Guest Blog From Phil
Dear LREI Families,
I write this on what the Kindergartners tell me is the 15th day of school. Fall is solidly upon us as evidenced by a drop in temperature, changing leaf colors and another annual autumnal event—Curriculum Night. While I spend every day surrounded by our curriculum, it has been a pleasure to attend these evenings and to hear the teachers speak about the progressive program in which your children participate each day in all three divisions. For those who are interested in what is happening in the classrooms of another grade or another division, I invite you to read the divisional blogs and the curriculum guides (on the web site, by division.)
I want to point you to one particular section of the high school curriculum guide. I was really quite impressed by the presentation made by the high school English and history teachers about our 11th and 12th grade electives. Clicking here will take you to the high school guide. (Pages 14-17 and 21-22 describe the English and History electives.) The opportunities offered to the students in these classes are akin to the experience of being in a college seminar. After their presentations the teachers and I spoke of the tight focus of their courses as a lens through which to view the wider world of literature. History teachers spoke of their students’ interests and how this engagement creates an openness and readiness to explore other areas of history. Take a look; I think you will be impressed.
This week, September 26th – October 3rd, is Banned Books Week. Sponsored by the American Library Association, “Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.” Banned Books Week encourages all of us to consider what it means that the response by some to books that offer differing points of view or that challenge one’s strongly held beliefs is anger and avoidance rather than respectful engagement. In contrast to the English teachers noted above, those who seek to ban books offer blinders, not lenses. Fine not to read a book that one finds objectionable, but to work to make these thoughts and opportunities unavailable to all?
I noticed with some pride that many of the books we read throughout the school have been banned or challenged at some point. Pride not in the fact that we are reading books that are edgy or from a specific political point of view, but pride in the fact that we are offering your children the chance to be challenged by the books they read or have read to them, to see the world through the lives of others, to articulate their points of view and to become active participants in civil conversations. As I discussed this with one of our librarians, she commented that I should not be surprised that so many of the books we read at LREI are part of this club as the list of challenged and banned books is incredibly long and grows every day. A sad fact.
One other thought about Banned Books Week. The people who challenge books seem to be organized and are able to effectively get their message out. I encourage you to find time next week to visit a library (our Sixth Avenue library has a terrific bulleting board display of banned books), to read a book that has been banned or challenged and to speak with your children about the power of books and freedom speech. For more information on Banned Books Week, visit the American Library Association’s web site.
-Phil
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LETTERS FROM LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS
(click on the links below to view and print notes from teachers)
Beth & Samson’s 4s: Please click here to view this week’s letter from Beth & Samson, with information about our new Job Chart.
Charles & Abby’s Fours-K: Please click here to view tonight’s curriculum night informational letter. It will also be available this evening in the classroom.
Luise & Alisa’s Kindergarten: Click here for a letter from Luise & Alisa, about the decisions we make in Kindergarten.
Gina & Ruthie’s First Grade: Click here to view Gina & Ruthie’s letter about classroom goings-on and procedures in first grade.
Rebecca & Christine’s First Grade: Click here to view Rebecca & Christine’s letter about classroom goings-on and procedures in first grade.
Jamie & Ann’s First Grade: Click here to view Jamie & Ann’s letter about classroom goings-on and procedures in first grade.
Dot & Becka’s Third Grade: Please click here for a letter from Dot & Becka, which includes some thoughts on our exciting upcoming trip to the farm!
3rd & 4th Grade Overnight Farm Trips: Reminder – ALL farm forms are due by Monday, October 5th. Please contact Dena at dwinter@lrei.org if you have any questions.
Both Fourth Grades: Please click here for some interesting and timely suggestions on extending fourth grade learning at home. These ideas are connected to our classroom learning, and are optional.
Both Fourth Grades – A note from Celeste: Dear Fourth Grade Parents,
Touch-typing classes will begin next week for your children. On time and regular attendance is very important, so that everyone can fully participate and strengthen their typing skills in every class. I look forward to typing with your children.
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UPCOMING LOWER SCHOOL MEETINGS & EVENTS
For the most up-to-date information visit the school’s online calendar at www.lrei.org/calendar.
Click here to download the one-page 2009-10 school calendar.
10/5 is Photo Day! Please note the following:
- Coffee Pond Photography will be taking individual portraits of each student and each class. All students will have their picture taken on Monday, October 5, 2009. To get the best photo of your child, please make sure they are dressed appropriately that day.
- Coffee Pond’s new E/Proof program will notify you a few weeks after photo day via email when your child’s proofs are ready to be viewed online. If you have any questions about ordering, you can email Coffee Pond at lifeguards@coffeepond.com or call 800.635.2323 between 9AM and 5PM on weekdays.
10/12 SCHOOL CLOSED for Columbus Day.
10/13 – 10/16 Vonick’s 3rd Grade Trip to MCS Farm.
10/13 – 10/16 Kate’s 4th Grade Hawthorne Valley Farm Trip.
10/14/09 Changing Families, Changing Classrooms: Come hear a leading expert on adoption and family issues, Adam Pertman, talk about adoption, the school community, and how to enrich the school experience for every child on Wednesday morning, October 14 in the Sixth Avenue Cafeteria. ALL PARENTS WELCOME! Please click here for a flyer with details. For a copy of the report Adoption in the Schools: A Lot to Learn, click here.
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UPCOMING PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
10/2 Halloween Meeting
10/5 Multi Cultural Comm. Meeting
10/5 Sports Committee Meeting
10/6 Vonick’s 3rd Potluck
10/7 Parent SEED Meeting
10/9 Literary Committee Meeting
10/9 Halloween Meeting
10/14 Adoption Committee Event
10/29 Luise’s K Potluck
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
A special announcement from Phil:
Dear LREI Community,
I hope that this note finds you well. I write with bittersweet news. As some of you know, Virgilio Romero, our Superintendent of Buildings, will be retiring at the end of the month. Virgilio has kept LREI functioning for 30 years. While Virgilio is looking forward to the next stage in his life, we asked him to stay on through the summer for two reasons. The first was that we could not imagine accomplishing all that we needed to accomplish this summer without Virgilio leading the way. The second is that we wanted to be able to plan a terrific party. The students will be saying goodbye and thank you by division and all LREI community members are invited to join our thank you party for Virgilio on Thursday, October 15th from 6:00PM-7:30PM in the Performing Arts Center, 40 Charlton Street (please click here for a flyer with details).
Please join us on October 15th,
Phil
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*Red is Green Committee: October kicks of our monthly recycling drives. Starting today, October 1st and continuing through the end of the month, you can bring in your plastic bags to be recycled at LREI. Please look for the box at the reception desk at 6th Ave.
*Next Wednesday October 7th is our first Go Green To School Day – Click here for an informational flyer. It is also International Walk to School Day. So come to school by carpooling, public transportation, scootering, bicycling, and walking! We will continue to Go Green to School on the first Wednesday of every month. For more details about our monthly recycling drives and Go Green to School dates, please click Red is Green PA Page.
*The First Library Blog of the year is posted at http://blog.lrei.org/lslibrary/. It’s a brief welcome back and invitation to browse our new books – take a look!
*Ann Schaumburger, Lower School Art Teacher, invites you to the opening of her latest show. The show will run from October 7th – November 1st. The opening reception is on Thursday, October 8th, from 6PM-8PM at the AIR Gallery, 111 Front Street, #228, Brooklyn. (www.airgallery.org) Congratulations, Ann!
*By now all families should have received a letter regarding Grandparents and Special Friends Day on May 7th, 2010. We are thrilled that so many of you have responded so quickly! Due to space constraints, we remind you that you can either invite Grandparents or Specials Friends in lieu of Grandparents, but not both.
*Bank St. Online Math Course: All about Whole Numbers for Parents, Teachers, and Tutors. Endorsed by Rose Reilly, Lower School Math Coordinator, this course is meant for those people (including parents) who feel that if they knew more math and felt more confident about their math abilities, they would be better able to support children’s learning. The exercises in the course are meant to give you a strong foundation in the mathematics of whole numbers. A wide variety of online and other resources that can be used with children are an integral part of the course. The course will be highly interactive and will reflect the kind of teaching done at Bank Street College: student centered, learning through doing, problem solving, and connected to the real world. Follow this link – http://www.bankstreet.edu/onlinecourses/courses.html t0 find out more or register (by October 9).