Dear LREI Community,
It is a pleasure to write to you on this warm spring evening. The air is humid, warm, fertile. This past weekend I did my spring planting. I like to have a small kitchen herb garden and each year in our small yard I plant a variety of herbs and snip from them into the fall, drying whatever is left for the winter. Not a huge task and one to which I look forward. This year, in addition to my herbs I had some unexpected planting to do. You see, last fall, I canned 50 pounds of tomatoes. That, believe you me, is a whole lot of tomatoes which left behind a whole lot of seeds. I took those seeds and quite unceremoniously dumped them on a pot of soil, leaving them sitting there, under some mulch, all winter, completely forgetting about them. I have given up growing tomatoes, not enough return on investment for me though I figured if they grow, they grow. And grow they did. This past weekend, I had dozens and dozens of tomato seedlings. The seeds did what seeds do, disregarding my low expectations. Tomatoes, here we come!
On Tuesday I wandered over to the high school to say “Good morning” to the ninth and tenth graders as they arrived for the day. It was good to see them and to witness, yet again, how the students have learned to make good school days out of the challenging situation they find each morning. I crossed paths with two ninth-graders I have known for quite some time and had not seen for a while. They were huge! Not sure why I was surprised that even with the challenges of the year they would still grow. Of course, they did. The kids did what kids do. We stopped to chat and they told me about a project they were working on. So thoughtful and mature, they had grown in so many ways. Even given the hybrid schedule, remote classmates and teachers, Zoom, random testing dislocation, and all, our seedlings have grown, matured, and learned.
Their school days, while atypical, remain rich and fertile. The teachers did not ignore the students, letting nature take its course, as I did with my tomatoes. They did what they always do – they offered challenge and support and nourishment. The Earth turns and the students grow and, inspired by their teachers, they have truly had an enriching school year, or ⅚s of a year thus far. Early on, it seemed at times as if the obstacles we were encountering might make this growth impossible. I am so proud of all that the students have done to disprove this early concern. I am so looking forward to all that our students, PreK-12, in-person and remote, will accomplish in the weeks to come.
Peace,
Phil
Other Items:
- The outstanding high school musical – A Musical Theatre Cornucopia – Scenes and Musical Numbers from 8 Musicals, is a triumph. Congratulations to the cast and crew, students and adults, who came together and produced this marvelous evening (or morning, or afternoon) of theater. Click here for the program and here to watch the recording.
- BINGO IS BACK! On Wednesday, May 5th at 7pm, you have three more chances to win big prizes while grooving the night away. Join as our hosts from NYC Trivia League play hits from your teenage years and your teenagers’ years. There are prizes! And Zoom dancing! If you missed it last month, now’s your chance. Please RSVP using this Google form in order to participate. (“It was so much fun the last time,” – Phil.)
Covid-19 Notes:
- 16 or older? Visit turbovax.info to find a vaccination site. All NYC and NY State vaccination sites will now accept walk-ins of any age, 16 or older. Please, get your vaccination ASAP.
- The NY Department of Health has not changed the in-school masking requirements for individuals who have been vaccinated. We will continue to wear masks at all times in school buildings and at school events, for everyone regardless of vaccination status.
And in honor of both Poem in Your Pocket Day, today, and Free Comic Book Day, (which I mistakenly thought was this week, but is really in August this year, but I will share the poem anyway)….
Superheroes
And maybe in the end-
We are all superheroes.
Each of us with a tragic backstory
Specific sets of attributes
Some of us fly
Some of us read minds
And maybe some of us-
Are stronger than others,
We all have potential.
I believe the only difference
Between us all is-
**Who will stand up,
And fight?
Megan H.