A Literary Feast

Dear Families,

Despite the interruption of a much welcomed (by students) snow day, we are back to this week’s atypical routine of desks in rows and sharpened #2 pencils. Students continue to be thoughtful and focused as they contemplate a range of language arts and math concepts and skills and practice their test taking skills. This afternoon’s annual Literary Festival proved to be as popular as ever as students participated in two hour-long literary focused workshops given by LREI faculty and outside guests. Here is the menu of this year’s rich and varied offerings:

  • Travel Writing (with David Lee). In this awesome workshop you’ll write a short travel article and get the opportunity to submit it for publication in Teen Ink magazine. Please come to the workshop equipped with an idea of the place you want to write about – foreign or local.  The smaller  the place, the better, as it provides a microcosm of the culture. For example, if you want to write about NYC, you could write about a local store or a subway route, or a person you see on your route to school. This is a great opportunity to learn about travel writing from your Spanish teacher, who also happens to be a NEW YORK TIMES PUBLISHED WRITER!
  • How to Write a Brilliant Book Review (with Jennifer HS). Want to write the GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL? Sorry, can’t help ya. Want to become a New York Times reporter? No can do. Want to learn how to write a brilliant book review in 175 words or less? THAT I can show you! Come prepared to learn how to be a concise wordsmith and still get your point across when it comes to sharing your opinion about books
  • Found Poetry (with Heather Brandstetter). Explore the streets of New York and find the poetry that is there everyday.  Heather will lead participants on a poetry-finding adventure!
  • Who the Heck Are You?!(with Dennis Kitchen). A perennial favorite! Ever wonder who that person is you see wandering around the building? You know they work here, but you’re not quite sure what they do. In this workshop, you’ll be outfitted with a camera and you’ll hunt these people down, snap their picture and then interview them. Dennis Kitchen will share interviewing techniques and help you create a fascinating bio on that person you think you know, but not really.
  • Make a Book of Secrets! Historically, books have been used as a hiding place–holding secrets, memories, charms, treasures, jewelry, etc. This bookmaking and collage workshop uses small matchboxes as drawers to tuck away your secrets. You can create a Book of Secrets for a literary or historical character, or create a book that holds your own secrets. What secrets or treasures would Parvana from The Breadwinner tuck away?  or Harry Potter?  or Jonas from The Giver?  or Anne Frank?  or you?
  • Picture Books and Children’s Literature (with Matthew Rosen and Michelle Boehm). Matthew Rosen, former editor, will talk about writing and constructing picture books. You will have the opportunity to create their own picture-book dummies, and you’ll lay out text, add illustrations, and format their dummies accordingly. This is lots of fun, so don’t miss out.
  • Songwriting. Join middle school music teacher and band director Matt McLean in this workshop where you’ll explore the exciting world of songwriting. Participants will explore the various components that go into creating a memorable song and then will set out to create their own hit.
  • Spanish One Act (with Gabrielle Keller). Participants will read through and perform a very short one act play in Spanish and then will rework the language to change the dilemma, but not the humor.
  • Striking Viking Story Troupe. In this interactive workshop, you’ll work with members of the Striking Viking Story Pirates theater troupe. They’ll guide you through a dynamic process in which individuals and small groups will write and act out stories. After the workshop, the Story Pirates will take these ideas back to their secret headquarters/laboratory, and several weeks later, they will return for Middle School meeting with newly-built puppets, props, and a brand new sketch comedy show, including some new stories written by participants in the workshops.
  • Dramatic Writing Workshop with Performance Component (with Meghan Astracan) A dramatist, also known as a playwright, is a person who writes dramatic literature or drama. These works are usually written to be performed in front of a live audience by actors. In this workshop, participants learn some tricks of the trade from professional dramatist and LREI high school drama teacher and director, Meghan Farley Astrachan. Participants will write short scenes and have the opportunity to bring some of the writing “to its feet” by having participants work as actors, bringing the dramatists’ words to life.
  • The Comic Book (with Sanjun Chon) Graphic novelist/comic book author Sanjun Chon will lead you in a workshop where you’ll create your own graphic novel, and he’ll show you how he creates his own comic books using a computer. This promises to be a great time!
  • Designing a Superhero (Frank Portella, Ana Chaney and Larry Kaplan). In this workshop, you will get the chance to create a superhero based on original images drawn by an illustrator. You will create a character history, decide on superpowers and more!
  • What’s it like to be a rock journalist? (with Lizzy Goodman) Do you get put on a special list for shows? Yes. Do record companies send you free music? They sure do. Do you get to meet some of your heroes? Absolutely.  But after you’ve attended the rock show, listened to the free records and met your heroes, you have to synthesize those experiences into crisp, clean copy that tells your reader something new. And you often have to deliver this copy very quickly under less than ideal circumstances (like from the back of a tour bus or under a tent in the rain at a music festival). Staying cool under pressure is key and knowing your craft is the secret to staying cool under pressure. In this workshop we’ll go through the basics of rock writing, from how to deal with a difficult interview, to what makes a good live review, to how to write a profile of a band. Students will practice interviewing several real musicians and then writing short pieces based on the quotes they get from these artists.
  • Poems, Prose and Play with Language (Sarah Barlow). Play with words while trying forms you may never have worked with before. Come to write ticker thangas, puzzle poems, list poems, poems within poems and 5 words and go! poems.
  • Concrete Poetry (Momii Roberts). In this workshop, participants will explore the rich world of concrete poetry, which uses words and images. Students will explore a variety of techniques and will create their own concrete poems.
  • Political Cartoons (Steve Volkmann). Political cartoons are not all fund and laughs; they are a serious matter and often say as much in a small space as a written news story. In this workshop, students will explore this fascinating news medium. We will look at the history, techniques and various approaches cartoonists use to communicate their sharp-witted and often sarcastic views to their audience. By the end of the workshop, each student will produce a political cartoon that delivers their own commentary on a current pressing issue in their lives.
  • Enter The Writing Ninja (with Libba Bray) The mighty writing ninja approaches the story. It will not get away this time, for the ninja is strong and creative and also, the story is due tomorrow at 8:20, and not to turn it in is unacceptable to the ninja’s code of honor and the teacher’s grade book. Suddenly, from out of the shadows come the ninja’s greatest enemies: Writer’s Block, Lack of Inspiration, Boring Characters, Even More Boring Plot, and–worst of all–the dreaded Inner Critic. It will take all the stealth warrior’s cunning and writing ninjutsu to lay waste to these enemies. But how to defeat these monsters? Come learn tricks to get your mind into prime fighting mode, featuring the Nunchuks of Word Styling, the Legendary Pressure Point Move of Improv Story-Building, and the Final Whammy of Something-I-Have-Yet-to-Make Up. For this workshop, you will need only paper, a writing implement of some sort, a sense of humor, and a thirst for adventure which cannot be slaked through ordinary means, such as Snapple Fruit Punch. Your heart is strong, mighty warrior. Soon, your writing will make nations tremble.

Truly, a literary feast.

Of General Interest . . .

1) Below are some recently uploaded photos from last week’s Coffee House to Benefit Haiti. Click here to access other photo collections of LREI events and happenings at our on-line photo gallery.

[flickrslideshow acct_name=”lrei-photos” id=”72157623390088624″ width=”460″ height=”345″]

2) LREI Night at YANK: Tuesday February 23rd. Limited Tickets available, please contact Liza Sacks , lsacks@lrei.org if interested. Set during World War II, Yank chronicles the romantic relationship between two servicemen long before don’t-ask-don’t-tell was part of the national discussion. With a lively score inspired by the pop sounds of the 1940s, Yank! captures the spirit and exuberance of the era even as it explores questions of prejudice, courage and survival. It tells the story of Stu—a photographer for Yank magazine—and Mitch, an Army Private, who fall in love and struggle to survive in a time and place where the odds are stacked against them.

3) Monday, March 1, 2010 — Project Cicero Book Drive (through March 4)
Project Cicero is an annual non-profit book drive designed to create — or supplement — school and classroom libraries for children in under-resourced New York City public schools. Now in its tenth year, Project Cicero has distributed nearly 1,000,000 new and gently used books to 5,500 New York City classrooms and libraries, reaching 180,000 students. Boos can be dropped off in the Sixth Avenue lobby.

4) VISIBILITY: Lesbian and Gay People We Love — An LREI Community Photo Exhibit. Exhibit dates:

  • Charlton Street, Monday, February 22nd – Friday, March 5th, 2010
  • Sixth Avenue, Monday, March 8th – Friday, March 19th, 2010
  • Reception: Sixth Avenue, Monday March 8th, 6:00 – 8:00pm

Please join LREI in celebrating diversity at the Visibility Photo Exhibit! Submit a photo of your family with a loved one who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (the deadline for photo submission is this Friday, February 12). Visit the exhibit and show support for family, friends and community. Come to the opening ceremony to share stories and experiences about visibility. For more information see the attached flier and poster or contact Carrie Borows or Merril Stern at Visibility@lrei.org.

5) LREI 2010 Art Auction:

  • March 3 & 4, 2010
  • Cocktail Reception & Final Bidding: March 4th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Don’t miss the chance to see artwork by some of the world’s finest artists and community members. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! It’s our main fundraiser this year. The event provides essential support for our Tuition Assistance Program and it is going to be a wonderful evening with refreshments and fun. Admission is free!

This year we will also be holding a series of art-related events called “LREI Loves Art.” These events will kick off with a private tour given by Gabriel Orozco, an LREI parent and artist, of his current show at MoMA. The tour takes place on Thursday, February 11th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $200 and space is limited to 25 people. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis so please contact Maude Kebbon in the Office of Advancement at mkebbon@lrei.org if you are interested in attending. Additional information for other “LREI Loves Art” fundraising events will soon follow.

6) Grandparents and Special Friends Day will be held on Friday May 7th from 1:00-3:00PM. Please send your names for Grandparent and Special Friends to Liza Sacks, lsacks@lrei.org , (212) 477-5317 ext.291. Invitations will be mailed March. You can also contact Liza if you have questions about this important community event.

7) Red is Green Committee Announcements:

  • Donate Old Cell Phones: Cell phones will be donated to Phones for Haiti, a partnership with the American Red Cross and ReCellular, Inc. For more info, see phonesforhaiti.com. By donating your old cell phone, you can provide critical aid to people in Haiti, protect the environment and bring new technology to developing areas. 100% of the proceeds from Phones for Haiti will go to aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
  • Recycle Used Batteries: We will accept all rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. Electronic waste is the fastest growing was concern in the world! Batteries contain toxic substances like mercury that are harmful to our landfills. Don’t throw them out in your regular trash – let us help you recycle them.
  • Batteries and cell phones can be dropped off in the Red is Green recycle bins at the Sixth Avenue and Charlton St. lobbies throughout February and March.
  • For more details about our monthly recycling drives and Go Green to School dates, please click Red is Green PA Page.

8) We want your recipes! Plans for the LREI Community Cookbook are under way, and we are now seeking recipies from all members of the community. Recipes can be for any dish that you would bring to a potluck. Please send recipies or questions to cookbook@lrei.org. The deadline for recipes is March 19 (right before spring break). Help us create a cookbook that represents all the diverse facets of our community!

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

10) LREI is a member of NYC-Parents in Action (NYC-PIA – http://www.parentsinaction.org/). 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. Click here to view upcoming events and/or to download their calendar.

For All Grades . . .

1) Click here to read the minutes from this week’s Middle School Parent Rep Meeting.

2) The ERBs scheduled for Wednesday will be administered tomorrow in the afternoon.

3) From the LREI Athletic Department: Basketball Postseason is right around the corner. All of our LREI teams have been working extremely hard and the players, coaches and fans can smell the playoffs. Here is a quick synopsis of our teams and a list of important games left:

  • The varsity boys need one more win (2 chances) to secure third place and win the final playoff spot for the Big Apple Conference.
  • The JV boys have secured 2nd place and will host the 3rd place team on March 1st. Congratulations!
  • The middle school girls have one more league game left. A win will force a three way tie for first place, and secure second place and a trip to the Championship Game.
  • The middle school boys have one more league game left. A win will secure second place and a trip to the Championship Game.

LREI HOME GAMES — Knights Basketball — Catch us if you Can!!!

  • Thursday – Feb 11 – MS GIRLS vs BWL, 3:15
  • Thursday – Feb 11 – MS BOYS vs BWL, 4:15
  • Wednesday – Feb 17 – MS BOYS vs St. Luke’s 4:15
  • Thursday – Feb 18 – MS GIRLS vs VCS, 4:00
  • Monday – Mar 1 – JV BOYS playoff game — TSAC, time: TBD

PLAYOFFS

  • MS BOYS — Feb 25th – #2 seed vs Garden, @ Garden
  • MS GIRLS — TBD — If LREI wins Feb 11, Championship game is at LREI March 1st
  • JV BOYS — March 1st – – JV Boys vs #3 seed — March 2nd – JV Championship (winner of above) vs BWL @ Churchill, 4:00PM
  • VARSITY BOYS — Feb 22 – #3 seed @ #2 Garden, @ Garden — Feb 24 – Winner @ NYC division champion — Feb 26 – ISAL Championships, @ John Jay College

4) Please read Middle School librarian Jennifer Hubert’s most recent blog post that provides an overview of the 2010 American Library Association‘s award winning books.

For Eighth Grade Families . . .

1) A reminder that final payments for the DC trip are due on February 18th. If you have payment questions, please let me know. If you have not registered, please do so ASAP using the attached form.

For Seventh Grade Families . . .

No updates this week.

For Fifth and Sixth Grade Families . . .

1) From Athletic Director Peter Fisher: The Athletic Department would like to invite you and your child(ren) to our Middle School Home Games, on Feb 17th (MS Boys vs St. Luke’s – 4:15PM Start) and 18th (MS Girls vs VCS – 4:00PM Start). The 7th/8th grade MS basketball teams have been playing very well and we would like to invite our future players to see the teams in action. This will be a great way to support the teams and to see what MS traveling team experience is like. Larry Kaplan will be available to walk the kids to the Thompson Street Athletic Center from Sixth Avenue at 3:30PM to watch our middle school teams play. There will be a half time shoot out contest for all kids in attendance with prizes available. Please contact me at pfisher@lrei.org if you would like Larry to walk your child over to the Athletic Center after school on these days. We will expect all students to be picked up at Thompson Street by a parent/care giver around 5PM.

2) Click here for the intramural team rosters. Regular team practices will start on Wednesday and Thursday, December 16th and 17th. Players must have a completed permission slip to play. Forms can be downloaded from the Athletics section of the LREI website.

For Sixth Grade Families . . .

1) This Friday morning the Sixth Grade will be traveling to St. John the Divine for a set of workshops. Students should bring a bagged lunch (no nuts, seeds or glass bottles) and will eat lunch in the classroom when they return. At St. Johns the Sixth grade will break into two groups:

  • One group will be led on a tour of the cathedral by a teaching artist.  Sixth graders see both Romanesque and Gothic designs in the cathedral because designers (and their tastes) have switched several times since construction started in 1892.  Sixth graders will take a tour of the different rooms and halls so they can observe the architecture, statues and works of art.
  • Another group will be led through an arts workshop at the Cathedral School.  Students will learn more about the piping systems of the cathedral and the function of the gargoyles, tapestries, and sculptures.  Students will then make gargoyles out of clay, create illuminated letters and try to sculpt a huge block of granite.

For Fifth Grade Families . . .

No updates this week.

============= For additional information, follow these links: =============

A reminder that the individual homework blog and the “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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