How to Raise an Ally
Guest blog from Chap, Director of Diversity & Community–
Civic education specialist, Joel Westheimer, encourages us to raise justice-oriented citizens. (Click here to read his article on democracy and education.) This individual looks at the root of a problem and the layers of complexity involved in understanding unjust situations before attempting to join others in exploring strategies and finding resolutions. There are various curricular opportunities at LREI where students’ awareness of social justice issues in history and in the present is raised. They learn of the actions of justice-oriented citizens and the impact their work has in creating necessary change.
While at home, on a play-date, or on a walk around the city, you and your children are encountering injustices and unfair treatment of various groups of people. Sometimes our observations lead us to take action and we join organizations, volunteer our time, write letters, read literature to become more informed, or talk about the issue further at the kitchen table. Sometimes it is as simple as how we address a disagreement between siblings that begins with, “That’s not fair!” One might ask, “What else can I do to help my child be an engaged, sensitive, and active citizen?” “How do I raise a child of the 21st Century to be inclusive and socially just?” “How do I raise an Ally?”
Join us in a discussion to explore how you can help raise a social justice ally. Friday, November 20, 2009 at 8:45 am in the Sixth Avenue Cafeteria. Grab some coffee, bring a friend, and engage in the first of a 3 part series of discussions with fellow LREI parents.
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LETTERS FROM LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS
All Fours, Fours-K, and Kindergartners: The early childhood classes are getting ready to share some music with you! Our music assemblies are coming up on November 11 (Kindergarten) and November 18 (4s’s/K and Fours). Please click here for a letter with info about our assemblies from Sue, Early Childhood Music Specialist.
Dot & Becka’s Third Grade: Please click here for this week’s updates.
Dina & Kruti’s Fourth Grade: Class 4DK welcomes Emily Newberg, student teacher from The Bank Street College of Education, to our classroom community. Emily will be with our class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. She has newly located to New York City from Boston. We hope you stop by and say hello to her when you get a chance! Emily will stay with our class until January 2010. We are very excited to have her learning with us this year. And for additional information and important notes from our class, please click here for this week’s newsletter!
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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.
Lost and Found – Last Chance! Periodically we donate the clothing from our Lost and Found bin. The first date for this year is coming up on Friday, November 20th. Between now and then, please make a special effort to look through the Lost and Found Bin to reclaim any items your child has lost (located inside the first stairwell across from the Auditorium). On Friday, November 20th, all clothing still left in the bin will be donated for us by the Red is Green Committee to Wearable Collections in honor of America Recycles Day (Nov 15).
11/13 LS/MS Parent Teacher Conferences & Childcare: Lower School and Afterschool closed on these dates. Sign-up sheets for childcare (conference only or full day) are now available at the front desk in the lobby. Full day childcare is $20 per child. You may pack a bag lunch (please, no nuts or seeds) for your child that day; morning snack and pizza lunch will be provided. Please contact Dena Tasse-Winter if you have any questions (dwinter@lrei.org or 212-477-5316, ext. 215). Childcare drop-off and pick-up will be in the Cafeteria (downstairs) on November 13th.
11/16 Vonick’s 3rd Grade Farm Trip Breakfast
11/17 Kate’s 4th Grade Farm Trip Breakfast
11/17 1st and 2nd Grade Family Math Night, 6:30 p.m. – Math games, math activities, smiles and laughter… count me in! Please click here for the flyer with details.
11/23 Dot’s 3rd Grade Farm Trip Breakfast
11/24 Dina’s 4th Grade Farm Trip Breakfast
11/25 Thanksgiving Break – school closes at 11:45 a.m. (4s – K) or 12:00 p.m. (1st – 4th). **School reopens on Monday, November 30.
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LOWER SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
All Lower School Assemblies are held in our Auditorium at 8:45 a.m.
FALL 2009
11/18 – 4s & 4s-K Music Assembly
12/2 – 3rd Grade Music Assembly
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
11/13 Literary Committee Meeting
11/16 Multi Cultural Committee Meeting
11/18 Parent SEED Meeting
11/20 How to Raise an Ally: Social Justice @ LREI… click here for the flyer!
11/20 Literary Committee Meeting
11/23 Multi Cultural Committee Meeting
11/23 Cookbook Committee Meeting
11/25 Red is Green Committee Meeting
11/25 Adoption Committee Meeting
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
*Coffee Pond Photography recently sent information for ordering your child’s school portraits. Occasionally, a parent or student may want a different look from the original portrait taken, in which case Coffeepond will offer an opportunity for a retake, which is scheduled for 11/16/2009. Simply click on the retake link on your child’s portrait page to register. Please sign up at least 2 days before the scheduled day. If you have not received information by either email or mail please contact their Customer Care Department directly for assistance. By phone: 1-800-632-2323 ext “0.” By Email: Lifeguards@coffeepond.com
*Red is Green Committee Announcements:
The Climate Quilt Campaign. The Green Schools Alliance is sponsoring a Climate Quilt and LREI students are invited to participate. Join children from all around the globe in creating a quilt with your very own signed environmental pledge. This quilt will be displayed in Copenhagen during the UN Climate Conference and other places leading up to Earth Day 2010. Let world leaders hear your voice. Look for our tables next week on Monday, 11/16 and Wednesday, 11/18 after school. For more information, click here for our flyer or visit www.climatequilt.org.
Textile Recycle Drive. Thank you to the LREI community for bringing in your unwanted textiles. Rather than ending up in landfills, so for we have collected over 20 large garbage bags worth of used clothing, towels, sheets and other textiles to be recycled. We will have a box in the lobby on Friday for any last-minute drop-offs.
Ink Cartridges. We continue to collect empty ink cartridges through November to be recycled. Every year in the US we through away over 375 million cartridges. Bins are located by the reception desks at both the high school and 6th Ave.
*LREI High School Thespians present an original play for all LREI audiences (LS, MS, & HS)!
THE SPIRIT OF THE RIDGE is inspired by the lives and legends of the Lenni Lenape, the indigenous Native Americans who lived here in NYC and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic States for thousands and thousands of years.
Set inside a pre-contact Lenape wigwam, THE SPIRIT OF THE RIDGE is a story about the timelessness and necessity of friendship and peace, and the importance of connecting to the past. Themes and topics covered in the play include school bullying, inner-strength, loyalty, compassion, celebrating differences, and learning about Native cultures and traditions. Shows are scheduled for Friday, November 13th, at 7:00PM, and Saturday, November 14th, at 2:00PM and 7:00PM and will take place at the Charlton Street Performing Arts Center. Tickets will be on sale next week in both the Sixth Avenue and Charlton Street locations. For more information contact Meghan Farley Astrachan at 212-477-5316 x399.