Dear Families,

The High School Admissions Committee has tirelessly worked all week to fit in reading student files, dozens and dozens of applications, in preparation for our day long meeting to determine not only the potential class of 2011, but a couple of additions to other classes as space allows.

As I write this update, students surround me, even though it is well after the last period of the day, gradually becoming dark outside and I am hungry for dinner. Student Government, a group of twelve dedicated students, are meeting next door to my office discussing the results of the latest school survey (this one focused on student programming, mainly assemblies, for the rest of the year) and preparing their edits to the student handbook for my review. The LREI Step Team, a solid group of nineteen with new uniforms, are practicing across the hall (plenty of stomping, clapping, and laughing), thirty-five students are preparing for play practice, ten others are in the library studying for their Veritas (SAT prep) class, a dozen are trickling in from seeing a play with their class this afternoon, and another thirty students are over at Thompson Street Athletic Center at basketball practice or warming up for their game (and a group of teachers are headed over there to see it). Three library assistants are helping Karyn catalog books, five Twelfth Graders are working on the yearbook downstairs in the photo room, and a few more lingering at reception, relentlessly teasing Adria, our receptionist.

As I notice and cherish all the different voices, and as I watch students who have worked all day continue with their passions and projects with such energy, well after the school day has concluded, my heart fills with joy. We must have the most active high school student body in the city. And as the Admissions Committee retreats into ‘seclusion’ to construct the next great class, our students’ distinct voices will echo in my head. Our applicants have a lot to live up to. We expect a lot from our students, but not nearly as much as what our students expect from themselves and their peers. I expect an acceptance letter is followed by a feeling of great pride in knowing that we feel a student can successfully distinguish his or herself in the most dynamic of populations, but also great desire to get started! We can’t wait to welcome them.

On another note, while we just had parent/advisor conferences not too long ago, another update will be going home tomorrow. Interims for students earning B- or below in any course, along with comments for all 9th graders in the Arts rotation, are complete. We have a month before exam week, so there is plenty of time for conversation with teachers and renewed efforts from students.

All the best,
Ruth


Please check out our Winter Sports Schedule and join us at a home game!


February, 2007-Black History Month celebration, every Tuesday, 1PM
February 13, 2007-HS Parent Rep meeting, 6:30 PM
February 19 and 20, 2007-President's Weekend, School Closed.
March 2, 3, 2007-High School Play, "Apartment 6D" 7PM, PAC
March 9, 2007-End of Trimester Party, 8PM-11:30PM, PAC

Academic Calendar

Jan. 31-Interims due, 8:30 AM (students earning B- and below; Arts)
Mar. 2-End, Trimester 2
Mar. 5-Review day for all classes
Mar. 6-Reading day for all students
Mar. 7-9- Exams
Mar. 14-Grades and Comments due, 8:30 AM





This Week's Attachments and Announcements:

1. The next meeting of Parents whose Children Receive Academic Support will be held on Thurs. Feb. 15 at 6:30 P.M. at Charlton Street. The topic for the meeting will be The Educational Testing Process. Dr. Iona Aibel will speak on the testing process and how to use the results of this testing to help your child succeed in school.

2. The 2007 LREI Art Auction is TONIGHT!

I-20 Gallery at 529 West 20th Street (11th Floor) NYC

Admission is Free - Reception and Final Bidding on Thursday, February 1st, 6:00PM to 8:00PM


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!

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If you are having trouble opening the attachments, go to http://www.lrei.org/weekly/ms/ to access.