Blog

  • Students Shoot and Score

    April 11, 2014 - 3:32pm

    On March 21, the student government hosted the 3rd Annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament.

    East-West 3 on 3 Teams East-West 3 on 3 Teams
    Nine teams of middle school students competed. Nine teams of middle school students competed.
    Cheers and support were plenty from the sideline Cheers and support were plenty from the sideline
    Plenty of bumping from the high school players. Plenty of bumping and passing from the high school players.
    Refreshments were sold to support the Japan Trip this summer Refreshments were sold to support the Japan Trip this summer
    Sizing up the competition Sizing up the competition
    IMG_0953 Hand-Eye coordination and dribbling skills were displayed
    Missed opportunities Missed opportunities
    Where's the foul? Where's the foul?

    In the end...

    the taste of VICTORY The taste of VICTORY by our middle school students
    As well as our high school students. As well as our high school students.

    Click here to view more photos from this album

     

  • A Visit to Bill's Place

    April 11, 2014 - 2:25pm

    Juniors in American Literature class traveled to Harlem for a private blues concert with Bill Saxton at Bill's Place, located at 148 West 133rd Street between Lenox and 7th Avenue.

    IMG_0716 Eleventh graders in front of Bill's Place.

    The blues bar is the only original speakeasy left from Prohibition on Swing Street.

    Bill Saxton, a New York Native, international world class hard bop tenor saxophonist, performs live for our students. Bill Saxton, a native New Yorker, international world class hard bop tenor saxophonist, performs live for our students.

    2014-03-26 13.00.28

    We had a great time listening to blues, and hearing about the history of the neighborhood. We made connections between the music and neighborhood to our reading of James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" and the poets of the Harlem Renaissance.

    Click here to view more photos from this album.

  • Day of Silence

    April 9, 2014 - 3:31pm
    Members of GSA stand united in support of Day of Silence Members of GSA stand united in support of Day of Silence

    On April 11, 2014, there will be a nation-wide movement called "Day of Silence". The Day of Silence was created to show solidarity with all LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered) students who because of fear of ostracism and bullying, do not feel free to speak openly about themselves. The Day of Silence is a day for allies of LGBT students to reflect on what it must feel like to have to live a life in silence. It is hoped that in reflecting about this experience, empathy can be built amongst students to create a less hostile school community for all students.

    Why Silence? Day of Silence Organizing Tips

    During both lunch periods, students who choose to participate in the Day of Silence take a pledge, receive a friend sticker, and sign the Day of Silence banner.

    Middle School students pledging to the Day of Silence. Middle School students pledging to the Day of Silence.

    The Pledge:

    Please understand my reasons for not speaking today.  I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools.  My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by name-calling, bullying and harassment.  I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices.

    IMG_1745 High School students also signing the banner during their lunch period.

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    In support of the Gay Straight Alliance, the Friends of Rachel Club presented at Morning Muster the following presentation...

    Each day 160,000 students do not go to school because they are bullied, teased and harassed.  By turning the story of a tragic death at Columbine High School into a mission for change, Friends of Rachel Clubs around the country are helping to create safer learning environments and making a world-wide impact.

    The goal of the Friends of Rachel Club is based on the writings and life of 17 year-old Rachel Scott who was the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999. Rachel left a legacy of reaching out to those who were different, who were picked on by others, or who were new at her school.  Shortly before her death she wrote,

    I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same.  People will never know how far a little kindness can go.

    The five Rachel's Challenges are:

    1. Look for the Best in Others
    2. Dream Big
    3. Choose Positive Influences
    4. Speak with Kindness
    5. Start Your Own Chain Reaction

    The Friends of Rachel's Club and Gay-Straight Alliance stand together in our shared goal of ending bullying and creating a chain reaction of kindness and compassion in our school and community.  The main goal of our clubs is to help create a permanent cultural change in our school.  We are confident the chain reaction of kindness and compassion will continue for many years to come and we thank you for your support.

    Graham Cracker brand Honey Maid Fights Hate With "Love"

    Click here to view more photos of this event.

  • Celebrating Harumatsuri

    April 9, 2014 - 3:13pm
    Celebrating Harumatsuri at the United Nations International School in Manhattan Celebrating Harumatsuri at the United Nations International School in Manhattan
    On Monday March 24, 29 high school students from our Japanese language program in grades 10, 11, and 12 attended Harumatsuri, a Japanese Culture Festival held annually in New York City.
    performance Harumatsuri Taiko Drummer and Music Performer: Kaoru Watanabe
    rice cake pounding Yuan Zhi tries his strength at Japanese rice cake pounding
    IMG_1223 Ishaque pairing up with a buddy in Body Kanji in which they form Japanese characters with their body
    IMG_1254ver1 Carmen wearing a Yukata, a Japanese garment, also described as a casual summer kimono.
    IMG_1362 Lunch break! We're all enjoying our obentoo, japanese lunch box.
    The students travelled to the United Nations International School in Manhattan.  During the all-day event, over 250 Japanese language students from throughout the tri-state area visited over 60 interactive booths and themed areas to experience Japanese culture through hands-on activities such as rice-cake pounding, folk dancing lessons, traditional story-telling presentation, yukata dress-up, speeches, and skits in Japanese.  Students were required and challenged to speak Japanese to participate in the activities.  For some students, this annual event is their closest experience to visiting Japan, for others, it motivates them to want to travel to Japan to further their learning.  In all, it was a great experience filled with fond memories till the next festival.

     

  • Breaking the Cycle and Forgive

    April 2, 2014 - 3:22pm
    Special assembly program from Breaking the Cycle Special assembly program from Breaking the Cycle

    On Wednesday, March 26th our students had a special assembly program from Breaking the Cycle, a not-for-profit charitable organization, originally formed in the wake of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, which focuses on the message of non-violence and forgiveness to deal with issues that presses our students to react.

    From left to right: Charles Williams, Hashim Garrett, Christoph Arnold, assistant to Christoph Arnold, and Ian Winter From left to right: Charles Williams, Hashim Garrett, Christoph Arnold, assistant to Christoph Arnold, and Ian Winter

    The speakers included program director Ian Winter, lifelong peacemaker J. Christoph Arnold, motivational speaker Hashim Garrett, and former Cornwall-on-the-Hudson Police Chief Charles Williams.

    Christoph Arnold shared his experience of being an active member of the civil rights movement and developing a friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. Christoph Arnold shared his experience of being an active member of the Civil Rights Movement and developing a friendship with Martin Luther King Jr.

    Breaking the Cycle's approach is simple: The speakers tell personal stories of life experiences that demonstrate how, through choosing to forgive, conflicts can be resolved.  The message is positive - a direct appeal stressing self-respect and the unique value of each individual.

    Hashim Garrett spoke of his experience with gang related involvement as a teenager in Brooklyn, NY that resulted in him being shot six times by another teenager with a submachine gun. Hashim Garrett spoke of his past experience with gang related involvement as a teenager in Brooklyn, NY that resulted in him being shot six times by another teenager with a submachine gun.

    The main goals were to:

    • Counteract youth violence
    • Address bullying, peer pressure and racism
    • Promote self-respect and respect for others
    • Build links between educators, parents, students and law enforcement.
    Charles Williams spoke emotionally about growing up in a family where his mother was a severe alcoholic who neglected his needs till she was dying. Charles Williams spoke emotionally about growing up in a family where his mother was a severe alcoholic who neglected his needs till she was dying.

    As part of the program, students were given copies of Why Forgive – which features fifty-one incredible stories about overcoming fear and prejudice, nurturing forgiveness, and related themes along with She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall-who was one of the Columbine High School shooting victim, written the night before she was killed by two of her schoolmates.

    For more information on the program, please visit www.breakingthecycle.com

    Click here to view more photos from this album.

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