October 17, 2024
Dear LREI Families,
Welcome to Autumn. At LREI, we see the evidence of fall in a number of areas – it’s cold enough for a jacket at recess (though there are still a few dedicated shorts wearers), potlucks – potlucks – potlucks, and field trips are in full swing!
As you know, we believe in the power of taking students, along with their skills and knowledge out of the school buildings and into the world. Now, of course, the SCHOOL vs. REAL WORLD divide is an artificial one. School is very much a part of the “real world” of children. Putting skills and content knowledge to use in the classroom provides excellent practice, meaningful opportunities for making connections, and repetition that allows us to hold onto our learning. That said, going out into the wider world, meeting new people, seeing something new in the familiar is just so exciting and takes away a level of comfort that requires us to work harder, to rely on each other, and to use all of the tools at our disposal. It also provides opportunities to practice applying all that we have learned in novel situations.
Few of us spend as much time focused on the centrality of Field Work to LREI’s academic program as does Assistant Director Allison Isbell. She adds, “From the Fours through 12th grade, LREI students travel beyond the walls of the classroom to engage authentically and meaningfully with the social world. Field work is the fullest embodiment of educative experience, as students take up positions as researchers in the world. They pose questions, collect data, and return to wrestle with and make sense of all they uncovered.”
For a few reasons, I have been thinking a lot about learning outside of the school’s walls. First, as I watch classes leave the buildings, I can’t help but get excited. I know how impactful the experiences they are headed towards will be. October is also a month when many of our overnight domestic field trips happen. One fourth grade group was away last week, and the other fourth grade and all four middle school grades will be away next week! With the ninth grade having had their overnight on the first night of the school year, April will bring the last three travel experiences of the year – the 10th grade trip to Philadelphia, the third grade trip to a farm -their first LREI overnight, and the last LREI overnight of their 14-year career – the Junior Class Trip to seven different sites in the U.S.
Finally, and maybe the most exciting, yesterday was the Fours first experience of Field Work. Off they went to the Union Square Greenmarket to find a variety of apples, to meet the farmers, and to ask questions regarding the lives of those who work on the farm. The students previously read a book about the lives of migrant workers and had lots of questions. They took their question asking skills, their apple picking skills, their writing skills, their counting skills, and off they went, and from all reports, this class are already excellent researchers. There is so much to learn during all of their fieldwork in the years to come. Way to go, Fours!
See you out in the world,
P.S. A reminder that all fieldwork, including the annual domestic overnights for third grade – eleventh grade, are included as part of LREI’s tuition; all are #powered by the Fund for LREI.
P.P.S. For those who are interested, on the morning of November 6, the day after Election Day, I invite you to join me for an informal conversation about how we can speak with our children about the election, the results, or maybe the lack of results. While I am convening this gathering, you are the experts. Come and offer advice and take some with you. November 6, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Sixth Avenue Cafeteria.