Hold the Dream…
Dear Parents,
Yesterday’s Lower School Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly was sweet and song-filled. We hosted special guest Linda Lowery (the youngest marcher to walk all the way from Selma to Montgomery with Dr. King in the voting rights march). She told us about hearing Dr. King speak when she was just nine years old and taught us to sing We Shall Overcome, “the right way” (you can’t stand still while sing). We sang several other wonderful songs which the kids just love, led by the team of our music teachers, Ledell and Sheri. Can’t get the lyrics of one of the sweetest ones out of my head…Hold the dream, the dream of Martin Luther King… You might ask a student you know to sing it to you.
All over the school, books were being read and learning was happening on the topics of both Dr. King and the civil rights movement this week and last. Second graders in Deborah and Randi’s class built the March on Washington out of blocks! Here’s what some had to say when I asked them about it.
It was for the great day in 1963, the March on Washington. I’ve been to Washington DC and I know what the Washington Monument looks like. –Max Schuman
Me and Max did the monument. It was hard to make the point on top. The class made the people with signs around the pool. We even made a microphone for Martin Luther King. –Soloman Karpati
I helped make the signs. We had a book. And it showed the signs that people had. They were marching for freedom. –Chloe Murdock
I helped make signs. We got them from a book that had pictures of the signs. Saturday Martin Luther King would have turned 82. –Willow Vince
Sincerely,
Namita Tolia
LETTERS FROM LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS
(click on the links below to view and print notes from teachers)
Beth & Stephanie’s Fours: Click here to read a letter from Beth and Stephanie about the Fours’ exploration of touch and their thoughts on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Diane and Alexia’s Fours-K: Click here to read a letter from Diane and Alexia about their students thoughts and discussion about the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Elizabeth & Samson’s Kindergarten: Click here to read a letter from Elizabeth & Samson about the Kindergartners’ study of patterns and their homemade snacks!
Dina & Farrah’s Fourth Grade: Click here for a special thank you from Dina and Farrah and photos from the 4th graders’ trip to Ellis Island.
All Third & Fourth Grade: Click here for a letter from Celeste about the opportunity to purchase UltraKey touch type software.
From Peggy, Lower School Shop Teacher: Second Graders have made many kinds of vehicles. They are now parked in the Sixth Avenue lobby display case. Be sure to see them!
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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.
Reminder from the Karamu! Committee: Please click here for more info about contributing food and respectful audience reminders for kids from the Karamu Committee.
How to Raise an Ally, 1/25: Please join Chap in the Sixth Ave. cafeteria, on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 8:45-10 AM, for “How to Raise an Ally: Social Justice at LREI (Part 2 of 3). The focus of the meeting will be gender diversity issues, and will include a screening of “The Family Journey: Raising Gender Nonconforming Children” by filmmaker Jonathan Skurnik. We welcome Joel Baum, Director of Education & Training at Gender Spectrum, an organization that offers training and support to create a gender sensitive and inclusive environment for children and teens. Working with schools, medical professionals, therapists, social service agencies, universities and other organizations, Joel is responsible for all aspects of Gender Spectrum’s educational programming. He facilitates trainings, conducts workshops, develops curriculum, consults with parents/professionals, and provides resources in service of a more compassionate and inclusive understanding of gender. This morning event is open to parents from all divisions.
Community Cookbook: Our new community cookbook, Downtown Potluck, a compilation of recipes from our talented parents and teachers, has been garnering praise in the media, including Time Out New York Kids and Esquire. It will be on sale at Karamu! and other upcoming school events. It will also be available through the school store, and in the Sixth Ave. lobby shortly before Valentine’s Day (perfect for gift-giving!). The book costs $25; supplies are limited. Email cookbook@LREI.org for information.
Winter Food Drive Ends Tomorrow: Second Graders will again be collecting canned and boxed foods for the Saint John’s Food Pantry. Students are asked to bring items through next week, January 13-21, and place them in the bins which will be placed in the lower school stairwells. For a list of requested items, click here. When we visited the pantry there was a special request for canned salmon and tuna.
Updated Contact Info: If your contact information—address, phone numbers, email addresses—has changed since we distributed the directory in September, please contact Mary Shea, mshea@lrei.org, as she is preparing an updated directory for distribution in the coming weeks. Thanks.
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Karamu! This Friday, 1/21: Karamu! is LREI’s annual multicultural event of music, dance, and food celebrating the diversity of our school and community. Karamu! always sells out; get your tickets early (discounted tickets available contact multiculturalcommittee@lrei.org). We need food and volunteers! …Sign up boards are in the 6th Avenue Lobby – please volunteer and join this wonderful community building event! Click here for a flyer with all the details!
Spirit Game, 1/28: The LREI Spirit game is Friday, Jan 28th from 3:30-5:30 at the Thompson Street Athletic Center (145 Thompson St.) Please come and either play or cheer on the faculty or the LREI basketball teams. All teams rotate and play against LREI faculty. At half time, there will be a shooting contest for lower school and younger middle school kids. Click here for a flyer with complete details. Here is the schedule and order of the games:
- MID SCHOOL GIRLS: 3:30
- MID SCHOOL BOYS: 3:50
- JV BOYS: 4:10
- HALF TIME SHOOT OUTS: 4:30
- VARSITY GIRLS: 4:50
- VARSITY BOYS: 5:10
POCOC Book Club & Potluck: The POCOC Book Club & Potluck will now take place on Friday, February 4th from 6:00 – 8:00 in the Sixth Avenue Auditorium. Rita Williams-Garcia, the author of our Middle School book selection will join us. For complete information, including descriptions of the books, click here. To view the potluck sign-up, click here.
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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, Jan 21, 2011 Multi-Cultural Committee Meeting
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 Community Service Committee Meeting
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 Multi-Cultural Committee Meeting
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 PA Executive meeting
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 Red is Green Committee Meeting
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 Adoption Committee Meeting
Red is Green: In January the Red is Green Committee will be collecting holiday cards for recycling. The cards will be donated to St. Jude’s Ranch. St. Jude’s will remove the front of each card and attach a new back then sell the new card to raise money for the organization. Cards that can be recycled must not have writing on the back side of the front cover. Please, no cards with personal photographs or Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards. Cards can be placed in the collection bin located in the lobby.
Sports Committee: All teams are having a great season so far with exciting games both at home and away. Come out to see them all in action next week as they face the faculty at the LREI Spirit Game!! Also next week:
- Monday 24th 4pm: Varsity Girls vs Garden
- Tuesday 26th 4pm: Varsity Girls vs BWL
- Thursday 27th 4pm: JV Boys vs LFNY
- Friday 28th 3:30pm SPIRIT GAME
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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, 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 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