A 4s Moment

On Tuesday a 4s student came to my office and we read a book called Everybody Needs a Rock. The story is about a little girl who feels everybody should have a rock for a friend. She tells readers how to choose, “a special rock that you find yourself and keep as long as you can.” The little girl in the story also wants readers to understand how important it is to choose the right rock. She asked you to make sure it wasn’t too big or too small. It must feel, “easy in your hands when you close your fingers over it.” Your rock must be just the right color. Then she talked about how some rocks show their true colors when they are dipped in a clear mountain stream.

1213-RockPhoto

I keep a special rock on my desk that I chose from a very special place many years ago. After reading the book I showed the 4s student my rock. He carefully studied it and then asked if he could put it in water to see if it changed colors like they said it might in the book we read. He looked around my office and found the LREI water bottle I have yet to use, went into the bathroom, filled it with water and then came back to my office. We both delighted in watching the rock fall through the water straight to the bottom. We eagerly waited to see if it would change colors. After some time we both decided it hadn’t, but the four year old thought it might be a good idea if we left it on the windowsill for a couple of days to see if things would change. Then it was time for him to go back to class. It was a very simple moment in my day, but one that made all the hard work of the job worthwhile. The joy your children find in discovering the world is inspirational. Feel free to drop by and look at my rock anytime and let me know what colors you see.

– Sharon

Please view our on-line Lower School gallery for great photo’s of recent events: http://lrei.org/photos/0708/ls.


WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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From the LREI Family Handbook….Gifts to Teachers: If your child wants to give his or her teacher a gift at winter break, the end of the year, or any other time during the year, a homemade gift or drawing is welcome and appreciated. A group gift from parents and children in the class may be given at the end of the school year. It has been our experience that individual gifts, though thoughtfully intended, may be misinterpreted by the children and, consequently, we discourage this. Thank you for your awareness and cooperation.

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This year’s Middle School Play is ‘Treasure Island’. Please read this note from MS Principal Mark Silberberg –

Dear Seekers of Lost Treasure and Pilots of the Seven Seas:

Treasure Island sets sail this Friday, December 14, at 7PM from Port 40 Charlton Street at the PAC Quay. Voyages will also depart on Saturday, December 15th at 2PM and 7PM.

So hoist Sail and prepare to cast off! The cast and crew of Treasure Island invite you attend the performance of this adaptation of one of the world’s best loved stories of all time. In our Middle School production, students tell the story of how Jim Hawkins leaves home for his first sea adventure on the good ship Hispaniola with the likes of Long John Silver, the ship’s cook. This production is filled with energy and humor and a touch of poetic license. Tickets are on sale in the mornings (8:00-8:30AM) in the Sixth Avenue lobby and are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. However, it is advised you buy your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment with a possible sold out show. This show is appropriate for all ages!

– Mark

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Important News from the Afterschool Office:

Afterschool students are busy preparing for next week’s Piano, Ballet and Voice Recital, Instrumental Concert, and Enrichment Share night. If you have not received information about these events, please find the attachments below. While many Enrichment classes are ending this week, some classes will have make-up sessions next week. To see the last day of your child’s Enrichment class, click on the Fall 2007 Enrichment Class End Dates attachment. Your child is welcome to stay in Core Afterschool next week if a make-up class is not taking place.
Please note that the Afterschool schedule for the January through June session will be posted online by next Friday, December 21st. A link to the schedule will go out in next week’s blog, or you can visit the Afterschool page on the LREI website and follow the registration link.

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MS Boy’s Basketball Team Wins Winter Holiday Tournament:

The MS Boy’s basketball team played the first game of the the St. Hugh’s/LREI Holiday Invitational Tournament against St. Hugh’s last Thursday, December 6th. The game started out strong for the boys, who hit their first couple of shots and took an 8 point lead. St. Hugh’s three big men and defensive aggressiveness kept them in the game and started to disrupt the uptempo style of the LREI Knights. As the game started to slip away, Quinn Hood hit a number of big shots to keep LREI in the game. Jack Irving and Cole Kitchen took turns defending the leading scorer from St. Hugh’s. LREI let a 6 point lead slip away in the last 2 minutes and the two teams headed to overtime to decide the outcome. Jimmy Hall had a big game for the Knights on both sides of the court and out muscled St. Hugh’s big men for most of the game. In overtime, he took control and scored the decisive basket. Malcolm Staso hit a huge free throw to clinch the game and send his team to the championship game. On Saturday, Decembr 8th, the team took on Epiphany in the championship game. LREI got off to a great start and never looked back as they won 48-28. Quinn Hood was named Tournament MVP, and Cole Kitchen and Jimmy Hall were named to the All-Tournament team. LREI had contributions from all players who played very unselfish basketball. Congratulations!

Please check the home game schedule for the boys and for the girls and we hope to see you at the Thompson Street Athletic Center.

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Community service volunteer opportunity: The Hudson Guild has need of volunteers on Tuesday, December 25, from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Please contact Joseph Barretto at 212.760.9803 or email jbarretto@hudsonguild.org to sign up before attending. This is a
popular volunteer event so call early!

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PARENT MEETINGS & EVENTS

  • Monday, 12/17 – 5:30PM: Afterschool’s Piano, Voice and Ballet Recital (PDF flyer)
  • Monday, 12/17 – 6:30PM: Afterschool’s Instrumental Concert (PDF flyer )
  • Tuesday, 12/18 – 6:30PM: Winter Concert (PAC)
  • Wednesday, 12/19 – 6:30PM: Afterschool Enrichment Share Day (PDF flyer )
  • Friday, 12/21: Winter Break – School closes at 12Noon (Fours – First grade at 11:45AM) – Afterschool Closed
  • Monday, 1/7/08 – School Re-opens
  • Monday, 1/7 – Friday, 1/11: Afterschool Registration week – Childcare available
  • Wednesday, 1/9 – 6PM: Parent SEED meeting
  • Wednesday, 1/9 – 8:45AM: ‘Questions about Early Kindergarten for Fours Parents’ meeting
  • Thursday, 1/10 – 8:45AM: Lesbian, Gay, Straight Alliance (LGSA) meeting
  • Thursday, 1/10 – 6PM: Alumni College Panel (Charlton Street PAC)
  • For an up-to-date, searchable all school calendar, please visit lrei.org/calendar

 

LOWER SCHOOL NOTES & ATTACHMENTS

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