Dear Families:

In advisory, some groups have been working on “I am from . . .” poems. These poems have provided us with an entry point for discussions about identity and values and given us an opportunity to see the world from another’s point of view. In sharing the poems, we find that we have much in common and that our differences provide moments for understanding. Expressed in images of important places, people, sounds, experiences, and advice, these poems provide clear representations of our students’ creativity and willingness to look inward and to share that “looking inward” with others. What follows is a collection of these images from a number of writers that turns the “I am from” into a where “we” are from.

I am from the whoosh of cars and the murmur of people talking

I am from adobe houses with tin roofs, bodegas and tortillerias, cactus covered hillsides, milpas, and fields of grass and magueyes.

I am from visiting relative and old teachers who have taught me life long lessons.

I am from the deli around the corner and walking into walls.

I am from Old Hickory and the Festival of Lights on Christmas Eve. I am from bicycle keys, monkeys, and “I forgot my keys.”

I am from a little child spitting out his non-sugar free bubblegum before his mother noticed.

I am from feeding the cat and forgetting to practice the piano.

I am from “clean that room” and “make your bed” because we are having guests.

I am from two different countries, two messy apartments, two loving parents, and two annoying brothers.

I am from looking out the window to a sky blue river and the Williamsburg Bridge.

I am from Honey Nut Cheerios and Nutella on toast and cheesy pizza with pepperoni and garlic and bagels with butter.

I am from where dogs bark wildly and children play freely.

I am from warm quilts, ringing telephones, honking cars and trucks, ringing doorbells, and photo albums from the past.

I am from “work hard,” “be happy,” try your best,” and “don’t overreact.”

I am from trying to figure it all out.

I am from everything I’ve ever done, everyone I’ve met, everywhere I’ve been, but mostly I am from everything I’ve loved.

I am from the memories that fill my mind and the ones yet to come.

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.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.)General:
Parents in Action Flyer
Eighth Grade:
Math letter for Michelle’s section
Seventh Grade:
Williamsburg Trip Information Letter
Sixth Grade:
Fifth Grade:

Of General Interest . . .

1) Sign up sheets for Family Conferences, which are scheduled for Wednesday, November 15th (12:15-3:15PM) , and Friday, November 17th (full day – school is closed) will be posted this Monday. The sign-up sheets for core teachers will be posted outside of their rooms and the sign-up sheets forspecialist teachers will be posted on the bulletin board outside of my office.

2) It’s My Park Day is this Saturday morning. If you are interested in participating in this annual event to help beautify the flower beds in from of the school, please contact Gabrielle Keller (gkeller@lrei.org).

3) Coat Drive for St. John’s Church – Monday, October 23rd through Friday, October 27th. We are holding our annual coat and outerwear drive for the clients of the St. John’s Food Pantry. The Church has asked that we focus on larger sizes this year – older teen and adult. They would also welcome men’s pants, jeans, as well as new (in package) underwear for both men and women. Please bring your clean and gently used donations to Matthew’s room, 2nd floor, Middle School building (parents can push “2” in the elevator) Start bringing in clothing on Monday, October 23rd. Thanks!

4) As many of you know, the LREI Halloween Fair is around the corner! It will be held on Sunday, October 29th, from 1:00PM – 4:00PM. This year we will again use the Thompson Street Athletic Center at the corner of Thompson and Houston Streets. The theme is pirates. I encourage you all to attend with your children and their friends. In addition, middle school students are encouraged to sign up to help with the event. There is a sign-up sheet on the comminty service bulletin board by the second floor landing. The Halloween Fair committe is still in need of some items; click here for their wishlist.

5) Photo Scholarships: Our photographer, Coffee Pond Photography, is able to offer a limited number of photo scholarships. Please contact me (msilberberg@lrei.org or at extension 221), if you receive financial aid and are unable to pay for photographs. If you have specific questions about the ordering process, you can contact Coffee Pond Photography at lifeguards@coffeepond.com or by phone at 1-800-632-2323 extension 0

6) Attention book lovers: On Wednesday, November 8th join the Literary Committee as the LREI librarians present, “East Meets West,” an evening of youth books that feature culture clashes and truces, diverse viewpoints and changing perspectives. Each year our nationally recognized librarians share their literary suggestions for students in all grades, Fours-12th grade, with the LREI community as they do with other school and professional audiences throughout the school year. All three of our full time librarians have served, or are presently serving, on American Library Association panels responsible for selecting prize winning books. Join this evening as Stacy, Jennifer and Karyn share their book selections with us, along with LS library teacher and graphic novel reviewer, Jesse Karp (LREI ’87), who will give his suggestions for the best in graphic novels. Each year the Literary Committee brings us the book fairs, Book Week, the amazing Literary Evening (December 7) and this evening with our librarians. The Committee also supports the librarians’, and their students’, attendance at conferences. If you have questions for the librarians, don’t forget to join us for Learn Your Library morning on October 23rd in the Sixth Avenue Library.

7) A reminder form the PA Community Service Committee: We will be doing the Thanksgiving Decorations for Hudson Guild Fulton Center again this year as a volunteer opportunity for the whole community (4’s through 12th grade and beyond) on Saturday, November 18th at 11:00 -1:00. Save the date and we hope to see you there!

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). 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 2006-2007 calendar. You can also access their on-line calendar of events at www.parentsinaction.org.

For Eighth Grade Families . . .
1) The second High School Open House is scheduled for Thursday, October 24th. The Open House will start at 6:30PM. If you would like to make a reservation for the Open House, please contact Director of Admissions Samantha Caruth (scaruth@lrei.org or at extension 305). If you are unable to make one of these times, please let Samantha know. She can sign you up for one of the general high school admissions tours or she can schedule you for a tour at some other time that is more convenient for you. Finally, if you have any questions about the high school program, please contact Ruth (rjurgensen@lrei.org or at extension 303) who will be glad to answer your questions.

2) Please read the attached letter from math teacher Michelle Boehm about the new math unit for her section.

For Seventh Grade Families . . .
1) Please make sure that your child is at school on Monday by 8:00AM packed and ready to go (click here for the packing list and permission form). If your child has any medications, please make sure that you give these to Michelle in a zip lock bag with the necessary instructions. While we are away, you can call extension 384 after 9:00PM each night for an update on the day’s activities.

For Sixth Grade Families . . .
No updates this week.

For Fifth Grade Families . . .
No updates this week.

Middle School Sports
Schedules, permission forms and general information about Middle School sports programs can be found at http://www.lrei.org/athletics/index.html. Information is also available through the LREI Sports Hotline at 212.477.5316 x 494.

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)

• Monday, October 23, 2006, 8:00AM — Seventh Grade to Williamsburg (return on Friday, October 27, 2006)
• Monday, October 23, 2006 -Coat Drive for St. Joh’s Church,(through Friday, October 27th, 2006)
• Tuesday, October 24, 2006 — HS Minimester (through Thursday, October 26, 2006)
• Tuesday, October 24, 2006, 6:30PM — HS Open House
• Sunday, October 29, 2006 — Halloween Fair
• Tuesday, October 31, 2006 — Fifth Grade to the Met (Ancient Near Eastern Art)
• Friday, November 3, 2006 — MS-End of 1st Quarter
• Tuesday, November 8, 2006 — LREI librarians present, “East Meets West”
• Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 12:15PM — MS Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Thursday, November 16, 2006, 6:00PM — MS POCOC Mtg.
• Friday, November 17, 2006, 8:30AM — MS Parent-Teacher Conferences (MS closed)
• Monday, November 20, 2006 — Irwin Scholars Application due
• Tuesday, November 21, 2006, 8:15AM — MS Parent Rep. Mtg.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2006 — Thanksgiving-School closes at 12:00PM (school reopens on Monday, 27, 2006)
• Friday, December 1, 2006, 7:00PM — Seventh Grade DISC Dance 40 CHST
• Monday, December 4, 2006 — Book Week (through Friday, November 8, 2006)
• Wednesday, December 6, 2006 — Book Fair (through Friday November 8, 2006)
• Thursday, December 7, 2006, 7:00PM — Literary Evening
• Friday, December 8, 2006, 7:00PM — MS Play
• Saturday, December 9, 2006, 2:00PM and 7:00PM — MS Play
• Tuesday, December 12, 2006, 8:15AM — MS Parent Rep. Mtg.
• Tuesday, December 12, 2006, 6:00PM — Seventh Grade Colonial Museum
• Thursday, December 14, 2006, 6:00PM — Winter Concert
• Thursday, December 14, 2006, 6:00PM — MS POCOC Mtg.
• Friday, December 15, 2006 — Winter Break – School closes at 12:00PM (school reopens on Wednesday, January 3, 2007)

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

Be well,
Mark

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