What’s in a word? Well, RIISE and Bell Curves are teaming up on a word challenge between Martin Luther King Day and President’s Day to post a total of ten words, what they mean, why they are important, and how they are used in a famous speech. The goal is to have fun learning and using words not used in everyday conversation, but may be encountered on standardized tests like the SAT. But, more importantly to experience the power and the context in which words have been used by amazing orators in famous and not so famous, yet powerful speeches;speeches that have changed the way we see the world and its possibilities! We will post two words and corresponding speeches weekly starting this Monday. Look out for them and share them with your children, family, students, and friends!

Week 1 – Two Words, One Speech – Martin’s

Hello everyone,

Please remember to RSVP for the Joint Meeting on LGBTQ issues in our schools.

This will be an exciting evening of dialogue that ISDN is co-hosting with the NY Independent School LGBT Educators group and Cometfire – a support group for MS LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning) students.

Please RSVP to Ileana Jiménez: ijimenez@lrei.org and include the number of people in your party

All adults are invited to join us for an evening of dialogue between parents and educators from both private and public schools. Panelists will share best practices and strategies on how to:

Create collaborative conversations between LGBTQ teachers, administrators, parents, students and their allies

Support all students and their families in grades K-12
When: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Cathedral School, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, (bet.111th &112th St.) New York, NY 10025
http://www.cathedralnyc.org/podium/default.aspx?t=1644

Share the attached flier with your colleagues and school communities.

CONFIRMED PANELISTS:
LGBT Educators:
Ileana Jiménez – English Teacher, LREI (Little Red School House & Elisabeth Irwin High School)
Sharon Ostrowsky – Quest to Learn (public middle and high school)Learning Strategist and Cometfire leader

LGBT Administrators:
Cynthia Chalker – Director of Diversity, Friends Seminary School
Marsha Nelson – Head of School, Cathedral School

LGBT Parents:
Taina Bien-Aime – St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s;
Mel Wymore – Fieldston

Ally Administrator:
Randy Clancy – Director of Diversity at Cathedral

COMETFIRE:
Scott Quasha – Rockville Centre Schools & Brooklyn College Adjunct Assistant Professor
More information about Cometfire – pflagnyc.org/support/cometfire
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