Why do we celebrate Black History Month?

Dear Families,

This week we were treated to a truly exceptional Black History Month Assembly. What originally started as a 5-10 minute video projected coordinated by Middle School math teacher Margaret Andrews, became, thanks to the dedicated and committed work of a group of third through fifth grade students (and Margaret), an hour-long celebration of Black History in words, images, music, dance and song. I’ll step aside and let some of their words take center stage with video to follow in next week’s blog.

Welcome to this Black History Month Celebration!

Some people have asked us, “Why do we celebrate Black History Month?” And here is what we have to say… It is because Black History Month is a very special time of year. Granted, we do not become less black on March 1st. And we take pride in our heritage all year long. But by setting aside this month, we set our heritage apart. We take it from the pages of history books and bring it to life. We take the time to remember, to reunite, and to rededicate ourselves to our history. And what a glorious history it is!

When we consider Black history, we think of it as a narrative of people crossing color lines….and fulfilling dreams. African-Americans, Black Americans have long struggled to understand their place in society. With each passing decade, we have pushed the color line forward, widened the circle, and moved closer to America’s promise of equality.

During Black History Month, we honor the memory of African-Americans like Dr. Martin Luther King, as we also celebrate current history makers like Dr. Condoleezza Rice. We remember the greatness of Jackie Robinson breaking down color barriers in sports and then cheer as Usain Bolt sets another record. These and so many other heroes pushed color lines and then broke through them, forever altering America’s history.

Today, we want to share our celebration with you. Please sit back, relax and enjoy!

Since we have said goodbye to 2009, one thing is clear: The first ten years of the 21st century have been as tumultuous and noteworthy as any in American history. The decade began with a Presidential election in which the man with the most votes lost and the horror of 9/11, when nearly 3000 people died in the worst terrorist attack ever on American soil. The decade ended with the first African-American in the Oval Office, the first Latina on the Supreme Court and the nation in the grips of a Great Recession even as Congress nears a final vote on historic health care reform. And while the goal of “Peace on Earth,” remains as elusive as ever, we are ending a major war in Iraq, setting the stage for the return of our troops from Afghanistan and celebrating Barack Obama’s 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. During the past decade we’ve experienced an almost equal mix of tragedy and triumph. But as the National Urban League prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010, we share the belief of millions that America’s best days are yet to come.

If September 11, 2001 will be remembered as the day of terror in America, August 29, 2005 will forever be known as the day of Katrina. More than 1800 people in the Gulf Coast and New Orleans lost their lives in the storm, hundreds of thousands were displaced, and property damage exceeded more than $100 billion. But while the levees failed, the spirit of New Orleans remains unbroken. The city is rebuilding and a few weeks ago, you saw the New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl.

The past decade also included a number of breakthrough achievements by African Americans and women. The election of Barack Obama in 2008 tops the list, but there have been other notable “firsts.” In the business world, Dick Parsons, Ken Chenault and Stan O’Neal became the first African American Chairmen and CEOs of Time Warner, American Express and Merrill Lynch respectively. And in May of 2009, Ursula Burns became the first African American woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company when she took over the reins at Xerox.

In politics, Colin Powell was appointed the first African-American Secretary of State in 2001. Deval Patrick became only the second elected African-American governor when he took office as Massachusetts’ chief executive in 2006. David Paterson was sworn-in as New York’s first African-American governor in 2008. Nancy Pelosi made history as the first woman Speaker of the House in 2007. And in 2009, Eric Holder became the nation’s first African-American Attorney General and Judge Sonia Sotomayor became the first U.S. Supreme Court Justice of Puerto Rican decent.

During the past decade words like Facebook, YouTube and iPod became a part of our everyday lexicon. But one simple word – Hope – has defined the American spirit since our beginning, 234 years ago. As we celebrate Black History month this year, it is our fervent hope that we will find the courage to build on our successes, meet our many challenges and create an even better tomorrow.

Congratulations to all of the students for their work and a well-deserved thanks to Margaret for leading them through this experience, which was valuable for them, but immeasurably valuable for those of us who received the gift of their efforts.

Of General Interest . . .

1) Click here to access other photo collections of LREI events and happenings at our on-line photo gallery.

2) The High School production of URINETOWN is on February 25th, 26th and 27th at 7pm in the PAC, 40 Charlton Street, New York, NY 10014. URINETOWN is a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he’s had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom! Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, URINETOWN is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Tickets are on sale from Monday 22nd Feb all week in the Sixth Avenue lobby 8am-9am and in the high school at lunch time.  $12 adults $10 Students. Please note: Some aspects of the play may not be appropriate for the youngest members of the community, parental discretion is advised.

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. While the deadline for submission has passed, if you have a photo, contact one of the organizers listed below. 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 6:00PM to 8:00PM

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! Visit http://artauction.lrei.org/ for additional information and to view items that will be auctioned.

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 recipes from all members of the community. Recipes can be for any dish that you would bring to a potluck. Please send recipes 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) From the LREI Athletic Department: Congratulations to ALL 5 of our inter-mural basketball teams for making the post season schedule. All of the teams have worked hard. The players and coaches would love to have your voices and support at the following games:

Middle School Boys – Finished in second place with a 5-1 league record. Watch them in the finals: LREI (2) vs Garden (1), @ The Garden School, Feb 25th. 5:00PM

Middle School Girls – Finished in a 3-way tie for first place with a 5-1 league record! LREI won a coin-toss and earned a playoff bye. Watch the girls in the finals: LREI (1) vs. the winner of Dwight/Garden (1), @ LREI’s Thompson Street Athletic Center, March 1st, 3:15 PM

JV Boys – Finished in second place with a 7-3 league record. Watch them in the playoffs: LREI (2) vs York (3) @ LREI’s Thompson Street Athletic Center, March 1st, 4:30 and in the conference final: BWL (1) vs. winner (above) @ The Churchill School, March 2nd, 4:00PM

There are also several weeks of 5th/6th grade intramural basketball games left each Friday afternoon at the Thompson Street Athletic Center, beginning at 3:30PM.

For Eighth Grade Families . . .

1) For all math 8X families, please read the new math unit letter from Michelle Boehm

2) 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)A reminder about the upcoming PE/Dance unit. Classes will meet as follows:

  • Monday, 3/1 — Frank and Margaret’s Sixth Grade and both Fifth Grade classes
  • Tuesday, 3/2 — Both Sixth Grade classes

2) Intramural Basketball Playoffs for this Friday:

  • First game: Red vs Gray
  • Second Game: Blue vs Green
  • There will be practice this week and next,  but none the week of the Parents Game

For Sixth Grade Families . . .

No updates this week.

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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