So Long
Without the community, the individual is left without a place where he can contribute. The community is that grounding place where people come and share their gifts and receive them from others. – Sobonfu Some
This is a bittersweet greeting. While I am happy to finally be able to join my family in Philadelphia and to become a member of the Abington Friends School community, I am unspeakably sad to have to say so long to all of you at LREI. A good friend once told me to never say goodbye, say “so long.” She said if you say “so long” it leaves the door open to see each other again on purpose, by happenstance or in memory. I know I will always remember your faces and those of your children. I will recall the looks of excitement, joy, adventure, strength and hope at those times next year when I yearn for the familiar. It’s been such a pleasure to have all the different parts of who I am confirmed and appreciated by you and your children each day. The ongoing support you’ve given me this year has been priceless!
The following are some really important things I’ve learned from your children:
• how to build multi-level block structures
• how to count on and down
• how to spell words using consonant clusters and patterns
• how to write a “color” poem
• how to research my topic of choice and write a non-fiction book
• how to keep myself steady when it’s important to listen
• how different groups of people came to live and work hard in America
• how to help each other and people around the world
Thanks to your families I will walk into my new school community full of skills, talents and insights that help me to do my best. Being a lower school principal has given me hope, fueled my passion to foster growth in others and inspired me to be compassionate, empathetic, patient, humble and appreciative of all the gifts that life holds.
Nelson Mandela once said, “One of our strongest weapons is dialogue.” Keep talking and listening to each other. Through conversation is where you’ll find the gifts in yourself and others.
Until we meet again…
Sharon
Please view our on-line Lower School gallery for great photo’s of recent events: http://lrei.org/photos/0708/ls.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Attention 3rd Grade Parents: There are 19 extra copies of UltraKey (the keyboarding software) available should you want to purchase one for your home computer. $19.99 (versus $49.99 online cost.) If interested, please contact Celeste directly at cdorsey-at-lrei.org.
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The heat can only mean one thing…it’s summer reading time again! Helping your children to read shouldn’t be a chore. Head on over to the Lower School Library Blog to find some suggestions for making reading during the summer fun!
http://blog.lrei.org/lslibrary/2008/06/11/summer-reading-tips/
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Personnel Announcement: Marcus Chang–middle school PE teacher and Athletic Director–has resigned from his position at LREI. Peter Fisher, coach of the championship 8th grade boys basketball team and the high school baseball team and currently teaching in the lower and middle schools, will take on these responsibilities.
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PARENT MEETINGS & EVENTS
- Friday, June 13 – 1PM: High School Graduation. School closes at 12Noon for Lower School (11:45AM for Fours – first grade; Regular dismissal for MS and HS)
- Monday, June 16 – 9AM: Fourth Grade Moving Up Ceremony
- Tuesday, June 17 – 9AM: Middle School Moving Up Ceremony
- Tuesday, June 17: Last day of School. School Closes at 12Noon (11:45AM for Fours – first grade)
- Monday, June 23: Summers at LREI begins
- For an up-to-date, searchable all school calendar, please visit lrei.org/calendar
LOWER SCHOOL NOTES & ATTACHMENTS
- Lauren & Molly’s Kindergarten: Please click here (0612-K-LMletter) for a message from your teachers.
- All grades: Please click here for the calendar for the 2008-09 school year.