Welcome back!
Dear Families,
Welcome to a new year! We have had a terrific summer here at Charlton Street. There have been several summer programs using the classrooms and cafeteria, and many LREI faculty members (including one who just moved to an apartment next door) have been here in the past few weeks. Our faculty has been hard at work this summer, with time for rest and relaxation. Several have used the summer to work on grants, take classes, and teach classes to students preparing for the academic challenges of private high school. There is no question, come September 6, the first day of school, we will be ready to go. We are looking forward to a fantastic year.
Let me share just some of the highlights, changes and dates to note for the beginning of the school year:
- · In September, parents and students will have access to an internet-based program that will allow families to easily access password protected information such as:
o Online inquiries and applications
o Student’s schedule of enrolled classes
o Homework assignments
o Grades and comments
o Current year attendance
o Current report card
Again, all access is secure. While each family will have access to one’s personal information, families will not have access to each other’s. With this system, we can make grades and comments available almost immediately, families can change contact information with a click of a button (and all of our records here are simultaneously updated) and faculty and advisors can access contact information quickly, wherever they are. We are excited about this program and Tim Cooper, High School Technology Coordinator and Tech Department Chairperson will conduct informational (and informal) sessions at the first Parent Rep meeting, 6:30 PM, September 11 and at Curriculum Night, September 17, 2007. He has also created a handy information packet, which will be available to families if you cannot attend one of the sessions.
- As you may know, our student government is a very active and motivated group. One of the things our 2006-2007 student government members worked on was clarifying with the faculty the more unclear aspects of the student handbook. One area of particular concern was that of attendance as it relates to one’s academic achievement, extra-curricular activities and physical education. As a result, this area of the student handbook now reflects this teamwork.
From the 2007-2008 High School Student Handbook:
Among the fundamental obligations of those who accept membership in a community is regular attendance. Our academic program emphasizes community. Students learn best, not only from instructors, but also from each other. Therefore, attendance is key to academic success here. The school has developed policies to deal with lateness, and with excessive or unexcused absence.
Yearlong and Trimester Course Attendance Policy
o 10 days absent or 20% of classes missed will result in automatic F/NC.
o 5 days absent will result in automatic grade reduction on the 6th day, unless the Instructor, the Department Chair, and Principal meet to evaluate the situation or there is required documentation from a medical professional (other than a family member).
o If a student misses more than 20 minutes of a class for any reason, that student will be marked as absent from that class.
o Any major illness will require documentation from a medical professional (other than a family member) to the Principal and School Nurse.
o In a 6-week rotation, 20% of classes missed will result in an F/NC.
o If a student misses more than 2 periods during the school day, the student will be marked as absent.
Extra-curricular Activities, College Trips and Attendance
o If a student arrives to school past A block, or past 9:30 AM for any reason, it is counted as an official absence, and they cannot participate in after school activities, including sports practices and games, and rehearsals for productions and concerts. Students are not expected to be in school past 9:00 PM for school meetings, rehearsals, study groups, etc.
o College trips, which are excused, are limited to four in the 12th grade. Documentation must be provided. Students are responsible for collecting assignments. If a student misses a test or an assessment when absent, he or she must take it the next day.
o Students may not be at school for events and rehearsal past 9 PM.
PE and Attendance
o Students sign up for Mon-Wed, Tues-Thurs, or Karate Wed-Thurs. It will appear on a student’s schedule like any other class.
o If a student is participating in a sport, the student is exempt for that trimester.
o If a student drops out of a sport, the student may not join a class for full credit.
o Each class will have the same attendance/cut policy as all academic classes. Miss 20% and students receive no credit.
o There is no making up PE; if a student fails for one trimester, students may sign up for two different classes the next trimester (two classes would be 4 days a week).
o Exemptions are granted only if a student is competitive in a sport or physical activity. Documentation is required.
Thanks to the student government and to the faculty for making this complicated issue a clear one for this school year!
- As we do every year, we will have grade-level potluck dinners. They are informative and provide families with the opportunity for fellowship. All potlucks begin at 6:30 PM in our cafeteria or in the PAC.
o 9th grade potluck: October 2, 2007 (This potluck will also include discussion on the topics of student wellness and responsibility in high school with school psychologist Dr. Andrew Weiss and school nurse Joanne Gouge, R.N.)
o 10th grade potluck: October 23, 2007
o 11th grade potluck: January 15, 2008 (This potluck is also college night for Eleventh Grade families)
o 12th grade potluck: September 25, 2007.
We have added a college night for Tenth Grade families! This informative evening program will introduce students and their families to the college process on April 22, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Other important dates to keep in mind:
o New Student Orientation for all students new to the high school: September 5, 9:30 AM
o First Day of School: September 6, 8:30 AM
o September 11 Concert in Washington Square Park, featuring the LREI Step Team and the EI Jazz Band, September 11, 12:00-4:00 PM
o High School Parent Rep. Meeting: September 11, 6:30 PM (Parent Rep meetings meet every second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM, except January, when the meeting is on the first Tuesday)
o High School Curriculum Night: September 17, 6:30 PM
o Overnight retreat for Ninth and Tenth Grades: September 19, 20 and 21
o Class picture day: September 28, 11:00 AM
o Minimester, October 31-November 2
o Parent/Advisor conferences, November 9, all day.
· Both new and returning teachers are full of enthusiasm for what promises to be a wonderful year. Our new science teacher, Rebecca Leahy, is coming to us from Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Florida. Prior to her experience at Lincoln High School, Rebecca spent ten years teaching biology, chemistry, and ecology as Science Chairperson at The Beekman School here in Manhattan, where she was also Dean of Students. She has a BA in Multidisciplinary Studies in Science from Stony Brook University, an MA in Environmental Conservation from NYU, School of Education. She offers so much to our community; we feel fortunate to have her join our team and are thrilled to welcome her.
· Finally, in other news, Sunny Kim, our wonderful choral director, has decided to return to Korea. While this is a great loss for us, she is very excited about the change and will keep in touch. We will keep you posted as we attempt to fill her shoes. Also, High School Librarian, Karyn Silverman and her husband welcomed their new son to the family on July 31. Welcome to the world, Kieran!
I look forward to a productive, exciting and safe year. If I can do anything to assist you and your family in the transition from summer to the school year, please let me know.
Finally, starting September 27, I will host a very informal drop-in morning for parents and families who want to see how things are going, or just have a cup of coffee on the way to work. Drop-in mornings for the first trimester will be every Thursday morning, from 7:45-8:15 AM.
Best,
Ruth