Letters to Frontline Workers in a Pandemic

Posted on April 30, 2020 by grade4-ds

April 7th, 2020

Dear Tally Malik,

Thank you for helping people that are at the end of their lives even though this is happening and it’s a very dangerous thing to be doing at these times. It really helps people and you are very brave to be doing something like this especially when the people that you are working with are the most vulnerable ones to COVID-19.

I am thankful for you working in Hospice because you are helping people that are very old and very sick stay in their homes and not get COVID-19. And for keeping them safe so that they don’t need to go to the hospital even if they are at the end of their lives. And for making room in the hospitals for the people that have COVID-19.

I am thankful for you working in Hospice because you are helping people that are very old and very sick stay in their homes and not get COVID-19.

Thank you for keeping them safe so that they don’t need to go to the hospital even if they are at the end of their lives.

Your hard work allows our community to have more room in the hospitals that do have COVID-19.

You are taking a very big risk of getting sick from taking care of these very old people and you are also taking a risk of your family getting sick if you pass something to them.

Being a fourth grader in quarantine is hard. Especially because my birthday was on April 6th. That was when I turned 10 and I had one of the worst birthdays I could think of. But I feel better when I think of people like you who work hard to help others.

Thank you again for clearing up space in hospitals.

Love,

Amelia

April 7, 2020

Dear Aunt Jodi,

I am writing to you because you are working very hard on the front lines to take care of your patients.

So many people are thankful to have you caring for them including me, Grayson, Lily,

Ella, Reese and Rhett, as well as my mom, your brothers and grandma and grandpa.

For example, many people do not have doctors and nurses to care for them right now and are self isolating and recovering at home.

Your hard work allows your community to feel safer and taken care of during this freakishly intense time.

I know I might repeat something in this sentence but you are helping more people than you think.

My experience being quarantined in Connecticut:

Pros: there is a backyard and a desk for me to work at when I am having school.

Cons: even though the river is beautiful, my mom accidentally threw my football in and it died. Another con is that I can’t see anybody so there is no more kickball!

Thank you again for your love and support.

XOXO,

Cali Jane

4/8/20

Dear Jamie Lawson,

Thank you for taking the dog for a walk every day. I am writing this to you now because you are risking your life by going outside and taking the dog for a walk.

I am really thankful that you don’t make me do it every day because if you wanted to you could make me take the dog for a walk everyday instead of you doing it.

Your hard work allows me/my family to not go outside everyday taking the dog for a walk thanks a lot dad :).

As a 4th grader I don’t like to take the dog for a walk because I like to play video games and because I don’t want to pick up the poops. As a 4th grader I don’t like to be stuck inside and not allowed to go to the park with my friends.

Thank you again for walking the dog.

Love,

Charlie, a Fourth Grader at LREI

April 7th, 2020

Dear Healthcare Workers of Southampton Hospital,

I am a fourth grader trying to find ways to support healthcare workers, and I figured that this would be a great way!

Thank you for putting the community first instead of yourselves. Without you, lots of lives would be in serious danger and those people would possibly die. You are really doing something amazing for the community.

I am thankful that some people are in hospitals, being treated, not spreading the virus. I know you Healthcare Workers are behind some of this.

I know this must be really hard, working many hours and being away from home for so long.

I hope you Healthcare Workers are all healthy and are working comfortably. I hope this letter will make your day and encourage you to keep going.

Thank you again for everything you have done to help others.

From,

Chloe, A fourth grader in East Hampton

Dear Uncle Rusty (doctor),

Thank you for working on the front line I am writing to you now because you’re risking your own life for others. This is why I am thanking you.

Your hard work will also help many families see their loved ones again.

Your hard work allows me and my family to continue life.

We are able to continue doing things we need to do like school and work.

Go into more detail about how this person’s work is helping you/your family/your community. You also might want to acknowledge the risks this person is taking to do their job.

The quarantine is boring but it is to help health workers so they don’t have to treat even more patients. But some people are careless and don’t abide by the rules which makes your job harder.

Thank you again for your service

Sincerely From your nephew,

Cooper

Dear Doctors,

Thank you for taking care of us even when it puts you at risk of getting sick. With the coronavirus, you guys are on the front line taking care of everyone even when you can catch the sickness too.

When someone has the flu you still help them even when you could get it also.

I am at home doing school work so I do not get sick. to stay safe I am social distancing

Your hard work allows my family to stay healthy and safe.

Thank you again for taking care of everybody even when it can affect you.

From

Emmett, a Fourth Grader at LREI

April 7th, 2020

Dear 70 Pine Street Doormen,

Thank you for risking your lives to help us here at 70 Pine Street.

I am so thankful to have doormen like you who will do whatever it takes to help others.

I am also really thankful that all of you are so helpful and kind and always have smiles on your faces. Your hard work allows all residents of 70 Pine Street to feel welcome and at home.

We all know that we can call you if something is wrong, and that you always work so hard to keep us happy and the building clean and organized.

It has been really hard for me to be in quarantine and any time I go downstairs whether it’s for help or to get packages, your smile always makes my day.

Thank you again for All of your hard work.

Best,

Gabby Arias

from apartment 1902 and

a Fourth Grader at LREI

Dear Dr. Akinfeleye,

Thank you for helping people feel better when they have something wrong with them or are sick.

I am thankful that you can work under the pressure in spite of not having enough working equipment like masks and gloves, which could protect you from catching a disease.

I am thankful that you are not giving up because your work is hard.

Also, thank you for working harder than ever to save lives and stop the spread of coronavirus.

Your hard work allows me/my family/my community to live a nice and healthy life. Thank you for risking your life to help other people.

Quarantine feels very long and fun for me because I have more time than ever before.

Thank you again for helping people feel better Dr.Akinfeleye.

Sincerely,

Joshua, a Fourth Grader at LREI

April 7, 2020

Dear Doctors and Nurses,

Thank you so much for choosing to put yourself at risk to help others. That is a very big act of kindness that means a lot to us. You are making this better by doing your job.

I am grateful for what you are doing in many ways here are two of those ways.

You are risking yourself for the community and saving people’s lives.

You are also not protecting yourself as much as protecting others.

Your hard work allows my family to be safer than without you working.

In my neighborhood, every Friday, people cheer outside their windows just for you. I hope that you hear it out your window because you definitely deserve it.

Thank you again for keeping my family and many others safe.

Sincerely,

Jules

a Fourth Grader at LREI

April 7, 2020

Dear Doctors,

Thank you for putting yourselves in danger to help us with the crisis.

You are getting close to people with COVID-19 so others won’t get it. By doing this you’re putting yourself in danger so thank you. Also you are doing this with less equipment than you should have so again thank you.

Your hard work allows me, my family and my community to live our normal lives or more normal than it would be in this crisis without you.

Thank you again for helping us in this time of need.

Sincerely from and I wish the best for you,

Kinoti, a Fourth Grader at LREI

April 7, 2020

Dear Austin,

Thank you for sacrificing your life for others. It is very kind of you to do that. I have a question for you: why does Iowa not have the order for people to stay home during COVID-19?

How long have you been away from Stefiny? Where does her sister live? Do you like being on the news? Do you think it is smart for you to go places during all of this even if it is to help people during all of this? How do you even start a petition? How do people fill it out? (deep breath) that was a lot of questions I threw at you. You have a lot on your hands, so you do not have to answer them.

I think it is really great that you are convincing people to stay home, and explaining how important it is to stop the virus from spreading. I was happy to hear that you were on the news.

What I am doing to prevent the spread, is I am self quarantining myself, I have not been home to New York City for more than 2 weeks. I also have not seen my mom (who is in the city) for all that time.

Thank you again for helping stop the Coronavirus.

from,

Lucie, a 4th grade LREI student.

April 8, 2020

Dear Carolina

Thank you for giving us and the people of Orient these beautiful masks. They are so nice.

It is so nice of you to do this. We needed masks but had none of the materials and we could not buy them because of the shortage.

Your hard work allows me/my family/my community to not worry about getting masks and going out in public. I bet that everyone who received and will receive your mask will be so happy. I was when I got them. You are a real lifesaver literally and figuratively.

Go into more detail about how this person’s work is helping you/your family/your community. You also might want to acknowledge the risks this person is taking to do their job.

As a kid it is hard to not go into public and I was just staying home now that I have your masks I can go to the beach with my family and not worry as much. Thank you again for providing these masks. They were a real help.

From,

Mia (you gave me and my family our masks)

4/7/2020

Dear Doctors,

Thank you for helping people in need. I hope you feel good about the work you are doing and all of your co-workers.

Next, describe what you are thankful for and how it connects to the work of this person. Give at least two specific details. Feel free to add more.

I am thankful that you are helping our community stay safe.

I am also thankful that you are doing your job.

I hope you are safe. You are taking a big risk by helping others.

Thank you again for saving people. As a fourth grader I am in quarantine. I am not working. I am doing online school in NYC. I miss my friends from school but thanks to you I might see them soon.

I am thankful for having people who are brave enough to help others while putting themselves in danger.

Stay well,

Milo, a Fourth Grader at LREI

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Dear Mail Carrier,

Thank you for giving us all our mail and risking getting the virus by giving the mail to us.

I am thankful for this because you are still doing your job even though you are potentially putting yourself at risk.

For example, if we did not get any mail, My sister would not have gotten any birthday presents besides the ones that my parents gave her.

Your hard work allows my community to get letters from people that might live far away.

Additionally, you are trying your best to stay six feet away from everybody and not shake hands or anything.

Some things about being quarantined is that my mom is sanitizing all of our packages, mail and even Food! Also, we are not going anywhere except this house upstate and it is weird to be here and not in our regular home, which is an apartment in the city.

Thank you again for getting all our mail to us.

Sincerely,

Noah, a Fourth Grader at LREI

April 8, 2020

Dear Jung,

Thank you for taking care of all the people in the hospital that you work for, my whole family thanks you and I am guessing the people that you take care of at the hospital thank you!!!!

I am thankful for you because you took care of us and now you take care of other people. And whenever me and Sydney don’t feel well and you’re with us, you make us laugh and feel good.

You have taken care of us and now you are taking care of other people

You are the best doctor and babysitter in the world!!!!!!

Your hard work allows Sydney, Mom, Dad and me to be safe and your work saves people’s lives.

Your work is helping so many people, and you are putting yourself in danger because you could get Covid-19 which is a really brave thing to do!!!

It is very hard to be a fourth grader in quarantine because you don’t get to be with your friend and you can’t go near anybody and it is really hard .

Thank you again for taking care of people and saving lives every day!!

Love,

Olivia

April 8, 2020

Dear Doctors and Nurses,

Thank you for working really hard to save the patients with the virus. Thank you for treating the sick patients.

I am thankful that you are going to work and curing the sick patients.

It is nice of you to keep working even though you don’t have good masks.

Your hard work makes me and my family feel safe.

From,

Oskar

March 7, 2020

Dear Doctors and Nurses,

Thank you so much for helping during this crazy and sad time.

We can’t believe what you are doing, Thinking about others at home while you still work.

And we want to thank for how you have been working hard and instead of leaving you stay to make share that everyone is safe and healthy

Your hard work allows my family and I not to worry and to be positive that this will all go away

And how you are trying to calm people down and trying to save everyone is amazing. There is not one person on the earth who is not great full for the work you are doing.

Being in stuck in my house is bad and sometimes I get scared but when I think of the work you are doing I always feel better

Thank you again for do all of this and trying to make the virus come to a stop

I really can’t be more thankful for all the work you have done!

Sincerely,

a Fourth Grader at LREI,

Owen

4/7/20

Dear garbagemen,

Thank you for putting your lives on the line everyday.

I am thankful for you guys because if you were not around, my house would be smelly.

All your hard work makes my family’s living area clean. You guys help my community so much and it would not be as tidy on the streets without you.

You are taking a big risk by putting yourselves out there and another big risk by going to such a smelly district of business!

I am in fourth grade. Being quarantined is hard. It is this way because you can only talk to your friends virtually. Imagine not being able to play tag or tossing a ball with a friend. Crazy right?!!!!?

It was my birthday on the 25 of March and it was hard to have a party because everyone could only be seen on ZOOM so I just baked a cake with my family and then we ate it.

Thank you again for everything you do and I am happy that you are in my community.

From Ryan, a student at L.R.E.I.

April 8, 2020

Dear Uncle Brad,

I am writing to you now because up to this day you still do surgeries on people every though it’s safer to stay at home.

I am thankful that you still find time to FaceTime and call us and are still doing your job.

l am Thankful that I have an uncle that loves helping people so much.

Your hard work allows people who have skin problems to feel better.

I hope you are doing fine, I’m fine right now but school is still a little weird online. The end of the day is still my favorite part of school.

Thank you again for helping other people

Sincerely,

Sabina

4/ 8/20

Dear Uncle Geoff,

Thank you for being a doctor and helping people during this time of crisis. You do good work as a doctor and you helped us a lot when Eli sprained his wrist and when Andrew got hurt in North Carolina. I am very thankful for you.

Thank you for helping so many people every day. I am happy to know that someone related to me is doing so much work to stop coronavirus every day.

You put yourself at risk every day to help people. I am so thankful for that. Sometimes I worry about you but I just know you’re gonna be fine.

Your work allows me, Eli, Andrew, Mom, Dad and so many other people to keep happy and to play. I know it is hard and dangerous, but you do it anyway just to help people. You got my vote for doctor of the year.

I get to go outside sometimes but I wish you were here. It would be so much more fun. Spring break and homeschool haven’t been that fun, but if you were here we could play baseball, throw the football, go on walks. But I know you have to keep doing your job and working to protect people and saving lives. Staying inside a lot isn’t my best thing, but if it means I won’t get coronavirus I can stay inside.

Thank you again for doing everything you do. All your doctor work is amazing and I can’t wait to see you again. I miss you.

Love,

Sam

P.S.Mom showed me the picture of you with the big mask.

April, 7, 2020

Dear UPS worker,

You are working very hard, especially considering all the places you go and how long you work for. I think you are a very important part of this community, and how much you care about others is a lot. After all you are taking so many risks just to help others and for that I am grateful. For example, coronavirus lives off of cardboard for 24 hours but you keep taking those risks.

When you deliver essentials like paper towels or toilet paper to my door I think of how hard you are working and what you have to go through. You are helping other families in this situation rather than your own, I know not a lot of people put other families before their own. I think you have a great part in this world at this time and you will be appreciated no matter what happens, the world will remember you and how you are saving it.

You have done so much good in the world. I have never met anyone who has done so much good. So keep up the good work and remember you are doing great things in the world.

With appreciation,

Violet, a Fourth Grader at LREI

4/8/20

To doctors and nurses risking their lives,

Thank you for helping USA through this awful pandemic. Without you a lot more lives would have been lost.

Without you we would have no hope. And we would not know what to do or how to react.

Your hard work allows our community to keep trying to fight Covid 19 and work against it.

Thank you for saving peoples’ lives in order to risk yours. Thank you very much for that.

Thank you for everything.

Sincerely from,

a Fourth Grader at LREI in DJ4

Wally

Messages of Hope

Posted on April 30, 2020 by grade4-ds

The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.

-Howard Zinn

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”

-Milton Berle

Cheer for the Health Care Workers every night at 7:00pm

“Be the hope you wish you had. The hope is inside you.”

“Why waste your time worrying when you could be making a change in the world?”

We are all in this together

Keep your head up, things will get better.

Together we can beat Coronavirus, if we all do our part and take it one step at a time.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all

-Helen Keller

Follow the Day and Reach for the Sun

-The Polyphonic Spree

Be inspired.

Do something good.

Be inspiring.

Honk for healthcare helpers!!!!!

Stay Strong – We are in this together

Stay safe!

We are all in this together, honk your horn for the healthcare workers

Thank you for saving us- You’re the real super heroes!

Even though this is a difficult time, we still rise.

– last line is kid of like a poem “And still I rise” by Maya Angelou

Your impact is bigger than you realize!

Have a nice day and stay safe!

Smiling is contagious too

One act of kindness is not enough to save the world.

Global Day of Play: Reflections

Posted on February 6, 2020 by grade4-ds

A Day of Play…

My favorite part of the day is the whole day.

Good sportsmanship was the hardest part.

My favorite part of today was that we got to play board games.

Today I learned that you should play with others you don’t usually talk to.

My favorite part of today was playing Apples to Apples with half the class and getting eight green cards.

My favorite part of today was playing with my friends.

One of the harder parts of play was telling a friend that he could not join the game and then leave and then join again.

My favorite part of the day was playing Jacks and Twister.

The hardest parts of the play were figuring out the conflict in Capture the Flag.

Today I learned that sometimes you have to make hard decisions in life.

My favorite part of today was when almost the whole class played Twister.

I learned that even if you lose a game you can have fun (at school).

One hard part was including a third person in a two player game.

One of the most challenging parts of play today was when people have different rules and you have to alter the rules.

My favorite part of the day was playing Apples to Apples and the body game.

Today I learned that Twister with a lot of people is hilarious.

One of the harder parts is that I got annoyed when I lost.

Today I learned how to work with people that I’m not too friendly with.

My favorite part of today was making candles with Kenna.

My favorite part of the day was playing Capture the Flag.

Today I learned we can handle a lot of fun in school.

A challenging part of the day was when people didn’t follow the rules.

Today I learned you can still have fun even if you lose.

One of the more challenging parts of play today was when too many people wanted to join a game and working it out.

My favorite part of today was playing Capture the Flag at recess and having extra recess.

Today I learned how to make a robot.

A harder part of the day was getting the flag in Capture the Flag.

My favorite part of today was all of it!

Goodnight LREI

Posted on January 4, 2020 by grade4-ds

On Pajama Day we created a book to share with our Kindergarten Buddies. As you can likely guess, it was inspired by Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon.

Goodnight LREI

In the great big school

There were tired teachers

And happy kids

And a picture of-

The math grids

Goodnight to all the amazing 218 kids in the lower school

And two little red schools

And learning so cool

And a toy school house

And a fun young class

And a fork and a spoon and a sweeping broom

And books on a shelf in a classroom

Goodnight classroom

Goodnight loom in the 4s room

Goodnight buddies

Jumping over their studies

Goodnight books and blue markers

Goodnight door locks

Goodnight clocks

Goodnight schoolhouse

Goodnight sneaky mouse

Goodnight smocks

And goodnight blocks

Goodnight Little Red

Goodnight sleepy heads

Goodnight all the living things in every nook

Goodnight cubby

Goodnight cooks

And goodnight to the books whispering, “Read us”

Goodnight rug

Don’t spill coffee from the coffee mug

Goodnight stairs

People saying goodnight everywhere

Inspired by Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

In the great green room

There was a telephone

And a red balloon

And a picture of

The cow jumping over the moon

And there were three little bears sitting on chairs

And two little kittens

And a pair of mittens

And a little toy house

And a young mouse

And a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush

And a quiet old lady who was whispering “hush”

Goodnight room

Goodnight moon

Goodnight cow jumping over the moon

Goodnight light

And the red balloon

Goodnight bears

Goodnight chairs

Goodnight kittens

And goodnight mittens

Goodnight clocks

And goodnight socks

Goodnight little house

And goodnight mouse

Goodnight comb

And goodnight brush

Goodnight nobody

Goodnight mush

And goodnight to the old lady whispering “hush”

Goodnight stars

Goodnight air

Good night noises everywhere

We Are Thankful

Posted on November 27, 2019 by grade4-ds

“I am thankful for a safe environment where I can share my ideas.”

“I am grateful to be privileged and to play soccer and to live.”

“I am thankful for my family and friends and food and the earth.”

“I am thankful for my dog for cheering me up when I’m sad.”

“I am thankful for my parents because if I didn’t have them I wouldn’t be alive.”

“I am thankful for my home, my brother, food, my mom and dad and much more.”

“I am thankful for my family because they help me get through tough times and they always have faith in me.”

“I am thankful for friends, family, animals, and my life because it has a meaning to me.”

“I’m thankful for my friends, my family, my teachers, myself and my life.”

“I am thankful for being able to play sports.”

“I am thankful for my house, my family, my dog, and the food I get every day.”

“I am thankful that I have food because I need it to survive.”

“I am thankful for my family and friends and how nice they are to me.”

“I am thankful for my friends and family because they all give me love and care.”

“I am thankful for my house.”

“I am thankful for my teachers because the teach me. It is pretty self explanatory, “teach”-ers.

“I’m thankful for my house and my parents.”

First Day of School Poems

Posted on September 8, 2019 by grade4-ds

Sabina

Sabina is blue

She’s a wise owl

She’s a fall day

A warm scarf

A soft chair

She’s a puzzle

A fresh mango

Sabina

Charlie

Charlie is pink

He is a speedy cheetah

He is a summer boater

A desk chair

He’s a juggling drone

A meatball

Charlie

Wally

Wally is blue

He’s a juggling giraffe

He’s fall

All Arsenal clothing

He’s an exceptional xbox

Pasta with olive oil and parmesan cheese on the side

Wally

Emmett

Emmett is blue

Emmett’s a perfect penguin

He’s rain

A shoe

A comfy couch

He’s a skateboard

A donut

Emmett

Cali

Cali is blue

She’s a horse

She’s a breezy summer day

A pair of underwear

A bed frame

She’s a purple skateboard

A piece of sushi

Cali

Mia

Mia is light blue

She’s a cozy dog

She’s a warm fall day

A cozy sweater

A fluffy rocking chair

She’s an imagination

A warm molten chocolate cake

Mia

Olivia

Olivia is sky blue

She’s a summer swimmer

A soft baby ducky

Undies person

A soft cozy couch

She’s a skateboard person

A bologna eating monster

Olivia

Milo

Milo is red

He’s a panther

He’s a hot day

A black shirt

A reclining chair

He’s an iPad

A vanilla cake

Milo

Noah

Noah is purple

He’s a fox

He’s a snowy morning

A Phish shirt that is too big

A comfortable couch with three pillows and a blanket

He’s a pink, brown, and tan teddy bear

An octopus salad with chickpeas

Noah

Ryan

Ryan is red

He’s a sunny day

A warm scarf for winter

A sofa with a soft pillow

He’s a blue bike

A cold piece of sushi

Ryan

Chloe

Chloe is light purple

She’s a hummingbird

She’s a colorful fall day

A polka-dotted headband

A fuzzy, cozy sofa

She’s a sleeping queen

A super sushi

Chloe

Oskar

Oskar is light green like an apple

He’s a cow

He’s a cold winter

A pair of black shoes

A big blue couch

He’s a baseball bat

A big hamburger from Bareburger

Oskar

Lucie

Lucie is a teal seal

She’s a cute cuddly puppy

A fuzzy pair of pajama pants

A hot pink couch

She’s a strong tigy

A sushi master

Lucie

Amelia

Amelia is purple

She’s a sloth

She’s a bright sunny day

A soft baby duckie sock

She’s an American Girl doll

A lemon meringue pie

Amelia

Gabby

Gabby is hot pink

She’s a cute alpaca

She’s a pretty spring day

A pretty pink dress

A closet to store my clothes and my shoes

She’s an American Girl doll

A pork roll with hot sauce

Gabby

Sam

Sam is neon orange

He’s a funky chicken

He’s an overcast day at the baseball field

A pair of camouflage shorts

A beanbag chair

He’s a perfect PSA

A slice of Percy’s pizza

Sam

Owen

Owen is deep sea blue

He’s a speedy turtle

He’s a sunny summer day

A pattern pajama pants

A cozy warm couch

He’s a Mr. Avocado roll

Owen

Violet

Violet is plum purple

She’s a cute cat

She’s a cold fan

A wide pair of pants

A pink velvet couch

She’s an earth magnet cube

A pretty potato chip #Lays

Violet

Joshua

Joshua is blue and purple

He’s a fast turtle

He’s a cold day with lots of snow

A comfortable shirt

A bed

He’s a balloon sword

A pizza with garlic knots

Joshua

Jules

Jules is light blue

He’s a chinchilla

He’s a summer breeze

A t-shirt

A large bed

He’s a card trick

A plate of sushi

Jules

Cooper

Cooper is blue

He’s a lone wolf

He is fall

A lifeguard hoodie

A bed

He is a computer

A burger

Cooper

Kinoti

Kinoti is blue

He is a jaguar

He’s a fall day

A baseball cap

A scoop of vanilla ice cream

Kinoti

“Everyday is a day of thanksgiving…”

Posted on November 21, 2018 by grade4-ds

Something that people could do is take five to ten minutes out of their day and sit down and think about things they are thankful for. I think that that would help them because my mom told me that people who do this have a happier day.

This week we learned about some of the traditions of the Wampanoag Tribe. In an article we read, Gladys Widdiss, a tribal elder, described how the Wampanoag experience thankfulness, “Every day is a day of thanksgiving for the Wampanoag.” With that thought in mind, fourth graders considered some of the things they are thankful for in their everyday lives.

Will: “I am thankful for my family. I am also thankful for my pets. Our family can celebrate it by cooking and eating a meal together. I can celebrate with my pets by dancing with them.”

Lila: “I am thankful for my family, my school, my room, my food, and my trampoline…I could celebrate my thankfulness by just thinking about how thankful I am…I know everyday when I wake up to my mom sitting in my room I should be thankful for someone to care so much about me that they sit in my room and wait.”

Nico: “I am thankful for having a roof over my head and food and running water. We could go around the table and say what we are thankful for.”

Shaffer: “I am thankful for an amazing home and going to a great school. The way I can celebrate is by being more thoughtful. I can listen more to my mom. I can hug my dad more. I can listen more carefully and respect my teachers.”

Paloma: “I am thankful for my family. I can show that by taking care of them. I can also show that by doing stuff for them like washing the dishes or folding up the clean laundry. I can care for them in simple ways like holding the door or passing something they need to them…”

Vincent: “One way we could celebrate is by having food, not just having food but also having family/company over while eating. I could celebrate this by maybe holding hands and singing the song we sang at the farm….Another way that I could celebrate is by just walking around the house/apartment and thinking how lucky I am to have this.”

Ziva: “I am thankful for food…a warm cozy home…my family…my friends….A way that I celebrate is eat berries when they are in season.”

Julian: “I am thankful that my parents are really good at cooking…I can celebrate being thankful for that by saying a prayer every time I eat a meal, kind of like what we did at the farm. I can always thank my parents for what they do for me. I can give people who are homeless food from my home.”

Selah: “I might celebrate by praying. Another way is singing. My last way is dancing.”

Skylar: “I am thankful for my family and three dogs because my dogs are so cute. I love my family because they give me a home to live in and we make really good food on Thanksgiving.”

Cydney: “ I am thankful for school. I would celebrate it by always paying attention and focusing. I am thankful for my family. I would celebrate them by spending time with them.

June: “…On Thursday, I am thankful for my kitty because that is the day of the week we got him. I celebrate by playing with him and cuddling him.”

Penelope: “Things that I am thankful for are my family, food, friends, my house, my life, my school, earth, art, soccer, music, me, my personality, health, more that what I need, electronics, no disabilities, fresh air, fresh water, skiing and books. Something that people could do is take five to ten minutes out of their day and sit down and think about things they are thankful for. I think that that would help them because my mom told me that people who do this have a happier day.”

Zara: “My dog…my dog is fun and keeps me entertained. I probably wouldn’t be so interactive without my dog.”

Sawyer: “I am thankful for being alive so I’ll play outside…I am thankful for my parents. I might show them that by hugging them.”

Dante: “I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for my family….I am thankful for peace. I am thankful for each day.”

Lily: “I am thankful for my family and how I will celebrate that is by caring for them and loving them.”

Ivy: “One way I celebrate things daily is I help my family. I help by setting the table, feeding my dog, giving my dog water, and making them feel good.”

First Week of Fourth Grade: “About Me” Poems

Posted on September 8, 2018 by grade4-ds

Meet the Fourth Graders of 2018-19!

Cydney

Cydney is pink and violet

She’s a bunny

She’s a warm spring day

A flip skirt, a fuzzy sweater

A soft comfortable bed

She’s a stuffed animal

A bag of sour skittles

Cydney

Dante

Dante is shiny white and dark blue

He’s a very awesome penguin

He’s a winter storm

A huge jacket

A cold freezer

He’s a snowball

A frozen pizza

Dante

Emilia

Emilia is shiny gold

She’s a lovable teacup puppy

She’s a hot summer day

A navy blue silk romper

A really comfortable bed

She’s a unicorn squishy

A spicy juicy rib

Emilia

Julian

Julian is ocean blue

He is a golden retriever

He is sunny days

A pair of basketball shoes

A fluffy sofa

He’s a basketball

A pork taco

Julian

June

June is sparkling purple

She’s a fluffy lion cub

She’s a warm sunny day

A long velvety skirt

A cool TV

She’s a puzzle

A chocolate fudge

June

Ivy

Ivy is red

She’s a Bernedoodle

She’s a snowy cold day

A champion sweatshirt

A warm couch

She’s a soft ball

A slice of plain pizza

Ivy

Lila

Lila is sky blue

She’s a Bernedoodle puppy

She’s a fall day

A soft sweatshirt

A squishy bed

She’s a bouncy trampoline

A cheesy scoop of polenta

Lily

Lily is red

She’s a bulldog

She’s a white snow

A nice jumper

A white fluffy beanbag

She’s a card game

A crunchy chicken nugget

Lily

Nico

Nico is a black and white pattern

She’s a spunky cat

She’s a warm breezy day

A black t-shirt and athletic shorts

A white desk

She’s a wooden popsicle stick

A medium well burger with ketchup

Nico

Paloma

Paloma is aqua

She’s a quiet puppy

She’s a little bit of drizzle

Small shorts

A bouncy couch

She’s a lot of cards

Stuffed grape leaves

Paloma

Penelope

Penelope is a sky blue day

A cuddly dog

She’s a cold winter day

A soft warm pair of PJs

A beanbag

A soft warm pizza

Penelope

Sawyer

Sawyer is light green

He’s a polar bear

He’s a snow day

His mom’s bed

He’s a lego

A red delicious apple

Sawyer

Shaffer

Shaffer is blue

He’s a beautiful giraffe with five dots

He is 57 degrees fahrenheit

A hot dog shirt that was given to him by his cousin that works at a church

A giant king-sized bed

He’s a cool T-Rex toy

Tasty guacamole and chips

Shaffer

Selah

Selah is light blue

She’s a fluffy small dog

She’s a snowy winter

A t-shirt with shorts

A soft couch

She’s a Descendant’s toy

A juicy cheeseburger

Selah

Skylar

Skyler is lavender

She’s a dog, wild but majestic

She’s beautiful flawless spring

A dress with roses on it

A couch

She’s a princess doll

A hamburger

Skylar

Will

Will is orange as an orange

And a very cute cat

He’s a great warm day

A basketball sneaker

He’s a massaging chair

He’s a basketball

He’s a plate of Thai food

Will

Vincent

Vincent is light green

He’s a deep green turtle

He’s a chilly fall night

An oversized t-shirt

A bed with a fluffy cover

He’s an unwashed dog

A chicken salad sandwich

Vincent

Zara

Zara is blue

She’s a sassy fluffy chick

She’s a spring day

Hat and shorts and sneakers

A smart TV

She’s a lego

A bag of skittles

Zara

Ziva

Ziva is sky blue

She’s a soft dog

She’s cold snow

A pair of cozy pjs

A soft couch

She’s squishies

A cheese pizza

Ziva

Fourth Grade Moving Up Ceremony: June 11, 2018

Posted on June 12, 2018 by grade4-ds

Memories from Our Time in the Lower School:

Fours

Sarah: Fours Memories. I remember in the fours k when we were sorting a variety of buttons. Different colors, shapes, and sizes, but still the same inside. Like us.

Bayo: 4s: A memory I have from the 4s is when it was the last day of school, it was my first year here. It was time for pick up and my mom was picking me up. As soon as she got there, Diane and Melanie’s fours, and it was time to leave, I broke out in tears because I was young and I was never going to see Melanie again and I was just too emotional in general. Also I thought I was never coming back to the school but I didn’t realize it was just summer break.

Cy: As I walk into my 4s classroom for the first time and I see all the new faces. I recognize one and begin my nervous stroll toward him. Later in the year we become best friends. I always loved stories. I pour my thoughts out onto that piece of paper. I write until my hands feel sore. I was always a big story-teller but not like this…

Kindergarten

Giselle: My kindergarten memory is …. We were at recess then the clouds started crying. Down down the teardrops went down the shed to the ground. The ground was soggy like a sponge in a bathtub. Then everyone yells “ Take cover!” We all ran in the shed to hide from the rain and that is my kindergarten story!

Henry: In Kindergarten I remember having no homework. I remember bringing home chickens from kindergarten and playing with chickens for the first time at LREI!

First Grade

Alejandro: My memory in first grade is everyone thought homework would be amazing and literally everyone was cheering when we first got homework. The first homework was a math game, even though that’s easy homework, everyone that said it was fun the next day, was lying.

Cece: In first grade I remember that we made a restaurant. At the restaurant I was the maitre d. I got so excited because a matradie my first option and got to greet people and I love greeting people.

Hanako: I remember in first grade when we heard we wouldn’t be getting nap time, we wanted to go back to Kindergarten. When we heard we were getting homework, we wanted to go back to kindergarten even more. It would take magic, but we could still try.

Second Grade

Saffron: I remember in second grade Maggie, Macy and I, had matching coats, big and orange with fur. Now it is too small for me.

Bo: In second grade, we learned a ton of information. We learned literally you could learn about the Brooklyn Bridge. Here’s a fact, John Roebling came up with the idea to build the Brooklyn Bridge. Also, Chester Arthur, the president at the time, walked across the bridge when it opened.

Harley: I remember studying food and herbs with Rehan and Elodie, and we brought back dragon fruit for the class. And at the end of the study, we made dumplings, rice and tea. I didn’t like the tea that much, and I took all of the filling out of the dumpling, but the rice was amazing. I really like rice. I remember having around 3 servings.

Third Grade

Palma: In third grade we had the Lenape study and share. We studied tribes from long ago and their lives. We made a museum with different stations that taught people about different parts of Lenape life.

Sebastian: I loved being a part of the Lenape and Dutch museum because it teaches people about the Lenape and Dutch, I love teaching people things. I was teaching people about the Dutch with Arlo and we were talking about the Dutch door, we made a really cool door knocker that was a lion.

Sonia: I remember making moccasins, it was so much fun because I love crafts and at the same time as doing something I love, I was learning about the Lenape. The moccasins were really interesting because they were so different from what I am used to like sneakers, but they still work.

Theo: In third grade I remember learning everything about the Lenape, Learning about the ancient world is awesome. I remember going walking down Wall Street and imagining all of the flora and fauna that was there before.

Fourth Grade

Arlo: My favorite moment in 4th grade was when we worked on the play. I remember when I had to change my name from Joe Johnson to Jim Johnson, the reason I had to change my name is because Joe Johnson is already a basketball player for the Houston Rockets.

Libi: As I walked in the shining glass doors, I had this feeling of a spark in my heart. Knowing that this will be my final year of lower school… I’m finally here. I remember a blond curly haired woman with blue glasses and a smile on her face. Welcome to fourth grade she said and shook my hand. And then on June 12, 2018 I say goodbye and hello.

Macy: I remember when we walked out the doors of the theater. Parents and kids watching every move we made. We started singing America and walked up the stage. The play “This is Our America” started. Lights, sounds of laughter. We amazed the crowd with all the information we know. The part of the play I am most proud of is how the scenes connected with each other. I felt like that it was powerful that we want to make change, when The Children’s March is talking about how kids made change in 1963 and then we can make a change today.

A Tribute from the Teachers:

Salutations, As fourth graders, you encountered Words Of The Day almost every morning in morning meeting. We have an exciting and absurd surprise for you, 37 new vocabulary words to be mastered over the summer! Rumor has it your parents are enthusiastic and benevolent supporters of the WOTD program and thoroughly enjoy quizzing you at the dinner table. This our gift to your grown ups as well.

WOTD	Definition	Example
Alejandro (adjective)	humorous, witty	After reading the news, the student wrote an illustrated article that was not only on point, it was also very *alejandro*.
Adrian (noun)	To make tremendous progress	The artist could not believe how much *adrian* he made on his sculpture in such a short period of time.
Arlo (verb)	To speak up with a fresh idea	Once I fully understood the topic, I *arloed* and inspired my classmates.
Atticus (noun)	A sense of fairness, justice	The protesters stood silently to send a message of atticus for all.
Bayo (noun)	A strong force, power, that shines brightest when engaging with injustice	May the *bayo* be with you.
Bo (verb)	To build with creativity and enthusiasm	The innovative engineer *boed* a mechanism to raise the wreck of the Titanic.
Cece (noun)	A sweet layer or coating that can be added to just about anything	She was having a terrible time until her friend brought some *cece* into her day.
Clyde (noun)	A beautiful piece of art	The tourists flocked to The Whitney to see the magnificent *clydes* on display.
Cy (verb)	To investigate, seek answers	The super sleuth *cyed* for hours and eventually pieced the clues together.
Dorsey (verb)	To think deeply, ponder	Aristotle sat down in a nice quiet, space to *dorsey* up some new ideas.
Elodie (adjective)	Happy, elated, proud	The child felt so *elodie* about finishing her 100 page story.
Giselle (noun)	Beautiful language	The teachers kept talking about how much *giselle* the author used in the story.
Hanako (noun)	A specific form of poetry which typically includes surprising metaphors and juicy adjectives.	The sun filtering through her window, inspired the child to compose a *hanako*.
Harley (adjective)	Thoughtful, caring	It was not surprising that the whole class respected their harley classmate.
Henry (verb)	To think outside of the box	The group was not getting anywhere but then he *henried* with an interesting new idea.
Hudson (verb)	To think from the perspective of others	Being able to *hudson* is an important skill to have if you want to be a good writer.
Libi (verb)	To be inquisitive	The candidate wasn’t prepared for the in depth *libi’ing* by the media.
Lucy (verb)	To sing one’s heart out	The popstar felt so moved by her audience’s attention that she *lucied* like she’d never *lucied* before.
Macy (verb)	To make order out of chaos	The process seemed hectic but the students *macied* through to produce an amazing play.
Maggie (verb)	To speak convincingly, believably	The actress *maggied* so eloquently to the audience that they really enjoyed her performance.
Max (adjective)	Precise, accurate, detailed	The world map was so *max* that the students need look no further to finish their geography work.
Nazir (verb)	To use feeling and emotion in performance	Under the starry sky, the student *nazired* his harmonica beautifully.
Oliver (adverb)	With energy and a great sense of fun	At recess, while the sun shone brightly, the children played Bounce Out *oliverly*.
Olivia (verb)	To produce a pleasantly unexpected outburst of volume	The seemingly quiet Ellis Island inspector *oliviaed* a hearty “Welcome to America” to the arriving immigrants.
Palma (adjective)	To be in tune with the natural world	I feel so *palma* when I’m outside.
Quinn (verb)	To persist, try several strategies until succeeding	The way she *quinned* was an inspiration to all.
Rehan (verb)	To bide one’s time until it is the exact right time to act	The tennis player *rehaned* until just the right moment before serving an ace!
Romy (verb)	To brighten a room	She wanted to *romy* the room so she pulled back the curtains to let in the sunshine.
Saffron (adjective)	To be fearless, courageous	The saffron lioness strutted across the vast savannah.
Sarah (noun)	Of or with many perspectives	The author was able to write with great *sarah* and produce a novel of enormous complexity.
Sebastian (adjective)	Passionate, with fervor	The *sebastian* chef reworked his recipes over and over until he made the perfect salmon dinner.
Sonia (noun)	An underlying power not to be overtaken	The activists channeled all of their *sonia* into the protest and succeeded in creating change.
Stella (adverb)	With a quick wit and sharp sense of humor	The comedian recounted the story so stellaly that the audience cracked up.
Tallulah (verb)	To join a team and integrate seamlessly	Although the team had only just met, they *tallulahed* immediately and played like they had been working together for years.
Tate (noun)	When eyes light up with the realisation of a connection	Her face was full of *tate* when she finished reading the last chapter and her questions about the characters were answered.
Theo (adjective)	Happy go lucky	The boy was so *theo* that he never let minor problems ruin his cheerful demeanor.
William (verb)	To score maximum points	The way the NBA player *williamed* in the final minutes was fierce.

With this exuberant vocabulary we are not complacent, indifferent, or reluctant, are we! On the contrary, on the penultimate day of fourth grade, there is still the opportunity to take initiative.

After a year of exquisite and relevant vocabulary, perseverance and marcusing, we wish you a dan summer full of deborah. A handy tip for fifth grade: use your best shelby in everything you do or you may risk being charissa’ed!

We Join the National School Walkout #Enough

Posted on March 17, 2018 by grade4-ds

Cars honk in agreement.

We can stand up for what we think.

We have a voice.

We can affect people.

We can make a difference.

#ChangeStartsHere

From Sarah, a poem:

The Walkout

With silence

Strong silence

Using our silence

As our weapon

Peaceful weapon

Unlike the weapons we protest against

Guns

All guns

Used to kill

Out here on a cold March day

Think about ones lost

Selfless in the cold

Huddle together for warmth like lost penguins

With signs hanging limply from our frozen fingers

Connect

Cold on the outside

On the inside warmth spreads

Pride

We are together

One community

17 dead

Countless injuries

Many witnesses

Signs hoist slogans like

“The world is made of life, not guns. #LREI”

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – Christopher Robin

“We can get gun control!”

“Make art, not guns. Make poems, not guns. Make music, not guns. You get the idea.”

“Love = love. Guns = hate. *Why add more hate to this world?!?”

“We certainly don’t understand why it is harder to make plans with friends on weekends than it is to buy a semi – automatic weapon” – Emma Gonzalez

“We’re children. You guys are the adults. Get something done.” – Parkland Shooting Survivor

Cars honk in agreement

We can stand up for what we think

We have a voice

We can affect people

We can make a difference

“#ChangeStartsHere”

From Harley, a report:

Almost all of the Fourth Grade and Middle schoolers at LREI were at the walk-out, exactly a month after the Stoneman Douglas School shooting. They were holding up signs that said things like “Make art, not guns, make poems, not guns, make music, not guns, you get the idea.”, “Love=Love Guns=Hate. *Why add more hate to the world?” and, “The world is made of life, not guns. #Lrei”. We stood at Little Red Square in silence. But, other people participating chanted things like “Hey, hey, NRA, how many kids have you killed today?” We went outside at 10:00 AM and went back inside at 10:17 AM (some students stayed out for an extra minute to show support for the people that witnessed it and for the people who were injured).

The reason we went out was to show that children can make a difference, and to show support for anyone who has been through a shooting. Some people driving past Sixth Avenue honked the horns of their cars and trucks to show support. It felt really good to know that other people agreed with us and that people cared about what we had to say.

I really like that the teachers gave us the opportunity to participate. In some schools, children would be suspended if they chose to walk out. But some of those students walked out any way. I hope that the government will change gun laws so that a school shooting like this never happens again.

From fourth graders during a discussion after the walkout:

“Every time I felt cold I thought to myself I am freezing then I remembered the families who lost someone in the shooting.”

“I was happy that we actually got a chance to protest.”

“We were showing the world that even kids in the fourth grade can say what they think.”

“I felt happy it affected people walking by.”

From Sebastian, a news report:

On Wednesday, March 14, fourth graders walked out of their classrooms and onto the the sidewalk of Sixth Avenue. They were the youngest kids protesting too. Fourth graders fought for safer gun laws. They were representing the younger kids at LREI. A fourth grade student named Sebastian declared, “We shouldn’t have to go out of the school day to protest for safer gun laws.” That was very powerful and meaningful and most 4th graders agree.

Students saw random strangers taking photos of the peaceful protest. “It was amazing!” said Theo, another fourth grader. The signs were well-made and made sense. There were a lot of cars and trucks honking as they drove past the young protesters.

The walk-out was very emotional. Some grown-ups, like Sebastian’s mom and Deborah, the head teacher of DS4, were crying at the sight of all of the students protesting.

One fourth grader, Bo, came up with the idea to stay out for two more minutes to honor the people who were injured in the Florida shooting. His classmates agreed, so they stayed outside for two extra minutes.

Not only the fourth graders protested, LREI middle school and high school students participated too. Also, students all over the United States of America protested for better gun laws.

The next day, fourth grade teacher, Deborah read a news article about a girl in Wisconsin who was the only student in her school to walk out. She sat outside under a flagpole for 17 minutes by herself. Deborah said, “It reminded me how fortunate we are to be in a community that is actively engaged in social justice issues.”