Dear Families,

This week, the fourth graders performed their musical “The Flames of Change,” about the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. This year commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, which the fourth graders also learned about in their social studies classes. The fourth graders put an incredible amount of work into the production, so we’re particularly proud to share that their work will be added to the online archive of the the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition.

The Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition is a resource for groups organizing for the centennial and beyond. They work to combine resources and create a diverse and powerful commemoration for the Triangle Shirtwaist Centennial in 2011. They were inspired by the fourth graders’ work and asked that it be included in the “cultural response” section of their online archive. They’ll include pictures, commentary, videos, and more. Click here to take a look at the work that is already in the online archive.

Congrats to the fourth graders and their teachers for a job well! Below are some photos from the play!

Sincerely,

Namita Tolia

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LETTERS FROM LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS

Kate and Nicole’s Fourth Grade: Click here for an important letter from Kate and Nicole with an overview of expectations & a schedule for the upcoming teaching projects.

Beth and Stephanie’s Fours: Click here to read a letter from Beth and Stephanie about what the Fours will be doing to prepare for the end of the year.

Dan and Jessica’s Third Grade: Click here for a math update from Dan & Jessica’s 3rd grade, complete with video!

Dina and Farrah’s Fourth: Click here for a letter from Dina and Farrah about the upcoming teaching projects and the 4th grade musical.

Shop News: Third Graders have simulated the Native American experience and carved spoons using chisels, rasps, files, saws and sandpaper.  The spoons are in the Sixth Avenue lobby display case.  Don’t miss seeing them!

From our school nurses: Click here to read an important note from our school nurses.

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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.

School Closed Monday, May 30th: Memorial Day

This year, we will be wearing colored shirts! Each buddy team has been assigned a color. Please wear a shirt in this color, if possible, to show team spirit.
first and eighth grades: GREEN
second and ninth grades: YELLOW
K and seventh grades: WHITE
third and tenth grades: PURPLE
fourth and eleventh grades: ORANGE
fours and sixth grades: LIGHT BLUE
fifth and twelfth grades: RED

Don’t forget to have students bring a lunch (No nuts, seeds, glass bottles), proper athletic clothes and shoes, and remind them to drink lots of water, and wear a hat and sunscreen.

From AFTER SCHOOL: End of the year shares!

On June 6th, Afterschool will be having our Karate Share and Enrichment Share. The Enrichment Share (including shares fromTap 1&2, Early Gymnastics, Gymnastics, and Moviemaking) will begin at 6:00 in the PAPAS. All students who are already in Afterschool on that day will be given a pizza snack prior to performing. Doors will at 5:55pm for seating.

The schedule is as follows:

The Karate Share (For Karate 2-5 students) will begin at 5:30 in the 6th Ave auditorium. Participating students who are already in Afterschool will be given a pizza snack at 5:00. Doors will open at 5:25 for seating.

Tap for Monday, June 6th
5:00 Tap students have a pizza snack in Tasha’s room (4^th floor) and get ready for the Share.
5:40-5:50 Tap dancers will have a brief rehearsal with Derrick in the PAPAS
6:00 Enrichment Share begins in the PAPAS.

Moviemakers for Monday, June 6th
5:00 Students will have a pizza snack in Deborah/Randi’s 4^th floor classroom.
5:30-5:40 Students will have a brief meeting with Bradford in the PAPAS and stay with Bradford until the Share begins.
6:00 Enrichment Share begins in the PAPAS.

Early Gymnastics, Gymnastics for Monday, June 6th

Students who are in Afterscool on Monday will be given a pizza snack at 5:30 in Dan/Jessica’s 4th Floor Room (Early Gymnastics) and in Vonick/Jason’s 4th Floor Room (Gymnastics). Any students not staying for the pizza snack and not in Afterschool should meet their Gymnastics teacher in the designated classroom by 5:45. At 6:00 the Enrichment Share will begin.

Hoping to see you there!

Cari, Clara and Nicole

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

EE Ford Grant: As you may know, LREI has been awarded a prestigious $50,000 matching grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation to redesign the high school curriculum for the 21st century. EE Ford is the only foundation that awards money solely to independent secondary schools and it is a huge honor for LREI to be among the few recipients. This is a challenge grant and LREI has been successful in raising the needed matching funds from our community.

Phil has given several talks about the grant and his vision for our high school curriculum. If you have not already attended his presentation, please join him on Tuesday, May 31st at 8:45am in the Sixth Avenue Library to learn more.

LREI Camping Trip: The 18th Annual LREI Camping Trip will take place June 3-5 this year at the Riverbend Group Campground along the Delaware River. All LREI families and their children from all grades fours through twelfth grade are invited to participate. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help organize, please contact Larry White at LWhite@stern.nyu.edu or (212) 533-1966. Further information about the camping trip can be found at: http://www.lrei.org/community/parents/pa/camping?rc=0

From Athletic Director, Peter Fisher:
Get ready for LREI Basketball Camp! Great players are made in the off-season!
Don’t miss this opportunity to work on basketball skills, play fun and exciting games, and hang out with all your friends! Varsity basketball coaches and players will be running drills and skill work in the mornings, breaking for lunch, and then running games and tournaments in the afternoons. The camp runs from 9AM-4PM for one week only: June 20-24. We have two gyms (Thompson Street Athletic Center and our High School) and are looking forward to a big turnout. The camp is open to all fourth though eighth graders, no matter their skill level.
If you are interested, please contact Peter Fisher — pfisher@lrei.org 212-477-5316 ext 233

Afterschool Recitals:

• Tuesday, May 31st at 5:30 – Piano & Voice Recital for 2nd grade – Middle School, PAPAS
• Tuesday, May 31st at 6:30 – Instrumental Concert for 2nd grade – Middle School, 6th ave auditorium

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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

Parents Association Meetings:

• 5/31: Affinity Co-Chair Mtg.
• 6/2: LGSA Meeting

Lower School Parent Rep Meeting Minutes: Click here to view and print the minutes from the most recent Lower School Parent Rep Meeting.

PA Officers Poll: Each year the Parents Association asks its members to vote on a slate of officers and representatives for the following school year. Click here for the ballot for the 2011-2012 school year. All parents/guardians of LREI students are members of the association and are encouraged to vote. There is no election for class parent representatives. If you would like to volunteer to be a parent rep, please speak to your divisional coordinator or the current year’s parent reps. Once completed, please return your ballot to the receptionist in either building. Copies of the ballot are available at the front desk of either building. Ballots can also be mailed to the school; please address them to Parents Association Elections.

Red is Green: For the remainder of the school year middle school science teacher Stephen Volkman’s middle school advisory group is collecting batteries and corks for recycling. Their creatively designed boxes are in the lobby for your drop off. The group will also be collecting CD’s and cellphones. Watch for the new containers. Thank you to Steve and his group for their efforts.

LOWER SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES

All Lower School Assemblies are held in our Auditorium at 8:45 a.m, unless otherwise noted.

Wed, Jun 1, 2011: 4s/4k Movement Assembly, in Sixth Avenue PAPAS

END OF YEAR PICNICS

All picnics begin at 6pm and will be held on the roof at 6th Avenue. Parent reps from each class will provide more information, including rain location if necessary.Thu, May 26, 2011: Rebecca’s 1st Grade Picnic

Mon, Jun 6, 2011: Elizabeth’s K Picnic
Tue, Jun 7, 2011: Diane’s Fours/K Picnic
Wed, Jun 8, 2011: Beth’s Fours Picnic
Thu, Jun 9, 2011: Luise’e K Picnic

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 1^st Diane Hoffman,
Ceci Van Blerkom
Galen’s 1^st Dawn Eig,
Christine Boyle
Rebecca’s 1^st Hilary Meltzer,
Mishi Hosono
Tasha’s 2^nd Mary Gerzema,
Linda Phillips
Deborah’s 2^nd A.M. Homes,
Fia Hatsav,
Julia Wilbur
Dan’s 3^rd Holly Glass,
Denise Roederer
Vonick’s 3^rd Heather McMaster,
Beth Dary
Dina’s 4^th Connie Butler,
Lara Olivieri
Kate’s 4^th Susan Harris,
Liselotte Vince