Weekly Email February 9, 2006

Dear all,

I have had several occasions during the past several months to think about school democracy and student empowerment. Recently, we have had two assembly periods, led by the Honor Board and the Student Government, dedicated to looking at the Student Handbook and proposing changes. FYI - The Honor Board consists of eight students and two faculty members, half of whom are elected by the student body and half elected by the faculty; the job of the Honor Board is to serve on an as-needed basis as an advisory body to the Principal regarding specific disciplinary cases, while also meeting regularly to discuss policies and procedures that relate to the culture of integrity throughout the school. The Student Government, elected entirely by the student body, consists of four officers plus eight class representatives; the Student Government runs open "Town Hall" style meetings, helps to plan assemblies, brings student suggestions to the faculty and administration and serves as an advisory group to the Principal on a regular basis. Much of the discussion about the Handbook has centered around increasing both space and time for students to use electronic devices - cell phones and ipods in particular - and there has been a strong libertarian strain to the conversations. That said, the two student groups have done a terrific job of recognizing the need for rules in running a rapidly growing school, focusing on systems that will help students engage in serious progressive scholarship, and considering what is, and what is not, realistic. In particular, one proposal has started to take a look at how we as a school respond to student lateness, a topic that is demanding closer attention as we grow by students and faculty alike. In addition, the Honor Board has begun to tackle the thorny issue of academic integrity in our increasingly complex technological world. As these conversations have progressed, I have had the opportunity to re-learn what has been made clear to me again and again this year, from the Katrina benefit to the Hispanic Heritage assembly, from the courageous Hotel Rwanda Human Rights Day to the new High School student newspaper to the upcoming planned Diversity and Community Day: The more real responsibility we give to our students, the more they will rise to the occasion. A corollary: The biggest mistake the faculty and administration can make is to underestimate our students.

In January, Dr. Joseph Featherstone (see Director of Education Nick O'Han's December introduction to Dr. Featherstone's work at the school) came to speak first to the faculty and then to the High School student body. In that latter talk, Dr. Featherstone spoke about student democracy and about the inherent limitations in how much governing students can really do in a school. To a certain extent, of course, he's right - students have a limited knowledge of curricula and pedagogy, and ultimately faculty and administration have to make some hard decisions about how to allocate resources, especially that most valuable of resources, time. However, progressive education in general, and at LREI in particular, is built on a foundation of the greatest possible student-faculty partnership. As we move forward with the growth of the High School and make the necessary adaptations to a school of 180 students and beyond, I know I speak for the faculty when I say that I could not be more pleased with that partnership and I could not be more proud of our partners.

All the best,

Tony

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Important item: Because of a technical issue, mid-trimester reports did not mail until yesterday. Rest assured that, because so many projects and presentations happen during the last three weeks of the trimester, students still have plenty of opportunity to raise their overall trimester assessments.

Other announcements:

* Congratulations to all who participated in a terrific Coffeehouse!, organized by High School Math/Music Teacher and Coffeehouse Guru Micah Dov Gottlieb, along with Music Teacher/Jazz Band Director Vin Scialla, who helped to being us our special guest Jimmy Norman through a Jazz Foundation Grant. What a great show! If you weren't there, stay tuned for the next one, on April 8 ...

* Regarding Visibility:

Dear LREI Community,

The exhibit "Visibility: Lesbian and Gay People We Love" is up in the 6th Avenue Auditorium and hallway. We have a record-breaking 117 photos and captions this year!

I think you will find the information at the exhibit's start helpful in allowing you to find ways to explain why we have this exhibit, why this particular group is highlighted, and what the history of the exhibit is at LREI. As always, you will also find moving , important, and fun captions that go with all the wonderful pictures. Thank you to all who are in it, all who helped to hang it up, and all who will attend it!

***PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR OPENING NIGHT MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13***

Come to hear our very own Suzanne Cohen and the Lavender Light Gospel Choir, snack on appetizers from La Palapa, a Mexican Restaurant I love (and I am from NM!), and enjoy and evening of community and celebration!

Hope to see you all there next Monday in the 6th Ave. Auditorium from 6-8 PM--

Best and huge thanks for your support,

Sarah Barlow
Interim English Department Chair
8th Grade Core Teacher
Middle School LGSA Representative

* Reminder: The next Parent Reps meeting will move from Tuesday, February 14 to Wednesday, February 15 so we can all celebrate Valentine's Day! Please see the attached minutes from the last meeting.

* The next meeting of the Parents of Children who Receive Academic Support will take place on Thursday, March 2, 2006, 6:30 at Charlton Street.

* The LREI PA Community Service Committee is once again collecting donations for Room to Grow from Monday, February 13th through Friday, February 17th in the lobby of the Sixth Avenue Building. Use this as away to get your children to get rid of items they are not using. Donations should be anything appropriate for children (newborns to 3 years of age) and in good condition (something you would pass on to a friend or family member). Room to Grow accepts books, clothing, video and music tapes, toys, bedding, strollers, highchairs, swings, baby monitors, baby's room accessories. They do not accept stuffed animals, recalled items, furniture, diapers, car seats, cribs. If you would like a tax donation receipt please label all your boxes and bags with your name and address. Please hold onto larger items until the last collection day, Thursday, February 16. For more information on the organization and a more detailed list of what they accept/do not accept go to http://www.roomtogrow.org/.

* For updates on faculty performances, openings, presentations, and publications visit the Faculty in the News page on the school web site.

* Outside of the school:

The Parents League of New York and NYC-Parents in Action invite parents of students in grades 7-12 to attend:

Parents Of Teen Scene: AFTERSHOCK
February 16, 2006
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Temple Israel
112 East 75 Street

A forum for parents who would like to discuss the issues they encounter as they partner in their teenagers' journey through the high school years.

RSVP to NYC-Parents in Action
212 987-9629

CALENDAR
February
* Wednesday 1- Thursday 2 2006 Art Auction
* Saturday 4 Coffeehouse!
* Wednesday 15 High School Parent Rep Meeting
* Monday 20 - Tuesday 21 School closed – Presidents’ Weekend
* Tuesday 28 Last day of Trimester II classes
March
* Wednesday 1 - Friday 3 Trimester II Exams/Presentations
* Monday 6 First day of Trimester III classes

As always, please browse the web site at www.lrei.org. Also, note the links to the Middle and Lower School weekly emails on the right. Please take a look at what the students in the other two divisions are up to!

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