In February, Newbery Award and Printz Honor Award-winning author Jack Gantos spoke to finalists of the Jack Gantos Writing Scholarship during a workshop in the Upper School Library at Léman Manhattan. At the workshop, Gantos discussed his inspirations, different writing styles, organization, story development, research, and shared hilarious anecdotes from his past. All four segments including a Q&A with the author and scholarship recipient will be available on our blog The Léman BullHorn.
The Visual Arts Department of Léman Manhattan Preparatory School proudly presents, Imagine. Its annual Upper School Art Show on Tuesday, February 12 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM on the 22nd floor of the 1 Morris Street Campus.
Middle School and High School Students showcase their artistic ability through projects that draw inspiration from the likes of Van Gogh, Robert Rauschenberg, and Chuck Close. They demonstrate an understanding of cubism, abstract expressionism, contemporary art, and the renaissance though everything from painting, drawing and printmaking.
Early Childhood Coordinator & Learning Specialist, Tina Lobel-Reichberg discusses the importance of her role in establishing a positive learning environment for students in the Lower School at Léman Manhattan.
What is a an Early Childhood Development Coordinator?
I oversee the Three’s through Kindergarten classrooms. I model developmentally appropriate activities and positive behavior management techniques, through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom. I provide opportunities and activities that encourage exploration, curiosity and problem-solving appropriate to the developmental levels of the children.
It is important for parents to be aware of my position because I supervise and provide leadership and support for the early childhood staff and students. I maintain open, friendly, and cooperative relationships with each child’s family and encourage their involvement in the program.
How do you work with children?
I interact with students and teachers on a daily basis through classroom visits and direct instruction with students to help maximize instruction. We are working together to set high expectations, and ensure that each child is working to the best of his/her ability.
What are the most common issues you see?
Throughout early childhood, children may experience separation anxiety, especially during the first few weeks of school. The teachers and I work as a team with families to ease the transition and feel enthusiastic about school.
Do you have recommendations for parents?
It is important that parents support their child’s achievements and efforts. It is also essential that parents provide encouragement and assist if their child is having difficulties acquiring skills. It is crucial that parents work collaboratively with the school. Sharing information from home and listening to teachers’ suggestions make for an optimal learning experience. Building self- confidence and self-esteem is the key factor in helping children to persevere. Modeling appropriate learning behaviors is a great way to influence your child.
Following an extensive application process, the International Baccalaureate Organization has named Léman Manhattan Preparatory School a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Although candidate status does not guarantee authorization, once the rigorous requirements are met, a candidate school is recognized as an International Baccalaureate World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Léman Manhattan believes is important for its students. Learn more about the program in our latest video.
Open publication - Free publishing
Léman Manhattan Chefs Jenny Gensterblum and Tim Mangun offer their favorite recipes, stories, and advice for healthy eating during this holiday season. Enjoy!
Chef Jenny’s cookbook is available at Blurb.com
Over the last month under Social Studies Teach Michael Johnson’s guidance middle school students have been immersed in all things United States electoral. The curriculum, based on actual current events, has students listening to convention speeches, analyzing each candidate’s and party’s platforms, creating electoral maps, participating in polling, and the culminates with a vote on election day.
“We are taking the time out to do these lessons that wouldn’t naturally fall into the curriculum, because I believe strongly that the success of our country rides on an informed electorate,” said Mr. Johnson. “Ensuring that people value voting is essential to democracy.”
Convention Speeches
Assigned with listening to each candidate’s convention speech, students analyzed the content and discussed the substance of each speech. The goal of the assignment was to help students shake external influences from their parents or teachers and make the decision based on what they hear and see from the candidates, focusing primarily on the key issues present in this year’s election.
Analyzing the Platforms
Whether the candidates vary dramatically or have similar views, it is essential that an informed citizen know the facts before they step into the polling booth. It’s not always easy to decipher between rhetoric and actual policy views. To navigate the chatter Mr. Johnson had his students complete two assignments in which they used the speeches, the New York Times, Washington Post and candidate websites to analyze the key issues in this year’s election, as well as write short candidate biographies.
“The ability to make an ‘informed’ decision is more difficult and complex than a majority of Americans have time for today,” said Mr. Johnson. “The media needs to help people make these choices in a responsible, comprehensive way. People need to be educated about a litany of factors related to Presidential elections.”
Electoral Mapping
Curious to many students and frankly voters, why do politicians and the media pay more attention to certain states versus others? To dive deeper into this issue students created an electoral map. They explored the intricacies of the Electoral College and importance of electoral votes.
According to Mr. Johnson:
More than any other factor, the election comes down to the Electoral College math. The election this year may indeed hinge on Ohio. This is not because Ohio has an overwhelming number of electoral votes, but because the current scenarios lead to it being the tipping point state in this election. Because of the nature of the Electoral College, a more accurate assessment of the prospects of each candidate lie in meta-analysis and polling models constructed to grant heavier weighting to them than national polls, although national polls cannot be excluded.
Polling
Students were taught what political polls are, how they are conducted, and analyzed polling leading up to this election. His students then wrote their own poll questions and conducted school-wide polling related to key issues and fun facts. The results were then analyzed against the national polls.
“Polling can be an instructive way to gauge how successful candidates are at disseminating their messages,” said Mr. Johnson. “By teaching students how to read and write polls, they are performing the same type of data-driven analysis the campaigns are using to develop their ground games, advertising, and talking points.”
Voting
Tomorrow, when parents take to the polls to vote, the middle school will also be casting a ballot.
“It’s not just about this election; they are learning the qualities of selecting a strong government and a strong leader,” said Mr. Johnson.
Students are going to have their chance, based on the information they have combed through, to select the candidate that they believe should be the next president of the United States.
