‘Tis the Season

spring

1. the season of the year following winter and characterized by the budding of trees, growth of plants, the onset of warmer weather, etc.
2. the first stage and freshest beginning

culminate        cul-mi-nate

1. to reach the highest point or degree
2. to come to completion; end

Spring has clearly sprung.  The weather is warming, the trees are budding, the ball field is full each afternoon, as are the benches in Little Red Square—with students, parents and faculty taking advantage of the season.  While spring is a moment of new beginnings, as I walk the halls of the three divisions at this time of the year, the more prevalent feeling is that of a beginning of culmination, a coming to completion.  All LREI students and families will have opportunities to participate in or witness these endings in the coming weeks.  Among these events have been or will be:

·        the upcoming middle and high school sports awards ceremonies;

·        the middle school musical, Into the Woods;

·        the first grade Learning Center, Funky Earth Café and block neighborhood;

·        the second grade city constructions;

·        the fourth grade immigration play;

·        the eighth grade Sustainability, Day of Learning.  On this day the eighth graders led workshops for all middle school students dealing with issues of sustainability. They also organized two assemblies featuring outside speakers;

·        the seventh grade trip to Philadelphia and the eighth grade trip to Gettysburg and Washington, DC;

·        the fifth grade Grecian Festival;

·        the seventh grade’s mock Supreme Court hearings;

·        the publication of IE, our literary magazine;

·        Senior Project presentations;

·        and ArtACTION, an exhibit of high school art, organized by senior Ella Suanders-Crivello, that will raise funds for a variety of causes. More information in each division’s blog;

and countless other moments taking place in each classroom and around the City.

For each student there will be many opportunities to demonstrate all that they have learned this year. For older students, there will be tests and quizzes and papers and presentations.  For all there will be projects and events, including those listed above. Clearly, you will be invited to share in your child’s culminating events.  There are also a number of events that are open to the whole community.  Keep your eye on the blogs for more information.  As a preK-12^th grade school, among our most important culminating events are the publication of our college list (we will email it to you next week, once all decisions have been made) and, of course, Commencement—an essential event.  Enjoy these opportunities to celebrate our students’ growth and learning and their many, many successes. 

Happy culmination,

Phil