To always be doing . . .

Dear Families:

Two recent events, the Spring Chorus concert, in which middle school students in both the Little Red Singers and the Little Red School House Chorus engaged a rapt audience of listeners, and today’s 5th Grade Expo, which provided a forum for students to share the exciting work on which they’ve been focused for the past quarter, got me thinking about an important part of the LREI educational experience. At LREI and at most progressive schools, there is a significant focus on the “process,” which serves as a foundation to our commitment to experiential learning. Embedded in this idea of “process” is an expectation that students reflect on their work and the thinking behind it. We want them to use this reflective stance to help them see their work from a variety of perspectives. This helps them to see the work as an on-going endeavor to be revisited, rethought, and reworked. At the same time, there is something important about the product of this work. It crystallizes and brings into focus the effort and energy that defines the process and, in its own way, the product stands as an achievement that has meaning and value. The key is not to linger too long on the product so that it stands in the way of a new process. When the product becomes its own end, we lose an important opportunity for new learning. The artist Robert Rauschenberg speaks to this idea is a recent issue of The New Yorker when he comments that “It’s always the moment of doing that counts. When a painting is finished it’s already something I’ve done, no longer something I’m doing.” It is in that same spirit that we seek to challenge our students to always be “in process” and to see a particular product as an opening to a new process, to always be doing and never content to be simply done.

This Week’s Attachments
(Click on the links below to open the attachments. If you are having trouble opening the links, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.)

General:
End-of-Year Dance 6/13
8th Grade:
7th Grade:
Constitution Works Event 6/9
6th Grade:
5th Grade:

Of General Interest . . .
1) From Phil Kassen, Director: Please be reminded that no nuts or seeds of any type are allowed on the school premises. In spite of repeated reminders over the past two years there continues to be confusion about our policy. NO nuts or seeds are allowed at any school function. This includes seeded bagels (poppy seeds, sesame seeds and bagels with everything on them) and foods such as hummus that are made with sesame past (tahini). No nuts or seeds in breads, muffins, candy, cakes, cheeses, etc. Accidental contact with these foods puts the lives of a number of members of the school community in danger.

2) Please read the attached letter about the End-of-Year dance scheduled for Monday, June 13th at 6:00PM. The permission form for the dance, which is also attached, should be returned to homeroom teachers by Friday, June 10th. The letter also contains important information about the high school graduation on June 10th that the middle school will attend.

3) A number of you have inquired about summer math and reading/writing assignments. Next week’s email will have information for all grades regarding these assignments.

4) Please return communication booklets with information for next year to Mary Shea as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

5) From Middle School Librarian Jennifer Hubert-Swan: The 6th Ave. library will close to circulation starting Wednesday, June 1. After that date, no more books may be checked out from the library so that the librarians may start their summer inventory. But please continue to bring books back! End of the year overdue slips will be coming home the first week in June. Please encourage students to look for lost library books under beds, in closets, lockers, etc. The library itself will still be open to students, faculty and parents as a quiet space to read or do homework until the end of the year. If you have any questions about this or any other library matter, please contact MS librarian Jennifer Hubert Swan: jhubert@lrei.org

6) Families of Asian Children: A group of parents of Asian-American children will meet on Friday, June 3rd, in the 6th Ave. cafeteria after drop-off. This diverse group includes families with roots throughout Asia and the Pacific; topics of common interest include language instruction, recruitment of Asian students and cultural issues faced by our children. Parents in all divisions are invited. If you are interested but can’t attend, please e-mail parent Susie Marples at susiemarples@yahoo.com for future info.

7) From PA Co-Presidents Myra Mason and Kasey Picayo: Please join the Parents Association for our “Adios Carlos” pot-luck breakfast on June 6th at 8am in the 6th Ave. cafeteria. Everyone is welcome. Bring a breakfast dish if you can. Please have your child write a note to Carlos on the blue form that was handed out last Friday in all classes (extras are available at the reception desks in both buildings). Please return the forms to reception by Friday, June 3rd. Thank you.

8) From Dean of Co-Curricular Programs Gabrielle Keller: AIDS Walk walkers, please remember to collect your final pledges and gather your donations now. We can turn in our money up until June 8th. Either mail your contributions in the envelopes provided at the Walk or return the envelopes to Gabrielle.

9) Information about the End-of-Year dance is attached. Please make sure that signed permission slips are returned by Friday, June 10th.

10) LREI has joined NYC-Parents in Action, Inc., a non-profit organization founded in 1979, serving parents of children in the New York City independent schools. Parents in Action offers the following for parents:

  • FOCUS, a parenting guide, is designed to help parents communicate more effectively with their children and to prepare families to cope with critical issues facing children and adolescents in New York City today. FOCUS provides information on a variety of topics including social activities, substance abuse, and safety. The current edition of FOCUS is available on the web.
  • SEMINARS, held several times a year, offer insight from professionals in the fields of parenting, child psychology, pediatrics, and adolescent medicine. In addition, Teen Scene, an annual seminar, provides a unique opportunity to hear teens from various New York City independent schools talk about what they do, where they go, and the issues that are of particular interest to them and their peers.
  • NEWSLETTERS, published three times a year, feature coverage of NYC-Parents in Action seminars, with advice from experts on child and adolescent development, health, and the effects on children and adolescents of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. The newsletters also provide information on various NYC-Parents in Action programs and events. Current newsletters are available on the web.
  • PARENT DISCUSSION GROUPS, offer a way for parents to share ideas, experiences, and concerns with the parents of their child’s classmates. Led by trained facilitators, the discussion groups are available to parents of kindergartners through twelfth graders. Discussion groups at each participating school are scheduled by the school’s representative who serves as liaison to NYC-Parents in Action.

Ronnie Halper will be the LREI liaison to Parents in Action for the 2005-2006 school year. We have established a link from the LREI website to the Parents in Action website where newsletters and announcements of their events will be provided. Please feel free to contact Ronnie if you have any questions.

11) From High School Principal Tony Fisher: Congratulations to 9th Grader Christy Rodriguez, who was the subject of the New York Cares Volunteer Spotlight for the month of May. In their write-up of Christy, the New York Cares flyer writes that, “From working with seniors, serving meals, sorting coats, to gardening, Christy can be counted upon to get the job done and with enthusiasm. Volunteering isn’t always easy, especially if there is a big job to complete and not many volunteers, but Christy has shown that nothing will stop her from doing her part!”

For 8th Grade Families . . .
1) Just a reminder that the 8th Grade Pre-Moving Up party is scheduled for the evening of Friday, June 10th in the Charlton Street PAC. The Moving Up ceremony will take place the morning of Tuesday, June 14th.

For 7th Grade Families . . .
1) Please note that following the breakfast Potluck at 8:15AM (in the classrooms) on June 9th, students will perform scenes from Romeo and Juliet. At 9:15AM, students will depart for the United States Courthouse (40 Centre Street – near City Hall and the Brooklyn Bridge) for the Constitution Works Supreme Court simulation from 10:00AM to noon. Parents are cordially invited to accompany the group to witness their child’s court debut! Please read the attached letter for more information about this event.

For 6th Grade Families . . .
1) Just a reminder that the Potluck and Poetry Breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7th from 8:15-9:30AM.

For 5th Grade Families . . .
No updates this week.

Looking Ahead . . .
On the LREI web site additional information about upcoming events can be found at http://www.lrei.org/caleven/index.html (the middle school events page can be found at http://www.lrei.org/midschool/Events.html)

  • Friday, June 3rd, 8:45 AM — Families of Asian Children Mtg., 6th Ave. caf
  • Friday, June 3rd — LREI Camping Trip thru 6th
  • Tuesday, June 7th, 8:00AM — 6th gr. Potluck & Poetry Breakfast
  • Tuesday, June 7th, 8:00AM — Sports Comm. Mtg.
  • Tuesday, June 7th, 6:30PM — Aft. Enrichment Share Day
  • Wednesday, June 8th, 6:30PM — Aft. Instrumental Concert, PAS
  • Thursday, June 9th, 8:15AM — 7th gr. Potluck Breakfast
  • Thursday, June 9th, 10:00AM— Constitution Works Supreme Court simulation
  • Thursday, June 9th, 10:00AM— Gina’s class to visit the New York Stock Exchange
  • Friday, June 10th — High School Graduation
  • Monday, June 13th, 6:00PM — MS Dance, ChSt.PAC
  • Monday, June 13th, 7:00PM — PA Thank You Party
  • Tuesday, June 14th — MS Moving Up
  • Tuesday, June 14th — Last Day of School – school closes at noon for all divisions (4s-1st gr 11:45)

Don’t forget to check the LREI website for updates and interesting information – http://www.lrei.org.

Be well,
Mark

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