Dear Middle School Families,

Following on the heels of last year’s Black History Month Assembly, this year’s assembly was just as moving. In addition to the assembly, students presented at Middle School Meetings throughout the month. This helped to reinforce the importance of the month and it’s connection to the on-going relevance of this history to all of us. In reflecting on the declaration, “Why We Celebrate Black History Month” students shared the following:

Lulu: The history of a noble race, running roughshod over bondage, obstacles and time eternal. Fearless, proud and infinitely hopeful, that is the essence of our heritage. Hence, in honoring Black America, we celebrate the rebirth of the nation’s most maligned ethnic group.

Maxine: We celebrate the present by expounding on our achievements and reliving great moments from the past. We celebrate our ancestors who toiled in the midday sun, under the sweltering heat of oppression. Exhausted, their hands covered with abrasions from the cotton’s prickly thorns, they refused to buckle under the indignation, creating courage of the highest magnitude.

Mekhi: We celebrate the legacy of Marcus Garvey, Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Dubois, crying out against injustice. We celebrate the NAACP, National Urban League and Southern Christian Leadership Conference in their crusade to remove the insufferable stench of racism gone awry.

Sofia S: We celebrate the strength of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Ida Wells-Barnett, women of unrelenting persistence, rebelling against the savagery of hate and inhumanity.

Aiden: We celebrate the uprisings of Nat Turner and Denmark Vesey in their ill-fated attempt at freedom. So strong were these men in their quest for freedom, they preferred death to enslavement. We celebrate the Civil, Political and Equal rights so long denied and withheld. We celebrate our triumphs, disasters and heritage.

Sophia S-C: We celebrate the political activism of Jesse Jackson, Fannie Lou Hamer and the charismatic Adam Clayton Powell, eloquent strategists demanding the granting of voting rights to every adult, young and old.

Jarrett: We celebrate the soldiers on the battlefield. From the rebel retreat of Fort Wagner during the Civil War to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Unsung heroes fighting and dying to keep America safe for democracy.

LoveDay: We celebrate the literary genius of James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks and Maya Angelou, urging America to redeem its pledge of equal rights for all via the written word.

Giselle: We celebrate the Revolutionists; Malcolm X, Angela Davis and the Black Panthers, passionately urging Blacks to abandon the “wait and see” attitude and rebel against the White Establishment.”

Iniko: We celebrate the contributions of Dr. Charles Drew, blood plasma founder and Garrett Morgan, creator of the automatic traffic lights; whose inventions helped revolutionize the health and transportation industry.

Lexi: We celebrate the Nobel Peace Prizes of Ralph J. Bunche and Martin Luther King; two amicable men dedicated to world peace.

Jason: We celebrate the athletic prowess of Jesse Owens, racing across the finish line at the 1936 Olympics; Jackie Robinson, breaking baseball’s color barrier. And the wizardry of Michael Jordan, showing the world why he was named “the Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century.” Similarly, we celebrate the brilliance of Venus and Serena Williams, taking tennis to new heights, and the beauty of Tiger Woods’ golf stroke; sturdy, on target, an exhibition of immense talent.

Sage: Lastly, we celebrate the diversity of our hair; curly, natural, permed, straight, waved and weaved and the beige, red, brown and blackness of our skin.

Jaron: That is why we celebrate. To tell our history in our own words, as only African-Americans can do. In observing Black History Month, it is good to focus on the actions and accomplishments of dignitaries past and present. However, attention should also focus on lesser known heroes and heroines. We know that were it not for Dr. King, opportunities for African-Americans would be virtually impossible. Similarly, without Harriet Tubman, slaves seeking refuge would not have found solace via the Underground Railroad.

Jerel: But what about those pioneers at the local and state level, those anonymous men and women who paved the way, so that future generations could enjoy the amenities entitled to all people? Their contributions should not be confined to musty, photo albums and faded newspaper clippings. They too were instrumental in establishing the democracy of our modern history, and deserve to be enshrined in the scripted walls of the immortals. In retrospect, all African-Americans have made impressionable contributions big and small, to the dazzling archives that personify Black History.

A range of songs figured in these presentations (Lift Every Voice and Sing, I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free, and Wake Up Everybody)as well as the following video:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oh_wbm90sU

The assembly itself featured a moving original dramatic “wax” museum of Black History:

Grandson: Why do we have this civil rights museum? The world isn’t going to change! Who will we see there?

Granddaughter: Old people, Old Dead people just like the people we talk about in school and see in the other museums.

Grandfather: The world isn’t perfect—yet!

Grandmother: On the news we see war and cruelty, violence, unfairness and pollution. And sometimes we see these things right in our own neighborhoods. But that doesn’t mean we have to accept them. Every day, people all over the world work to change things for the better. People who don’t just sit there—who try to change things they think are bad—are called activists.

Grandfather: Activists come in all shapes and sizes. Anyone can be one. So can you! You don’t need to be famous, or rich, or even old. All that’s important is that you do something, big or small, to stand up for what you believe.

Grandmother: Being an activist doesn’t mean being violent. You don’t need big muscles—just a strong spirit and a strong purpose. The most important activists ever, including Ghandi in India and Martin Luther King in America, entirely rejected violence. They and their followers got the world’s attention by being peaceful, strong, and dignified. They achieved great changes because they never gave up, even in the face of threats.

Granddaughter: But the people in the sixties are old, now. Old people fought for civil rights!

Grandfather: Kids played a big role in these civil rights protests. They carried signs at rallies and sang freedom songs. When fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin helped touch off the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott, thousands of other kids did their part by walking to school every day, just as their parents were walking to work. In 1963, a series of protest marches was even called the Children’s Crusade, because so many young activists were arrested for taking part.

Grandmother: Adults went to court to win the right for black students and white students to go to school together. But grown-ups can’t actually attend school. Ultimately, the only people who can integrate a school are schoolchildren themselves. To stop school segregation, kids had to take the lead.

Click here to enter the “Wax Museum” and read the full script of the performance.

Congratulations to all of the students for their hard work and commitment 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) Important Calendar Update: Please note the following dates. Some of these dates were changed earlier in the year and this is just a reminder. Others were changed quite recently. Only those dates that have been changed since the beginning of the school year have been noted.

• The HS will be closed on Friday, April 8 for a Professional Day
• The MS will be closed on Thursday, April 14 and Friday, April 15 for Advisor/Family Conferences
• The LS will be closed on Friday, April 8 and Friday, April 15 for conferences.
• The School will be closed on Tuesday, April 19 for Passover. (This is a change.)
• The Sprint Concert (chorus and band) has been rescheduled. It will now be held on Wednesday, May 18.
• Two changes to LS end-of-year potlucks—Rebecca and Jessi’s First Grade’s picnic will move to Thursday, May 26. Deborah and Randi’s Second Grade’s picnic will move to Monday, May 23.

Click here to access the most current “At a Glance” calendar for the 2010-2011 school year.

2) Save the Date: The High School Community Service Roundtable will be hosting Coffeehouse benefit for Haiti on Saturday, March 5, at 7PM in the Charlton Street PAC. Come here excellent music and other performances by members of the LREI community and support an important cause.

3) Sports Committee: Ready for some indoor fun on a chilly afternoon? Our basketball teams are RED HOT! So warm up with friends and come to one of our exciting home games! Be prepared to scream, yell, wave your flags and MAKE SOME NOISE as we CHEER OUR TEAMS ON TO VICTORY! All games are held at Thompson Street Athletic Center, 145 Thompson Street. LET’S GO KNIGHTS!! Knights home game schedule for next week:

• 2/24/2011 – JV Boys vs LFNY 4PM
• 2/25/2011 – Varsity Boys and Girls ISAL FINAL and Intramurals Playoffs
• 2/28/2011 – MS Boys and Girls Finals
• 3/1/2011 – JV Boys Playoff
• 3/3/2011 — JV Boys FINAL
• 3/4/2011 — Intramurals Finals/Consolation Game
• 3/11/2011 – Intramurals Parents Game

4) High School Musical: HAIRSPRAY: February 24th, 25th and 26th at 7:00PM and 2:00PM on Saturday the 26th in the PAC at 40, Charlton Street. Tickets on sale Tuesday, February 16th, at 8:00AM in both school lobbies. $10 students and senior citizens, $12 for adults.

In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. HAIRSPRAY is not only a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s but also a story of how a single person can make a change within a community. Tracy is a tornado of positivity and open mindedness that we follow as she navigates through high school and beyond.

LREI’s high school students have been working hard in rehearsals through this tough winter to bring you a spectacular show. We guarantee to warm you up and blast away the winter blues! This huge production, with larger than life characters and up beat numbers featuring our fantastic students should not to be missed. HAIRSPRAY is for the whole family and we sincerely hope you will come and support the many high school students and faculty involved.

• Directed by Joanne Magee and Lorna Jordan
• Musical Director: Matt McLean
• Choreographer: Peggy Peloquin
• Set Design: Jorge Dieppa
• Costume Design: Mark Caswell
• Vocal Coach: Susan Glass

5)  Red is Green: In February the Red is Green Committee will be recycling plastic bottle caps. We are collecting rigid plastic caps such as caps on shampoo, water, milk and other beverage bottles. Also, pharmaceutical lids, flip top caps on tubes and food product bottles (such as ketchup and mayonnaise), and laundry detergents. When these caps are thrown away, they often end up in rivers and oceans with drastic consequences for both wildlife and the environment. The caps will be recycled through the Aveda plastic bottle cap recycling program. Caps can be dropped off in the collection bin in the 6th avenue lobby. Click here to view a flyer with complete information.

6) Literary Committee: Did you ever wonder what that book was that had your child so enthralled, or why everyone is suddenly so gaga over teenage vampires? Then come to Well-REaD, a children’s and young adult book discussion event for parents, sponsored by the LREI Literary Committee. It will be held on Thursday, April 7th, from 6-8pm, in the Sixth Avenue building. Sign up for one of four book discussions led by our LREI librarians featuring titles that your children have read and enjoyed. Like all good book discussions, wine and cheese will be served along with lots of lively discussion on some of the most popular titles published for youth today. Books will be made available for order through the LREI Literary Committee, and make great additions to your child’s bookshelf. Click here for the list of books/order form and credit card authorization form. Childcare will be available for those attending Well-REaD ($15 per child, $5 for siblings). Sign-up at the Sixth Avenue reception desk (you may also e-mail Mary Shea, at mshea@LREI.org). We’re looking forward to a night of lively discussions. Hope to see you there! Important dates for Well-REaD:

• Order books by Friday, February 25 (completed order forms may be handed in at the Sixth Avenue reception desk)
• Pick-up books during the week of March 14 – 18 so you can read them over Spring Break.
• Sign up for child care by Monday, April 4.
• Well-REaD will take place on Thursday, April 7

7) Come check out the Afterschool blog at: http://blog.lrei.org/afterschoolphotos/

8) The Big Auction Committee needs your help! We have four weeks to collect all our donations for the auction. The auction benefits LREI’s tuition remission program. The deadline for donations is March 13th. We have received some amazing donations so far but we need more! We would love to get 100% participation from all the families at the school. If each family could solicit or donate one item that would be amazing. We welcome donations that are big and small. Here is a list of ideas/suggestions:

• Restaurant gift cards (we have very few restaurant donations so far)
• Services like music lessons, exercise sessions, cooking lesson, closet makeover, spa treatment, interior design consultation
• Air miles
• Know a designer? Is there a store you frequent? Bags, dresses, jeans, all clothing, mens, womens, kids (all new of course)
• Jewelry (again, new of course)
• Theatre tickets, sport event tickets
• Studio tours
• Holiday homes
• Kids’ parties
• Beauty products
• Hotels
• Autographed signed items, guitars, posters, etc.
• Cases of wine

These are just some ideas. Please feel free to email us, bigauction@lrei.org, with questions or suggestions. We have attached a donation form; completed donation forms should be returned to Liza Sacks in the Advancement Office. You should have all received the Save the Date card. The Big Auction will be at Capitale on May 11th. We are planning a great party and look forward to seeing you all there.

9) Our new community cookbook, Downtown Potluck, a compilation of recipes from our talented parents and teachers, has been garnering praise in the media, including Time Out New York Kids and Esquire. It will be on sale at Karamu! and other upcoming school events. It will also be available through the school store, and in the Sixth Ave. lobby shortly before Valentine’s Day (perfect for gift-giving!). The book costs $25; supplies are limited. Email cookbook@LREI.org for information.

10) For additional school news, you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

11) 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) Our Pennies for Patients Drive has begun and will run through the end of the month. Since 1994, millions of dollars have been raised in pennies and other spare change by more than 10 million elementary, middle and high school students throughout the country. The funds, collected during a three-week period, benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Everyone who participates is a winner! Students across the country are collecting pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters during the Pennies for Patients campaigns benefiting the Society.

2) Monday, March 7th, 2010 — Project Cicero Book Drive (through Thursday, March 10th) — 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.

3) From Director of Diversity and Community Sandra Chapman and middle school science teacher Sherezada Acosta: The next meeting for MS Students of Color will take place on Wednesday, March 16 from 11:00AM-12:00PM. With the help of middle school faculty Frank Portella, Sara-Momii Roberts and Elizabeth Simmons, students will meet in affinity groups (racial / ethnic groups) to discuss the idea of microaggressions. Microaggressions, as defined by Dr. Derald Wing Sue, are the “everyday indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate negative or derogatory racial slights and insults to People of Color.” You may be thinking, “This seems like a heavy concept for young folks to discuss over lunch.” While the term “microaggressions” is a mouthful, the idea of everyday indignities is a reality for people of color and one middle schoolers and their families do face. We expect the meeting will generate healthy discussions and hopeful takeaways for the students. In affinity groups the students will answer two primary questions; “What I never want people to do, say, or think about our group is…” and “What I want people to know about our group is…”

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

Dr. Sue, Dr. Beverly D. Tatum, Tim Wise, and others encourage us to talk to young people about these experiences and to offer strategies for coping. Dr. Sue writes, “For mental health purposes, it would be useful to explore the coping mechanisms used by people of color to stave off the negative effects of microaggressions. The fact that people of color have had to face daily microaggressions and have continued to maintain their dignity in the face of such hostility is a testament to their resiliency (D. W. Sue, 2003). What coping strategies have been found to serve them well? A greater understanding of responses to microaggressions, both in the long term and the short term, and of the coping strategies employed would be beneficial in arming children of color for the life they will face.” While the MS SOC meetings are optional, it is helpful to the students in attendance when we have a critical mass, particularly seventh and eighth grade Students of Color who are role models for fifth and sixth grade students. The group’s ability to process and support each other is key to reaching our goal of “helpful takeaways.” Thank you in advance for encouraging your Child of Color to attend the meetings.

4) Here are some pictures from last week’s Literary Festival and Middle School Olympics:

[flickrslideshow acct_name=”lrei-photos” id=”72157626128583154″ width=”460″ height=”345″]

[flickrslideshow acct_name=”lrei-photos” id=”72157626004016351″ width=”460″ height=”345″]

For Eighth Grade Families . . .

1) The eighth grade will travel to the Tenement Museum on Wednesday, March 2nd. Please make sure that your child brings a bagged lunch (no nuts, seeds or glass bottles) on that day.

For Seventh Grade Families . . .

No updates this week.

For Sixth Grade Families . . .

No updates this week.

For Sixth and Fifth Grade Families . . .

Intramural Basketball: The link to the schedule can be found HERE. Below is our season schedule:

• Every Tuesday – Blue and Green Teams practices from 7-8AM at TSAC (145 Thompson St.)
• Every Wednesday – Black Team practices from 7-8AM at TSAC (145 Thompson St.)
• Every Thursday – Red and Tie Dye Teams practices from 7-8AM at TSAC (145 Thompson St.)

Game Schedule:
Friday Feb 25th – Playoffs
Friday Mar 4th – Consolation and Championship
Friday Mar 11th – Parents Game 3:30

**The last practice will be March 3rd, no practices the week of the parents game

If you have any questions, please let me know!

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