I Sit Where I Want

Dear Families:

On Wednesday, we held our annual Middle School Black History Month Assembly. At the assembly, we viewed the documentary film “I Sit Where I Want” and had a chance to speak with the filmmaker Marco Williams. The film, which was commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Decision, follows a diverse group of high school students as they grapple with the issue of social segregation in their school, and participate in a project to take action and change it. Students asked engaging and thoughtful questions at the end of the film and Marco encouraged us to think about how the lessons learned in the film are relevant to our own community. As a faculty, we have been talking a lot about LREI’s historic commitment to social justice and activism and how we can find new and relevant ways to connect these important values to the curriculum and to the daily experiences of our students. Like the students in the film, we too must continue to confront our own assumptions and prejudices and challenge others to do the same. I encourage you to speak with your child about their impressions of the film.

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:
Sixth-Eighth Grade Chelsea Piers PE Program
Glass Menagerie – Adult Chorus Invitation
Eighth Grade:
Eighth Grade DISC Dance
Seventh Grade:
Colonial Museum
Sixth Grade:
Fifth Grade:

Of General Interest . . .
1) From Phil Kassen, Director: Please see the attached invitation to join The Glass Menagerie–an adult chorus started at LREI over 20 years ago. We are thrilled to continue to host their rehearsals and that many members of the LREI community are part of this talented group of singers.

2) From Middle School Dean of Students Gabrielle Keller: Just a reminder that we are in the middle of the Pennies for Patients drive for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The collection ends Friday, February 24th. Thanks.

3) The LREI PA Community Service Committee is once again collecting donations for Room to Grow from Monday, February 13th through Friday, February 24th in the lobby of the Sixth Avenue Building. Use this as away to get your children to get rid of items they are not using. For more information on the organization and a more detailed list of what they accept/do not accept go to http://www.roomtogrow.org/.

4) From Director of Development Pippa Gerard: Art Auction 2006 – Thanks to all who attended LREI’s Art Auction on February 2, 2006. The Art Auction is an annual silent auction of contemporary fine art. This year’s auction has raised almost $100,000 for the Tuition Assistance Program. Please help us to meet our goal by browsing the work still available – go to the Events section of www.lrei.org. If you see a piece that you are interested in buying, feel free to drop by LREI’s Sixth Avenue Campus (272 Sixth Avenue at Bleecker Street) between 8AM – 5PM, Monday through Friday. You may also call 212.477.5316 ext. 236 to make an appointment. The Big Auction – LREI’s spring benefit, The Big Auction, will be held on Wednesday, April 26. The auction committee needs help in securing donations from the community in order to be able to offer a wide range of items to make the auction exciting for all who attend. We welcome all creative and unique ideas. Please use the attached donation form and return to the Development Office. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss a potential donation, contact Pippa Gerard in the Development Office by phone: 212-477-5316 ext. 236 or email: pgerard@lrei.org.

5) DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY DISCUSSION SERIES:

Part I: March 7, 2006 at 6:00PM
Sixth Avenue Auditorium
Topics:
Introduction of LREI’s Diversity and Community Action Plan.
How to continue diversity conversations at home.
Hosted by: Sharon DuPree, Director of Diversity and Community;
Phil Kassen, Director and the divisional principals.

Part II: Date TBA (will be after Spring Break)
Sixth Avenue Auditorium
Topic: Discussion of Class Lower School and Middle School Class Placement Policy
Hosted by: Phil Kassen, Director,
Elaine Winter Lower School Principal; Mark Silberberg, Middle School Principal;
Sharon DuPree Director of Diversity and Community and Samantha Caruth, Director of Admissions

6) For updates on faculty performances, openings, presentations, and publications visit the Faculty in the News page on the school web site.

7) LREI is a member of NYC-Parents in Action (NYC-PIA). NYC-PIA provides parenting education, information and a communications network to help parents prepare their children and teenagers to cope with social pressures and to make sound choices towards a future free of alcohol and drug abuse. You can access their on-line calendar of events at www.parentsinaction.org.

8) 92nd St Y Lectures & Conversations: Parenting Perspectives
Kids, Teens and Sex: Tackling the Tough Questions, Robie H. Harris, Thursday, 3/9/06, 8:00pm, Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street

For 8th Grade Families . . .
1) Please read the attached letter from Middle School PE teacher Marcus Chang about the upcoming Chelsea Piers program for sixth through eighth graders.

2) A reminder that permission slips and $6 for tomorrow’s Eighth Grade DISC dance must be in tomorrow morning.

For 7th Grade Families . . .
1) Please read the attached letter from Middle School PE teacher Marcus Chang about the upcoming Chelsea Piers program for sixth through eighth graders.

2) Just a reminder that the Colonial Museum is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1st at 6:30PM. Following the viewing of the Colonial Museum, we will retire to the cafeteria for a colonial inspired pot luck repast. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the lobby.

For 6th Grade Families . . .
1) Please read the attached letter from Middle School PE teacher Marcus Chang about the upcoming Chelsea Piers program for sixth through eighth graders.

2) Andrew Weiss and I will host a fifth and sixth grade Adolescent Issues Parent Evening on Tuesday, February 28th at 6:30PM. Please do not hesitate to email me if you have any topics you’d like to discuss.

3) The Intramural Basketball schedule is on-line at http://lrei.org/athletics/int_bball.html.

For 5th Grade Families . . .
1) Photos of last week’s trip to the Brooklyn Museum to view their Ancient Egyptian collection can be viewed at:http://lrei.emptyfortunecookie.com/ms/ (you need to have flash installed to view).

2) Just a reminder that the Egyptian Tomb event is just around the corner. The tomb will be opened on Thursday, March 16th. Viewing will take place throughout the day. Additional information will be forthcoming.

3) Andrew Weiss and I will host a fifth and sixth grade Adolescent Issues Parent Evening on Tuesday, February 28th at 6:30PM. Please do not hesitate to email me if you have any topics you’d like to discuss.

4) The Intramural Basketball schedule is on-line at http://lrei.org/athletics/int_bball.html.

Middle School Sports
Schedules and general information about Middle School sports programs can be found at http://lrei.org/athletics/at_4b.html. Information is also available through the LREI Sports Hotline at 212.477.5316 x 494.

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, February 24th, 7:30PM-9:30PM — Eighth Grade DISC dance. The dance will be held at Grace Church School (86 Fourth Avenue)
  • Wednesday, March 1st, 6:00PM – Seventh Grade Colonial Museum Exhibit
  • Thursday, March 2nd, 8:00AM– Lesbian/Gay/ Straight Alliance Meeting in the Sixth Avenue cafeteria
  • Tuesday, March 14th, 8:15AM — Parent Rep Meeting
  • Wednesday, March 15th, 6:00PM – Sixth Grade Medieval Pageant
  • Thursday, March 16th, 8:45AM-3:00PM – Fifth Grade Egyptian Tomb
  • Thursday, March 16th, 6:00PM — Middle School Parents of Children of Color meeting
  • Friday, March 17th – School closes at noon for Spring Break.

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

Be well,
Mark

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