LREI in the Community: A Guest Blog from Phil
Dear Families,
Not surprisingly, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break are busy ones at LREI. So much to do, so little time. In this week’s blog you will find announcements of, and invitations to, many events including the Book Week events (the Literary Evening, classroom visits, assemblies and the annual book fair), to a number of other Parents Association events and to a long list of students events including the Winter Concert, the Afterschool Share/Instrumental Concert and a variety of grade specific opportunities. In the coming weeks, I encourage you to read the blog and other announcements carefully – I wouldn’t want you to miss a moment of all that is being offered.
Less well known, but very important to our progressive program, are the many ways in which our students and teachers are out and involved in the wider community. These endeavors include:
- Second graders are leading the Lower School’s participation in LREI’s support of the St. John’s Food Pantry. LREI has a long relationship with St. John’s. We send a significant amount of foodstuff to this program, helping to provide nutrition to many thousands of clients. In fact, we will share half of the profits from the sales of our upcoming community potluck cookbook with St. John’s. Thank you, second graders. Also at St. John’s, middle school advisory groups regularly assist with the packaging and distribution of foodstuffs to pantry clients.
- Fifth and Sixth graders participated in the VT MIDI Project. “The purpose of the Vermont MIDI Project is to encourage and support students in composing and arranging music. A community of professional composers, teachers, pre-service educators, and students engage in mentoring and online discussion of student work.” Students worked on original compositions, were mentored on-line and submitted their final projects. Three LREI students were among the 19 chosen to have their pieces performed in concert in Burlington next week. Congratulations to middle school music teacher Matt McLean and to his students. On December 16th, Dr. Sean Reed, director of Brass Studies at NYU, will lead an ensemble of NYU faculty and student musicians (along with other professional musicians) in performances of student compositions.
- High School English teacher Ileana Jimenez writes on her blog, Feminist Teacher, “After much planning and rehearsing, half of the students in my Fierce and Fabulous: Feminist Women Writers, Artists, and Activists class and I finally got up on stage at TEDxYouth Day held at the Hewitt School in New York. The theme of this year’s TEDxYouth was “Be the Change,” and all talks were live-streamed globally. During our 16 minute talk, each of my students and I spoke about how we came to our feminist voice.” Congratulations to the members of this class who truly connected learning and life, classroom and their community. Congratulations to junior Grace Tobin who, in addition to her participation in TEDx, also spoke before a City Council hearing.
- Lower School Librarian Stacy Dillon was a presenter at the 92nd St. Y’s Wonderplay Conference where she spoke on the topic of using wordless picture books in the classroom to foster imagination and support literacy.
- Jennifer Hubert Swan, Library department chair, led a seminar hosted by the Ocean County (NJ) Library to teach librarians and educators how to write and deliver book talks that keeps kids hyped and hungering to read the book. Swan will also discuss the “Best of the Best” teen books from 2010.
- Junior Lucia Zerner received a Gold Award from Families with Children from China for performing over 250 hours of community service.
- LREI high school students participated in the City Year NY Service Day at PS 112/206, sponsored by Students for Service and Joint Schools Activities, Inc. Working alongside City Year corps members, the participants were able to transform a school where City Year has been serving since 2008. In just four hours, the students painted 25 murals, a large welcome sign, and 20 pairs of memory tiles; built and painted 10 bookshelves and three cubbies; and shellacked three existing mural benches.
We are so proud of the ways in which LREI’s students and faculty are involved in the wider community—harnessing their expertise and all that they have learned in the classroom and giving of themselves in the service of others. Well done!
Best,
Phil
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LETTERS FROM LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS
(click on the links below to view and print notes from teachers)
Beth & Stephanie’s Fours: Click here for a note from Beth and Stephanie on the fours’ upcoming recycling project and the exciting new family study that will begin after winter break.
Tasha & Shawn’s 2nd grade: Click here to learn about the 2nd graders’ “surprise words” and how to support your child’s study of spelling outside of the classroom.
Deborah & Randi’s 2nd grade: Click here to hear about the 2nd graders’ exploration of the challenges and rewards of friendship and learn about how you can support your child’s study of spelling outside the classroom.
Kate & Nicole’s 4th grade: Click here to read the 4th graders’ comics about good homework habits.
Dina & Farrah’s 4th grade: Click here for some important announcements from Dina and Farrah and take a peak at recent photos from fourth grade.
Book Week is December 6th-10th!
Click on the name of your child’s teacher below to view a flyer with important news about Book Week events school-wide and in each classroom.
Beth & Stephanie’s Fours
Diane & Alexia’s Fours-K
Luise & Bianca’s K
Elizabeth & Samson’s K
Gina & Emily’s First Grade
Rebecca & Jessi’s First Grade
Galen & Christine’s First Grade
Deborah & Randi’s Second Grade
Tasha & Shawn’s Second Grade
Vonick & Jason’s Third Grade
Dan & Jessica’s Third Grade
Both Fourth Grades
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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.
Winter Break: School closes Wednesday, December 17th, for Winter Break. Dismissal on the 17th for grades 2nd-4th is 12 pm and 11:45 for Fours through 1st grades. Afterschool is closed 12/17 as well.
From Stacy, Lower School Librarian: Please take a moment to check out the latest library resource called LibGuides. It’s a single stop that highlights curricular links, the catalog, the library blog, as well as some news about events and new books! There are LibGuide pages for the Lower, Middle and High School. Please feel free to click around and explore!
Afterschool Reminder: The Piano/Voice Recital and Instrumental Concert will take place at the Sixth Avenue location on Wednesday, December 15th. This is an opportunity for students to share a piece they have been working on throughout the session. Your child and her/his teacher have discussed whether or not to perform in the upcoming program (as not all students choose to perform at this time), so please touch base with your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
- The Piano/Voice Recital will be held in the PAPAS, and will start at 5:30pm (doors will not open until 5:25pm as performers will need time with their teachers, and to get settled before the recital)
- The Instrumental Concert (Guitar, Drum, Recorder, Flute and Brass) will be held in the Auditorium, and will start at 6:30pm (doors will not open until 6:25pm as performers will need time with their teachers, and to get settled before the concert)
Note: Performers should arrive 15 minutes before showtime. We look forward to seeing you there! Please contact the Afterschool Office with any questions at (212) 477-5316, x239
Photo Re-take Day: Re-take day for students who were absent on photo day will be Monday, December 6th at 9am. Photos will be taken indoors.
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Adult r(ED): There is still time to sign up for the second two terms of Adult r(ED). Don’t miss out! Click here to view and print the complete course listing and sign up information.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Middle School is proud to present William Shakespeare’s much-loved, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This vibrant and colorful production, which features thirty middle school students, is ideal for the whole family. Join us as we enter a world in which fairies are mischievous and interfere with mortals lives and where love, revenge, jealousy and magic entangle the human world with the fairy kingdom. This is a “must see” production, with many strong performances from our cast of sixth through eighth graders. Tickets are on sale in the Sixth Avenue lobby starting on Friday, December 3rd and on the days leading up to the shows. Performances are scheduled for Friday Dec 10th at 7:00PM, and Saturday, Dec 11th at 2:00PM and 7:00pPM. Tickets are $12 adults and $10 students, children and senior citizens. Click here to view a formal invitation with complete details.
WINTER CONCERT: CAROLS AND CARMINA. The Glass Menagerie Chorus, LREI’s resident adult chorus, conducted by Susan Glass, will perform its winter concert on Saturday, December 11th, at 8pm, at St. Joseph’s Church, 6th Ave. and Washington Place. Click here to view a flyer with complete details.
High School Presentation on Renewable Energy: Please come out and hear our dynamic High School students speak about various renewable energy options. Whether it is wind, solar or geothermal energy that you are interested in, you will be impressed by the next generation’s understanding of the issues. The presentation is being held on Wednesday, December 8th at 8:45AM in the Sixth Avenue cafeteria. Bring a cup of coffee and learn something new. Click here to view a flyer with complete details.
Summers at LREI
June 27th-August 5th, 2011
Session 1: June 27th-July 8th
Session 2: July 11th-July 22nd
Session 3: July 25th-August 5th
Early Registration for returning 2010 camp families will run December 8th-17th. During this period, returning families will have the option to register online for either two, four, or six weeks of Summers at LREI programs at a discounted rate of 10% off session fees.
General Registration will open to all families in early March. In order to receive email notifications regarding online General Registration, visit summers.lrei.org and enter your information into the New Inquiries section.
New in 2011:
- Band Camp (taught by LREI Middle School Music and Band Teacher, Matt McLean), a two-week music intensive consisting of all woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments for 11-13 year-olds during Session 1. Specialty Camp programming for Session 2 is TBD, and will be announced on the camp website by December 8th.
- Musical Theater Workshop for ages 9-13 and Musical Theater Home Group for ages 7-8 will be offered for all three sessions of camp.
- Six week Home Groups are an option for campers attending all three sessions of camp, offered at a discounted rate of 15% off camp fees. Home Group activities will be geared toward the experiences of children participating in the entirety of the camp program.
- Sibling discount of 5% off camp fees per child for same sessions of registration.
Please visit summers.lrei.org for more information or call (212) 477.5316 ext.298 to speak with the Summer Camp Office.
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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
Fri, Dec 3, 2010: Lit. Comm. Mtg.
Mon, Dec 6, 2010: Multi-Cultural Comm. Mtg.
Tue, Dec 7, 2010: PA Exec Mtg. w/Phil
Thu, Dec 9, 2010: Red is Green Comm. Mtg.
Winter Book Fair (schoolwide): Wed, Dec 8, 2010 and Thu, Dec 9, 2010
The Literary Committee invites you to its annual Literary Evening on Tuesday, December 7, 7-9:30 PM, at the Charlton St. PAC. This year’s evening, entitled Prime Cuts, will feature writers who focus on food (and drink!) in their work: Josh Kilmer-Purcell (The Bucolic Plague), Garrett Oliver (The Brewmaster’s Table), Monique Truong (The Book of Salt), Brett Martin (Top Chef: The Cookbook), and Zarela Martinez (Food from My Heart). Our MC is Daphne Rubin-Vega. Please join us for an appetizing evening. Tickets will go on sale after Thanksgiving; click here for more information.
Community Cookbook: Our brand-new community cookbook, Downtown Potluck, a wonderful compilation of recipes from our talented parents and teachers, makes its debut next week at Literary Evening, Tuesday, December 7th. The cookbook will be on sale at the event and then the next day, Wednesday, December 8th, at the Book Fair, through Friday, December 10th. The book costs $25 for those in our community and supplies are limited. Think of it for your holiday gift-giving. If you pre-ordered a cookbook, please pick it up at the book fair, or email cookbook@LREI.org.
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LOWER SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
All Lower School Assemblies are held in our Auditorium at 8:45 a.m, unless otherwise noted.
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