Education + Action=Impact

Dear Families,

This week, the faculty participated in a workshop presented by the wonderful facilitators at NetAid, an organization committed to “educating, inspiring and empowering young people to fight global poverty.”

After an introduction, we got down to work. First, we defined poverty (which is not as simple as one would think), then participated in two challenging activities. Both asked each of us to make the sacrifices a family in poverty must make. The discussion that followed, and the impact of the meeting were extraordinary. Already, this powerful workshop inspired several departments to incorporate lessons and discussion questions into their classes. Other teachers are working furiously to include many of the resources and activities into the elective offerings for next trimester. Finally, as we work to make advisory and community service much more extensive next year, the NetAid program proved valuable, and its impact on us as a professional community will be long lasting.

Here are some of the other professional development opportunities members of our faculty have participated in so far this school year:

Pat Carter, Academic Support: “Providing Organizational Systems for Note taking, Study Skills and Homework.”

Guo-Qing Heaton, Chinese: “Classroom Management for (Relatively) New Teachers-Series.”

Benjamin Rubin, Math and Physics: The American Association of Physics Teachers-Winter Meeting, Seattle, Washington.

Vinay Chowdry, Media Arts, and Ileana Jimenez, English: National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference, “Nurishing Ourselves for the Swim Upstream.”

Julia Heaton, Jane Belton and Ileana Jimenez, English: Bard Institute for Writing and Thinking, “Writer as Reader Workshops."

Karyn Silverman, Librarian and Chair of the 2007 Best Books for Young Adults Committee: “American Library Association Conference.”

Professional development is a challenge to fit in during the school year, but our commitment to it is ongoing. We are grateful to have had so many opportunities.

All the best,
Ruth


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. Change of date! The next meeting of Parents whose Children Receive Academic Support will be held on Thursday, March 1 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. LREI Community Drive: The Commmunity Service Committee will be collecting NEW and VERY GENTLY used baby items for 0-3 years of age. They will be collecting at the Sixth Avenue campus next week, Monday - Friday, Feb 12 - 16. All donations are tax deductible, and if you attach your name and address and value of donation, RTG will send you a receipt.

3.Art Auction Encore: Thank you all for your support of last week's Art Auction. The auction brought in sales of $107,000. There are still some wonderful pieces available so next week we will have the Art Auction Encore in the Sixth Avenue Auditorium. Pieces will be on show and available for sale. There will be a final reception and last chance to purchase the art on Thursday, 2/15 from 5:30-7:00PM. For those who missed it the first time, here's your chance to see some great art and support the School.

4.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.

5. As Spring Break approaches, 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.