September 21, 2006

Dear Lower School Parents,

It is a pleasure to be writing you on the eve of the second week of school in this shiny new school year. Welcome all! This is also a week in which white lilies bloom in each classroom honoring the event five years ago which rocked our city and our school, a day in which our teachers became heroes, and during which I watched with a group of Kindergartners as the first tower imploded. The lily allows teachers to listen for children’s feelings and memories and for children to join together in support of each other.

As I visit classrooms, I can almost feel the groups, or "classroom communities" taking shape. This is a week of new connections and of firsts. As they choose line partners and lunch tables, share books and go about their daily jobs, children renew and create friendship ties. They internalize rhythms and routines – going upstairs to the roof, setting mats out for rest, gathering on the rug for an end-of-day story – and experience the ebb and of flow of a full day of school.

First Graders are gradually beginning special activities such as art, shop and gymnastics. Their specialist teachers first visit them in their classrooms then invite them into the studio, gym or shop. Second Graders are packing their first homework assignments into their backpacks along with a "best work checklist". They’ll also be joining their first Morning Meeting in the Big Room. Third Graders prepare for their first four-day farm trip (and Fourth Graders their second). And Fourth Graders adjust to their status as the senior members of the Lower School.
These "firsts" are moments to savor. They offer opportunities for personal growth, renewed commitment and a sense of pride in having conquered the new – and enjoyed it. For some, these early days also provide a welcome return to structure after the leisurely summer months. Each of your children has worked hard this week and deserves our recognition.

Elaine

P.S. As some of you are aware, administrators worked hard over the summer to create a schedule that would reflect what we know about child development. In particular, we focused on our First Grade, reducing the number of special classes and transitions in order to build in greater consistency and create longer stretches of uninterrupted time. We believe that a better-paced, more child-friendly schoolday enhances both learning and enjoyment. I was pleased to see our concerns echoed in September 11th Newsweek cover article, "The New First Grade: Too Much Too Soon?"



This Week's Attachments:

Gina and Rebecca's First Grade

Jamie and Bonnie's First Grade

Colleen and Michael's Second Grade

Tasha and Romy's Second Grade

Third Grade Letter

Chap and Meredith's Third Grade Schedule

Gwen and Thomas' Fourth Grade


In the Next Few Weeks...

9/18- Afterschool Programs Begin

9/28- 8:45- Parent Rep Meeting

9/28- 6PM- 2nd-4th Grade Curriculum Meeting

9/29- 8AM- LGSA Parent Welcome Breakfast 6th Ave

10/2- Yom Kippur School Closed

10/3- Suzanne and Caroline's 4th Grade Class Farm Trip

10/5- 6PM 4s- 1st Grade Curriculum Meeting

10/6- Suzanne and Caroline's 4th Grade Returns from Farm Trip

10/9- Columbus Day: School Closed

10/10- Gwen and Thomas' 4th Grade Class Farm Trip

10/13- Gwen and Thomas' 4th Grade Class Farm Trip Returns

10/16- Photo Day

10/17- Chap and Meredith's 3rd Grade Farm Trip

10/19- 8:45- Parent Rep Meeting

10/20- Chap and Meredith's 3rd Grade Class Farm Trip Returns

10/23- Photo Day (raindate)

10/24- Kelly and Ayanna's 3rd Grade Class Farm Trip

10/25- 8:45- 2nd Grade Assembly

10/27- Kelly and Ayanna's 1st Grade Class Trip Returns

10/29- Halloween Fair


Announcements

Two Reminders from the P.A.

1. Please join us at one of the welcome fairs next week.
Tuesday, 6-6:30PM in the Charlton St. PAC or
Thursday 8-9 AM in the 6th Avenue Cafeteria

Here for more details.

2. Remember to fill out your parent survey.

As you have read in our last email, in November a group of educators from other independant schools in New York State will visit LREI. These professional colleagues will be serving as members of the team that will perform our ten-year re-accreditation exercise, a requirement for all NYSAIS (New York State Association of Independant Schools) member schools. As part of this process NYSAIS asks that all parents complete a survey. We have chosen to do this on-line. Anonymous responses, and the summary of these responses, will be presented to our visitors. The goal of the visit is to gauge the extent to which LREI does what it says it does.

Click Here to access the NYSAIS survey.