songs and would like to share them with you. When you arrive at school at 8:30, go to the classroom with your child. Then at 8:45, come down to the auditorium and sit with your child on the floor (wear comfortable clothes). You’ll be able to hear your child sing, and be invited to join in now and then. We look forward to seeing you there!
– Sue Ribaudo

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School Photos: Our photography company, Coffee Pond, has mailed out school photo order packages to your homes. You should be getting these packages shortly – they include a photo proof sheet and ordering instructions. As a reminder, photos must be ordered online at www.coffeepond.com or over the phone by calling (800) 632- 2323 (dial ‘0’). For those families who wish to have photograph’s re-shot, Photo Retake day is Monday, Nov. 12. Please call Coffee Pond directly if, after reviewing your proofs, you’d like to have your children photographed again – note that there is a fee associated with having photos re-shot. You must call Coffee Pond by Wednesday, Nov. 8th if you want to participate in Photo Retake Day. If you do not receive your proofs, please call Kim Cherubin (ext. 215) in the Lower School and she’ll coordinate getting another set of proofs to you.

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Would you like to contribute to a great cause and get in a good run or walk at the same time? Join the LREI Race to Deliver team! God’s Love We Deliver will hold their annual 4-mile run/walk called the Race to Deliver on Sun., Nov. 18; this year will be the first time there is an LREI team! To join, visit racetodeliver.org, click on Join a Team, and choose LREI from the list of teams. Prior to the main race, there are Fun Runs for kids, at manageable distances. It is lots of fun, the kids get goody bags, you can run, walk or cheer on the participants. Even if you don’t run, your children can participate in the kids’ runs, and any running friends you may have can sign up to be on our team as well.

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Family Book Night! Wed., Nov. 7, 6:30 to 8 PM, Charlton St. Performing Arts Center at 40 Charlton St.—A free family-friendly event that showcases our wonderful LREI librarians. Jen, Stacy, Karyn and Jesse will give their latest recommendations for all ages on the theme, “From Double Fudge to Gossip Girls: Social Class in Youth Literature.” Middle and High School students will also present book reviews of some of their latest reads. Featured titles will be on sale. Children of all ages are most welcome. There will be food and drink, plus a separate storytime space for younger children, all courtesy of the Literary Committee. Please join us for an evening all about books that will get you and your kids reading and thinking! Click here for a pdf flyer.

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PARENT MEETINGS & EVENTS

  • Tuesday, 11/6, 8AM: Parents of Children of Color Breakfast (flyer)
  • Tuesday, 11/6, 6PM: Third & Fourth grade Math & Science Night, Sixth Avenue(flyer)
  • Wednesday, 11/7, 8:45AM: Kindergarten Assembly
  • Wednesday, 11/7, 6:30-8 PM: Family Book Night (Charlton St. PAC)
  • Friday, 11/9: LS Parent/Teacher Conferences – School Closed
  • Monday, 11/12, 8:45AM: MS Tour for Fourth grade Families
  • Monday, 11/12: Photo Re-Take Day
  • Tuesday, 11/13, 6PM: First & Second grade Math & Science Night, Sixth Avenue (flyer)
  • Wednesday, 11/14, 8:45AM: Fourth grade Assembly
  • Friday, 11/16: Afterschool’s First Friday
  • For an up-to-date, searchable all school calendar, please visit lrei.org/calendar

LOWER SCHOOL NOTES

  • All families: Please see the following notes – St. John’s Pantry Drive (letter); Lower School Fall Penny Harvest (letter)
  • First grade families: Please click here for a letter from the First grade teachers.
  • Kindergarten families: Please click here for a letter from Luise & Stacey.
  • Second grade families: Please click here for a letter from Jackie & Dot; click here for a letter from Tasha & Rebecca.
  • Fourth grade families: Please click here for a letter from Middle School Principal Mark Silberberg.

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