Excited About Learning…
Only our second week back from vacation and we are so fully in the swing of things, it is quite breath-taking.
Kate’s fourth graders were on fire this week, and the goings-on in the hallway were infectious. In small groups, students worked out how long a hundred feet really is. Using rulers, yard sticks, teamwork, and lots of thinking and reasoning out loud they concocted zig-zagging lines all over their room and the hallways and stairs. (If you’re up for a minute-long movie, please click here and share with your child as well – they’ve no doubt seen all the tape on the stairs and would enjoy hearing fourth graders tell how they measured it).
Second graders went (or are going tomorrow) out on a very exciting field trip to Chinatown. First graders are completely absorbed and motivated as they delve into the intricate world of maps, and are eager to begin mapping and exploring the school’s neighborhood. Third graders have begun a collaborative and inspiring odyssey during Art and Woodshop where they will construct a model of the Lenape villages they have been learning about in Social Studies. This week they worked in groups to shape animals with plasticene and form hills out of newspaper. Early childhood students are exhuberantly finger painting and building enormous structures with blocks, playing with icicles on the roof and telling stories to practice literacy! We are all having a wonderful start to 2010 and we hope that all our families are too.
Sincerely,
Namita
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LETTERS FROM LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS
Diane & Charles’ 4s-K: Please click here for our January letter.
Dot & Becka’s Third Grade: Please click here for this week’s update.
Kate & Maren’s Fourth Grade: Please click here to view our January newsletter. Also, click here for a video explanation of our “100 foot line” that we worked on this week!
A note from Peggy in woodshop: Animals made by the Third Graders have moved into the Sixth Avenue lobby display case. Each animal has at least three moving parts. Be sure to see them!
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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.
1/18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – School Closed
1/22 Save the Date for Karamu! Friday January 22nd… Karamu! is LREI’s annual multicultural event of music, dance, and food celebrating the diversity of our school and community. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 19th… Karamu! always sells out; get your tickets early (discounted tickets available – contact Juliet Burrows: julietburrows@mac.com). We need food and volunteers! …Sign up boards will be in the 6th Avenue Lobby – please volunteer and join this wonderful community building event. If you would like to solicit a donation of food or wine from a restaurant or business please use this letter and forward information to Juliet.
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LOWER SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
All Lower School Assemblies are held in our Auditorium at 8:45 a.m.
SPRING 2010
4/7 – 4s & 4s-K Music Assembly
4/14 – 1st Grade Music Assembly
4/21 – Kindergarten Music Assembly
4/28 – 2nd Grade Music Assembly
5/12 – 3rd Grade Music Assembly
5/19 – 4th Grade Music Assembly
5/26 – Kindergarten Movement Assembly
6/2 – 4s & 4s-K Movement Assembly
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UPCOMING PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
1/16 Literary Committee Meeting
1/19 LS POCOC Meeting
1/22 Karamu (5:00 p.m.)
1/25 Multi Cultural Committee Meeting
1/25 Red is Green Committee
1/27 Adoption Committee Meeting
1/27 How to Raise an Ally: Social Justice @ LREI (5:30 p.m.)
1/28 How to Raise an Ally: Social Justice @ LREI (8:30 a.m.)
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
*From Phil — I write with a reminder from the Parents Association Community Service Committee and from me to consider spending part of this weekend honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through participation in a community service project. Click here to read the committee’s list of suggested projects. If you have ideas for other projects that will be available to LREI families during the coming weekend, please email them to me at pkassen@lrei.org. Thank you.
*From Namita — Beth Levison and Amy Schatz of HBO have worked with volunteer LREI families before to include them in an educational film about diverse families. They are looking currently for families who would like to participate in a film about divorce and step-families. These types of educational efforts generally endeavor to showcase positive perspectives, educate viewers about healthy family processes, and reduce stereotypes. If you would like to consider having your child (ages 4-8) participate, please read this letter and contact Beth or Amy. Thank you.
*Red is Green Committee Announcement: During the month of January we will be recycling holiday and greeting cards. These cards will be donated to St. Jude’s Ranch. No photo cards please. For more information click here. Also during the month of January you can bring in your wrapping paper scraps. These scraps will be used to decorate the school for Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day. Look for the box in the lobby this month.
*New LREI Event–Many of you have asked about the yellow “Stir the Pot” postcards that you received in recent days. We wanted to whet your appetite and to be sure that you mark your calendars for LREI’s Spring tasting event called “Stir the Pot: Taste of the Future.” You won’t want to miss the chance to meet and mingle with other parents and enjoy great food–Thursday, May 13th in the Charlton Street campus. For further information, please contact Maude Kebbon in the Office of Advancement at 212-477-5316, ext. 232.