Be the Change

Dear Families,

Several times this year (3/11,  1/28, and 11/19), I’ve written about the eighth grade social justice project “Choosing to Participate,” which has become a cornerstone of the eighth grade humanities curriculum. The culminating event of this project took place this past Wednesday, as the the eighth graders ran two assemblies and facilitated workshops for the fifth through seventh graders. The day’s events were not only exceedingly well-executed, but also challenged middle schoolers to think deeply about a range important social justice issues and asked participants to consider how each individual can make a difference. This work reflected substantial research done by the eighth graders over the past few months and included significant volunteering opportunities at the following organizations:

In the opening assembly, the eighth graders provided some important context to help frame the day’s activities.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i28g0HH2yQM

They also shared their public service posters, which were created in core and art (these posters are also on display in the lobby and outside of the eighth grade rooms) . . .

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya076fVxWDM

and performed an original song written by Lenny whose lyrics appear below:

eating drinking breathing living life

eating drinking breathing living life
that’s the way were told to give and strive
light the fire but don’t think to put it out anytime
volunteering strong with all your might
fighting sickness helping women’s rights
you got to learn to take your part in society

you’ve got to wipe the tears
and volunteer
for faith and peace
and justice please
don’t take what you can break
it’ll be your mistake
its for others sake
there are people at stake

gun violence seems to tear us up
our economy isn’t high enough
world hunger is eating us all alive all the time
why not take a look at the world today
with all our help we’ll be ok
but not when the wind of hate
blows us all away

you’ve got to wipe the tears
and volunteer
for faith and peace
and justice please
don’t take what you can break
it’ll be your mistake
its for others sake
there are people at stake

The morning assembly concluded with a moving speech given to UN delegates in 1992 by 12-year-old Severn Cullis Suzuki.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQmz6Rbpnu0

Following the assembly, fifth through seventh graders participated in two hour-long workshops facilitated by the eight graders. The following descriptions of the workshops give you a clear sense of the richness and depth of the morning’s activities:

  • Free the Freedom in a Square: In this workshop, we will write out loud! We will go out to Little Red Square and express ourselves using sidewalk chalk, sidewalk paint, and our own opinions about freedom of expression and freedom of speech. We will create a “democracy wall”, answering the question, “What does freedom of expression mean to you?” You will draw, write, or create, liberating your inner voice. People will stop and stare at the art we’ve all made; all you need is your imagination!
  • Chocolate for Change: In this workshop we will talk about the ongoing and very important issue of world hunger, and hunger in NYC. We will show you a brief presentation on the topic and then we will make chocolate-covered pretzels to donate to The Village Temple Soup Kitchen. Your work will allow those served at this soup kitchen to have a dessert with their meal, and you will also learn how to make these treats!
  • Repairing Hunger — One Grain At A Time: People in this workshop will learn about hunger in both NYC and around the world. We will show you a website filled with online quiz games about math, science, geography, foreign language that help feed the hungry while you play! For every question you get right, 10 grains of rice get donated to the World Food Programme. In this workshop, you will have fun, make a difference, and go for the high score!
  • A Pencil Per Person: All over NYC, kids go to school without the basic school supplies they need to function effectively as students. Our organization, Getting Tools to City Schools, raises money and collects supplies to donate to these students. Come and decorate pencils and stamp them with facts about our organization and its mission. These pencils will be circulated around the school, spreading awareness and inspiring others to get involved with our campaign. You will walk away entertained, informed, and having made creative pencils that make a difference!
  • Justice Jeopardy: Did you know that the largest epidemic in our time is preventable? Did you know that you cannot get HIV/AIDS from shaking hands? What is the difference between HIV and AIDS? What does AIDS stand for anyway? Come and play your favorite game: Jeopardy, while answering these questions and learning more about these four key categories: the difference between HIV and AIDS, HIV and AIDS prevention, discrimination towards people with HIV and AIDS, and testing your HIV/AIDS knowledge. Finally, find out how to be a part of the LREI AIDS Walk Team!
  • Changing the World One Book at a Time: Are you a person who loves kids? Are you the one who’s always trying to teach them new things? Do you appreciate the gift of literacy? If so, you will love Changing the World One Book at a Time. In this workshop, you’ll be educated about the importance of childhood literacy, learn the secrets to a great read-aloud, and find out strategies to make reading with children more beneficial. You’ll get time to try out these skills with a trip down to a Lower School classroom where you will read to kids!
  • Love Your Heart: Have you ever wondered what’s in that buff, blood-pumpin’ organ you call a heart? Well, we have got the answers! You will learn about the organ that keeps you alive, and how to keep your food heart-healthy. You will be able explore different types of mid-day munchies and see what mutant sugar monsters they actually are. After our discoveries we will play Battle of the Heart! Will YOU win?
  • Stitching Up The Facts About AIDS: Come and use your head to learn and your hands to decorate and sew! This workshop has everything you need to know about what’s true and false about HIV and AIDS. Once you have some knowledge, we will sew up the facts by making a quilt together! You will create quilt patches with your own drawings and words that will educate others about HIV/AIDS. Your unique quilt will be hung up in the Middle School for our whole community to see and from which to learn!
  • Gender Bender — Empower Yourself in the Face of the Media: How do advertisements affect you as a male or a female? How do they use stereotypes? How can you become empowered instead of subject to the ad’s power? In this workshop, we will examine advertisements targeted towards men and ones towards women. Based upon what we see, we will write skits that show what an average woman/man is like and then also what a woman/man can really be if given room to move beyond stereotypes. Empower yourself to make up your own mind about gender stereotypes and the media!
  • In Harm’s Way: Stop Gun Violence: Guns seem cool. James Bond uses guns and so does the American soldier in the videogame “Call of Duty.” Guns are made to seem fascinating, exciting and fun. The facts are, however, that guns do terrible things such as harm, hurt, and kill people all over the world. In our workshop, you will learn more about the effects of gun violence in NYC and how to stop it. You will learn that everybody has a voice against gun violence in our society. Take back the power and use your voice while having fun. We will create skits, make posters and songs, and play trivia games that will educate others to stand up for those in harm’s way due to guns.

[flickrslideshow acct_name=”lrei-photos” id=”72157623825963455″ width=”460″ height=”345″]

The day concluded with a reflection activity and a final assembly in which several of the groups shared ways in which our middle school community will continue to take action on these issues (more on this to follow). A reflection by activist Severn Cullis Suzuki on her journey concluded the eighth graders’ stewardship of the day:

I spoke for six minutes and received a standing ovation. Some of the delegates even cried. I thought that maybe I had reached some of them, that my speech might actually spur action. Now, a decade from Rio, after I’ve sat through many more conferences, I’m not sure what has been accomplished. My confidence in the people in power and in the power of an individual’s voice to reach them has been deeply shaken…In the 10 years since Rio, I have learned that addressing our leaders is not enough. As Gandhi said many years ago, ‘We must become the change we want to see.’ I know change is possible.”

Real change depends on us. We can’t wait for our leaders. We have to focus on what our own responsibilities are and how we can make the change happen. I know change is possible, because I am changing, still figuring out what I think. I am still deciding how to live my life. The challenges are great, but if we accept individual responsibility and make sustainable choices, we will rise to the challenges, and we will become part of the positive tide of change. Over the last few years, after Rio, I was invited to many, many different conferences. Over time I’ve realized: this is not where we’re going to see change. We’ve seen positive activism happening in the last ten years at the grassroots level, in small communities. It’s about the individuals that make up the statistics about consumption and pollution, as well as the people who feel the negative impact, who are actually going to be the change. It is powerful, because you realize that each individual really does count. And the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized that each person is a role model to all the people around us. Not only the children, but everybody. That’s how cultures evolve and things change because the influence of a few individuals catches on.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the influence of our eighth graders was profoundly felt by their peers and teachers during this year’s “Teach-In.” Well done!

Congratulations also to the members of the Model Congress team! More on their efforts in next week’s blog.

Of General Interest . . .

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

2) Click here for a summary of key points from this Monday’s Internet Safety Parent Meeting.

3) “Stir the Pot” Tasting Event Committee – The “Stir the Pot” event will take place on Thursday, May 13th at 6:00PM @ Charlton Street. Click here for more information about this exciting event.

4) From the Art Auction Committee: Thank you so much to everyone who helped to make this year’s Art Auction a rounding success! It was a spectacular event and everyone has a wonderful time. There are still some pieces of art that are for sale so please visit http://artauction.lrei.org/ for additional information and to view items that are available. If you have any questions, please contact Maude Kebbon at mkebbon@lrei.org or 212-477-5316, ext. 232. Additionally, there are still tickets available for two exciting events this spring. Please contact Maude if you are interested!

  • The Jim Cottrell/Joe Lovett & Sue Scott Collections: Wednesday, May 5th at 6:00PM
    Hosted by LREI Parent Sue Scott: An evening of art & conversation at two private collections including works by Baechler, Basquiat, Murray and Bourgeois. Tickets are $200 each.
  • “Greater New York” Emerging Artists Survey, PS 1: Saturday, May 22nd at 2:00PM
    A private tour with curator & LREI parent Neville Wakefield one day before the exhibit opens. Meet the artists and see their art! Tickets are $200 each.

5) LREI Camping Trip: The 17th Annual LREI Camping Trip will take place June 4-6 this year at the Riverbend Group Campground along the Delaware River. All LREI families and their children — from all grades pre-K through high school — are invited to participate. Watch for details and sign-up tables coming soon. 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.

6) Red is Green Committee Announcements:

  • April’s recycle drive is… Corks. Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak tree. While it is a renewable resource, it takes a long time to harvest (25 years for the first harvest, 9 years thereafter). We recycle corks either by fulfilling teacher demand for them, or sending them to Terracycle, who turns them into products like cork boards. Drop off all used corks – natural or synthetic, wine or champagne. Drop off corks in the Red is Green bins in the Sixth Ave. or Charlton St. lobbies through the month of April.
  • For more details about our monthly recycling drives and Go Green to School dates, please click Red is Green PA Page.

7) From PA Co-Presidents Regina Trumbull and Kim Hostler: Spring is here, so we are starting to plan for the next school year. The PA would like to let you know the many ways you can participate. Becoming a parent rep is a great way to get involved. If you have not been a parent rep before but would like to try it or find out more about it, please let us know. We would be happy to talk to you more about what the job entails. In the meantime, you can look at the Family Handbook, page 36 (link on our website www.LREI.org) for the Parent Rep Guidelines. Of course, until the classes are actually made up for next year (mid-August or so), we cannot match parent reps to classes. If you’re looking for other ways to get involved, you could consider volunteering for any of our PA committees

  • Adoption Committee
  • Art Auction (the next art auction will be in the 2011-2012 year. But the committee will meet next year.)
  • Big Auction Committee
  • Community Service Committee
  • Faculty & Staff Appreciation Committee
  • Food Committee
  • Graphics & Communications Committee (Supporting other committees)
  • Halloween Fair Committee
  • Lesbian/Gay/Straight Alliance
  • Literary Committee
  • LREI Camping Trip Organizing Committee
  • Multicultural Committee (this is the committee that organized Karamu)
  • Parents of Children of Color (Lower School and Middle School)
  • Red Is Green (our sustainability committee)
  • School Store
  • Sports Committee

Also in the Family Handbook (p.38), there is a list of the co-chairs of the PA committees if you would like to contact them for more information. Please email us at PA-Presidents@lrei.org if you would like to get involved.

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

9) 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 . . .

msart10v21) Just a heads up that our first MS Art Festival opens tonight at 6:00PM for seventh and eighth grade families and at 6:30PM for fifth and sixth grade families. The evening will feature studio art work from students in all grades, digital art created by the eighth graders and performances by the seventh and eighth grade performing arts major classes (instrumental music, vocal music, dance and drama). The entire Sixth Avenue building will come alive with the arts on this special evening. We hope to see you all there. In addition, the art displays in the auditorium will also be up on Friday, April 30th.

2) Save the date for the Middle School Musical — next Friday (5/7 @ 7:00PM) and Saturday (5/8 @ 2:00 and 7:00PM): Travel back to the legendary days of ancient China with this stage adaptation of Disney’s Mulan.  This is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor and a fighting spirit. Come see the middle school musical, with an outstanding set, beautiful costumes, action, singing and dancing. This production is sure to delight your senses and guarantees a wonderful family night out. Tickets will be on sale all next week  in the Sixth Avenue lobby from 8:00-9:00AM.  Directed by Joanne Magee, Musical Director, Matthew McLean, Choreographer, Peggy Peloquin.

3) Grandparents/Special Friends Day is coming on May 7th for Lower and Middle School students. If you have not given us addresses yet, please email them to Liza Sacks at lsacks@lrei.org. If you have not yet rsvp’d please do so as soon as possible, or no later than Wednesday, April 28, 2010. Please call or email Mary Shea at mshea@lrei.org to let her know the name of your child’s visitor.

4)  POCOC-Spring Book Club: This event, scheduled for May 21st, 2010 from 6:00- 8:00PM in the Sixth Avenue Auditorium, is a potluck event open to the families of both committees. After the potluck, children will break into their age/book groups with a facilitator (LREI teachers) to discuss the book they have read and/or do a project around it. During this time parents will be free to socialize. Book selections: 5th – 6th –Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis; 7th – 8th – Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. Click here for the event flyer.

5) Some other important dates:

  • Fri, May 7, 2010, 7:00pm MS Musical
  • Sat, May 8, 2010, 2:00pm MS Musical
  • Sat, May 8, 2010, 7:00pm MS Musical
  • Tue, May 18, 2010, 6:00pm MS Awards Night
  • Wed, May 19, 2010, 3:00pm Spring Book Fair (through Friday)
  • Fri, May 21, 2010, 6:00pm POCOC-Spring Book Club
  • Thu, May 27, 2010, 6:30pm Spring Concert
  • Fri, May 28, 2010, Field Day-School closes at 1pm
  • Fri, Jun 4, 2010, 4:00pm LREI Camping Trip (through Sunday)
  • Fri, Jun 4, 2010, 6:00pm MS Dance
  • Tue, Jun 15, 2010, Last Day of School-School closes at 12noon

6) Saturday, May 1st is the annual event known as Free Comic Book Day.  It’s as simple as the title suggests: go to your local comic book store and they give you FREE COMIC BOOKS.  To find out which comic books are available, and to find a comic shop near you, just visit http://www.freecomicbookday.com/comics.asp.  Be aware that, depending on your neighborhood, there might be a line at the store, so checking on hours might not be a bad idea.

For Eighth Grade Families . . .

1) Some important dates (see above for important division-wide dates):

  • Wed, May 5, 2010, 8:00am 8th Gr. DC trip Parent Mtg.
  • Tue, May 11, 2010, 8th Grade trip to DC (return on Friday)
  • Tue, Jun 8, 2010, 6:00pm 8th Grade Science Exploratorium
  • Fri, Jun 11, 2010, 6:00pm 8th Grade Moving Up Party
  • Tue, Jun 15, 2010, 8th Grade Moving Up

For Eighth and Seventh Grade Families . . .

1) Join us on Monday, May 10th at 6:30PM for a discussion with a counselor from the Freedom Institute about sustenance abuse and prevention issues. Students have also engaged with Freedom Institute in related discussions and this is an excellent opportunity to dialog with other parents about strategies to best support your children so that they make safe and healthy decisions.

2) High School Dance Choreographers Workshop: Four high school students need seventh and eighth grade students who like to dance and are interested in being in student created dances. The workshops will take place on the following Fridays from 4:00-6:00PM: April 30th,  May  7th and May 21st; and on the following Mondays also from 4:00-6:00PM: May 17th and May 24th. If you are interested, email high school dance teacher Peggy Peloquin at ppeloquin@lrei.org. No experience necessary but welcomed.

For Seventh Grade Families . . .

1) Some important dates (see above for important division-wide dates):

  • Fri, May 14, 2010, 7th Grade Visiting Day
  • Fri, May 14, 2010, High School Preview Event
  • Thu, Jun 10, 2010, 8:00am 7th Grade Potluck Breakfast & Constitution Work

For Seventh and Sixth Grade Families . . .

1) High School Preview: Are you thinking about what’s on the horizon for your sixth or seventh grader? Please join us on May 14th at 8:30AM for High School Preview Morning with High School Principal Ruth Jurgensen. You will learn about the program, hear from students and briefly see classes in action as we tour our fabulous new space! Contact the admissions office at bscott@lrei.org to confirm your attendance no later than May 12th. This event is a rescheduling of the High School Preview evening previously slated for April and is designed to connect with Seventh Grade Visiting Day that will take place on the 14th as well.

For Sixth Grade Families . . .

1) The sixth grade has been invited to participate in a Scholastic Summer Reading Live Webcast with famous award-winning childrens’ authors Lisa Yee, Christopher Paul Curtis, Gordon Korman and R.L. Stine this Friday, April 30th. The students will be able to meet the writers and then be members of a live audience cheering on their favorite authors as they participate in a jeopardy-like trivia game show. Please make sure that your child has returned the release form so that s/he can attend the event.

2) Some important dates (see above for important division-wide dates):

  • Fri, May 14, 2010, High School Preview Event
  • Tue, Jun 8, 2010, 8:00am 6th Grade Poetry & Potluck Breakfast

3) LREI sixth graders are invited to attend the “School for a School Dance!” an interschool sixth grade dance, which is scheduled for Friday, April 30th from 7-9PM. The dance will take place in the auditorium at the Nightingale-Bamford School (92nd and Madison). The cost is $10 to be paid at the door. Funds raised from the dance will support an all-school campaign at Nightingale to build a co-ed school in Cambodia (you can find more information at www.cambodiaschools.com). R.S.V.P to abuckfire@nightingale.org. Parents should email giving permission and a phone number where they can be reached during the dance. There will be chaperones present from Nightingale-Bamford present.

4) Looking further ahead to next year, click here to access the registration form for the Williamsburg / Jamestown trip that will take place next October. I’m sending you this information now so that you can spread out payments over a longer period of time. If you register online, please use the following trip ID#: A76310. W e would like all families to register for the trip by the end of the month. If you have specific questions about payment, please do not hesitate to contact me.

For Sixth and Fifth Grade Families . . .

1) From Athletic Director Peter Fisher: Softball games will still be at Houston Street ball field, with one team practicing and two teams playing each Tuesday and Thursday.  For the next few weeks, we’ll play a few games and determine the playoff structure. Both days are ON next week, unless the weather turns ugly, then I will update the schedule and send an email. Please let me know if you have any questions.

For Fifth Grade Families . . .

1) High School Preview: Are you thinking about what is on the horizon for your fifth grader? Please join us on Tuesday, May 4th at 8:30AM for High School Preview Morning with Ruth Jurgensen, HS Principal. You will learn about the program, hear from students and briefly see classes in action as we tour our fabulous new space! Contact the admissions office at bscott@lrei.org to confirm your attendance no later than April 30th. This event is a rescheduling of the High School Preview evening previously slated for April.

1) Some important dates (see above for important division-wide dates):

  • Wed, Jun 9, 2010, 6:00pm 5th Grade Grecian Festival

============= 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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