Thursday, November 30, 2006

November 30, 2006

Dear Lower School Parents,

"Mean by Accident": Fourth Graders' Social Relationships

Social dynamics often undergo considerable change in Fourth Grade. Old friendships wane, best friends expand their relationships, children may feel they are "too popular" or have "no friends at all". Some children tease or are teased. And all of this may fluctuate day to day.
Acknowledging this dynamic, Dr. Heidi Marben and Assistant Principal Delia Hernandez hosted a conversation with Fourth Grade parents entitled, "Navigating the Social Challenges of Fourth Grade". Delia and Heidi followed up on their work with students by offering parents a developmental overview and setting them to work creating their own "parent strategies" - tools and practice to have at the ready.

In addition to developmental passages, Fourth Graders are also the oldest members of the Lower School, the "been there, done that" class. And, while they enjoy their position on top of the heap, they are also poised to become the youngest, newest members of the Middle School. Fourth Graders have a lot to grapple with. Here is how they describe it:
"In 3rd grade and 2nd grade kids are still trying out friendships and in the 4th grade those friendships become stable and root themselves into the ground."

"Old friendships sometimes get lost."

"You have a lot more friends with people who are your gender."

"By 4th grade kids have a lot of friends and it’s hard to spend your time equally between different friends."

"Your friends will stick up for you."

"Sometimes friends get tired of being with you and your feelings get hurt."

"In 3rd grade kids are very close to their parents, but in 4th grade kids also really rely on their friends like family."

"You can’t really tell who’s your friend and who’s just being nice."

"Sometimes you are mean by accident, and people don’t want to be your friend any more."

And we think recess is just fun!

Elaine

This Week's Announcements:
Book Week
Book Week is almost here! During the week of Dec. 4th through 8th, authors will be visiting all grades to read from their work and talk to the kids about books. The annual Book Fair will take place from Wednesday, Dec. 6th, through Friday, Dec. 8th, in the Sixth Avenue auditorium, with books on sale for all ages. Please click here for more information on Book Week. This year's Literary Evening will be on Thursday, December 7th, in the Charlton Street PAC. Please click here for more information on Literary Evening.
For these events to be successful, the Literary Committee needs help from parent volunteers! Please sign up in the Sixth Avenue lobby to help with all aspects of Book Week, or e-mail susiemarples@yahoo.com.

Book Week

Literary Evening

Holiday Concert
Please join us for a longstanding LREI tradition:
The Glass Menagerie Chorus Holiday Concert
Susan Glass, founder and director (former LREI music teacher, current LREI parent)
Friday, December 8th at 8:00PM
St. Joseph's Church in the Village
371 Sixth Ave. (2 blocks south of 8th Street.)

POCOC Breakfast
The divisional Parents of Children of Color Groups will be hosting a potluck breakfast for the parents and children of color in all three divisions on Tuesday, December 5th from 8:00AM-8:30AM in the Sixth Avenue cafeteria. Please attend and bring a breakfast treat to share. See you there.


In the Upcoming Weeks...

12/4-12/8- Book Week

12/5- POCOC Breakfast, 8:00AM

12/6- First Grade Assembly, 8:45AM

12/6-12/8- Book Fair

12/7- LGSA Parent Meeting, 8:45AM

12/7, Literary Evening, 7:00PM

12/8- Adoption Committee Meeting, 8:45AM

12/8- The Glass Menagerie Holiday Concert, 8PM

12/12- LS POCOC Meeting, 8:45AM

12/14- Lower School Parent Rep Meeting, 8:45AM

12/15- Winter Assembly (students only). Early Dismissal for Winter Break, School closes at 12:00 (11:45 Fours through First Grade) No Afterschool.

posted by LREI Lower School News @ Thursday, November 30, 2006