Poetry in our Pockets

Dear Lower School Parents,

Whenever and wherever they can, Lower School teachers link instruction to broad areas of study and/or schoolwide initiatives. This week’s case in point is our annual Poem in your Pocket Day in which students of all ages and in all divisions were encouraged to come to school with a poetry selection in their pockets ready to be shared with classmates and faculty. In some cases, these were examples of original work, in others they represented children’s choices.

We honor this day, along with National Poetry Month, in our literacy curriculum as well. Regardless of the grade, genre studies converge in April. Memoirs, personal narratives, feature articles, biographies, “how to” and “all about” books, reports and persuasive paragraphs - all take a backseat to poetry.

Here is how our literacy specialists describe the study of poetry:

Tina Lane says: The study of poetry enhances a range of reading skills and strategies that students use in every genre, whether it be a fictional mystery or an informative text on penguins. By reading poems repeatedly and engaging in discussions on structure and purpose, students begin to recognize ways that intonation, expression and fluency can convey meaning. They grow familiar with structure and content. Visualization skills are also reinforced as children use the language in poems to create pictures in their minds, or mental imagery. This, then, deepens their understanding of setting and ability to think critically about a poem’s central message or "main idea". Finally, the study of poetry and honoring of renowned poets encourage students to work with increased creativity and imagination.

Irene Baigorri adds: In addition to the mechanics and elements of poetry that support literacy instruction across genres, poetry nurtures enthusiasm, appreciation and understanding of this ancient art. Some readers immediately love to read poetry, but for many a love of poetry is developed and a repeated exposure to poetry, particularly when read aloud, is the best way to foster this love. I would hope that Poem in your Pocket Day reminds students that poetry is art, and that it is satisfying and exciting to discover a poem that enthralls you and to say it in your own voice. What would be the costs of not including poetry in every child's education?

This year’s "Pocket" celebration was particularly lively thanks to individual stickers provided by the Literary Committee. "Ask me to read my poem", they said, and ask we did! In addition to the Jabberwocky, I was treated to a range of original creations including the following selections:

“The Magic Chocolate Bar”

Chocolate Bar, Chocolate Bar
Turn into something else,
Chocolate Bar, Chocolate Bar
Maybe two
Chocolate Bar, Chocolate Bar
I love you!


“What Is an Apostrophe”

It’s a flying comma
It’s comma’s cousin
It’s when Mr. Letter goes on vacation
And rents it out to Apostrophe.


“How Come?”

How come I can’t have a bike?
How come I can’t take a hike?
How come I can’t have a pet?
How come I can’t get wet?
How come I can’t go on a plane?
Am I too much of a pain?
How come I can’t jump on my bed?
And then my dear mother aid…
Because you ask too many questions!


“Where Has Time Gone?”

Where has time gone?
Did it take a wrong
Turn on its way over here?
Did it not hear
That we changed our plan?
Then again, it was never a fan
Of being on time.
I hope it won’t be too late.
Oh, where has time gone?


“I’m a New Yorker”

The subway pushes you back like a sonic boom.
The crowds of people feel like you are compressed, waiting to break
Free of the train’s gaping mouth.
Just waiting to gobble you up in its giant gaping mouth.

Its arched silver back rumbling into the station.
The glistening silver on its arched back as it turns into the station.

The look of awe on tourists’ faces as they see the train.
And your face held high.
I’m a New Yorker!


“Clash! Sizzle!”

clash his sword
his elven sword
clash!
co powerful!
clash!
my fire
sizzle
my dragon fire!
Sizzle
So hot
sizzle

Elaine


This Week's Attachments:

Dorothy and Stacey's First Grade

Tasha and Romy's Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Big Auction

Community Service

Spring Assembly and Picnic Schedule

Spanish Resource List


This Week's Announcements:

LREI Annual Camping Trip:
The 14th annual LREI camping trip will be held on the weekend of June 1-3. All LREI families and their children -- pre-K through high school -- are invited to participate. As in past years, we expect that a good time will be had by all: hiking, swimming, sports, fishing, camping, cooking, eating, singing around the campfire, etc.
The site, as in past years, will be near the Delaware Water Gap (somewhat north of where I-80 crosses the Delaware River). The cost will be $30 per adult, $20 per child. Also, we need volunteers to help with hauling food and supplies and equipment out to the camp site (and back) and providing extra space in their vehicles for those who need a ride out and back.
More details will be forthcoming for those who are interested. We will have a sign-up table for a few mornings at LREI in May, when we get closer to the camping trip weekend. Please see the attached flyer.
Please save the date and let us know if you are interested in receiving more information -- and especially if you are interested in volunteering: Send an email to Larry White(Lwhite@stern.nyu.edu).
Organizers:
Neil Capobianco (CapobiancoN@gtlaw.com)
Seth Tapper (sethtapper@yahoo.com)
Dave Trumbull (dave.trouble@gmail.com)
Larry White (Lwhite@stern.nyu.edu)

Half-Day Tomorrow:
There will be a noon dismissal (11:45 Early Childhood) tomorrow, Friday, April 27th, for Parent-Teacher Conferences. There will be no Afterschool. There will be Childcare in the Big Room from 11:45AM to 3:00PM. Teachers will bring students directly to the Big Room at dismissal. Pizza will be served and the cost is $20.00 per child, $10.00 per sibling.

There will be Conference Coverage, free of charge, in the Big Room until 5:00PM. This is limited to 30-35 minutes of coverage. Parents will pick up students at dismissal and will bring them to the Big Room at the time of their conference.

You may call or email Kate with questions: kgreathead@lrei.org, (212) 477-5316 ext. 215

Big Auction:
Tomorrow, Friday, April 27th is your last chance to purchase tickets for the Big Auction which is next Wednesday, May 2nd at 6:00pm at The Puck Building. Tickets must be purchased prior to the event, so if you haven't already done so, please contact Patricia Conroy at pconroy@lrei.org or 212-477-5316, ext. 232. To see all the great items on offer, you may view the catalog on line at www.lrei.org, pick up a catalog in either the Sixth Avenue or Charlton Street lobby or ask Patricia to mail you one. If you are not able to attend but would like to place an absentee bid, please contact Sandra Song at ssong@lrei.org or 212-477-5316, ext. 275 before the end of business on Tuesday, May 1st.
Thank you for supporting LREI.

What to Expect in First Grade:
Dear Kindergarten Parents,
We look forward to discussing our plans for next year's First Grade with you and hope you can join us in the cafeteria at 8:45AM on Friday, May 11th.
Elaine

What to Expect in Fourth Grade:
Dear Third Grade Parents,
We look forward to discussing our plans for next year's Fourth Grade with you and hope you can join us in the cafeteria at 8:45AM on Thursday, May 10th.
Elaine

In the Upcoming Weeks...

4/27- Noon Dismissal (11:45AM for Early Childhood) for Parent Teacher Conferences

5/1- First Grade Parent Meeting, 8:45AM, Cafeteria

5/2- Fours and Early Kindergarten Assembly, 8:45AM, Auditorium

5/2- Big Auction

5/3- Fourth Grade Parent Meeting with Heidi, 6:00PM, Gwen and Dave's Classroom

5/4- Second Grade Parent Meeting, 8:45AM, Cafeteria

5/9- Kindergarten Assembly, 8:45AM, Auditorium

5/9- Chap and Meredith's Third Grade Picnic, 6:30PM

5/10- What to Expect in Fourth Grade, 8:45AM, Cafeteria

5/11- What to Expect in First Grade, 8:45AM, Cafeteria

5/15-Gwen and Dave's Fourth Grade Picnic, 6:30PM

5/16- Fourth Grade Assembly, 8:45AM, Auditorium

5/17- Colleen and Michael's Second Grade Picnic, 6:30PM

5/21- Dorothy and Stacey's First Grade Picnic, 6:30PM

5/22- Tasha and Romy's Second Grade Picnic, 6:30PM

5/23- Second Grade Assembly, 8:45AM, Auditorium

"YOUR RANK IN SOCIETY"

"What do people mean by class?"

So began last week’s Second through Fourth Grade Morning Meeting. I was describing a recent statewide diversity conference entitled Class Is NOT Dismissed (and chaired by our own Sandra Chapman!) I told students that this title was a play on words and asked if they knew what was meant by class other than what they knew it to be in school. One child thought of first class seats on a plane, then a Fourth Grader defined it for us: Class is your rank in society.

The following is a record of students’ thinking about the meaning of class and about its reflections in their world. What I hope is evident is the growth that was occurring as children actively listened to their peers and grappled with increasingly sophisticated social concepts:

Elaine: What do people mean by class?

• Well, there are first and second class seats on a plane.
• It's like what class you're in; the highest class gets the best treatment
• It's your rank in society

Elaine: Can you think of an example?

• There’s a privileged class. Privileged people are rich and usually live in mansions.
• Or you’re privileged if your ancestor was maybe a duchess.
• I think it’s more about what you have—if you have good stuff, you’re privileged.

Elaine: If there’s a privileged class, there must be others. Who knows what these other classes might be?

• There’s a civilian class; it’s sort of in the middle.
• Civilian means it’s not military, you’re not a soldier.
• People that are poor (It’s hard to say that!) don’t have enough money to live on. They have a hard time living; they’re the low class, like beggars.
• They have a hard time supporting their family and can’t afford medicine.
• In the old days, there were castles. The privileged class lived inside and so did the civilians. Outside the walls were the peasants.

Elaine: Do you feel there is class at LREI?

• I do.
• Some kids get bullied by others, sort of like popularity.
• If someone is popular they might feel privileged.
• Some people bully because they’re NOT popular, it’s how they get back at people.
  Everyone is privileged to go to this school. Some people have to pay to get a ticket for lunch at other schools. (Your parents do pay for your lunch. They just do it all at one time.)
• This isn’t a put-down, it’s a reality: There’s a poverty line. If you’re below it, you’re supposed to get free lunch. If you’re above it, your parents have to pay.
  Sometimes it’s about what grade you’re in: Middle Schoolers tease Lower Schoolers because they get chocolate milk and dessert.
• Middle Schoolers say, "Fourth Graders are so dumb!" I don’t get it; they were just IN Fourth Grade!
• Some people may feel privileged, but I think everyone should feel privileged because we’re all doing good.
• Everyone should be respected in the same way.
• Everyone should feel in the highest class because everyone is special in their own way.
• It doesn’t matter what you’re good at, it matters how hard you try.
• It’s not how you do, it’s if you try your best. At my mom’s school, it was about how you do. Kids who didn’t do as well weren’t happy.
• It’s complicated. Some poor people are really smart. Some rich people are not smart.

Complicated indeed!

Elaine

(Thanks to Michael Parrish for these minutes.)

This Week's Attachments:

Fours

Luise and Michelle's Kindergarten

Colleen and Michael's Second Grade

Tasha and Romy's Second Grade

2007 Spring Picnic and Assembly Schedule

Spanish Resource List

This Week's Announcements:

Parent Teacher Conference Childcare:

Childcare will be provided for upcoming Parent Teacher Conference Days, Friday, April 20th, and Friday, April 27th. Sign-up sheets will be available at the front desk.

Friday, April 20th, Childcare will run from 8:00AM to 3:30PM in the Big Room and pizza will be served. The cost is $30 per child and $15 per sibling.

Friday, April 27th, which is a half-day, Childcare will go from noon to 3:30PM in the Big Room and pizza will be served. The cost is $20 per child and $10 per sibling.

Both days we will also offer half-hour Conference Coverage, free of cost, until 5PM. For further questions call or email Lower School Assistant, Kate: Kgreathead@lrei.org, (212) 477-5316 ext. 215

"Poem in Your Pocket" Day:

Keep a poem in your pocket
And a picture in your head
And you'll never feel lonely
At night when you're in bed…
-Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

Celebrate National Poetry Month with us – this coming Tuesday, April 24th! Each year, members of the LREI community celebrates National Poetry Month by choosing a poem to carry in a pocket throughout "Poem in Your Pocket" Day to share. Children eagerly ask to hear each other's poetry choices during this special day, in the hallways, in the cafeteria, and in the classroom. Some children select a special poem that speaks to them, some pen their own verses. Poems can be serious or silly, lyrical or laugh-out-loud! If you feel you need a little help in selecting a poem, come into the library. We will have a basket of poetry at the ready!

Big Auction:
LREI's Big Auction is coming - Wednesday, May 2nd at 6:00pm at The Puck Building. Tickets must be purchased prior to the event,so if you haven't already done so, please contact Patricia Conroy at pconroy@lrei.org or 212-477-5316, ext. 232. Tables are for 10 people - gather your friends and make it a party. This is a fun night and a terrific way to support LREI and the Tuition Remission Fund. To see all the great items on offer, you may view the catalog on line at www.lrei.org, pick up a catalog in either the Sixth Avenue or Charlton Street lobby or ask Patricia to mail you one. We look forward to seeing you in two weeks!
Pippa Gerard

First Grade Parent Meeting:

Dear First Grade Parents,

We look forward to discussing with you our plans for next year's Second Grade and hope you can join us in the cafeteria at 8:45AM on Tuesday, May 1st. This will replace the "What to Expect" Meeting scheduled for May 10th.

Phil and Elaine

Second Grade Parent Meeting:

Dear Second Grade Parents,

We look forward to discussing with you our plans for next year's Third Grade and hope you can join us in the cafeteria at 8:45AM on Monday, April 30th. This will replace the "What to Expect" Meeting schedulied for May 3rd.

Phil and Elaine

In the Upcoming Weeks...

4/20- Parent Teacher Conference Day (No School or Afterschool)

4/25- First Grade Assembly, 8:45AM, Auditorium

4/27- Noon Dismissal (11:45AM for Early Childhood) for Parent Teacher Conferences

4/30- Second Grade Parent Meeting, 8:45AM, Cafeteria

5/1- First Grade Parent Meeting, 8:45AM, Cafeteria

5/2- Fours and Early Kindergarten Assembly, 8:45, Auditorium

5/2- Big Auction

5/9- Kindergarten Assembly, 8:45, Auditorium

5/9- Chap and Meredith's Third Grade Picnic, 6:30PM

5/15-Gwen and Thomas' Fourth Grade Picnic, 6:30PM

5/16- Fourth Grade Assembly, 8:45, Auditorium

5/17- Colleen and Michael's Second Grade Picnic, 6:30PM

5/21- Dorothy and Stacey's First Grade Picnic, 6:30PM

5/22- Tasha and Romy's Second Grade Picnic, 6:30PM

5/23- Second Grade Assembly, 8:45, Auditorium

April 12, 2007

Dear Lower School Families,

Soon you will be meeting with your children’s teachers on one of the days set aside for spring conferencing (April 20th or 27th). Classroom teachers look forward to this second conference with you to share what they have learned and observed of your children’s development over the year. They will be well prepared – with descriptions, work samples, illustrations and stories about your children’s experiences in different curriculum areas and reflections on their social and emotional growth. In some cases, teachers will suggest additional ways to support your child’s learning at home. As always, they will be seeking constructive dialogue and welcome your questions and insights.

Often, these springtime conversations also focus on class placement. This year, I would like to recast our model so that you may get the full benefit of your child’s conference. I refer you to P.14 of the Family Handbook, which discusses class placement. This year teachers will hold to the recommendations in the final paragraph: Parent requests are discouraged, but parent input, regarding preservation of friendships for instance, is given serious consideration. Naturally, we want to consider any relevant, new information that will help us in placing your child, so please do share whatever you feel is important. We ask, however, that you refrain from making specific requests and understand that teachers can offer no promises or guarantees. Please know that we take this process of class placement very seriously and will make every effort to create productive, balanced and welcoming classroom communities. Know also that each child’s needs are considered individually within the context of their own classroom experience. We take great care; it is our responsibility.

The following party reminder is again taken from a page in our Family Handbook (P. 17). I wanted to share it with you before spring events get into full swing and to ask you to please honor the feelings of every student by inviting all or just a few of your children’s classmates to outside gatherings and celebrations.

Birthday Parties: Birthday parties are important events in the lives of children-not only to the birthday child but equally to classmates who may or may not be invited. Please read the following carefully. These are tried and true guidelines that protect our children from hurt feelings and disappointment. We strongly encourage all LS families to follow them.

Home Birthday Parties:

• Regarding invitations: It's fine to invite just a few; it's never fine to invite all but a few.
• If you invite more than half of your child's class to a birthday party (or more than half of the boys or girls), we request that you invite the whole group.
• Be sensitive to children who may not receive frequent invitations. Include them where possible.
• When at all possible, please hold birthday parties on the weekend.
• Send all invitations through the mail.
• Please encourage your child to be sensitive to all classmates when discussing party plans or activities.
• Should an afterschool time be necessary, we encourage you to convene children off-site to allow for as usual dismissal.
  

Thank you for sifting through the above suggestions. (No more, I promise!) I hope they pave the way for a smooth and thoroughly enjoyable end to the school year.

Elaine

This Week's Attachments:

Fours

Early Kindergarten

Kindergarten

Gina and Rebecca's First Grade

Upcoming Lice Check

Summers at LREI

Global Warming Awareness Event

Sea of People Event Flyer

Spanish Resource List


This Week's Announcements:

Internet Safety:
Facebook, AIM, Club Penguin, BitTorents, YouTube, and countless other old, new and emerging web technologies are used by our children everyday. What do you know about them? How safe are they for your kids? Are there ways to make my child/tween/teen's computer environment safer and more productive? What can I do as a parent? What can the school do? The answers to these and other questions in a frank discussion on kids and technology moderated by the LREI tech coordinators. We will visit some sites, explore options that will make you child's cyber-environment safer and give you an overview of what we teach at LREI about internet safety. Additional resources will be given out for parents on paper and on www.lrei.org.
Two sessions:
Session One for parents of 7th - 12th graders on April 17th at 6:30 in the Sixth Avenue auditorium
Session Two for parents of 3rd - 6th graders on April 18th at 6:30 in the Sixth Avenue auditorium.

Parent Teacher Conference Childcare:
Childcare will be provided for upcoming Parent Teacher Conference Days, Friday, April 20th, and Friday, April 27th. Sign-up sheets will be available at the front desk.

• Friday, April 20th, Childcare will run from 8:00AM to 3:30PM in the Big Room and pizza will be served. The cost is $30 per child and $15 per sibling.
• Friday, April 27th, which is a half-day, Childcare will go from noon to 3:30PM in the Big Room and pizza will be served. The cost is $20 per child and $10 per sibling.

Both days we will also offer half-hour Conference Coverage, free of cost, until 5PM. For further questions call or email Lower School Assistant, Kate: Kgreathead@lrei.org, (212) 477-5316 ext. 215

First Grade Parent Meeting:
Dear First Grade Parents,
We look forward to discussing with you our plans for next year's Second Grade and hope you can join us in the cafeteria at 8:45AM on Tuesday, May 1st. This will replace the "What to Expect" Meeting scheduled for May 10th.
Phil and Elaine

Second Grade Parent Meeting:
Dear Second Grade Parents,
We look forward to discussing with you our plans for next year's Third Grade and hope you can join us in the cafeteria at 8:45AM on Monday, April 30th. This will replace the "What to Expect" Meeting schedulied for May 3rd.
Phil and Elaine

AfterSchool's First Friday:
Join us for an inspiring First Friday event with returning guest artist, Sidiki Conde. Sidiki is a dynamic drummer and dancer from Guinea, West Africa who is the founder of the New York City based dance company Tokounou. He is a gifted performer and a generous teacher - focused on enabling children and adults of all abilities to move and experience music with joy.
The program will take place this Friday, April 13th, from 4:15-5:15 in the Physical and Performing Arts Space. Call the Afterschool Office at 212-477-5316, ext. 239 to register.

Shop News:
Be sure and look at the lobby display case! Third Graders carved spoons when they studied the Native Americans of the Northeast Woodlands.
They learned how to use chisels and they shaped their spoons using saws, rasps, files, and sandpaper.

In the Upcoming Weeks...

4/16- Licenders Check

4/18- Third Grade Assembly, 8:45 AM, Auditorium.

4/18- Internet Safety Meeting, 6:30PM, Cafeteria.

4/19- Kindergarten Breakfast, 8:30AM, Cafeteria.

4/20- Parent Teacher Conference Day (No School or Afterschool)

4/25- First Grade Assembly, 8:45AM, Auditorium.

4/27- Noon Dismissal (11:45AM for Early Childhood) for Parent Teacher Conferences.

4/30- Second Grade Parent Meeting, 8:45AM, Cafeteria.

5/1- First Grade Parent Meeting, 8:45AM, Cafeteria.

5/2- Fours and Early Kindergarten Assembly, 8:45, Auditorium.

5/2- Big Auction