Authentically Cool

Dear Families,

If you’ve walked up or down the Middle School staircase the this past week, you may have noticed a few students “hanging around” on the walls. They are the result of a project that’s was carried out in Heather, Sherezada and Sharyn’s Thursday advisory group. As Heather writes:

The fifth grade advisory has been exploring the effect the media has on what kids think of as “cool.” We discussed the difference between someone who is “media cool” (heavily influenced by the media) and “authentically cool” (someone who is an independent thinker). We decided that kids that are influenced a lot by the media feel they can only wear specific brands and tend to spend a lot of money on clothes. The “authentically cool” kids, on the other hand, tend to have more diverse interests and are also more accepting of all types of people. They don’t care about fitting in and tend to be an inspiration to other kids.

Their research led them to create profiles for a number of typical students who exemplified these two categories. The text that accompanies these portraits really gets gets at the heart of the matter:


Click on the pictures to view the full-size image

  • This is Johnny, our “media cool” kid. As you can see, Johnny is wearing “cool” and expensive clothes. Johnny isn’t actually “cool,” he just wears clothes that he thinks make him look “cool.”

  • This is an example of our “media cool” kid, which basically means that she is influenced by what he sees in ads and on TV programs and commercials. The brands she wears are glad to have her as a walking advertisement for their products.

  • This is Kate. She is “authentically cool.” She is a big fan of the Artemis Fowl books and lows to speak French. She does not care what other people think about her — especially her glasses and braces. She wears cargo pants, French shirt and a pair of cheap, comfortable shoes. She is courteous, adventurous and perky.

  • This is Michelle. Michelle is a “media cool” kid. She doesn’t have many of her own ideas about what is “cool.” She and her friends are not nice to other kids unless they wear “cool” clothes and have the “right” brands.

  • This is Jasmine. Jasmine is “authentically cool.” She is not influenced by the media or by her friend. She has her won ideas about what is cool and doesn’t feel any pressure from her friends to wear certain things. She and her friends are too busy having fun to care only about Shopping and clothes.

  • This is Michael. He is “media cool” and only cares about getting new and cool stuff that the media approves. He doesn’t have a lot of free time to do fun things because he’s always shopping. He is never satisfied with what he has because he always wants the next cool thing.

  • This is Raquel. She is “authentically cool.” This means she’s what she wants to be and doesn’t care what people think . She’s a little sporty, a little girly and lots of fun. She knows who she is and that won’t change even though the media influences a lot of people.

There thoughtful work in class has given us all a lot to think about as we maneuver through the Middle School halls. Well done!

Here are a few other “authentically cool” pieces of news:

A hearty congratulations to the LREI Middle School Robotics team who returned last week from their successful journey to Tokyo, Japan. They had an incredible experience as cultural ambassadors and performed well in the competition. They were also recognized by the tournament officials for their efforts to support the other US team from the Bronx so that they could also make the journey to Japan. Thank you for representing LREI so well!

Congratulations also to the members of the LREI Model Congress Delegation. The delegates for the Model Congress this year were fifth graders Marcelo, Odelia, Lola, Danielle, Michelle and Simmon and seventh grader Diana. The group has been working with faculty facilitator Sharyn Hahn since the end of January to write bills, prepare speeches, read other students’ bills from the other schools that participate, and learn about and practice parliamentary procedure. The team spent the entire day at Packer Collegiate High School on Saturday, April 26th for the annual culminating event.

Nearly 200 middle school students from 13 area independent schools, including LREI, sent delegations of model legislators to the event. When students arrive at the event, they break off into one of 17 separate committees based upon the content of their bill. These committees are meant to resemble actual congressional committees and include Judiciary, Education, Health, Housing & Urban Affairs, and Science Space & Technology. After a morning committee session filled with heated debate and criticism, the bills that pass committee are reviewed in one of four full sessions. (House I, House II, Senate I, and Senate II).

As Sharyn notes:

Our delegates had a great time and learned a lot; they all are looking forward to next year! This year, all of our bills all had to do with the environment and sustainability. Diana’s and Lola’s and Danielle’s bills passed and were debated in the full sessions. The others had a tough fight in their committees! In the plenary session in the afternoon several of the fifth graders spoke out on various topics. I was impressed by their thoughtfulness and their courage to speak out in these large groups sessions.

Since we’re in the mode for congratulations, kudos to the sixth-eighth grade French students participated in the National French Contest, which was given in March. The test was given all across the country in both independent and public schools. We had several students who did very well, and a few who have been invited to the formal awards ceremony on June 14th. At the ceremony, students from all over the Metropolitan area will be honored. The following students achieved scores that placed them in the top 10th percentile in the metropolitan area: Seventh grader Lily and eighth graders Gaia, Talia, Ella, Hannah S., and Sophia. Other students who received
There were other students who deserve recognition but did not meet the cut-off needed to be included in the list published by the National Association of Teachers of French. They are: sixth grader Katharine and eighth graders Michelangelo, Robbie, Henry, Brianna, and Emma in the 8th grade, and Katherine M. in the 6th grade. Felicitations!

This Week’s Attachments
General:
2008-2009 LREI Calendar
LREI Camping Trip
Book Fair Pre-Authorization Form
Eighth Grade:
Seventh Grade:
Sixth Grade:
Williamsburg Trip Registration Form
Fifth Grade:

Of General Interest . . .
1) The Middle School musical Into the Woods opens this Friday at the Charlton Street PAC. The performance begins at 7:00PM. If you can’t make the Friday performance, there are performances on Saturday at 2:00PM and 7:00PM. Tickets will be on sale in the mornings in the Sixth Avenue lobby for $8 and will be on sale at the door for $10. What to expect . . . When a Baker and his Wife learn they’ve been cursed with childlessness by the Witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell, swindling, deceiving and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk!) This modern retelling of some classic fairy tales is suitable for all ages. See you at the theater!

2) Being Smart On-Line–Parents of Second-Sixth Graders are invited to a discussion of Internet safety. LREI Technology teachers Celeste Dorsey, Steve Neiman and Tim Cooper will offer practical suggestions and helpful ideas. Participants are encouraged to bring questions and suggestions. Monday, May 19, 8:45, Sixth Avenue Cafeteria.

3) A reminder that the Spring Book Fair is scheduled for Thursday, May 22nd. This is a great opportunity to buy titles from the summer reading lists. Attached please find a copy of the Parent Pre-Authorization form, which you can complete and send in so that your child can purchase books at the fair in lieu of bringing cash to school.

4) Inspired by the art show at Synchronicity Arts, and the previous Broadway benefits, Senior Ella Saunders-Crivello, has put together a two-day event/art installation and benefit at a gallery space on Mercer Street. She is encouraging young artists from our school, grades 9-12, to donate their favorite, original art pieces for purchase; 80% of the purchase price will be donated to one of four charities–the artist’s choice. The charities are Action against Hunger, Doctors without Borders, the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation, and Sean Casey Animal Rescue, a no kill shelter in Brooklyn, NY. This event, ArtACTION, will take place on May 10 (opening reception, 3 PM-8 PM) and May 11 from 12 PM-8 PM, 7 Mercer Street, New York City.

5) Gabrielle, Michelle and Henry’s advisory is looking for all your worn out athletic shoes! That’s right, make room for summer flip flops and sandals by giving us your old sneakers. Nike’s reuse-a-shoe program takes worn out athletic shoes and grinds them into material used in making playgrounds, tracks, and basketball courts around the world. Our reuse-a-shoe collection will take place next week, 5/12 to 5/16. Please drop off your shoes in Leila’s 8th grade room. Here are the conditions:

  • Athletic shoes only (any brand)
  • No shoes containing metal
  • No cleats or dress shoes
  • No wet or damp shoes

For more information, check out http://letmeplay.com/reuseashoe/program.

6) AIDS Walk 2008: The AIDS Walk is an important LREI community service event and is scheduled this year for Sunday, May 18, 2008. We’re hoping for strong representation from all Middle School grades this year. Please remember that students in grades six and below must be accompanied by an adult. Registering for AIDS Walk New York has never been easier. Just click on this link below and choose your registration type (“Join a Team” — we are team #1222). If you prefer, you can always register by phone. Simply call (212) 807-WALK (9255) and they will be happy to register you. If you are not able to walk, please make every effort to support the team by making a donation.

7) Save the date: The 15th annual LREI Camping Trip will be held on the weekend of June 6-8. All LREI families and their children — pre-K through high school — are invited to participate. As in past years, we expect that a good time will be had by all: hiking, swimming, sports, fishing, camping, cooking, eating, singing around the campfire, etc. The site, as in past years, will be near the Delaware Water Gap (somewhat north of where I-80 crosses the Delaware River). The cost will be $30 per adult, $20 per child. Also, we need volunteers to help with hauling food and supplies and equipment out to the camp site (and back) and providing extra space in their vehicles for those who need a ride out and back. More details will be forthcoming for those who are interested. We will have a sign-up table on the mornings on Friday May 16 and Wednesday May 28 at LREI. Please see the website. Please save the date and let us know if you are interested in receiving more information — and especially if you are interested in volunteering: Send an email to Larry White at Lwhite@stern.nyu.edu.

8) As a class fundraiser, the ninth graders are collecting used ink jet cartridges and old/broken cell phones. They will send the collected items to an organization that recycles them and the class will receive cash for these items. Please note that the collection is limited to used ink jet cartridges and old/broken cell phones. For additional information go to www.fundingfactory.com. They will begin collecting used cartridges and cell phones on Wednesday, February 6th and will continue until Thursday, May 22nd. A collection box will be located in the Sixth Avenue lobby. Tell your friends and family about this opportunity so that these items can be recycled and don’t end up in landfills.

9) Summers at LREI news: You may download the registration form from the Summers at LREI website or call the Summers at LREI office to receive a hard copy in the mail. Registration for LREI Institute will begin in late March. Please see the attached flyer for a listing of the major workshops being offered this year. Feel free to contact the Summers at LREI office with any questions at 212-477-5316 ext. 506 or email cfriesen@lrei.org.

10) For updates on faculty performances, openings, presentations, and publications visit the Faculty in the News page on the school web site.

11) LREI is a member of NYC-Parents in Action (NYC-PIA). NYC-PIA provides parenting education, information and a communications network to help parents prepare their children and teenagers to cope with social pressures and to make sound choices towards a future free of alcohol and drug abuse. Please read the attached flyer to view their 2007-2008 calendar. You can also access their website at http://www.parentsinaction.org/.

12) It’s a Party to celebrate Sharon Dupree’s four years at LREI! Please join us for a Sixth Avenue Rooftop celebration on Tuesday, May 27th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. All parents welcome. Childcare will be available in the Sixth Avenue Cafeteria. Please RSVP to Sharon Fong at sharonf@bflnyc.org if you plan to attend and to sign up for childcare by Thursday, May 22nd.

For all Grades:
1) A reminder that Grandparents and Special Friends Day is scheduled for this Friday, May 9. For Middle School students, those grandparents and special friends who do attend will be treated to a tour of the school by their student from 1:00-2:30PM, which will be followed by tea, coffee and discussion with Phil and I. We will send invitations home, which you can send to a grandparent or special friend. Please contact Mark if your middle schooler will be having a visitor. Click here to view the invitation.

2) Save the date: our annual Middle School Awards Night will be held on Tuesday, May 20th at 6:00PM in the Charlton Street PAC. This is a wonderful evening to recognize all students who have participated in extracurricular activities this year.

3) Our annual 24 Challenge will be held this year on Tuesday, May 27th (the day after Memorial Day). It will be held in the seventh grade rooms from 7:45 to 8:30AM. One important change to this year’s competition is that students will compete at tables of 4 rather than against a single other person. The stack of cards in the center will be larger and the person with the most cards at the end will win that round. Winners may proceed to another table to play other rounds, or (if the bracket is small) they may not. Categories will be the same and sign up sheets will appear when we get closer to the actual day. The finals for our in-house 24 Challenge will take place at Midde School Meeting on Wednesday, June 4th.

For Eighth Grade Families . . . .
1) Please access Henry’s Music Blog for recent announcements about music classes: The eighth grade has begun a unit on Swing Dance, with special guest Sherezada Acosta, and will be voting on the class song for the Moving Up ceremony.

2) Please access Michelle’s Math Blog for an end-of-year letter for section 8X families.

For Seventh Grade Families . . .
1) Following on the heels of last week’s very successful Arts Festival, the seventh graders will participate in our annual High School Visiting Day next Friday, May 16th. The visit will last from 8:45-10:30AM and will provide students with an overview of the EI experience. On the visit, they will get to meet high school teachers and learn about the exciting programs taking place. They’ll also meet with high school principal Ruth Jurgensen for a Q & A. It’s a great morning.

2) Please access Henry’s Music Blog for recent announcements about music classes: The seventh grade is studying the 1961 film of “West Side Story” as a compliment to the class’s reading of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”

3) Please access Michelle’s Math Blog for a letter on the new math unit “Filling and Wrapping.”

For Sixth Grade Families . . .
1) Next Wednesday, May 14th, the sixth grade will have the unique opportunity to participate in a Korean tea ceremony, with a tea master who comes from a long lineage of tea masters dating back to the 14th century. In addition to its obvious connection to the social studies curriculum, it should be a very meditative and relaxing experience.

2) On Monday, May 19th, the sixth grade is going to Carnegie Hall for a Link Up! concert and they are practicing for the trip! Performers will be the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, conducted by John Morris Russel, and audience members – including those sixth graders who are prepared – playing recorder. In order to prepare, each student has a Link Up! workbook, with two CDs of musical examples and exercises for self-study of the recorder at home. Students will be given their material – workbook and recorder – to take home, beginning the week of April 28th – May 2nd. Students will practice various pieces from the workbook as homework during the two weeks leading up to the Monday concert. The class will not practice their recorder during regular music classes. Rather, students will have the opportunity to practice during school. IWPs will be reserved for 6th grade recorder players Tuesdays and Wednesday May 6, 7 and 13, 14. Students should bring a bag lunch (no nuts, seeds, or glass bottles) on the 19th.

3) While there is still much to do this year, I wanted to get information about next year’s trip to Williamsburg out to you. We are asking that families register for the trip by June 1, 2008. Registration for the trip is handled by our tour company NCT. The attached form continues the relevant registration information. If you have questions about payment, please do not hesitate to contact me.

For Fifth Grade Families . . .
1) Please access Henry’s Music Blog for recent announcements about music classes: The fifth grade is preparing instrumental music for the Grecian Festival, which will take place on Wednesday, June 11th.

2) Please read the attached letter from math teacher Ana Chaney about the new math unit, “Shapes and Designs.”

For additional information, follow these links:

  • Calendar of Events
  • LREI Athletics. For general LREI Athletics news go to this link . This page will provide general announcements, game summaries, league standings and season recaps.
  • Click here to view the Middle School Photo Gallery.

A reminder that the homework blog “feeds” for every class can be accessed from the Digital Classroom link on the sidebar (you may want to bookmark this page for easy access). These feeds provide an easy “one-click” solution to find out what has been assigned for homework. Keep in mind that a feed will only show what has been posted as of the time you check it.

Don’t forget to check the LREI website for updates and other interesting school-related information.

Be well,
Mark

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