Celebrating Our Library
Dear Parents,
We are indeed lucky as a school community to have such a great library, such a wonderful collection of books, and outstanding librarians who have a passion for literature and children. The same values are not so loyally upheld in every place where kids are trying to read and learn. Stacy Dillon, our well-informed Lower School Librarian (and 2012 Newbery Awards Committee member) shares this disturbing update on book censorship:
Chances are you don’t think too much about book banning in your everyday lives. Even with the recent press about the burning of religious texts, book banning seems like something out of another time. Unfortunately, this is not the case. According to the American Libraries Association, over 1000 books have been reported as “challenged” in this country since 1982, and many (if not most) of these are children’s and young adult books. From Maurice Sendak to Judy Blume, books are still being restricted, challenged and banned outright. To find out more about Banned Book Week, visit http://www.bannedbooksweek.org or talk to Jesse, Stacy, Jen or Karyn in the LREI libraries.
Please also seek out Jesse (Early Childhood Librarian) and Stacy (Lower School Librarian) for any book recommendations you or your child may be interested in. They’d be delighted to help you. Look for more information soon too about the Learn-Your-Library session on the morning of October 13th that our librarians will be offering for parents!
Sincerely,
Namita Tolia
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LETTERS FROM LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS
(click on the links below to view and print notes from teachers)
Beth and Stephanie’s Fours: Click here to read a note from Beth and Stephanie about the Fours’ apple taste test and their new job chart.
Diane and Alexia’s Fours-K: Click here to read about all of the exciting events happening soon in Fours-K, including a Breakfast Potluck and a trip to the Farmer’s Market. Click here to view photos highlighting the first month of Fours-K
First Grade Families: Click here to read an important letter for all first grade families about homework in first grade.
Deborah and Randi’s Second Grade: Click here to learn about what the second graders’ ideal community looks like and hear about their recent trip to The High Line.
Fourth Grade Families: Click here to read and respond to an important message from Celeste, Lower School Technology Coordinator, about touch-typing classes.
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LOWER SCHOOL REMINDERS AND 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 2010-11 school calendar.
From the Lower School Art Studio: There is new artwork in the Bleecker Street Lobby and Auditorium. Look for observation paintings of lilies and sunflowers from the Fourth Grade, collage self-portraits from the Third Grade, paintings of color puzzles from the Second Grade and collages of patterns and shapes from the First Grade. Enjoy!
Thursday, Sept 30 – Curriculum Night for Second-Fourth Grades – Begins promptly at 6pm in the Sixth Avenue Auditorium (that’s today!).
Monday October 4th – All 3rd & 4th Grade Farm Trip forms are due – Click below to view and download the forms for your child’s class.
Dan & Jessica’s Farm Trip Information:
Vonick & Jason’s Farm Trip Information:
Dina & Farrah’s Farm Trip Information:
Kate & Nicole’s Farm Trip Information:
Wednesday, Oct 6 – Third Grade Farm Trip Parent Information Meeting – All Third Grade Families, please join Namita and Dawn on October 6th at 8:45 am in the cafeteria to learn more about this year’s exciting trip to the farm.
Math Parent Education Sessions coming soon! Learn more about our constructivist math curriculum and our mathematics teaching approach at math parent education sessions. You will meet Rose Reilly, Lower School Math Coordinator, and learn real ways to support your child’s math learning. See below for date, time, and location information. All education sessions begin at 8:45 am.
- 1st grade Math Parent Education Sessions: October 15th in the cafeteria
- 2nd grade Math Parent Education Sessions: October 22nd in the cafeteria
- 3rd grade Math Parent Education Sessions: October 28th in the cafeteria
- 4th grade Math Parent Education Sessions: November 2nd in the cafeteria
Save the Date – The Lower School Family Math Nights are coming – The Lower School Family Math Night is an event designed for families to come together in a celebration of mathematics. Join us from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Sixth Avenue Auditorium for an hour of games and activities. You can count on plenty of family fun!
- Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010 – 3rd & 4th Grade Family Math Night
- Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 – 1st & 2nd Grade Family Math Night
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
The 2009-2010 Annual Report is hot off the press—and green on the Internet! Check it out here, and keep an eye on your mailbox for the hard copy.
Please click here to read about the Parent Associations LREI Exchange.
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PARENTS ASSOCIATION MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
All parent association meetings are held in the LS Cafeteria at 8:45 am, unless otherwise noted
Click here to view the minutes from the first Lower School Parent Representative’s Meeting.
Friday, Oct 1: Lit. Committee Meeting
Friday, Oct 1: Halloween Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Oct 5: PA Executive Meeting with Phil
Wednesday, Oct 6, 12:30pm: Food Committee lunch w/Phil
Wednesday, Oct 6, 6:00pm: Both 2nd Grade Parent Potluck Party (off-site)
Thursday, Oct 7, 2010: LGSA Meeting
Thursday, Oct 7, 2010: Halloween Committee Meeting
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LOWER SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
All Lower School Assemblies are held in our Auditorium at 8:45 a.m, unless otherwise noted.
Wed, Oct 20, 2010: 2nd Grade Music Assembly
Wed, Oct 27, 2010: First Grade Assembly
Wed, Nov 3, 2010: 4th Grade Music Assembly
Wed, Nov 10, 2010: Ks Music Assembly
Wed, Nov 17, 2010: Fours/Fours K Assembly
Wed, Dec 1, 2010: 3rd Gr. Assembly
Fri, Dec 17, 2010: 10:15am, Lower School Winter Assembly
Wed, Jan 19, 2011: 9:00am, LS MLK Jr. Assembly
Wed, Feb 23, 2011: 9:00am Families Assembly
Wed, Apr 13, 2011: First Gr. Assembly
Wed, Apr 20, 2011: K’s Music Assembly
Wed, Apr 27, 2011: 2nd Gr. Assembly
Wed, May 4, 2011: 4s/4k Assembly
Wed, May 11, 2011: 3rd Gr. Assembly
Wed, May 18, 2011: 4th Gr. Assembly
Wed, May 25, 2011: K’s Movement Assembly
Wed, Jun 1, 2011: 4s/4k Movement Assembly
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LOWER SCHOOL PARENT REPRESENTATIVES 2010-2011
Beth’s Fours
Maren Berthelsen
Becca Markley
Fours/K
Marjorie Goldner
Sara Taplitz
Elizabeth’s K
Juliet Burrows
Carmen Lenzi
Luise’s K
Shannon Barden
Yael Goverover
Gina’s 1st
Diane Hoffman
Ceci Van Blerkom
Galen’s 1st
Dawn Eig
Christine Boyle
Rebecca’s 1st
Hilary Meltzer
Mishi Hosono
Tasha’s 2nd
Mary Gerzema
Linda Phillips
Deborah’s 2nd
A.M. Homes
Fia Hatsav
Julia Wilbur
Dan’s 3rd
Hillary Butler
Holly Glass
Denise Roederer
Vonick’s 3rd
Heather McMaster
Beth Dary
Dina’s 4th
Connie Butler
Lara Olivieri
Kate’s 4th
Susan Harris
Liselotte Vince