Bienvenido a todos!

So good to be back! One would expect that, following a two-week break, the curriculum wheels gain momentum slowly. Not so around here. Walking through our school yesterday and today, I happened on:

• A puppet assembly (Manhattan Kids Project) for Second through Fourth Graders promoting sensitivity to people with disabilities
• A typical New Amsterdam meal of porridge and apples enjoyed by Third Graders who ate from their own clay bowls and with their own chiseled spoons.
• A group of Second Graders writing and illustrating their wishes for adult careers.
• A Kindergarten class enjoying African folk tales as told to them by Sixth Graders.
• First Graders visiting, then diagramming renovation plans for nearby Father Demo Square (or "triangle", as one child pointed out).
• A series of "demo" classes with movement teacher, Deborah for NYU’s dance faculty.
• A puppet-making workshop for faculty led by Ann.
• Fourth Graders initiating a rain forest exploration, and related to their study of biomes, having written Desert Brochures, such as – "The Great Basin Trip: Have you ever traveled to a desert? Now is your chance! You will see exciting things like poisonous plants and unusual animals. The weather is different from what you are used to, also. Enjoy the trip!"
• First Graders displaying their step-by-step "How To" Books such as – "How to Take care of a Little Sister: You need an older brother and a little sister! Then you ask them if they need anything. If they need help, help them. Play with them. Hold them. Feed them milk. Give them hugs and kisses. But most of all give them love."
• And, the four early childhood classes positioned to begin their studies of – music and musical instruments, art and artists, storytelling, and transportation.
  

Finally, a reminder that this Tuesday, April 11th, is Poem in your Pocket Day at LREI. Please see that your child comes to school with a poem that they have chosen or written in their pocket. If this is not easy to do at home, not to worry - Jesse will have a store of extras in the library.

P.S. Podría ser en español también!

Elaine

This Week's Attachments:

Fours

Kelly and Meredith's Third Grade

Food Drive

Spanish Resource List


Announcements:


Afterschool's First Friday
Friday, April 7th at 4:15pm
LREI's Performing and Physical Arts Space

Afterschool at LREI welcomes Maria Terrero for an afternoon of Afro-Dominican music and dance. In this demonstration and workshop we will explore the music and dance of Congos de Villa Mella, a cultural form which comes from the Dominican Republic.
Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend and participate. Contact the Afterschool office at 212-477-5316 ext. 239.


- Please remember these dates:

• School closed next Thursday and Friday, (4/13 and 4/14)
• School closed on Friday, 4/21 for Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Half Day of school on Friday, 4/28 for Parent-Teacher Conferences (school closes at 12:00, fours-fourth grades - 11:45AM)

- Don't forget about the second part of the diversity meeting series, which will be on Monday, April 17 at 6:00PM.

- Childcare will be provided for parent-teacher conferences. Please click here for more information.

It's Big Auction time - tickets are going fast - make sure you purchase your ticket(s)
by next week. Please inform the development office if there is a group of people who would
like to sit together. Tables will accommodate ten people.

This year's raffle prizes include a flat screen tv, dvd camcorder, digital photo lab, and much more. Raffle tickets are on sale in the lobby of both buildings or available by calling or emailing the development office. Family gatherings are a great opportunity to support LREI by selling raffle tickets. If you or your children would like tickets to sell stop by the development office before the long weekend.


- Click here for details on this Saturday's LREI Spring Arts Project at Hudson Guild!


- This Saturday - 7 PM, at Charlton Street - COFFEEHOUSE! This COFFEEHOUSE will have a bit of a harder rocking theme, with some of our louder bands playing. 7-9pm. $3 students and $5 guests


- An invitation from Hawthorne Valley Farm - Greetings from Hawthorne Valley Farm! We cordially invite all families to our OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, April 8th at 2:00 pm. Come tour the farm and the Main House. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and tour the farm where the children stay during the Visiting Students and Summer Camp programs. Visit our website, http://www.vspcamp.com/, for driving directions and please RSVP to Helen at (518) 672-4790. There are spaces available in our ONE WEEK CAMP, July 16 to July 21, for ages 8 and 9, call for more information. This camp offers a day camp option. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, April 8th at 2:00 pm, Hawthorne Valley Farm, 327 Rt 21C, Ghent, NY.


Upcoming Events...

4/11 - 8:45AM - Parents of Children of Color (POCOC) Meeting

4/11 - Poem in Your Pocket Day

4/13-4/14 - School Closed

4/17 - 6:00PM - Diversity Parent Meeting, Part II

4/20 - 8:45AM - Parent Rep Meeting

4/21 - School Closed for Parent-Teacher Conferences

4/25 - 8:45AM - What to Expect in Fifth Grade with Mark and Elaine

4/26 - 8:45AM - Third and Fourth Grade Assembly

4/28 - Half Day (school closes at noon, fours-first grades - 11:45AM) for Parent-Teacher Conferences

Click here to access the full calendar.