October 26, 2006

Dear Lower School Parents,

A few snapshots from the week…

Lunch time: I wandered into our school kitchen early Monday morning to see Jorge behind a mountain of fresh, fragrant basil, then later enjoyed the delicious pesto as well as a cup of lentil soup too good to resist. Quietly, Jorge asked a few of us if we would try the new seaweed noodle dish (which we did) nutritious and with very few calories. So nice to be well taken care of!

Tuesday morning good-byes: Our final overnight trip is underway. After a smooth departure, the bus dropped Kelly and Ayanna’s Third Graders at the Catskill farm for four days of brisk weather activities. Wednesday’s letter to families included this reflection of “real world” science experiences and the bridges built between kitchen and garden, between classroom and the outdoors:

“Today’s classes included farm work, textiles, nature and cooking. Farm workers were busy picking lettuce for lunch and gathering pinto beans in the garden. In textiles, children learned different uses and ways of preparing wool. Then they had a try at cleaning, spinning and weaving the wool using a loom. While petting a sheep named Frazier one child exclaimed, “They can go out in any weather and not care!” The nature class took a hike and stopped to identify trees and seed pods, while discussing seed dispersal. This was a perfect connection to our botany curriculum in science. One student proudly held up a leaf and said, “This leaf is broad and ridged!” The morning cooking class worked away like experts, preparing our taco lunch and baked molasses cookies for the afternoon snack.”

Prospective parent visits: As I do twice a week, I met with a group of prospective parents on Tuesday following their tour of our division. These groups are consistently impressed by the focus and (yes) joy with which our children engage in their morning’s work. Typical questions during our Q & A refer to our hiring process, assessment measures, LREI’s progressive philosophy, meeting students’ academic needs, the arts and diversity. If you’d like me to discuss one of these areas in an upcoming blog, please let me know.

Visitors to the Lower School: This week we are hosting a group of principals from Reykjavik, Iceland and I took a moment to join Megan in welcoming the first of four contingents. They are interested in our early childhood program and, particularly, in our block building curriculum. They had learned of LREI through our social studies coordinator Harriet Cuffaro who some years ago introduced block building to the Icelandic school systems. As they leave us, more visitors are on their way: the entire Children’s Aid School faculty, a group of high school students and their professor from the Fieldston School, LREI Trustees and, of course, the NYSAIS (New York State Association of Independent Schools) Visiting Committee. Needless to say, we’re extremely pleased to see such interest in our community!

Second Grade Assembly: Helen and her students dedicated the Scottish folk song, Froggie Went A Courtin’ to Colleen on her recent wedding and Romy, her engagement. It felt good to initiate this year’s musical assembly program – an important part of who we are.

Grade Level Meeting: All grade level teachers meet for an hour each week, usually over lunch. This week I joined the early childhood meeting as teachers shared and discussed their curriculum night slide presentations – a perfect jumping off point for talk about program and routine.

“Can I read to you?” As I stopped by Gina and Rebecca’s classroom, a First Grader extended me this invitation. Sure enough! He read Fox’s Wedding smoothly and with great pleasure, pausing to explain the story as he went along. “He doesn’t really mean that; he’s not telling the truth.” The very best of all moments!

ASL: I ended Wednesday in a faculty sign language class taught by Lower School parent Miriam Morrow. As a learning experience, it is challenging, beautiful and great fun - as well as a true test of one’s memory.

If at this point you’re thinking I am particularly lucky in my work, I would have to agree!!

Elaine



This Week's Attachments:

Beth and Molly's Fours

Luise and Julia's Kindergarten

Lauren and Laura's Kindergarten

Halloween Fair

Math and Science Night

Community Service Letter

Assembly Schedule



Announcements:

Parent-Teacher Conference Childcare
Full-day childcare will be provided on Friday, November 3rd, from 8 to 3 o'clock in the auditorium. The cost is 15 dollars and children should bring a bag lunch (no nuts or seeds). For more information and to sign up, contact Kate at Kgreathead@lrei.org, 477-5316 ext. 215.

Conference-only (45 minutes) childcare will be offered free of charge in the library.

Parents please note: there is no After School on this day.

Fourth Grade Parents,
Please note an important change:
Suzanne & Caroline's Farm Breakfast will be at 8:15 on Wednesday, Nov. 8th.

Parents and caregivers: Please make sure to keep an eye on your children when they are in the hallway outside of the library. Sometimes children climb on and over the ramp railings. Simply put, this is not safe. The railings are not made to support the weight of children, and we do not want anybody to get hurt!

Coat Drive for St. John's Church - Monday, October 23rd through Friday, October 27th
We are holding our annual coat and outerwear drive for the clients of the St. John's Food Pantry.

Shop News
Monsters are visiting the lobby display case! While making their monsters, Second Graders learned how to use drills and join wooden shapes with wire so they can move. When in the lobby, check out those monsters!
Peggy

The Church has asked that we focus on larger sizes this year - older teen and adult.
They would also welcome men's pants, jeans, as well as new (in package) underwear for both men and women.
Please bring your clean and gently used donations to Matthew's room, 2nd floor, Middle School building (parents can push "2" in the elevator)
Start bringing in clothing on Monday, October 23rd. Thanks!

Click Here

If your child missed photo day, retakes will be held on Thursday, November 16th.

Photo Scholarships:
Our photographer, Coffee Pond Photography, is able to offer a limited number of photo scholarships. Please contact Delia Hernandez, X 238, if you receive financial aid and are unable to pay for photographs.

Attention Book Lovers:
On Tuesday, November 8th join the Literary Committee as the LREI librarians present, "East Meets West," an evening of youth books that feature culture clashes and truces, diverse viewpoints and changing perspectives.
Each year our nationally recognized librarians share their literary suggestions for students in all grades, Fours-12th grade, with the LREI community as they do with other school and professional audiences throughout the school year. All three of our full time librarians have served, or are presently serving, on American Library Association panels responsible for selecting prize winning books. Join this evening as Stacy, Jennifer and Karyn share their book selections with us, along with LS library teacher and graphic novel reviewer, Jesse Karp (LREI '87), who will give his suggestions for the best in graphic novels.

Click Here

Each year the Literary Committee brings us the book fairs, Book Week, the amazing Literary Evening (December 7th) and this evening with our
librarians. The Committee also supports the librarians', and their students', attendance at conferences.
If you have questions for the librarians, don't forget to join us for Learn Your Library morning on October 23rd in the Sixth Avenue Library.

Click Here

Message from Phil Kassen, Director:

As I am sure you have heard from your children, during the past few weeks we have had a number of fire drills. Each year we are required to have twelve drills, and we like to have as many at the beginning of the year as possible. Not only does this help our staff and students learn what to do in an emergency, it allows us to fine tune these exercises early in the year. Thus far, all drills have been completed safely, efficiently and quickly.
Sometime next week we will have a special drill during which we evacuate to the auditorium. This will allow us to practice for the eventuality that we may need to gather all of the students and adults in one place in response to some emergency. We have done these drills in the past, but as we have not had one in the last year or so, I wanted to alert you to it so that you would not be alarmed.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Best,
Phil

In the Next Few Weeks...

10/27- Kelly and Ayanna's 3rd Grade Class Farm Trip Returns

10/29- Halloween Fair

11/3- Lower School Parent-Teacher Conferences. LS closed. No After School.

11/7- Third and Fourth Grade Math and Science Night, 6:00

11/8- Suzanne and Caroline's Farm Breakfast, 8:15

11/8- East Meets West, 7:00, PAC

11/10- Lower School Closes at noon for Parent-Teacher Conferences. No After School.

11/14- Gwen and Thomas' Farm Breakfast, 8:30

11/14- First and Second Grade Math and Science Night, 6:00

11/15- Chap and Meredith's Farm Breakfast, 8:00

11/16- Photo Retake Day

11/21- Kelly and Ayanna's Farm Breakfast, 8:30