Why We Have a Lower School Art Show
Guest blog from Ann Schaumburger, Lower School Art Teacher–
Dear Lower School Community,
Art making for children is a visual expression of their thinking and feeling. The paintings, collages, drawings, murals, 3-d paper mache sculptures and puppets, ceramic work, Native American village models, wood chests and carved spoons from the Fours to the Fourth Grade included in the Lower School Art Show reflect this belief. Some works were created individually and some were collaborative. Labels describing the works are written or dictated by the children themselves. Questions that motivate the art experiences are included.
The Lower School Art Show is a time for children to share with the wider LREI community the kinds of experiences they’ve had with materials in art and shop. These experiences include:
- getting an idea
- problem solving
- flexibility when faced with a “mistake”
- delight when something comes out exactly the way one wants it!
During the Lower School Art Show children tour in class or buddy groups to look at and discuss the artworks together. “Museum guides” will speak about a class exhibit and answer questions. At the end of the visit one class may sit down and respond to the other class’s work or talk about what they noticed in the art show.
At each age our children express their unique visual responses to the world. The Lower School Art Show celebrates this. Please come, enjoy, and engage in conversation about the art on display.
Cheers,
Ann
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LETTERS FROM LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS
Early Childhood (4s, 4s-K, and K) – Songs to Share – A Note from Sue:
Dear Early Childhood Parents-
We’ve been recording some favorite songs and have a selection for you to hear. The Kindergartens, 4sK and Fours classes would like you to hear the songs on the LREI Early Childhood Songs blog which you’ll find in the left column of the Parent Blog under LREI Links, or by clicking here. You can listen to them and sing them together with your child. Note that if you listen to the other classes’ recordings, you’ll find other songs that your child may know. (We sang “Oh, Martin Luther King” for our assembly and the Fours wanted to record their version.)Watch for the Parent Assemblies coming up on April 7 (Fours and 4sK) and April 21 (Kindergartens)
Enjoy!
Sue Ribaudo
Beth & Samson’s Fours: Please click here to view our latest photo album, “Beth & Samson’s Fours Visit the MoMA!”
Vonick & Randi’s Third Grade: Please click here for this week’s updates.
Dina & Jessi’s Fourth Grade: Check your email inbox for a newsletter.
Both Fourth Grades – From the LREI Athletics Department:
We would like to invite the entire fourth grade class to come watch the 5/6th grade intramural basketball games on Feb 26th. The gym at Thompson St. gets packed with players and fans every Friday afternoon who come to watch our fifth and sixth graders shoot hoops on the basketball court. Intramural basketball is one of our most popular sports programs at LREI, and we are hoping many of the fourth graders from this year will want to come out next year. Every Winter we start our intramural basketball program by teaching and working on fundamentals and going over the rules of the game. By the end of the season, the players are playing full-court games that are very exciting to watch. Every Friday, all the teams play at our Thompson St. Athletic Center (145 Thompson). The first game starts at 3:30 and the second game starts at 4:15.
If you have any questions, please contact me at pfisher@lrei.org.
We hope to see you there!
Peter Fisher
To All Families – A note from Namita about Valentine’s Day at school:
The month of February brings with it a number of holidays, including Valentine’s Day. I wanted to let you know in advance how we plan to acknowledge this day in our school community. Next week, some classes will make cards for Visiting Neighbors (an organization which supports elderly in the community by alleviating loneliness and isolation, providing emotional security, and assisting with everyday needs such as medical appointments and running errands). Some teachers may mention the holiday in class, read a story and/or do a craft project. However, students will not be exchanging Valentine cards in school. In this way, we’re able to maintain the day’s curricular momentum and avoid the hurt feelings that arise so frequently as cards are swapped, dropped and misplaced during a school day.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Best wishes,
Namita
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UPCOMING LOWER SCHOOL MEETINGS & EVENTS
For the most up-to-date information visit the school’s online calendar at www.lrei.org/calendar. Click here to download the one-page 2009-10 school calendar.
2/15 & 2/16 Presidents’ Weekend — School Closed.
2/18 & 2/19 LS Art Show — Save the date! All are cordially invited to the Lower School Art Show taking place on Thursday, February 18 and Friday, February 19 in the Sixth Avenue Auditorium. Please click here for a note from Ann with details, and click here for the flyer, with a couple of sneak preview works of art!
2/22 – 3/19 VISIBILITY: Lesbian and Gay People We Love, an LREI community photo exhibit. Please join LREI in celebrating diversity at the Visibility Photo Exhibit! Submit a photo of your family with a loved one who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered. Visit the exhibit and show support for family, friends and community. Come to the opening ceremony to share stories and experiences about visibility. For more information, click here or contact Carrie Borows or Merril Stern at visibility@lrei.org.
3/3 & 3/4 LREI 2010 Art Action. Don’t miss the chance to see artwork by some of the world’s finest artists and community members. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! Click here for details.
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LOWER SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
All Lower School Assemblies are held in our Auditorium at 8:45 a.m.
SPRING 2010
4/7 – 4s & 4s-K Music Assembly
4/14 – 1st Grade Music Assembly
4/21 – Kindergarten Music Assembly
4/28 – 2nd Grade Music Assembly
5/12 – 3rd Grade Music Assembly
5/19 – 4th Grade Music Assembly
5/26 – Kindergarten Movement Assembly
6/2 – 4s & 4s-K Movement Assembly
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UPCOMING PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
2/12 Literary Committee Meeting
2/22 Multi Cultural Committee Meeting
2/22 Red is Green Committee
2/23 LS POCOC Meeting
2/25 Adoption Committee Meeting
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
*LREI Night at YANK! Tuesday February 23rd. Limited Tickets available, please contact Liza Sacks, lsacks@lrei.org if interested. About YANK: Set during World War II, Yank! chronicles the romantic relationship between two servicemen long before don’t-ask-don’t-tell was part of the national discussion. With a lively score inspired by the pop sounds of the 1940s, Yank! captures the spirit and exuberance of the era even as it explores questions of prejudice, courage and survival. It tells the story of Stu—a photographer for Yank magazine—and Mitch, an Army Private, who fall in love and struggle to survive in a time and place where the odds are stacked against them.
*We want your recipes! Plans for the LREI Community Cookbook are under way, and we are now seeking recipes from all members of the community. Recipes can be for any dish that you would bring to a potluck. Please send recipes or questions to cookbook@lrei.org. The deadline for recipes is March 19 (right before Spring Break). Help us create a cookbook that represents the diversity of our community!
*Grandparents and Special Friends Day will be held on Friday, May 7th. Fours to First Grade – morning, Second Grade to Fourth Grade – afternoon. Please send your names for Grandparent and Special Friends to Liza Sacks, lsacks@lrei.org, 212-477-5317 ext. 291. Invitations will be mailed in March.
*From the Red is Green and Community Services Committees…
Donate Old Cell Phones: Cell phones will be donated to Phones for Haiti, a partnership with the American Red Cross and ReCellular, Inc. For more info, see phonesforhaiti.com. By donating your old cell phone, you can provide critical aid to people in Haiti, protect the environment and bring new technology to developing areas. 100% of the proceeds from Phones for Haiti will go to aid victims of the Earthquake in Haiti.
Recycle Used Batteries: We will accept all rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. Electronic waste is the fastest growing concern in the world! Batteries contain toxic substances like mercury that are harmful to our landfills. Don’t throw them out in your regular trash – let us help you recycle them.
Batteries and cell phones can be dropped of in the Red is Green recycle bins at the Sixth Ave. and Charlton St. lobbies throughout February and March.