The first day of school: a Press special report

Students begin parade to public schools
First day offers scenes of nervous excitment

By Kate Pastor and Marie Villani-York

Nervousness, excitement — just about everyone felt it. On the first day of school parents, administrators and children are all heralding in the season with mixed emotions.

Whether kids were thrilled or fearful, those who were returning to familiar halls all seemed happy to be reunited at last with their friends after a long summer, but newcomers carried the heavy burden of facing the unknown.

Before 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, a river of children and their parents flowed through the streets to make it before the first bells at PS 24 and the David A. Stein Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy MS/HS 141, and a colorful early morning rock concert-style line flowed around the PS 24 building along West 236th Street and Independence Avenue to Seton Park

But it wasn’t a day in the park for everyone. Standing up against the gates at 141, Virgina Nelai, an 11thgrader, stood next to her cousin looking peevish. Asked how she was doing she said, “Me personally? I’m ready to faint.” She recently moved from Greece and hasn’t taken any classes in English since she was in fourth grade. But at least she has her cousin. The 10th-grader gave her a tour of the school about a week ago but it didn’t do much to calm her nerves. “I feel a little bit nauseous,” she said.

At nearby PS 7, students as young as 5 were the picture of perfection, standing on line at the Corlear Avenue door with their white collared shirts pressed and tucked in; their blue slacks pleated and hemmed just so. But 10-year-old Ian Milo also found himself in an uncomfortable situation. When asked if he was excited to start school, the incoming fourth-grader deadpanned, “No.”

Coming to his defense, his father explained that the family had just moved from the Philippines and this would be Ian’s first time in an American school. Was he looking forward to a change of atmosphere? “No,” he said again. The father shrugged his shoulders and the pair made their way to the front entrance.

At the Sheila Mencher Van Cortlandt School, PS/MS 95, Samea Jasavic said she was excited to start seventh grade.

After a rude awakening with cold water being splashed on her sleepy face by mom that morning, she said she couldn’t wait to meet her new teachers and reunite with her best friend, Corrinne Soto, also 12.

After going the entire summer without seeing one another, the bosom buddies caught up as they walked to school.

“We gave each other a big hug,” Corrinne said.

But back at PS 24, even Principal Scharper was feeling some nerves. He had been there early fixing the school’s banner and straightening a mural, hung outside the school, when he breathed a little sigh of relief. This year was better than last, he said, because, “now it’s my second time around.”

Angela Coplin, a 12-year-old going into seventh grade at MS/HS 141, will have to wait until next year for that second-time calm. “I’m nervous because this is my first year here,” she said. To settle herself down she woke up early and “I just took deep breaths,” she said. “It didn’t work.”

While a new school year is, without a doubt, a huge step for some families, Master Sergeant Hector Torres, who stood across from PS 24’s entrance in army fatigues looking as though he was guarding its gates, said he had put the ordeal in perspective.

In the past year he has served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq. Now he was waiting on his wife who had gone inside to drop of their 10- year-old. He said his daughter seemed calm that morning, but he’d reserve judgement until he got a full report from her at day’s end. Still, he couldn’t help making a grateful comparison between life in Riverdale and life in a war zone.

“I don’t have to worry about being blown up trying to take a child to school,” he said.

PS 7

Getting families more involved in school life is a No. 1 priority this year at PS 7.

The school will offer family writing activities as well as family assemblies designed to explore and reinforce PS 7’s core values.

If that doesn’t bring parents out, maybe the movie, story and game nights, held once a month, will. Families won’t have to wait long. The first such night will take place on Friday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m.

For the creatively inclined, the school will continue its Family as Arts Partners program, which will bring families and children together to create art projects and introduce participants to different styles of artwork.

PS 24

Who said kids can’t be techies? With the help of a grant secured by Councilman Oliver Koppell, PS 24 will be implementing some cutting-edge technology in the classrooms this year.

“We’re excited and grateful to Koppell’s office for the awarding of a Reso A grant, which will be used for technology and the purchase of Smart boards,” said Principal Philip Scharper. SMARTboards are interactive blackboards that tap into computers, allowing teachers to do a range of things old-school blackboards can’t.

A new core curriculum in social studies, science and literacy will also be implemented this year, and the school will continue to work with the Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project, which brings staff developers to the school to work with teachers on curriculum and coaching.

For children who stay after school, PS 24 is partnering with the Riverdale YM-YWHA to expand its program and will be offering enrichment classes like Lego robotics, drama, sports and fitness and dance. Depending on interest, other classes like chess might also be available.

PS/MS 37

PS/MS 37 students will see an upgrade to their library this year, thanks to funds secured by Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión Jr.

And the new amenities don’t stop there, boasted Kenneth Petriccione, who’s entering his second year at the helm of the West 230th Street school.

By the end of the year, the principal hopes construction on a new science lab will be completed. To foster students’ love of the sciences, he said, the school will also continue to partner with Wave Hill.

Students visit the public garden in Riverdale several times a year to learn about nature and seasons, and, in turn, Wave Hill’s educators come to the school.

Mr. Petriccione was also happy to note that all of his staff will return this year and that the school will continue to promote the REACH program: Respect, Excellence, Attitude, Cooperation and Harmony. Monthly awards are given out to those students who best exemplify these characteristics.

The Bronx New School, PS 51

Hark — what’s that you hear? It might be the sound of children at PS 51 jamming on the 36 new band instruments the school won through a VH-1 music grant. The hope is the students will form a school band.

In October, the school will host Author’s Day, and some big-name children’s writers like Elizabeth Levy and Susan Kuklin are expected to come to the school and read aloud. Ms. Levy will also work personally with the school’s fifth-graders to write a book together.

Returning students will also see a few new faces in kindergarten, first-, second- and fourth-grade classrooms.

The Robert J. Christen School, PS 81

After years of wishing and hoping, students, parents and staff at PS 81 might finally see construction begin this year on a shiny new playground.

While the details are still being finalized, the plan is to covert the expansive blacktop behind the Riverdale Avenue school into a more functional space complete with playground equipment for the younger charges and athletic markings for the older students.

Nina Velazquez, the school’s parent coordinator, called the $178,000 project, “really exciting.”

The other goal at the school this year is to help first-year students and parents bond with the school community. The parents association has organized its annual Kindergarten Café, which will hopefully ease first-year parent jitters.

All parents will also be able to take part in a monthly coffee talk with Ms. Velazquez, who will host discussions on timely themes.

This year, parents and children will be invited to participate in the Juvenile Diabetes to Walk on Oct. 5, at the Bronx Zoo. And keeping up with the school’s theme of encouraging healthy living, students in grades one through five who document they walked the equivalent of a New York City marathon over the summer, will get an award.

It’s not all about the body, though. Minds also get rewarded for being fit. Children in grades one through five will get a book, certificate and a bookmark for having read five books during the summer months.

The Sheila Mencher Van Cortlandt School, PS/MS 95

While construction of a new addition to PS/MS 95 this year will take away students’ use of the outdoor playground just east of the building, the school is making it up to active youngsters by adding several more extracurricular programs to the roster this year.

In addition to its after-school dance and sports programs, students will now be able to join PS/MS 95’s firstever volleyball team.

To welcome back old students and parents and say hello to new ones, the school will hold meet-and-greet functions for each grade between Monday, Sept. 15 and Tuesday, Sept. 23.

The David A. Stein Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, MS/HS 141

The high school at MS/HS 141 continues to expand its offerings this year adding a slew of new classes like world literature, sociology, public speaking, college writing, business and finance, world religions, service learning and Advanced Placement statistics.

Even though that sounds like a demanding college-level course load, the school is trying to prepare its charges for their higher-education years. To that end, the college office, now in its second year, will continue to aid students and Principal Lori O’Mara said the school has already received RSVPs from colleges for the annual College Fair and Scholarships nights.

But it’s not all work and no play for RKA students. The school will continue to field nine teams in a variety of sports.

And to make sure word is spreading of the school’s successes, whether it is in the classroom or on the athletic field, Ms. O’Mara said one of the priorities this year will be improving communication with families. Parents are encouraged to join the RKA mailing list and the school will be working to expand its outgoing call system so that it can reach out to parents on a more regular basis. Parent evenings, such as Back to School Night, grade-level meetings, parent tours and workshops will also be offered.

PS 207

The school did not return repeated calls for comment.

The New School for Leadership and Journalism, MS 244

Teachers have been brushing up on their tech skills this summer, attending workshops to help them incorporate the Internet into their classrooms, all of which are now equipped with SMARTboards — interactive blackboards.

An upgrade to the Distance Learning Center will also allow students and faculty to participate in videoconferencing.

The school’s journalism program will also be expanded this year to include a multimedia component and a videography class.

In addition to all that, the city Department of Parks and Recreation and the Trust for Public Land will meet with the School Construction Authority to begin renovating what will be a new schoolyard with a track, basketball court, softball field, outdoor classroom and outdoor chess tables.

PS 310

PS 310 is mixing it up after school this year with a little bit of work and a little bit of fun.

The West Kingsbridge Road school’s after-school program will help students prepare for standardized testing, while also helping them beef up their muscles on the basketball court.

And while students are inside breaking a sweat, workers will begin constructing a new playground for them to play on once the weather warms.

PS 360

There’s a new face in the assistant principal’s chair this year at PS 360 in Kingsbridge Heights. Her name is Iris Aldea-Pollack.

Other than that, there’s not much new happening at the school. There is talk that the school may offer some new after-school programs, however, administrators are waiting to see how many teachers will be available to instruct them before putting the programs together.

The IN-Tech Academy, MS/HS 368

A new gifted and talented program for a select group of middle school students will focus on enhancing literacy skills through journalism, and building science skills through handson activities.

The school is also for the first time offering a fully integrated science curriculum on the eighth-grade level. Three teachers spent the summer developing curriculum for the program.

On the high school level, there are four new Advanced Placement classes this year: science, math, English and Spanish.

Bronx Engineering and Technology Academy

This school just graduated its first class last spring, and its principal, Rashid Davis, is proud to announce that almost all of those who received a diploma from the school also walked away with a Regents diploma.

Mr. Davis said he is working to “reignite the college-going culture in the school,” by continuing the college summit program, which sent 20 percent of high school seniors to stay in college dorms at Yale this summer, training them as peer leaders.

For the first time, the school will also be entering a national robotics competition this year and will select a team to compete nationally.

In partnership with Pace University’s computer science department, the school is also adding a professional development program for teachers.

As part of Project Lead the Way, BETA will offer a sequence of engineering courses that students can take and which function like Advanced Placement courses: Students with an 85 average can take the college-level exam and if they score 75 or higher, they will receive college credit.

Bronx High School of Science

If Principal Valerie Reidy seems to have a little more bounce in her step this year, it’s because, as she put it, “Some very, very positive things have happened to us.”

She is proud of her school’s topnotch graduation rates in 2007, which were announced by the state Department of Education earlier this month.

The school received money from the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, which will be used to hire an “at-risk counselor,” who will be a “go-to person for kids who are having some academic problems and difficulties,” said Ms. Reidy.

Councilmember Oliver Koppell also secured a grant for his alma mater, to increase testing capacity in the school’s auditorium by converting it into a multi-purpose room. In addition, renovations on the school’s labs will also be moving forward, with the help of alumni and the schools endowment fund.

The school, Ms. Reidy said, is struggling to find space to handle its bulging enrollment.

“As our numbers increase we need to make sure we have space for our youngsters in terms of classrooms,” said Ms. Reidy.

Bronx School of Law and Finance

Principal Evan Schwartz said he is welcoming back 30 students who worked as interns at top law and financial firms throughout the city this summer, and he plans to continue the program this year.

He said he is also looking forward to a mock courtroom that’s in the works, thanks to an allocation by Councilmember Oliver Koppell. Once completed, the space will be used for law classes and mock trials.

Bronx Theatre High School

Before the doors to school even opened, freshmen orientation was abuzz with the sights and sounds of theater in the making.

More than 75 of the 120 incoming freshmen showed up for the event and performed skits for parents and faculty.

“Imagine how wonderful they will be by the time they’re 11th-graders,” Principal Debi Effinger said.

As juniors, they will be putting on two shows during the school year and as seniors they will produce an original work in the spring semester.

This year’s 11th-graders will put on The Diary of Anne Frank, in January, and A Mid-Summer’s Night Dream, in May.

Another thing to watch for is the annual dance performance, which will return this spring, as well as the annual dance show.

The school continues to partner with Round About Theatre Company.

Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Fieldston Lower students will return this fall to a renovated art room, and middle and upper school students will arrive to find a new landscaped outdoor seating area by the Tate Library, to be used for classroom discussions.

New courses at the Upper School include history of technology, a class on American civil rights and an introduction to broadcast journalism.

High School of American Studies at Lehman College

The High School of American Studies at Lehman College will be sporting a gold medal this fall.

Last spring it was named one of the top 100 high schools in the country by US News and World Report, an accomplishment that is sure to make any educator proud.

New teachers will join the awardwinning team this year to teach classes in the following subjects: math, Spanish and social studies.

There is also a re-designed Web site with interactive features, as well as a new bowling team being added to the various PSAL teams already offered at the school.

On the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 14, there will be an open house for prospective students and parents — an event which last year welcomed many. Families should confirm the details on the Web site, at www.hsas-lehman.org, as the event nears.

The first parent teachers association meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m.

Horace Mann

What’s not new this year at Horace Mann?

The Upper School welcomes a whole host of new chairs to the following departments: computer and communications, English, history, as well as deans in the ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th grades. These new faces will join many others, including a new assistant head of the Lower Division and an associate dean of student life, to name only a few.

New deans will now follow students until they graduate, allowing them to form a close bond with each student.

Plans for the 2008-2009 School Service Learning Day are in the making, and Horace Mann students will be working with Habitat for Humanity over the spring recess to build homes in New Orleans.

The school will continue to explore the continuation of meaningful service in several Guatemalan villages for students to participate in over their vacations.

Jonas Bronck Academy

It’s been a big year for the Jonas Bronck Academy.

Not only is there a new principal, but parents and students received word that the tightly cramped school will move into a new spacious home next year.

Donalda Chumney, who took the helm from Maria T. Esponda this year, gushed about the new space, on West Fordham Road. Students and parents will have the opportunity to give input on what goes into the building, which is now under construction, but they will finally get their own cafeteria and gymnasium.

To help spread the good news, the parents association will host a Welcome Back to School Barbecue for students and their families in Van Cordlandt Park.

John F. Kennedy High School

Principal Anthony Rotunno did not return phone calls.

Kinneret Day School

This is the year for aspiring writers at Kinneret Day School.

The school will welcome its own poet laureate this year, who will help middle school students produce a book of poetry.

After-school enrichment is not hard to come by at Kinneret. The school is expanding its chess program and is looking forward to having the kids compete in tournaments throughout the city, and there will also be a professional music choir for any student who wishes to participate.

Kids will also learn from a new computer program this year — one that teaches math and language arts. The good thing is that students are able to learn at their own pace.

Marble Hill High School for International Studies

International isn’t just in the name. This year, Marble Hill High School for International Studies hopes to see its students embark on exchange trips to such far-flung places as Senegal and China for a true cultural exchange experience.

Young minds will be sharpened with new Advanced Placement offerings in biology, English, Spanish, calculus and macroeconomics.

Marie Curie High School for Nursing, Medicine and the Allied Health Professions

The principal did not return repeated calls for comment.

Riverdale Country School

For the first time, classes in Mandarin Chinese will be offered to eighth-, ninth- and 10th-graders this year. Lu Li, who will be teaching the class, will also tutor older students with some background in the language.

Riverdale is also inaugurating an Upper School Writing Center, spearheaded by veteran teacher Dr. David Nicholson. The center will be staffed throughout the day by humanities teachers, and students can be referred or can come in on their own with no appointment necessary.

St. Gabriel’s School

St. Gabriel’s School is hoping to find the next Mark Twain in its classrooms this year.

The school has made writing its top priority this year, and teachers are brainstorming ideas that will help improve creativity and writing in their classrooms.

Students returning to school might miss a familiar face this fall. After 20 years in the first grade, Geraldine Aulisa retired, and will be replaced by Ofeila Seminario who has taught in the pre-K program there since 1988.

Arlean Leahy, who has taught at St. Gabe’s since 2001, will become the head teacher in pre-K; Brigid King is the new pre-K aide; and Caitlin Cannizzaro will join the team as the new physical education teacher.

The school will host a Back-to-School Night for parents on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and will offer a High School Information Night on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Other events to watch for include a beginning of the year Mass of the Holy Spirit, on Friday Sept. 19, at 1 p.m., and an Irish night for adults, open to all community members, on Friday Sept. 26, from 7 to 11 p.m.

St. John’s School

This year, St. John’s will continue with its after-school program as well as Spanish and computer classes.

All the teachers from last year have returned.

The school will host a back to school night on Sept. 9. Ideas are also already bubbling for a Halloween party to be sponsored by the parent teacher association.

St. Margaret of Cortona School

Students will return this fall to a more high-tech school. That’s because the school has spent the summer upgrading. Sister Kathleen Marie said they have renovated the school’s computer laboratory and all classrooms are now Internet-ready. “

A year ago that was our vision and now it’s starting to happen,” said an excited Sister Marie.

A tech coach will work with teachers once a week, “helping them to more effectively integrate technology into their classrooms,” she said.

The after-school program will continue this year and the school is looking to establish new activities for students, such as dance and drama.

Every year the school takes on a new theme, and this year it’s service.

“We talk about our niche as a catholic school, being Christ for others,” said Sister Marie, who said she and the faculty will seek out ways to get students more involved in community service.

There will be a clothing drive in October and also a variety of activities throughout the year, designed to both engage the community and raise funds.

Salanter Akiba of Riverdale Academy

Teachers at the Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy can relax in style, in their newly renovated lounge, funded by the Parent Teachers Council.

But the teachers are not the only ones enjoying new digs.

There is a new learning center for the junior high school, which will be used for “More focused, small group work and student support,” said principal, Rabbi Binyamin Krauss.

And on the technology side, this year the school will introduce Moodle, a Web-based software that encourages “more communication between students, teachers and parents,” said Rabbi Krauss.

Visitation School

Enrollment is up at Visitation this year, thanks to the Archdiocese and Cardinal Scholarship program, which helps families meet tuition costs.

Some landscaping has been done on the side and front of the building over the summer and Sister Rosemarie Connell says, “It’s really got a nice fresh look to it.”

The school is also happy to announce that all 10 students who took the integrated math Regents test in June passed.

Our Lady of Angels

One of this year’s focuses will be on service, and children in the junior high school will be encouraged to give back to communities.

Successful programs from last year will continue. Creative Classrooms, which brings children to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they see exhibits and then come back to school to create art projects based on what they observed, and HEROS, which teaches children tennis after school.

For the first time, older children in the after-school program will help out by tutoring younger students after school.

Sister Mary Catherine Cleary said students did very well on the last round of standardized tests and that the school will continue to work with students to achieve the same results this year.