Building community
For the past few days teachers have been working with students on building community, learning new routines and taking the first steps towards new and exciting academic challenges. We are beginning to see all of the changes predicted in the late Spring “What to Expect Meetings:”
- Early childhood students have finished the phase-in and are enjoying full days of school.
- First graders are making more and more decisions about food and clothing choices
- Second graders are learning to manage lunch in the cafeteria, Friday morning meetings and Bleecker Street dismissal.
- Third graders are surprising themselves by thinking in more abstract ways and by using the foundational skills learned in previous grades to tackle more complex academic material.
- Fourth graders are beginning to model positive ways of working and playing in our school community for their younger peers.
Students are adapting to the many changes that happen when they move from one grade to the next. These changes can be challenging so please remind your children when they have managed a challenge well. This will give them the courage needed to continue their journey of learning with enthusiasm and confidence. I know your children have shared lots of information with you about their school experience so far. Please feel free to drop in or e-mail me if you want to share stories, special moments, concerns or struggles. I’m always eager to hear about your children’s school experience from their perspective.
I am also eager to share our program in practice with you at the upcoming Curriculum Nights on September 27th (Fours, EK, K and 1st), October 2nd (2nd, 3rd and 4th), and October 10th (Gwen and Becka’s fourth grade). Teachers will give overviews of their curriculum, demonstrate some of the engaging instruction your children participate in every day and discuss upcoming local and far away trips.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
From Director of Diversity & Community Sandra (Chap) Chapman: I hope you and your child(ren) experienced a fulfilling first few days of school. I would like to inform you of our orientation session for families of children that are new to LREI. LREI 101 will provide an in-depth, interactive, and engaging introduction to LREI, its mission, philosophy, and diversity initiatives. These sessions will offer participants an opportunity to learn more about the School community and values and your child’s classroom experience. LREI 101 will be held on Wednesday, October 3 from 8:45am – 10am at 272 Sixth Avenue, and then again on Thursday, October 11 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm at 40 Charlton Street. Please contact the receptionist at 212-477-5316 to let us know which session you will attend. Contact me either by phone (x294), or by e-mail schapman@lrei.org, if you have questions about LREI 101. I look forward to further discussions with you about LREI.
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A note about LS Spanish from Julie.
In Spanish, children are learning to:
- Talk, read, and write about what they like to do. Ask them, ¿Qué te gusta hacer? (Fourth Grade)
- Count, spell, and add the numbers to one hundred. Ask them, ¿Ocho y cuatro son … ? (Third Grade)
- Talk, read, and write about fruits they like. Ask them, ¿Cuál es tu fruta favorita? (Second Grade)
- Count objects up to and down from ten. Count with them, Un libro, dos libros, tres libros … (First Grade)
- Tell who is in their families. Mamá, papá, hermano, abuela … (Kindergarten and EK)
Fours will have their first Spanish class next week.
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LS Curriculum Nights: Childcare will be available for LREI students for the Curriculum Nights on September 27th (Fours through First Grade) and October 2nd (Second through Fourth Grade). There is a fee of $15 per student and $5 for siblings. Pizza and juice will be served. To ensure a space for your child you must sign the Childcare Signup sheet at the reception desk no later than Monday, September 24th for September 27th and no later than Wednesday, September 26th for October 2nd.
PARENT MEETINGS & EVENTS
- Community Service Meeting – Monday, 9/24 at 8:45AM
- Adoption Committee Meeting – Thursday, 9/27 at 8:45AM
- 4s – 1st Grade Curriculum Meeting – Thursday, 9/27 at 6:00PM
- Affinity Chairs Meeting – Friday, 9/28 at 8:45AM
- Halloween Fair Meeting – Friday, 9/28 at 8:45AM
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS