Downloaded Into the System and Edited on Success in a World Where Success Is Increas- the TABLET PC IS the BIG MACHINE on CAMPUS the Tablet Screen

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AN INTELLECTUAL EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN Mailing Address: 17 Lexington Avenue, A1207 By SANDRA PRIEST ROSE netic instruction that makes use of all sensory of Art or the American Museum of Natural History New York, NY 10010 Watching the History Channel at night on the pathways. Comprehension begins with the word, didn’t want to (ghoulishly) see the mummies? But Email: [email protected] heretofore arcane subject of the War of 1812, proceeds to the sentence and then to the para- the preservation of mummies explains the religion www.EducationUpdate.com Tel: 212-477-5600 I learned that the fires in Washington, D.C. set graph. As words are written, their meanings can of ancient Egypt. There is one publisher that is Fax: 212-477-5893 by the British were eventually doused by a huge be discussed. Teachers can help students examine publishing introductory materials at first– and sec- thunder and rainstorm followed by a tornado that words closely for meaning from first grade on. ond–grade levels on subjects such as these, and of PUBLISHER AND EDITOR: sent the British scurrying. I also learned Dolly For example, Sunday means the day of the sun, course, the above-mentioned museums have books Pola Rosen, Ed.D. Madison was the last to leave Washington, hav- Monday means day of the moon. Children are and kits for teachers and parents. Teachers could ing been preceded by her husband and all the fascinated by this, and it is the beginning of a also start reading Greek myths and proceed to ADVISORY COUNCIL: craven legislators, while she saved important wonderful intellectual journey. studying ancient Greece. Soon, with a good direct Charlotte K. Frank, Ph.D., Senior VP, artifacts from the White House. Why wasn’t I While this foundation for reading, writing and instruction and phonetic foundation in reading, McGraw-Hill; Augusta S. Kappner, ever taught these exciting facts in school? spelling is going on, a teacher can read to his second and third graders will be able to read for Ph.D., President, Bank St. College; Alfred If you ever watch kindergarten children on the or her pupils about ancient civilizations such as themselves simple books on these subjects. S. Posamentier, Ph.D., Dean, CCNY; first day of school, you’ll see that they are all Mesopotamia or Egypt. Together the teacher and These explorations will also make the class- Adam Sugerman, Publisher; Laurie Tisch dressed carefully, hair combed or tied in ribbons, the class can look at maps to see where these room more exciting for the teacher as he or she Sussman, Chair, Center for Arts Education and eager to begin school. By fourth grade these civilizations were. They can draw time lines broadens his own world in trying to find materi- ASSOCIATE EDITORS: bright eager children are slumped over in chairs, and measure with rulers to place 3000 or 2000 als for the children. Art, science, even arithmetic Heather Rosen, Adam Sugerman, listlessly going through the day. Why? B.C.E. on the line. They can sound out and write become integral to these studies, not peripheral. Rob Wertheimer School can be so much more exciting if we give words and names pertinent to these studies, such All children can absorb new knowledge, then students from day one of their education facts and as Mesopotamia, Hammurabi, pyramid, papyrus, read about the subject on their own level. We just ASSISTANT EDITORS: knowledge about history, science, music and art. (all of these words can be taught phonetically) have to expose every child to an education that Gillian Granoff, Sarah Ann Mockbee They come wanting to learn. Let’s capitalize on it. but most important, they can expand the child’s really challenges the intellect. GUEST COLUMNISTS: First, for beginning reading instruction, all world and make knowledge exciting. This is how Sandra Priest Rose is a reading consultant and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, children––no matter from what social or eco- to develop comprehension. Founding Trustee of Reading Reform Foundation Dr. Hugh Carroll, Matilda Raffa Cuomo, nomical group––thrive on good, systematic pho- What child on a visit to the Metropolitan Museum www.readingreformny.org Dr. Katherine Cohen, Marsha Mack Frances, Dr. Carole Hankin, Marvin Leffler, Dr. Ronald Lenkowsky, Jill Levy, IN THIS ISSUE Sandra Priest Rose, Randi T. Sachs, Assemblyman Steven Sanders, HAPPY 9TH ANNIVERSARY Editorial & Letters ...... 2 Randi Weingarten Spotlight on Schools ...... 3-13, 15 STAFF WRITERS: TO EDUCATION UPDATE Jacob Appel, J.D., Joan Baum, Ph.D., , Medical Update ...... 14 Dorothy Davis, Joanne Kontopirakis, Joanna Leefer, Jodi Lipper, Mitchell Levine, THE EDUCATION NEWSPAPER Calendar of Events ...... 15 Sarah N. Lynch, Sybil Maimin, Nazneen TEACHERS OF THE MONTH . . 16, 26 Malik, Merri Rosenberg, Chris Rowan Emily Weiner, Liza Young OF RECORD IN NYC. FEATURE: THEATER ...... 17 BOOK REVIEWERS: MetroBEAT ...... 18 Harris Healy III, Lillian Shapiro, WE HAVE 200,000 READERS & RECEIVE Selene Vasquez Colleges/Grad Schools ...... 19-22 MEDICAL EDITOR: 3 MILLION HITS PER MONTH ON THE WEB. Children’s Corner ...... 23 Herman Rosen, M.D. MODERN LANGUAGE EDITOR: Special Education ...... 24-25 Adam Sugerman Music, Art & Dance ...... 26 MOVIE & THEATER REVIEWS: LETTERS Jan Aaron Book Reviews ...... 27 RESPONSE TO RESPONSE TO MUSIC EDITOR: School Buses Need Seatbelts Bill & Melinda Gates: Native American Culture ...... 27 Irving M. Spitz To the Editor: The Gates Foundation Technology in Education ...... 28-29, 31 POLITICAL COMMENTARY: On October 13, 2001. I was traveling with my To the Editor: Stuart Dunn son’s high school band when our school bus, which This article is one of a kind. Kindly send copies Resource & Reference Guide ...... 30 did not have seat belts, careened off a bridge and of this article to us. ART DIRECTOR: plunged 60 feet into a creek bed. My 14-year-old M.C. Aninyei Neil Schuldiner son Benjamin, along with three other passengers, New Mexico GRAPHIC DESIGN: lost their lives. With 23 million children riding the David Greenhill school bus every day, I continue to wonder why RESPONSE TO ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: millions of parents put them on school buses not 77 Survivors are NYC’s Martin Lieberman, Manager. equipped with lap/shoulder belts. Newest Principals Steve Bailey, Joanna Leefer, National School Bus Safety Week occurs in To the Editor: Mitchell Levine, Nancy Kontos October. However, it is always a good time for This was an inspiring article well written and parents and educators to re-evaluate the need for well received! I believe we do need the right ACCOUNTING MANAGER: belts on school buses. We owe it to our children leadership in the right place at the right time. Nadia Veliz to make their transportation as safe as possible. Send this message to our U.S. President. Dawn Prescott Toby Kaminkow Education Update is published monthly by Education Update, Inc. All material is Fremont, Nebraska Boston, MA copyrighted and may not be printed without express consent of the publisher.

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�� NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOLS 5 Marymount School Expands Horizons with Nanotechnology Day In-School Practice Tests for the New SAT* & PSAT* By SARAH ANN MOCKBEE �� In recognition of Marymount School’s “Nanotechnology Day,” Dr. Susanne Arney of �� Bell Laboratories presented the school’s students �� with an engaging lecture on the practical benefits �� of research in nanotechnology, which by defini- tion is the art of manipulating materials on a very �� small scale in order to build microscopic machin- �� ery. Marymount, an all-girls, independent K-12 school in Manhattan is committed to informing its �� students about cutting-edge technologies and the (L-R) Head of School Concepcion Alvar opportunities available to those students wishing � �� & Dr. Susanne Arney �� to pursue a career in the sciences. Concepcion � �� Alvar, head of the school, invited Dr. Arney as the ing important safety issues involving laboratory �� keynote speaker among other activities, discus- work, Dr. Arney talked about her experience as � �� sion forums and assemblies planned for the day. a woman scientist in a field predominately com- �� Although Dr. Arney’s presentation required prised of men. While an undergraduate at M.I.T., � �� complex scientific terminology, her anecdotes, Dr. Arney was one of only 200 women in her along with a power-point presentation, helped the class of 1,000, and she is currently working on �� students better understand the principles behind a field project with 58 men and one woman. She � �� her work. She also related her research to issues remembers noticing the drastic gap while in col- �� that directly relate to the students, like the effect lege but insists that her experience has never been � �� nanotechnology has on cell phones, laptops, med- one of intimidation or inhibition. Now she counts �� icine and homeland security. Contrary to most the issue as an afterthought and admits that it � �� anyone’s intuition, Dr. Arney pointed out that rarely crosses her mind. �� “smaller is stronger.” The sheer compactness of Dr. Arney, who speaks five languages and holds �� the materials involved in nanotechnology (nano 11 U.S. patents, says that her determination to �� meaning one-billionth of a part) allows for sleek- succeed has been paramount to her success. She �� To set up a free practice test call Ianna Small at��212-925-6447!� er, more durable cell phones, more compact—and stresses the importance of creating a solid edu- �� more powerful—laptops and advances in medical cational foundation, no matter what course one �� technology like the micro-mirrors used to map wishes to pursue. Dr. Arney suggests, “If there’s �� the surface of the eye to help improve vision. uncertainty in what you want to do, at least be �� It can even be used to place sensors on major sure that you’re building a foundation.” In fact, �� bridges to help monitor any unusual movement Dr. Arney was set on becoming an interpreter for v1.47921_ConEd_ 9.75 x 6.4#EE23 9/30/04 8:42 PM Page 1 or activity. the United Nations when a math course in high

After the lecture, Dr. Arney joined a small dis- school helped her change her mind. She insists �� cussion group comprised of 10th, 11th and 12th that a college major is not the ultimate factor *Test names are the trademarks of their respective owners, who are not afﬁliated with The Princeton Review. graders who are currently enrolled in a biology, in shaping one’s career. “Everything is a key to The Princeton Review is not afﬁliated with Princeton University. Trim chemistry or physics laboratory. After discuss- another door.” # Trim

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can be downloaded into the system and edited on success in a world where success is increas- THE TABLET PC IS THE BIG MACHINE ON CAMPUS the tablet screen. ingly dependent on an individual’s ability to find, Dwight-Englewood School Pilots New Tablet PC Program Many of the school’s classrooms have been con- evaluate, process and utilize information. The verted to “one-click classrooms” where a teacher school’s mission is to make technology more reli- Remember when laptop computers in the class- since November 2002. Beginning in the 2005-2006 can hook up a tablet PC to a docking station. The able, flexible and available. By moving to a tablet room were front-page news? Well, not anymore. school year and each subsequent year, all 6th and entire campus has been equipped with wireless PC program with each successive 6th and 9th With rapid advances in computer technology, 9th grade students will be required to purchase technology as well, making fixed computer lab grade class, Dwight-Englewood believes it will laptops are being replaced by the latest interactive a tablet PC. classrooms virtually obsolete accomplish those goals. communications technology - the Tablet PC. Lighter in weight than a lap top computer and “The tablet PC is much more than just a gadget Recognized as one of the premier college- This year, Dwight-Englewood School, a highly ultra portable, a tablet PC is a fully functional in the classroom and will change the way stu- preparatory schools in the New York metro- selective, independent day school for grades computer which allows the user to input data by dents learn and teachers teach,” according to Dr. politan area, Dwight-Englewood is a highly Pre-K–12 located in Englewood, New Jersey, insti- writing directly on the screen with a special pen. Ralph Sloan, Headmaster. “ Dwight-Englewood selective, co-educational day school enrolling tuted a Table PC pilot program for the 2004-2005 Students can take handwritten notes directly on School is a leader in new technology. We were in pre-school through grade 12 approximately school year. Teachers in select classes including the screen that can be converted to typewritten one of the first school’s in the nation to create an 1,000 students from communities in Bergen and math, science, English and art are utilizing the text or saved in the original “digital ink” format. integrated math, science and technology program Hudson Counties in New Jersey, Rockland and tablet PC’s, which have only been on the market Educational materials including text and artwork more than 10 years ago, and we continue to seek Westchester Counties in New York, as well as new technology applications that will benefit New York City. Dwight-Englewood is a mem- both our students and faculty.” ber of the National Association of Independent Tablet PC’s give students complete access to the Schools and is accredited by the Middle States technological tools that will help them achieve Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.# Wanted— The Smartest Students in the City of New York

By LouElla Merin, LMSW several years, participants of the Intel Science If you are Jewish and seeking a top level Research Program have won research awards. high school education for your child, consider If you are thinking that this school might be Solomon Schechter High School of New York, a possibility for your child, but are concerned the only egalitarian Conservative Jewish high because he or she has never attended a Jewish school in Manhattan. For those students enter- day school and has little knowledge of Hebrew ing as freshmen in September, 2005, the school is or Judaic subjects, be assured that placement in a offering five, highly competitive, four-year Merit Hebrew class will be based on the student’s level Scholarships to students who demonstrate high of knowledge. In addition, class sizes are small, academic achievement and express interest in sci- thereby increasing teacher-student interaction. ence and math. At Solomon Schechter High School, emphasis Solomon Schechter High School enrolls students is placed on the individual and students are pro- from a wide range of Jewish backgrounds and vided with the necessary tools to help them find perspectives. Students receive an in-depth college their own voice. To learn more about the school, prep dual curriculum of secular and Hebrew/ the merit scholarships, or how to go about apply- Judaics courses. The school’s academic program ing, please call 212.877.7747. ext. 225. exceeds the high school curricula requirements LouElla Merin, LMSW is the Director of mandated by he NYS Board of Education and the Admissions at Solomon Schechter High School of NYS Board of Regents—and the school is pleased New York, One West 91st Street, New York, NY to announce that all of their students go on to 10024, [email protected] attend four-year colleges. In addition, for the past

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Facing the Challenge of the New SAT I PS 21 HONORS PUBLIC By KATHERINE COHEN, Ph.D. the new SAT I test scores will be able to view and SCHOOLS & THEIR GRADUATES The SAT I will experience a facelift on March 12, print the essay, which seems very invasive. By LIZA YOUNG 2005, but it isn’t going to be without wrinkles. The Some tips: First, this year’s high school juniors, impact of the new test will greatly affect this year’s or the graduating high school class of 2006, should high school juniors who will test for 3 hours and only take the new SAT I. Most selective colleges 45 minutes, instead of just 3 hours, and take a third are only accepting the new test for the high school writing section. class of 2006 and younger students. Second, The test will not only change in length and for- prepare, prepare, prepare! The Princeton Review mat, it will change in content. The Math section is published a new book called 11 Practice Tests for changed insofar as the tedious quantitative compar- The New SAT and PSAT and The College Board isons are being eliminated, but there will be harder has their own book The Official SAT Study Guide math problems, including topics from third-year For The New SAT. I advise taking at least 8 practice college preparatory math or Algebra 2. Luckily, cal- tests, the 8 Saturday mornings preceding the real culators will be permitted. What used to be called test, for students to psychologically prepare for the verbal section will now be called critical read- waking up early Saturday mornings and concen- ing because the dreaded analogies are eliminated trating for 4 straight hours. Third, put the test into (one piece of good news). The bad news is that the perspective. While it is certainly a factor for college added short reading passages require more minutes admissions, it counts about half as much as the Harold McGraw III & Valerie Rockefeller Pres. Judith Shapiro, Barnard College & of concentrated reading (70 total). Finally, the new rigorousness of a student’s high school curriculum Pres. Susan Cole, Montclair State U. writing section (60 minutes long) will include mul- and grades. # tiple-choice questions to test grammar and usage in Katherine Cohen, Ph.D. is the President of New York City’s public schools nurture and McGraw III, CEO, generously lending the use addition to a student-written essay. For the essay, IvyWise, an educational counseling service head- enlighten students on a daily basis, fostering the of the spacious James McGraw Hall. Among the students will be asked to respond to an open-ended quartered in New York City. More information is educational, cultural as well as moral develop- honorees were Mets player Joe Franco, Nobel statement or concept like “the pillars of success are available by calling toll-free to (877) IVY-WISE, or ment of children. Public Schools for the 21st Prize winner Joshua Lederberg, actress Cynthia built upon the steps of failure.” A college receiving at www.ivywise.com. Century (PS 21), a non-profit organization, was Nixon, Barnard President Judith Shapiro and founded based on its keen recognition of the fun- Civil Rights Leader Roy Innis. damental role public schools play in our society Honored guests gave glowing praise to the and for the continued support and promotion public school system and credited their success of New York City’s public schools. As Valerie to it. President Shapiro, expressed pride in being Rockefeller, Honorary Chair of PS 21 pointed a graduate of the public school system, citing that out, “Public schools are the backbone of our com- graduates go on to accomplish instrumental roles munities, our economy and our democracies.” in society. Jamie Colby, a Fox news reporter, says TAKE YOUR STUDENTS One of the latest endeavors of PS 21 includes that her “public school education was responsible honoring some of the outstanding graduates of for what she has accomplished today.” She point- New York City’s public schools, individuals ed out that education in the public school system TO ANOTHER DIMENSION who excelled in fields ranging from sports to encompassed respect, culture and kindness. civil rights activism to the winning of the Nobel PS 21, in its endeavor to make sure that public Peace Prize. As a tribute to these achievers, PS schools receive continued support as well as the FOR THE HOLIDAYS. 21 put together an Honor Roll photo exhibit recognition and praise that they deserve, is clearly which was held at McGraw Hill, with Harold an essential organization in our society.#

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Broadway & 68th Street, NYC • enjoytheshow.com/imax Group Sales 212.336.5025 or Fax 212.336.5028 Showtimes& Info. 212.336.5000 Advance Tickets 800.FANDANGO 8 SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOLS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ NOVEMBER 2004 A Great Teacher at a Great Age: Abraham Auerbach at 95 By JOAN BAUM, Ph.D. Ninety-five year old Abraham Auerbach, autodidact, linguist, “malamud,” lets nothing pass that isn’t totally accurate. With gentle humor and a watchful concern that his interlocutor does not take offense, he explains, in an accented whisper, his head slightly propped up on a pil- low, that, yes, he was and still is a “teacher”—he Abraham Auerbach plays the mandolin while two of his students sing leads a class in intermediate Hebrew at the Jewish Council Center for Senior Citizens in Brooklyn poetry (which he continues to write). In fact, he —but to understand, “malamud” is not the right started a library in a room in his house when he word (there’s a slight connotation of the healer, was a youngster of 13 back in Shershev, a shtetl the feldshuh, in the Yiddish vernacular). “Lehrer” in Eastern Poland near the Russian border, a town is probably more to the point, though even here, without a doctor, a high school, books. The young on solid semantic ground in explaining the dif- boy fell in love with languages, with popular lit- ferences between Hebrew and Yiddish, which he erature and learned texts. has also taught, along with Bible study, at various And so, Shershev would have books, Victor other centers and synagogues, he smiles and mod- Hugo novels, autobiographical tales from the estly opines that he’s not really a lehrer, either, great Yiddish writers, some of whom wrote about because, well, he’s having a wonderful time “giv- poor, itinerant musicians, wandering the country- ing of myself” at the Council. There, once a week, side. Yiddish, of course, lends itself to music, and coaching a flock of devoted women and men, at one point, he recalls, he also “played [taught ages 60-80, anywhere from 6 to 16 people, he himself] the mandolin.” But it was reading that feels he is “participating fully in life.” What they, was his love. Collecting a few pennies from the in turn, feel is evidenced by the fact that most of parents of friends, he set about ordering books his students keeps coming back for more, year and periodicals but would take nothing for lend- after year. He tilts his head back, laughs quietly, ing them out, though parents supportive of his and implies that he can’t imagine why. efforts encouraged him to do so. An older brother, Those who have seen him in action, however, who did manage to go to a high school in another and know his life story know why. They talk town, would come back with other books and of his great patience, his calm, his phenom- magazines and occasionally, a newspaper, a treat enal memory. He generously credits “Dina” and in impoverished Shershev. “Ruthie,” two particularly knowledgeable mem- He would go on, but his throat is dry, and he bers of the group, “interesting women,” who, he has hardly touched his orange juice. Tired, still says, “know more [international Hebrew] than I animated, he seems humbly unaware that his life do,” and tends to rely on them as assistants, but is arguably the most important lesson he could it’s hard to believe they know more than he does, teach. The hour is late but he insists on seeing his whether the subject is Hebrew, Yiddish, Latin, visitor to the elevator noting that if it’s necessary Greek, French, Spanish, or literature, nonfiction, to hurry down the hall, he’ll do it. And he does.# NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOLS 9 Jeff McCartney: P&MGʼs New Director on Taking Bank Streetʼs Mission to the World “Although I was brought Once he assumed the reins at P&MG, Jeff of five major curricular-based Pre-K and K pro- By ELISABETH JAKAB on as Business Manager, with decided to undertake an assessment of the depart- grams for the national school market,” he says. “You might say that the Publications & Media primary responsibility for ment’s numerous backlist properties. “We felt that Another, a major literacy initiative with The Group (P&MG) embodies one way Bank Street’s P&MG’s finances and con- many of them had continuing commercial value. Philip Project’s “Mission: Literacy,” has brought mission is transmitted into the world,” says Jeff tract negotiations, I was also So we put our house in order with an exhaustive about the publication of forty-two illustrated McCartney, its newly appointed Director. “In quite familiar with acquir- review and analysis. We were able to renegotiate books written on four reading levels, together order ‘to improve the education of children and ing and developing publish- many contracts and arrange for revised and even with extensive tutor instruction materials. Yet their teachers,’ P&MG collaborates with publishing and media properties.” new agreements. We collected unpaid royalties, another is The New York Times Learning Network. ers, media companies, and television producers Jeff’s extensive publishing too. In some cases, we were able to get rights Since 1998, P&MG has been collaborating with to develop educational materials for children, background includes holding both editorial and reverted,” he says. the Times to create daily lesson plans based on teachers, and parents that adhere to the Bank managerial positions for more than twenty years “Simultaneously, we began working on expand- a featured Times article and aimed at grades 6 Street philosophy. We are also ‘in the world’ in at publishers such as Simon & Schuster and ing our product offerings,” says Jeff. “One of the through 12. There is also a daily mini-lesson for the sense that we are both self-supporting and McGraw-Hill. He also had experience as a book first things I did was to negotiate a new agree- grades 3 to 5. All lessons are offered free online provide revenue for the college.” agent and in non-profit licensing. At the American ment with Sunbow Entertainment for work on to students, teachers, and parents. Jeff’s title is new, but his tenure at P&MG Museum of Natural History, where he first began Salty’s Lighthouse, an animated/live action TV Jeff has an M.A. in Education from Rutgers goes back nearly ten years. “I came days before his licensing work, he was Associate Director of show for kids. The contract positioned us as edu- University, and did student teaching at a commu- President Kappner’s convocation, in 1996,” he Development. In addition, he was a long-term cational advisors, writers, and developers.” nity college. “In my home town, I occasionally says. “I was hired as the Business Manager by for- consultant to the Smithsonian Institution and the Since then, P&MG has established ongoing do substitute teaching in the local school, mainly mer Dean of External Affairs, Denise Coleman.” Guggenheim Museum, evaluating their intellec- relationships with several new partners. “A very to spend time in the classroom. I’ve taught grades When P&MG’s Director, Ellen Schecter, left in tual properties and converting them to commer- significant one is with Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, three through eight. I also teach after-school reli- 1998 because of ill health, Jeff became Acting cial opportunities. which to date has resulted in the development gious education to third-graders once a week.” Director. Hundreds Come Home to Poly Prep for 150th Homecoming Weekend! Hundreds of alumni, students, parents and friends and a pep rally in preparation for Homecoming games 500 members of the Poly community donned tuxedos learn from each other. At the dedication ceremony, head- gathered together recently to celebrate Poly Prep’s 150th on Saturday. and gowns for a gala dinner at the Brooklyn Marriott. master David Harman thanked the many people whose birthday. Beginning with Student Celebration Day on Friday’s energy carried over into Saturday’s festivi- With Arthur Levitt Jr. (Poly Class of 1948) as the keynote extraordinary efforts made the Alumni House a reality, Friday and ending with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to ties. On Homecoming, all of Poly’s fall season varsity speaker, alumni, parents and friends reminisced and especially Steven Andersen, associate head of school, open Poly’s new Alumni House on Sunday afternoon, teams—girls’ soccer and volleyball and boys’ soccer and honored the school they love. Guests were treated to the who spearheaded the project and oversaw every aspect of the campus was alive with blue and gray spirit. football—won their Homecoming Day competitions. premier of A Tall White Tower, a video created for the occa- design and construction. Seven of the offices in the build- On Friday, students gathered in the morning for a spe- Younger students enjoyed pony rides, crafts and games sion that includes early history of the school as well as an ing have been dedicated to the memory of alumni lost at cial assembly, during which they recited poems and sang at the annual Pumpkin Patch, and all guests gathered intimate look at the school community today. the World Trade Center. Corinne King, director of alumni songs written for the occasion. They spoke about what to sing “Happy Birthday” to Poly. Missing from the On Sunday, October 3, over 200 members of the Poly relations, thanked the individuals and families who made Poly might be like in 150 years, and cheered loudly when scene on Saturday were the members of Poly’s debate family returned to campus for a special brunch preced- gifts in honor of these men, and Headmaster Harman headmaster David Harman read a proclamation from team who were ing the dedication of Poly’s invited the families to cut the ribbon with him. Mayor Bloomberg declaring Friday, October 1, “Poly Prep in New Haven, Alumni House. Completed Celebrating its 150th year in 2004–2005, Poly Prep Country Day School Day” in New York City. Afterwards, where they in September, the Alumni Country Day School is an independent, coeducational, the students gathered on Poly’s playing fields. Led by the placed first in House is now home to college preparatory school educating students at two fourth grade, they paraded down Seventh Avenue behind debate at the Poly’s administrative offices campuses in Brooklyn. At the Lower School in Park Engine 911, a 1962 Ford F-600 fire truck restored in remem- Yale Invitational and archives. Old offices Slope, children in Nursery through Grade 4 grow in brance of the 343 New York City firefighters lost on 9/11. Tournament, in the school’s main build- knowledge of themselves and the world in a safe, nur- State senator Marty Golden joined the parade. making a clean ing have been converted turing environment. Students from across New York At the main Poly gates, the older students met up with sweep for all of into new classrooms, meet- City come together on the country day school campus in Poly’s Kindergarten through Grade 3 students. Then, over Poly’s teams on ing rooms, and academic Dyker Heights for Middle and Upper School. There, they 950 students marched together, singing and waving Poly Homecoming department offices, allow- participate in a rich, challenging program of academics, flags, to the school’s front oval. A historic all-school photo Weekend!) ing for even more spacious athletics, arts, and extracurricular activities. Poly is a was taken, and students dispersed for an afternoon of On Saturday settings in which students vital, diverse community of committed faculty, talented field games, a barbecue, student rock band performances evening, over and faculty can interact and students, engaged parents, and loyal alumni.

OPEN HOUSES Wednesday, November 3 8:30 am - 9:30 am Wednesday, November 10 8:30 am - 9:30 am 10 SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOLS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ NOVEMBER 2004 City Alums Reflect on Legacy SERIES: CORPORATE LEADERS IN EDUCATION of Alexander Hamilton William S. Jasien, ING By DOROTHY DAVIS begin with, not to mention thinking about them By JOAN BAUM, Ph.D. schools will produce The subject of the New-York Historical in relation to Aristotle and Socrates. This teacher, If ever a small orange pennant were to hang not potential workers Society’s major exhibit, “Alexander Hamilton: whatever you said, he’d argue with you. When too far from the red white and blue in American and customers. The Man Who Made Modern America,” on view the whole class agreed on something he’d argue classrooms it would signal the achievement of a A random search until February 28, 2005, was a gifted child of with it.” financial services multinational of Dutch origin of past top winners another age, who overcame a devastating child- “I guess my experience was less intellectual with a 10,000 member presence in the U.S.A. turns up an extraor- hood to achieve greatness. than others,” said Robert Friedman, Partner, Sage in generously supporting public education by dinarily diverse Four former gifted children of our age, promi- Capital Management LLC and, until his retire- way of national competitions that each year number of awards nent alumni of The City University of New York, ment, a partner at Goldman Sachs. “I went to award $240,000 to 100 deserving K-12 teachers in all subjects, in who also overcame challenging childhoods to engineering school at a time described as the and the communities they serve. ING, short for both urban and rural achieve success, took part in a lively discus- Sputnik Era. If you were any good at math and Internationale Nederlanden Groep–a Fortune and areas, and all across sion, “Hamilton’s Innovations: Today’s Success science you were moved into engineering. [When Forbes-listed corporation wanting to get its brand the country, not just Stories,” at the Society the other evening. our class met for the first time] we were told, known—calls its scholarship program Unsung in “market sectors” Hamilton’s financial and political policies that ‘Look to your left and look to your right, in four Heroes, but if the program proceeds at the where ING has cli- made America the democratic world power it is years two of you are not going to be here.’ We extraordinary pace with which it began 9 years ents. As the names today and enabled the participants’ successes in had slide rules, closeted ourselves, did engineer- ago, its heroes won’t be unsung for long. of the third ($7,000), then second ($12,000) and finance, publishing and education underpinned ing and math problems for five full years. I went As William S. Jasien, Senior Vice President of finally first place ($27,000) 2004 winners went their stories. They talked of their experiences to business school, Baruch College, at night and ING and Head of Education and Retail Market out on the website, it became clear that ING growing up in immigrant communities, as high- it was the same kind of environment.” distribution for North America notes—with infec- made informed evaluations. Third-place win- achieving students and professionals, as con- These experiences are reminiscent of tious enthusiasm—Unsung Heroes has his heart. ner Lizbeth Alfaro’s (Conover, North Carolina) tributors to our society. Hamilton’s. He attended King’s College (now He repeatedly refers to it as “pure,” meaning that Hispanic K-2nd graders will have “learning “My college education opened up the world Columbia University) as a young immigrant from winners are chosen by “an outside, objective partners” in their parents. Second-place win- to me,” said Dr. Charlotte Frank, a Senior Vice the Caribbean, and a new world opened up to him group of solid educators” whose only criterion ner Theresa Kassuba’s (Southgate, MI) Cyber President, The McGraw Hill Companies, and in New York City, a major commercial center. He is rigorous fidelity to the Unsung Heroes goal Citizens’ project is engaging high school seniors the former Executive Director of the Division was a principal author of the Federalist Papers, of funding proposals that manifest “innovative to mentor local seniors by introducing them to of Curriculum and Instruction for the New York and a talented debater, and he also had a marked teaching methods, creative educational projects, computers and the Internet. And top draw Joe City Board of Education as well as a former NYS interest in the ladies. He came to manhood at a and [the] ability to make a positive influence Charles’s (Apache, Oklahoma) project to engage Regent. “Suddenly I was out of the Bronx, onto time of great challenge in our country, and he on the children they teach.” This year Unsung students in building an Independent Student this big campus. Some teachers took me to muse- worked hard to achieve success. Heroes attracted 1,500 applicants. Discussions Theatre program from “scratch” after school, on ums. I was introduced to the city. As part of being All of the panelists said that their admiration of among board members, Jasien says, are “spir- weekends, with their own limited resources, has a business major I went down to Wall Street.” Hamilton had grown over time. ited,” and he himself goes on site visits, a time- already paid off in improved academic perfor- “My interests at City College were young As Dr. Frank observed, “I didn’t know any- consuming part of the decision process that he mance, not to mention team spirit. women and hopefully working on Wall Street,” thing about Alexander Hamilton when I was in modestly underplays. A specialist in finance ING Board and staff have obviously done their said Roger Hertog, Director and Vice Chairman, college, other than that he was on the ten dollar and management, Jasien says he has always felt homework in making the awards and in “taking Alliance Capital Management. “But I had a dif- bill. When I got older I appreciated him. He was that teaching is a “noble” profession (his own on faith” applicant statements that “clear and ficult professor who tried to make you think, and strongly opposed to slavery. He believed in a sys- children go to public schools in Virginia). And concisely outlined budgets” will be adhered to did it in a non-political environment. He taught a tem of free common schools where all children so Unsung Heroes is truly for him and for ING during the award period and programs will there- course on the Federalist Papers and the Greeks. would be educated.”# a “mission.” He is “thrilled” to be working on after be self-sustaining. There is no formal fol- Reading the Federalist Papers is not easy to For more information: www.nyhistory.org an educational program that is as relatively new low-up assessment, no one-size fits all pattern of as ING but draws on the same kind of dedica- ideas or implementation. Of course, ING hopes tion and commitment to meeting challenges that that winning proposals will be replicated nation make for success. Of course, ING wants its name wide and to that end, Jasien notes, ING is consid- out there, wants to see the “orange” associated ering an Unsung Heroes Alumni Group that will with such educational initiatives because the bring together winners and help disseminate how company has a stake in America’s future: its “thinking outside the box” can creatively affect the system. Any system.# For applications, www.ing.com/unsungheroes. Previous leaders: Eli Broad, Bill Gates & others at �� www.educationupdate.com. Coming: Gary Winnick. ��? ��

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PROFILES IN EDUCATION INTERVIEW WITH HOWARD GARDNER, HARVARD UNIVERSITY photo by Jay Gardner Jay by photo By POLA ROSEN, Ed.D. school is that teachers crucial to introduce concepts and materials to the Howard Gardner, Hobbs Professor of Education are working together. students before they view a program so that their and Cognition at the Harvard Graduate School of Gardner’s back- final exposure to the arts is climactic. Of equal Education is a seminal thinker with a great influ- ground as a young importance is following up with numerous expe- ence on what’s happening in education today. pianist, and a con- riences in the weeks after the program.” Sitting in his office in historic Cambridge, just tinuing interest in the I asked Gardner about his opinion of the tests steps from Harvard Yard, I couldn’t help but feel arts, launched us into recently implemented in New York City to decide the aura of the man, the educator, the writer, the a discussion on the whether fifth graders should be promoted or held philosopher and the mentor to scores of students arts and their role in back. He responded, “We know from the experi- and teachers around the country. education. The forth- ences in Chicago that children do not benefit Perhaps best known for his theory on multiple coming Rand Report, from being held back. In fact, they may opt out intelligences (MI), Gardner believes that families he stated, will empha- of the public school system by dropping out. The should choose from any of 6-12 pathways of size that the arts are way to raise test scores would be to eliminate knowledge that fit into their cultural and intel- intrinsically impor- the dropouts and test only the ones that remain. lectual style. Every pathway should have a few tant. Gardner shares The mayor and the chancellor of NYC schools key ideas and “we should organize the curriculum Rand’s skepticism are ignoring the experiences in the Chicago around that.” Gardner underscores “organization” regarding correlations public schools. The direction we should be going as being key and that he would opt to send his between raised test in is to provide individualized programs for all children to a “well-organized school that offers scores and studying of our students.” a traditional education as opposed to a multiple the arts. The studies Gardner’s major work for the past several years intelligences school that was chaotic.” are colored. Students has focused on examining successful profession- He continues that one of the most important who major in the arts als and their decision-making: whether they do things in the 21st century is synthesizing knowl- get higher test scores what’s right rather than what’s expedient. His co- edge and that integrating knowledge across the because they happen authored book, Making Good (2004) describes grades in all curriculum areas is extremely effec- to come from schools young professionals who would like to carry out tive. The Ross School in East Hampton, a school that have more work that is both excellent and ethical. Yet, deter- with which Gardner has worked for a decade, resources. “The truth mined to succeed, many feel they can’t afford to is a prime example. (See Education Update’s is that the arts are one behave in an ethical manner, instead deferring article on the Ross School, Sept. 2003 at www. of the most wonder- such conduct to a time after success has been EducationUpdate.com.) ful things humans are achieved. Gardner and his student Jessica Sara The school with which Gardner has worked capable of.” Benjamin found that one of the reasons might most closely over the years is the Key School Gardner does a great be the decline of community leaders which they in Indianapolis, the first multiple intelligences deal of work with cul- called “trustees.” During the summer of 2004, school in the country. Approaching its 20th year, tural institutions and they carried out a pilot project to investigate how the school reports that the students are excel- is involved with their contemporary citizens view trusteeship. [Trustees ling. On a recent visit, Gardner noted that all of education committees. are defined as individuals who have earned the them were learning the violin and were listening He and his team pro- right to advise on consequential decisions for the intently to an accomplished visiting violinist vide soft evaluation rest of the society.] The pilot study revealed fasci- whom they later bombarded with questions. A rather than hard evalu- nating choices of trustees including Tom Brokaw, general philosophy of MI prevalent in the Key Professor Howard Gardner ation. That is, getting Thomas Friedman, Jimmy Carter, Ralph Nader, a sense of what an Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey and Pope John Paul institution wants to do II, among others. and giving it appropri- Gardner’s own personal choices of trustees ate feedback. He has worked with Lincoln Center include Jimmy Carter, Bill Gates, George Soros, Institute and its leaders, Professor Maxine Green Paul Farmer, and John Gardner (no relation), who and Executive Director Scott Noppe-Brandon who, headed the Carnegie Corporation and was a true according to Gardner, “have ably fashioned the public servant. When I asked Professor Gardner outstanding programs there.” who his mentors were, Jerome Bruner headed the Commenting on the most effective approaches list. “I worked for him in 1965 on the fifth grade to teaching the arts, Gardner emphatically stated curriculum. He was not only a mentor, but also a that a once a year visit does not impact on stu- role model. He is now teaching the role of narra- dents’ lives. “Ninety percent of Americans have tive at NYU law school.” the one fifth grade visit to the museum of fine At the close of the interview, I couldn’t help but arts. But for an arts and music program to truly be think of the students fortunate enough to study effective, visits must occur on an ongoing basis, with Professor Gardner and count him as mentor. in addition to the need for preparing students We may indeed count him as our choice of trustee New York Studies Weekly is a curriculum prior to visiting with a debriefing afterward. It is of the 21st century.# supplement enjoyed by tens of thousands of students in New York since 1997. It is currently available for the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Each grade level supports the New York State Social Studies Resource Guide �� recommendations for that grade. �� A single student subscription consists of 28 weekly issues filled with history, �� current events, and fun history-based activities. For as little as $3.65 �� per student for the year, New York Studies Weekly fits easily �� into your classroom budget. �� To receive your free sample or �� to place an order �� please call: �� Studies Weekly, Inc. at 1-800-300-1651 Visit our website at �� www.studiesweekly.com �� mple, The curriculum for the 4th grade now ee sa � r fr �� includes a free bonus issue exploring �� received you important historical documents. �� call today! �� Studies Weekly also available for MA, CT, NJ! If you haven’t 12 SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOLS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ NOVEMBER 2004

see a picture of a Caucasian girl in a magazine.” ARLEM CIENCE TREET AIR ESTIVAL The girls’ mentor at Hunter will continue this study H S S F & F during the school year, by administering a question- By JODI LIPPER At the festival, live music played in the back- Einstein College of Medicine. Her internship clearly naire on this topic created by Dressy and Theresa. The Harlem Children Society recently held its ground while the students proudly displayed post- inspired Geraldina, who now hopes to study medi- High School Junior Nertila Ujkaj interned at the first annual Harlem Science Street Fair and Festival ers detailing the results of research they conducted cine, and specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. Museum of Natural History, and studied the his- celebrating the achievements of 47 students from during their internships. Local community leaders Another student, Timisha Woods, studied Antarctic tory of Race. Her conclusion is that “Race is not the inner city, under-resourced high schools, acted as judges, and gave feedback to the students Sediment Cores, and was similarly moved. “We’re a proper, nor a valid method to classify groups of who were chosen to participate in the Society’s after discussing their work. overdue for the next ice age,” she said, and went on people. Nature did not create races. Society did.” “Experiment with a Dream” science project. The The research topics varied widely, based on to express newfound concern for her native New Nertila spoke passionately about her highly relevant project paired students with renowned scientists, the locale of the internships and the students’ Jersey. “We’re going to have a whole new coast- subject. “I couldn’t mix chemicals, so I wanted to who acted as mentors during summer internships personal interests. Some subjects were purely line,” she explained. do something that has to do with everyday life,” she held by the students at many of New York’s leading scientific. Geraldina Ortiz, a high school senior, Other students chose topics that were even more said. “Race affects us every day.” research institutes. studied the fungus Cryptococcus at the Albert pertinent to their daily lives. Dressy Villar and Dr. Sat Bhattacharya, President and CEO of Theresa Lugo researched “The Effects of the Media The Harlem Children Society, describes it as “an on Urban Adolescent Girls’ Perception of Body Enterprise for generating hope, for creating a cul- Family Neighborhoods: Image” at Hunter College’s Psychology Department. ture, for arming a community with Knowledge to The girls were clearly fascinated by their own find- propel itself into the future.” Indeed, these highly ings. As Dressy described, “Colored girls exhibit intelligent and enthusiastic students both display The Case for the Upper East Side more depressive symptoms when they see media and provide ample hope for themselves, their com- By MARSHA MACK images of other colored girls, not as much if they munities, and their clearly limitless futures.# FRANCES in help from grandparents living close by, often with time on their hands to home tutor and pass Let soccer moms spend all day carting their their valuable experience to their grandchildren. children everywhere in Scarsdale or Greenwich. Finding the right family apartment means many I’ll take New York’s Upper East Side for great choices regarding location near schools or in the �� public and private neighborhood schools like PS best school districts or near jobs or near parks. 6, PS58, PS290, Dalton, Brearly, Chapin, Spence, How close do you want grandparents? Are sub- �� Nightingale, Buckley, Hewitt, St Bernards, Allen ways, cabs, ferries or walking your choice to get Stevenson, and Marymount; to name a few. And to work? Size, layout, views, financing, sociol- what can compare to the after school opportu- ogy of neighborhoods and buildings, culture of �� nities like the Asphalt Green, The 92nd Street buildings, are all issues with which skilled bro- �� YMHA, Central Park and Carl Shurz Park, kers can help you. Picking a broker with experi- museums, music, and cultural life all in walk- ence, knowledge of neighborhoods, real estate �� ing distance; and with easy public transportation markets, schools and buildings, and with qualities and great bus, school bus, subway, ferry, and cab of availability, affability and negotiating skills is availability. It means both parents and grandpar- a tremendous asset in succeeding at getting the ents can work close to their children’s schools right fit for you. Many couples tell me their early and activities, have easier access to meeting with years of marriage in the upper east side were their teachers, watching practices and key games and happiest, others find that after retirement they being close by for emergencies. can’t wait to return to the city and the luckiest of While other parts of Manhattan have gentrified, all never had to live anywhere but the upper east the Upper East Side has become relatively more side. For help in selling or buying your home affordable, quiet, safe, and remained the most please call me, Marsha Mack Frances, at Douglas beautiful part of the city. Young nest-building Elliman at 212-650-4829. I can help you through families also often get the benefit of having built- this interesting transition in your life.#

Marsha Mack Frances, Senior Vice President 212-650-4829

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35 East 76th Street Elegant 4 room home located in the Carlyle Hotel. The Carlyle is a cooperative apartment building that houses Carlyle Hotel as well which gives the owner of this property all of the facilities of the hotel. The apartment has been newly renovated and it in perfect condition. It is bright and spacious with 2 Master suites and excellent closet space. $550,000

870 Fifth Avenue Beautiful triple mint home in a top 5th Ave building. Gracious foyer leads to an elegant Living Room, Formal Dining Room, oversized maid’s room and state of the art kitchen! Three oversized Master bedrooms and 41/2 baths! The Join New York City’s apartment has south-east-north tree-top views that are wonderful. This is a great oppurtunity to just move right in! $3,995,000 largest volunteer program dedicated to helping 180 East End Avenue Views all around! East End Ave building! Apartment consists of a gracious gallery leading to the Living Room with a balcony facing the East River and public school children. Gracie mansion, oversized Formal Dining Room, 3 Master Bedrooms, 3 baths, New windowed kitchen. Apartment is in excellent condition and has beautiful river views from all rooms and balcony. Roof-top pool and garage in building. Maintenance include all utilities and basic cable. $1,895,000 Call (212) 213-3370 www.learningleaders.org NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOLS 13

Out of the Past in the Sunshine State By JILL LEVY, (The Chancellor’s District was probably the only PRESIDENT, CSA strategy employed in NYC that helped failing schools THE McCARTON SCHOOL There I was, sleepily chan- become more successful.) nel surfing while lazing before The presentation soon became tiresome but only the television during a recent because I had witnessed it first hand in the mid- After - School Program vacation when I thought I heard 1990s. I wish Dr. Crew and his team success. The voices from the past: members of the old NYC Board children of Miami-Dade desperately need a strong of Education. I knew that was impossible because a) advocate; the educational problems they face are I was in Florida and b) that Board no longer exists. similar to NYC’s. So why would the cable programmer run videos of This program fit in seamlessly with my recent meetings at 110 Livingston St.? musings on the history of our chancellors. This retro- Well, of course they wouldn’t. The board meeting spective began a few months ago when I met former in question was the Miami-Dade County School Chancellor Ray Cortines, an educator whose only Board. But it could have been any NYC school board interest was in the children but who understood the meeting of the past 20 years, so familiar were the investment of the various stakeholders in our schools. school lingo, pedagogic jargon and strategic propos- A vicious Mayor Guiliani bullied Mr. Cortines out of als. And leading the presentation was none other than NYC. In retrospect, it was a great loss for our schools. Dr. Rudy Crew, the new Superintendent of Schools in After a long history of chancellors from within the Miami-Dade County and a former Chancellor of the educational profession (with the noted exception of NYC Board of Education. Frank Macchiarola), we seem to have moved away Now that caught my attention! Talk about, to quote from educational leadership. Yogi Berra, “deja vu all over again.” In 2000, Citigroup lawyer Harold Levy took over, As I listened to Superintendent Crew, I remem- and in 2002, our current Chancellor, a prosecuting bered the passion and hope that every Chancellor attorney and CEO, was handed the reins. Is there a in recent years brought to our system. Dr. Crew, pattern here? Will the next Chancellor be a real estate Dr. Ramon Cortines, Dr. Joseph Fernandez—they attorney? Will a Chancellor with an education back- and their predecessors all set out to reshape NYC’s ground become persona non grata at Tweed Hall? �� schools backed by support from the community-at- I think that’s a shame if that’s the case. Our ear- large, politicians and from school personnel. lier chancellors, all with high levels of expertise �� But they all quickly departed, with incomplete and many with good ideas, were broken by NYC’s plans and goals unattained, leaving behind a school politics not because they were poor candidates for �� system adrift, communities disappointed and school the job. Under the new system, with the city’s Mayor leaders angry and betrayed. and Chancellor working together, a Ray Cortines or �� Dr. Crew’s voice brought me out of my reverie as a Rudy Crew could bring not only good management �� he introduced a plan to use technology to determine skills to the table, but pedagogic talents as well. how students fared, how schools were meeting stu- Since education is supposed to be at the core of �� dent needs and how this would help failing, “prior- what a school system provides, it would seem to ity schools”. My trip down memory lane continued make sense to have school system leaders who are 350 East 82nd Street, New York, NY 10028 when Dr. Irving Hamer appeared on the screen. A for- both administrators and educators.# mer NYC Board of Education member, Dr. Hamer’s Jill Levy is president of the Council of School Telephone: 646-277-5431 presentation sounded awfully familiar. I quickly rec- Supervisors and Administrators. ognized his plan was “Chancellor’s District” redux.

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“Ask about our low price guarantee!” 1-800-314-7021 New York City • NOVEMBER 2004 FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS & STUDENTS • 14 MEDICAL MEMORIES OF THE MARATHON By DR. HUGH J. CARROLL ral runners we had ever seen. A runner, finished 12th in the NY Marathon; the On race day my beat was the Acute Care tent delightful man, he won a number “marathon pig-out” as my children called the car- which was supplied with EKG, defibrillators, and of senior marathon champion- bohydrate-loading meal of mounds of pasta eaten every device and all of the supplies needed for a ships and seemed to be utterly by thousands of runners the night before the race, modern field emergency room. I was frequently tireless; the over-60 woman sit- and allowing us the opportunity each year to chat delighted to find, among the volunteer Critical- ting, after completing the course, with excited members of the wonderfully oddball Care staff, doctors who had been my students at on a cot in the Orthopedics tent, fraternity from all over the world.# various levels of their training. The weather had who startled the young volunteer Andy Rodrigues, an orthopedic surgeon, was a lot to do with the size and magnitude of distress recording her patient-data, when the medical director of the NY marathon, and of our patient load. On a bad day things could be she pulled off her sweat pants, his wife, Yolanda (Yolie), was the factotum and quite hectic: cots were full, doctors and nurses removed a lower-leg prosthesis enforcer. It was Andy, a good friend, who invited moving from patient to patient, starting IV’s, and began to massage her aching me to join his staff, and for 15 years I enjoyed injecting intravenous glucose, warming patients, stump; the 34-year old Italian our association. Andy and Yolie died a few years rubbing with ice those with hypothermia, check- man dying of heart failure less ago, but the memory of these two unselfish and ing BPs, transferring those at risk to hospitals. As than a year earlier, who received delightful people is, as in my memory of the the long day passed admissions slowed down and a heart transplant from 15-year Marathon, warm and fond. patients left the tent, alone or with family. Death old neighbor boy killed in a Dr. Carroll is Professor of Medicine and was rare, but on one terrible day 3 young men cycling accident, who tried job- Director of the Electrolyte-Hypertension Division collapsed and died, one of them in the hospital (L-R) Dr. Alice Wilder, Producer, Director of Research bing in rehab, made progress at an of the SUNY-Downstate Medical Center. He is a and one on the way. All 3 proved to have some & Development, Blues Clues & Debra Reber, astounding rate, and now and has nephrologists whose particular interest in salt and sort of heart disease, but all were runners. Author of “Run for Your Life” finished the NY Marathon with- water metabolism, hypo- and hyperthermia led to Our runners were fast, slow, young, old, hale, out difficulty; the small group his invitation to join the International Marathon disabled, blind, sighted, serious, comic. At the Willie Rios. of bright young people from a cystic-fibrosis Medical Directors Association (IMDDA), and to end of the race: triumphant, exhilarated, sober, Willie Rios was a small, potbellied sedentary clinic in Sweden who volunteered to be research serve the NY Road Runners as consultant physi- weary, cold, exhausted, limping, confused, occa- smoker with a stomach ulcer, who at 65 was subjects as they ran the marathon, admirable for cian. ON race day he was one of the acute-care sionally slightly hysterical, frequently near col- retired against his will. He went out walking, and their grace and courage, a source of sadness for doctors at the finish line in Central Park. Dr. lapse into the arms of the ubiquitous volunteers. then jogging, and then running. Willie kept on their prognosis; Daniel Ortega, medical director Carroll’s running, since he left the Army more When I think of my days at the Marathon, running, lost his belly, his ulcer and his smoking of the Madrid Marathon, family practitioner in than 50 years ago, has been limited to catching memories of events and individuals crowd in— habit and proved to be one of the greatest natu- his native Toledo, gentleman and world-class an occasional subway train.

�� I reassure � I reassure �� him b ut The Center for Bioethics, Office of Responsible Conduct of Research, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, and St. Lukeʼs-Roosevelt Hospital Center are pleased he’s still so to invite you to take part in a free, educational, one-day research ethics conference. Our unique conference features outstanding presenters and will worried... provide the latest, cutting-edge information on tissue and data repositories, privacy and confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and the ethics of conducting research with students/trainees. A continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided at no cost. Is your child or teen too worried, shy, scared, nervous or afraid to Space is limited. Early Registration is strongly encouraged. be without you? If so, he or she may be experiencing an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders may cause difficulty with behavior, Continuing Medical Education: The College of Physicians and Surgeons grades and friendships. designates this educational activity for a maximum of 8 hours in category 1 credit towards the AMA Physicianʼs Recognition Award. Children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 17 are being evaluated to determine if they qualify to participate in a research For additional information, contact Odalis Ortiz at study sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health. If [email protected] or call 212-342-1295. you are interested in your child’s participation in a research study Web: www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/bioethics/stluke/ to evaluate treatments for separation anxiety, social anxiety, or generalized anxiety, call for more information. Available studies �� are being conducted at two sites in New York City, at NO COST. 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL EITHER: St. Lukeʼs Hospital Center • Fourth Floor Conference Center Muhlenberg Building 421 West 113th Street • New York, NY 10025 (212) 263-3651 (212) 543-5314 �� NYU Child Study Center NYS Psychiatric Institute 33rd St. & 1st Ave. 168th St. & Broadway www.AboutOurKids.org NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOLS 15 Voting Rights and Citizenship The Dwight School Calendar Unveiled the months ahead. The 17-month Calendar, the brain- The Dwight School is a coeducational, college preparatory school child of CUNY providing a traditional, individualized, and challenging course of study. Vice-Chancellor Jay Dwight offers the highly-regarded International Baccalaureate Program Hershenson, will in Kindergarten through Grade Twelve. create a common thread for readers The Dwight School is comprised of families from the Greater New York to understand how and international communities, and enjoys an excellent record of college suffrage began as placement. a privilege for the few and became a FALL 2004 OPEN HOUSES (L-R) CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein right for all citizens. and Dr. Richard Lieberman Most significantly, it This is an opportunity to tour The Dwight School and to meet will emphasize the Chancellor Stephen H. Spahn and the Admissions Commitee. importance of the Vice-Chancellor A recent gathering of scholars, professors, exercise of those Jay Hershenson Grades K - 4 Middle School Upper School politicians and members of the Department of rights through the Lower School Grades 5 - 8 Grades 9 - 12 Education was held at the New-York Historical electoral process so November 2, 2004 November 10, 2004* November 3, 2004* Society to celebrate the publication of the CUNY/ that voices can be heard and every vote can be November 4, 2004* November 16, 2004 November 9, 2004 New York Times Knowledge Network Voting counted. November 17, 2004 December 2, 2004 November 11, 2004 Rights and Citizenship Calendar. The Calendar Hershenson along with Dr. Richard K. November 30, 2004 December 1, 2004 targets students, educators and the general public Lieberman, Director of the LaGuardia and who wish to be more informed about American Wagner Archives at LaGuardia Community history and civic life and is expected to reach College, and Dr. Steven A. Levine, Education millions of people in New York City, across the Coordinator at the Archives and other colleagues, country and around the world. It will be intro- began working this past winter on gathering doc- duced to a national and international audience uments, photographs and sketches to contribute through distribution to high schools, colleges to the Calendar. To help develop the Calendar’s * Quest and universities. Moreover, partnerships with content, an advisory committee of prominent civic and community leaders will assure that the educators at CUNY was established, includ- All open houses begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at approximately 10:30 a.m. Calendar is available to those who are not affili- ing award-winning historians, political scientists, They are held at 291 Central Park West and are for prospective parents. ated with a school or college. In an effort to reach sociologists, senior administrators, directors of out to as many individuals as possible, the Centro major institutes and centers, technology experts A reservation is required. Please contact the Admissions Office at de Estudios Puertorriquenos at Hunter College and students. To view the Calendar and links to (212) 724-2146, ext. 1 or at [email protected] to reserve your place. will translate the Calendar in Spanish. There are related resources and informational materials, plans to translate it into additional languages in visit www.cuny.edu/votingcalendar.#

Calendar of Events November 2004

lower Hudson Valley. ext.13 or visit us online at www.nybida.com * Linens and more! FALL OPEN HOUSES Camp Fair Attractions: Saturday, November 20 After School and More, 2nd ed., is much more * Book Fair * Basketball Competitions than just a list of names and addresses. The Open House Hours RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN WITH READING REFORM FOUNDATION OF NY * Arts & Crafts Workshop * Student Art Exhibit 9:00 am - 2:00 pm directory also includes: contact information, 333 West 57th St., Suite 1l, NYC 10019 * African Dance Classes * Science Fair SPECIAL NEEDS, INC. PRESENTS: ages, population served, program capacity, For more information, call 802-387-6718 or go SPECIAL CAMP FAIR 2005 - Summer Email: [email protected] or to www.landmark.edu staff/child ratio, program hours/days, fees, www.readingreformny.org Programs for Children with Disabilities - Free transportation, medication, administration and Admission!!! Open Houses description of services. CONFERENCE ON READING AARON SCHOOL WHEN: Saturday, January 29, 2005 11am - 3pm THE STERLING SCHOOL 309 East 45th St., NYC 10017 WHERE: Church of St. Paul the Apostle 405 After School and More, 2nd ed., provides Sunday, November 7, 2004 comprehensive information in an easy-to-use New York Hilton Towers, 6th Avenue between 299 Pacific Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 (between 1st & 2nd Ave.) West 59th Street (Entrance to Fair on Columbus THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2004 Avenue near West 60th Street) Manhattan format for both parents and professionals. The 53rd & 54th Streets, NYC 7:45 am - 4:30 pm directory contains service, population served, 9:30 AM TO 11:00 AM OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE FALL 2004 • Meet the camp directors For further information, call 718-625-3502 All open houses are from 9:30 - 11:00 am • Get a free copy of the Camp Guide 2005 time of operation (before- or after-school, KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DR. DIANE RAVITCH, • No child care will be available but children weekend or holiday), borough and zip code AUTHOR AND RESEARCH PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY CCNY OPEN HOUSE FOR PROFESSIONAL OPEN HOUSES: are invited to attend indices for quick searching, as well as an index Tuesday, November 9 For more information call: Resources for of legal services. TOPIC: "WHY CONTENT MATTERS" UNDERGRADUATES AND TRANSFER STUDENTS Tuesday, November 16 Children with Special Needs, Inc. Gary After School and More, 2nd ed., is available at New this Year - Special emphasis on content Shulman, MS. Ed. 212-677-4650 local and online booksellers, or can be ordered - area teaching - 24 Workshops covering NOVEMBER 13 - Great Hall / Shepard Hall, PARENT OPEN HOUSES: by sending a check for $25 (plus $8 shipping early childhood through adult levels phonemic City College at 138th Street & Convent, Tuesday, November 23 RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN WITH and handling) to: Resources for Children with awareness and using Orton-Gillingham 10031 For information call 212-650-6977 Tuesday, November 30 SPECIAL NEEDS, INC. PUBLISHES SECOND Special Needs Inc., Dept. PRAF04, 116 East Methodology to teach reading, listening, writing, NOVEMBER 20 - CCNY open house for Tuesday, December 7 EDITION OF AFTER SCHOOL AND MORE 16th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003. art and research Registration: $55 Standard graduate students information sessions. Tuesday, December 14 For more information, or details on multiple-copy Rate, $40 Members of Reading Reform You must RSVP to attend. Space is limited. First Directory of Before- or After-School discounts, contact Lisa Talley at Resources for Foundation Fee includes networking luncheon. Please call 212-867-9594 Programs For Children & Youth with Special Children with Special Needs Inc., (212) 677- Call (212) 307-7320 for registration materials. TOURO COLLEGE Needs 4650/ext. 30. See the complete program on our website. NEW YORK SCHOOL OF CAREER AND APPLIED STUDIES Resources for Children with Special Needs, Resources for Children with Special Needs, 1870-86 Stillwell Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11223 Test Preparation Inc. (RCSN) announces the publication of its Inc. (RCSN) is an independent, not-for-profit Entertainment Phone: 718-265-6534 x1015 second edition of After School and More - information, referral, advocacy, training and Fax: 718-265-0614 the first comprehensive resource of its kind - for support center in New York City for parents Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am COLLEGE ADMISSIONS & TEST PREP caregivers and professionals in search of the and professionals looking for programs and TWO HOT SHOWS - 7:00 pm. Sundays 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. at The Princeton Review right after-school program for children and teens services for children from birth to 21 with - Beauty & The Beast 27-33 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010. 594 Broadway, Suite 501, NYC 10012 with disabilities or other special needs. Fully learning, developmental, emotional or physical - The Lion King 212-463-0400 x500 Phone: 212-925-6447 updated in 2004, the popular directory of more disabilities. RCSN is one of a national CALL: 212-703-1040 or 800-439-9000 Fax: 212-925-8836 than 450 before- and after-school programs network of more than 100 Parent Training and FAX: 212-703-1085 Web: www.PrincetonReview.com covers special, inclusion and mainstream Information Centers designated by the U.S. EMAIL: POLY PREP COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL programs from education, remediation, Department of Education. For more information [email protected] 9216 Seventh Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11228 The Princeton Review is a pioneer in the homework help, sports and the arts, to travel, see WEB: 718-836-9800 www.polyprep.org world of education. Founded in 1981 and day trips, social life, respite, zoos, playgrounds www.resourcesnyc.org. www.disneyonbroadway.com/groups headquartered in New York City, the Company and child care. MIDDLE SCHOOL offers classroom and online test preparation, Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc. as well as private tutoring, to help students After School and More, 2nd ed., is based For students entering grades 5 - 8 in September 115 East 16th Street, 5th Floor NY, NY 10003 2005 9:00 - 11:00 am improve their scores in college and graduate on RCSN's proprietary and comprehensive Events school admissions tests. The Company's database of more than 4,700 organizations and Tuesday, November 9 Monday, November 22 free website, www.PrincetonReview.com, 8,500 sites. Other directories available include: Conferences helps over half of university-bound students THE COMPREHENSIVE DIRECTORY; CAMPS Lycée Français de New York 505 East 75th Street, NY NY 10021 UPPER SCHOOL research, apply to, prepare for, and learn how 2004 (annual editions); TRANSITION MATTERS 32ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON DYSELXIA to pay for thieir higher education, and helps - FROM SCHOOL TO INDEPENDENCE, all AND RELATED LEARNING DISABILITIES on Saturday November 13th, 2004 10AM to 4PM For students entering grades 9 - 11 in A day of fun and shopping the whole family September 2005 9:00 - 11:00 am hundreds of colleges and universities streamline including programs and services for children Monday, March 14 & Tuesday, March 15, 2005 their admissions and recruiting activities. The and youth with disabilities and their families at the Marriott Marquis in midtown, New York will enjoy! Get a head start on your holiday Thursday, November 11 shopping. Company also authors more than 190 print and in the New York area, and SCHOOLS AND City. 1,200 educators, healthcare providers, software titles on test preparation; college and SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM administrators and parents of children with Vendors will offer: graduate school selection and admissions; and SPECTRUM DISORDERS, a directory for LANDMARK COLLEGE dyslexia choose from over 95 sessions on * Jewelry * Children’s Clothing * Musical PUTNEY VERMONT related topics. children and youth in New York City and the dyslexia. For more information, call 212-691-1930 Instruments * Candles * French Gourmet Items 16 OUTSTANDING TEACHERS OF THE MONTH EDUCATION UPDATE | NOVEMBER 2004

colleagues; Facilitating group learning; Education Update welcomes our Advisory Board, Dr. Charlotte K. Frank, Senior Vice-President of McGraw-Hill and former Regent of New Organizing and facilitating mathematics explo- York State; Dr. Augusta Souza Kappner, President of Bank Street College of Education; Dr. Alfred Posamentier, Dean of School of Education of rations; Developing critical thinking skills. City College of NY; Dr. Pola Rosen, Publisher, Education Update; Adam Sugerman, Publisher, Palmiche Press; Laurie Tisch Sussman, Chairman, Motivating Students: The students in Mrs. The Center for Arts Education and Honorary Chair, Children’s Museum of Manhattan. The Board makes the final decisions on the teachers to Barry’s class have become more involved in OUTSTANDING be honored each month. classroom and schoolwide activities: PACT In 2003, Education Update began the tradition of honoring teachers each month for their outstanding work on the “frontiers” of education. EACHERS Program (Dance and Theatre), 2004; Poetry T We are now continuing the tradition which will culminate in a ceremony in June 2005 with Chancellor Joel Klein in attendance. Superintendents, Reading, 2004; “Family Literacy Night,” 2004; OF THE principals and colleagues may nominate teachers by filling out a form online. The information has been emailed to all principals in NYC public MONTH Dressing up as swans on Halloween (2003) while schools. If you have not received the email please contact [email protected]. Deadline for Submissions: November 15, 2004. reading the novel The Trumpet of the Swans in Teachers are the backbone of our educational system. They richly deserve the recognition that Education Update gives them. Congratulations class; Class production of “The 13 Colonies,” to this month’s Outstanding Teachers of the Month in recognition of the vital role they play in our childrens’ lives. ★ 2003. (This presentation was a culmination of —Dr. Pola Rosen, Publisher the thematic unit, “New York State of Mind”) Parent/Community Involvement: Mrs. Barry participates in holiday concerts, choral concerts Robinson Ortiz helps them to become more sophisticated in the is deserving as Education Update’s Outstanding and other presentations. Principal: Mrs. Jeanette Sosa use of technology in everyday learning. Teacher of the Month! Superintendent’s Name: Mr. Reyes Irizarry One of his trademarks is teaching the multiplica- Shantay Danzy PS 151K/ Lyndon B. Johnson, Brooklyn tion tables through song. A painless way to be sure Maria Barry Principal: Rhonda Taylor School District/Region: that all quickly know those facts! Mr. Ortiz firmly Principal: Lisa Esposito Superintendent’s Name: Gloria Buckery 32/4 believes in the benefit of collaborative learning. Superintendent’s Name: Nancy Ramos Middle School 61, Brooklyn Student Progress: Mr. Motivating Students: Mr. Ortiz’ interaction Public School 8, Staten Island School District/Region: 17/6 Robinson Ortiz is a veteran with students is what provides the biggest moti- School District/Region: 31/7 Student Progress: Ms. Danzy’s students are teacher of our school and has vation for them to be consistently involved in Student Progress: The students in Mrs. Barry’s highly motivated because of her creativity. taught here for the past elev- all classroom activities. His pleasant attitude class consistently demonstrate fine academic prog- Ninety percent of her students en years. He has taught third, does not affect his wonderful classroom con- ress throughout the school year, as evidenced by moved up one and two levels fourth and fifth grade and is consistently popular trol. Students always get that “second or third Portfolio Assessment, classroom progress reports in their ELA performance on with the students. chance.” They know that they can approach their and formal evaluations. Last year, 75 percent of the spring ELA test in the Mr. Ortiz uses portfolio assessment to keep teacher with problems and concerns and he will her students achieved a Performance Level 3 or 4 2003-2004 school year. Most track of his students’ progress. Informal assess- demonstrate his care and concern for them. on the N.Y.S. Grade 4 ELA. On the N.Y.S. Grade students in her class function ment as well as formal tests round out the Parent/Community Involvement: Mr. Ortiz 4 Math examination, 93 percent of her students on level 3 or 4 because of Ms. methods of evaluation he uses to closely moni- enjoys the respect and admiration of the parents met or exceeded the Performance Standard. Mrs. Danzy’s intense planning and tor the progress of the students in his class. The of his school. They find him to be someone who Barry pioneered the Balanced Literacy philosophy conferencing with students. Students consistently standardized tests administered always show that gives tirelessly of his time to them and to their through District 31’s Project Read Program. maintain a writing folder and journal. Weekly some progress has indeed been made. children. Some of the activities that Mr. Ortiz Innovative Teaching Strategies: On a daily informal tests are administered by her and the His students seem to take more interest in provides for the students are: the Stock Market basis, Mrs. Barry combines traditional teach- results are then used to plan instruction. school and exhibit a love of school, and reading Game (where his students won lap-top comput- ing methods with the Balanced Literacy phi- Innovative Teaching Strategies: Ms. Danzy in particular. Their writing is often better, and ers), the Boy Scout troop, Junior Achievement losophy to enhance learning. She uses the fol- is innovative, very creative and extends “Best they are clearly better organized. and a wide variety of curriculum based trips lowing innovative teaching strategies: Looking Practices” in ELA to make students think on a Innovative Teaching Strategies: His love of with many accompanying parent chaperones. Mr. at student work to assess individual needs; higher level. computers is transferred to the students, as he Ortiz is a wonderful asset to this school, and he Interdisciplinary, Team Teaching with Grade 4 continued on page 26

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Cultivating solutions. Empowering educators. 17 A LOVE OF THE THEATER: AN AUTHOR, GRADUATE STUDENT & ACADEMIC SPEAK PART I NOVEMBER 2004 | EDUCATION UPDATE

INTERVIEW WITH NYU THEATER “WHAT DO YOU DO HAIR EVIN UHLKE ITH A IN NGLISH By JOANC BAUM, Ph.D. K K W BA E ?” “When that [he] was and a little tiny boy,” as Feste—Kevin Kuhlke’s favorite role—says at the JUST ASK JEFF WHITTY end of Twelfth Night, he wanted to be a musician, By GILLIAN GRANOFF wrote the libretto (book). “People always say and he did became a guitarist. “But when [he] When Jeff Whitty, the wildly successful writer to me that it must have been such a fun show to came to man’s estate,” he followed another dream, of Avenue Q, sat down to talk about his path as a write, but it was hard,” Whitty states candidly. to be an actor, director, man of the theatre, and of writer, it became abundantly clear that the trajec- Despite the conflicts and artistic differences course, as chair of the Department of Drama at tory of his career read more like a Jack Kerouac they faced, Whitty and his collaborators, Robert New York University’s prestigious Tisch School novel than the libretto for a Broadway musical. Lopez and Jeff Marks, won a Tony award. of the Arts, Kuhlke has realized that dream and As he approaches, I am immediately struck by his The success of Avenue Q has opened many for the last two decades has been fostering it for earnestness. Despite his enormous success, he is doors for Whitty. His upcoming projects include others. Who would have thought that NYU’s B.A. refreshingly humble. He does not carry himself a pilot for a new Fox series, which involves program would have grown so extensively—from with the airs of someone who is commissioned to a car chase loosely based on the Dukes of 200 undergraduates thirty years ago to 1,500 write screenplays for A-list celebrities, and who is Hazard, and a film project starring Jennifer today (with women constituting 65 percent and courted by Broadway royalty like Tony Kushner, Anniston, This American Life, based on the life 95 percent of the student body coming from out but resembles in many ways, the mid-western of a 33-year-old international private investiga- of town), making the department one of the larg- sincerity of an upbringing in Coos Bay, Oregon. tor and adventurer in Los Angeles, who has est and most competitive in the country (one out The self-described “subversive” is one of six almost finished her Ph.D. Other projects in of five get in)? In addition, the department boasts children. His father, an attorney, imparted an the works for the prolific writer is a parody of a highly selective (24 students only) International attention to detail while his mother was the Hedda Gabler and a dark children’s musical. Theatre Summer Training program in Amsterdam, creative force. Creativity clearly permeated his Whitty gets inspiration as a writer by acting in which Kuhlke founded and directs, and which he childhood home: one brother is a jazz musician the plays of his contemporaries and the work of hopes provides students not only with additional kind of studio would best match the youngster in New York and a sister is those he “envies.” Among the writers he training but an opportunity to learn how to move before him. Though he himself trained with, creative in public relations. admires are his friend Amy Freed, and around on their own in a city where English is among others, Jerzy Grotowski, whom he cites His early mentors are a high his “idol” Craig Lucas, the writer of spoken, where festivals abound, and where cen- as a mentor, Kuhlke wants to ensure that “vari- school teacher, “a wildly Reckless. He credits Tony Kushner, the tral location encourages exploration. ety” is central to the Tisch experience. Before liberal feminist” and a his- writer of Angels in America, and Steven The department’s success in attracting large becoming chair he held the position of director at tory teacher who was a “ruth- Sondheim for teaching him to use com- numbers of applicants with higher and higher NYU’s Experimental Theatre Wing for ten years less critic and thinker” and edy and laughter to engage the audience SAT scores is extraordinary considering the dimi- where he put on over 100 productions. He has instilled in him the importance in the deeper emotional complexity of nution of acting jobs, but, as Kuhlke says, those also taught master acting and directing classes in of revisions. Whitty evinced the work. He vociferously objects to with a “passion” to work in theatre will continue Cuba, Iceland, England, Switzerland, Holland, irony early when he wrote and work that tries to “broadcast how an to apply for admission and stay in the city long Austria, Denmark and Germany–where he honed performed a play in 6th grade audience should respond.” It should after graduation, looking to audition. Although an appreciation of how different cultural back- entitled The Cow That Smiled, come as no surprise that his preference other drama schools might claim as much, what grounds affect interpretation and performance. A Murder Mystery, a play is for writing devices like satire and par- sets Tisch apart, Kuhlke notes, is its embrace of Although film study at NYU has also grown about a cow that did not exist. ody. He deplores sentimentality in his both academic and professional curricula. Drama tremendously, Kuhlke points out that acting on In 1993, after receiving his own work and the works of others and is majors take 76 credits but also a hefty number stage requires more, and more concentrated, bachelors in English from candid in his opinion that Show Girls is of courses in liberal arts. Tisch is not, in other rehearsal time, more dialogue, and more chal- the University of Oregon, a better movie than Mystic River. words, a conservatory, though for sure artistic lenge in the sense that each nightly performance Whitty came to New York to pursue acting. His advice for aspiring writers is simple. training in one of its 12 affiliated acting studios is a development, with the actor playing to a He traveled via the Green Tortoise a “sixties “Read, read, read and expose yourself to every- constitutes the heart of the major. Still, he tells live audience rather than to a camera. A tall, throw-back” which enabled him to see the thing and anything in the field.” He recom- prospective students, “if theatre, only, is your handsome man with obvious stage presence–he United States along with other young students mends keeping a journal, and not being afraid love, then don’t come to NYU.” The play may be greets his visitors dressed in Hamlet black–Kevin in an empty school bus with beds in the back. to put yourself out there. Whitty is unwilling the thing, but broad education will be king. Kuhlke clearly loves acting and directing, but he In New York he continued to find inspira- to give a recipe for success and is reluctant Admission to Tisch turns on the recitation of a also takes his role as responsible administrator tion in the unlikeliest of places. He waited to comment on his own. “The day I gave up prepared dramatic monologue and an interview, seriously, holding orientation sessions for new tables at Joe Allen’s, where he networked on my notion of success was the day I really but Kuhlke looks at other factors as well: an students and their parents, and acknowledging the with many big wigs in the theatre indus- began to work well as a writer,” he declares. openness to liberal arts and to a “wide range” of fact that acting graduates have no jobs waiting for try. He recalls nostalgically the scripts of He does recommend a well-rounded diet, which acting methods that a large program like NYU’s them Out There. But as Sam Shepard (another bombed shows that wallpapered the restaurant. combines reading the classics with trashy lit- can provide. “Bigness here is an advantage.” A Kuhlke favorite) might say, if you’re going to be In 1994–97, Whitty received an MFA in acting erature, and finding mentors in a range of fields. relatively new father, he also tries to intuit what a fool, be a Fool for Love. Feste was.# at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he “Writers who only know writers will miss some- credits the skills he learned in acting school with thing ineffable.” He warns that talent will only making him a better writer. For example, his go so far. You have to take risks. Most important, intuitive grasp of dialogue is something he culti- Whitty says, is hard work, commitment and ARE YOU THINKING vated from his training as an actor, not a writer. “putting yourself out there.” Emotional honesty After graduating and writing a series of plays he in characters, he believes, only comes from liv- OF A AREER IN THE HEATER describes as “sentimental and sincere,” he took ing, and exposing oneself to everything. It is By SARAH C ANN MOCKBEE between the T concentrations, which in addition? a big artistic risk and wrote something “just to the bumps in the road, not the paved paths Fred Hemminger has fond memories of going to stage management include acting, directing, amuse myself.” Over lunch with a friend he came that yield true creativity. “I didn’t mature as to local high school musicals when he was in playwriting, dramaturgy and theatre manage- up with the idea to write a parody of the Laramie a writer until I had gone through a lot of grade school, which was the only option for dra- ment and production. In his third and final year, project, concocting a tragedy set in a small town hard knocks, because at a certain point, your matic entertainment in his small, Ohio farm town, Hemminger will be the stage manager for either in Washington called The Plank Project. It deals sense of humor and irony about yourself is but he never considered pursuing a career in the- an actor or playwright’s thesis project, which will with an 1100-pound person who falls through only useful after you’ve been through a certain atre until he was randomly assigned to a drama be held at Riverside Church. a plank, into a well, and dies during liposuc- amount of anguish and you come to terms with class during his freshman year at Allegheny The stage manager’s job is a hefty one. Hemminger tion surgery. His irreverent sense of humor and what your expectations are versus the reality.” College in Pennsylvania. He enjoyed it so much will ultimately be responsible for ensuring that artistic risk taking paid off when it attracted So what do you do with a BA in English?” that he abandoned his planned curriculum of everyone involved in a theatre production is com- the attention of now agent, Peter Franklin of the This telling question from the lyrics of Avenue pre-law and graduated with a B.A. in theatre in municating effectively. As Hemminger notes, the William Morris Agency. “The day Peter took me Q’s central song, are, in Whitty’s opinion “the 1997. Now he is earning his MFA from Columbia very nature of the industry is ego-driven. While the on as a client was the day that changed my life.” essence of Avenue Q.” At the end of the inter- University’s School of the Arts with a concentra- actors, director, lighting technicians and construc- Five months later, Franklin presented him view with Jeff Whitty, I still am still left without tion in stage management. tion crew may focus only on what their role requires, with the opportunity to work with the pro- a simple answer, but assuaged by the notion that Hemminger and two other students form the the stage manager must guarantee that everyone’s ducers of Rent in writing a musical starring perhaps, it is the question not the answer that inaugural class of the theatre department’s stage responsibilities are being fulfilled. The stage man- puppets. The play was Avenue Q and Whitty counts.# management concentration. Now in his sec- ager’s most vital role is to verify that the set is ond year, Hemminger sees their position as safe for the actors. If the director wants an Between college and graduate school, He- have been allowed in larger venues. The skills both advantageous and critical because they are actor to ascend from below the stage, the stage mminger wanted to explore different regions of he acquired have proved invaluable, especially in helping to shape the newly founded program. manager talks to the set designer about making the county while seeking to gain experience in his current stage management classes that are being Hemminger stresses how responsive the depart- it happen safely. The most fun part of stage man- his field. He landed internships with regional held at the New York City Opera and the Broadway ment has been to their suggestions thus far. “The aging for Hemminger is what is termed “calling theatre companies in Tennessee, Texas and Arkansas. hit, the Lion King. When asked what his plans best thing at Columbia University’s program is a show.” This entails wearing a head set during He also worked for the improv comedy troupe are after he graduates, he can’t give a definitive that they challenge us and nurture us. We have a performance and sending cues to the appro- Second City in Chicago. Hemminger is grateful for answer but says that his dream job would be to to write short plays, take history courses and per- priate person when a certain technical feature his time in these smaller theatres because he was be a stage manager with a company on tour around form.” The department encourages collaboration is required. charged with far more responsibility than would the country.# 18 • EDUCATION UPDATE MetroBEAT continued NOVEMBER on page 29 2004 Getting to the Heart State Ignored Threat of of the Problem Elevated Lead Levels in By MAYOR MICHAEL homes, and out of City shelters, by providing R. BLOOMBERG such services as landlord-tenant mediation, sub- Today, more than 36,000 stance abuse counseling, or help with drawing Water at 120 Schools of our fellow New Yorkers, including more than up and staying on a family budget. Because the By STEVEN SANDERS should have done remediation where lead levels 15,000 children, did not have the good fortune simple fact is that while everyone has a right to The State Education Department (SED) and the were at a medically dangerous level. The State the rest of us enjoyed. They didn’t wake up in shelter, emergency shelter isn’t always the right State Health Department (DOH) have ignored, failed even to request the actual readings to learn their own beds, in their own rooms. Instead, answer to every housing crisis. Keeping families for over three months, results of a survey they precisely how much over the 20 parts per billion they began the day in City homeless shelters. in their homes is usually a much better solution conducted concerning levels of lead in drinking measure the samples indicated. What if some Thousands more men and women met the dawn for everyone involved. water at schools and daycare facilities. Of 684 schools have 200, 2000 or 10,000 parts per billion? on the streets of New York—because that is We’re also making major headway toward our schools and daycare facilities surveyed who Neither the State Education Department nor the where they live. Because New York is a com- goal of dramatically increasing the city’s supply responded, 120, or 18 percent, reported the pres- Health Department bothered to ask. Who knows passionate city, over the last 20 years, we’ve of supportive housing, which provides on-site ence of potentially dangerous levels of lead in how many children are being contaminated? created the largest emergency shelter system in social services to people who need help getting their water. The survey did not ask schools to In April of this year SED, in a collaborative the nation. And during the last City Fiscal Year, their lives back on track. Recently, Enterprise report the actual test reading, only whether lead effort with the State Health Department, sent our Department of Homeless Services moved New York, the local chapter of one of the nation’s levels were below or above 20 parts per billion out surveys to schools and daycare facilities in a record 24,000 people out of shelters and into largest supporters of low-income housing, com- (above what the U.S. Environmental Protection districts where local water supplies had reported permanent homes. That’s something we can be mitted to underwriting development of 2,500 Agency (EPA) deems an “actionable level”). elevated levels of lead, as well as to schools that genuinely proud of. But we also have to recog- units of supportive housing in our city. This will They ignored the findings entirely and did abso- have their own water supplies. The notice accom- nize a hard truth—and that is that for too long go a long way toward helping New Yorkers with lutely nothing to follow up. panying the survey provided the following back- we’ve focused too much on a crisis management special needs, such as the mentally ill, homeless, Given the results of this survey of a significant ground information: “Exposure to lead is a critical approach to homelessness, and not enough on and young people who are “aging out” of the sample of schools and daycare facilities, there are health concern especially in children whose grow- finding long-term solutions. foster care system. Without such housing, too probably hundreds more throughout the state with ing bodies tend to absorb more lead than adults. Our Administration is changing that. In June, many of them could wind up on our streets or stay unacceptably elevated or hazardous lead content The longer water remains in contact with leaded we presented an action plan for effectively ending indefinitely in shelters. in children’s drinking water. If the level of lead plumbing components, the likelihood for lead to chronic homelessness in New York City within Openness and accountability are the hallmarks in drinking water is too high, it poses imminent reach into water increases.” These results were five years. And we’ve already begun to make of our Administration. So starting in January, health threats, particularly over time and espe- made known to SED and DOH in August. substantial progress toward that goal. Recently, we’ll post monthly updates on our progress on cially to infants and children. Very troubling is You do a survey, you need to follow it up with for example, we launched a homelessness pre- this issue at this web site: . I have to tell you, I like disabilities, hearing loss and attention deficits. results almost three months ago and have done the city where the threat of homelessness hangs the sound of that name—because we’re going For neither SED nor DOH to show any concern absolutely nothing. The State Education and State over too many families. Called “Home Base,” to do everything we can to end homelessness in or even curiosity about this is a disgrace. Health Departments showed no sense of urgency this program will work to keep people in their New York City.# Parents should have been warned, and schools continued on page 25 An Investment in Working Together for Kids By RANDI students’ prospects for success and was not based WEINGARTEN solely on one standardized test. Family and Education Imagine NASA excluding Now for the negative example: starting this its rocket scientists when summer, parent groups and teachers began hearing planning a mission to Mars, from principals that—despite additional money for Homeless Children or a hospital not consulting from the state this year—many of our schools By MATILDA RAFFA CUOMO HELP USA provides the families with initial doctors when drawing up plans to build a new were receiving large cuts in their budgets. HELP USA is the nation’s largest builder, health assessments at most of its sites, ensures intensive care facility. It’s a good bet that prob- The Department of Education at first professed developer and manager of supportive housing pregnant women receive prenatal attention, and lems will arise down the road. that there were no cuts, then said it was a question with comprehensive, on-site human services for checks to be certain children receive inocula- The same holds true for education. The most of a fairer allocation among schools, then said it homeless and low-income families, serving more tions for school while monitoring for speech and successful administrators are those wise enough was waiting for more state funds. than 2,500 families each year at fifteen facili- physical development. to listen and respond to the concerns and sugges- Now after adding more than $100 million at ties throughout the New York metropolitan area. As an experienced provider of day care services tions of educators who work with kids daily and various intervals, the Department has said that HELP USA is sharing its model of operation to homeless families in New York State, HELP’s know their needs. schools will be getting at least as much money and serves close to 11,000 homeless and low- facilities serve over 300 children daily in New Judging by recent events, this is a lesson that as they got last year. But with the new budget- income individuals nationwide with facilities in York City alone. the Department of Education sometimes takes to ing process, few of us can figure out where the Philadelphia, Houston, Las Vegas, Buffalo, Little HELP USA offers a range of services to address heart, but on other occasions manages to ignore. money is going. Rock and Memphis. the after school and recreational needs of resident A positive example: last year when the mayor Some of our largest high schools are even more Founded in 1986 by Andrew Cuomo, who later children and realize their full potential to become announced plans to target third-graders in his overcrowded than last year, with thousands of served as Secretary of the U.S. Department of responsible, productive adults. Besides offering attempt to end social promotion—the policy of classes that exceed our contract’s class-size limits, Housing and Urban Development, the mission early childhood education to all children between advancing students to the next grade even if they including high school science classes with 45 stu- of HELP USA is to help children and families the ages of 0-6 at its family-based facilities, have not mastered key academic knowledge and dents and physical education classes with 60 stu- who are homeless and others in need become and HELP USA also offers after-school programs for skills—he did so without first consulting front- dents or more. Tutoring, SAT prep and remediation remain self-reliant. HELP USA’s services and their youth between the ages of 6-18 in New York line educators. classes have been cut, high school electives have programs primarily address the following social City. These after-school programs are extremely That resulted in a firestorm of criticism as con- been put on hold, and advanced placement and issues: housing, job training, domestic violence, important for those children in over-crowded cerned parents and education experts questioned after-school programs have been canceled. Tweed substance abuse services, youth development, classrooms with a lack of counselors, nurses and the fairness and effectiveness of the policy. Over may be spending the money on good programs, mentoring and day care. special attention. time, the plan was changed, including adding but at what cost to these important needs? Children need family stability and positive role The teachers designate these children at risk to resources for struggling students, the creation Tweed’s lack of candor has fostered an atmo- models. HELP USA recognizes that domestic Mentoring USA (MUSA), which is the city’s larg- of an appeals process and the establishment of sphere of mistrust and a sense in both teachers violence is the primary cause of homelessness est school and site-based, one-to-one mentoring protocols to guide educators making these critical and parents that their issues and their kids are a and unemployment for a significant portion of program for children in New York City. The pro- decisions about kids’ lives. lower priority than meeting some budget goal, this population. In fact, at least 50 percent gram trains caring volunteers as mentors to spend One might have expected a similar negative or policy objective such as small schools or new of homeless women and children are escaping one hour a week with a disadvantaged child. reaction when, at the beginning of this school coaches/parent coordinators, even when the city homes of violence, while nearly 100 percent of Besides providing mentoring for our general year, the mayor announced that he would expand rolled over a budget surplus of nearly $2 billion. women receiving domestic violence services at-risk population including foster care children, the no social promotion policy to fifth-graders. Enlightened employers everywhere have identify the violence as a significant impediment as an affiliate of HELP USA, MUSA serves the But this time the public reaction was muted—and learned—the hard way, in some cases—that even to their obtaining and maintaining employment. youth at Genesis Homes in Brooklyn and Genesis generally supportive—because the administration in industries using unskilled workers, involving Since 1994, HELP Works, the agency’s welfare- RFK apartments in Manhattan. MUSA expects to had learned a lesson. It listened to educators and employees in decision-making boosts morale and to-work initiative, has placed more than 4,500 serve at least 1,000 children this year. made sure that the plan, which was announced productivity. If the Department of Education wants homeless family members in employment, help- continued on page 25 at the start of the school year, included immedi- to succeed, this is a lesson Tweed needs to keep ing them to achieve economic self-sufficiency. ate additional supports and resources to improve relearning.# NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ COLLEGES & GRADUATE SCHOOLS 19

COLLEGE PRESIDENTS’ SERIES An Interview with President Ruth Simmons, Brown University By GILLIAN GRANOFF in society.” Simmons has a keen awareness and “A life of success is not about imitating what an intuitive sense of her role as a leader and a others have done; it’s about searching for the clear vision of her responsibilities at the universi- things that matter to you and trying to make use ty. She compares the role of University President of all the talent you have. Being successful is to that of a parent and manager but believes the trying to do that with the highest degree of inten- most important ingredient of being a good leader tion.” These sobering words of advice from Dr. is to be a good listener. “Everything I’ve done at Ruth Simmons are indicative of the path she took Brown has come out of listening to people dur- in her own career. As the first black female presi- ing the transition period. The high priority she dent of an Ivy League University, Dr. Simmons’ places on keeping in touch with the needs and life has been far from one of imitation. Raised issues of her students is part of her commitment by sharecroppers in Texas, Dr. Simmons never to listening. Despite her many obligations and could have envisioned a career that included the extensive travel of the job, she holds dinners reaching the pinnacle of higher education, first as at her home for students as well as regular office a professor, then as a university president. From hours. When they call and say that they need to her modest history she created a future that in no talk to her, she always finds the time. way mirrors the life she knew. “I regard this as the final contribution that I will “I had modest ambitions and was more con- make in my career. I’m interested in doing a good cerned about finishing high school than choos- job for Brown and making sure that when I leave, ing a career.” The encouragement her parents I did the things that the University needed.” Her instilled in her had an indelible impact. From goals for the future of Brown include continuing to them, Simmons learned to be fearless in standing grow the faculty, adding more financial aid to attract up to injustice. “Growing up in the South and the best and brightest, improving the infrastructure being denigrated every day because of my race, of Brown including the laboratories, but most I was taught to define myself not on the basis importantly, serving the needs of the students. of what others thought about me.” Her parents “When I get up everyday and think about my taught her the value of hard work and the impor- work that’s really what I think about. I don’t think tance of treating everyone with respect. “Work about the money that I’m raising. I don’t think hard, be honest, be kind to people, be respectful, about the facilities meeting I’m going to. I think be a decent human being.” These simple words about my students and whether or not there’s one ushered a girl from the rural farmlands of Texas, that will do something important because of a to the austere ivy covered walls of USC, Harvard simple thing I did for them, like Miss Ida Mae and Princeton, and ultimately to the helm of did for me.” Smith College and Brown University. President Ruth Simmons President Ruth Simmons is committed to using Though an advocate of affirmative action, she her time at Brown to giving her students the tools believes strongly that students be judged on their and confidence to become leaders who can meet merit and hard work. She is passionate in her for a place for myself. I grew up in Texas; boys of any student to apply without consideration for challenges on their own, with honesty, intelli- belief of providing equal opportunity irrespective had wide latitude and more importance than girls. financial need. Her goal is to “service the country gence and integrity.# of financial need. The role of girls was to support whatever the boys and the world by providing outstanding leaders Gillian Granoff is a graduate of Brown. Teachers had a major influence on her ambi- wanted to do. I had to fight for the legitimacy of and keeping pace with the accelerating changes tions. In a segregated community the boundaries what I wanted to do and became outspoken.” between teachers and students dissolved. Hatred At Princeton, her talents caught the attention of and bigotry strengthened the ties within their Aaron Lemonic, a colleague whose advice helped community. Teachers and students interacted her to overcome her fears of leaving to accept the freely with one another at church and in gro- Presidency of Smith. His forthright and straight- cery stores and were embedded in the fabric of forward belief in her inspired her to have a high Simmons’ daily life. opinion of herself and challenged her to have She credits Ida May Henderson, her first grade greater aspirations. SAVE THE DATE teacher, for giving her the key to unlocking a In 2001 she became the President of Brown world beyond the confines of the secluded and University, keeping a steady focus on remaining

segregated rural Texas. With very few role models true to democratic ideals. In discussing the tran- �� of professional female success, Simmons nurtured sition from a college of 2500 students [Smith] to �� only modest ambitions for herself. Henderson a research university of 7800 students [Brown], helped Simmons to see that her mind could be Simmons states the questions are more complex a vehicle out of the segregated Texan commu- and there is a larger group of people to manage �� nity. Her “magnetism and enthusiasm” inspired and recruit. The job has also placed Simmons on in Simmons an intellectual confidence and helped a national stage, dealing with media coverage For Teachers K-12, Literacy Coaches, her to recognize her own talents and abilities. Her and complicated public affairs. In spite of these Librarians, Parents & College Students

love of books grew as she went on to Harvard to challenges, Simmons has no intention of leaving �� acquire a Ph.D in Romance Languages, where she anytime soon. “If they want me to leave they’re Saturday, December 4, 2004 cultivated aspirations to become a professor. “I going to have to fire me ” she jokes. 9:00 a.m.—2:30 p.m. didn’t think I could ever rise to a level of promi- As president of Brown University, she has been nence in my career,” she stated. instrumental in implementing a long sought after As the youngest of 12 children, “I had to fight need-blind admissions policy that allows the right Pace University Multipurpose Room B-Level One Pace Plaza, New York, NY 10038 GROUND-BREAKING APPROACH TO LITERACY FIND YOUR VOICE KEYNOTE SPEAKER by Gail Noppe-Brandon �� “Borrowing in unintended ways from all of the mentors who had guided me, I seemed to have stumbled upon �� one possible antidote to the state that we perceive as illiteracy.” - Gail Noppe-Brandon FEATURING: FIND YOUR VOICE demonstrates Noppe-Brandonʼs Authors, Story Tellers, Channel 13, unique, relationship-based coaching style, an approach Workshops & Exhibits that has enabled even the shyest people to conquer their fear of written or oral public sharing. The book presents a speciﬁ c sequence of exercises and activities that can �� improve anyoneʼs reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. And with sample applications for various age levels, FIND YOUR VOICE helps those who may never have

considered re-acting or re-writing a play, and seasoned � GIVES A VOICE TO THE NEXT GENERATION artists who have been practicing their crafts for years. 20 REFLECTIONS ON BROWN U. ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ NOVEMBER 2004 Peggy A. Ogden & Brown: 51 Years After Graduation By EMILY WEINER Sinai Hospital. For 55 years, Peggy Ogden and Brown Peggy had one brother, University have continued to influence each who, in his junior year other. Peggy fell in love with the school in 1949, at Brown, was in a car when she made the decision to attend Pembroke, accident. Since 1965, the then the women’s college at Brown. distinguished Stephen A. She arrived at the major of experimental psy- Ogden Jr. ’60 Memorial chology through exploring classes and living the Lectures on International Affairs at Brown have sciences. “I was one of the few females in my been living tributes to his memory. Through her physics class,” Peg recalled. When asked how involvement with this program, almost 70 ambas- she felt about being in the minority, she recol- sadors, prime ministers, presidents and distin- lected one incident where, in a physics lecture, guished professionals have been guest lecturers she was taunted by several boys squirting her at Brown. with water guns. Since the professor did nothing Peg loved working with people throughout her to stop them, Peggy took matters into her own career and volunteer positions. She worked in hands: “I came into class one day with two water both the private and public sectors: from being the guns—one in each hand—and shot back. Since first female store manager at a major retail store in that day, they never bothered me again.” the East in the 60’s to working with civil service Peg seemed to have an aptitude for cleverly unions and employees at City University con- maneuvering through difficult school situations. tinually maintains an involvement with the Brown She concedes that reading comprehension was student body through alumnae interviewing. most difficult for her. “I was probably the first The framed posters on her wall are testament dyslexic to pass the English proficiency exam,” to Peg’s involvement in her career and at Brown she said. “Because the requirements then were no University. They include Who’s Who in America, punctuation or spelling errors. I used no sentence and framed Ogden Lecture posters, such as one with more than three words and no words with from 1986: “Prospects for Peace in the Middle more than three letters. I passed and then they East,” delivered by international statesman Abba changed the ground rules.” Eban. In the hallway are photographs of Peggy Her difficulty did not stop her from continuing shaking hands with lecturers: in one from 2003, on to a Master’s at Trinity College in Counseling she stands smiling with Mikhail Gorbechev. She Psychology, followed by a career in Human fondly remembers Tom Brokaw taking her and Resources and Labor Relations. She is the scion her mom back to New York City on his seaplane of a family dedicated to public service. Her after he gave a lecture for the series. mother was a Wellesley graduate, and although Fifty years after graduating from Brown, Peg her father did not graduate from high school, he can look back on a wealth of accomplishments. was a successful businessman, working parent. Today, she enjoys her days with “wonderful, Her grandfather, Dr. Samuel Stern, as the first cherished friends, who, along with my cat Twig, chief of the Radiology Department at Mount are my family.”#

NEW YORK STATE UNITED TEACHERS IS ON A MISSION OF EDUCATION New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 500,000 members in education and health care. Through effective grass-roots lobbying at the state Capitol, NYSUT strengthens the institutions where our members work: in hospitals and other health care settings; and in public education from pre-K through post-graduate. When the governor vetoed more than $1 billion in public education funding, NYSUT organized the biggest rally in the history of Albany’s Empire State Plaza, where the bullhorn could be heard plainly from the state Capitol. The lawmakers heard the voices of thousands of educators and restored funding. “When politics and inefficiency take resources out of the classroom and hurt children’s education, NYSUT is the organization with the skills to bring a consensus to bear on the problem,” said Tom Hobart, the longtime president of New York State United Teachers. NYSUT’s membership is broad and diverse, including teachers, school-related professionals, academic and profession faculty in higher education, nurses and other health care professionals, and retirees. “We draw upon the classroom, university and hospital clinic experience of more than half a million members. We have effective ways of tapping the talents of our retired members. And our membership rolls continue to grow, because local unions know they can turn to us for conscientious representation in Albany and insistence on workplace justice in the villages, towns and cities of New York, from Williamsville to Montauk,” said Hobart. On national issues, NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers in Washington, D.C. On local issues, NYSUT is organized into 950 local unions invested with local autonomy, electing their own officers to negotiate contracts and determine their own local dues and activities. Education Update November 2004 Issue P.O. #: 14389

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NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ REFLECTIONS ON BROWN U. 21

DAM OPLEWICZ ROWN A K , B ‘08 T H E B A N K S T R E E T A P P R O A C H RECEIVES HUBER AWARD By NAZNEEN MALIK lege students who “Today, my future looks bright,” says have learning disor- RADUATE ROGRAMS Adam Koplewicz in his acceptance at the ders or ADHD with G P : 2004 National Achievement Awards Gala elementary school co-hosted by the non-profit organization, students struggling Early Childhood Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic®. with similar diffi- The proud recipient of the Marion Huber culties. The under- Elementary Listening Through Learning Award, he lying message of graduated from Columbia Grammar and the program is that Middle School Preparatory School with impressive cre- “just because you dentials. The award is given annually to have this difference doesn’t mean that high school seniors with learning disabili- you’re disabled in any regard.” Museum Education ties in recognition of leadership, scholar- “Dyslexi has made me more attuned and ship, and community service. Despite his compassionate to others who struggle,” Child Life struggle with dyslexia, Adam excelled in says Adam. He has reached a point in sports, was the editor of his high school his life where he has transformed his Educational Leadership newspaper, and maintained a grade point own painful experiences into an asset. average of 3.82, no small feat. He advises other students with dyslexia Special Education Now a freshman at Brown University, to “find people who have similar deficits Adam recalls, “It was nice to receive and have made it, to reaffirm that it is Infancy & Early acknowledgement for the hard work, and possible; that it is doable, [and] to find the to realize what I had to overcome with support that you need whether it’s from Intervention having dyslexia.” Diagnosed with dys- your parents or from some outside source lexia at the age of four, Adam attributes [like support groups].” Adam also encour- Reading & Literacy much of his success to hard work, to the ages students with dyslexia or other learn- support he received from his parents, and ing disabilities, to ask for the extra time Bilingual Education to a certain degree, remedial programs he that they are entitled to when taking was involved in when he was younger, exams. The terminology that is used is which focused on improving his ability to fifty percent or a hundred percent, the lat- Studies in Education read, write, and spell. ter meaning twice as much time as other Like many elementary school kids, students receive for an exam. He also sug- Adam’s first role model was Michael gests that if a school requires proof before Jordan, but as he grew older his role mod- they grant extra time, then the best thing els became those who had struggled with is to get a letter fromEducation a psychologistUpdateCOLLEGE or & UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE DIRECTORY & UNIVERSITY DIRECTORY dyslexia themselves. Meeting people like psychiatrist. If moneyNovember is an issue,2004 he rec-Issue Graduate School Open House Goldman Sach’s executive, Gary Cohn, ommends going�� to oneP.O. �of many#: 14389 � non-profit � � �� writer and activist, Jonathan Mooney, organizations around the country that will Thursday, November 11, 5:15 PM and nonprofit businessman, David Flink, be able to subsidize costs. No matter 1 3 � � o matter4 4 �� helped Adam recognize that people with As for Adam’sN future2 ⁄ plans,x 1 ⁄ Brown has �� where you’re Please mail to: Please mail to: dyslexia “have done so well [and that] opened up multiple avenues for ’ him to �� College Directory - Education Update �� College Directory - Education Update really gave me motivation and also con- explore whereand while he is youstill pursuingre his 17 Lexington Ave., Box A1207 17 Lexington Ave., Box A1207 New York, NY 10010 New York, NY 10010 fidence that I could do something atfrom that interest or in neuroscience,howfrom far he is keepingyou or hishow farBank youStreet College Gra��duate School of Education �� level.” In fact, Adam will soon begin options open. 610 West 112th Street, ��New York, NY 10025-1898 MAIL THISINNOV ACOUPON��TION IN MAIL THIS COUPON training to be part of a program started Adam Koplewicz’swant continued to dedica go- , there’s �� ’ o matter Name:______Name:______by Jonathan Mooney, called Eye-towant Eye. tion to and perseverancego, there promiseN ssuccess in w w w. b a n k s t re e t . e d u 2 1 2 . 8 7 5 . 4 6 9 8 TEACHING AND LEARNING The Brown-based program pairs up col- his future endeavors.#still a place where�� where you’re�� Address:______�� Address:______COLLEGEstill a place where& UNIVERSITY �� DIRECTORY �� you \canfrom achieveyou or how\can the farachieve you the City:______State:___Zip:______City:______State:___Zip:______�� Phone (incl. area code): ______Phone (incl. area code): ______want��American to go �, there � Dream � ’s ��. �� 1 American DreamN.o2 matter � 3 4 �� T H E B A N K S T R E E T A P P R O A C H I Am Interested In Applying As My Status I Am Interested In Applying As My Status still a placewhere where you’re Please mail to: ��Freshman ��Transfer ��H.S. Student ��Working�� AdultFreshman ��Transfer ��H.S. Student ��Working Adult College Directory - Education Update �� Learn ��Day ��Evening ��Teacher ��Day ��Evening ��Teacher fromIt’s called or how Baruch. far you 17 Lexington Ave., Box A1207 It’s called Baruch.you \can achieve�� theNew York, NY 10010 how to be ��Weekend ��Graduate Student ��College Student ��Weekend ��Graduate Student ��College Student want to go��, there’s a great American Dream. MAIL THIS COUPON Please circle catalogs you wish to receive: Please circle catalogs you wish to receive: still a place�� where teacher. Name:______1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 ��you \can achieve the Graduate School Open House Thursday, November 11, 5:15 PM PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER SeptemberPLEASE 2004 INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER September 2004 �� Address:______��For almost 100 years, students have come to us from diverse610 West 112th St, NY, NY 10025 For almost 100 years,�� students have come to us from diverse www.bankstreet.edu 2 1 2 . 8 7 5 . 4 6 9 8 ��It’s calledAmericanorigins,� � �� Baruch. not just to Dream excel, but to achieve. their dreams. They origins, not just to excel, but to achievehave theiralways dreams. been, Theyand still are, the embodimentCity:______State:___Zip:______of ambi- 5 have always been, and still are, thetion, embodiment determination, of6 ambi- and perseverance. With those high Phone (incl. area code): ______�� tion, determination, � �� and perseverance.It’s calledideals Withthey’ve Baruch. those met the high challenges of our demanding, first- ideals they’ve met the challenges ofclass our faculty demanding, and helped first- Baruch become the well-regarded class faculty and helped Baruch become the well-regarded I Am Interested In Applying As My Status college it is today. It’s never easy. But our students have Name The City collegeCollege it is today. It’sFor never almost easy.BEACON 100 always But years, our hadstudents students the driveCOLLEGEhave have come and dedicationto us from diverse to get �� whereFreshman theyMAIL �� TransferTHIS COUPON��H.S. Student ��Working Adult PLEASE MAIL TO: of New Yorkalways had the drive origins, and dedication not105 justwant E.to to toexcel,Main getgo. wherebutThey Street to areachieve they the livingtheir dreams.proof of They what�� weDay believe: ��Evening ��TeacherAddress For almost 100 years, students have come to us from diverse COLLEGE DIRECTORY - For more than 150 years, The Citywant College to go. They are havethe living always Leesburg,proof thebeen, Americanof andwhat FL still we Dream 34748 are,believe: the still embodiment works. of ambi- has been a landmark of diversity, opportunity and origins, not just to excel, but to achieve their dreams. They ��WeekendEDUCATION ��Graduate UPDATE Student ��College Student academic ﬁre, powering alumni success storiesthe American from Ira Dream stilltion, works. determination,havePh: always 352-787-7660 been, andand still perseverance. are, the embodiment With of ambi- those high 17 LEXINGTON AVENUE., BOX A 1207 City/State/Zip Gershwin, to Colin Powell to eight Nobel Prize winners. NEW YORK, NY 10010 City College is the path to any career and dream. ideals they’vetion,[email protected] determination, met the challenges and perseverance. of our With demanding, those high first- Please circle catalogs you wish to receive: ideals they’ve met the challenges of our demanding, first- Take your dreams to the next level! class faculty and helped Baruch become the well-regarded Phone# classApplications faculty and helped available Baruch become on ourthe well-regarded 1 2 3 4 Convent Avenue at 138th Street New York, NY 10031 college college it iswebsite: today. it is today. It’swww.beaconcollege.edu It’s never never easy. But But our our students students have have 212-650-6981 • www.ccny.cuny.edu always always had the had drivethe drive and and dedication dedication to to get getwhere where they theyPLEASE INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER September 2004 want to go. They are the living proof of what we believe: want to go. They are the living proof of what we believe: the American Dream still works. I AM INTERESTED IN APPLYING AS MY STATUS 7 the American Dream still works.8 Freshman Transfer H.S. Student Our Students take 1-866-7-BARUCH www.baruch.cuny.edu a different path 1-866-7-BARUCH www.baruch.cuny.edu Day Evening Teacher to the top. ZICKLIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • WEISSMAN SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES ZICKLIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • WEISSMANSCHOOL SCHOOL OF OF PUBLIC ARTS AND AFFAIRS SCIENCES • CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Weekend Graduate Student College Student SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS • CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

1-866-7-BARUCH www.baruch.cuny.edu Working Adult Putney, Vermont THE AMERICAN DREAM STILL WORKS. Please circle catalogs you wish to receive: THE AMERICAN DREAMZICKLIN SCHOOL OFSTILL BUSINESS • WEISSMAN WORKS. SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Fall 2004 Open Houses: SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS • CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Saturday, October 23 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 November 2004 Saturday, October 24 1-866-7-BARUCH www.baruch.cuny.edu THE AMERICAN DREAM STILL WORKS. Open House Hours: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. ZICKLIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • WEISSMAN SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES www.landmark.edu • 802-387-6718 SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS • CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

THE AMERICAN DREAM STILL WORKS. 22 COLLEGES & GRADUATE SCHOOLS ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ NOVEMBER 2004

LINDA DARLING-HAMMOND SARAHLAWRENCE SPEAKS AT TEACHERS COLLEGE By EMILY WEINER last, fostered personal exploration in learning. The Art of Teaching Master’s Program Recently, Professor Linda Darling-Hammond, Darling-Hammond called New York City the distinguished professor at Stanford University, prototype of this kind of progressive education. Small seminar classes addressed serveral hundred professionals and stu- But outside of New York, “Schools with this � dents at Teachers College, Columbia University, kind of vision are battling for their lives.” She connecting theory about social reform, educational justice and explained that today’s focus on teaching to the with teaching practice, teacher equality. standardized test leads to a loss of the arts: less leading to a Master of Repeatedly, Professor Darling-Hammond time for singing, dancing and drawing. High Science in Education emphasized the importance of progressive edu- stakes and single narrow tests, she said, now cation—the kind that is taught and promoted by define important decisions for children, like Student teaching and Teachers College (TC)—for the future of learn- whether they can pass from the 3rd to 4th grade. � fieldwork in tri-state ing in this country. Darling-Hammond herself While dehumanizing the classroom experience learned to teach at TC, working side by side with and threatening students?????? with one-shot opportu- area public and serious scholars. She acknowledged with great nities for failure, they fill students with a sense alternative schools warmth, her return to TC, a home where she of dread, consequently killing confidence and began to explore the particular kind of personal capability. Those that do poorly on standardized Students prepared � learning that allows students to later find their tests—those that need individual attention—are for certification in interests and paths—a kind of teaching commit- more likely to be discouraged and drop out of Early Childhood, ted to participatory learning and equity in the school. Schools focused on test score ranking Childhood or educational system. are also less likely to discourage these students The professor shared anecdotes of her from leaving. dual certification daughter’s public school experiences: the first Graduation rates in the United States are Students of diverse took place in a classroom in Maryland, with a going down, according to Professor Darling- predominantly black student population. The Hammond. Nevertheless, standardized testing � backgrounds and teacher was new and warned the students not to continues to be enforced and reinstated. Again, experiences are talk, to be still, and to keep their hands to Darling-Hammond returns to the importance of encouraged to apply themselves. These rules were continually broken progressive education to counter these effects. by a list of the same names (mostly black boys) Her advice: “Each of us must work in our own Information Session who were continually punished, not necessarily garden,” with rigorous performance assessments Tuesday, November 16 at 5:00 pm Part-time/full-time study for bad behavior, but for physically expressing for individual students and a sacred trust between Boulder Building and financial aid available energy. Linda’s daughter, among other children, teachers and children. She emphasizes the impor- reacted with distress often manifested in tance of “acknowledging that this work is hard,” physical illness. and realizing that “together the costs are substan- For information contact: Soon after, Professor Darling-Hammond tial but the benefits are great.”# Sarah Lawrence College Office of Graduate Studies enrolled her daughter in a different school, where Linda Darling-Hammond is the Charles E. 1 Mead Way, Bronxville, NY 10708 the students explored writing their own books and Ducommun Professor of Education at Stanford (914) 395-2371 x236, [email protected] or visit us at working through ideas, rather than filling out hours University, where she launched the Stanford of worksheets or preparing for success on the next Leadership Institute and the School Redesign www.sarahlawrence.edu/eu standardized test. This teacher, quite unlike the Network.

Seminars & Workshops, Fall 2004

Professional Development & Continuing Education For more than a century, Teachers College has stood at the forefront of education. CEO&I at TC continues to participate in this tradition by offering students and professionals unique opportunities to study with leading scholars and experts in the fields of education and leadership. Call for more information about opportunities to learn from instructors such as:

Victoria Marsick Lucy Calkins Prof. of Adult & Prof. of English Education, TC Organizational Learning, TC James Borland Stephen Brookfield Assoc. Prof. of Education Distinguished Prof. at the Heidi Hayes Jacobs University of St. Thomas President, in Minneapolis, MN Curriculum Designers, Inc. Jay Heubert Assoc. Prof. of Education, TC and School Law Institute

co-chair

C C C C CEOC &I

THE CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH & INNOVATION Call for a free course catalog! Registration is in progress. �: 800.209.1245 www.tc.columbia.edu/ceoi

TEA CHERSCOLLEGE COL UMBIA UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ CHILDREN’S CORNER 23

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT'S SEAT between skating sessions, your children won’t have the time to go over what was learned and to Getting Ready for the Big Chill make real progress. It’s up to you to set the scene By DR. CAROLE do to get ready for the winter weather, make one or television now is the time to make some stra- and give your child the time and space to make the G. HANKIN WITH of the items preparing for productive, stress-free tegic plans. lessons valuable. An isolated hour of piano once a RANDI T. SACHS time indoors with your young children. Even First, take a look around your home. Is the most week is just not going to make a difference. Leave This is being written just without the dark coming early, we know that comfortable and appealing space for your children time free for your children to practice and hone before we set the clocks winter is right around the corner because of the in front of the television or the computer? Give their skills. Make it more palatable by listening back and adjust to a much increase in toy commercials on television, in them an alternative and set up a book nook. In and showing appreciation for their talent. faster nightfall to match the newspapers, and in store windows with tempta- fact, a cozy bean bag chair, a snack table, a warm Of course, video games will not go away, and falling temperatures. We’ve switched over to our tions that spill out onto the street to attract your throw blanket, a reading lamp, and of course, there are many games that even have educational fall/winter wardrobes and are trying to get our (and your children’s) attention. If you dread the some good books can all be wrapped up for the value to them. But you can be proactive and plan children to realize that every day is now a “jacket thought of spending the winter months stepping holidays and given as gifts to your children. now to provide books, music, puzzles, and yes, day” until further notice. over discarded holiday toys and trying to pry The winter can be a good time to focus on trips to museums, shows, and events that interest While you’re checking off the list of things you your children away from the video game system music lessons that may have been pushed aside your children and broaden their knowledge. over the summer. Time and space are critical We all know that winter is coming. Be prepared to success. Schedule lessons when there are and use this time to help your children discover ISNEY IVES CHOOLS IRST LASS REATMENT the least distractions around and when there is the pleasure of reading, music, or starting a project D G S F -C T time for follow up practice later that day or the that makes them an expert on a subject of their When you let your students discover the wonder modate everything from a full production to an next day. If a great music lesson is squeezed in choice. Lead the way, and they just may follow.# and joy of Disney on Broadway, we’ll make the expe- intimate candlelight dinner. For more information rience unforgettable! This school year give your please call Amy Andrews at 212-282-2907. students a day to remember by taking advantage We will help teachers arrive to the theater of Disney’s educational program, which provides prepared. For every show, Disney has devel- schools with special rates for groups of 15 or more oped study guides that help teachers develop for Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. projects, discussions and activities. And, for Interested in In addition, because we know you want to pro- those students who always have a question after vide the necessary adult supervision, Disney gives most Wednesday matinees, members of the cast, International Avon Cosmetics educators one free ticket for every 15 purchased orchestra or crew are available to appear for spe- at both shows. Flexible policies allow teachers to cial Q & A sessions with students. Adoption? Delivered pay in full 2–3 months before the performance. Students can also enjoy discounts on Disney on Broadway Disney invites schools to dedicate an entire day to souvenir merchandise, as each member Infants and tod- to your Door. the theater and to enhance the group’s experience of your group will receive a merchandise coupon by taking a historical tour of the New Amsterdam for great savings at the theater. Teachers can also dlers are available Make extra $$ selling. Theater the morning prior to the performance. arrange special lunch savings at McDonald’s singles and couples. Built in 1903, the New Amsterdam has long been Times Square location, which, seating over 2,000, Programs include children from China, Call Norma at: the crown jewel of Broadway’s theaters. After specializes in school groups customized for any a two-year restoration process that led to the budget. Finally, groups save on Gray Line New Korea, Russia, Cambodia, the Ukraine and 908-527-0638 theater’s re-opening in 1997, the theater now hosts York bus charters, as special Disney promotional others. For more information call Lisa Doyle Disney’s Tony Award winning musical, The Lion rates are available.# at 212-570-3793 days. It’s never too late to King. The New Amsterdam Theater is the perfect For more information or to book call 212-703- ssttss venue for events ranging from 15 to 1,800 people. 1040 or 1-800-439-9000, fax 212-703-1085 or email build a family. The theater and its two historic rooms, the Ziegfeld [email protected]. Or visit www.dis- Room and the New Amsterdam Room, can accom- neyonbroadway.com. SPECIAL EDUCATION

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�� 24 SPECIAL EDUCATION ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ NOVEMBER 2004 Choosing a Preschool for a Child with Special Needs By RONALD S. LENKOWSKY, Ed.D located at 406 10th Avenue in Manhattan. New York City offers a wide array of services “The school is wonderful for Jonathan,” said for children with special needs. But navigating Diane. “I love the integrated classroom because the system, understanding and advocating for the the community kids act as good role models for right services and therapies for their child, and Jonathan in terms of their verbal, social and lan- learning what to continue at home can be very guage skills.” difficult for parents. Here are a few tips to help you and your child Diane Goldin, a Manhattan resident, is the have a productive, enjoyable year. Visit several mother of 4-year-old Jonathan, who was born programs to learn what different programs have with developmental delays. As a teacher with the to offer in terms of the facility, resources and New York City Department of Education, Diane staff. Talk to experts, friends and other people knows about child development and the New who may be resources. Find out if your child’s York education system, but the process of find- program has art and music therapies, and adap- ing the right learning environment and the best tive education. Develop a close relationship with therapists for Jonathan was not easy. your child’s teacher. Make sure that your child “I looked at different options based on recom- still has time to play.# mendations from friends and experts,” Diane said. Dr. Lenkowsky is director of the New York Jonathan is “making a lot of progress” and will League for Early Learning, which is a member of return to the New York League for Early Learning’s the National Institute for People with Disabilities Gramercy School at a new state-of-the-art facility Network.#

The Mary McDowell Teaching and Learning Center Presents Professional Development Workshops for Educators Evening Workshops: 5-8pm $50/person (light dinner included) • Managing Behavior Positively: Wed. Dec. 1 • Understanding Common Learning Disabilities and Modification for Success: Wed. Dec. 8

Full Day Workshops: 9:30am-4pm $125/ session (break for lunch) • Classroom Management: Wed. Dec. 1 • A More in Depth Look at Learning Disabilities: Fri. Dec. 10

Held at: Mary McDowell Center for Learning • 20 Bergen Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 Call 718-625-3939 or visit www.marymcdowell.org for more information

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�� NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ SPECIAL EDUCATION 25

His fellow board member, Sir Cyril Taylor, National Society for the Gifted & Talented Launched GBE, CEO, American Institute for Foreign Study, By DOROTHY DAVIS high academic and artistic performance is under- conception that has hampered support for these agreed. “Identifying the maybe five percent of Gifted children are being left behind in the mining the development of great potential. children, who are one of our major resources. youth who are gifted, all of whom will not be in United States. According to some disturbing “There are approximately two million gifted Jaime A. Castellano, Ed.D., Associate Professor middle class areas, will be a means to achieving reports cited by the National Society for the Gifted and talented children in second through tenth at Florida’s Lynn University and member of equity, not a roadblock to it,” he said. and Talented (NSGT), a non-profit group, at its grades nationwide, of whom only perhaps a quar- NSGT’s Board of Trustees, said, “Gifted children Identifying these young people is crucial. recent introductory meeting at the Harvard Club in ter have been identified and receive support.” are found in the poor ethnic neighborhoods of “Through education,” said Trustee John A. Burg, New York City, “Currently, 21 states have no man- NSGT seeks to address this problem by enroll- Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles, in the projects Vice President and CFO, AIF, “we must help date to identify and/or provide programs for gifted ing GT children in these grades as members, both of New York, Miami and Philadelphia, and in society realize that gifted children aren’t always and talented students.” And “of the 29 states that in the U.S. and abroad, and by forming affilia- new immigrant populations found in West Palm resourceful enough to reach their potential on do mandate gifted education, only 20 allocate state tions with schools, school districts and other GT Beach, San Francisco and Houston. Gifted chil- their own.” funding for gifted and talented programs.” organizations and businesses. dren are found in trailer parks, homeless shelters “Everyone benefits,” says NSGT’s Executive Shockingly, New York State has no mandate to Student members of NSGT will receive, among and Indian reservations. They are found in rural Director, Dr. Susan T. Dinnocenti, “when we identify gifted and talented children, no mandate other benefits, recognition of their talents, infor- America and in migrant camps. One of my support these highly able children, as their gifts to educate them, and no state funding for them. mation on programs and services available to responsibilities will be to help NSGT reach out to become ours later in life.”# Further, according to the NSGT, “in the United them, access to online connections with fellow historically underrepresented groups.” For more info about NSGT visit www.nsgt.org States recognition and support for gifted and tal- members and connections with colleges and uni- ented youth continues to decline.” An emphasis versities. Scholarships will be provided for these on raising test scores, the elimination of gifted programs. programs and classes in schools, and an overall NSGT emphasizes that programs encouraging Sanders Cuomo tendency in our society to be ambivalent about the gifted have nothing to do with elitism, a mis- continued from page 18 continued from page 18 about protecting children especially, not to mention At Genesis Homes in Brooklyn, HELP USA others also at risk. Both Departments were shame- operates the WAY Program (Work Appreciation fully negligent. They should have 1) investigated for Youth), which targets young adolescents and the exact conditions at each of the 120 schools; 2) provides a long-term, individualized training and ensured that parents were notified where lead lev- development regimen that instills values and The Churchill School and Center 301 East 29th St., New York, NY els were indeed a health risk; and 3) checked that teaches job skills. all appropriate corrective measures were taken to HELP USA subcontracts Boys and Girls Clubs PleasePlease join join us us for for our our December October Lecture Lecture protect children where the water was unsafe. of America Incorporated to operate after-school I plan to introduce legislation requiring the State programs with recreation programs at HELP I, “Residual“Learning Learning Outside Disabilities the in Adolescents”Lines” to implement a water quality testing regimen, per- Genesis Homes in East New York Brooklyn, at haps modeled after U.S. EPA protocols, for every HELP Morris and HELP Crotona North in the Speaker: public school. At present, such testing is manda- Bronx and Genesis RFK Apartments in Manhattan. Ruth Nass, M.D., NYU Medical Center tory only for the 400 school buildings in New MUSA supplements the Boys and Girls Clubs with Jonathan Mooney, Dyslexic Writer & Activist York State that have their own water supply. one-to-one mentor relationships for the youth for a Wednesday, October 13, 2004, 7:00 p.m. What a shame when government officials, who one-year commitment. MUSA offers a great deal Thursday, December 2, 2004 7:00 p.m. surely have the obligation to protect children, of enrichment that is especially vital to at-risk chil- Dr.Jonathan Nass will will focus walk onyou the through effects his of profoundpersistent journey dyslexia of oneducatio the highnal school and personal student; could sit back and ignore results of their own dren. All these programs have the more immediate change,the effects empowering of ADHD you and to executive think differently dysfunction about inLD/ADHD and out ofindividuals school; and and the the survey. The sad truth is we don’t know how many impact of keeping at-risk children off the streets children may have already been harmed, in some and in a safe environment. conceptmanifestations of learning of itself. non-verbal Join us learningfor his message disabilities, of personal including empowerment, problems with cases even, irreversibly.# Matilda Raffa Cuomo is Founder and academicreading success, comprehension, and educational written revolutionexpression, for and people social who emotional think dif ferently.issues. Assemblyman Sanders is chairman of the Chairperson, Mentoring USA. For further information, please call the Churchill Center, 212-722-0610 x3100 Education Committee. 26 MUSIC, ART & DANCE ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ NOVEMBER 2004 Outstanding Teachers of the Month Town Hall Lab Stimulates Arts Ed & continued from page 16 Students are given opportunities to discover standardized tests. Continuous assessment provides learning on their own, and work in groups to her with data showing each student’s strengths and Career Training in Schools research and complete quality literary projects. weaknesses. She utilizes a wide variety of assess- By MARVIN LEFFLER read for the first time in order to memorize lines This teacher embodies the concept of teach- ment tools to monitor the progress of each student. In a climate where too few high school students for a play. ers being life-long learners. Her motivation and Each week, the teacher observes each student, are learning to appreciate the arts both for their The program has become an accepted and participation in professional development work- records his/her performance, then conferences own sake as well as for a career path, The Town integral part of the school community at sev- shops is phenomenal. In fact, M.S. 61 honored with that student. Ms. Haskin utilizes the strategy Hall, a New York City landmark concert venue, eral schools. Instructors are increasing the level Ms. Danzy as “Outstanding Workshop Leader” of peer tutoring for the often needed additional has recognized the need to fill the gap created by of cooperative education, asking veteran stu- for the 2003-2004 school year. assistance. budgetary starvation. Since 1999, the institution dents to serve as mentors for first-year partici- Motivating Students: Students feel comfort- Innovative Teaching Strategies: Ms. Haskin is a has contributed its knowledge, resources and per- pants. Moreover, the staff development has been able discussing topics, critically questioning and master teacher who is well versed in and always sonnel through its educational outreach program, strengthened this year, with classroom teachers mentally challenging each other. implements the most up to date strategies in her The Town Hall Lab. Today, a determined effort assuming increasing???????? responsibility as they team- Ms. Danzy has taught both accelerated and everyday instruction. Students learn to compare is underway by the Department of Education teach with Lab instructors. Staff development is standard classes, yet she makes no distinction and contrast themes and concepts in a wide vari- to emphasize an arts curriculum, and the Lab particularly important in the new Bronx High regarding her focus on academic rigor. Students ety of books and other reading material. They program will prove invaluable to teachers and School for Performance and Stagecraft, where relish the supportive, fair and consistent tone she are individually responsible for keeping all of students more than ever. teachers will be trained to incorporate the arts maintains. this work in their writing journal. In the Writing The Town Hall instructors go to selected into their regular curriculum even as they prepare Parent/Community Involvement: Ms. Workshop, students learn to understand that they schools and give students hands-on experience in students for the Regents exams. Danzy’s outreach to our parents begins with call- are authors. Students are encouraged to create lighting, sound, set design, construction, costum- The Town Hall Lab offers summer internships, ing homes at the beginning of the school year their own books and take their work through to ing and props. Students learn to resolve technical giving students a chance to continue the school- just to say, “Hello.” While parents know that her final publication. problems by applying scientific and mathemati- to-career experience. Students are placed from “door is always open,” subsequent calls, emails, Motivating Students: Ms. Haskin’s goal is to cal principles and most classes make visits to school projects into reputable theaters, dance and a classroom webpage affords them a daily make her students responsible for their own observe professional productions. The program companies and production facilities. There, they window into her classroom. Additionally, Ms. learning. Each student must work hard to teach also includes guest artist lectures and profes- gain skills that will help them in the job market, Danzy has arranged authors visits and Career others in the class. Learning centers with resourc- sional development for teachers. even if their interests lay outside of theater. The Day volunteers for our students. es, manipulatives and checkists are prominently The curriculum delivers more than just devel- internship is designed to provide them with a displayed and utilized in her classroom. Students opment of technical skills, positive values and taste of the working world, and the opportunity Daniel Vernikov fully participate in the lesson by doing the writing new levels of teamwork and responsibility; it to present themselves in a professional manner, Principal: Sharon Meyers Izzo on charts and board. builds a new self-confidence that has encour- learn teamwork and take on individual tasks. For Superintendent’s Name: Dr. Susan Erber Parent/Community Involvement: Ms. Haskin aged students to improve their communication this they gain valuable resume credit and are paid P771@ PS236, Brooklyn is always willing to conduct parent workshops in a with both fellow students and authority fig- for their time. School District/Region: 75/6 wide variety of subject areas. These workshops are ures. According to school administrators, overall Approximately one-third of the program costs Student Progress: P771K is well attended and most informative to the parents. grades and attendance have noticeably improved are covered by a contract for educational ser- a district 75 school that services and the Lab has served as a catalyst for many vices with the New York City Department of severely emotionally disturbed Julisa Cunulata students who would otherwise not graduate. One Education. Contributions from foundations and children as well as mentally Principal: Barbara Elk Duncan success story includes a student who was failing corporations provide the remaining two thirds of retarded and autistic children Assistant Principal: Arlene Prager until he joined the stagecraft class; the following the cost.# ages 5 through 11. Mr. Vernikov Superintendent’s Name: Dr. Kathleen Cashin year he was inspired enough to achieve straight Marvin Leffler is President of The Town Hall is a music teacher who has the William H. Maxwell Career & Technical A’s. Another student pushed himself to learn to Foundation. ability to reach even the most difficult and chal- Education High School, Brooklyn lenging students. Julisa Cunalata has been a member of the In the short time that Mr. Vernikov has been English Department for ten years. Each passing with us, students have learned how to read music, day allows us to get a closer play musical instruments such as trumpets, clari- glimpse at her intellectual depth nets, tubas, saxophones, baritone and percussion and creative spirit. She has instruments, have learned to follow directions, been asked by representatives assumed the responsibility to care for their instru- of the Chancellor of the City ments and get along with peers as a team. In of New York to deliver work- addition, a significant number of students who in shops at his headquarters and the past were not able to pass the city and state has given workshops at the office of the Brooklyn standardized test, passed both the reading and Superintendency. She has served as a “buddy” to math exams. teachers new to the system and/or the school. Innovative Teaching Strategies: The students Her students, all of whom entered Maxwell learned to play Revel’s Bolero on huge buckets academically burdened and challenged, perform because at the time there were no funds to pur- admirably. In fact, of the forty or so students she chase real drums. Even though we have very prepared for the state exit exam, only four failed. limited space, Mr. Vernikov always finds a corner Innovative strategies: She does this by incor- or an empty supply closet to teach his lesson. porating music into the lessons and studying He rewards his students by taking them on trips lyric, form, message and literary devices of to Lincoln Center to see professional musicians current/modern music. She uses photography, performances an expand their experiences. walks and trips around our East New York Motivating Students: One of the biggest moti- neighborhood to frame a montage of life, a set- vators is becoming a member of the PS771K ting for each student’s visual autobiography. She Elementary Band. This is the only District 75 has created class literary magazines and poetry elementary band in Brooklyn. Being a band collections with her students. She introduces member has boosted students’ confidence and films to supplement themes in texts (Flatliners self esteem. This has carried over in all subjects with Frankenstein, II Postino poetry units). Her areas improving academic performance. students become playwrights as they add scenes Parent/Community Involvement: Because of to texts and explore the word of the actor and the band performances, attendance by parents at screenwriter. the monthly Assembly Programs has increased. Parent and community involvement: She has The band has performed at St. Bernard Church interviewed family members for autobiographies for a Christmas party, Autism awareness month at and biographies; requested that her students read PS 236, PS 225, PS 329, PS 369 graduation cer- class texts to their parents or at least share “the emony, the very special art festival at Columbia really great” stories with their immigrant and University and the Brooklyn Bridge for the pass- non-immigrant parents; encouraged students to ing of the Olympic Torch. use book club order forms to ensure parents realize the importance of reading—in English Dawn Haskin as well as in native language—for all children; Principal: Mrs. Jeanette Sosa performed an original composition at the Black Superintendent’s Name: Mr. Reyes Irizarry Cat Café in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with several PS 151K/ Lyndon B. Johnson, Brooklyn members of the English/ELL Department; called School District/Region: 32/4 all parents of ELL students and wrote letters in Student Progress: Ms. Haskin their native tongue, encouraging parent contact is a very gifted and dedicated and involvement; modeled, in spirit and deed, teacher of 3rd grade. She has the importance of connecting to one’s native been an exemplary member of land/familial birthplace and its importance in the our staff for 19 years. Her students fabric of the United States of America.# consistently perform very well on NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ A CELEBRATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE 27 Focus on Dr. Louis Ballard: GREAT ADVENTURE— International Native American Composer MASHANTUCKET MUSEUM By JOAN BAUM, Ph.D. By JAN AARON While some went out trick or treating on Just two and one-half hours by road from New October 31st, 1999 a group of music lovers York City, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and with strong affinities for art and social action Learning Center in northeast Connecticut takes gathered for a lasting treat at Carnegie Hall that you on a journey stretching back 1800 years and featured, among other works, a little known but to the present again. highly regarded orchestral piece, Incident at Here, amazing state-of-the art interactive dis- Wounded Knee by Native American composer, plays and lifelike immersion environments pro- Learning at the Museum Louis Ballard. The work had been commissioned vide an intimate look at the history and living in 1973 at the behest of Dennis Russell Davies, culture of the Pequot and other Native American The Reservation Today,” a colorful explanation then Conductor and Music Director of The St. tribes for visitors of all ages. However, the of how the Pequots survived for three genera- Paul Chamber Orchestra. A year later it was per- extensive museum programs for educators, from tions on their shrinking Connecticut reservation. formed here and in Europe to great acclaim. reduced price previews, to special workshops and Everyone 12 and older (or with adult supervision) Scored for flute, oboe, clarinet, percussion, vast library resources, make it prime territory for should make a point of seeing the museum’s strings, bassoons, and horns, the sixteen-minute, Dr. Louis Ballard study and field trips and the focus in this story. 30-minute film, “The Witness,” which vividly four-movement piece was part of the American During a typical classroom visit, a one-hour- depicts the tragic Pequot War. Composers Orchestra celebration of 20th Century slaughter of hundreds of men, women and chil- guided tour offers students an overview of the The 20 plus museum highlights also include the Snapshots “examining themes, moments, and dren and has come to mark the failure of Indian museum’s exhibits, ranging from prehistoric sights, sounds and giant mammals of the ice age, trends of 20th century protest music.” (Other com- policies as well as the end of the American fron- times when our land was covered with glaciers life-size dioramas showing techniques for grow- posers on the program included Robert Beaser, tier. Thus Dr. Ballard’s inner command: not just to life on the reservation now, to spotlighting the ing essential foods and tribal portraits of Pequots Alvin Singleton and Curtis Curtis-Smith.) A to present American Indian music to the larger key concepts of the 85,000 square-foot facility: today. Among the videos are artisans at work and musical artist of Cherokee and Quapaw descent, American culture but, as he has written, to awak- Land, People, Community and Family. After your the build up to the Pequot war. Dr. Ballard, an Oklahoman, who received his en and reorient the country’s “total spiritual and tour, you can continue exploring on your own. Crafts, workshops and in-depth enrichment doctorate in music from the College of Santa Fe, cultural perspective to embrace, understand and Tours also can be tailored to any age and grade. programs in archeology, social studies, clash of boasts among his forebears a Principal Chief of learn about the artistic impulses and culture of For instance, a tour for kids in kindergarten cultures and ecology offer additional learning the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and a Medicine “the Aboriginal American.” The roundup, which through grade six might focus on the exhibit, opportunities.# Chief of the Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma—but culminated at the Pine Ridge Reservation, soon “Through The Eyes Of A Pequot Child,” where Can’t make it to Mashantucket? The museum’s there are Scottish, French and English ancestors turned brutally violent, and the “incident” went they can explore the half-acre, life-size Pequot outreach program will send an educator to your as well—fitting enough for an internationally on to become of the most disgraceful symbols of village and compare it to life today. The seven classroom. (110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT; honored composer, music educator, and journal- culture clash in American history. The 73-year to 12-grade tour might concentrate on, “Life On Tel.1-800-411-9761). ist who was the first American to have his works old composer says the title came to him when in performed in the new Beethoven-House Chamber 1973 a number of Native Americans went on trial Music Hall, in Bonn. He was also the recipient in St. Paul for a protest on the Sioux Reservation CELEBRATE THE AUTUMN WITH in 1997 of A Lifetime Musical Achievement at Pine Ridge, but it was largely the “tragic” hor- Award as one of the “First Americans in the ror of 1890 that he wanted to memorialize. A CORNUCOPIA OF BOOKS Arts.” Other credits include performances at the Neither literal or programmatic, the music of ! Smithsonian, Lincoln Center and the Robert F. Incident has been described by Dr. Ballard as BY SELENE S. VASQUEZ BIOGRAPHIES: AGES 8 THRU 12 Kennedy Stadium in Washington, D.C., and, “an evocation of the traditions and moods of PICTURE BOOKS: AGES 8 THRU 12 Sequoyah: the Cherokee Man Who Gave His Nov. 12, 2004, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he joins the Native American people,” its four parts— Going North by Janice Harrington. Illustrated by People Writing by James Rumford. (CIP, unpaged, a roster of popular music artists by his induction Procession, Prayer, Blood and War, and Ritual— Jerome Lagarrigue. (Farrer, 32 pp., $16.00). $16.00). A gem of a read-aloud nonfiction book, into The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. capturing the sense of the Native American’s A 1960’s autobiographical saga of an African Sequoyah’s life is made beautifully clear and cul- Of course, the prompt that stirred Dr. Ballard’s “regeneration and hopes for a better future life.” American family on a difficult move from south- minates in his invention of the Cherokee syllabry. to compose Incident was the massacre at Wounded In this regard, Incident at Wounded Knee is deep- ern Alabama to Nebraska. Obstacles include lim- Reminiscent of the 19th century woodblock prints, Knee, euphemistically first referred to by the ly American, part of a music history that includes ited shopping in “Negro Stores.” A perfect choice these richly textured illustrations are executed in ink, U.S. Army as the Battle of Wounded Knee. The the expression of the sufferings of oppressed for readers not yet ready for Christopher Paul watercolor, pastel and pencil. “incident” which took place December 29, 1890 people, but because the value of Incident rises Curtis’ lengthier chapter book “The Watsons Go to Cesar: Si Se Puede! Yes, We Can! by Carmen T. in southwestern South Dakota, was the most “above all political emotions of this epoch,” it has Birmingham-1963.” Bernier-Grand. Illustrated by David Diaz. (Marshall devastating of the conflicts between members of also entered the mainstream.# FOLK TALES: AGES 7 THRU 10 Cavendish, 48 pp., $16.95). the Lakota tribe, including Chief Big Foot and Dr. Ballard has written a book with an accom- Basho and the River Stones by Tim Myers. A collection of lyrical poems evoking the char- followers of the slain Sitting Bull, and the U.S. panying CD for schools and music teachers that Illustrated by Oki S. Han. (Marshall Cavendish, 32 acter and value of the famous Mexican labor leader Cavalry. The “incident” resulted in the wholesale will be reviewed next month. pp., $16.95). In this original trickster tale, a magical Chavez. Stylized folk-art illustrations ranging from fox offers Japan’s most revered poet Basho three images of fruit picking to peaceful demonstrations.# gold coins if he agrees to share his cherry tree with Selene S. Vasquez is a media specialist at Orange neighboring foxes. Watercolor illustrations capture Brook Elementary School in Hollywood, Florida. She the beauty of the Japanese countryside, kimono-silk is formerly a children’s librarian for the New York patterns, and other eye-catching details. Public Library.

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�� 28 TECHNOLOGY & EDUCATION ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ NOVEMBER 2004 Sponsored by: Aerobics Mouse & R-Quest Technologies �� For years we’ve been the brains behind DUPLICATION�� TECHNOLOGY. ��

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more stand alone systems worldwide than anyone else. Formally sold in OEMs and distributors,�� today R-Quest’s high-quality,�� high-yield duplication systems are available directly to�� the education�� user, which allows for more�� personal service and faster response for schools and universities. �� Robert �� Judd, �� Education �� Specialist �� [email protected] �� 877-4-RQUEST WWW.R-QUEST.COM EXTENSIVE EDUCATIONAL DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE �� NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ TECHNOLOGY & EDUCATION 29 Sponsored by: AerobicsAerobics Mouse R-Quest TechnologiesTechnologies PRODUCT REVIEW Design Applianceʼs Aerobics Mouse By MITCHELL LEVINE PRODUCT REVIEW A strong case can be made that the truest revolutions are those that solve a problem Gigabyte Technologyʼs N512 Notebook that we don’t yet know is a problem, but By MITCHELL LEVINE and economy that should make it a popular item suffer from anyways. The Aerobics Mouse Multimedia laptops these days have an awful in the education vertical market. Weighing in is such a product. lot of bells and whistles, but not everyone that at only just over five pounds, the inexpensive Although we’ve gotten very accus- needs a notebook is a power user. Unfortunately, portable offers a diversity of excellent features tomed to using them, the standard com- schools have needs that run the gamut of func- unusual in the U.S. The wireless feature, crucial puter mouse was not an ergonomically tionality: graphics for educational games; per- in education, as most enterprise systems are only designed peripheral. To minimize potential formance for specialty classes in graphic design practical if they can be configured for LAN use repetitive stress, a utensil must be what is and animation; high powered networking and in-class, picked up a Linksys wireless broad- referred to by biomechanics specialists as 802.11b capabilities for in-class band router’s signal just about “functionally neutral.” A non-functionally groups and tutorials; and plain instantly. At the price point of the neutral utensil like a standard mouse forces vanilla usage like word process- unit, about $1800, according to muscles to be both tensed and relaxed ing. Because even in a well- the website, it’s remarkable that repetitively over a short time span, forcing formed by squeezing the roller rather than push- heeled system like New York, an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 is blood to rush in and out of the hand’s tissues. ing down with a finger. Although that motion cost is a very real issue, the trick a standard feature. Since the wear and tear associated with that can does require some reorientation, it doesn’t take has been finding a single unit However, not everything is be damaging, functional neutrality maintains a long before you begin to appreciate the economy that offer the most flexibility for perfect: the sound system, based safe balance, and therefore a much lower poten- of movement and the much lower stress ordinary the lowest total dollar cost. on a AC’97 3D Surround Sound tiality for injury. use places on your hands. To be practical, in the dis- chipset, seems to be rather tinny Because children have sensitive muscle and In fact, the mouse is just part of an integrated tricts that have deployed laptops and distant, and is not helped skeletal systems governing their fine motor func- program created by Design Appliances called direct to students and teach- out much by the tiny but well tions, poor ergonomics and bad posture poses “the clickless Web,” a virtual redesign of the ers for transport from home to placed stereo speakers. The per- a serious threat to their health, although even the standard protocol used to interface with school, they have to be light enough to be easily formance of the 855PM chipset was very respect- adults up to age 35 are still growing. The average the Internet. Specifically engineered to place carried and slender enough to fit on a desktop. For able, but not all of the benchmarks were ideal mouse, although apparently convenient, simply the fewest ergonomic demands possible on the advanced students learning design packages like for operating in the classroom. One very sharp was not designed to ensure that hours spent young Net surfer. Using a proprietary icon called Illustrator and Quark, the learning environment point in its favor, though, is the very bright 15” manipulating a point system to navigate the Net a “nib” instead of a standard cursor, the software can be adjusted to accommodate a 17” screen, TFT screen, which although not ideal for design don’t pose a long-term risk. included with the mouse allows any site to be but machines in that class are far too pricey to use, will be a real plus for schools with poor light The Aerobics Mouse, on the other hand is dif- explored with a series of dragging moves replac- be considered for large-scale deployment. The conditions. ferent. Built to support the hand’s muscles while ing relentless clicking on links. most basic entry-level machines like the $800 All in all, it’s pretty rare to seem this kind of the user moves, points, and clicks, the controlling When you factor in its ergonomic design and TigerDirect models or the Compaq Armada 110 ratio between bang and buck, and for tech procur- device looks more like a cubist ashtray than the the security of its non-slip surfaces, it’s hard to are exceptional useful as well as affordable, but ers in New York City, it should be a serious con- familiar peripheral we’ve come to know and love. imagine more value to the serious mobile user won’t even come close to being powerful enough sideration for purchase as education workhorse Once you slide your wrist in, however, you can for under $20 than the Aerobics Mouse. For more for general classroom use. laptop. For more information, dial the American immediately feel the difference in comfort. The information, contact manufacturer at 1-866-WE The Taiwan-based GigaByte Technology’s thin division of the manufacturer at 626-854-9338, or scroll button is actually manipulated with the MOUSE, or online at the company’s site at www. and light N512 provides a rare balance of features online at www.giga-byte.com. interior of the ring finger, and clicking is per- aerobicmouse.com#

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Shopping for College—in Florida? Staten Island Academy Celebrates Its 120th Anniversary Look beyond the stereotypes to find the perfect fit Celebrating its 120th anniversary with style and fanfare, Staten Island Academy, held its Founders Celebration Assembly kicking off Founders Celebration Weekend. The Founders By JAIMIE WOODARD tion, resort management and more. Students today want to earn a degree in a field of UWF is energetic and innovative just like today’s Day Assembly recounted the tales and legends of Academy life in three centuries. The his- study that truly excites them, but discovering their life’s young men and women. If a person can think it or torical presentation was followed by the first annual “Lamp and Quill” ceremony, in which passion in a place where they feel comfortable. With dream it, the faculty and students at UWF will do their honored representatives from the Academy community signed the Academy Record, a its casual style, the University of West Florida (UWF) best to make it happen. Visit UWF online at uwf.edu/ small keepsake book, pledging to uphold the Academy’s three core values: independence, may be the perfect fit for students who value excellent whatsnext, or better yet, come explore UWF in person. integrity and achievement. academics, a wide variety of opportunities for hands- Contact admissions at 1-800-263-1074.# Head of School Diane Hulse, in her introductory address, talked about the distinguished on experience, and enough social activities to connect Jaimie Woodard is a graduate of UWF, Class of 2002. history of the school and the school’s place in the community, saying, “We continue to students who share interests. change the world by applying our values.” Christina Genualdi, a UWF sophomore, visited 33 Academy Day also marked the opening of the “Across The Decades” Photo Exhibit, college campuses and applied to eight before she decid- �� an installation of archival photographs dating from 1884, including classroom scenes, ed on her final college destination. With 9,948 students, �� she found that UWF was large enough to have all the �� Academy school buildings, athletic teams, student clubs, and images of life at SIA since its programs and extracurricular activities she wanted, but founding. Additionally, there was the 2004 Academy Film Series Premiere & Reception. The small enough that teachers still know their student’s �� first film of the three-part series, which includes films either set or filmed on Staten Island, was names. UWF provides them with a multitude of oppor- �� Splendor in the Grass (1961). tunities for career development through experiential Staten Island Academy educates students from age four through high school. It is located on a 12- learning. In fact, major corporations actively recruit acre campus composed of seven buildings, a gymnasium, two outdoor pools, athletic fields, computer UWF graduates because often, they have worked �� facilities, and tennis courts. For more information on Staten Island Academy and its out- hand-in-hand with faculty and research centers on spe- standing programs, visit www.statenislandacademy.org. Press Contact: Maureen McShane, cial projects in areas such as aging, archaeology, coastal Director of Communications, 718-303-7805 or [email protected].# and estuarine science, engineering, historic preserva- �� NOVEMBER 2004 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ TECHNOLOGY & EDUCATION Sponsored by: Aerobics Mouse & R-Quest Technologies 31 ��

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