March 2005 White Plains High School PTA Issue 25, Number 3
The Presidents’ Letter
10 Tips to Safe Guard Your Kids Even though we are two months into 2005, this is the first opportunity From for us to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year! As the new year began, we were greeted with snow, blizzards and mid-terms and Alcohol and Other Drug Problems we seemed to have survived it all!
1. Know that parents are a key factor in The PTA has been busy during this time with a great meeting on influencing the decisions their teens make. January 13th – “Teens, Parents, Drugs and the Law”. We hope those of you who attended got something out of it. The PTA also hosted an 2. Remember that teen alcohol and other drug use is a health and safety issue. Antiques Fair on January 15 & 16 at the High School. It was great for the community and a very successful venture for the PTA. More 3. Start at an early age conveying a "no use" information is included in the Newsletter. message. 4. Communicate clear consequences for use, and st On January 31 , many students took advantage of the opportunity to follow through on these. take a Sample SAT Exam, which included the new essay component. 5. Know your child's friends and their friend's This brings us to our upcoming PTA Meeting on March 10th. The parents. topic will be the new SAT Format. We, as parents, can hear first- hand about the exam and ask questions before our children take the 6. Know where your children are going and who test “for real”. Being informed can only help our kids. they will be with. 7. Be awake and greet your teen when they come The District’s Annual Budget Committee has begun to meet and you in. will be receiving information over the next several weeks regarding 8. Know that your attitude and behavior around the School Budget, the vote, and the School Board Elections in May. alcohol and other drugs affect your children. Our April PTA meeting will be a joint meeting with PTA Council and will include a presentation on the budget by our Superintendent. The 9. Know that you might need the courage to be April PTA Meeting date is April 28th; the Budget Vote and School "the only one" who says no. Board Elections are on Tuesday, May 17th. Please save these dates. 10. If you think your teen might have a problem, get help. If you are not sure, call for advice (Don't It seems that no matter what time of year it is, our plates are always be alone). full, and we in the PTA realize this. We strive to provide interesting and useful information at our meetings and hope you have had an STUDENT ASSISTANCE SERVICES opportunity to attend some (or all) of them. Your time is extremely Ellen Morehouse, ACSW, CASAC, CPP valuable and we, as well as the children, appreciate all the support 660 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591 you have given and will continue to provide to the PTA. Hope to see Telephone: (914) 332-1300 Fax: (914) 366-8826 you on March 10th! Confidential Helpline 591-HELP www.sascorp.org Charlie Norris, Sarina Russell & Rosemary Williams
Remember
WPHS PTA Meeting – March 10 – 7:30 p.m.
New SAT Format
Board of Education Report
It’s amazing that we’re almost halfway through the year! Our days are about to get even busier, as we begin the budget process.
The Board has been proud and apreciative that the White Plains community has supported the school district budget so emphatically since the public vote began eight years ago. We feel this success has been due, in large part, to the strong support of the PTAs, along with the effective input and support of the Annual Budget Committee. Once again, we are formulating the committee, which will meet on four Wednesdays in February and March. PTA representatives will be on the committee along with members of the community, students and staff. All of the meetings are open to anyone interested in attending. Meetings are at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane, at 7:30 P.M. Public hearings will be held on March 21st and May 9th, and the vote will take place on May 17th.
Along with the budget vote on May 17th, the community will elect two members of the Board of Education, for three-year terms. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a candidate for the Board, please contact the District Clerk, Michele Schoenfeld, at 422-2071. The deadline for submitting petitions is April 27th.
One of the Board’s goals this year is to increase efforts in the area of public relations and, to that end, we have recently engaged the firm of Syntax Communications. They are experienced professionals in the field of school marketing and public relations and have been getting to know us in the past few weeks. One of their first tasks will be to produce a district newsletter which will be mailed to you shortly. Please let us know what you think of the new format.
We hope you’ve been hearing about all the wonderful accomplishments of our students. Most recently, we learned that three of our seniors were named Semifinalists in the prestigious Intel Science competition. We are most proud of the fact that we have had 11 students named Intel Semifinalists in the six years we have been part of the program. Also, as we write this, our seniors are receiving early acceptances from many prestigious colleges.
The Board joins me in wishing you and your family a happy, healthy new year.
Donna O. McLaughlin, President White Plains Board of Education January 2005 PTA Recogniton
The White Plains High School PTA Recognition Committee raises money for select graduating seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to community service. Last year the Recognition Committee raised over $12,000.00 through the following fundraising activities: The PTA Craft Fair, The Loucks Track and Field Meet and donations from our community. This year we hope to do even better. To accomplish this we need your help!!
All donations, large or small, are important. Each one makes a difference!! Your gift is tax deductible and will be used only for the PTA Recognition Award. Please make checks payable to "WPHS-PTA Recognition Fund".
Last year we were able to present 55 graduating seniors with the Recognition Award. We hope that you will continue to sustain our efforts on behalf of the Senior Class of 2005. Please direct any questions to: Valerie Weinstein - 946- 4078. Thank You!
Mark your calendar! Thursday, April 28 is the Staff Appreciation Luncheon. You're invited to send in a salad, dessert, or a fruit salad/platter to help us once again express our gratitude to the Teachers and Staff who work so hard to make White Plains HIgh School the wonderful place it is for our children.
Please contact Anne Rotberg (997-1816 [email protected]) or Marie McCann-Barab (949-6523 [email protected]) if you are interested in planning or participating in this event.
Consider volunteering to work on the committee or helping with the luncheon set-up. It's a great way to get involved, meet other parents and staff, and say "Thank You"!
GUIDANCE BULLETIN FEBRUARY 2005 The College and Career Center, located in Room C-141, is open for all students. Please visit the Center and familiarize yourself with its resources. Learn about scholarship opportunities, research career data, review college catalogs, get financial aid information, participate in daily informational sessions with college admission representatives, and obtain additional information related to this current guidance bulletin. Come by and use these great resources to help you with your career and college planning.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS: • SAT I and II - Saturday, March 12, 2005. Registration deadline was February 7, 2005. This is the NEW SAT. • SAT I and II - Saturday, May 7, 2005. Registration deadline is March 25, 2005. This is the NEW SAT. • SAT I and II - Saturday, June 4, 2005. Registration deadline is April 29, 2005. This is the NEW SAT. • ACT - Saturday, April 9, 2005. Registration deadline is March 4, 2005. • ACT - Saturday, June 11, 2005. Registration deadline is May 6, 2005. • Financial Aid and Scholarship Workshop - A “Nuts and Bolts” of Financial Aid Workshop will be presented on Thursday, February 10, 2005, at 6:00PM in the College and Career Center. All parents and students are invited to attend Please RSVP to Ms. Skinner at 422-2245. • SAT Prep Course at WPHS – Free after-school SAT Prep Course is scheduled to begin in March 2005 to prepare students for the May 2005 SAT examination. Additional information will be mailed to all juniors and will be made available in the guidance offices and the College and Career Center soon. • 12th Annual Historically Black College Fair- March 18, 2005 at SUNY Purchase. Busses will be leaving at approximately 9:00 A.M. and we will return by 11:30 A.M. Permission slips will be mailed home and will be available soon in the guidance offices and College and Career Center. Deadline for permission is March 10th. Juniors Only • PTA Meeting on New SAT - Scheduled for Thursday, March 16, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in the WPHS Media Center. • College Planning Seminar At Centro Hispano – This presentation will be conducted in Spanish by the WPHS Guidance Department on Thursday, March 16, 2005 from 6:30 to 8:00PM. • College Planning Night at WPHS – This informational session with special guests representing SUNY Colleges and several other public and private universities is scheduled for April 7, 2005 at 7:00PM in B-1 All Purpose Room. • College Fair at the County Center – This Spring College Fair is scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 2005 at 6:00PM in the Westchester County Center. • Exploring Career Pathways (Meet the Professionals and Discover Career Options) - Exploring Career Pathways is a lunchtime series which targets key careers, and gives students a first hand opportunity to meet and question professionals within a given field. Presenters will share information about their personal experiences, the education or certifications needed, as well as the varied opportunities within their career areas! When: Weekly (Tuesdays or Fridays) - Time: 11:35 a.m. – 12:13 p.m. - Where: The College and Career Center - Different Career Featured Monthly - Lunch will be provided • AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM AT WPHS - Academic support is currently offered to all students in English, Mathematics, Science, SAT Prep and ESOL through final exams. For more information, go to South House Office or call 914-422-2154. • PROGRAM PLANNING – Planning for next year’s schedule for all students is currently underway. Please arrange for an appointment with your Guidance Counselor. • WPHS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM - This program is available for all students who wish to volunteer their time and earn academic credit and scholarships. For more information, see Ms. London who is available every Wednesday during lunch period in the College and Career Center (Room C-141). • EMBARKING ON A SUCCESFUL JOB SEARCH - This program is open to students interested in exploring careers, developing interviewing skills, working on a resume and finding opportunities in the world of work. Sessions are conducted in the College and Career Center every Tuesday from 3:00-4:30 p.m. until May 31, 2005.
Awards / Accomplishments
Intel Semifinalists
Three White Plains High School students have been named semifinalists in the 2004-05 Intel Science Talent Search. Anya Brown, Nicholas Hajal and Timothy Pennucci, seniors in the school’s Science Research Program, will each receive a $1,000 prize, with matching awards to the high school. The school has had 11 Semifinalists in the six years since it was first eligible to enter students in the competition. Students from only 14 schools in Westchester were recognized and White Plains High School was the only one of these to increase its number since last year. Timothy Selg is the teacher of the program.
Brown’s research paper was entitled “The Antibacterial Activity of Porphyra.” Hajal’s research was on “The Effects of Stable and Astable Direct Current on Aloe barbadensis Growth, Wound Healing, Root Formation and Gel Production.” Pennucci researched “Radio Jet Velocity and Supermassive Black Hole in Active Galaxies.” The students were among 300 semifinalists nationally, chosen from over 1,600 entrants, and will now participate in the next level of the process, resulting in finalists. The Intel Science Talent Search is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science competition. Past finalists hold more than 100 of the world’s most coveted science and math honors, including six Nobel Prizes, three National Medals of Science and 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships. Thirty finalists were elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
WPHS Math Team
Six students qualified for the American Mathematics Invitational Exam (AIME) to be given March 8, 2005.
A tie occurred for top honors between Matt Oliveri (senior) and Sarah Wolf (junior) w/ 111.5 points, with Rachel Silverman (senior, 108) and Robert Hollahan (senior, 102) qualified for a second year. Danielle Cohn (senior, 104.5) and Shira Wrightman (senior, 102) were first time qualifiers.
They qualified by doing extremely well on the AMC 12 competition - 25 questions, 75 minutes, and now will take the AIME - 15 questions, 3 hours. A fun time is guaranteed for all!!! The WPHS Math Team is about to conclude their season (March 8th) and the team is in 2nd place in WIML. Five or six students will qualify for the Westchester All-County Math Team and will represent Westchester County at the NYS Math League Meet in Onadagua on April 9, 2005. The A-Team---Dylan Cashman, Sarah Wolf, Joanna Li, Leon Zhao---all juniors, and & Zach Glass, senior & Rose Liu, sophomore
Team became the first ever team in MACC, one of two leagues in which we are participants, to qualify four teams for the semifinals of a tournament (January 29)!!! A-team & B-team squads were in the A-Division semis, while the C- & D-teams were in the semis of the B-Division.
Next up are a couple of MACC’s and Omar Q Beckins on April 2 & 3.
A-team & B-team will travel to Chicago in June for the National Tournament. A-team: Connie Hsiung, Dan Pasternack, Soumya Sanyal, Sarah Wolf. B-team: Alex Park, Bobby Hollahan, Zach Glass, Jessamyn Brown, Harry Waksberg, Michael Schwartz, Tim Pennucci, Zach Drillings, & Dylan Cashman
Awards / Accomplishments
AP Scholars
Fifty-seven White Plains High School students were named AP Scholars by the College Board, in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the 2004 college-level Advanced Placement examinations. Students must meet various criteria in terms of the number of AP exams taken and the grades on each.
Allison Wing was named a National Scholar, receiving an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken.
Seventeen students received AP Scholars with Distinction Awards, for an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and seven received AP Scholars with Honor Awards, for an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken. Thirty-four additional students were named Scholars, for grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
Business Education News
The College of Westchester will be recognizing sixty White Plains High School Business Education students for their outstanding achievement and determination in the areas of Business and Computer Education at a ceremony on Saturday, March 5, 2005. Students were selected by their Business Education teachers who are Sandra Burno-DeBerry, Anna Burns, Jo-Ann Bayuk, Naima Smith, and Steven Shell. The ceremony will be held at the Tarrytown Hilton, Grand Ballroom, at 2:00 p.m. This year’s keynote speaker will be Omar Wasow who is the Executive Director of BlackPlanet.com at Community Connect, Inc. Omar was selected to be a fellow in the Rockefeller Foundation’s Next Generation Leadership Program. In Fall 2003, a K-5 charter school that Omar helped found opened in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York. Family members of our students have been invited to attend and over 400 recipients and 800 guests are expected to attend the 31st Annual event.
The following are students that are being recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Computer Education: Maricela Lares, Candy Camacho, Consuelo Camacho, Karina Andrade, Cherrett Coley, Hanna Coleman, Jazzna Wilcher, Sherysse Whitehurst , Thabata Riberio, Gabriel Ortiz, Luis Alverez.
The following students are being recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Business Education: Andrew Seicol, Kevin Tribble, Sharisse Stancil-Ashford, Brandon Ford, Juliana Simpson, Roborto Lepe, Douglas Chin, Conor Gilmartin, Joshua Holsten, Rukshana Karunaratne, Thomas Lee, Paul Labarbera, Jacyen Johnson, Justin Lee, Cidoro Muniz , Stephanie Moronta, Jonathan Gentile, Jesse Marbury, Lauen McGuire, James Fennell III, Kayleigh Rogers-Torres, Lisa Tompkins, Annmarie Paladino, Timothy Conroy, Michelle Bohenberger, Christina Kong, and Spencer Smith,
The following students are being recognized for Outstanding Determination in Computer Education: Delvin Arroyave, Theo Banks, Lisa Orofino, Katrina Lopez, Wytondra Belcher, Massiel Olivo, Duncan Brown, Andrew Lewis, DeAndre Scott, and Daniella Sgobbo,
The following students are being recognized for Outstanding Determination in Business Education: Ajalin Macfadden, Tyshawn Reid, Theresa Mauri, Isaac Bryant, Megan Bryant, Reneque Thompson, Yascara Maldonado, Arisbel Pena, Johanna Ortega, Julia Anderson-Lee, Jamaine Hewitt, Kenan Modi, Ursula Andaluz, Adrien Gallios, Jeancarlos Morales, and Christopher Fuentes.
WINTER SPORTS AWARD NIGHT
Wednesday, March 9 - 6:30 p.m.
RESERVE EARLY - NO TICKETS SOLD AT DOOR
For Additional information, please call Athletic Office at 422-2236
WINTER ANTIQUES SHOW By: Charlie Norris
Several months ago we were contacted by Jackie Graber of The Last Detail Antiques Shows, Ltd., about the possibility of the P.T.A. sponsoring an antiques show at White Plains High School. Jackie, who is the mother of a junior at the high school, and her business partner, Martin Greenstein, specialize in organizing and promoting first rate shows in the New York metropolitan area and New England. The proposal offered to us was simple, if the P.T.A. would submit a building permit for the show, Jackie and Martin would not only take care of all the details, insurance and arrangements, they would also guarantee a fixed dollar contribution to the P.T.A. regardless of the show’s success or failure. The deal seemed too good to pass up. So, to explore the possibility of a show, the P.T.A. made initial contact with Tim Connors, Ivan Toper and Michael Lynch, the district’s Director of Facilities and Operations. After receiving positive feedback from everyone, we placed the antiques show folks in direct contact with Michael Lynch and his staff to select a weekend for the event, and to tie up any details and loose ends. Important to this process was the inclusion of Jerry Holman in the discussions and meetings. Mr. Holman, Head Custodian at the high school, not only does a great job maintaining the school, and enthusiastically supports programs and events that benefit the students, but an antiques show meant extra work for himself and his staff. As it turned out, everyone also benefited from the fact that Mr. Holman has experience with the set up and tear down of antique shows.
Plans were eventually finalized for a show with 50 vendors on January 15 and 16 of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. From that point on, The Last Detail Antiques Shows, Ltd., rolled in to action. Floor plans were generated, vendors secured, and advertising and promotional materials distributed. Bids were sent out for a food vendor, and the district’s own food service was selected. Then, at 3:00 p.m., on Friday, January 14, 2005, the eighteen wheelers rolled in to the parking lots with the crew and supplies needed to set up the display areas in B-1 All Purpose, the Atrium and H Cafeteria. The transformation was amazing. By 11:00 p.m. the walls were up, and vendors from up and down the East Coast began rolling in with their wares to set up displays. There was furniture, paintings, tapestries, rugs, silverware, pottery, and so much more. One vendor specialized in vintage jewelry from Harry Winston, Cartier and others. Some of those pieces were priced in excess of $50,000.
In a word, the show was a success. It received a rave review in Antiques and The Art Weekly, a weekly publication for antique vendors and collectors. There was a steady stream of customers during both days. The vendors are so enthusiastic about the school’s facilities and location that not only do they want to make this an annual event, but they want to explore the possibility of holding more than one event a year. Preliminary discussions are being held about the exciting possibilities for the future.
In addition to the extra funding received, there was another benefit that was equally important. While walking around the show on both Saturday and Sunday, I heard numerous customers from Long Island, New York City, Chappaqua, Scarsdale and other locales favorably commenting on the building itself. Sometimes we forget what a great facility we have on North Street, this was a wonderful reminder.
Thanks again for the support received from the administration and staff, and particularly to Jerry Holman and his crew.
ESOL News
College Students return to White Plains High School
On Tuesday, January 11, six former ESOL students returned to White Plains High School to offer advice to International Club members about their college experiences. The students all graduated in June 2004. The students and the colleges they are attending are: Amy Lee, SUNY Stony Brook Seward Molina, Alfred University, Ajay Pawar, SUNY Stony Brook, Andrea Ramirez, SUNY Binghamton, Catalina Restrepo, SUNY New Paltz, and Maria Fernanda Soto, Hunter College. The program was organized by ESOL teacher, Eleanor Gaffney, Advisor to the White Plains High School International Club. The program, COLLEGE IS FOR ME, COLLEGE IS FOR YOU! will be aired on Channel 77 February 14-March 7.
ESOL Students Visit Blythedale Hospital
A group of Beginning ESOL students went to Blythedale Hospital on February 15 to make Valentines and do some fun activities with the children. They were accompanied by teacher, Karin Papes. The ESOL students, many of whom are newly arrived, decided to do this again this year as a way of giving something back to the community.
ESOL Students Visit Nation’s Capital
In March, a group of students in the ESOL Program traveled to Washington D.C as part of their learning about the history of their newly adopted country. The students had an opportunity to visit museums and see many of the historical monuments. This trip was led by Ms. Eleanor Gaffney.
LOTE News 2005: The Year of Languages
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Rebecca Peters, French teacher at Eastview, teacher of many of our current French students at the High School, has been selected as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher.
National Language Summit: Due to the videoconferencing capabilities that exist at Eastview and the videoconferencing capabilities of two LOTE teachers, Rebecca Peters and Judy Plant, these two teachers, teachers, Wendy Dale and Nancy Kazakos, and Coordinator, Joan Kass, were able to participate in a National Language Policy Summit that was held at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education on January 10 and January 11, coordinated by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The Summit resulted from the National Language Conference sponsored by the Department of Defense and the Center for Advanced Study in Languages which developed a white paper “outlining the critical need to build the nation’s language capacity.”
Foreign Film Festival: As part of our celebration of 2005: Year of Languages, groups of students have the opportunity to see and learn about foreign films at the Jacob Burns Theatre. Thanks to French teacher, Jill Wainer, for establishing this wonderful connection for us.
National Language Contests: During the month of March several of our language students participated in the National French, Italian, and Latin Exams. In January, students participated in the National German Exam.
Trips Abroad: We are looking forward to our two upcoming educational trips abroad. At the end of March, a group of students will travel to Spain with group leaders, Kathy Curcio-Pollio and Nancy Kazakos. In April, another group of students studying Spanish will travel to Costa Rica with group leaders, Wendy Dale and Judy Plant.
International Dinner: The Annual International Dinner will take place on Friday, March 11. It is sponsored by the French, German, International, Italian, Latin, and Spanish Clubs. The delicious food and creative skits will be enjoyed by all. Together, we will celebrate the languages and cultures of White Plains High School as we recognized 2005: Year of Languages.
After-School Program: Beginning March 7, a group of Latin students from the High School will be teaching Latin to elementary school students in an After-School Program at the Ridgeway School. The program will have five sessions. This should be a fun experience for all involved.
WPHS GETS W.I.S.E. By: Charlie Norris
More than 30 years ago at Woodlands High School a group of teachers, administrators, students and community members set out to develop a program to make meaningful the second semester of the senior year, and to help students transition to the world beyond school. The group recognized the obvious, which is that for many seniors the spring semester is a dead time. Regardless of whether a student has plans to attend college, receive vocational training, enter the military, enter the job market, or pursue some other endeavor, those last few months often have little meaning. The group came up with an extraordinary program called W.I.S.E., which then stood for Woodlands Individualized Senior Experience. Today, because the program has been nationally recognized, and has flourished and spread to more than 60 high schools across the country, the word “Wonderful” has been substituted for “Woodlands”. Locally, some of the high schools offering W.I.S.E. include New Rochelle, Scarsdale, Harrison and Ramapo. The program is open to all students at every academic level, provided that the student is otherwise able to meet their graduation requirements by the end of the semester. Students who choose to participate in the program receive academic credit; the amount varies from district to district.
A student who chooses to participate in W.I.S.E. will first have to have a dream.
For many years various administrators, teachers, parents and other community members in our school district, including me, have been working to bring W.I.S.E. to our kids. Finally, under the impassioned leadership of Rosemarie Agosto, Assistant Principal at the high school, and with the support of W.I.S.E. Services (a not-for-profit entity), in the Fall of 2004 a Task Force was formed of White Plains High School administrators, teachers, students, parents and other community members. The purpose of the group was to design a W.I.S.E. program that would meet the needs and requirements of our district. The Task Force has met at least monthly since its formation. With the support of Tim Connors, the Board of Education, Ivan Toper, other administrators and the teaching staff at the high school, the high school’s School-Based Council, and the P.T.A., we are pleased to announce that W.I.S.E. has at last come to our city. It began during the current Spring semester as a pilot program involving at least 25 current seniors. It is hoped that during the next academic year W.I.S.E. will be an option for many (if not all) of the Class of 2006.
A student who chooses to participate in W.I.S.E. will first have to have a dream. Maybe it is a possible career path, maybe it is a hobby or activity for which the student has a passion, or maybe it is an interest that the student would simply like to explore because they now have the opportunity to do so. Taking that dream in hand, the student will next fill out the necessary brief application form and be interviewed by a W.I.S.E. Task Force member. The purpose of the interview is to help the student better define their project, to explore possible contacts and resources available to the student, and to make certain the student understands the requirements of this commitment.
Next, and perhaps most importantly, the student will select a mentor. The mentor must be a high school staff member, but need not be a teacher. The mentor also need not be an expert in the area of the student’s project. Typically, the mentor is someone with whom the student feels comfortable. Once the student decides whom they would like for a mentor, he/she will then approach that staff member and ask if that person is willing to take on that task. After someone (continued on page 9)
Cannoli Mania!!!
The WPHS community once again demonstrated its generosity and love of a good thing with its extraordinary support of the Italian Club’s lunchtime cannoli sale. On Monday, Feb. 14, St. Valentine’s Day, the Club raised enough money to be able to donate $100 to the Southeast Asia tsunami victims’ relief fund sponsored by the Red Cross. Club members were overwhelmed by the HS community’s insatiable desire for its freshly-stuffed, finger-lickin’ good, sugar-dusted, full-size cannoli prepared right there on the premises by the Club’s expert pastry chefs. The Italian teachers and the Club’s leadership were thrilled by the sale’s success, and they were also quite pleased to introduce an authentic sample of Italy’s culinary culture to the student population. For many students, this was a delicious, first-time encounter with the world of Italian pastry. For numerous other confectionary connoisseurs, it was a welcome and novel way to enjoy lunch all’italiana and to help those in true need or relief.
WPHS GETS W.I.S.E. (continued from page 8)
has agreed to be the mentor, then the project can start. The student will meet at least weekly with the mentor to discuss project experiences, and to review journal entries made by the student (a journal is a W.I.S.E. requirement). The student, with the support of the mentor and others, will also identify contacts for the project. For example, if the student wishes to pursue a project in a research laboratory, automotive repair shop, law firm, doctor’s office, building a home with Habitat for Humanity, or some other location off school grounds, the student must locate contacts and resources to help the project along.
At the end of the semester, the student will make a final presentation of his/her project that will be evaluated by a committee of Task Force members. The presentation, which is open to the public, is a culmination of the experience.
The seniors participating in the pilot program this year are pursuing some very interesting projects. They include, sociology, learning French, building a guitar, automotive restoration, music production and learning sign language. In this day and age of high stakes testing and stress, where it sometimes seems that it is impossible for a student to explore a topic of their interest, W.I.S.E. provides the opportunity for students to take ownership of a project in an area of their choosing. In 1976 I was a W.I.S.E. student. I wrote and staged plays. The W.I.S.E. experience helped me to grow beyond the classroom and to walk out of high school better prepared for what lay ahead. From kindergarten through law school, it was perhaps the single most significant experience of my academic career.
The design and implementation of W.I.S.E. at White Plains High School is an ongoing process. The Task Force continues to need new members to participate in this process, and to insure that the program will be available to students now and in the future. If you would like to find out more information about W.I.S.E., or would like to join the Task Force, please contact Rosemarie Agosto at the high school.
White Plains--A Community That Cares
The White Plains Community That Cares Coalition was initiated in 2003 and is based on a national model for community mobilization for substance abuse prevention for youth. CTC brings together various sectors of the community to address factors in the community that put children at risk and to strengthen those factors that offer them protection against alcohol and drug abuse. Superintendent Tim Connors was an early supporter of the project. A number of School District staff, including staff from the High School and our Student Assistance Services counselor are also members of the CTC. A large portion of the work to initiate the project was done by staff of the White Plains Youth Bureau, under the leadership of Director Frank Williams and Deputy Director Linda Puoplo, with the full support of Mayor Joseph Delfino.
The Coalition recently elected its first slate of officers. Serving as President is Jim Isenberg, a long-time community resident who has been on the staff of the North American Family Institute, serving adolescents in need in various parts of the country. The Vice-President position has been filled by Dorothy Schere, also a long time White Plains resident and past member of the Board of Education for 16 years. Joe Costable, a White Plains High School student who has been involved with various youth action projects for several years, is now serving as Recording Secretary.
Nancy Smith has been hired as the new White Plains CTC Coalition Coordinator. Nancy is a White Plains parent of 2 children in the public schools who has been very actively involved in the schools, with PTA and the community. Nancy brings a wealth of corporate management experience to this position as well. CTC also recently brought on board Elissa Adair, also a White Plains parent and a researcher who had been active on the CTC Board, as evaluator for the project.
The Coalition is actively seeking volunteers from various sectors of the community to serve on its Board or various workgroups. If you are interested, please contact Nancy Smith at 422-1378 or by e-mail at [email protected]
Steven Rabinowitz WP CTC Executive Committee and PTA liaison
The Mariposa Fund in memory of Maberliz Castillo
The Mariposa Fund in memory of Maberliz Castillo was created to ensure her continued influence in shaping the lives of the students of White Plains. The goal of the Fund is to provide encouragement and financial assistance to White Plains’ students with a commitment to studying language and culture. Starting in June, 2005, a scholarship will be given to a deserving Latino student at the senior awards assembly on June 8th, through the assistance of El Centro Hispano.
For 2006 and the future, the Mapiposa Fund hopes to bring in programs to increase cultural awareness, understanding and appreciation of the Hispanic culture.
TO MAKE A DONATION OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact:
Eastview Campus: Lily Diaz, Rebecca Peters or Judy Plant - Highlands Campus: Carol Brundage White Plains High School: Wendy Dale
CHECKS: Please make checks payable to El Centro Hispano; write: Maberliz Castillo in memo field of the check. CASH: If you are making a cash donation, please include your name and address on the envelope
We are in the process of filing for 501C3 status as The Mariposa Fund
PTA Events
MEETINGS SNACK BARS
Thurs., Mar. 10 - 7:30 p.m. PTA Meeting in Library (Interested in helping contact Libby Hollahan – 761-6259 or Eileen Tompkins – 949-7509) New SAT Format Sat., May - 8:30 am Snack Bar at HS Field House (Loucks Meet)
Thurs., Apr. 28 - 7:30 p.m. PTA Meeting in Library OTHER EVENTS Budget Presentation with Tim Connors (joint mtg w/PTA Council) Thurs., April 28 Staff Appreciation Luncheon in Atrium (Interested in helping contact Anne Rotberg ([email protected]) Thurs., June 2 - 7:30 p.m. PTA Meeting in Library Thurs., June 3 10 a.m. Senior Breakfast South Gym
PTA = Bridge between HOME & SCHOOL
A strong, involved PTA is one way to link home and classroom There haven't been too many times in the educational history of this country when effective, energetic parent-teacher associations were more needed. Despite attempts by school boards and superintendents in city, suburban and rural districts to bridge the divide between home and classroom, there remains estrangement and distrust. If parents, teachers and administrators worked more collaboratively to create compatible learning environments at home and school, more children would succeed.
In this, the PTA can play a critical role. Fortunately, the annual convention of the state parent-teacher association held recently in Rochester emphasized a good mix of lifestyle advice - how to deal with sleepy teens, for example - and more issue-oriented matters, such as state testing regimen, academic intervention services and advocating before school boards.
Many PTAs feel most comfortable with such traditional enterprises as fundraising through bake sales and the like. Those are valued services. But local PTAs should do all they can to enlist members who will bring the concerns of parents about math and reading, classroom sizes and even teacher preparedness to district leaders.
Parents and teachers should feel, as they too seldom do now, as active partners in a process that demands cooperation and support and understanding. Too many kids see home and school as different worlds, where the effort and achievement in one might be quickly undone in the other. Parents, more than anyone, see the impact of good, or weak, school experiences on children. They should feel free and able to communicate what they see and think. In this regard, the PTA is an asset of accomplishment and potential.
Support the WPHS PTA – Become a MEMBER TODAY
I (We) would like to join the WPHS PTA
______$7.00 Single Membership ______$12.00 Family Membership
______Additional Contribution (tax deductible) ______TOTAL Enclosed
Names of Voting Members: ______
______
Address: ______
______Mail to: WPHS PTA Membership 550 North Street White Plains, NY 10605 WPHS PTA Meeting March 10th – 7:30 p.m. – Media Center New SAT Format
WPHS PTA will vote on whether to support the School District Budget at APRIL 28th PTA Meeting WPHS Media Center – 7:30 p.m.
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON Thursday, April 28, 2005 Contribute a Salad or Dessert! Contact Anne Rotberg 997-1816 [email protected] or Marie McCann-Barab 949- 6523 [email protected]