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Jay’s Picks: Reading, Learning About U.S. Presidents

Jay Fung, MCS Librarian

By Jay Fung
MCS Librarian

Cherry trees, stove pipe hat, wooden teeth, “fourscore and seven years ago,” $1 and $5 bills. These images conjure up two of the most iconic Americans in history. Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. We honor them in many ways, but most people nowadays remember them because we get a day off for President’s Day. (Some of us remember when we used to get two days before the “holiday” was consolidated into one!)

In any case, a number of intriguing children’s books that highlight these two men have been published in recent years. Although many of us can summarize both of their lives in some choice words, I would venture to guess that many of us don’t know much about their actual lives and history. Here are some titles that I have gathered that, although they are about Washington and Lincoln, vary widely in subject matter and approach.

George Washington’s Birthday: A Mostly True Tale by Margaret McNamara (Picture book, ages 4 and up) – From award-winning author Margaret McNamara and New Yorker artist Barry Blitt comes this partly true and completely funny story of George Washington’s 7th birthday. In this clever approach to history, readers will discover the truths and myths about George Washington. Did George Washington wear a wig? No. Did George Washington cut down a cherry tree? Probably not. Readers young and old, who are used to seeing George Washington as an old man, will get a new look at the first president—as a kid.

Join us! MCS Community Basketball Game on Feb. 17

You’re invited to Manhattan Country School’s Community Basketball Game on Friday, February 17 from 4-6 p.m. at the 92nd Street Y. Come watch MCS parents, teachers and alumni play and cheer them on! There will be all sorts of activities, including a basketball obstacle course, shooting contest and our very own cheer squad. Free! For more details, please contact Jermaine Lloyd at (212) 348-0952.

Grand Opening! The 6-7s Post Office

I’m gonna wrap myself in paper
I’m gonna dab myself with glue
Stick some stamps on top of my head
I’m gonna mail myself to you

I’m gonna tie me up in red string
I’m gonna tie blue ribbons, too
I’m gonna climb up in my mailbox
I’m gonna mail myself to you
– song by Woody Guthrie

Tuesday was the grand opening of the 6-7s’ Post Office and it runs through Wednesday, March 21. Students will be operating a post office right here at MCS in the lobby. This year, the 6-7s class chose to name their postal operation The MCS Post Office. Their slogan, inspired by the Fairway grocery store, is “Like no other Post Office.” They are learning about the work of mail carriers, how to prepare an envelope, the value of coins, and the inner workings of the postal system. In the classroom, there’s a collection of postage stamps from around the world, an area outfitted for sorting mail, and much more.

Jeff, Joe and Jenna’s dad, helped create the t-shirts students are wearing today. During math class, students practiced working as a Postal Clerk and learned about helping customers who were buying the various products. For example, “Jermaine bought two postcards and five stamps.  How much does he owe?”

How you can participate:

You can send a letter or a postcard to anyone in the school. Just like a real post office, you must have a stamp and an address on your envelope. MCS stamps will be sold for a penny in the lobby every morning from 8:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. or in the 6-7s classroom during lunch from 12:30 to 1 p.m. To mail a letter, put it inside the big blue mailbox in the lobby. Students will pick up, sort and deliver the mail.

Have fun and enjoy participating in this annual tradition!

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Photos by Aeden Keffelew

Parents’ Council Meeting on February 16

The next Parents’ Council meeting is on Thursday, February 16 at 9 a.m. in the third floor meeting room. Please join us!

Boys Varsity Basketball Team Wins!

Manhattan Country School’s boys varsity basketball team beat The Dwight School – 37 vs. 26 points – in their last home game of the season at the 92^nd Street Y on Monday. The boys’ team has moved into the first round of playoffs where they’ll play against the Dwight School at 3:30 p.m. on February 27^th at the Cathedral School on 111^th Street & Amsterdam Avenue.

In related sports news, the girls will play a home game against Bank Street School for Children at 4 p.m. on February 27^th at the 92^nd Street Y. Come cheer on our student athletes!

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Photos by Jamie Evans and Aeden Keffelew

Pinki to visit HOPE Foundation Nursery & Primary School in India

An image from the photography exchange with Pinki's class.

Fifth grade teacher Pinki Shah will spend the February break (“I’m only going for eight days”) in India! She will spend her time visiting and teaching at HOPE Foundation Nursery & Primary School in Bhuj, Gujarat. She will also be visiting the desert region of Kutch, one of the major towns during the Indus Valley Civilization. Her trip will require air travel (through Qatar), train, bus, and car transportation, taking her in and out of internet range.

Why is this important? Since 2010, Pinki has spearheaded a photography exchange between MCS fifth graders studying sustainability and students at HOPE foundation Nursery & Primary School (supported by the Children’s Hope India). There is no language barrier with digital cameras in the hands of 10- and 11-year-olds on two continents. Focused on food, water, fuel, and plastic, their images open not only new eyes on the world, but new perspectives on one’s own consumption of natural and humanly-produced resources. Weekly downloaded and e-mailed images are eagerly anticipated events, that can take place in the classroom, at the Farm, and at community events like the Essie Green Gallery hosted for fifth graders last year. Sales of the photographs help cover the cost of the program and encourage in an authentic way the seeds of philanthropy education as proceeds are shared with Children’s Hope India.

Solidifying our relationship with Children’s Hope India fits precisely within the guidelines of the Gelernt Mentoring Program which is providing some of the funding for this exchange. Chris Guajardo and Armando Lopez will be teaching fifth grade in Pinki’s absence.