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HSMSE PTA Newsletter
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NOVEMBER 2016
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Donate to the
HSMSE PTA
Family Fund
Your tax-deductible donations to HSMSE PTA help support sports teams, clubs and student enrichment and purchase needed materials for classrooms. Make a secure online donation through PayPal. HSMSE PTA FAMILY FUND |
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Matching Gifts
If your company matches Gifts, it can help HSMSE. Ask your employer for a matching gift form and mail it to the PTA:
PTA @HSMSE
240 Convent Avenue
New York, NY 10031
Matching gifts can make a huge huge difference in the lives of our children. All you have to do is ask.
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NOVEMBER
- Election Day - NO SCHOOL - November 8
- PTA Meeting - "College Night" - November 10
- Veteran's Day- NO SCHOOL - November 11
- Principal's Breakfast - November 18
- Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL - November 24 & 25
DECEMBER
- PTA Meeting - "College Essays" - December 8
- Principal's Breakfast - December 16
- School Closed - December 27 thorough January 2 for Christmas Holidays
JANUARY
- Classes Begin - January 3
- PTA Meeting - "Summer Internships" - January 12
- MLK, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL - January 16
- Principal's Breakfast - January 20
- AATG Exam - January 27
- Chancellor's Day - NO SCHOOL, Jan 30
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FROM THE PTA
We've had a good start to the Fall. The Freshmen Class is settling in. Many wonderful parents volunteered at the Open House as we helped almost 3,000 visitors through Shepard Hall and Baskerville Hall. Parent Teacher Conferences for the most part went well, we are looking into options for parents to potentially sign-up electronically with each teacher in the future. Both Boys and Girls Soccer Teams made it to the playoffs and the Flying Dragons Cross Country Team did well at the Brown High School Invitational in Rhode Island. The PSAT was given to both Juniors and Sophomores. The first Parent Workshop was held by Kristina Gowin, "Things to Know" about teen development and stress management. The second Parent Workshop "Let's Talk," focusing on improving communication with your teen, will be held soon. Doctor Dragon will soon be going to the press for the first issue of this school year.
Our PTA meeting on November 10th will be an "Overview of the College Application Process" with College Counselor Wade Klein. This will be e
specially relevant for juniors and their parents, but sophomore and freshman families are very welcome and encouraged to attend. Elections for the position of PTA Vice-President will also be held. Next month the PTA meeting will be on December 8th and the presentation will be on "College Essays." The
School will be closed this month on Election Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving.
Remember, the HSMSE PTA has a lot to accomplish, we need your help to grow and do more at the school. Please contact PTA president Susan Townes with your questions, fundraising ideas, and your willingness to volunteer.
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Introducing Cristin Hill - Parent Coordinator
How long have you been the parent coordinator?
I started here on Leap Day, February 29,
2016,
and this is my first time working as a parent coordinator. I was a stay-at-home mom with my four daughters for 13 years, so this is a transition for me.
What is the number one question that freshman parents had this year? What other questions came up frequently?
There have been so many questions that have ranged across the board - but one that came up frequently was regarding lunch and where do students eat/how do they purchase food. Next in line would be Engrade, which was
largely
because it was not set up yet and thankfully, this group of parents is very on top of things!
Is there anything that you think might be confusing to new parents in the school (freshman and transfer)?
I think it is new to parents to have their students have access to an entire campus rather than just one building during the day. The students have quite a bit of independence here, but in many ways are still young and may need some time to transition to such a difference. I think everything may be confusing because it is likely done differently than it was in middle school - everything from conferences to Curriculum Night to the new commute for the students!
What are the most important things that MSE parents need to know, or need to remember?
I think the most important thing for parents to remember is to check in with your student(s) and understand that they are attempting to juggle quite a bit. HSMSE will provide an outstanding education, but it will be a lot of work and require a host of understanding and patience on the part of the families as well!
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TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES FOR HSMSE
HSMSE has partnered with four test preparation companies to assist our students prepare for the SAT.
FOR MORE DETAILS GO TO THE COLLEGE OFFICE LINK:
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F
ALL COLLEGE TOUR OF NEW ENGLAND
Leaving early the morning of Friday October 14, forty-four students and five chaperones from HSMSE embarked on the Fall College trip to New England.
Arriving in Cambridge, MA, we first visited T
he Massachusetts Institute of Technology
. The bus wa
s
met by Shannon Dunn and Katie Marlowe, both HSMSE Class of 2013 and MIT Class of 2017, who gave the group a tour of the MIT campus.
Starting at the iconic
Great Dome
, they pointed out the athletic facilities, dorms, and academic buildings and al
so gave the group a sense for their daily life as an MIT student. The visit ended with lunch at the student center.
The group then travelled to nearby Somerville, the home of Tufts
University. Two more HSMSE alumni, Juan Casteneda and Evgeni Dobranov, gave a walking tour of the campus, pointing out the buildings which house t
he School
of Arts and Science, School of Engineering, the famous Fletcher School
of Law and Diplomacy, and the Tisch Library. The PTA arranged for the dinner passes at the dining hall which made a big impression on the students becau
se it was "all you can eat".
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MR LIU'S MATH RECOMMENDATIONS
Khan Academy.
Free. Tutorials o
n YouTube can help you work out those difficult problems. Content is available in many
languages
.
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Purple Math.
Free. Developed by a math teacher whose
philosophy is "If I can do this stuff, then so can you!"
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Math is Fun.
Free. K to 12th Grade. Easy format.
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She Loves Math.
Free. A math site written from the female perspective. Easy-to-understand, lots of examples.
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http://www.shelovesmath.com/
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Jmap.org.
Free. Really good for Regents practice problems.
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http://jmap.org/
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* EVENT ORGANIZERS *
GRANT WRITERS *
WE NEED YOU!
The PTA is forming two new committees.
If you have experience organizing events or grant writing, you are NEEDED!
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GIRLS' SOCCER MAKES IT TO THE PLAYOFFS
The HSMSE Lady Dragons are in the Bronx/Manhattan A1 Division, which is one of the most competitive divisions in PSAL. However, this season we were able to strike some real successes and made it into the Play Offs! The team owes their achievements thus far to their hard-working coach, Ms. Zafonte, who reinforces team cohesion, communication and consistent good work.
Every day and every game, we get stronger and work more as a unit. Goalkeeper and Co-Captain Annabelle Shultz makes many game-changing saves and is always boosting morale with her riveting halftime speeches. Defenders Anya Marchant, Isabel Freedman, Leah Gunn, Hannah Saiger, and Juliette Cornelis have done amazing jobs clearing the ball. Midfielders Melenia Rahaman, Alexandra Eagan, Mac Borozan, and Captain Alex West always find ways to coordinate and string together passes to evade the opponents and play through balls to Forwards Leilah Miller and Amy Astefanous. There is still a lot of work to be done and the team continue to work harder as we move into the Play Offs.
- Alex West
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BOYS' SOCCER TEAM UNDEFEATED and heads to the PLAYOFFS!
The HSMSE boys' soccer team finished the regular season with an undefeated 12-0 record in league play, which earned them the third seed in the PSAL Class B playoffs. They are the first boys' team in school history to finish the regular season with a perfect record. They won their opening playoff game 2-1 against the High School for Arts + Business, putting them one step closer towards a run at the city title.
- Nick Diunte
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TEACHER PROFILE -
5 Questions for Mr. Stuart Hershow
1.
How long have you been a teacher at HSMSE, and what subjects do you teach
?
I am a
founding faculty of HSMSE. I am now a 9
th
and 11
th
grade English teacher, but in the early day of the school I also taught Instrumental Music with Mr. Pellegrino. I have always been extensively involved in developing the Advanced Placement English program, and I have truly enjoyed working with my colleagues to develop the core English courses for all the classes I have taught. I particularly enjoy teaching grammar to freshmen, and over the years have developed a deeper appreciation for the connection between understanding grammar and written composition.
2.
Where did you go to school?
I went to Stuyvesant High School when it was still on East 15th street and the desks were nailed to the floor. I was a pre-college student in piano at Juilliard (my brother studied violin there and has become a professional violinist.) I went to Haverford College and majored in English literature (I majored at Bryn Mawr College's English department because I liked the professors there and Haverford students were allowed to major at either college.) I was especially interested in poetry when I was in college. (As I grew older my interest turned more to the novel.)
A few years after Haverford, I went to Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management and received my MBA degree in finance and accounting. When I changed careers I went to Columbia Teachers College and received my MA in English Education. I feel very fortunate that I had access to an excellent education, and I have positive memories of my classmates, teachers and professors over the years.
3.
What did you do before teaching at HSMSE
?
After college I worked for financial institutions, then went to Cornell for my MBA, and then worked again in finance in NYC. I very much enjoyed these experiences and the many friends that I made in that world, but then my I realized that I was more interested in literature and teaching. I feel fortunate that I was able to change my career and find happiness in my chosen profession.
4.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
I really love teaching, and there are many aspects of my work that I enjoy. I love developing the curriculum, and planning lessons and handouts. I enjoy my conversations with my English colleagues -- we are such a dedicated and hard-working department, and all share a great passion for fiction, poetry, etc. I think the most interesting part is the actual work in the classroom. I enjoy working with students, getting to know them as individuals, and inspiring them to develop intellectually. I love class discussions about literature, and find that I learn from my students, and that I grow intellectually with them. I like recording student contributions on the whiteboard, and saving them for future reference.
5.
What is your philosophy of teaching
?
My philosophy of teaching is to inspire students to want to read, ask questions, and write. I like to tell them that literature contains secrets and that if we read closely we can discover them. I try to keep their focus on learning, and less on grades, and to see the great value in reading and writing. I like to create a positive and supportive atmosphere in class, while at the same time putting structures into place that keep students goal-oriented and productive. I also like to be available after school and during lunch to meet with students individually for tutoring and other issues that come up. I think that a teaching philosophy is continually evolving, and I learn so much from my colleagues at HSMSE. Many aspects of my teaching have come out of sharing ideas with my colleagues.
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FROM THE SENIOR CLASS CO-PRESIDENTS!!!
Congrats to all of the seniors who just submitted early apps! Now th
a
t you're done with that, make sure you've submitted all your dues!
Trip deposit ($100) was due last week. Prom
deposit is due in a few weeks ($50). We need at least 100 people to bring back the fantastic Prom we had last year, so bring in those deposits. Prom is your chance to dress up, bust a move, eat amazing food, and spend time with your friends before it's all over, so let's make it worthwhile!
Also, Yearbook quotes, baby pics, sweatshir
t names and ph
oto submissions are due
, so make sure those are done!
- Carin Queener and Gianna Baez
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STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Our
Giving Tuesday campaign is off to a fantastic start this year! D
ue to our fantastic teachers, the STEM vs Humanities dodgeball game and other efforts, we
have already raised over $500! We are still collecting so if anyone would like to contribute, donations can be given in cash or money-order to Ms. Stern.
Our donations go to three wonderful organizations:
- Doliana School - A school in a refugee camp in on the Greek Island of Peloponnese.
- Starfish - An organization on the Greek Island of Lesvos that provides basic needs to refugees arriving from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.
- Flushing International High School - Which helps recent immigrants to the US with English lessons and legal advice.
We are also collecting WINTER CLOTHES for Flushing International High School and Starfish. So PLEASE bring in
new or lightly used clothing
. The grade that donates the most gets double lunch for a day!
The smallest things can mean so much ~ Please consider donating.
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"Ms. Zafonte's Finds..."
some pretty awesome opportunities for HSMSE students
THE CONGRESSIONAL AWARD
The Congressional Award is the United States Congress's award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all 14 to 23 year-olds. Young people may register when they turn 13 1/2 years old and must complete their activities before their 24th birthday. Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas: Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Earning the Congressional Award is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you'd like to try for the first time. You move at your own pace - on your own or with your friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals after registering for the program.
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY'S SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The SCA's Summer Internship Program ("SIP") recruits talented NYC public high school juniors/seniors for a six-week internship with various SCA business partners, organizations and associations. The internship is designed to expose students to the sponsor firm's core business operations. Students work alongside professionals on a variety of administrative and more advanced hands on assignments. Students spend four days a week working at their sponsor firm and the remaining day of the week attending career development workshops and activities designed to help them succeed academically, personally and professionally.
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING SUMMER STUDENT PROGRAM
The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) Summer Student Program is designed for high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in the biomedical sciences. The program is focused on two distinct areas: Independent research and a stimulating learning environment. Students will have a chance to take part in independent research projects under the direct mentorship and guidance of a HOPP principal investigator (PI). The PI matches each student with a mentor - typically a senior member from the lab, such as a postdoctoral fellow, graduate student, or research technician. At the end of the summer, the students will be expected to present their research project at a poster session. The students will also have the opportunity to explore outside of the laboratory by participating in a variety of events. These extracurricular activities contribute an additional facet to the internship and allow them to become fully immersed in the world of translational medicine and research. The events are hosted by programs throughout Memorial Sloan Kettering, including the Office of Diversity, various Memorial Hospital clinical departments, and Human Resources.
MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE FOR MINORITY STUDENTS
The (MS)
2 pr
ogram was founded in 1977 to address the compelling need to cultivate the mathematical and scientific abilities of economically disadvantaged African American, Latino, and Native American high school students from targeted cities and communities across the United States. In a residential setting on the historic Phillips Academy campus, the three-summer program challenges students intellectually and exposes them to peers and educators with diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and aspirations. This competitive and rigorous program is free of charge for all students selected.
DOODLE FOR GOOGLE
Enter the contest for a chance to have your artwork on Google's home page.
For further opportunities and questions, stop by and see Ms. Zafonte.
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President:
Recording Secretary:
Corresponding Secretary:
9th Grade Reps:
Lisa Gordis,
lisa.gordis@gmail.com
10th Grade Reps:
11th Grade Reps:
12th Grade Reps:
SLT REP:
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POSITION OF PTA VICE-PRESIDENT IS OPEN AND WILL BE VOTED UPON AT THE PTA MEETING ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10.
The position of vice-president will be filled at the next PTA meeting, Thursday, November 10, 2016.
The duties of the vice-president include assisting the president in conducting the business of the PTA, assuming the duties of the president in the absence of the president or at the president's request, and assisting in the June transfer of records to the incoming Executive Board. The term of office will run to June 30th, 2017. The vice-president is required to attend monthly PTA executive committee meetings, general monthly PTA meetings, contribute their time to events at the school, contribute to other called meetings, conference calls, phone and email communications, etc. Donations are not a prerequisite for any officer position on the PTA
, officers of the PTA are not compensated in anyway. All executive positions on the PTA are open to
parents, legally appointed guardians, and persons in parental relation to students currently attending HSMSE.
All candidates are required to be at the PTA meeting on November 10th, where a vote will be taken.
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PTA MEETING DATES AND TOPICS 2016-2017
ALL PTA MEETINGS THIS FALL WILL BE HELD
In the
NORTH ACADEMIC CENTER (known as "The NAC")
at 6:30 pm
In ROOM 1/202
- November 10 - Overview of the College Application Process. Speaker Wade Klein.
- December 8 - College Essays.
- January 12 - Summer Internships.
- February 9 - Major Selections.
- March 9 - "Its All About The Test".
- April 20 - "Screenagers".
- May 11 - Parent Panel - "What I learned about the College Application Process".
- June 6 - Student Panel and PTA Elections for 2017-2018
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PTA COMMUNICATIONS - ARE YOU ON THE LIST?
The PTA sends all of its communications, including monthly newsletters, to parents via an email system called Constant Contact. The school administration also uses this system to send important notices about school events, internships, summer opportunities, college planning and other important communications. It is essential that at least one parent of each student receive these emails,
so please sign up
if you are not receiving regular emails from us.
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OF INTEREST - FROM HSMSE Parents and Students
INSIDE HIGHER ED article -
Public Universites trying to climb the rankings.
ENGINEER GIRL -
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD -
Updated version for Engineers
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To send an article, link, or story to be considered for inclusion in the monthly PTA Newsletter,
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