April 23rd, 2009
Hello LREI families,
On Tuesday we had our annual “Poem in Your Pocket day” assembly. It was great! Led by the Poetry Class and teachers Jane Belton and Benjamin Rubin, it was a pleasure to see so many students and teachers share their favorite poems. Of course what everyone was most excited for was History Teacher Mark Bledstein traditional rap performance. This year he gave a hyped rendition of Public Enemies “Don’t Believe the Hype” with music teacher Vin Scialla on drums, Junior Harry D’Agastino on Bass, and myself on guitar.
The spring seems like its flying by here at the High School. With family conferences, guest speakers (see below), Earth Day Assembly, Arts Festival sign-ups, spring sports (the first softball game, track, baseball, and tennis) and of course classes, we are all keeping busy.
English teacher Ileana Jimenez arranged for Rachel Maddow to speak to a group of about 50 students tonday. Here is what fellow english teacher Julia Heaton had to say about this amazing opportunity for our students. Thank you Ileana for all the work you put in to make this happen!
Dear all,
I just witnessed an amazing event taking place in the high school library – a room full of teenagers being transformed into activists. Rachel Maddow of MSNBC spent an hour with our students speaking about her life as a student, academic, community organizer, journalist, and activist. Though she claims that she never tries to “inspire,” her talk was certainly inspirational — and relevant and funny and provocative and powerful. Our students were so impressive, as always, giving Rachel their rapt attention and peppering her with insightful questions about her work and her opinions. In turn, she offered advice that is so in line with LREI’s mission and values: find a wrong in the world and fight tirelessly to make it right, work hard to achieve excellence, use your advantages and talents to serve a greater purpose, the importance of writing and reading and evidence. Above all, she conveyed the message that a life of activism can be fulfilling, not to mention fun.
This event would not have been possible without the incredible organization and energy of our colleague Ileana Jimenez. Ileana worked her magic to get Rachel in the door (even though Rachel says that she “doesn’t do speaking engagements”) and then facilitated the talk with expertise and grace of a professional. Is there a spin-off show in Ileana’s future?
One student said to me as he left the room, “This literally changed my life.” I know I speak on behalf of many in attendance when I say that I couldn’t agree more. I was very proud to be a part of LREI today.
Julia Heaton
Speaking of our students as activists, they have launched LREI’s first film festival in collaboration with My Purpose Party!
LREI is having a Purpose Party and Hosting A Video Justice Student Film Festival. Follow the link below to find out more!
http://blog.lrei.org/news/2009/04/20/lrei-hosts-video-justice-student-film-festival/
The viewing will be Wednesday May 13th, doors open at 6:00PM with the main event from 7-9PM
For the offical LREI school calendar, please visit www.lrei.org/calendar
Special Event reminder:
- Marriage Equality: A Civil Rights Issue will be held on Monday April 27th 6:00pm-8:00pm in the PAC at the high school. Marriage equality would insure that every American, regardless of sexual orientation, is treated equally under the law. Topics for the evening will include: why marriage matters, what laws are being enacted nationally and locally, how this effects our families and children and how to get involved. Follow the links below.
- Arts Festival Friday May 1st! To see the offerings, follow the link below
- Sunday May 9th KidsWAlk for Kids with Cancer. For more info studens should speak to Simon Staples-Vangel, Nadia Brent, or Nicholas Cleve. Follow the link below
http://www.walkforkidswithcancer.org
- Thursday May 21st – Spring Concert
Save the Date: The Annual LREI Camping Trip will take place June 5-7
at the Riverbend Group Campground along the Delaware River, about 15
miles North of the Delaware Water Gap. Students and their families may
camp Friday and/or Saturday night. Watch for details and sign-up
tables – coming soon.
Thanks and enjoy the great weather this weekend!
Micah Dov Gottlieb
MDGottlieb@LREI.org