Reporting on Progress

Dear Families:

Next Tuesday, students will be coming home with their progress reports for the first quarter. We ask that students do not open their reports in school or after school with friends. Rather, they should share them with you at home. The reports provide an important opportunity for shared discussion about successes to date and challenges to address as we move forward into the second half of the year. As I’ve mentioned before, these reports will follow our new format, which we believe will provide greater clarity with regard to how your child is assessed by his or her teachers. The new format has also ignited some important discussion among the faculty about the expectations we have for students and how we communicate these expectations. The goal of these discussions is to figure out how we can most effectively connect our assessment practices to our guiding principles about teaching and learning, which drive our daily work. These are important and exciting discussions to be having.

For sixth grade families, this will be your first set of reports with letter grades. Letter grades are based on a set of evaluations in three categories that are outlined on the report card. There is some variability in these categories across subjects. The reported letter grades reflect a student’s progress in comparison to grade level expectations. For example, a “C” means progress that is approaching grade level expectations and a “B” signifies progress that meets grade level expectations. However, within these ranges could be unsatisfactory class participation balanced by excellent quiz scores and/or homework assignments. It is natural for there to be some anxiety around grades. As with all assessments, it is important for students and parents to view them as representative of where the student stands as learners at a particular moment in time. Areas of struggle as indicated by reported grades can be addressed by committed hard work. Our decision to move to reports that will show a student’s progress over the four quarters was motivated by a desire to help students to see the work of a particular quarter in a broader context of their overall learning experience. Prior to receiving the reports, take the opportunity to speak with your child about his/her perceptions of the work he/she has completed this past quarter. This will help to frame your discussions when you go over the progress reports together.

For all families, while progress reports and family conferences provide an opportunity to reflect on a student’s progress and to think about strengths and challenges, it is important to remember that assessment is an on-going process at LREI; it is a means to an end, but not an end in and of itself. Its aim is to improve student understanding of key ideas and skills. In the middle school, teachers strive to develop assessments that are learner-centered and focused on student understanding in relation to the particular goals identified for each area of inquiry. Rather than being separate from learning, assessment plays a central role in the instructional process. The assessment process also sheds light on which instructional strategies are most effective. Through thoughtful assessment, the teacher gains critical feedback for choosing and utilizing those teaching strategies that can best help a learner progress towards the goals of a particular unit of study. Opportunities for meaningful assessment also allow students to gain deeper insight into areas of strength and challenge and allow them to develop plans to address growth in both of these areas.

The Family Conference is an extension of these assessment activities and should be viewed as a dynamic opportunity to talk about growth and development. The student’s presence and participation in these discussions is of vital importance. The Family Conference affords the student an opportunity to reflect, applaud, and problem-solve with two of her/his most important advocates, family members and teachers. These conferences should be approached with a forward-looking perspective. As prior performance is reviewed, all of the participants should seek to work together to identify strategies and opportunities for learning that will support the student’s continued growth and development. Family conferences are an important part of the educational experience at LREI. They are important for students, parents/guardians, and teachers. Like all learning opportunities, the Family Conference requires trust and a willingness to take risks on the part of all participants. While the conference may not be tension-free, it does provide an opportunity for inquiry and understanding. Here are two discussion ideas that you might want to consider as you prepare for these important dialogues:

  • share with your child memorable experiences from when you were a middle school student and consider why such memories may be important to the educational life of your child
  • explore how you and your child approach the concept of learning and reflect on why looking at the differences and similarities in your responses might be important.

In preparation for these conferences, Middle School students have spent time reflecting on their work thus far this school year. With their teachers’ guidance, students have identified areas on which to focus during the next marking quarter and developed plans for achieving these goals. Your child will have these reflections with her/him during your conference. Here are some additional topics/questions that you might reflect on before your family conference:

  • Your child’s work habits at home–when are the most and least successful?
  • Which assignments, or types of assignments, seem to lead to the most success? To be the most frustrating?
  • Is our organizational plan working for your child? How is your child managing her/his time?
  • When you and your child discuss school/school assignments at home, are there consistent themes that should be discussed at the conference?
  • Are there extracurricular commitments or extenuating circumstances that should be discussed at the conference?

The Family Conference in the middle school places the student at the center as an active participant. We do this for a number of reasons:

  1. to encourage students to accept personal responsibility for their academic performance;
  2. to help students develop the reflective skill of self-evaluation;
  3. to facilitate the development of students’ organizational and oral communication skills and to increase their self-confidence; and
  4. to encourage students, parents, and teachers to engage in open and honest dialogue.

There’s no doubt that conferences are hard work, but the potential for learning that can take place when all participants commit to the process is clearly worth the effort.

I look forward to seeing you at the conferences.

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:
Parents in Action Flyer
Community Service Calendar
Darfur Benefit Concert
NYSAIS Visit Letter from Phil
Eighth Grade:
Spring Foreign Language Trips
November 18th Basketball Clinic
Seventh Grade:
November 18th Basketball Clinic
Sixth Grade:
Fifth Grade:

Of General Interest . . .
1) From Director Phil Kassen: Congratulations to the High School students and faculty on being named to the Blackboard High School Awards Honor Roll for excellence in three areas:

  • Teaching of Reading and Writing

  • Teaching of Math and Science

  • Respect by Students for Each Other

There are so many other areas of the high school program we could recognize. After this past weekend’s performance of Ragtime, it is hard not to mention our tremendous arts program. In addition, I invite all to join our digital arts students next Tuesday, November 14th at 6:30PM, at the Apple Store SoHo (www.apple.com/retail/soho) for a showcase of work from LREI. Finally, please join us on Monday, November 20th for a student-organized concert to benefit relief efforts work in Darfur. Tickets are on sale now in both buildings. We are proud of your hard work and of the incredible learning community you have created on Charlton Street.

2) Click here to read Phil Kassen’s recent email about our upcoming NYSAIS Visit.

3) A reminder that tomorrow is a regular day for the Middle School. Only the Lower School is closed for a half-day for conferences. Middle School conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, November 15th (12:15-3:15PM – this is a regular day for students) and Friday, November 17th (full day – school is closed). The sign-up sheets for core teachers are posted outside of their rooms and the sign-up sheets for specialist teachers are posted on the bulletin board outside of my office.

4) On Wednesday, November 8th, the Middle School had the pleasure of hosting six middle school age students from Cambodia who are here as part of a cultural exchange to raise awareness and funds for an orphanage in Cambodia. The six students spent time in classes and performed a traditional dance of friendship for us at the Middle School meeting. Click here to view pictures of their performance. The students’ trip to the US was sponsored by the organization Friends of Cambodian Children (FOCC). FOCC also supports the Palm Tree Institute where the children go to school and study dance. Click here to learn more about both organizations.

5) BENEFIT CONCERT FOR DARFUR: HEAR OUR VOICES (click here to view flyer) Please come to a Broadway benefit concert to aid the victims in Darfur.When: Monday, November 20th, 2006 – 6:30-8:00pm Where: 40 Charlton St.Tickets on Sale: Lower School lobby every morning from 8:00-9:00AM.Why: We can make a difference!Organized by LREI High School students.

6) From the Afterschool Program: The Afterschool Office is in the midst of planning for the upcoming winter/spring session. If there is an Enrichment class that you would like to see continued on the schedule, or if you have suggestions for other class offerings, please let us know by contacting the Afterschool Office or emailing Cari Kosins at ckosins@lrei.org.

7) A reminder form the PA Community Service Committee: Please take a moment to review the Community Service calendar for a range of service opportunities.

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

9) 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. Please read the attached flyer to view their 2006-2007 calendar. You can also access their on-line calendar of events at www.parentsinaction.org. Upcoming event:

Wake Up and Smell the Homework: How To Help Your Kids Help Themselves
Thursday, November 16 from 7–9 pm, Free
The JCC in Manhattan
The Samuel Priest Rose Building
334 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th St., NewYork, NY 10023

How can we, as parents, best support our children’s academic success and independence? We will address your educational values, your relationship with your children and your expectations, standards, and roadblocks to success in helping your kids help themselves. You will learn a framework for supporting (without nagging!) your children, practical ways of reducing conflict around homework, important do’s and don’t’s of homework help, and a review of how to wean your kids off parental support.
Moderated by Laurie Gerber, president of Partners with Parents Tutoring Service. The panel includes: Donna Goldberg, organizational consultant and author of The Organized Student; Mary Ellen Kail, coordinator of Learning Resource Center at Columbia Prep School; Patti Sayre, parenting expert, therapist and mother of two independent school students; Theresa Peduto, educational consultant, LD specialist and director of SPINS (Students and Parents Information Network Support); Milton Sipp, head of Middle School, Riverdale Country School; and Dr. Paul Yellin, national director of clinical programs, All Kind of Minds. This program is presented in partnership with NYC-Parents In Action.

To register, call 646.505.5708 or visit www.jccmanhattan.org

For Eighth Grade Families . . . .
1) We have once again been invited to take part in the press conference featuring the five author finalists for the National Book Award for Young People’s literature. For the past four years, LREI has been asked to be one of the select schools to bring a class to the Donnell branch of the New York Public Library to interact with five young adult authors who have been nominated to win the National Book Award for young people’s literature. After listening to each author read, then a session of Q & A between the students and the students and the authors, the students are then invited to a reception in the Teen Zone of the Donnell library where they will have a chance to meet the authors and get books signed. The press conference takes place on Tuesday, November 14th from 10:30-12.at the Donnell library. Students should bring a bagged lunch this day (no nuts, seeds, and glass bottles). The National Book Award website is: http://www.nationalbook.org.

2) From Gabrielle and Sharyn: To avoid any late fees for the Spring Foreign Language Trips, please register now. Price increases will occur for those of you who register after November 30th. If you follow the steps on the attachment, you can access all of the information about the trip. (Note: there will not be any flight or hotel info until the group is complete.) You will see that while there are several payment options, you need to pay the $95 registration fee to Explorica to get your child into the system. If you have financial aid questions, please speak to Mark. For general trip questions, please email us at gkeller@lrei.org or shahn@lrei.org.

3) Over the next few weeks (ending November 17th), eighth graders will spend a day at the high school visiting classes and getting a better feel for the high school experience. They will visit in small groups for either a half-day or a full-day. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about these visits.

4) A reminder that on days when there are late basketball practices (girls on Wednesdays and boys on Thursdays) a study hall will be offered at Thompson Street from 3:30-4:45PM. If you would like your child to attend this study hall, please let Marcus know. You can email Marcus at mchang@lrei.org. In addition, a clinic for LREI basketball players will be offered on Saturday, November 18th. Click here for more information about the clinic.

For Seventh Grade Families . . .
1) Just a heads up to let you know that the Colonial Museum Exhibit/Potluck will take place on the evening of Wednesday, December 13th. This is a change from the date that appears on the art calendar (December 12th).

2) To parents of seventh grade girls: Marcus and Larry would love to have a few more girls from the seventh grade come out for basketball. If your child is participating in the play, she can also play basketball. The coaches and Julia will coordinate with each other to allow for this.

3) A reminder that on days when there are late basketball practices (girls on Wednesdays and boys on Thursdays) a study hall will be offered at Thompson Street from 3:30-4:45PM. If you would like your child to attend this study hall, please let Marcus know. You can email Marcus at mchang@lrei.org. In addition, a clinic for LREI basketball players will be offered on Saturday, November 18th. Click here for more information about the clinic.

For Sixth Grade Families . . .
1) From music teacher Henry Chapin: Every sixth grade student now has been given a soprano recorder and method book, to be used in class during this school year. As promised, anyone wishing to purchase a soprano recorder for home practice can go to these websites:

or, any retail music store, such as Manny’s, Sam Ash, etc. on 48th street between 6th and 7th Avenues. I recommend purchasing a one-piece recorder, with an attached thumb rest.

2) Practices for the intramural basketball season will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-8:00AM at the Athletic Center, starting December 5th. Games, which will be held on Fridays after school, will start after the winter break. Please check the Winter Sports page for the listing of practice and games schedules for the Middle School basketball teams.

3) A reminder that beginning this Monday while Melissa is abroad in Japan, her classes will be covered by David Blais who is an experienced arts educator. David spent time observing our art program last year and is excited to be joining us for this period. David will join us during the week prior to Melissa’s departure, which will provide an opportunity for the two to transition. Melissa will return to her classes on Monday, December 11th. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

4) Also, a reminder that sixth graders who want/need to use the library and/or computer lab afterschool must do so under the supervision of a parent or caregiver.

For Fifth Grade Families . . .
1) From Wendy and Heather: Hello Families. We have started the book The Breadwinner, by Deborah Ellis. The story details life in Afghanistan, during the period when the Taliban ran most of the country. The book is new to the fifth grade curriculum in an effort to explore parts of the world that are less familiar to us. In spite of tragedy, violence, and hardship, the story is inspiring nonetheless, as Parvana (the main character) endures and makes the best of her situation. We encourage you to engage your children in conversation about what they are reading and their reactions to the plot as it unfolds. It would also be appropriate to read the story along with your child. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

2) A reminder that beginning this Monday while Melissa is abroad in Japan, her classes will be covered by David Blais who is an experienced arts educator. David spent time observing our art program last year and is excited to be joining us for this period. David will join us during the week prior to Melissa’s departure, which will provide an opportunity for the two to transition. Melissa will return to her classes on Monday, December 11th. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

3) From David Blais, Melissa’s leave replacement, to 5th grade parents: Please have your child bring in a small empty box to school by Monday, November 13th. Empty jello or pudding boxes, empty mini cereal boxes, empty medium size raisin boxes are ideal. Basic dimensions should not exceed 6 inches in length if at all possible. These will be used for a puppet project.

4) Practices for the intramural basketball season will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-8:00AM at the Athletic Center, starting December 5th. Games, which will be held on Fridays after school, will start after the winter break. Please check the Winter Sports page for the listing of practice and games schedules for the Middle School basketball teams.

5) Also, a reminder that fifth graders who want/need to use the library and/or computer lab afterschool must do so under the supervision of a parent or caregiver.

Middle School Sports
Schedules, permission forms and general information about Middle School sports programs can be found at http://www.lrei.org/athletics/index.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)

  • Tuesday, November 14, 2006 — Eighth Grade to the Donnell library for the National Book Award Panel
  • Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 12:15PM — MS Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Thursday, November 16, 2006, 6:00PM — MS POCOC Mtg.
  • Friday, November 17, 2006, 8:30AM — MS Parent-Teacher Conferences (MS closed)
  • Monday, November 20, 2006 — Irwin Scholars Application due
  • Monday, November 20, 2006, 6:30-8PM — Benefit Concert for Darfur, ChSt. PAC
  • Tuesday, November 21, 2006, 8:15AM — MS Parent Rep. Mtg.
  • Wednesday, November 22, 2006 — Thanksgiving-School closes at 12:00PM (school reopens on Monday, 27, 2006)
  • Friday, December 1, 2006, 7:00PM — Seventh Grade DISC Dance 40 CHST
  • Monday, December 4, 2006 — Book Week (through Friday, November 8, 2006)
  • Wednesday, December 6, 2006 — Book Fair (through Friday November 8, 2006)
  • Thursday, December 7, 2006, 7:00PM — Literary Evening
  • Friday, December 8, 2006, 7:00PM — MS Play
  • Saturday, December 9, 2006, 2:00PM and 7:00PM — MS Play
  • Tuesday, December 12, 2006, 8:15AM — MS Parent Rep. Mtg.
  • Wednesday, December 13, 2006, 6:00PM — Seventh Grade Colonial Museum
  • Thursday, December 14, 2006, 6:00PM — Winter Concert
  • Thursday, December 14, 2006, 6:00PM — MS POCOC Mtg.
  • Friday, December 15, 2006 — Winter Break – School closes at 12:00PM (school reopens on Wednesday, January 3, 2007)

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

Be well,
Mark

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