Dear all,

* Let me make a special plea for you to join us at Saturday’s upcoming Coffeehouse! We have four of these events each year, organized by High School Math/Music Teacher and Coffeehouse Guru Micah Dov Gottlieb, along with Music Teacher/Jazz Band Director Vin Scialla, who helped to being us our special guest Jimmy Norman through a Jazz Foundation Grant. Micah writes:

Everyone – It’s time for some COFFEE!!!
The next LREI Coffeehouse is Saturday, February 4th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. We have some great performers so far including:

*The High School Jazz Band
* The Middle School Band
* The 4th Grade Band
* Special guest Jimmy Norman (he wrote “”Time Is On MY Side” and also composed some of Bob Marley’s early songs)

PLUS: We are having a beat box contest with a $25 gift certificate prize. Anyone is invited to beat box for 20-30 seconds; the winner will be determined by a panel of judges. Please contact me at mdgottlieb@lrei.org for more details or if you want to know what “beat box” is!

We would love to have some more Lower/Middle School performers and patrons, and we would love to see faculty there from all three divisions!

Peace and love,

Micah Dov

* You can still come to tonight’s final showing of the 2006 Art Auction, a fine art silent auction of established and emerging artists to benefit the LREI Tuition Assistance Program. ADMISSION IS FREE!!!
Where: I-20 Gallery, 529 West 20th Street, 11th Floor
Reception & Final Bidding: Thursday, February 2nd, 6:00PM – 8:30PM
PLEASE NOTE: FINAL BIDDING WILL END IN EACH OF THE THREE GALLERIES IN FIFTEEN MINUTE INTERVALS STARTING AT 8PM.

Visit the Art Auction website to view a full list of artists and preview and for more information on Conditions of Sale, Absentee Bids and other important details.

* Finally, a note from Sarah Barlow on the Visibility: Lesbian and Gay People We Love Photo Exhibit (see the attached press release):

Dear Colleagues and Families,

First of all, it looks like we have about 80 photos with more arriving all day for the Visibility: Lesbian and Gay People We Love Photo Exhibit! We’ll have a final count tomorrow, and the LGSA (Lesbian, Gay, Straight Alliance) is sending all who submitted a huge thank you! We’re going to have yet another impressive and moving exhibit this year–in order to get the photos up, we need YOUR help.

Tomorrow, Friday, February 3 from noon to 5 pm, the LGSA will be framing all the photos, mounting captions, etc. We’ll be working on 6th Ave in various and changing locations and welcome any amount of time you have to help! Faculty, we’d love it if you would pop by and lend a few minutes if you have it.

Further, this Saturday, from 9:30-5 we will be hanging the entire exhibit. Again, we’d love YOUR help. Please bring hammer and we’ll make a day of it, OR stop by from anywhere for a few minutes to an hour or to pitch in. We’ll be working on 6th Ave in the auditorium. The main doors will be open 9:30-1:00 and you can call the number below to be let in the side door on Bleecker Street from 1:00-5:00. A little time with many hands goes a long way! The contact cell number is Primavera Salva’s cell phone @ 917-553-8002.

If we don’t see you Friday or Saturday, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the show’s opening night, Monday, February 13 from 6-8 pm–a gala, must-attend event!

Best,
Sarah Barlow
8th Grade Core Teacher
Interim English Department Chair
Middle School LGSA Representative

Additional announcements:

* Reminder: The next Parent Reps meeting will move from Tuesday, February 14 to Wednesday, February 15 so we can all celebrate Valentine’s Day! Please see the attached minutes from the last meeting.

3) The LREI PA Community Service Committee is once again collecting donations for Room to Grow from Monday, February 13th through Friday, February 17th in the lobby of the Sixth Avenue Building. Use this as away to get your children to get rid of items they are not using. Donations should be anything appropriate for children (newborns to 3 years of age) and in good condition (something you would pass on to a friend or family member). Room to Grow accepts books, clothing, video and music tapes, toys, bedding, strollers, highchairs, swings, baby monitors, baby’s room accessories. They do not accept stuffed animals, recalled items, furniture, diapers, car seats, cribs. If you would like a tax donation receipt please label all your boxes and bags with your name and address. Please hold onto larger items until the last collection day, Thursday, February 16. For more information on the organization and a more detailed list of what they accept/do not accept go to http://www.roomtogrow.org/.

* For updates on faculty performances, openings, presentations, and publications visit the Faculty in the News page on the school web site.

* Outside of the school:

The Parents League of New York and NYC-Parents in Action invite parents of students in grades 7-12 to attend:

Teen Scene XX
February 6, 2006
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Trinity School
101 West 91st Street

Learn what really goes on in the teenagers’ world as they journey through the high school years!

RSVP to Parents League
212 737-7385

and

Parents Of Teen Scene: AFTERSHOCK
February 16, 2006
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Temple Israel
112 East 75 Street

A forum for parents who would like to discuss the issues they encounter as they partner in their teenagers’ journey through the high school years.

RSVP to NYC-Parents in Action
212 987-9629

All the best,

Tony

February
* Wednesday 1- Thursday 2 2006 Art Auction
* Saturday 4 Coffeehouse!
* Wednesday 15 High School Parent Rep Meeting
* Monday 20 – Tuesday 21 School closed – PresidentsÂ’ Weekend
* Tuesday 28 Last day of Trimester II classes
March
* Wednesday 1 – Friday 3 Trimester II Exams/Presentations
* Monday 6 First day of Trimester III classes

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.

Dear all,

Once again, many, many events coming up. Participate and enjoy!!

One reminder – if you are looking for community service opportunities for your child, please remember to check out our list of Outside Community Service Opportunities.

All the best,

Tony

The highlights:

* KARAMU! The Parent Multicultural Committee invites you to join us for Karamu! (see the attached flyer), our annual multicultural performance and celebration for the whole family, on Friday, January 27th (tomorrow!). If you do not already have tickets, please check or call into the lobby tomorrow, as the event may be sold out at this point.

* Coming next week: The 2006 Art Auction, a fine art silent auction of established and emerging artists to benefit the LREI Tuition Assistance Program. ADMISSION IS FREE!!!
When: Wednesday, February 1st – Thursday, February 2nd, 12:00 noon – 9:00PM
Where: I-20 Gallery, 529 West 20th Street, 11th Floor
Reception & Final Bidding: Thursday, February 2nd, 6:00PM – 8:30PM
PLEASE NOTE: FINAL BIDDING WILL END IN EACH OF THE THREE GALLERIES IN FIFTEEN MINUTE
INTERVALS STARTING AT 8PM.

A shuttle bus will be available on Wednesday, February 1st between LREI’s Sixth Avenue building and I-20 Gallery from 10:00AM-6:00PM.

Kid’s Day & Scavenger Hunt: Wednesday, February 1st from 4:00PM – 6:00PM

Visit the Art Auction website to view a full list of artists and preview and for more information on Conditions of Sale, Absentee Bids and other important details.

LREI Contact: Patricia McKee 212-477-5316 x232 or events@lrei.org

* An entreaty for our Visibility exhibit:

In years past, we have had nearly one hundred photos featuring our community members in the Visibility: Lesbian and Gay People We Love Photo Exhibit (see the attached press release). It has been an exciting event with palpable effects on our admissions, press coverage, and connectedness as a group, while it has also helped to solidify our position as a leader in education in the area of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) issues. Alumni have come out for the first time in our exhibit, families have changed the dynamic in their world by inviting beloved friends to be in the exhibit, children have grown up here thinking that LGBT-headed families are part of the fabric of everyday life, and the list goes on. All classes have seen the exhibit in past years and the discussion has resonated or been a touchstone for years afterwards. Recently, this exhibit was touted at the Literary Evening by the producer of “Brokeback Mountain,” now an LREI parent, who said he could not wait to see the show!

This year, we have only received 20 photos total (with promises of 10 more). We are at a total of 30 photos.

Please take this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of LGBT AND straight children, families, and faculty by taking (or digging up) a photo and submitting it with a brief caption by Thursday, February 2. It really can make a huge impact and/or even save lives. Once again, the requirements for photos and captions listed are below. Further, please see the attached press release with an invitation to our opening night celebration.

Let’s not lose the momentum and joie de vivre of this exhibit! And let’s really step up to make this group–still shunned in so many ways–VISIBLE.

Do feel free to contact me with any questions you may have, and thank you so much–

Sarah Barlow
Interim English Department Chair
8th Grade Core Teacher
Middle School LGSA (Lesbian Gay Straight Alliance) Representative

The deadline for photo submissions is Feb. 2nd. Photos can be of individuals or family accompanied by a close friend or relative who is lesbian or gay. The people in the picture do not have to be part of the LREI community. Snapshots are fine, and more than one photo can be submitted. All photos must be UNFRAMED and no larger than 11″ x 14″ (which is our frame size).

The name of student/parent/faculty/administrator and grade (if student) must be written (lightly not to emboss the photo) on the back of the photo in pencil or with a Sharpie (permanent marker). The caption must include your name and a few lines describing the people in the photo and why they are important to you, or, if you like, something about their experiences of being visible or invisible. Captions can be submitted in any format, including email to Nancy@Workman.com.

Photos will be returned approximately one month after the show (or sooner if necessary). We would prefer to have permission to keep the photo for future shows but this is not required. Please indicate on the photo if this we can keep the photo for future shows.

* Coffeehouse! From High School Math/Music Teacher and Coffeehouse Guru Micah Dov Gottlieb:

Everyone – It’s time for some COFFEE!!!
The next LREI Coffeehouse is Saturday, February 4th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. We have some great performers so far including:

*The High School Jazz Band
* The Middle School Band
* The 4th Grade Band
* Special guest Jimmy Norman (he wrote “”Time Is On MY Side” and also composed some of Bob Marley’s early songs)

PLUS: We are having a beat box contest with a $25 gift certificate prize. Anyone is invited to beat box for 20-30 seconds; the winner will be determined by a panel of judges. Please contact me at mdgottlieb@lrei.org for more details or if you want to know what “beat box” is!

We would love to have some more Lower/Middle School performers and patrons, and we would love to see faculty there from all three divisions!

Peace and love,

Micah Dov

Additional announcements:

* The next Parent Reps meeting will move from Tuesday, February 14 to Wednesday, February 15 so we can all celebrate Valentine’s Day!

* Outside of the school:

The Parents League of New York and NYC-Parents in Action invite parents of students in grades 7-12 to attend:

Teen Scene XX
February 6, 2006
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Trinity School
101 West 91st Street

Learn what really goes on in the teenagers’ world as they journey through the high school years!

RSVP to Parents League
212 737-7385

and

Parents Of Teen Scene: AFTERSHOCK
February 16, 2006
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Temple Israel
112 East 75 Street

A forum for parents who would like to discuss the issues they encounter as they partner in their teenagers’ journey through the high school years.

RSVP to NYC-Parents in Action
212 987-9629

January
* Monday 2 School closed – Legal Holiday
* Tuesday 3 School closed – Professional Development Day
* Wednesday 4 School reopens
* Thursday 5 LREI College Panel and Parent Reception
* Thursday 12 Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support meeting
* Friday 13 School closed (High School) – Parent-Advisor Conferences
* Monday 16 School closed – MLK, Jr. Day
* Tuesday 17 High School Parent Rep Meeting
* Friday 27 Karamu!
February
* Wednesday 1- Thursday 2 2006 Art Auction
* Saturday 4 Coffeehouse!
* Wednesday 15 High School Parent Rep Meeting
* Monday 20 – Tuesday 21 School closed – PresidentsÂ’ Weekend
* Tuesday 28 Last day of Trimester II classes
March
* Wednesday 1 – Friday 3 Trimester II Exams/Presentations
* Monday 6 First day of Trimester III classes

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.

Dear Parents,

Many of you stopped by my office on Friday – or emailed me – to let me know how helpful you found the parent-advisor conferences. After receiving feedback from the faculty, may I say that the feeling is mutual. The overall picture I got from both sides of the equation was that in these meetings, parents and advisors shared information, learned, strategized and generally got a much more holistic view of each student – and came away with a sense of how to move forward. Thanks for being such terrific partners in your children’s education.

Below you will see announcements/descriptions of three important all-school events coming up in the next two months: Karamu!, the Art Auction and Visibility. Please do find ways to participate in one or all of these events, events which truly do set our school apart.

All the best,

Tony

In order:

* KARAMU! The Parent Multicultural Committee invites you to join us for Karamu! (see the attached flyer), our annual multicultural performance and celebration for the whole family, on Friday, January 27th. We kick it off today (Thursday), with the Taste of Karamu bake sale. Students are working on the Karamu! family exhibit that will go up next week; they’re also completing the library scavenger hunt for the chance to enter the student raffle. Tickets, t-shirts and raffle tickets for Karamu! will go on sale on Monday morning, January 23rd, in both lobbies. Please note that the event always sells out, so get your tickets early. If you would like to support Karamu! but can’t attend, please don’t buy tickets-we’d be happy to accept a donation instead. And if you buy tickets but your plans change, please turn them in-there’s always a wait list. We still need VOLUNTEERS to contribute food for the potluck dinner and to fill a number of needs on Friday-please check the volunteer board in the 6th Avenue lobby, and/or e-mail LanaFlame@yahoo.com. Thank you!

* Please mark your calendars – only two weeks until the 2006 Art Auction, a fine art silent auction of established and emerging artists to benefit the LREI Tuition Assistance Program.
ADMISSION IS FREE!!!
When: Wednesday, February 1st and Thursday, February 2nd
Gallery Hours: Gallery hours 10:00AM to 8:30PM
Reception and Final Bidding: Thursday, February 2nd, 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Where: I-20 Gallery, 529 West 20th Street, 11th Floor
This year, for the first time, LREI is hosting a shuttle bus on Wednesday, February 1st to take people from LREI’s Sixth Avenue campus to the I-20 Gallery from 10:00AM to 6:00PM. The bus will leave Sixth Avenue every hour on the hour, and will leave the Gallery on the half hour. We hope this will allow those who cannot attend the auction either Wednesday or Thursday evening to see all the wonderful art. To pre-register or get further information, please visit our website at www.lrei.org, or call 212-477-5316 x232.

The Art Auction website will go up tomorrow, Friday, January 20th.

* An entreaty for our Visibility exhibit: Please, please, please donate photos of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender friends or family members for Visibility (see the attached flyer). This important event in the life of the school depends on the broad participation of members of the community. When you come in for parent-advisor conferences or any other time, you can deposit photos and captions in the Visibility Drop Boxes at the Lower/Middle School or High School receptionist desks. From the Visibility Committee:

The deadline for photo submissions is Feb. 2nd. Photos can be of individuals or family accompanied by a close friend or relative who is lesbian or gay. The people in the picture do not have to be part of the LREI community. Snapshots are fine, and more than one photo can be submitted. All photos must be UNFRAMED and no larger than 11″ x 14″ (which is our frame size).

The name of student/parent/faculty/administrator and grade (if student) must be written (lightly not to emboss the photo) on the back of the photo in pencil or with a Sharpie (permanent marker). The caption must include your name and a few lines describing the people in the photo and why they are important to you, or, if you like, something about their experiences of being visible or invisible. Captions can be submitted in any format, including email to Nancy@Workman.com.

Photos will be returned approximately one month after the show (or sooner if necessary). We would prefer to have permission to keep the photo for future shows but this is not required. Please indicate on the photo if this we can keep the photo for future shows.

Additional announcements:

* Come see the Middle School play, Arabian Nights, Friday, January 20 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, January 21 at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The preview was a big hit at Tuesday’s assembly, and the show will delight children of all ages!

* Mark your calendar – Saturday, February 4 – Coffeehouse!

* And outside of the school:

The Parents League of New York and NYC-Parents in Action invite parents of students in grades 7-12 to attend:

Teen Scene XX
February 6, 2006
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Trinity School
101 West 91st Street

Learn what really goes on in the teenagers’ world as they journey through the high school years!

RSVP to Parents League
212 737-7385

and

Parents Of Teen Scene: AFTERSHOCK
February 16, 2006
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Temple Israel
112 East 75 Street

A forum for parents who would like to discuss the issues they encounter as they partner in their teenagers’ journey through the high school years.

RSVP to NYC-Parents in Action
212 987-9629

January
* Monday 2 School closed – Legal Holiday
* Tuesday 3 School closed – Professional Development Day
* Wednesday 4 School reopens
* Thursday 5 LREI College Panel and Parent Reception
* Thursday 12 Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support meeting
* Friday 13 School closed (High School) – Parent-Advisor Conferences
* Monday 16 School closed – MLK, Jr. Day
* Tuesday 17 High School Parent Rep Meeting
* Friday 27 Karamu!
February
* Wednesday 1- Thursday 2 2006 Art Auction
* Saturday 4 Coffeehouse!
* Tuesday 14 High School Parent Rep Meeting
* Monday 20 – Tuesday 21 School closed – PresidentsÂ’ Weekend
* Tuesday 28 Last day of Trimester II classes
March
* Wednesday 1 – Friday 3 Trimester II Exams/Presentations
* Monday 6 First day of Trimester III classes

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.

Dear parents,

Last Thursday, a good number of recent LREI graduates talked during the day with our eleventh and twelfth graders, and later in the evening with parents, about their college experience. I was struck by the following patterns in their answers:

* LREI graduates are especially prepared for the writing demands of college, but are also prepared for courses in mathematics, science, history, foreign language and the arts;

* LREI graduates know how to approach and work with college and university professors;

* LREI graduates are leaders in the extracurricular lives of the colleges and universities they attend;

* LREI graduates know how to live balanced lives.

I should expand on that last item. During the afternoon session, the panel was asked by a current twelfth grader about the “after-hours” life of college. The answer, which came from several members of the panel, was that they had quickly learned to navigate a healthy balance between the curricular, extracurricular and social lives of their schools. I was also struck by what one graduate from the class of ’02, who currently attends a large university with a number of far more traditional courses, said about those courses and about the seminar-style classes that she is taking now in her senior year. She reported that she found her freshman and sophomore lecture courses – many with multiple choice midterms and finals – far easier to navigate than the courses she was used to at LREI, and that she was now having a far easier time with the smaller, discussion based courses than many of her peers.

In all, I could not have been more proud, both of the students from my time and of those from before my time.

Looking ahead
An entreaty for our Visibility exhibit: Please, please, please donate photos of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender friends or family members for Visibility (see the attached flyer). This important event in the life of the school depends on the broad participation of members of the community. When you come in for parent-advisor conferences or any other time, you can deposit photos and captions in the Visibility Drop Boxes at the Lower/Middle School or High School receptionist desks. From the Visibility Committee:

The deadline for photo submissions is Feb. 2nd. Photos can be of individuals or family accompanied by a close friend or relative who is lesbian or gay. The people in the picture do not have to be part of the LREI community. Snapshots are fine, and more than one photo can be submitted. All photos must be UNFRAMED and no larger than 11″ x 14″ (which is our frame size).

The name of student/parent/faculty/administrator and grade (if student) must be written (lightly not to emboss the photo) on the back of the photo in pencil or with a Sharpie (permanent marker). The caption must include your name and a few lines describing the people in the photo and why they are important to you, or, if you like, something about their experiences of being visible or invisible. Captions can be submitted in any format, including email to Nancy@Workman.com.

Photos will be returned approximately one month after the show (or sooner if necessary). We would prefer to have permission to keep the photo for future shows but this is not required. Please indicate on the photo if this we can keep the photo for future shows.

January and February have many divisional and all-school events. Coming up:

* The next meeting of the Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support will take place tonight – Thursday, January 12th at 6:30 PM.

* No classes Friday, January 13 – Parent-Advisor conferences.

* No school Monday, January 16 – MLK, Jr. Birthday

* Our next Parent Reps meeting will be on Tuesday, January 17.

* For parents of eleventh graders from College Guidance Counselor Amy Shapiro: Veritas Test Prep begins on January 18th. Secure your child’s spot with a check for $600, payable to LREI.

* Come see the Middle School play, Arabian Nights, Friday, January 20 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, January 21 at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The preview was a big hit at Tuesday’s assembly, and the show will delight children of all ages!

And looking ahead:

* Friday, January 27: Karamu!

* Saturday, February 4 – Coffeehouse!

And outside of the school:

The Parents League of New York and NYC-Parents in Action invite parents of students in grades 7-12 to attend:

Teen Scene XX
February 6, 2006
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Trinity School
101 West 91st Street

Learn what really goes on in the teenagers’ world as they journey through the high school years!

RSVP to Parents League
212 737-7385

and

Parents Of Teen Scene: AFTERSHOCK
February 16, 2006
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Temple Israel
112 East 75 Street

A forum for parents who would like to discuss the issues they encounter as they partner in their teenagers’ journey through the high school years.

RSVP to NYC-Parents in Action
212 987-9629

All the best,

Tony

January
* Monday 2 School closed – Legal Holiday
* Tuesday 3 School closed – Professional Development Day
* Wednesday 4 School reopens
* Thursday 5 LREI College Panel and Parent Reception
* Thursday 12 Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support meeting
* Friday 13 School closed (High School) – Parent-Advisor Conferences
* Monday 16 School closed – MLK, Jr. Day
* Tuesday 17 High School Parent Rep Meeting

February
* Saturday 4 Coffeehouse!
* Tuesday 14 High School Parent Rep Meeting

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year! I hope the vacation has left you and your family rested and relaxed. Two important events in the next two weeks:

* TONIGHT!!! LREI College Panel and Parent Reception
Join recent LREI graduates and hear them talk about their college experiences and how LREI influenced their transition to college.
Thursday, January 5, 6:30 PM
40 Charlton Street, Library
Panel discussion and questions, reception to follow.

Panelists:
Akim St. Omar ’02 – Boston College
Shayna Jeffers ’02 – Wesleyan
Thea Bardin ’02 – University of Florida
Ian Patrick ’03 – Vassar College
Brian Marmolejos ’04 – Yale University
Michael Sokol ’04 – Drexel University
Alison Wiggins ’05 – Skidmore College

* Parent-Advisor Conference Day – Friday, January 13
Your child’s advisor should call to set up an appointment in the next couple of days if he or she has not done so already. This is a vital time for you and your child, working with your child’s advisor, to take stock of how the first trimester went and look to the remainder of the school year. During the next week and a half, students will discuss their first trimester results with their advisors and set goals for themselves for the remainder of the school year. During the conferences on Friday, parents and advisors will have some time by themselves and then will be joined by the students. The purpose of these meetings is not only to help each student think about how to improve academic performance, but also and in the long run more crucially, to help each student come to know him- or herself as a student and as a person, and to move toward becoming an independent and self-correcting life-long learner.

Other announcements:

* Important announcements for parents of eleventh graders from College Guidance Counselor Amy Shapiro:

(1) Mark your calendars for College Night (see attachment): Tuesday, January 10 for parents of Sarvjit’s and Janet’s advisees or Wednesday, January 11 for parents of Julia/Ruth’s, Vin’s, and Karyn’s advisees.

(3) Veritas Test Prep begins on January 18th. Secure your child’s spot with a check for $600, payable to LREI.

* The next meeting of the Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support will take place on Thursday, January 12th at 6:30 PM.

* Our next Parent Reps meeting will be on Tuesday, January 17.

* Finally, another reminder – please see the invitation to participate in VISIBILITY: Celebrating the Lesbian and Gay People We Love, coming February 13, 2006.

* I am sorry to report that, after struggling with her health over the past several months, first-year Mathematics and Science Teacher Alissa Wall has decided not to return to LREI for the remainder of the school year. Nicholas Taussig, who has been filling in for Alissa since early November, has agreed to stay on and continue to teach her classes. Tenth Grade Dean Tom Murphy will continue to serve as Advisor to Alissa’s advisees, as he has been. Please join me in wishing Alissa well.

All the best,

Tony

January
* Monday 2 School closed – Legal Holiday
* Tuesday 3 School closed – Professional Development Day
* Wednesday 4 School reopens
* Thursday 5 LREI College Panel and Parent Reception
* Thursday 12 Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support meeting
* Friday 13 School closed (High School) – Parent-Advisor Conferences
* Monday 16 School closed – MLK, Jr. Day
* Tuesday 17 High School Parent Rep Meeting

February
* Saturday 4 Coffeehouse!
* Tuesday 14 High School Parent Rep Meeting

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.

Dear Parents,

All the best for a restful vacation filled with family and friends,

Tony

Announcements:

* Tomorrow is a half-day. School will close at 12:00PM (11:45AM, Early Childhood).

* From Phil: In the case of a transit strike, no school on Friday, December 16th. If we decide to close we will send out a community-wide email and phone call.

* Important announcements for parents of eleventh graders from College Guidance Counselor Amy Shapiro:

(1) Proposals for NYU college preview courses (see attachment) are due at the end of the day on Wednesday, Jan. 4th – no exceptions!

(2) Mark your calendars for College Night (see attachment): Tuesday, January 10 for parents of Sarvjit’s and Janet’s advisees or Wednesday, January 11 for parents of Julia/Ruth’s, Vin’s, and Karyn’s advisees.

(3) Veritas Test Prep begins on January 18th. Secure your child’s spot with a check for $600, payable to LREI.

* LREI College Panel and Parent Reception
Join recent LREI graduates and hear them talk about their college experiences and how LREI influenced their transition to college.
Thursday, January 5, 6:30 PM
40 Charlton Street, Library
Panel discussion and questions, reception to follow.

Panelists:
Akim St. Omar ’02 – Boston College
Shayna Jeffers ’02 – Wesleyan
Thea Bardin ’02 – University of Florida
Ian Patrick ’03 – Vassar College
Brian Marmolejos ’04 – Yale University
Michael Sokol ’04 – Drexel University
Alison Wiggins ’05 – Skidmore College

* Please see the attached letter from Director of Education Nick O’Han about the visit to the school of Dr. Joseph Featherstone on January 3rd and 4th.

* The next meeting of the Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support will take place on Thursday, January 12th – NOTE THE DATE CHANGE – at 6:30 PM.

* Please note that LREI will be closed on Monday, January 2 and that we will have a professional day on Tuesday, January 3. Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 4.

* There will also be no classes on Friday, January 13 to allow for Parent-Advisor conferences. Your child’s advisor will be in touch with you during the first week back to set up appointments.

* Our next Parent Reps meeting will be on Tuesday, January 17.

* A very nice note from Middle School Community Service Coordinator Gabrielle Keller: Last year, for three weeks in February and March, the MS participated in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Pennies for Patients” program. The students collected their pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters in core homerooms and together raised more than $1700! On Wednesday, December 14th, Andi Grahlman, LREI’s campaign coordinator, came to MS meeting to present the school with a plaque on behalf of the Society. The MS was recognized for tripling its giving last year from the first year, and we also had the highest per capita donation amount in the five boroughs! Congratulations to all the students. We look forward to participating again come February.

* Finally, another reminder – please see the invitation to participate in VISIBILITY: Celebrating the Lesbian and Gay People We Love, coming February 13, 2006.

January
* Monday 2 School closed – Legal Holiday
* Tuesday 3 School closed – Professional Development Day
* Wednesday 4 School reopens
* Thursday 5 LREI College Panel and Parent Reception
* Thursday 12 Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support meeting
* Friday 13 School closed (High School) – Parent-Advisor Conferences
* Monday 16 School closed – MLK, Jr. Day
* Tuesday 17 High School Parent Rep Meeting
* Saturday 21 Coffeehouse!

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.

Dear all,

What a week at the High School! The start of the new trimester, with all of the excitement of new science classes for ninth and tenth graders, new arts classes in all grades, and new English and history electives for eleventh and twelfth graders, has coincided with an incredible array of speakers who have come in to delight and enlighten and challenge us as part of this year’s Book Week (see attached flyer). At Tuesday’s assembly, Diana Ossana, co-writer of the movie script of Brokeback Mountain (based on short story by Annie Proulx), showed a few clips of the film and gave an absolutely fabulous talk about reading and writing, the creative process, adaptation, and the trials and tribulations of putting on a movie that pushes the boundaries. Once again, here are the other authors who have come to speak this week (or are coming tomorrow):
+ Gini Alhadeff, author of The Sun at Midday, Tales of a Mediterranean Family
+ Holly Black, author of VALIANT: A Modern Tale of Faerie
+ Libba Bray, author of A Great and Terrible Beauty
+ Jim Knipfel, author of Slackjaw and Ruining It for Everybody
+ John Leland, New York Times Reporter and author of History of Hip
+ Eliot Schrefer, author of The Glamorous Disasters
+ John Patrick Shanley, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Doubt
+ Ed Sikov, author of Mr. Strangelove: A Biography of Peter Sellers and Screwball
+ Diana Son, playwright, author of BOY and Stop Kiss
+ Martha Southgate, author of The Fall of Rome

Then, today. Led by eleventh grader Adriane Alicea, the Human Rights/Amnesty International Club led an emotional, thought-provoking day centered around a viewing of the movie Hotel Rwanda. As mentioned in last week’s email, the discussion groups that followed were co-led by students and faculty who trained specifically for this day and will use materials developed by high school educators, including our own Spanish teacher Nick Sullivan, specifically for Amnesty International USA (for more information about this program, see Amnesty International USA’s education website, or look at the “Hotel Rwanda Teacher’s Guide”). In the best progressive tradition, this was a charged and challenging day, one that will have lasting positive effects; however, it was also a thoughtful and safe day, and all credit goes to Adriane and the other students who put an enormous amount of time and energy and care into its planning.

Finally, a personal word. When discussing my new role next year at LREI with both the High School faculty and with the parent reps on Tuesday, I emphasized that we are not in a place in the growth of the High School where we can afford to pause in our management of that growth or our planning for the future, and I intend to do neither over the next six months. Know also that, as always, my first priority will be the care of your children, and that I will continue to be here for whatever assistance I can provide. Do not hesitate to contact me for whatever reason.

Sincerely,

Tony

Announcements:

* LREI College Panel and Parent Reception
Join recent LREI graduates and hear them talk about their college experiences and how LREI influenced their transition to college.
Thursday, January 5, 6:30 PM
40 Charlton Street, Library
Panel discussion and questions, reception to follow.

Panelists:
Akim St. Omar ’02 – Boston College
Shayna Jeffers ’02 – Wesleyan
Thea Bardin ’02 – University of Florida
Ian Patrick ’03 – Vassar College
Brian Marmolejos ’04 – Yale University
Michael Sokol ’04 – Drexel University
Alison Wiggins ’05 – Skidmore College

* The next meeting of the Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support will take place on Thursday, January 12th – NOTE THE DATE CHANGE – at 6:30 P.M.

* TONIGHT is Literary Evening! Please see attachment for details.

* Please see the following from the Community Service Committee:
1) A letter about an upcoming event this Saturday;
2) A list of December events;
3) Pictures from the recent Thanksgiving activity.

* The Food Committee will meet on 12/12 at 8:30AM in the 6th Avenue Cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.

* Please note that LREI will be closed on Monday, January 2 and that we will have a professional day on Tuesday, January 3. Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 4.

* There will also be no classes on Friday, January 13 to allow for Parent-Advisor conferences. More on that next week …

* Our next Parent Reps meeting will be on Tuesday, January 17.

* An announcement from High School and Middle School Musical Director Julia Collura:

Dear all:

The Middle School is currently in production for “Arabian Nights”, which goes up January 20th and 21st. If you have any of the following items that you are able to lend or donate for the production, I and the cast would be very grateful. Thanks so much and hope to see you at the show!

Theatrical regards,

Julia Collura
Middle School Drama Director

old cushions that can be re-covered.
oriental rugs
two or three divans
sari tops
wide turkish type pants
belly dancing outfits and/or accessories
pointed slippers
costume jewelry
very wide leather belts

* Finally, another reminder – please see the invitation to participate in VISIBILITY: Celebrating the Lesbian and Gay People We Love, coming February 13, 2006.

December
* Monday 5 Trimester II begins
* Monday 5 – Friday 9 Book week
* Tuesday 6 Parent Reps Meeting, 6:30 PM
* Tuesday 6 Book Week Assembly
* Thursday 8 Literary Evening, 7:00 PM
* Thursday 15 Winter Concert, 6:00 PM

January
* Monday 2 School closed – Legal Holiday
* Tuesday 3 School closed – Professional Development Day
* Wednesday 4 School reopens
* Thursday 5 LREI College Panel and Parent Reception
* Thursday 12 Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support meeting
* Friday 13 School closed (High School) – Parent-Advisor Conferences
* Monday 16 School closed – MLK, Jr. Day
* Tuesday 17 High School Parent Rep Meeting
* Saturday 21 Coffeehouse!

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.

Dear all,

The High School is buzzing with terrific presentations of culminating projects over the past week and a half. As the Trimester I exams/presentations period comes to a close, we look forward to a truly exciting first week of the new trimester:

* BOOK WEEK!!! LREI Book Week (see attached flyer) is December 5 through 9, and we have an incredible line-up of authors coming to visit High School classes, as well as the High School assembly:

+ Tuesday’s Assembly-Diana Ossana, co-writer of the movie script of Brokeback Mountain (based on short story by Annie Proulx)
+ Gini Alhadeff, author of The Sun at Midday, Tales of a Mediterranean Family
+ Holly Black, author of VALIANT: A Modern Tale of Faerie
+ Libba Bray, author of A Great and Terrible Beauty
+ Jim Knipfel, author of Slackjaw and Ruining It for Everybody
+ John Leland, New York Times Reporter and author of History of Hip
+ Eliot Schrefer, author of The Glamorous Disasters
+ John Patrick Shanley, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Doubt
+ Ed Sikov, author of Mr. Strangelove: A Biography of Peter Sellers and Screwball
+ Diana Son, playwright, author of BOY and Stop Kiss
+ Martha Southgate, author of The Fall of Rome

Also as part of Book Week, on Thursday, December 8th at 7 PM at Charlton Street, we will have the 9th annual Literary Evening. This year we are featuring six outstanding Gulf Coast authors (including LREI parent and poet Ron Price), and serving Gulf Coast cuisine; see attached flyer for more details. Tickets cost $20 and will be available in the 6th Avenue lobby or at the door. As part of the evening, on the 8th we will have the Book Fair Annex at Charlton Street from 2 PM to 6 PM, featuring many of the authors who are visiting High School classes as well as those who will speak at the Literary Evening. Please see a note from the Literary Commitee to High School parents regarding Book Week in general and the purchasing of books inn particular.

Speaking of books: Here is a response from a High School in Louisiana to the great quantity of High School books that were gathered by our terrific Literary Committee with High School Librarian Karyn Silverman and sent down to the area from LREI:

Once again, I can’t thank you and all of those who helped you for your time and generosity. I have divided books among eleven English teachers, a drama teacher and a chemistry teacher. The leftover chemistry books will go to my friend who is the principal of the Math/Science High School in New Orleans. Their building flooded and most of their materials could best be described as mush. They think they may re-open in January. My school’s enrollment is at about 80%, and our principal announced that we will probably lose about 7 teachers. (We are supposed to be one of the lucky schools.) I am not concerned about my job, but I do feel for the younger faculty members. It is a very strange year indeed. We have taken in kids form New Orleans and other area schools so obviously many of ours have not returned.

Things here are far from normal– even though much of the stuff in our neighborhoods has been picked up. Some neighborhoods are still piled with trees, trash, sheet rock and carpets, and most New Orleans neighborhoods are still uninhabitable after dark because there is still no electricity. In some areas people come in to work during the day and then drive 50 or more miles to sleep at night. The French Quarter and the University areas are slowly coming back. The mayor estimates that about 20% of New Orleaneans are back now. Others say less. Others should return as utilities are restored; however, we know some areas will never be the same or even rebuilt.

Anyway– I wanted to thank you again and update you on our progress. Your generosity made a difference.

And there’s even more going on during this packed week:

* On Tuesday and Wednesday, the school store will be open (see attached flyer) during both lunch periods (11 to 1 and 12 to 2, respectively). Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like stuff with the LREI logo!

* Our next Parent Reps meeting will be on Tuesday, December 6 and will focus on issues regarding safety and the Internet. High School Graphic Arts teacher and Technology Coordinator Tim Cooper will join us. Please peruse the minutes of the most recent meeting on November 15.

* On Thursday, December 8, the Human Rights/Amnesty International Club will run an ambitious day centered around a viewing of the movie Hotel Rwanda. The discussion groups will be run by students and teachers who have trained specifically for this day and will use materials developed by high school educators, including our own Spanish teacher Nick Sullivan, specifically for Amnesty International USA. For more information about this program, see Amnesty International USA’s education website, or look at the “Hotel Rwanda Teacher’s Guide.”

* An announcement from High School and Middle School Musical Director Julia Collura:

Dear all:

The Middle School is currently in production for “Arabian Nights”, which goes up January 20th and 21st. If you have any of the following items that you are able to lend or donate for the production, I and the cast would be very grateful. Thanks so much and hope to see you at the show!

Theatrical regards,

Julia Collura
Middle School Drama Director

old cushions that can be re-covered.
oriental rugs
two or three divans
sari tops
wide turkish type pants
belly dancing outfits and/or accessories
pointed slippers
costume jewelry
very wide leather belts

A quick summary of just some of the recent events at the High School:

* Buddy Day activities linking our students with their fellow LREI-ers from the Lower and Middle Schools
* An exciting and fun-filled Spirit Game (yes, the faculty were victorious!)
* A student-run Hispanic Heritage assembly
* Another successful showing at Apple Store Soho
* A student-run assembly paying tribute to departing Biology teacher Bhawanie Singh (see the email from October 27 for more details about Bhawanie’s careers inside and outside of LREI)

Finally, another reminder – please see the invitation to participate in VISIBILITY: Celebrating the Lesbian and Gay People We Love, coming February 13, 2006.

All the best,

Tony

December
* Thursday 1 – Friday 2 Trimester I Exams/Presentations; End of Trimester I
* Monday 5 Trimester II begins
* Monday 5 – Friday 9 Book week
* Tuesday 6 Parent Reps Meeting, 6:30 PM
* Tuesday 6 Book Week Assembly
* Thursday 8 Literary Evening, 7:00 PM
* Thursday 15 Winter Concert, 6:00 PM

January
* Monday 2 School closed – Legal Holiday
* Tuesday 3 School closed – Professional Development Day
* Wednesday 4 School reopens
* Friday 13 School closed (High School) – Parent-Advisor Conferences
* Monday 16 School closed – MLK, Jr. Day
* Tuesday 17 High School Parent Rep Meeting
* Saturday 21 Coffeehouse!

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.

Dear all,

Upcoming events/attachments:

* From the LREI Parents Association Community Service Committee: Please see information about the current coat drive (donations can be brought through Friday to the 6th Avenue Lobby) and upcoming “Thanksgiving Drives and Activities.”

* See the attached flyer for Monday’s LREI Fall Spirit Game. Yes, the High School Principal, fashionably dressed as always, will be playing!

* A second reminder – please see the invitation to participate in VISIBILITY: Celebrating the Lesbian and Gay People We Love, coming February 13, 2006.

* Finally, we are going back to Apple Store SOHO! Come see the photography and films of twelfth grade artists on Wednesday, November 23rd, 6:30 PM, at 103 Prince Street (see the attached flyer).

High School doings:

* Honors Projects: The following letter was posted for all ninth, tenth and eleventh graders:

November 16, 2005

Dear Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Graders,

As last year, we will offer Honors Projects to our students in the ninth, tenth and eleventh grades (Seniors will, of course, spend their entire spring doing the Senior Project, a sort of Uber-Honors Project!). By electing to pursue an honors project, students challenge themselves above and beyond the requirements of the curriculum. Honors Projects will run according to the Oxford-Cambridge tutorial system, wherein students meet with teachers once per week to go over work that they have been doing largely on their own. The exact nature of the projects will be defined at least in part by the common interests of the students and teachers, but in all cases, a student who successfully completes an Honors Project will have done a work of considerable scholarship and/or art. Honors projects promote intellectual curiosity, independence, commitment, initiative and rigor. Successful completion of an honors project is entered on the official high school transcript. Honors Projects involve some kind of presentation at the end of the trimester.

In the Winter trimester, Honors Projects will be available to students in the following disciplines:

English
Creative Writing
Mathematics
Science
History
Visual Art
Technology/Graphic Arts/Animation

Students who are interested in pursuing such a project must be in good academic standing, and must write a letter of interest that suggests a possible topic for study and submit it to my office no later than 1:00 PM Tuesday, November 22nd. Students will be notified as soon as possible if their proposals have been accepted. Other subjects will be available in the Spring; depending on sign-ups, some proposed projects may be postponed until the Spring.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

Tony

* Parents of ninth graders: Please read the attached letter about the start of the Peer Leadership program.

* Some terrific assemblies: The High School, along with the eighth grade, was recently treated to civil rights lawyer and talk show host Ron Kuby discussing the Constitution and civil rights. Coming up – a student-run Hispanic Heritage assembly. Stay tuned for more updates …

* Biology teacher: I am pleased to announce that we have hired Dan Levy to take on Bhawanie’s classes for the remainder of the school year. Dan has a B.S. in Biochemistry from Drexel University and an M.A in Secondary Science Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. He taught most recently both 7th and 12th grade students at the Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem. All of the faculty and students – including those in the class he taught and those who met him at lunch – were impressed by his knowledge, his energy and his commitment to project- and inquiry-based education.

* Final exams/presentations: Trimester I will end with three days of final exams and presentations, Wednesday November 30 – Friday December 2, culminating in an arts assembly on Friday afternoon. On each day, students will be expected in at 8:45 AM.

All the best,

Tony

CALENDAR
November
* Wednesday 23 School closes at noon for Thanksgiving
* Tuesday 29 Last day of Trimester I classes
* Wednesday 30 Trimester I Exams/Presentations

December
* Thursday 1-Friday 2 Trimester I Exams/Presentations; End of Trimester I
* Monday 5 Trimester II begins
* Monday 5 – Friday 9 Book week

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.

Dear Parents,

What a fantastic show! Congratulations to the cast and crew of the High School Musical:
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
I could not have been more proud of our students, who sang beautifully and were funny, warm, and engaging. Please see the website for a picutre gallery of the show!

Important upcoming event:
Parents of ninth graders: Do you ask yourselves the following questions?
* What curfew should I set?
* Is my child ready to spend time socializing with the eleventh and twelfth graders?
* Are “teen parties” really safe?
* WHAT ARE OTHER PARENTS SAYING TO THEIR CHILDREN?

If so, the please join other parents of LREI ninth graders at 6:00 PM this Tuesday, November 15 at Charlton Street for a discussion group facilitated by NYC – Parents In Action, Inc. From their website:

“NYC-Parents in Action 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.”

Other upcoming events:
* Thursday, November 10, 6:30 PM – Tenth Grade potluck dinner

* Tuesday, November 15
6:30 PM – Tenth, eleventh and twelfth individual grade parent reps meetings
7:30 PM – Full High School Parent Reps Meeting
Minutes from the last meeting are attached.

* Check out the updated news and notes at www.lrei.org.

* Finally, please see the inivitation to participate in VISIBILITY: Celebrating the Lesbian and Gay People We Love, coming February 13, 2006.

All the best,

Tony

CALENDAR
November
* Thursday 10 Tenth Grade Potluck
* Tuesday 15 Ninth grade parents discussion group with Parents In Action, Inc.; High School Parent Reps Meeting
* Wednesday 23 School closes at noon for Thanksgiving
* Tuesday 29 Last day of Trimester I classes
* Wednesday 30 Trimester I Exams/Presentations

December
* Thursday 1-Friday 2 Trimester I Exams/Presentations; End of Trimester I
* Monday 5 Trimester II begins
* Monday 5 – Friday 9 Book week

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.