The Power of Language

Message from Luise & Julia's Kindergarten on 11/22/05: http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Kindergarten%20update.pdf

Dear Lower School Parents,

Those of us in the Lower School recognize the joys and struggles of participating in a diverse community; we cherish the privilege to make this environment the very best it can be for every child, every family. Among other things, the bettering of our community hinges on how we speak to each other, on our sensitivity in choice of language.

As I did last year, I’d like to offer some thoughts on discussing adoption with your children. I hope this is helpful:

This passage from the Donaldson Adoption Institute (www.adoptioninstitute.org) highlights the difficulty parents may encounter when speaking with their children about adoption:

"The concept of birthparents can be confusing for kids, but it can be explained simply and ‘normally.’ That is, babies all arrive in the same way: a woman gives birth to them. After an adoption, the woman is called the biological or birthmother (and the man the biological or birthfather); the people raising adopted children are their mothers and fathers or, in rare cases where a further description is relevant, adoptive mother or father. The words ‘real’ or ‘natural’ should not be used to refer to any of the parents (none of whom are surreal or unnatural)."

Here is a reminder list of respectful and accurate vocabulary you may use with your children when discussing classmates or other friends who were adopted.

- Birth parent (or biological) -- not: real or natural parent
- Making an adoption plan -- not: giving away or putting up for adoption
- Parent -- not: adoptive parent
- Chose to parent the child -- not: "kept" the child
- International adoption -- not: foreign adoption
- Was adopted -- not: is adopted
- Sponsor-a-highway -- not: adopt-a-highway

A perfect reminder of the power of language.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Elaine

This Week's Attachments:

Lower School Apple Cookbook - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Apple%20Cookbook.pdf

Brooke and Charles' Kindergarten - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Brooke.pdf

Brooke and Charles' Kindergarten #2 - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Brooke%202.pdf

First Grade Math - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Grade%201%20Math.pdf

Second Grade Math - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Grade%202%20Math.pdf

First and Second Grade Spanish - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Julie.pdf

Third and Fourth Grade Chorus - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Chorus.pdf

From the Afterschool Office - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Catherine.pdf

School Night at the Apple Store - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/soho_Elisabethirwin.pdf

School Spirit Game - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Spirit%20Game.pdf

Thanksgiving Drives and Activities - Please notice this Saturday's activity at the Hudson Guild -http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Drives%20and%20Activities.pdf

Coat Drive - runs through the end of this week! - http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/coat%20drive.pdf


Mark Your Calendars!

• 11/21 - 8:30AM - Third Grade Math Breakfast with Margaret
• 11/21 - extra chorus rehearsal with Helen after school
• 11/22 - 6:00PM - First and Second Grade Family Math and Science Night
• 11/23 - Half-day for Thanksgiving Break (School ends at 11:45 for Early Childhood, 12:00 for Elementary students)

Announcements:

Spanish Resource List - As part of our mission to expand our Spanish program and enrich Spanish learning in the Lower School, we are pleased to offer our first list of Spanish resources on our weekly blog. Compiled by Marguerite Lukes, this resource list will be updated frequently and will include book titles, museum exhibits, interesting places to visit and fun things to do in the city. Please contact Marguerite with any resources or Spanish-related events that may be of interest to our families. http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ls/Spanish%20resources.pdf

First and Second Grade Family Math and Science Night - Scheduled for Tuesday, November 22nd at 6:00PM, this promises to be a fun-filled evening of hands-on math and science activities for parents and kids to do together - don't miss it! No advance sign-up is necessary. We ask that only First and Second Graders attend the evening's activities, but childcare is available for siblings - please sign up at the front desk.

UNICEF - LREI collected a total of $1376.61 for UNICEF this Halloween. Excellent work!

Photo Retake Day - If your child was absent on photo day, she/he will have an individual portrait taken on December 1st for free. If your child was here on photo day, but you would like to have his/her individual portrait re-taken, this will also happen on December 1st. Please know that there is a fee for electing to re-do a portrait that has already been taken. Detailed information on this is available in your Coffee Pond Photography proof package, which you should have received in the mail by now. Please be aware that all pictures should be available in time for the December holidays if you are careful to follow the deadlines included in your proof package.

Message to Fourth Grade Families from Elaine - Some of you have asked me about an additional opportunity to tour the Middle School. If you missed the first tour but are interested in visiting, please contact Mark Silberberg, Middle School Principal, at ext. 221.

In the Next Few Weeks...

11/18 - Diane & Molly's EK Field Trip to a Pediatrician's Office

11/21-11/23 - Food Drive for Classrooms on the Third Floor (Jamie and Dorothy's First Grades and Fours)

11/21 - 8:30AM - Third Grade Math Breakfast

11/21 - 3:30PM - LREI Spirit Basketball Game

11/22 - 8:45AM - Erin & Carin's Farm Publishing Party

11/22 - 6:00PM - First & Second Grade Family Math and Science Night

11/23 - School Closes at noon (11:45 - Fours-First Grades)

11/23 - High School films and photography on display

11/28 - 8:45AM - Third Grade Math Meeting

11/29 - 8:30AM - Chap and Michael's Third Grade Farm Breakfast

11/30 - 8:45AM - Fours & EK Assembly

12/1 - Photo Retake Day

12/1 - 6:00PM - Fourth Grade Parent Meeting with Heidi

12/7 - Book Fair through 12/9

12/8 - 8:45AM - Multicultural Committee Meeting