Perspectives
HALF HOLLOW HILLS HIGH SCHOOL EAST PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER
The Insider’s View
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Students and staff support holiday charities
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21st Century Learning projects in the classroom and beyond
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Fall athletic teams receive honors
Volume 1 , Issue II
January 11, 2010
A Special Message from Dr. Woodberry We are almost at the midway mark for the 2009-2010 school year. Time flies when you’re having fun! As you will read in this edition, already this year we have had a significant number of accomplishments in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities. Our students are pushing themselves to finish the second quarter strong and will soon be preparing for midterms and for the Juniors the Regents Examination in English. The High School East staff is working hard as always to ensure that our students receive high quality instruction. We have continued with staff development to strengthen our knowledge of key skills that students need to be competitive in today’s world. Our work is translating into unique, authentic, meaningful and enjoyable learning experiences for our students. Excellence abounds in and outside of the classroom at High School East. As in the past, a number of our seniors have already secured admission into some of the finest institutions in the nation. During this cold winter season our students showed school and holiday spirit in various ways including a class spirit day competition, winter sports pep rally, holiday show for the James E. Allen Alternative School and a myriad of charitable community service endeavors. We take great pride in all that the students do to uphold the tradition and image of High School East! I will end this message with a look into the future. We are currently in the process of creating the master schedule for the 2010-2011 school year. By the time you read this, students would have had presentations on courses, electives and new course request procedures. Also, teachers have made course recommendations to students for their future schedules. You should have received an email from me or a letter informing you that students are invited to input their course requests online this year. If you have not received this communication, please visit our school website or contact the guidance department. Parents, please take this opportunity to discuss the various courses available at High School East with your child. As always we thank the Board of Education, the Superintendent and Central Office Staff, the High School East PTSA and of course the parents of our community for making it possible for us to provide the best educational experience for our students. Remember: Respect, Responsibility and Excellence!
Inside this issue:
Dr. J. A. Woodberry Principal, HS East
Continued Recognition for HS East Scholars Page 2 Making a Difference to our Troops Overseas
Page 4 Young Scientists Take Up the Challenge
Pages 6&7 Spirit Day and Winter Pep Rally
Page 8 Outstanding Wrestlers
The American Association of University Women, Huntington Branch presented their Excellence in Science Awards on November 17, 2009. With the help and support of members, including our own science teacher Ms. Susan Hirschmann, pictured 3rd from left, they promote this program to recognize young women in their junior year in high school who, through their extraordinary interest, method of inquiry and creative expression in science, have presented themselves as outstanding students. We are proud of this year’s HS East recipient Carly Emmer, featured 5th from right along with winners from other area schools. HS East boasts of three students, who were named as Semi-finalists in the prestigious Siemens Competition, administered annually by the College Board. The Siemens Foundation announced the Semifinalists and Regional Finalists for the Siemens Competiion in Math, Science and Technology on October 23, 2009. A record number of 1,348 projects were received this year for the competition, and 318 students were named semifinalists. Thomas McCune and Brett Teplitz, both juniors, were awarded for their team project in biochemistry titled: Mutational Analysis of the Escherichia coli MoeB Protein Provides Insight into the Mechanism of E1-like Enzyme Activation. Matthew Miecnikowski, a senior, was awarded for his work as part of a materials science team project from the Garcia Program at SUNY Stony Brook with Mubarrat Bhuiyan from Jericho High School.
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Perspectives
Architecture Students Spread Holiday Cheer
Article and photo contributed by Marianne Mead. For more photos see the Media Gallery on the HSE Webpage.
The Architecture Club—Project Green wanted to do something special for needy children this holiday season. Club member Danielle Marx researched local orphanages and made a connection with Little Flower Children’s Services and Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch. After numerous bake sales, students raised money to build toy boxes and fill them with toys. Club officers, VP Rebecca Simon, VP Ari Horowitz, and Secretary Jordan Brenner, shopped for the supplies needed to build the toy boxes. Other club members, including Max Steck, Lauren Sanit, Libby Lim and Nicholas Fondacaro worked tirelessly on the construction and painting during meetings, at home, and on free periods to ensure that the toy boxes would be ready for holiday delivery. Art teacher Ms. Marianne Mead and more club members shopped for toys to fill the boxes. Mr. Siegel, a parent of a club member, along with Ms. Mead, Jared Siegel, Chanel Hytower, Max Steck, Jagger Steck, and Syed Ali personally delivered two toy boxes to each orphanage. They used materials made from recycled wood scraps, scrapwood, and more eco-friendly paints such as latex H2O spray paint to try and maintain the club’s eco-friendly goals. Ms. Mead stated, “They were the perfect Architecture Elves this holiday season and I am proud of them.”
Making a Difference to Our Troops Overseas Francesco Fanelli started the tradition two years ago when he was a senior here at HS East. As an active participant in the Trees for Troops campaign sponsored by Fed Ex and Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, he came up with the idea of HS East students making a contribution by writing letters or holiday cards to our troops overseas. Francesco returned each year after he graduated to continue his legacy. This year he teamed up with English teacher Ms. Nicole Dalton and her senior College Writing class to not only encourage students to write letters, but to donate items such as magazines, shaving cream, batteries, CDs, and other life necessities. On Monday, November 30, 2009, Francesco and students from Ms. Dalton’s class visited all the English classes throughout the day to pitch their cause. The response was overwhelming and his project was a huge success: Francesco sent over 500 letters and cards, a
Francesco Fanelli (center) with Kaitlyn Rick, Caroline Ostuni, Malik Destil, Akhil Muttreja and Nicholas Forelli
record breaker over last year’s 300 mark. Ms. Dalton’s students sent
“This whole project was an amazing experience for me and my students.” eleven full boxes of supplies for the troops in Afghanistan, plus four big manila envelopes with holiday greeting cards from a few hundred students. Ms. Dalton stated, “This whole project was an amazing experience from beginning to end for me and my students.” We hope the tradition will continue in years to come—with the inspirational leadership of Mr. Fanelli and Ms. Dalton, we know we can count on the compassion and thoughtfulness of our students to truly make a difference in the lives of those who defend our country.
Seniors in Ms. Dalton’s College Writing class exhibit their excitement as they prepare the boxes for shipping.
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Volume 1 , Issue II
A Pie in the Face Brings Smiles at HS East and Beyond Too often, the media ignores the good that teenagers are capable of. However, when given the opportunity and the guidance, teens can be as dedicated and generous as many well-known philanthropists. The annual Pie War reminds High School East of this.
November, the discussion was halted when Alex McLean mentioned “Chillin’ with Adam: The Adam Gaynes Foundation.” The name was foreign to some class members, including the teachers, but Alex soon explained that Adam was a West Hollow student who lost his fight with a brain tumor. He would have been graduating with this senior class in June. Focused on Alex’s presentation, the students learned that the Foundation helps improve pediatric cancer facilities and make treatment a bit easier for the young patients. The class voted unanimously to make Chillin’ with Adam the recipient of their fundraising efforts.
Mr. Rendon and Ms. Carroll's service-learning project started three years ago as a way to teach business-world skills and habits though a relevant and rewarding medium. The students learn about effective advertising; professional email, letter, and memo writing; budget shopping; citizenship and service; and, most importantly, that they can use their writing and speaking to help Students immediately drafted professional letters to Dr. improve the lives of others. Woodberry, the Gaynes family, Every year, the students “pitch” the district PR firm, and other possible charities--American administrators. All quickly replied Cancer Society, foster homes, with their support. Next, they Habitat for Humanity--and usually scoured the school looking for t h es e t u rn i n t o l e n g th y volunteers to be pied, and the d iscu ss i on s . Ho we ver , i n faculty of High School East did
not disappoint. More than twenty volunteers stepped up, including teachers, administrators, and one brave security guard. To keep the competition intense, the class narrowed the list down to a group of ten. A week of poster designing, bucket decorating, and fund raising culminated with the actual "pie-ing" at the winter pep rally. The crowd roared as Mr. Wiley work had broken previous Pie and Mr. Breig received a delicious War records and raised over demise. The "safe" teachers $800 for pediatric cancer. clapped and laughed in support. From a front row seat, a class of -Article by Patrick Rendon seniors smiled, knowing that their -Photos by Life Touch
Dylan’s Footprint Leaves a Mark the Suffolk County high schools. The from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which “Caravan of Compassion”, led by student confines him to a wheelchair and presents a in Our Hearts and Minds leaders from each high school and directed by myriad of health related issues. Dylan’s family The Suffolk County High School Principals’ Association started an initiative this year called Compassion Without Borders. The Purpose of the program is to unite the County’s high schools in an effort to make a significant contribution to a charitable cause. Each year a cause will be identified at one of
the building principals, will work to raise funds, awareness and to contribute time to assisting someone in need at one of our neighboring schools.
lives in a home that is not conducive to his needs, in disrepair and they are struggling financially. Despite his condition and the circumstances he keeps a positive attitude, stay’s active within his school community and strives The program kicked off at Harborfields High to do all that he can in life. School on October 22, 2009. Hundreds of student leaders from the various high schools Recognizing this, his school community began listened to mov- a fundraising campaign to try to brighten his ing presentations life the way he brightens theirs. “Dylan’s by principals, a Footprint” was developed to help Dylan’s superintendent, a Family and other families on Long Island who student govern- are affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystroment president phy. and the young man who was High School East and West did their part in the inspiration contributing to this worthy cause. The two schools had a volleyball tournament to raise for the idea. money for the cause. High School East also This active, en- sold several food items to bring in more gaging, hard- funds. As a result of the students’ efforts, working Harbor- spearheaded mainly by student government field’s student is representatives, High School East and West Dylan Thomp- donated $1000 each to Dylan’s Footprint. son. He suffers — Dr. J.A. Woodberry
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Perspectives
21st Century Learning The Global Classroom Catches On Earlier this year, students in Ms. Sirulnick’s French class participated in a quiz challenge via video conference with students in France. Since then, Ms. Merejo was able to arrange a similar conference for her seniors in Spanish 12. This time, students engaged in conversational interaction with students in the Dominican Republic. In Spanish, they shared personal experiences such as their college aspirations and future goals. One international conversation revealed that a Dominican Republic student would be attending the same college as one of our students, and they discussed the possibility of being roommates! Our students were also intrigued when they noticed their counterparts wearing school uniforms. The students had fun, used the language authentically, and made new global friends.
Young Scientists Take up the Challenge On December 9, 2009, two teams from East competed in the OSI Protein Challenge at Stony Brook University for the first time. We were among 27 teams representing 20 schools from Nassau and Suffolk County. Students prepared by reading articles, learning the principles of protein structure, and learning a computer application to visualize molecular structures. We submitted a pre-built model of insulin a week before the event. At Stony Brook, the teams competed on a written exam and built a model of a protein associated with the insulin receptor. They had to use the Jmol computer software, documents from RCSB Protein Data Bank, and articles provided at the competition. Our teams were very successful with a fourth and seventh place rank. The team members are featured below: Hannah Kenagy, Lekha Grandhi, Rohit Ramani, Eric Teplitz, Brett Teplitz and Daniel Park, along with their coach Glen Cochrane.
International Slide Rule Competition Last spring, Rose Suarez’s ninth grade research class at High School East participated in the Slide Rule Museum’s International Slide Rule Competition. The program intends to promote numeracy while increasing students’ knowledge of slide rules. Hannah Kenagy, a student in the class, learned about the competition while doing mathematics research and recommended it to her teacher. The museum lent the class a set of slide rules which the students practiced using in preparation for a competition. Everyone was excited since this was the first class to participate in the competition. Despite several tie breaking rounds, the top scorers held their ground. Silver medals were awarded to three students (Lekha Grandhi, Connie Long, and Adam Needelman) while two students received first place gold medals (Hannah Kenagy and Jane Hung). Visit http://sliderulemuseum.com/ for more information about the International Slide Rule Competition. —Article and photo by Rose Suarez
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21st Century Learning “True Colors” Lift Spirits The Advanced Placement Art History Installation has become an annual event that students and staff at HS East look forward to each year. This year we have been inspired by the artist Dale Chihuly. He is a contemporary glass artist that founded the Pilchuck Glass School to promote glass as a fine art medium. Chihuly was injured in an automobile accident, which caused him to become blind in his left eye. Though injured, it has not stopped him from creating fine pieces of glass art work. He has transformed what we typically think of glass by creating delicate, organic forms and combining them to form unusual, layered large scale glass installations.
Colors' will transform our school environment in an interesting way. Cellophane and tape creates the illusion of glass. Cellophane is a transparent material that allows light to penetrate for a beautiful rainbow, similar to glass. In addition, color is such an important element in the creation of art. It has the power to affect how one feels and thinks. It can also influence a person's mood and provoke thought. The installation is located in the area between the two elevators near the west gym. We believe this is the perfect location for our installation since most students pass through this area at least one time during their day, therefore it can easily make a renowned and noticeable statement about Art History.
This years' installation entitled 'True
—Article and photos by Allyson Uttendorfer
Future Business Leaders Students at all grade levels put their creative minds together not only in the various business courses offered, but in the myriad extra-curricular activities offered by our business department. One of the benefits of taking advantage of our business program is that it offers students an opportunity to work collaboratively on real life projects and experiences in such fields as marketing, entrepreneurship, advertising and much more. On December 7, 2009, students from both high schools participated in the Business Leadership Competition at Farmingdale University sponsored by the Young Professionals Chamber of Commerce, a program of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce. Over 200 high school students competed in multiple business categories. The HS East students pictured below, under the tutelage of business teacher Jeff Finch, won or placed in their respective categories. Jason Breitstone took first place in the Job Interview category; Jacob Dorfman and Brian Farello placed third for Entrepreneurship; Eric Kessler and Jon Cohen also received third place honors for Hospitality Services.
Mount Olympus Comes to the Lecture Hall Ms. DeStefano and her students make the Gods come alive in her English elective Mythology. Highlights from the fall 2009 event included the much anticipated disputes over the Golden Apple of Hesperides, the marital woes of Hera and the philandering Zeus, and the musical style of Apollo vs. Pan. During the meeting, Hermes arduously defended himself, as his theft of Apollo’s cattle was brought to light. Hephaestus scorned his wife Aphrodite for her love affair with Ares, the hunky God of War; and Poseidon apologized to Athena for defiling her temple, while bragging about his love affair with Medusa, poor Gorgon. Eris, Goddess of Discord was present to enjoy the bickering, and Dionysus passed his non-alcoholic wine skin and reveled in the chaos. Pictured above: Dakota Smith as Dionysus, God of Wine; Josh Rosenbaum as Apollo, God of the sun and Music; Matt Russo as Hephaestus, The Blacksmith God; Dianna Jackson as The Gorgon, Medusa; Julia Waldman as Aphrodite, Goddess of Love; Andrew Mock as Zeus, Lord of the Universe; Meg Sexton as Athena, Goddess of War; Sam Kiamanesh as Hermes, the Messenger God; Brian Springall as Pan, God of Nature; Samantha Mele as Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt. —Article by Lauren DeStefano
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Perspectives
Spirit Day December 2009 HS East was alive with spirit on Friday, December 18, 2009. Students supported HSE and their teachers by displaying their excitement in red, black and white apparel. There were even delectable school colored treats in some locations. Teachers competed by encouraging spirit in their classes and the results were so overwhelming, we couldn’t decide who would be the winner. The top five most spirited teachers: Ms. Berrios, Ms. Zarra, Mr. Rendon, Ms. Stafford and Ms. Tamburello, are featured below center. Enjoy more photos on the Media Gallery.
Winter Pep Rally Our winter pep rally on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 was an event full of surprises. After cheering on our winter sports teams, the winning teacher of Spirit Day, Ms. Berrios, was announced. That was followed by the drawing for the Netbook raffle, sponsored by the School Based Management Team’s lawn sign committee. As a finale, the top two winners of the Pie Wars received their winnings right in the face! (See the full Pie Wars story on page 3). All in all it was a perfect ending to the last day before winter vacation. Enjoy some highlights below and see more on our Media Gallery.
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A Music Season to Remember It’s been a busy and exciting season for our young musicians and singers. Early in October, HS East students received the distinquished honor of having been selected by the New York State School Music Association to represent Half Hollow Hills in the 74th Annual All-State NYSSMA Winter Conference. They performed at the world renowned Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY, on December 5th and 6th. Featured below left, they are: Matthew Jurman (Bass Voice, Vocal Jazz Ensemble), Andrew Grossman (Jazz Drum Set Alternate and Timpani Alternate), Alyssa Hasbrouck (Alto Saxophone, Instrumental Jazz Ensemble and Baritone Saxophone Alternate), Daphne Shen (Violin, String Orchestra), Emma Ripp (Cello, String Orchestra), Zachary Zadek (Jazz Tenor Voice Alternate and Jazz Piano Alternate), Cara Laban (Alto Voice Alternate), Nicole Honovich (Soprano Voice Alternate), Andre Doughty (Jazz Bass Voice Alternate), and Victoria Perrier (Violin, String Orchestra).
There were also a number of All County and All State singers under the tutelage and inspiration of our new choral director, Danielle McRoy. Pictured below center are Brittany Nadler, Brittany Lovett, Jackie Bakewell, Jackie Vingan, Christine Grosso, Cara Laban, Ryan Kober, Courtney Roth, Whitney Paul, Matt Jurman, Peter Scelfo, Jacy McDonough, Brendan Holly and Zack Zadek.
a holiday season invitational concert reflecting the musical achievements of America’s Youth. The band under the expert conducting of Mr. Robert Belanich was one of six bands selected from throughout New York state.
Finally, our winter concerts on December 15th and 17th were the perfect finale to a wonderful season. All the hard work by our music staff and talented students conSpeaking of Brendan Holly (below right), verged in two joyous and entertaining evefor the third year in a row, he was selected nings. for the Macy’s Day Parade Great American Marching Band. Each year there are audi- We greatly appreciate the honor our mutions, and two instrumental musicians and sic program brings to HS East and wish all two color guards are chosen from each involved continued success. state. Once again congratulations Brendan for this distinguished honor! The Half Hollow Hiills East Symphonic Band was bestowed the honor of performing at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in America’s Youth in Concert. The event is
Holiday Concert a Tradition A holiday tradition, the student government sponsors the Holiday Concert at James E. Allen Alternative School. Singers, musicians and dancers dazzled the audience with inspired performances creating a truly joyous event. Every year our students enjoy the warm welcome they receive from the students and staff of James E. Allen.
Music Teacher Honored by Three Village Schools Leanne Strom, Orchestra Director, has been invited to guest conduct at the Three Village Schools AllDistrict Music Festival in February. This is a wonderful honor and opportunity for her and a great connection between two prominent orchestra programs. Ms. Strom has been a valuable member of our music department and she is an accomplished musician and conductor in her own right.
HALF HOLLOW HILLS HIGH SCHOOL EAST PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER
A Multitude of Team and Athlete Honors Scholarship and Sportsmanship Unite The awards kept pouring in this winter for athletes with high academic achievement and sportsmanship. Below are the teams and players honored so far.
High School East 50 Vanderbilt Parkway Dix Hills, NY 11746
Produced by: Darlene Lilla Assistant Principal Phone: 631-592-3128 Fax: 631-592-3121 E-mail: dlilla@hhh.k12.ny.us
award is given to scholar-athletes that exemplify academics, athletic ability, character and community service. Additionally, the Suffolk Zone Physical Education Award was bestowed on Maxx Meyer and Jasmine Wasserman. The criteria for this award is high physical education achievement, scholastically sound performance in all academic areas, outstanding character, leadership in Physical Education class and demonstration of leadership qualities in school-wide activities.
The Scholar Athlete Team Award is bestowed on teams whose members achieve academic excellence. This fall, the HHH East and West Girls’ Gymnastics Team received this honor from the New York The following teams were comState Public High School Athletic mended by NYSPHSAA for having Association, Inc. (NYSPHSAA). best exemplified the spirit of sportsmanship during the 2009-10 Individual players were also hon- fall season: Varsity Girls’ Tennis, ored for their academic achieve- Varsity Fall Girls’ Swimming,, Varment. Maxx Meyer and Jessica sity Girls’ Cross Country and VarEngelthaler were recipients of the sity Girls’ Soccer. All county Scholar Athlete Award by both Girls and Boys Soccer Coaches Associations. Both stu- Our Football Team exhibited sigdents represent the true meaning nificant improvement on both the of Scholar-Athlete. Commitment, Varsity and J.V. levels. All of us dedication and striving for excel- here at East and especially the lence are things that Jessica and coaching staff are proud of the Maxx do on the athletic field and in growth of both teams. Some of the classroom. This prestigious our outstanding team members
are congratulated on their postseason honors: Dominick Randazzo, All-County, 1st Team AllLeague; Justin Teufel, 1st Team AllLeague, National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete (Suffolk County Team); Brian Carle, 2nd Team All-League; Jared Higgins, 2nd Team All-League; Rob Merckling, 2nd Team All-League. Dorian America tried out and was selected to play in the Exceptional Senior Football Game for Suffolk County. Finally, sometimes a single athlete stands out in his or her sport, achieving accolades of praise. This fall season that athlete is Samantha Elgort, who earned a second place medal in the Singles Consolation Championship at the State Tennis Championships in Syracuse. In addition to this honor, Samantha was praised by Charles A. Leunig, the Superintendent of Schools in Copiague, in a special letter to our district, for her sportsmanlike conduct throughout the tournament. Congratulations to all athletes, teams and coaches.
Outstanding Wrestlers
Visit Our Website: www.halfhollowhills.k12.ny.us
The annual Hills East Holiday Alumni Wrestling Tournament was a huge success this year as HSE and HSW crowned champions at 152lbs and 140lbs respectively. DeShawn McNeil (HSE), scored a takedown with four seconds left in the match, as fifty plus alumni cheered in the VIP section of the school gym. The crowd of 500 plus were also entertained as Tyler Grimaldi (HSW), at 140lbs, registered a pin at 5:30 of the match. Both were voted Outstanding Wrestlers by their teams. Coach Magnani was honored before the finals with a plaque presentation for his 31 years of service to the HHH wrestling community.
JV Soccer Coach Bestowed Honors
High School East
Matt Mayo, a well-respected earth science teacher here at High School East was the recipient of the League III Junior Varsity Soccer Coach of the Year Award for the 2009 season. The coaches of League III awarded this honor to Mr. Mayo for his hard work and dedication he put forth throughout the entire season. Mr. Mayo coached his team to an impressive 7 wins and 5 losses record despite losing several key players to injury and to promotions of his players to the Varsity team that made the playoffs. This was Mr. Mayo’s fifth year as the JV Soccer Coach and he is very proud of his team’s commitment and dedication this past season. Mr. Mayo also credits the success of
his team to the other soccer coaches here at High School East. He believes that they have worked hard to establish a “soccer program”. The Junior Varsity, Freshmen, and Varsity teams practiced together and even attended each others games whenever possible. This camaraderie and support certainly foreshadows success in the years to come. Congratulations to Mr. Mayo and to all the s o c c e r teams of High School East for a truly memorable season.