A Debut Novel for LREI Librarian
Dear Families,
LREI is staffed by educators who are gifted in their accomplishments both in side and outside of the school community. This week, we’re so proud to congratulate Jesse Karp, Early Childhood Librarian (and LREI alumnus), on the publication of his debut novel Those That Wake. Jesse describes Those That Wake as a young-adult novel about two teenagers who find out something they shouldn’t about how the world works and spend the rest of the book trying to get their lives back.
Although it’s fiction, Jesse says that his work at LREI certainly influenced Those That Wake. He explains that working with teenagers made a huge difference in writing, helping him write realistic dialogue and understand not only what was important to 16 and 17 year olds, but also why it was important.
In addition to his duties as Early Childhood Librarian, Jesse leads the Middle School comic club and works one day a week at the high school. His next book, a non-fiction book about incorporating graphic novels and comics into libraries and classrooms will be out in October.
This week, Jesse visited all three first grades and spoke with them about writing a book. The first graders, who are in the midst of their non-fiction study and have been working on their own graphic novels, talked with Jesse about where ideas come from, how to do research, and how to turn your research into a final product. The students had great questions for Jesse; they asked about how his editor gave him corrections and discussed the differences between an illustration and an image.
Jesse admits that he never thought he’d write non-fiction, but felt compelled to provide a tool to help educators use graphic novels in the classroom in response to their recent surge in popularity. Jesse shares that children now are visual learners in a way that other generations never were, even 5-10 years ago. Graphic novels, he says, help kids develop cognitive aspects that other media don’t address and provide a platform for expression that they don’t otherwise have.
Congratulations to librarian and author Jesse Karp!
To learn more, click here to read an article Jesse wrote about using graphic novels in book clubs and visit Jesse’s website http://www.beyondwhereyoustand.com/.
Sincerely,
Autumn Giles,
Assistant to the Lower School Principal
* * * * *
LETTERS FROM LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS
(click on the links below to view and print notes from teachers)
Gina and Emily’s 1st: Click here to read a letter from Gina and Emily about their recent discussion of identity and information on their new math unit.
Deborah and Randi’s 2nd: Click here for a letter from Deborah and Randi with pictures from their travels around the city, excerpts from poems the students wrote to reflect, and news about happenings in the classroom after spring break.
Tasha and Shawn’s 2nd: Click here to see pictures of the 2nd graders on stage at the Apollo and hear from Tasha and Shawn about how the class has been thinking about the ways neighborhoods change over time.
Kate and Nicole’s 4th: Click here to play “Strike it Rich!” an online educational game from PBS
Dina and Farrah’s 4th: Click here for a note from Dina and Farrah with a word about the fourth grade bake sale.
All Fourth: Click here for information for both fourth grades on the new math unit.
For All Fourth Grade Families, from Ann, Lower School Art Teacher: This year’s 4th grade gift to the school will be a fabric quilt. Quilt making uses recycled fabrics and clothing of meaning to the quilt-maker. In preparation for making the 4th grade’s gift to the school this year, we are asking that each child bring in a piece of woven material from a used garment that has been cleaned. By using recycled fabrics, quilts capture and share the memories and experiences of the quilt-maker. Students should bring the items to their classrooms by Monday, 4/4, right after spring break.
* * * *
LOWER SCHOOL REMINDERS AND 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 2010-11 school calendar.
To parents who drive for drop off or pick up: We had a dangerous near miss on Wednesday in the crosswalk at Bleecker and Sixth Ave. Please remember safe driving etiquette is critical in front of a school. If you drive to or from school, do not stop the car in crosswalks as these are for pedestrians. Wherever you’re pulled over, look around alertly for people walking before pulling out. We know that ours is a busy intersection and that it is hard to find spots, but all the more important that parents who drive are alert and safe. And, remember, that there is no legal parking on either the Sixth Avenue or the Bleecker Street sides of the school.
Spring Break Reminder: Friday, March 18th is a half-day. 2nd-4th grades have a noon dismissal and Fours-1st grade will be dismissed at 11:45. There will be no after school on 3/18. School closes at noon for spring break and reopens Monday, April 4th. Enjoy!
Parent Teacher Conference Childcare: There is no charge for 30-minute drop-in childcare that takes place during your conference time. Full day childcare (8:00am-3:45pm) is $20 per child. All childcare will take place in the big room. Sign-up sheets for childcare (both drop-in and full day) will be available beginning April 4th, at the front desk in the lobby. Please sign-up if you plan to use childcare on either a drop-in or full-day basis. You may pack a bag lunch (please, no nuts or seeds) for your child that day if you like; morning snack and pizza lunch will be provided. Please contact Autumn Giles if you have any questions (agiles@lrei.org or 212-477-5316, ext. 215).
Spring Parent Teacher Conference Sign-up: Parent Teacher Conferences for Lower School are Friday April 8th and Friday April 15th.
Please follow these instructions carefully to make an appointment for your spring parent teacher conference. Click on the link below for your child’s classroom teacher. Clicking takes you to a Doodle site that contains the conference schedule for that teacher. Once you see the choices, please use the blue scroll bar to move sideways to view all of the choices. Once you decide on your appointment, please enter your name and click the box that corresponds to the time you’ve selected. Then hit save. (It’s critical to hit save). That’s it!
If you would like to change your mind any time after pressing save, simply use the original link to return to the schedule and click “Edit an entry” under Functions at the bottom of the page. Then select your own name, and then change your appointment from the choices that are left available.
Galen & Christine’s First Grade
Deborah & Randi’s Second Grade
Kate and Nicole’s Fourth Grade
* * * * *
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Adult r (ED): The third term of our adult classes, Adult r(ED), begins after Spring Break. Click here to see a listing for these courses.
We wish safe travels to members of our eighth grade who are off to Paris and Madrid and our high school students who leave this week for Beijing. We look forward to hearing of your adventures!
* * * * *
PARENTS ASSOCIATION MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
All parent association meetings are held in the LS Cafeteria at 8:45 am, unless otherwise noted
Looking ahead:
- Tue, Apr 5, 2011: PA Exec. Meeting
- Thu, Apr 7, 2011: LGSA Meeting
WELL REaD: April 7, 6-8pm in the Sixth Avenue Building.
LOWER SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
All Lower School Assemblies are held in our Auditorium at 8:45 a.m, unless otherwise noted.
Wed, Apr 13, 2011: First Gr. Assembly
Wed, Apr 20, 2011: K’s Music Assembly
Wed, Apr 27, 2011: 2nd Gr. Assembly
Wed, May 4, 2011: 4s/4k Assembly
Wed, May 11, 2011: 3rd Gr. Assembly
Wed, May 18, 2011: K’s Movement Assembly (note change)
Wed, May 25, 2011: 4th Gr. Assembly (note change)
Wed, Jun 1, 2011: 4s/4k Movement Assembly
* * * * *
LOWER SCHOOL PARENT REPRESENTATIVES 2010-2011
Beth’s Fours Maren Berthelsen, Becca Markley
Fours/K Marjorie Goldner,
Sara Taplitz
Elizabeth’s K Juliet Burrows,
Carmen Lenzi
Luise’s K Shannon Barden,
Yael Goverover
Gina’s 1st Diane Hoffman,
Ceci Van Blerkom
Galen’s 1st Dawn Eig,
Christine Boyle
Rebecca’s 1st Hilary Meltzer,
Mishi Hosono
Tasha’s 2nd Mary Gerzema,
Linda Phillips
Deborah’s 2nd A.M. Homes,
Fia Hatsav,
Julia Wilbur
Dan’s 3rd Holly Glass,
Denise Roederer
Vonick’s 3rd Heather McMaster,
Beth Dary
Dina’s 4th Connie Butler,
Lara Olivieri
Kate’s 4th Susan Harris,
Liselotte Vince