Weekly Email April 27, 2006

Dear parents,

Several months ago, I did a "Day in the Life of the High School" blog, in which I described vignettes from a walking tour of classes on a typical day. I have had several requests for a repeat of those snapshots, so without further ado, this morning, here's some of what was going on in and out of the High School:

* Tenth grade English students began a two- to three-page "Zoom In, Zoom Out" exercise focusing on both the details and larger significance of a passage of their choice from Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye.

* Students in the eleventh grade Latin American and Caribbean History elective learned about the merging of Christian and Aztec traditions throughout Mexico's history.

* Ninth grade Chinese students expanded their knowledge of prepositions and continued to build their general oral and written vocabulary.

* Eleventh grade Biology students collaborated on presentations about research into primate learning, speech, biology and adaptation, and the implications about human development.

* Tenth grade French students took a test on double-object pronouns.

* Students in the eleventh grade Art and Politics: Toni Morrison English elective did a close reading of a passage from Beloved.

* Students in ninth and tenth grade Music classes visited Avery Fisher Hall, where they were treated to a normally private rehearsal of the New York Philharmonic.

* Eleventh graders in the Human Rights history elective worked on individual presentations that they will do on different issues concerning children's rights.

* Tenth grade students in Technology learned left-right animation using Adobe Illustrator.

* Eleventh grade Precalculus students worked on solving trigonometric equations in preparation for trigonometry-based projects.

* Tenth grade Physics students used springs to measure the relationship between amplitude and wave speed, along with other characteristics of waves.

* Students in tenth grade Spanish went over the difference between the imperfect and preterite tenses.

* Ninth grade Photography, Media Arts and Studio Art students prepared their final projects for Monday's grade-wide presentations, which will mark the end of the ninth graders' fifth (out of six) arts rotation.

* Students in the eleventh grade required trimester-long history of New York City course, "Gotham," learned about the New York City real estate scene - in the 1800's!

* Tenth grade Drama students performed self-written scenes and monologues which incorporate music.

* Students in tenth grade Photography went outside to Charlton Street to take pictures using self-made pinhole cameras.

* Eleventh grade students in the Exploring Class Dynamics in Global Literature class discussed wedding traditions in the Indian caste society and in working class England.

One of the great joys of being the LREI High School Principal is getting to see all of these different manifestations of an outstanding progressive edcuational program. I hope you have enjoyed these written snapshots of what I see every day.

Important announcements:
1) Please join us for a reception to meet incoming High School Principal Ruth Geyer Jurgensen on Monday, May 8th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Charlton Street (see the attached invitation).

2) A note from Director Phil Kassen about last night's Big Auction: Congratulations to all involved in creating last night’s spectacular Big Auction! A thousand thanks to the Auction Committee Co-Chairs—Mandy Bouquet and Sharon Fong—and to their hardworking committee members. Last night’s event was an overwhelming display of generosity and support of LREI and its progressive mission. For those who were not able to attend, please visit the hall auction in the Sixth Avenue building for a selection of silent auction items and sign-up parties.

3) For tomorrow's LREI High School Arts Festival, students should arrive at Charlton Street at 8:45 AM.

All the best,

Tony

CALENDAR
April
* Friday 21 School closed - High School Planning/Meetings Day - No classes
* Friday 28 High School Arts Festival

May
* Monday 8 Reception for incoming High School Principal Ruth Geyer Jurgensen
* Saturday 13 Coffeehouse!
* Tuesday 16 High School Parent Rep Meeting
* Thursday 18 Spring Concert; Day 40 of Trimester III classes
* Tuesday 23 High School Sports Award Evening
* Friday 26 Field Day - No Classes
* Monday 29 School closed - Memorial Day
* Wednesday 31 Senior Project Presentation Evening

June
* Monday 5 Last day of Trimester III classes
* Tuesday 6-Thursday 8 Trimester III Exams/Presentations; End of Trimester II
* Thursday 8 Senior Banquet
* Friday 9 Graduation
* Monday 12-Tuesday 13 Closing days
* Tuesday 13 School closes at noon for Summer Vacation



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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