Human Family by Maya Angelou

I note the obvious differences
in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.

Some declare their lives are lived
as true profundity,
and others claim they really live
the real reality.

The variety of our skin tones
can confuse, bemuse, delight,
brown and pink and beige and purple,
tan and blue and white.

I've sailed upon the seven seas
and stopped in every land,
I've seen the wonders of the world
not yet one common man.

I know ten thousand women
called Jane and Mary Jane,
but I've not seen any two
who really were the same.

Mirror twins are different
although their features jibe,
and lovers think quite different thoughts
while lying side by side.

We love and lose in China,
we weep on England's moors,
and laugh and moan in Guinea,
and thrive on Spanish shores.

We seek success in Finland,
are born and die in Maine.
In minor ways we differ,
in major we're the same.

I note the obvious differences
between each sort and type,
but we are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

Dear Families,

In the spirit of Maya Angelou's poem, next week, LREI is fortunate enough to host Nancy Burson's extraordinary art project called, "The Human Race Machine." This machine (picture a photo booth) allows participants to see themselves as different ethnicities in the hope that those who experience her project will understand that "there is no gene for race." We are more alike than not, and that 'race' is a social construct designed to establish a power structure which benefits few. In addition to experiencing The Human Race Machine, students will view parts of the PBS series, Race: The Power of an Illusion in order to frame their experience and allow for the most productive dialogue. Additionally, our technology classes, our arts courses, many of the humanities electives and, of course, science classes will be looking at the project from several other different lenses.

On another note, also this week, thanks to High School Librarian, Karyn Silverman, we have been invited to host the launch party for the newest Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants title, Forever in Blue! Female students in grades 7-12 have been invited to a catered lunch to be held at the 6th Avenue Auditorium on Tuesday, January 9, from 11:30-1. Author Ann Brashares will be there to do a reading, answer questions, and sign books; students will also be asked to being in an old pair of jeans to donate, in keeping with both the denim and social justice themes of the series. Further, NBC's The Today Show will be there to capture the event. Tomorrow, I will email all families a release form from NBC producers just in case your child is interviewed or seen as part of the segment for the show. If your daughter is planning on attending, but you do not wish to give permission for her to be filmed, please let me know and we will make that arrangement.

Finally, on Friday, January 12, we will hold Parent/Advisor conferences all day. Advisors will be in touch to schedule your thirty-minute appointment; however, you may always contact the advisor directly, if you wish.

In many ways, the activities and energy at the High School match the Spring-like weather! We are not hibernating at all.

All the best,

Ruth


Calendar for the beginning of January:


January 8-12, 2007-"The Human Race Machine" exhibit, all day, PAC
January 10, 2007- College Night with Junior parents and families, 6:30 PM, Cafeteria
January 12, 2007- Parent-Advisor Conferences, all day. No classes.
January 15, 2007- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday observed. School Closed.
January 16, 2007- High School Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration assembly, 1:00 PM, PAC
January 16, 2007-High School Parent Rep meeting, 6:30 PM, Room 13. Meeting about Tuition Increase with Michel de Konkoly Thege, Director of Finance and Operations, 6:30 PM, Cafeteria.


This Week's Attachments and Announcements:

1. Meeting About Tuition Increase and 2007-2008 Budget

Michel de Konkoly Thege, Director of Finance and Operations, will give presentations to the LREI community concerning the planned tuition increase and overall budget for the 2007-2008 school year. These presentations will take place at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, January 16 in the Charlton Street cafeteria and at 8:00 and 8:45 am on Wednesday, January 24 in the Sixth Avenue cafeteria. All parents and other members of the LREI community are invited to attend and ask questions.


2. You are cordially invited to attend the LREI ALUMNI COLLEGE PANEL, Wednesday, January 10, 2007, 6:30 – 8:00 PM, PAC. Meet recent LREI graduates. Hear about their experiences and how LREI has prepared them for college. Students from Columbia, New York University, Yale, University of Pennsylvania, University of Massachusetts Amherst and other select colleges and universities will be in attendance.
Please note that prospective families for the 2007-2008 school year will also attend this event.

3. Please do not schedule appointments, medical or otherwise, during the school day, between 8:30 AM and 3:50 PM. When a student must leave early for a non-emergency, it is very disruptive to the academic program and to a student's progress in any given class. Thank you.

4. Please do not plan vacations that fall outside of scheduled school breaks. Each school day is important. Today’s classroom experiences are building blocks for tomorrow’s. Missing school on either end of a scheduled break, or at any time other than when school is closed, is disruptive to your child’s education and to that of her/his classmates. Often, the days preceding our longer breaks include community events such as buddy activities and assemblies. These essential community events are important. We feel strongly that students should not miss these occasions. It is our policy that teachers not prepare work ahead of time, or help students to catch up, if your family will be vacationing at times when school is in session. If your family is presented with a singular opportunity to travel that offers significant educational advantages we encourage you to speak with the division’s principal in advance.

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!

All attachments are in .pdf format. To view these files, please download Adobe Reader, if you do not already have it. Click on this link or paste it into your browser: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access the files.