m t Qtlassic " wownlltnb lIart:ill lIig~ ~c~ool at (@uttnll Q!olltgt
V~1. 3, No.2
75-40 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, New York 11366
DECEMBER 1986
TeaDl Teachers Take Pride In Pilot Program By David Herszenhorn Two Quee ns College professors and two To wnse nd Harris teachers are currently participating in an interdisciplinary team-teaching program at the high school. History professor Robert Haan tea ches an English I class with Mrs . Sheryl Rubin and English profes sor Leo Walsh and Mrs. Rhoda Weinstein teach a Global History 3 class . ~
o
rr
....
01
'o"
()
<l>
-' -' w
§
</) </) '
~ ,
College Counselor Howard Wagner.
g
College Office Encourages Involvement . . By Karen G reenberger Dr. Paul Vicino and Mr . Howard Wagner head the newly-created Col-' lege Office, located next to the stage in the cafetorium. Vicino and Wagner Have tried to encourage the students: to become : more involved with the college office . by speaking to junior English classes concerning college choices and decisions. Wagner distribut~s a newsletter entitled " Dates " while Vicino writes "Heading for College." A bulletin board on the; stage serves asan information center' about financial aid and certain propaganda on schools. Notices and xposters are posted around the school along with ' cards asking for additional information about the college. . , During enrichment bands students arc able to work with Wagner and Metroguide "School Sort," a computer which offers college suggestions to the student based upon his selection of a major. In addition, at least twice a month representatives from various colleges. visit and :
These two team-taught classes ar e ~ pilots for a ' program which was designed for the twelfth grade cur - !!l riculum before Townsend Harris cr Dr. Haan and Mrs. Rubin discuss teaching techniques. reopened in 1984. The program insidered . A student is called upon and He also said that the ninth graders are volves seven electives that will be that student calls upon the next one; much more spontaneous. team-taught and run like seminars. the students listen to each other. Edward Ocampo described his This program is based on the Honors English I experience: "It's better The teachers use a method of Programs at Queens College . teaching similar to the one of the anthan other classes because you get to When the two teams of teachers cient Greek philosopher Socrates; say what you want and hear other prepared over the summer, Mrs. they guide the students to reach their kids' opinions ." Rubin was concerned about departing own conclusions. They discuss what Ninth grader Jane Gorayeb also from traditional methods of teaching, conclusions they want the students to likes the class and said, "I look forbut "looked forward to experimenreach before class . Discussions in ihe ward to it. It's not like any other class ting with discussion techniques in a classes become very involved . because we discove r the facts; ' the h inth grade class. " Mrs. Weinstein All teachers feel that the students teachers don't give them to us ." said, ," I thought it would be wonderparticipate with great enthusiasm. None of the teachers see any proful; the more insights the better. " "The arrangement of seats in a close' blems with the pilot program. Mrs. circle makes the students feel like a Rubin said, "I love teaching with Dr . Dr . Hahn was also confident since group of colleagues, " explained Mrs . Haan . We work well together, have he had been involved with sixteen the same goals and give each other Weinstein . "TJ:1e teachers don't judge other team-taught courses before this fresh insights ." Mrs. Weinstein also what they say, so the feeling of one . He said that he is very much in wrongness isn't there ." said that she adores working with Dr. favor of team-taught classes and enMrs . Rubin said. " More people Walsh. joys participating in them. Both high school teachers said that participate and the discussions are These classes are run much difthey would recommend that all much more comprehensive." ferently from traditionally taught Many people appear pleased with humanities classes be taught in 'this classes . Everything is centered on the the program . Mrs . Rubin said that she manner. Dr. Haan said that he would discussion of whatever material is beloves the class and thinks it is an recommend it for all courses that had ing covered. The desks are arranged enriching experience. a work of a literature to center around in a single circle around the room Dr. Haan expressed similar feeland keep looking back to, but that with each teacher sitting on one side . ings and revealed that teaching a high team-teaching is very expensive and The discussion begins with a quesschool class is different, and in some for this reason it cannot . be very tion that one of the students may have ways 'more fun than a college class. widespread . ' or one that the teachers want con-
discuss their school. , Metal bookcases support the wide variety of college catalogues and SAT Preparation books. "Prep courses are very important '" students should think in terms of the future," said Vicino . These courses are offered in all five boroughs and are free . , \
-Barron's Achievement and SAT books are recomm endedby Vicino for preparing for the exams , Most students take the SAT twice - in May of the junior year, and in November of their sen ior year, with a . chance of winning a Regents scholarship . The Achievements should be taken after a course is completed so the material is still fresh, according to Vicino. This month students will be receiving their PSAT scores . Both Vicino and Wagner are eager to 'meet with students to discuss the results and in- . terpretation of the test. .T he advisors are preparing for college representatives and possible trips tothe colleges.
FIRST AM<?NG EQUALS:
ALUMNUS SALUTES ALMA MATER Stand forever, resolutely, Inter pares prima, still.
By Renata Kobells Alma Mater Rediviva Phoenix, ji"0I1I the fiery tomb, Plumes new-furbished, i/Owarise- . Sentenced to thy final doom, Yet today thy city's pri ze. Townsend Harris, loving father, Who/ll honor, I/ml' as then; Glad]» greeting 0111' another, All thy lads refilmed as men .
we
Bol'II aI/eli' across the waters, Thou art doubly justified: Fostering both SOilS and daughters Who shall be the city 's pride . Alma mater we salute thee, Moved by a familiar thrill;
Three years ago when Townsend Harris High School was resurrected, like the Phoenix, Arthur 1. Morgan wrote this poem commemorating his Alma Mater. Morgan. who graduated from Townsend Harris Hall in January, 1927, "had always been disappointed with Mayor LaGuard ia" for closing the school. "I was very pleased that a group · was able to br ing Townsend Harris back . " says Morgan. " I felt that the people who had a hand in closing it had not understood its role in the ci- ' ty and even the country as a supporter . of excellence and tradition."
===-~~= -
- ' -~ ~
,-- ~
-
-
The poem was inspired by "Urbs Coronata" .("The City Crowned"), the anthem of City College, of which Morgan is also an alumnus . After attaining a law degree from Columbia University and passing the B'ar Exam, he was admitted, and ,worked with Thomas E. Dewey. He then went into private practice, married, and joined the army in 1943. A close friend by the name of Erdos got him involved in marketing research, from which he is now retired .
A Lingual Mr. Morgan Morgan also speaks German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portugese. He loved Latin in Townsend Har ris, and continued to study it in City College . He reads and translates
=---
Morgan. The teacher , who he parwritings from these languages. One ticularly admired and feels consuch achievement is the translation of tributed to his education the.most was A Manual of Reflexive Therapy of an English teacher, Dr. David Klein . the Connective Tissue from German "I felt and still feel that he is on my to English, a book which is now ushead if I'm going to make a mistake, ed for courses in the United States and correct it. " " and Canada. He has wr itten many Morgan's wife also wrote a song things including a book with his partfor her high school, Dalton , and his ner dealing with market researc h enson wrote the anthem for the Univertitled Professional Mail Surv eys. Mr. Morgan entered Townsend . •sity of Alaska , which he currently at.tends. His 'daughter is Assistant Harris at the age of twelve , and Editor of Ne\v York magazine. Mr. graduated before he was fifteen. "I'm Morgan is now a volunteer at the sorry to say and ashamed to admit: Memorial Sloan Cancer Center, and we always felt a little superior to any "poet marque." Indeed, Mr. a other high schools." Morgan is an alumnus who helped " I think that it (Townsend Harris) and still helps to encourage Town concuted in me a feeling that intellecsend Harris High School to be First tual activity was not sissy, that it was Among E quals . something worth cultivating," says
._--. " -~- - ~~~-.-