Dear Families,

Next Friday is our bi-annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day in the Lower and Middle Schools. I’m looking forward to the chance to greet and chat with guests who are returning for their fifth and sixth visits and to welcome those entering our school for the very first time. As might be expected, children arrive that morning full of expectation and eager to show their visitors what school life is all about. In preparation, some classes have practiced the art of introducing guests to teachers and other visitors. Other groups have prepared special treats to be shared. Some will use a power point presentation to illustrate recent curriculum. Blocks will be shelved, artwork hung and spaces cleared to allow for added seating.

This year we are responding to popular demand and reshaping the program so that children’s guests may experience part of a true school day. They will spend over an hour in their host’s classroom, meeting the teachers, participating in activities alongside the children, sharing stories and learning about learning – LREI style. Whether their hosts are five or ten years old, visitors will be invited to join in some part of their experience and to listen and observe, as groups work, create, sing and discuss. Exciting and fun for both generations.

Sharing school experiences is important to young children and underscores the value we place on their everyday classroom commitment. Equally powerful is the bridge created between children’s personal friends and relatives and the world they consider their own – where they know all the players, routines and expectations. Next Friday, your children will be solidly in the position of experts, teaching their visitors the ropes. They’ll explain how a job chart works, what rules are in place for meeting participation, who sits at which table, where work is kept and how the class responds to a teacher’s signal. By this point in the year your children know so much; they really are classroom experts.

Next week they will have an opportunity to share their accomplishments with someone meaningful to them. It is a day for children to feel very proud - and for visitors to enjoy the self-confidence, curiosity, independence and motivation of LREI learners. Thank you for helping us to coordinate this day.

Elaine

This Week's Attachments:

Luise and Julia's Kindergarten

Dorothy and Romy's First Grade

Spanish Resource List

Announcements:

Scooters - Please help us keep the high-traffic area of the first floor clear and safe by bringing your child's scooter to the classroom cubby area for storage during the day.

This Saturday, May 13, 7:00 PM at Charlton Street, we will host the annual Human Rights Coffeehouse. Co-organized by mathematics/music teacher Micah Dov Gottlieb and the High School Human Rights Club, this will be a terrific evening of music, poetry, film and more, all with a human rights theme. A uniquely LREI event - students and faculty, from all three divisions, joined together to entertain us while inspiring us to help to make the world a better place. Please join us!

Early Childhood -
Join Elaine and guest Hollee McGinnis of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, for a discussion including helpful information about listening and responding to our kids as they talk to each other about families in all their wonderful forms.
Tuesday, May 16th at 8:45AM in the Cafeteria
Sponsored by the LREI Adoption Committee

May Book Fair - The Literary Committee will have a Spring into Summer Book Fair in the Auditorium on May 25th. A selection of the optional and all of the required reading titles will be sold from 8AM-6:30PM.

The LREI Summer Fun-Raiser is coming up! Click here for more information.

LREI Camping Trip -
Dig the tent out of storage! It's time for the 13th annual LREI Camping Trip, June 2-4. It's a great time filled with swimming, softball, fishing, campfires, s'mores and wonderful dinner by Peter Hoffman of the Savoy.

The cost is $30 per adult and $20 per child. For more information see us in the lobby on Wednesday, May 17 and Thursday, May 25, contact Richard Cleves at 917-408-6211 or richard@cxny.org, or check the LREI website.

A great time will be had by all! Payment deadline is May 26.

Upcoming Events:

5/12 - 8:45AM - tomorrow - What to Expect in First Grade with Elaine, Cafeteria

5/15 - 6:00PM - Colleen and Ronnie's Second Grade Picnic

5/16 - 8:45AM - Early Childhood discussion with Hollee McGinnis

5/16 - 6:00PM - Kinjal and Caroline's Second Grade Picnic

5/17 - 8:45AM - First Grade Assembly

5/17 - 6:00PM - Kelly and Meredith's Third Grade Picnic

5/18 - Lower and Middle School 24 Game Challenge

5/18 - 8:45AM - Parent Rep Meeting

5/19 - Grandparents and Special Friends Day!

5/22 - 6:00PM - Chap and Michael's Third Grade Picnic

5/23 - 6:00PM - Dorothy and Romy's First Grade Picnic

5/24 - 8:45AM - Second Grade Assembly

5/24 - 6:00PM - Gina and Elizabeth's First Grade Picnic

5/25 - Spring into Summer Book Fair!

5/26 - Field Day! School closes at 1:00PM (Fours-First Grades - 12:45)

5/29 - School Closed for Memorial Day

5/31 - 6:00PM - Brooke and Charles' Kindergarten Picnic

6/5 - 6:00PM - Jamie and Dave's First Grade Picnic

6/6 - 6:00PM - Michelle and Laura's Fours Picnic

6/7 - 6:00PM - Luise and Julia's Kindergarten Picnic

6/8 - 8:45AM - Multicultural Committee Meeting

6/8 - 6:00PM - Diane and Molly's Early Kindergarten Picnic

6/9 - High School Graduation - School closes at 12:00PM (Fours-First Grades - 11:45AM)

6/12 - 9:00AM - Fourth Grade Moving Up Ceremony, Cafeteria

6/13 - Last Day of School - School closes at 12:00PM (Fours-First Grades - 11:45AM)

Click here to access the full calendar.