JOURNAL

Volume 6, Number 2 Spring/Summer 2004

Inside this issue: WISE 30-YEAR CELEBRATION— LINDA GREENE

President’s Message 2 On January 10, 2004, Matthews, Andrew Court- pursuing a WISE project in WISE Services sponsored ney, Bruce Bozeman, and forensic science, pointed Graduate Voices 3 a celebration of West- the Brown family – Phyllis, out, this event was an in- chester’s pioneers in expe- Bill, Steven, David, Rich- spirational look into the Annual Conference Report 4 riential learning programs ard, and Gary, all of whom opportunities that an indi- for high school seniors have been instrumental in vidualized senior experi- from four high schools – the success of WISE at ence provides. Building WISE 5 Woodlands, Scarsdale, Woodlands and of WISE Ben Weintraub, a stu- Croton-Harmon and New Services, were honored. dent at Scarsdale High WISE Schools 6 Rochelle. At a gala dinner Almost 300 people School wrote in the Ma- at the Westchester Mar- braved the cold to attend roon, his school paper, that A WISE Family 7 riott, graduates, their par- this event. They dined, lis- “WISE serves as both an ents, mentors, and local tened to music performed opportunity for some stu-

Did You Know? 8 business sponsors, joined by WISE graduates, dents to get a head start in together in an anniversary viewed a new WISE video, a possible career and as an celebration. Howard Rod- heard former students de- opportunity for students to stein, Head of the Scars- scribe the impact their pro- work in a field that inter- dale Alternative School, jects have had, and cele- ests them, but which they who helped found Senior brated the achievements of do not foresee themselves Options at Scarsdale High the honorees. Brinda Shah pursuing in the future. School, Toni Abramson noted in the Woodlands WISE and Senior Options student paper, are intended to allow stu- The Falcon, that dents to embrace opportu- for WISE gradu- nities which a standard ates, the night education would not allow. was a chance to Senior Options emphasizes renew friend- something that you may ships and to never do again, in any kind honor former of education.” Woodlands fac- The 30 Years Celebra- ulty members. tion was a very special eve- For current ning and one that will be WISE students, remembered by those who Brinda, who is attended for a very long time. Welcoming guests at the WISE 30-Year Celebration are (l-r): Vic Leviatin, WISE Services President; Brinda Shah and Regina Bediako, Woodlands High School seniors; Emily Mark, Nyack High School senior; and Dr. Linda Greene, WISE Services Executive Director Page 2 JOURNAL

WISE Services

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Steven Brown, Chairman Victor Leviatin, President Eric Rothschild, V.P. one conversation for re- 6. Have fun! Use Andrew Courtney, Secretary cruitment, “icebreakers” as a way to Numa Rousseve, Treasurer 2. Recruit a broad Charles Knoblock introduce participants at Michael Mark cross-section of the junior the first meeting. Then Mary Ann Masarech class who may be inter- Elizabeth S. Pforzheimer use them judiciously as Hon. Harry Phillips, III ested in WISE. At the end you “read” your members’ Douglas M. Pravda, Esq. of their junior year, inter- moods. Douglas T. Schwarz, Esq. view every eleventh grader 7. Have an Agenda

to determine their possible printed for every meet- ADVISORY BOARD interest in WISE and invite Lovely Billups ing. Focus the objectives of Mildred Brown, Ph.D these students and their the meeting for a specific Richard Brown parents to the last task time period, certain tasks, George Castellanos, Ph.D force meeting in the spring. Anita Cook-Gholston and stay within those pa- Amy Gerstein, Ph.D These guidelines are used Recruit additional parents rameters. Subcommittees Linda Darling Hammond,Ph.D at Rondout Valley High at a spring information Joseph Kaidanow of the Task Force should Eileen Kaufman, Esq. School, whose task force is meeting. Be sure to invite be given important but Sherry King, Ph.D among the most dynamic in all parents! manageable tasks (and not Olga Lara 3. Recruit a broad Ann Lieberman, Ph.D the country. We welcome be overwhelmed with “take Peter F. Mello suggestions from readers cross-section of students. home” responsibilities). for creative engagement of As always, use one-on-one 8. Inform community, STAFF/VOLUNTEERS task force members. recruitment talks and util- staff, and students with Linda K. Greene, Ed.D ize students to recruit fel- Executive Director great communication. Bill Brown The WISE Task Force low students. Provide written notices of Phyllis Brown provides a unique opportu- 4. Recruit educators Steven Cole, Ph.D dates of meetings or meet- Rena Frelow nity to bring together the who are interested in ing changes to all. Robert Frelow, Ph.D various “stakeholders” of Project-Based Learning. 9. Provide food and David Greene Identify those who are sup- Abby Hirsch the WISE “family”: com- drink. Divide the provi- Sarah Knower munity, staff, and students. portive and encourage sion of food and drink Andrew W. Lutz The Task Force makes pol- them to participate with the among the various subcom- Mary Mastro Task Force. Administrators Toni Abramson Matthews icy, creates positive pub- mittees of the task force on Sam Neisner licity, and develops com- and Guidance Counselors a monthly rotating basis. Ernest J. Piermarini, Ed.D who serve on the task force Lynne Silverman munity resources. Here are 10. Emphasize the posi- David Spidal, Ph.D some suggestions on how giving practical sugges- tive! Constantly praise to “nourish and nurture” tions for implementing your Task Force and ex- LEGAL COUNSEL your Task Force for years changes are better “inside press gratitude for their Bruce L. Bozeman, Esq. the tent” than “outside tak- Bozeman, Trott & Savage, LLP to come. efforts! 1. Recruit your personal ing pot shots.” 11. Promote consensus WISE JOURNAL and professional ac- 5. Establish a meeting by allowing all voices to EDITORIAL BOARD quaintances from the time that allows for active be heard. An “agreement Andrew Courtney community. Friends who community involvement. to disagree” can be pro- Charles Knoblock Even though the educators Mary Mastro may one day want their moted by using the phrase: Joe Mastro children to participate in and students may be able to “Can you live with it?” WISE are good choices. So meet after school, it is of- WISE Individualized Senior are the professional and ten difficult for community Experience, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) members. Try to have We mourn the loss of Valerie not–for-profit organization. crafts people in your com- Somersille, a founding member munity with whom you meetings in the evening or of WISE at Woodlands and a have a relationship. Engage schedule supper meetings. Board Member of WISE Ser- each person in a one-on- vices Volume 6, Number 2 Page 3

GRADUATE VOICES - by Jen Scibelli

Jen Scibelli, New Rochelle Class of 1994, has recently be- The second part of the job required taking a five-day gun work as a chef at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. Blue Hill, trip into government protected land, very high up in the which opened on the 1st of May, 2004, is described by the Sierras, where I learned how to read topographical maps, New York Times as an “upmarket restaurant.” Classes at lay down transects for future research and of course, Stone Barns will focus on ecology and farming for local study the behavior of grazing cows that have very little schoolchildren as well as adults. Its goal is to show how contact with humans. The hiking was very difficult, the locally grown food can strengthen communities and how temperature at night (although it was May) dropped far small farms can be their foundation. Here is Jen’s Janu- below zero, and I even learned first hand what it is ary 2004 reflection on her WISE experience: like to have altitude sickness. We washed in the rivers, slept and woke according to the time table of the sun. I will never forget how I felt when I made it to the top of the highest mountain in the Sierras. It took all day, we hiked up as a vantage point for where we could find water to drink, and it was physically one of the hardest things I have ever done. Once on top, I stood there with my hands outstretched, surveyed the land, and cried not from sad- ness, but because I was indeed, the happiest person alive. This project greatly impacted my future choices in college, and in life. It was the most valuable thing I have ever done. At age 17, when most of us were floundering about what to study in college and why, I knew. I went to the University of Vermont (a choice made solely from my experiences during my WISE project) and was intrigued by animal behavior. I took classes that related directly to the research and study of wildlife and the outdoors, joined conservation groups, and found myself constantly reflect- ing on my WISE experience. After college, my love of My WISE experience was one of the most important cooking resurfaced, a love that was not known until I journeys I have undertaken thus far, both physically and started cooking for Deep Springs college, apprenticing mentally. I traveled to Deep Springs College in Nevada, with the fabulous chef of the wilderness, Jack. and worked through the National Forest Service to help I am now a line cook in an upscale restaurant in conduct high altitude studies of cows in the Sierra Moun- Manhattan. I attribute my career to my early days in Ne- tains. Part of my job was to remain at the College and vada, and I am the only cook that is excited when filleting help with chores. The college is nestled into a small val- a fish, to study the anatomy. I intend to go to graduate ley and is completely sustainable, a model for what I then school at some point, to continue my studies. I encourage went on to study in college (wildlife biology and conser- students to really take the time to indulge in the WISE vation agriculture). Daily chores consisted of milking project, pick it carefully, and experience it with eyes wide cows, feeding the calves, and cooking for the students open. I still find time to explore the beautiful outdoors in (the student body consisted of 26 men). We were quite any capacity, and even make it a point to sleep outside at isolated, and being in such a beautiful area, all alone, least twice a year, a reminder that although the skies in taught me a lot about myself and the person I was becom- the Sierras shine brighter, we always see the same stars. ing. Working with the animals in fields of green and . gold, sleeping beneath the stars, walking in pastures barely touched by the hand of man helped to enhance me spiritually as well.

Page 4 JOURNAL

Annual Conference Report On March 26, 2004 WISE Ser- fly and achieved his dream to be an Participants offered many com- vices sponsored its 13th Annual Con- airplane pilot. Conference-goers ments at the conclusion of the con- ference entitled “Enriching the Sen- were able to experience some of the ference. Among these were the fol- ior Year.” This was an exciting con- thrill of Rynaldy’s first flight at the lowing: “This was a good way to get ference for many reasons. For the controls in a video presentation and together and discuss WISE with first time, the annual conference took heard him say, “ If all the schools in other coordinators.” “It helped me place outside the New York metro- this country had this program our put my program in the grand scheme politan area in Providence, Rhode youth could find their dream.” of WISE.” “ I got a lot of ideas to Island. Our host, Textron Chamber An introductory workshop was take back with me.” “With expert Academy, is the first charter school provided for schools new to the pro- planning and maybe some luck, you to join the WISE family and as an gram and two core workshops were dealt with issues that are currently inner-city charter school, it provided given on “Survival Strategies for most important to me – new ideas for participants with a chance to learn WISE Practitioners” and “Building incorporating WISE into the school, about their program. WISE into the High School Curricu- and solving mentoring problems.” Two Textron Chamber gradu- lum and the Schedule. “Survival “I valued the students who spoke so ates gave inspiring presentations to Strategies,” led by Franny Hertz, passionately about what WISE has start and end the conference. Na- Rondout Valley Co-Coordinator and done for them.” “I really learned a coula Burgos, Textron Chamber ’03, Andrew Lutz, Retired Co- lot.” “I learned that WISE is differ-

Nacoula’s classmates model the dresses she designed as her mother (right) looks on approvingly. described the sense of accomplish- Coordinator and WISE Services ent in every single school.” ment she felt when she designed and staffer, focused on building and Traveling to Rhode Island for produced from scratch six gorgeous maintaining a strong Task Force and our annual conference presented us dresses. The dresses were modeled supporting mentors. Real-life sce- with the opportunity to provide an by her friends, classmates and her narios gave participants an opportu- overview of WISE to Rhode Island mother, who told the audience that nity to develop problem-solving schools. We hope this will lead to an she had never been more proud of strategies. The Curriculum Work- expansion of our program in New her daughter than she was when she shop, led by Linda Greene and Mary England. This conference also pre- completed her WISE project. What Mastro of WISE Services, and How- sented us with a chance to get to made the project all the more re- ard Sheldon, Principal of Nathan know some of the participants of the markable was that Nacoula did not Hale Ray High School, presented an program at Textron Chamber and for know how to sew when she began array of curricular models for inte- our staff and visiting schools to see a her project! grating WISE into the High School wonderful WISE program in opera- In the final presentation, Ry- program. ( See article on page 5) tion. We thank Textron Chamber for naldy Rosario, Textron Chamber its hospitality. ’03, described how he had learned to Volume 6, Number 2 Page 5

Building WISE into the High School Curriculum and Schedule

What is the best way to inte- “Documents,” “Gradebook,” and mini-presentations with feed- grate the WISE Program into the “Newsletter,” and “Contact Us.” back from the students and teachers. High School Curriculum? What This virtual classroom can be found They begin their projects in March models are in existence now that at www.cypressbayhighschool.com. and have the two last two periods of provide ways for WISE students to Select “WISE” and then “Virtual the day free to work on WISE with develop the skills necessary to maxi- Classroom.” in-school days every Thursday mize their WISE experience? What Another Florida school, Holly- throughout the semester. are some ways schools build WISE wood Hills has a WISE English and The Textron-Chamber Charter into the schedule? If we could design Social Studies class during the first School allocates a full year to WISE. the ideal High School program, how semester along with a WISE prepara- Students engage in research, writing, would WISE be scheduled? These tion course called WISE internship. and oral presentation preparation were some of the questions posed at During this course they work on re- during the first part of the year, and a workshop held during our Annual search skills, journaling, interview- then do their projects from March to Conference in Providence on the ing, resume writing and presentation May. Newton South in Newton, topic of Building WISE into the skills. Students start their projects in Massachusetts offers WISE in both High School Curriculum and Sched- February. Rondout Valley student the Fall and Spring semesters. Stu- ule. coordinators described their program dents utilize a 55 or 90-minute block A central tenet of WISE phi- in which students return to “in- each week for their projects. Most losophy is that each high school’s school days” during the second se- intriguing to the group, is a program WISE Task Force designs the pro- mester for journal workshop, presen- offered at Nathan Hale Ray High gram for its school. With over 60 tation preparation, and problem- School in Moodus, Connecticut. The high schools currently implementing solving sessions. This model is also school’s Principal, Howard Sheldon the WISE program, it is not surpris- used at Woodlands High School and described a four-year seminar pro- ing that there are many models. At many other WISE schools. Some gram. Students are given skill- the workshop we heard about Cy- schools have in-school days every building, career skills, technology press Bay’s WISE class, which in- week. Others bring back students as skills, and life skills in Academic cludes lessons devoted to preparing needed. Seminar and Portfolio classes. Dur- for WISE during the fall semester Nyack High School offers ing the first quarter of senior year all Social Studies class, and on-line WISE English and WISE Social students take College Prep and use communication and assignments dur- Studies during the second semester this time for college selection, appli- ing the Spring semester while stu- of senior year. Students may take cations, and scholarship forms. Then dents are completing their projects. both courses, just one, or do a WISE students who choose WISE embark The website offers sections for project without taking the courses. on projects for the following three “Course Outline,” “Assignments,” Most students opt for the two-course quarters with four 86-minute blocks combination. a month allocated for off-site project In the course, participation. which is co- In their fantasy schedules, many taught by an participants wished more time was English teacher available for WISE. How to expand and a Social WISE into the first semester and per- Studies teacher haps into the high school years lead- during the ing up to the WISE experience are month of Febru- intriguing considerations for each ary, students are WISE Task Force. We look forward guided through to more discussion on this theme in project formula- these pages and in our interactions tion, journal with WISE participants across the workshop, re- country. WISE in the Curriculum Conference workshop in progress. search sessions, Page 6 JOURNAL

WISE SCHOOLS - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AS OF MAY 2004

Abraham Lincoln High School (CO) Miramonte High School (CA) Bellefonte Area High. School (PA) Monument Mountain Regional HS (MA) Berkeley High School (CA) Bronxville High School (NY) Canton High School (CT) Carmel High School (NY) Christopher Columbus High School (NY) Coginchaug High School (CT) Concord-Carlisle High School (MA) Copiague High School (NY)

Nathan Hale-Ray High School (CT) New Canaan High School (CT) New Rochelle High School (NY) New York School for the Deaf (NY) Newton South High School (MA) North Branford High School (CT) Nyack High School (NY) Old Saybrook High School (CT) Ossining High School (NY) Park City High School (UT) Peekskill High School (NY) Putnam Valley High School (NY) RHAM High School (CT). Croton-Harmon High School (NY) Rondout Valley High School (NY) Cypress Bay High School (FL) Saugerties High School (NY) DeWitt Clinton High School (NYC) Scarsdale High School (NY) East High School, Denver (CO) Staples High School (CT) East Lyme High School (CT) Stevens High School (SD) Eastchester High School (NY) Stonington High School (CT) Evanston Township High School (IL) Summit High School (NJ) Hendrick Hudson High School (NY) Textron/Chamber Academy (RI) Highland Park High School (NJ) Tiospaye Topa School (SD) Hollywood Hills High School (FL) Tuckahoe High School (NY) Hunter-Tannersville High School (NY) University Heights (NY) Huntington High School (NY) Village School (NY) Ithaca High School (NY) Walter Panas High School (NY) J.P. Taravella High School (FL) Westlake High School (NY) Locust Valley High School (NY) Wheeler High School (CT) Lyme/Old Lyme High School (CT) Woodlands High School (NY) Mahopac High School (NY) Mamaroneck High School (NY) Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (FL) Milken Community High School (CA) Volume 6, Number 2 Page 7

A WISE FAMILY - BY MICHAEL MARK tern at Noah’s level is on the set to observe and be a gofer. Yet, in a couple of weeks, Noah was logging footage, assisting on shoots, and edit- ing bumpers. In essence he had gone to work. He was commuting to New York City two or three times a week, not only learning but participating in the business. Noah continued to win meaningful internships throughout his sojourn at Bos- ton University - at KingWorld, Court TV, MTV and HBO. Upon graduating from BU, Noah landed a job on Sharon Osbourne’s new talk show. His resume had been recog- The Mark family - left to right: Michael, Emily, Noah, and Mary nized by a woman who had hired him for an internship four years earlier, and she re- I was ahead of my children in participation in membered his good work. Noah’s early start, interning the WISE program by one year. Jimmy Gilroy, a during WISE, gave him a substantial head start in the Nyack High School senior and a motivated musi- unbelievably competitive world of television. cian, asked me to participate as one of several super- This year, Emily Mark has returned us to the world visors on his project, which dealt with the world of of WISE, and once again, I am involved. Emily is an music from both performance and business aspects. accomplished singer and performer, and she has chosen Jim and I met for a couple of intense and de- to look into the recording industry. Emily was all set tailed sessions to discuss the music business. I was with an internship at a Westchester recording studio but able to provide him with reading materials, sources unfortunately, the studio had to close. So father and for researching contracts, publishing and copyright- daughter are working together at my studio, producing a ing along with some personal anecdotal information. recording. Emily will be getting a crash course in com- It was gratifying to be a part of Jim’s music-driven position, music theory, part writing and arranging, music world, to enjoy the performance video he put to- copying, microphone and synthesizer technique and digi- gether for his presentation. Even more gratifying tal recording. was, a couple of years later, receiving a copy of his The WISE program asks students to find produc- band’s first CD, SAMSON, from Jimmy’s parents. tive, meaningful uses for their time when they could eas- In the following year, 1999, our son Noah was a ily be slowing into the wind-down of senior year. It’s senior at Nyack High School. Noah’s dedication to been a great program for our two children, with experi- sports was surpassed only by his passion for movie ences that will serve them both well in the future. and television production. He had done a film pro- duction course at SUNY Purchase in the summer of Michael Mark, in addition to being father to Noah and ‘98, and was headed for the School of Communica- Emily and Sponsor for Jimmy Gilroy, serves as a mem- tion at Boston University. So it was no surprise ber of the WISE Services Board of Directors. He is also when he chose to explore television production for a member of the Nyack Board of Education. his WISE project. With persistence and some family help, Noah got himself an internship on the television program INSIDE EDITION with Deborah Norville. An in- PRSRT. STD. JOURNAL U.S. POSTAGE PAID MONSEY, N.Y. PERMIT # 119 Volume 6, Number 2 Spring/Summer 2004

WISE Services 348 N. Midland Avenue Upper Nyack, NY 10960 Phone: 845-353-2854 Fax: 845-353-2838 Email: [email protected]

W E’ RE ON THE WEB WWW. WISESERVICES. ORG

DID YOU KNOW?

• Eight new schools will join the WISE Family for the 2004-2005 school year: Solomon Schechter High School in Hartsdale, John Jay High School in Katonah-Lewisboro, Harrison High School in Harrison, White Plains High School, White Plains, New York, the Westchester Magnet Academy at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, Mid- wood High School in Brooklyn, and two schools in Rockland County – Ramapo and Spring Valley High Schools in Spring Valley, New York.

• WISE Services welcomes new staff members: Abby Hirsh, formerly Guidance Counselor at Port Washington and Somers High Schools, Christina Alexopoulos, who is retiring this June as a Language Teacher and mentor extraordinaire at Nyack High School, where she was instrumental in starting the WISE Program; James Le- myre, who is retiring from Rondout Val- ley High School, where he has been WISE Coordinator and English teacher; Gerald Garfin, who started WISE at Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx, where he was Principal; and Howard Shel- don, newly retired Principal of Nathan Hale Ray High School in Moodus, Con- necticut, who was formerly Principal of At Charles Deahl’s retirement - left to right: Constantine Andreadis, Charles Wheeler High School. Both schools started Deahl, and John MacLean. Charles has been the WISE coordinator at Wood- WISE under his direction. lands since 1993. Printing courtesy of Bozeman & Trott, LLP