A message from Chap, Director of Diversity and Community

Dear Middle School Families,

From its founding LREI has had a focus on social justice causes: LREI students and faculty were conducting skits, picketing Woolworth, joining the NAACP, and, with parents, painting apartments with Latino families, and taking part in a 1961 Peace March in Washington.

In the mid-1990‘s, LREI challenged itself to embark on a new social justice cause. Faculty, parents, and students watched LGBT films and documentaries, proudly spoke of our founder, Elisabeth Irwin, as a lesbian, revised curriculum to be more inclusive, and decorated floats for the Gay Pride Parade. Two years ago the LGSA Parent Group held the Marriage Equality Forum to help the community gain awareness of the issues and take an active role in making change.

Several years ago we set out to address a new challenge, one that is a difficult one for independent schools, socio-economic class. Activities, honest dialogue and touchy moments helped us gain perspective on the impact class has on all of our lives. In 2009-2010 we revisited Race in the 21st Century and heard Dr. Bolgatz explain the differences between a neighbor, a friend, and an ally. She encouraged us to be proactive and question what we and/or our children consider “normal.” Dr. Bolgatz suggested we answer the questions our children are asking about race, and then take it a step further.

Our challenge this year is to consider gender and education. In November, faculty reviewed gender related terminology and discussed the gender messages they received growing up and compared these to the messages our students currently receive. Using the work from various educators and researchers, we looked at our practice and the gender related messages we explicitly and implicitly convey. Also in November, a group of parents gathered for Part I of the How to Raise an Ally Parent Forum to see the GroundSpark film, Let’s Get Real. We discussed race, gender, sexuality, religion, and class and how these are often used as reasons for young people to tease others. The last clip of the film touched on the importance of being and raising allies.

I am excited to bring to you the next two conversations on gender. Don’t miss an opportunity to be a part of a community wide discussion.

1) How to Raise an Ally: Social Justice at LREI Part 2 of 3
Tuesday, January 25, 8:45 – 10:00 am
Screening of “The Family Journey: Raising Gender Nonconforming Children” by filmmaker Jonathan Skurnik. This film charts the emotional and intellectual transformations parents and siblings must make in order to successfully nurture their gender nonconforming family members. In frank, vulnerable interviews, families from all over the country speak about the power of love and acceptance to help their children thrive.

We welcome Joel Baum, Director of Education & Training at Gender Spectrum, an organization that offers training and support to create a gender sensitive and inclusive environment for children and teens. Working with schools, medical professionals, therapists, social service agencies, universities and other organizations, Joel is responsible for all aspects of Gender Spectrum’s educational programming. He facilitates trainings, conducts workshops, develops curriculum, consults with parents/professionals, and provides resources in service of a more compassionate and inclusive understanding of gender. Joel has spent more than two decades as an educator focused on issues of social justice and equity. He began his career as an award-winning middle school science teacher and school administrator, and more recently served as a district administrator in Oakland, California. Joel is also a professor of Educational Leadership at California State University, East Bay where he has developed and facilitated two distinct administrative credential programs.

This morning event is open to parents from all divisions. Joel will remain with LREI throughout the day, showing the film “I’m Just Anneke” during Middle and High School Assembly and later facilitating a faculty meeting.

2) Family Diversity Discussion – Screening of Straightlaced: How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up
Thursday, January 27, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
With a fearless look at a highly charged subject, Straightlaced unearths how popular pressures around gender and sexuality are confining American teens. From girls confronting media messages about body image to boys who are sexually active just to prove they aren’t gay, this fascinating array of students opens up with brave and intimate honesty about the toll that deeply held stereotypes and rigid gender policing have on all of our lives. Interweaving the stories of students who are straight with those who identify in other ways, Straightlaced makes it clear that these cultural pressures profoundly affect all of our lives.

This evening event is open to all seventh through twelfth grade students and their families. Each child must be accompanied by their own family member(s). There will be opportunities for students to talk amongst themselves as well as dialogue with families. A small meal will be provided. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, January 25 to me at schapman@lrei.org or 212-477-5316, ext 294. Don’t hesitate to call or email me if you have questions or other ideas to share.

Thank you,
Chap

Of General Interest . . .

1) There is still time to sign up for the second two terms of Adult r(ED). Don’t miss out! Click here to view the course offerings and meeting dates. There is a $100 registration fee per course for each participant. If you would like to register for one of these courses, please contact Rowena Penaranda-Askins at rpenaranda@lrei.org or (212) 477-5316, x295.

2)  Our brand-new community cookbook, Downtown Potluck, a wonderful compilation of recipes from our talented parents and teachers will be on sale on Wednesday, December 8th, at the Book Fair, through Friday, December 10th. The book costs $25 for those in our community and supplies are limited. Think of it for your holiday gift-giving. If you pre-ordered a cookbook, please pick it up at the book fair, or email cookbook@LREI.org.

3) Red is Green: In January the Red is Green Committee will be collecting holiday cards for recycling. The cards will be donated to St. Jude’s Ranch. St. Jude’s will remove the front of each card and attach a new back then sell the new card to raise money for the organization. Cards that can be recycled must not have writing on the back side of the front cover. Please, no cards with personal photographs or Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards. Cards can be placed in the collection bin located in the lobby.

4) 1/21, Save the Date for Karamu! Friday, January 21st… Karamu! is LREI’s annual multicultural event of music, dance, and food celebrating the diversity of our school and community. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 18th… Karamu! always sells out; get your tickets early (discounted tickets available – contact multiculturalcommittee@lrei.org). We need food and volunteers! …Sign up boards will be in the 6th Avenue Lobby – please volunteer and join this wonderful community building event!

5) 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!!

• Monday, January 10th, 4pm: MS Boys vs Garden
• Tuesday, January 11th, 4pm: Varsity Boys vs Garden
• Thursday, January 13th, 4pm: MS Boys vs Columbia Prep

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

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

8) 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) I want to acknowledge our 2010-2011 Irwin Scholars. The Irwin Scholars program is a merit-based scholarship that recognizes eighth graders for their sustained commitment to academic excellence, active participation in the life of the Middle School, service to the community, demonstrated leadership, and the potential to serve as a community leader in the High School. This year we had a most excellent cohort of applicants, which made the selection process all the more difficult because the quality of applicants was so strong. I would like to extend my thanks on behalf of the faculty and administration to all of the applicants for their thoughtful essays and am pleased to share with you the 2010-2011 Irwin Scholars. They are Ben, Jerel, Lizzy, Lola, Marcelo, Maxine, and Odelia.

2) From Director Phil Kassen:

• TONIGHT – Alumni College Panel: Join us for our annual Alumni College Panel. This is a terrific opportunity to hear recent LREI grads discuss their transition from high school to college and how their time at LREI prepared them for success. Thursday, January 6th, 6:30PM, PAC 40 Charlton Street. Moderated by our new Director of College Guidance Carey Socol. RSVP to Liza Sacks at (212) 477-5316 ext. 291 or lsacks@lrei.org. Click here to view and print a flyer with full details.
• On Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 at 6:30PM, I invite you to join Michael Patrick, ’71, Chair of LREI’s Board of Trustees, and me for a discussion of the Board’s and Administration’s plans for the expansion of the high school building and the redesign of our progressive secondary curriculum.

Both events will take place in the 40 Charlton Street building. Do not hesitate to email or call if you have any questions. I hope to see you at both events.

3) Change of Date: POCOC Book Club & Potluck — The POCOC book club meeting scheduled for Friday, January 7th from 6:00-8:00PM has been postponed due weather. The new date is Friday, February 4th also from 6:00-8:00PM in the Sixth avenue Auditorium.

4) Just a reminder that the first Middle School dance is scheduled for Friday, January 28th. The dance will start at 6:30PM for fifth graders and at 7:00PM for sixth through eighth graders. The dance will end at 8:30PM for fifth and sixth graders and at 9:00PM for seventh and eighth graders. Permission slips will go out the week of the dance. The afternoon of Friday, January 28th is also our much anticipated Spirit Game in which faculty take on the seventh-twelfth grade basketball teams. Both of these events will cap off our first annual Middle School Spirit Week that will serve as the culmination to the Kind-a-thon that has been organized by the student reps. More on Spirit Week and the Kind-a-thon in future blogs.

5) Here are photos form some recent events:

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For Eighth Grade Families . . .

1) A reminder that there will be parent meeting on Thursday, January 27th at 8:00AM for the spring France and Spain trips. If you have not done so already, please make sure that Gabrielle or Sharyn have your child’s passport information.

2) Looking ahead to the spring, click here to access the registration form for the spring Gettysburg/DC trip that will take place next May. 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#: 55757. If you have specific questions about payment, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you have not done so already, please register ASAP.

For Seventh Grade Families . . .

No updates this week.

For Sixth Grade Families . . .

1) On Friday, January 7th, the sixth grade will travel to the Met to view the Arms and Armor collection. trip. Students should bring a bag lunch (no nuts, seeds, or glass bottles) on that day.

2) From sixth grade math teacher Margaret Andrews: Please use this link below to watch the movie we made as a part of our study of percents.  All of the children did a great job!  Keep encouraging them to use mental math to figure out percents in their daily lives.

For Sixth and Fifth Grade Families . . .

From Athletic Director Peter Fisher: We are excited to start the 5th and 6th grade Intramural Season this Friday!  Players will be given their team shirts before the games. All players should wear their game shirts (to games only), shorts or athletic pants as well as proper athletic shoes to every game and practice.

We will be checking the weather, as a snow storm is headed our way again.  If we decide to cancel Friday’s games, I will send an email out to everyone to let you know. We will also update the online Intramural Basketball Game Schedule. 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, Jan 7th   – Red vs Black at 3:30, Tye Die vs Green 4:15   —-  Blue – Bye Week
Friday, Jan 14th – Blue vs Black at 3:30, Green vs Red 4:15 —– Tie Dye  –  Bye Week
Friday, Jan 21st – Green vs Black at 3:30, Blue vs Tie Dye 4:15 — Red – Bye Week
Friday, Jan 28th – LREI SPIRIT GAME, 3:30 – 5:30
Friday, Feb 4th  – Red vs Tie Dye, 3:30, Blue vs Green 4:15 – Black – Bye Week
Friday Feb 11th – Red vs Blue 3:30, Tie Dye vs Black 4:15 –  Green – Bye Week
Friday Feb 18th – Playoffs
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 . . .

1) On Thursday, January 20th, the fifth grade will travel to the Brooklyn Museum for our annual visit to their Egyptian collection. Students should bring a bag lunch (no nuts, seeds, or glass bottles) on that day.

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