Perspectives October 2010

Perspectives

HALF HOLLOW HILLS HIGH SCHOOL EAST PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER

Volume 1I , Issue 1

October 19, 2010

A Special Message from Dr. Woodberry Hello High School East Community,

The Insider’s View

Page 3 A perfect ACT score

Page 4 A life changing event

Page 5 Attack on graffiti

Page 7 Homecoming 2010

Page 8 Competition Night begins a new tradition

We are off to a great start this year at High School East! Of course with the passing of each year we must say goodbye to some of the irreplaceable veterans of the field. Fortunately we manage to find the most talented educators available to step in and fill the voids. The new additions to our staff are talented, eager and well prepared to continue the tradition of academic excellence here at our school.

We enthusiastically welcome the Freshman class of 2014 to High School East. The newest Thunderbirds have already contributed to making our school a better place. We encourage everyone new to the school who is not involved to get involved. There are numerous clubs, activities, teams and events in which to take part. We believe that High School East should be more than a place to “go to school.” Students and staff are developing creative ways to get more students involved in school activities. For example the student government gave homecoming a makeover by instituting a class competition night. The event certainly contributed to students having fun, bonding and feeling a greater attachment to High School East.

There have been many significant changes at our school over the past few years but our excellence in academics, athletics and the arts has remained the same. As you will see in this issue a number of students have already been recognized for their outstanding performance in these areas. This is only the beginning. High School East’s commitment to achievement is never ending.

As we move forward through the first part of our year remember Respect, Responsibility and Excellence in all that you do.

J. A. Woodberry Principal

Special Thanks to Contributors: Maya Aguilar Kendall Geed Allyson Uttendorfer Ben Wiley

And Photographers: Felice Crystal Life Touch Studio

Congratulations to HS East National Merit Semi-finalist Karishma Sahbnani has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as a Semi-Finalist. In early September, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, were notified that they qualified for this prestigious honor.

They are also the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Karishma now must advance to the finalist standing in the competition by meeting rigorous academic standards. She is well on her way as she is a dedicated student in AP, Honors, and Independent Research courses.

We wish her continued success here at East and beyond.

Page 2

Perspectives

Accolades of Praise for Our Outstanding Scholars Merit Scholarship Program. They are Taha Ahmad, Jake Cohen, Scott Dunaisky, Brandon Ehrlich, Jonathan Franco, Rachel Fourteen students at HS East have been Gerber, Samuel Goldberg, Monika Haecommended for demonstrating out- bich, Alexandra Nemeth, Matthew Restanding performance in the National panes, Steven Saltz, Derek Sekuler, Benjamin Spiegel, and Brett Teplitz.

T h e s e students are among 3 4 , 0 0 0 C o m mended Students throughout the nation who are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

Although

Students Commended for Outstanding Performance

they will not continue in the 2011 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2011 competition by taking the 2009 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

To convey the honor these students have received, a spokesperson for NMSC states, “Recognition of high-achieving students is essential to advancing educational excellence in our nation. As demonstrated by their outstanding performance in our highly competitive program, the young men and women named Commended Students represent some of the most academically talented students in our country. We sincerely hope this recognition will enhance their educational opportunities and encourage them in their pursuit of academic success.�

Congratulations to all fourteen students!

National Achievement Schol- Principal Michael Bongino.

About 1,600 high-scoring ars Honored for Excellence participants in the National The National Achievement Scholarship Program is an academic competition established in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding Black American high school students. Students enter both the National Achievement Program and the National Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. HS East is proud to announce our semifinalists Christopher Hunter and Samir H. Touhamy, featured right with Assistant

Achievement Scholarship Program are designated Semifinalists and are named on a regional representation basis. They are the highestscoring program participants in the states that constitute each region.

Christopher and Samir will advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards. Finalists will be announced in January.

Outstanding Participants Johnathan Bacchus and Sinmidele Badero, featured below left with Assistant Principal Michael Bongino and Principal Dr. Jeffery Woodberry, are among 3,100 participants. Their accomplishment will be

brought to the attention of about 1,500 four-year colleges and universities in the United States.

This is only the beginning for all our scholars featured in this issue. As they continue to strive for excellence in their studies and activities here at East, they can expect many more rewards to come their way.

Page 3

Volume 1I , Issue 1

Recognition for Scholarship, Talent and Teaching Outstanding ACT Achievement A special congratulations is extended to Yusuf Sheth, pictured below with Assistant Principal Michael Bongino, for earning a perfect score on the ACT college admissions and placement exam.

Less than one-tenth of one percent of all test takers earns the top score. For example, among the high school graduating class of 2009, nearly 1.5 million graduates took the ACT. Of that number, just 638 students earned the top score.

NYSSMA All State Conference Winners HS East is proud to congratulate our fine young musicians and singers who will represent our school at the 75th Annual NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference in Rochester, New York on December 2– December 5, 2010. Thousands of students throughout the state last spring endured a rigorous audition process in order to qualify for this honor.

Social Studies Teacher Honored Congratulations to Mr. Scott Edwards for being recognized by the New York State Bar Association for his dedication to his students in the “We the People”

A Scholar and an Artist lighted and her biography Julia Lerner, a talented visual artist was named one of two Long Island Scholar-Artists for the month of November.

The Scholar-Artist program was established in 2007 by school and community arts teachers and administrators and is sponsored by the Long Island Arts Alliance.

Students in music, visual arts dance, theater, and media arts are recognized for their accomplishments by featuring their stories in Newsday.

Julia’s artwork will be high-

and photo will be featured in Newsday during the month of November. You may also find her work on the Long Island Arts Alliance website.

Julia is pictured below with Fine Arts Director Sal Randazzo and her art teacher Kim Norris.

Pictured right are Alexa Goetz (jazz knowledged at our Spring Concerts. tenor saxophone), Jackie Bakewell (jazz alto voice), Andrew Grossman (percussion), Rachel Karmel (jazz soprano voice), Matthew Jurman (jazz bass voice) and Janet Park (violin). Not pictured but also winners are Zachary Zadek (jazz piano, tenor, jazz tenor voice) and Andrew Ballereau (Bb clarinet).

Each of these students will be performing at the world renowned Eastman Theatre. The students will also be acprogram. The New York State Bar Association is responsible for the administration of the “We the People” Program of the Center for Civic Education.

Courtesy of the Center for Civic Education Website (http://www.civiced.org/ index.php?page=wtp_introduction): The primary goal of “We the People”: The Citizen and the Constitution is to promote civic competence and responsibility among the nation's elementary and secondary students. What makes the program so successful is the design of its instructional program, including its innovative culminating activity. The

instructional program enhances students’ understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy. At the same time, students discover the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing in which students "testify" before a panel of judges. Students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues.

Each year high school “We the People” classes are invited to participate in the “We the People” State Hearings. Teams first testify at one of the four Regional Hearings. Top classes at the regional level attend the state finals.

Page 4

Perspectives

Students Give Back to the World...

Nicaragua

By Maya Aguilar This experience was one of the most lifechanging events in my life.

I arrived in Managua on July 27th after a 2 hour flight from JFK to Miami, a 7 hour layover in Miami and then a 2 hour flight to Managua. We traveled to Jinotega, a mountain village the same night, and eventually fell asleep late that evening.

After a 1.5-hour trip by bus to a pueblo called San Gregorio, we dug trenches to lay pipes down. These pipes are ultimately going to be used to transport clean water to over 300 families in that area, because during the

The people in Jinotega had to be some of the most kind people I’ve ever met; not once did I see someone angry, or dissatisfied. They’re grateful for everything they have, and that’s a trait I hope to acquire. I admired the way children took care of each other. Men called out things like “Aye, Morena” or “Ven aqui negrita”, but I guess I got used to it, as I was the only black person on the trip. I also had to get used to children asking me for money, or asking for my leftovers at restaurants in Granada. I did a home stay with a family during the 3rd week, and listened to stories that the wife told, learned how to make arroz con leche, and even watch the FIFA World Cup. Luis (the husband) said the next time I come to Jinotega, I can stay at their house. Nicaragüenses were so eager to know how we felt about their hometown and how things are in the U.S.A. such as: Herman asked if it was true that NYC never sleeps.

A man by the name of Armando asked how much fruits cost when I helped hoe weeds in his lettuce field.

They asked me where certain states were.

Were there trees in the city?

What did our parents think about us coming to Jinotega?

Did we like the people here?

dry season, most families only have access to dirty water. When I was there, it rained everyday, so there wasn’t a water problem, especially since hydropower is the main type of energy used in Jinotega. Our workday consisted of the following; we arrived at San Gregorio around 10:00 a.m., had lunch at 12:30 p.m. and continued to work until 2:00.

These times were rarely subject to change.

Sometimes a bridge that we traveled through would flood and we would have to leave early.

Towards the end of the trip, work was located closer to the farms of the people involved in the project. Our job was to help dam the natural spring that is going to provide clean water for the families, so that the water could be used. Three days a week these families gave up time working on their farms to help us on the project; every three days they would rotate. Two brothers by the name of Gustavo and Fernando Blandon, and their friends Carmelo and Ronnie, drove the group to work, and to other various places. For the first couple of days, my whole body ached.

But I guess it gets used to pick-axing and shoveling 1-meter (3 feet) deep ditches.

I had the opportunity to ride horses on a coffee farm, and drink the best coffee I’ve ever had in MY LIFE. I even brought some home to share with others. I milked a cow, on the same farm (que se llama Kilamanjaro). I think up there is when I had the most appreciation for nature’s beauty…

I hiked for the first time on this trip to several places including: A cross on top of a mountain; in a rain forest (this was by far my favorite, I was maybe 50 ft from a raging waterfall, and I was drenched in water at the end); I can see why hikers feel like they’ve earned the view. With all of the hidden steps, and ladders, I enjoyed all of the trees and plants on this hike.

To a school on a mainly upward slope I also went zip lining.

During the final day the team spent in Jinotega, we had our very own kid’s Olympics, which took place in San Gregorio at the local school, though some of the fathers played at the end. We played games like tug-owar, three legged race and potato

sack run. My job was to take care of some of the smaller children and entertain them, and I met a 3-year boy named Christían who was very sweet. I still remember his little hat and boots.

I met people from California, Holland, Oregon, Washington, D.C. and Connecticut. And now I finally know people that live in Manhattan, who are hilarious. I can’t wait to visit them.

My mother sent me on this trip so that I would hopefully have a better understanding of the world around me, and narrow down what I wanted to do with my life. I can say that I accomplished both of these things, and I enjoy helping people, and I enjoy meeting new people, and learning about their way of life. As long as I can do those two things, I’ll be happy in my future career. I’m glad I had the opportunity to see how others live.

Volume 1I , Issue 1

Page 5

And Community Joining Together and Learning to Give On July 16th, 2010 I, as well as a group of 25 high school students from St. Luke Lutheran Church, embarked on a trip of a lifetime-to see New Orleans after the devastation of Katrina and the Oil Spill that effected the many citizens in Louisiana,

with 25,000 other youth. This trip was countries" when we discuss troubled the National Youth Gathering, that oc- lives or going to help members of the curs every 4 years for Lutheran world, but the truth is, within our very churches all own United States, across the “This trip really opened my there are people in United States. desperate need of our eyes to the troubles of people support and assisThis past summer, the right within my own country.” tance. Especially in NYG took economic times such place in New Orleans, so the youth that as these, when the country as a whole is participated were able to not only learn going through tough times, its hard to about themselves, but about others and think of giving to others. But truthfully, the hardships within their lives, and this is the time when it means the most. hopefully help one another achieve hap- When we can learn to give when we piness and peace. This trip really have only a little ourselves, that's when opened my eyes to the troubles of peo- we've really learned the meaning of givple right within my own country. Many ing with our hearts. people always think of "third-world — Contributed By Kendall Geed

Graffiti Task Force Strikes Again

N.A.H.S. Gives Back

On Thursday, October 7th, many students from both High School East and High School West participated in the 2nd Annual Anti-Graffiti Task Force. This task force was initiated by Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern, and focuses on removing graffiti and other acts of vandalism from our community. Legislator Steve Stern believes that the Half Hollow Hills community is worth conserving, and often asks young people to step up and stand up to these senseless acts.

Here at High School East, many students stood up to the challenge, and with the help of Legislator Steve Stern and administrative intern Ben Wiley, organized a clean up effort of a nearby fence on Vanderbilt Parkway.

Thanks to them, this fence is now graffiti free, and the community can enjoy a vandalism-free ride to and from the High School.

High School East’s chapter of the National Art Honor Society members have been busy collecting paper products to donate to the New Orleans Mission, a homeless shelter and soup kitchen, for those who lost their homes after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. In addition, N.A.H.S. is sponsoring Mrs. Uttendorfer, co-advisor and art teacher, to travel to New Orleans and participate in a “Woman’s Build” through Habitat for Humanity and volunteer her time at the shelter. The members of N.A.H.S. have already had two bake sales to raise funds for this important cause.

Members also sold bowls made from melted records to the parents who attended Back to School Night. Proceeds from these rockin’ record bowls will go toward our NAHS annual scholarships. The most recent meeting was exciting and filled with artistic energy as members created artist trading cards.

The National Art Honor Society currently has the most members to date and with so many talented new and old members, it should be a creative year! Members are looking forward to building the circus themed haunted house for Safe Halloween and the upcoming ‘Big Top’ themed gallery show.

— Contributed by Ben Wiley

— Contributed by Allyson Uttendorfer

Page 6

Perspectives

Students Collaborate Across the Curriculum Ancient Timekeepers “It’s 6000 BC. You’re a Neolithic tribal Star chief—the keeper of time. Through your keen power of observation, you understand the mysteries of cosmic rhythm—the pulse of the universe.

Your tribe has elected to undertake the construction of a giant stone calendar which will serve as a sacred temple and meeting place as well. This will help them to organize tribal life: planting, harvesting, and many rituals.” Thus begins

Order in the Court Students learned math the judiciary way in Kellie DeRosa’s math class.

Groups of students cooperated to solve problems, then sent a “lawyer” to present their “case” to the jury (class) and judge (Ms. DeRosa). Members of the jury were able to object and offer an alternative solution.

Social Studies teacher Courtney Silberman’s interdisciplinary lesson in which students create the base for a “stone calendar” using a polar coordinate blackboard and various colored blocks. While students learn important content for Global History such as social structures and beliefs of early civilizations, they also work with planetarium director Tom Affatigato to understand how ancient people determined time, seasons, and points of navigation. They literally learn hands on how these people “measured earth” in the dawn of Geometry. Students understand that the tribal architect and builders would construct an amazing structure around these 2000 years to build.

As an extension of the lesson, students most important points. spend time in the planetarium watching a One such structure is Stonehenge, which took visual display of these concepts.

Ms. DeRosa, dressed in a judge’s robe, carrying a large blowup anvil, kept order in the court. Students earned points and the winner won homework passes for the group.

Students gained an understanding of courtroom procedures and math skills while having fun.

Lesson in Local Politics As part of a Participation in Government unit in Mr. Frankel’s Regents Government class, students had an opportunity to hear legislator Steve Stern speak about his background and responsibilities as a politician in local government. Students were well prepared after conducting an independent study of a local elected official, researching a controversial issue, and studying fundamental issues and the constitution. They also prepared questions for Mr. Stern pertaining to how he got started in politics and what issues in government he feels strongly about. This was an excellent opportunity for students to use their new found knowledge to interact with their community legislator.

Volume 1I , Issue 1

Page 7

Homecoming 2010 Pep Rally kicked off the weekend with a celebration of fall teams and fun themes from our homecoming court.

Then, on Saturday, October 2, 2010, the Half Hollow Hills East Community enjoyed Homecoming festivities under a perfectly blue and sunny sky. The parade began the day with our Marching Band, Homecoming Court, Cheerleaders and Kickline team. Each grade level showed off their floats in preparation for the performances on the turf.

At the end of the football game, students had a brief respite before gathering in the west gym for the first annual Hills East Competition Night.

Enjoy the photos on these pages and also many more in the Media Gallery on the HS East page of the district website.

HALF HOLLOW HILLS HIGH SCHOOL EAST PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER

High School East 50 Vanderbilt Parkway Dix Hills, NY 11746

School of Distinction New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc. (NYSPHSAA) has honored High School East with the prestigious School of Distinction award.

All of the spring teams qualified for the Scholar Athlete Team Award during the 2010 spring season. Congratulations to all team players and their coaches. We are very proud of your accomplishments on the field and in the classroom.

Additionally, the following teams were recognized by NYSPHSAA for Sportsmanship: Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse, JV Baseball, Varsity Girls’ Golf and Varsity Boys’ Tennis.

Competition Night Produced by: Darlene Lilla Assistant Principal Phone: 631-592-3128 Fax: 631-592-3121 E-mail: dlilla@hhh.k12.ny.us

Visit Our Website: www.halfhollowhills.k12.ny.us

High School East

The first annual Homecoming Competition Night took place on Saturday evening, October 2, 2010. Students at each grade level competed in a variety of games and activities to accrue points toward the overall homecoming race to the finish. Seniors finished first with juniors right behind in second. The freshman trumped

the sophomores to finish third.

Overall, the evening was a huge success and the perfect ending to an exciting and action packed day. All of us at East look forward to many more years of the Homecoming Competition Night tradition. At the end of the evening, happy and exhausted, students proclaimed, “This is way better than the dance!”