Dear Lower School Parents,

DOCTOR, LAWYER, BUILDER, MANICURIST…

Who provides the goods and services that we New Yorkers rely on? This question has been a thread of inquiry running through the Second Grade social studies curriculum. Based equally on their own experiences and developmental worldview, and on their classroom studies of NYC, Second Graders responded by creating fictional city workers, first as characters in the block area and later as "autobiographical" subjects. Each worker’s profile was developed through the writer’s workshop process, from rough draft to final publication.

As you will see in the excerpts below, some New Yorkers are city workers, some hold down two jobs; some have large families, others live and work alone. Their occupations, hobbies and neighborhoods are varied.

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"My name is Leo. I work for the mayor. I am also a waiter. I work with the mayor and the chef…. When I don’t work, I ice skate and jump rope. I live in Queens and I like it just the way it is."

"My name is Emma. We live on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. I live with my daughter Jessy. I am a D.J. A D.J. is a person who talks on the radio. I like my job because I get to wear cool suits. "

"My name is Henry. I live in the Bronx. My friend Bob lives next door. Bob has some children and I do too. We both have dogs. I work in a restaurant. I am the cook. I am good at cooking because I look in the cookbook."

"My name is Ashly. I am a gardener. I get to work by bus. I live in Brooklyn with my husband and 6 kids. When I am not at work, I play with my kids. We play tag, doctor or dentist."

"My name is Jack. I live on Manhattan Island. I live by myself and my job is making newspapers. Also, I deliver the newspapers…. I like my job because I get to find things out."

"My name is Sidny and I live in the country. I work on a farm. I send food to a restaurant in the city. I usually wake up at 4AM."

"My name is Bill. I work in a power plant. I answer the phone. When I am free, I play chess."

"My name is Kathy. I live in Manhattan on the Upper West Side. I work in a clothing store. Its name is Target. I am a cashier and changing room boss. I like meeting new people and seeing them happy. I am 27 years old."

"My name is Jesse. I live in Manhattan. I build buildings and I like my work."

"My name is Cindy. I work at Elisabeth Irwin High School. I teach music to the 10th Grade. I live with my daughter Lola. She goes to the school I work at."

"My name is Alex. I work at the fire station and live with other firemen. My job is the fire chief. I like my job because I like speeding along the road."

"My name is John. I am a doorman and I live on the Lower East Side. In my spare time I like to play soccer with my kids."

"My name is Jack and I live on Broadway. My job is being a major league baseball player. I pitch a lot and bat and hit homers. I take a taxi to work."

"My name is Susan. I live in Brooklyn and I have a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge. I don’t have kids. I teach history. My kids don’t have recess. They’re always busy."

"My name is Elly. I live on the Lower East Side. I work at the spa. I give manicures to kids and adults. When I’m free, I go shopping and read books in the park."

Elaine


This Week's Attachment:

Third Grade


This Week's Announcements:

Visiting Author:
On March 20th Tim Wise will speak with the LREI community on the topic of privilege and class in America. Tim Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and activists in the U.S. Wise has spoken in 48 states, and on over 400 college campuses, including Harvard, Stanford, and the Law Schools at Yale and Columbia. Many of our faculty members have heard Mr. Wise speak and found him to be engaging and insightful. He will spend a good part of the day here on March. 20th and 21st meeting with students, faculty and parents.
Parent Events featuring Tim Wise:
Tuesday, March 20th, 7:00PM, Performing Arts Center, 40 Charlton Street. (Child Care Available, please sign up at the Sixth Ave. Reception Desk.
Wednesday, March 21st, 8:45 AM, Sixth Avenue Cafeteria, Breakfast Discussion with Tim Wise. (We recommend you attend the evening talk on March 20th if you plan to attend this conversation.)
There are several copies of Tim Wise’s book, White Like Me, in each library.
Click here for more information about Tim Wise: www.timwise.org
Tim Wise’s visit to LREI is generously supported by the Wendling Foundation as part of an ongoing grant to support our diversity efforts, including the visit by the Human Race Machine earlier this year.

Quilting:
An open invitation to those in our community who would like to participate in creating this year's Afghan Quilt for the Big Auction: It is time to pick up your needles and yarn and knit or crochet a 6x6" square in colors and patterns of your choosing to be assembled into a beautiful, cozy, handmade creation. In celebration of this group effort, Claudia Baez will host a Champagne & Cheese Knitting Circle on Wednesday, March 14th for anyone who would like to participate. Beginners to seasoned knitters and crocheters are welcome. Please bring your children and encourage them to give it a try! All you need to start is some yarn and a pair of knitting needles or a crochet hook. We will meet at 260 West Broadway, #11B, from 4-6PM. If you can't join us on March 14th, you can drop completed squares off in the collection box in the Sixth Avenue lobby up until Thursday, April 12th. This us a perfect project for Spring Break that will also support the school.If you have any questions, please contact Jenna Torres at jennasdreamworld@hotmail.com.

Click Here

Dance Performance:
THE LREI STEP TEAM will be performing as part of FAMILY MATTERS Dance Theater Workshop on March 17th at 2:00pm. The body becomes a canvas on which colorful legends and rueful stories are painted. Strokes of genius are delivered by Merce Cunningham alum Glen Rumsey presenting a gender-bending ballet, the inspirational step dancing of the LREI STEP TEAM, and the Brazilian influenced free world music of The Nation Beat. The feast continues with Lawrence Goldhuber and his all-diva cast who serve-up a cautionary tale about what can
happen if you eat too much. Flamenco fans will delight in the foot falls of the Ballet Hispanico School Ensemble, while the graceful Trinayan Collective execute a fable in the Odissi style of classical Indian dance.
The Dance Theatre Workshop is located at 219 west 19th street. For reservations call (212) 924-0077 TKTS $10.00 children $20.00 adults

Annual Spirit Game:
An Invitation to All LREI Families---- Click here for information on our annual Spirit Game! This event is fun for LREI students of all ages and a great way for lower, middle and high school families to support our hard working student athletes. LREI Spirit Game, Friday, March 16th, 3:30PM--Thompson Street Athletic Center, 145 Thompson Street (between Houston and Prince.)

In the Upcoming Weeks...

3/9- Lower School Special Assembly (students only)

3/14- Champange and Cheese Knitting Circle

3/15- Parent Rep Meeting

3/17- LREI High School Step Team performs in "Family Matters"

3/23- Founder's Day, Noon Dismissal (11:45 for Early Childhood)

3/23-4/9- Spring Break