I Robot

Dear Families:

This past Sunday I had the distinct pleasure of watching robots constructed by our middle school students successfully complete a variety of challenges as part of the FIRST LEGO League competition. The work leading up to the event and the event itself were an inspiring celebration of science, technology, and the creative problem-solving abilities of our students. Using LEGO bricks and other elements such as sensors, motors, and gears, our team gained hands-on experience in engineering and computer programming principles as they constructed and programmed their unique robot inventions. Congratulations to all the members of the team and to the teachers who supported them in this work!

Also on the subject of middle school accomplishments, our first middle school dance was a resounding success. In addition to having a great time, students raised over $670 for the school’s tsunami relief efforts. Well done!

This Week’s Attachments
(Click on the links below to open the attachments. If you are having trouble opening the links, go to http://www.columbia.edu/~mis14/ to access the files.)

General:
Calendar for the ’05-’06 School Year
A letter about school vacations
Big Auction Donation Form
Community Service Committee: Room to Grow Clothing Drive
Room to Grow Tax Receipt
8th Grade:
8th Grade DISC Dance Permission Slip
7th Grade:
6th Grade:

6th Grade Recorder Program Update
5th Grade:

Of General Interest . . .
1) Attached please find the calendar for the ’05-’06 school year and a letter from Phil Kassen about school vacations.

2) For those who attended one of Middle School Musical pre-audition meetings, auditions will take place after school next Monday through Wednesday. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside of my office.

3) Please review the attached announcement from the PA Community Service Committee about the “Room to Grow” clothing drive.

4) From Middle School Dean of Co-Curricular Programs Gabrielle Keller: Once again, the LREI Middle School will be supporting Pennies for Patients, which benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Each homeroom will have a donation box in their room. Pennies, spare change, or any other amount you wish to donate will be appreciated. The drive will last one month, from Monday, February 14th through Tuesday, March 15th. If the school raises at least $300, then the class with the highest amount collected will receive a pizza party. A second project, Project Cicero, is our annual book drive to support and build libraries in under-served NYC public school classrooms. Collection dates are March 7th through March 10th. Boxes for donations will be in the lobby. What kinds of books? New and gently used hardcover and paperback books for children and young adults, including picture books, early readers, reference books, fiction, non-fiction and biographies. (No textbooks or reference books older than 5 years, please).

5) The Big Auction still needs donations from the LREI community! Restaurant gift certificates, sports tickets, cultural events, airline miles, vacation homes, new toys, jewelry, haircuts. Donation forms (see attached) are due February 20. Thanks for your help.

For 8th Grade Families . . .
1) The 8th Grade DISC Dance is scheduled for this Friday evening at Grade Church School. If you have not turned in a permission slip, please complete the attached form and send it in with your child tomorrow.

For 7th Grade Families . . .
No updates this week.

For 6th Grade Families . . .
1) Holly Saso has volunteered to be a class parent overseeing kids building their castles in Jeff’s room this Monday, 2/14, from 3 until 4:30.

2) Please review the attchment regarding the 6th grade recorder program.

For 5th Grade Families . . .
No updates this week.

Looking Ahead . . .
On the LREI web site additional information about upcoming events can be found at http://www.lrei.org/caleven/index.html (the middle school events page can be found at http://www.lrei.org/midschool/Events.html)

  • Friday, February 11th — HS Arts Festival
  • Friday, February 11th, 7:00PM — 8th Grade DISC Dance at Grace Church School
  • Monday, February 14th, 9:00AM — Comm.Serv.Mtg.
  • Tuesday, February 15th, 8:15AM — MS Parent Rep Mtg.
  • Tuesday, February 15th – Thursday, February 17th — ERBs
  • Wednesday, February 16th — Literary Festival
  • Friday, February 18th, 8:30AM — Lit.Comm.Mtg.
  • Monday, February 21st — Presidents’ Weekend – school closed
  • Tuesday, February 22nd — Presidents’ Weekend – school closed
  • Thursday, February 24th, 8:45AM — PA Exec. Bd. Mtg. w/Phil, 6th Ave.caf
  • Thursday, February 24th — LS Art Show
  • Friday, February 25th — LS Art Show
  • Friday, February 25th – 6th Grade to the Met (arms and armor exhibit)
  • Thursday, March 17th — Departure for 8th Grade trip to Spain

Don’t forget to check the LREI website for updates and interesting information – http://www.lrei.org.

Be well,
Mark

To view the attached .pdf files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on the following link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

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