PA Donates 150 NY Times Day-After-Election Newspapers to Students, Teachers

Anyone who tried to buy a newspaper around NYC on November 5, the day after Barack Obama's Presidential election victory, knows it was a nearly impossible task. Everyone wanted a piece of history, something to save for themselves and their children, so the local newspapers sold out almost immediately.

Fortunately, the NY Times reprinted the entire November 5 newspaper last weekend and put them on sale outside their building at 41st and Eighth Avenue. MCSM parent leaders Steve Koss and Deirdre Rose took this unique opportunity on Saturday (November 8) to purchase five strapped bundles of 30 newspapers each (a total of 150 copies) of the Times' day-after-the-election newspaper and donate them to MCSM on behalf of the Parents' Association.

The PA Board has expressed its wishes to Principal David Jimenez that the five bundles be allocated as one bundle each to Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, and one bundle to the teachers and staff. It is our hope that the 30 newspapers in each student grade bundle be made available in some form of random drawing for students who express an interest in commemorating this momentous event in America's history by having and saving a newspaper announcing it.

Con Edison to Present at November 18 PA Meeting

IMPORTANT NOTICE!!

Representatives from Con Edison, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and NYS Department of Health (DOH) will be previewing their site remediation plans at our next regular PA meeting at MCSM on Tuesday, November 18 at 6:00 PM. This is an important chance to hear Con Edison’s (and New York State’s) plans for our school building site, ask questions, address your concerns, and express your opinions on a matter that concerns the health of our children.

Con Edison and DEC will discuss the results of their August, 2008 indoor air quality testing and provide an overview of their anticipated program to address the coal tar contamination beneath our school site. Their presentation is being made in advance of the formal release early next year of their Analysis of Alternatives Report (AAR) which, upon release, will have a thirty-day period for public comment before finalization.

The PA has invited the parents and staff of Isaac Newton Middle School to join us for that evening’s meeting. Representatives of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) will be attending, as will our independent environmental consultants, Lenny Siegel and Peter Strauss. We are also reaching out to local politicians like City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito, State Senators Jose Serrano and William Perkins, and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum to invite them or their staff representatives to attend.

Our children’s health and well-being in their school is a serious issue of great concern to us all. We can best demonstrate our concern with a good turnout. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact any of the PA Executive Board members. We hope to see at the PA meeting on November 18.

MCSM Students Lead Greenhouse Re-Opening

Parents!!! If you want to see your kids and teachers at work beyond their classrooms and textbooks, please come to MCSM on Thursday, November 13 at 3:30 pm to see the GRAND RE-OPENING of our school’s greenhouse.

Perhaps you didn’t know that MCSM had a greenhouse! Perhaps you didn’t even know that MCSM has a fourth floor! Well, there is indeed a fourth floor and there has long been a greenhouse that had lain dormant until late last school year. Now’s your chance to find out more about both and celebrate the student-led work of the new Project Greenway at MCSM.

Please join the students and teachers for this exciting event on November 13th and learn more about how our kids are joining the Green Revolution.

Thanksgiving Dinner at MCSM

Hungry for turkey? How about an ethnic food Thanksgiving? How about just a nice, casual pre-Thanksgiving celebration with your sons or daughters and their teachers and school administrators?

On Tuesday, November 25, the Children’s Aid Society will be hosting their Second Annual Thanksgiving Dinner from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. Parents are welcomed to attend. This is a great chance for a family activity with your child, and one where you can meet and mingle with other parents and MCSM teachers.

Children’s Aid Society asks that you bring a food dish or beverage item if you can, but it is not a requirement for entry. Just show up and join the party!

For more information, please contact Ms. Elizabeth Blanco, CAS Director, at 212-423-9630.

Ashley Farms Fundraiser – A BIG Success

This fall’s fundraiser with the Ashley Farms cheesecake and dessert product line has broken all MCSM records (certainly at least those within recent memory). Thanks to the indefatigable efforts of PA Co-Vice President Deirdre Rose, we’ve passed the $5,000 mark in the gross total of our food orders. That total is more than double our first Ashley Farms product sale last spring!! Thanks to all who participated, and especially to those who reached out to friends, family, and co-workers to sell on behalf of our school.

All orders will be received together in a single delivery from Ashley Farms to MCSM sometime on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 18. Each person’s combined order will be boxed and sealed separately, so they will be easier for you to carry home. You can arrange for pick-up any time after 3:00 on November 18, up to and through the Parents’ Association meeting that evening.

Many, many thanks to all the parents and friends of MCSM who participated, and especially to those who reached out to friends, family, and co-workers to sell on behalf of our school. They will soon be able to enjoy the delicious Ashley Farms products they ordered, and at the same time, the PA will be able to add roughly $2,000 to our bank account, funds that in one way or the other will go back to the school to help our kids.

If you missed out on this fundraiser, we are planning to have a second Ashley Farms sale in the spring, in time for delivery on Tuesday, April 7. So you will have a second chance to order cheesecakes, cookie doughs, apple cakes, pretzels, pizzas, and other frozen food goodies. Let’s shoot to set another school fundraising record in the spring!!

Ashley Farms – “How ‘Bout Them Cheesecakes!”

After last year’s successful and much-praised first time sale of frozen food items from Ashley Farms, the PA is once again sponsoring Ashley Farms product sales this fall and again next spring. Ashley Farms offers a great line of frozen cheesecakes, pizzas, cakes, cookie doughs, and pretzels. Parents who purchased items from Ashley Farms last spring raved about their taste and quality – their cheesecakes, for example, are the equal of those at the Cheesecake Factory but cost significantly less.

All items ordered will arrive frozen at MCSM and will remain frozen for about six hours. They can be refrozen without any loss in quality and can remain frozen for months! All order forms and payments must be turned in to the PA by October 14, the night of our next PA meeting. Checks and money orders should be made out to MCSM PA. The items ordered will then be delivered for our PA meeting on November 18.

If you are unable to make it to the October 14 PA meeting (College Night -- you really don't want to miss it ), our Parent Coordinator, Julia Valentin, has graciously agreed to keep a supply of Ashley Farms' beautiful brochures in her office for anyone, including your child, to pick up and bring home to you.

You can also see the delicious products Ashley Farms has to offer in this sale by clicking on the following text: Ashley Farms Broadway Cafe. Please note that this sale only includes the Ashley Farms items shown on the Broadway Cafe menu. If you would like to order any of these items, please contact Parent Coordinator Julia Valentin (by phone at 347-563-5163, by email at jvalentin2@schools.nyc.gov) or PA Co-Vice President Deirdre Rose at birdrose12000@yahoo.com.

This is a great opportunity to ask family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, your hairdresser, auto mechanic, mail carrier -- anyone and everyone -- to support your child's school by purchasing a product that you won't be embarassed about on the date of delivery! You will be giving them a product they will ask you about in the future, if past fundraisers with this company are any guide. So remember that the holidays are coming up, and that these products freeze and keep very well for an extended period of time. Stock up, and tell others to do the same!

Please do not allow your child to do any door-to-door selling alone, without an adult. We know they seem to be able to take care of themselves, BUT they are still children, and we do not want any of our children put at risk.

This is a great fund raiser for the PA to help benefit our school and our kids. Please participate and sell lots of goodies! You’ll be helping MCSM and enjoying some really great desserts and pizzas, too!

Four Parent Committees Established for 2008/2009

The PA has established four working committees for the 2008/2009 school year:

-- Fund Raising – organizes and conducts fund raising activities and events to earn income that can be used to further PA programs and/or be donated to the school to meet unexpected needs, support new or existing programs or facilities, and enrich the overall learning environment for our children.

-- Membership and Communication – reaches out to MCSM parents to increase their involvement, solicits dues donations, and provides multiple vehicles for communication such as the existing Parent Newsletter and Parents’ Information Center website.

-- School Safety – works with the Principal and school safety personnel to review school safety and security policies, address safety and security-related problems, relay information to parents, and build a working relationship with the local NYPD precinct.

-- Parent Education and Resources – works with the Parent Coordinator and CAS to develop educational programs and purchase educational materials for parents on a wide range of parenting and personal improvement topics.

In addition, parent volunteers will be needed this fall for C-30 committees for Assistant Principal (AP) positions.

Anyone interested in joining any of these committees or participating in an upcoming C-30 (dates to be determined) should contact PA President Steve Koss (mathman180@aol.com), PA Co-Vice President Deirdre Rose (birdrose12000@yahoo.com), or PA Co-Vice President Loisen Harris-Jacobs (loisenj@optonline.net).

Three More Parent Representatives Added to SLT

At the September 9 meeting of the Parents’ Association, Deirdre Rose, Isabella Moreno, and Jimmy Mui were elected as parent representatives to the MCSM School Leadership Team (SLT) for the 2008/2009 school year.

The full complement of parent representatives to the SLT for 2008/2009 consists of the following:

Nevis Almeida
Sherrand Hawker
Steve Koss
Rosalind Lee-Nelson
Isabella Moreno
Jimmy Mui
Deirdre Rose

In addition, Jimmy Mui was elected by show of hands to the position of Title I Parent Alternate. In that capacity, Mr. Mui will work with Title I Parent Representative Lore Barcelona to inform the MCSM parent community about Title I initiatives in our school, especially the planning for and use of the government-mandated 1% minimum set-aside for parent education.

Congratulations to Ms. Rose, Ms. Moreno, and Mr. Mui on their new roles as parent leaders. Many thanks as well to those other parents who offered to serve: Yorda Bermudez, Warnise Holloway, Esperanza Ramirez, Dharma Reyes, Angela Russell, Patricia Smith, and Suzette Williams.

PA Begins New School Year with a Bang

The MCSM Parents’ Association’s 2008/2009 school year began with a bang on Tuesday evening, September 9, as more than 100 parents attended the year’s first PA meeting. Parents filled the Library to overflowing as they listened to speakers while enjoying chicken and rice from La Nueva Caridad, fresh fruits generously donated by parent Yrma Molina (thank you!!), and a sheet cake proclaiming, “Welcome MCSM Parents, 2008/2009.”

Parents were introduced to this year’s PA Executive Board members, after which Principal Jimenez offered his welcoming remarks and introduced Michael Salek (AP, School Safety), Bruce MonteLeon (AP, Instructional Support Services), Karen Bonnick (AP, English and Foreign Languages), Charles Kwan (AP, Math), Ms. Peralta-Garcia (AP, Social Studies), Arleen Milton (Interim AP, Science), and Felicia Bray (Interim AP, Operations). Next came MCSM’s new Director for the Children’s Aid Society, Elizabeth Blanco, followed by a presentation from MCSM Senior Ysmeli Rosa of a new, student-based initiative called Project Greenway.

Steve Koss (PA President) brought parents up to date on Con Edison, the updated review of MCSM on Inside Schools, the current bylaws review process, asbestos tile removal in the basement, a new $200,000 computer lab in our school, and upcoming C-30’s. These items were followed by a brief Treasurer’s report and then elections for three open positions on the SLT and the open position for Title I Alternate (see posting on new parent representatives). Deirdre Rose (PA Co-Vice President) then addressed parents concerning the upcoming Ashley Farms fundraiser and the formation of parent committees for the coming school year (see separate Ashley Farms and PA Committee postings).

Tuesday’s meeting gave parents a chance to hear from school administrators and meet new staff members, and it also gave parents the opportunity to participate and vote for parent leaders to represent them on the SLT and with regard to Title I funds. In addition, the PA received dues donations totaling just under $400 that evening. Many thanks to all those parents who donated to one of the most worthy causes of all – their children’s school!

PA Executive Board Meeting Dates

The Parents’ Association Executive Board holds monthly meetings to discuss association business and plan future activities, events, and PA meeting agendas. These meetings are open for parents to attend and observe. However, attendees may not participate since these sessions are working business meetings of the Executive Board. In addition, the Board produces minutes of its meetings which are available to parents upon request.

For the 2008/2009 school year, the MCSM PA Executive Board will be meeting on the 4th Monday of every month except December (no meeting planned – if a meeting is held, notice will be sent in the preceding Parent Newsletter and also posted on this site) and May (moved to the 3rd Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday). More specifically, these meetings are currently scheduled to be held at 6:00 pm in the school Library on September 22, October 27, November 24, January 26, February 23, March 23, April 27, May 18, and June 22.

CALLING ALL PARENTS - FIRST PA MEETING OF 2008/09 ON SEPTEMBER 9

CALLING ALL PARENTS! Our first Parents' Association meeting of the new school year will take place on Tuesday, September 9 in the school library.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR A POSITION AS A PARENT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE MCSM SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM (SLT), PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND. WE WILL BE TAKING NOMINATIONS AND HOLDING AN ELECTION FOR THREE OPEN SPOTS ON THIS YEAR'S SLT.

We plan to begin the year with a special welcome to our new 9th Grade parents beginning with a casual buffet dinner any time after 5:00 p.m. New 9th grade parents can meet school administrators, teachers, and staff, parent leaders, and even get to know one another. Upper grade parents can help welcome our newest parents and answer their questions.

The regular PA meeting will begin this month at 6:30 instead of the usual 6:00. In addition to the SLT election noted above, we will be electing a Title I Alternate to work with our Title I Representative in developing new parent education programs and resources. You will also have an opportunity to meet our new director of the Children's Aid Society (after-school) program as well as new staff members and teachers, hear about upcoming fund raising programs and initiatives, help us form working committees for the coming year, and learn more about exciting new programs involving our roof-top greenhouse. Time permitting, we hope to have Principal Jimenez lead us on a first-time ever parents' tour of the greenhouse (and perhaps weather station) on our school roof.

Hope to see you there on Tuesday, September 9th!!

New MCSM Report on Inside Schools Website

The most highly respected parent guide to NYC public schools, Inside Schools, recently published an updated review of MCSM based on its consultant's visit to our school last June. The write-up is highly favorable about our school's students, teachers, and programs, noting about the PA that:

"Unlike some selective high schools in Manhattan that are awash in resources funded by hyperactive PTAs, Manhattan Center primarily serves students from low-income families and for many years did not have a lot of parent involvement. Things are changing. Though modest by comparison, the MCSM parent association has raised several thousand dollars for the school and started its own blog, (an impressive source of information on school events.)"

We strongly encourage you to check out the Inside Schools report. You can access it by clicking on the following phrase: MCSM page on Inside Schools. You can also see our Inside Schools page any time by simply clicking on the link to Inside Schools provided on this page, on the lower right side. It's the fifth link item in the list under the heading, "Other Websites of Interest."

As an additional support to our school, we also ask parents and/or students to consider posting a comment about MCSM on Inside Schools. To leave a comment is, unfortunately, rather more complicated than it should be. Once you're on the MCSM page, you can click on "POST YOUR COMMENT." At that point, they ask you to register yourself with a User ID and password and provide some minimal information about yourself. Once you have registered, you have to log yourself in using your User ID and password and re-choose our school (put in a Zip Code of 10029 and choose "High Schools" to get a short list that includes MCSM or, if you want to search by "Name or Number," just enter 435). Select MCSM from the list of schools and, after our page reappears, click again on "POST YOUR COMMENT." This time, you will finally see a text box for you to enter your comments.

Con Edison Commits Up to $20,000 to Fund Independent Environmental Consultants to Represent the MCSM Parent Community

On August 4, Parents' Association Board members Steve Koss and Deirdre Rose attended a meeting at East Harlem Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito's office at her invitation. Also in attendance were three representatives of Con Edison -- Laura Mascuch, Fernando Perez, and Yelena Skorobogatov -- and Ms. Elsie Encarnacion from Ms. Viverito's staff (and a 1998 MCSM graduate!).

In short order, Ms. Viverito relayed the very welcomed news that Con Edison had agreed to provide funding of up to $20,000 to the MCSM Parents' Association to engage independent environmental consultants to represent the MCSM community with regard to its MGP brownfield remediation and monitoring issues. This groundbreaking arrangement will help ensure that MCSM parents and students have access over the coming months and years to independent technical expertise, guidance, and representation during the State's 30-day public comment periods as Con Edison and NY State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) move forward with ongoing air quality testing, release of their Analysis of Alternatives Report (AAR) this fall, and future plans for site maintenance and monitoring. The availability of such consultants makes truly meaningful the notion of public comment on matters where parents do not have nearly sufficient expertise to question such technical data and plans.

Con Edison outlined the nature of the proposed agreement on August 4 and promised to return with a more formal contract document for the Parents' Association after Labor Day. We are delighted to observe that this agreement serves the health and safety interests not just of our children but also MCSM's teachers and staff, the full Isaac Newton Middle School community, and even the nearby East Harlem residential community. In addition, we would be remiss not to take special note of the "behind the scenes" role played by Ms. Viverito and to express our sincere gratitude for her concern and efforts. We have also received strong and often first-hand support from State Senator Jose Serrano, State Senator Bill Perkins, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum and their respective staffs, for all of which we are equally grateful.

Parents' Association Ends Year on a Positive Financial Note

The PA ended the 2007/08 school year on a very positive financial note. During the 9th Grade Orientation Night on June 3, the PA received $723 in dues donations from new parents. In addition, we sold $260 worth of school logo items such as the string closure gym bags and ballpoint pens. Many thanks to volunteers Oriel Sanchez, Maria Tejada, Latchman and Noemi Harrilal, Tara Joshua, and Nevis Almeida for helping welcome the new parents.

That success was followed on Saturday, June 7 when the PA hosted a table at the 116th Street Festival. The Festival was a wonderful chance to extend MCSM’s reach into the East Harlem Community, connect with former students, and even raise money by selling bottled water and sodas to the tune of $260. Thanks again to event organizer Deirdre Rose and volunteers Mark Davis, Adriana Martinez, and Noemi and Latchman Harrilal and their super-salesman son (and future MCSM student?) Matthew.

By the end of June, the PA had donated to the Senior Yearbook (a half-page ad for $175), awarded its two annual scholarships of $150 each, and made four mini-grants of $400 each to the Science Department, the Math Department, the Advanced Science Research Program, and the Library. Even after these donations back to the school, totaling nearly $2,100, the PA ended the year with over $2,500 in the bank. This is undoubtedly the PA’s best financial standing in a decade, but we’re looking for even more and better in 2008/09.

PA and SLT Election Results

As a consequence of the May 13 PTA election being ruled invalid by the District Family Advocate for District 4, a revote was held at the June 12 Parents’ Association meeting. The PA Executive Board for 2008/2009 school year will consist of the following parents:

President – Steve Koss
Co-Vice President – Deirdre Rose
Co-Vice President – Loisen Jacobs
Secretary – Tara Joshua
Treasurer – Nevis Almeida

Following that vote, another election was held to choose as many as four of the six elected parent representatives to the SLT (School Leadership Team) for 2008/2009. Five parents were nominated, but due to a tie for the fourth spot, only three representatives were chosen: Sherrand Hawker, Rosalind Lee-Nelson, and Nevis Almeida. The remaining three spots will be voted upon at the September 9 PA meeting. While any MCSM parent can run for membership on the SLT, the vote in September will give interested incoming 9th grade parents an opportunity to be represented. All are welcome.

One additional election took place that evening. By unanimous voice vote, parents approved the designation of Ms. Lore Barcelona as MCSM’s Title I parent representative. A required Title I Alternate will be sought at the September 9 PA meeting.

The PTA Is Now a PA (Parents' Association)

The June 12 PTA meeting opened with a discussion of the future direction of the Parent Teacher Association. Co-Vice President Deirdre Rose explained that the Executive Board at its May 29 meeting had addressed this question and voted in favor of converting the current PTA to a PA, or Parents' Association. She further explained that the only substantive difference between the two organizations is that, under a Parents' Association, only parent members (including guardians and other caregivers) are considered voting members of the association. Under a PTA, parents and teachers are both permitted to vote on most matters other than parent representation on the SLT.

Following discussion among those present, Mr. Larry Davis, the District Family Advocate for District 4, administered the voting by paper ballot. By a vote of 22 – 9, parents approved the conversion of the PTA to a PA. Effective immediately, the parent organization at MCSM is now a Parents' Association. Bylaw changes will be prepared over the summer and presented to the parent membership in September.

Independent Consultant's Review Gives MCSM Air Quality a Thumbs Up

Thanks to a $5,000 legislative grant from State Senator Jose Serrano, NY Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) has engaged Peter M. Strauss & Associates on behalf of MCSM parents (with the approval of the Parent Association) to review as independent consultants the December 2007 and February 2008 air quality test data previously reported on by Con Edison and the NYS Department of Health (DOH). In a memo dated June 23, 2008, Mr. Strauss reported the qualified good news that, in his judgment based on the data collected by Con Edison and the DOE, “there is not an immediate hazard to health.”

While parents, students, and teachers can breathe easier based on Mr. Strauss’s review, his evaluation is not without concerns. To begin with, he noted that, “While there is not immediate risk to occupants of the school, these data do signify the sad state of the air we breathe, both indoors and out of doors.” He continued by noting that Con Edison’s tentative plans to install a sub-slab depressurization system rather than removing the contaminants means that, “inspections and air monitoring should take place so long as the building is occupied.” Unlike previous presentations from Con Edison and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Mr. Strauss also expressed concern about the presence of coal tars spreading from under the building out below the school grounds and beneath the Harlem River. This will likely be the subject of further discussion in the coming months.

The Parent Association anticipates that Mr. Strauss will provide further comment on Con Edison’s plans once they have released their formal remediation analysis and recommendations in September or October. His June 23, 2008 memo will be made available to all MCSM parents at the September 9 PA meeting or upon request from any interested parent. A copy of this memo is also available for downloading from this website by clicking on the “Information for MCSM Parents” link.

MCSM Captures Two Spring Sports City Championships!!

The Spring sports season brought Manhattan Center two amazing and hard fought City Championships this year, one for Girls Varsity Softball and the other in Boys Tennis. Both teams worked their way through very successful regular seasons on their way to the playoffs for the City’s championship rounds.

The Girls Varsity Softball team, seeded fourth in the Division B tournament, batted aside Washington Irving in their opening playoff game by a score of 13 – 2, following that with a 19 – 1 shellacking of Brooklyn Tech, a nailbiting 9 – 8 victory over the HS for Construction, and an upset, 6 – 4 win over top-seeded Forest Hills HS. That win set the stage for what turned out to be a three-game playoff against #3 seed Flushing HS. The Lady Rams knocked off Flushing by a 14 – 4 score, but the Queens representatives came back as winners of the losers’ bracket to face MCSM again in the finals on June 8. That morning, the Flushing girls pulled out a come-from-behind, 6 – 5 win over MCSM, setting up the afternoon game taken by the Lady Rams, 11 – 4.

Junior Herminia Thabet had a simply awesome year, recording a .500 batting average for the season as well as pitching her way to a 14 – 0 record with a 2.57 ERA and 118 strikeouts in just 68 innings. She was backed up with an amazing offense led by Celia Soto (So., .700 BA, 7 Hrs), Thay Ling Moya (Sr., .636 BA), Jennifer Perez (Jr., .614 BA, 6 Hrs), Astrid Cruz (Jr., .576 BA, 1 HR), Tiffany Kennedy (Sr., .560 BA, 1 HR), Emeline Rivas (Sr., .563 BA, 3 Hrs), Jasmine Osorio (Sr., .548 BA, 1 HR), Nuris de la Cruz (Jr., .533 BA), Sirina Nagi, (Sr., .500 BA), and Ernestine Grant (Sr., .450 BA). The team’s eagle-eye award goes to Jr. Antoinette Nery who had four hits in ten official at bats while collecting an astonishing 18 bases on balls. Congratulations to Coach Randolph Cantor and the entire Lady Ram softball team.

The Boys Tennis under Coach Mitchell Weinfeld experienced equal drama in reaching their Division B City Championship. After successive dominating 5 – 0 playoff wins over Newtown and Dewitt Clinton, the MCSM team eked out a tough 3 –2 win over Jamaica HS to reach the City final showdown against William C. Bryant, played at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Erick Fuentes, playing at #1 Singles, opened the match with an easy 6 – 1, 6 – 3 victory over his Bryant opponent, giving MCSM a quick 1 – 0 match lead. At #2 Singles, Do Hyun Kim lost a hard fought 6 – 2, 2 – 6, 4 – 6 match to tie the match score, but Russell Bari, playing at #3 Singles, reclaimed the lead for MCSM with a 6 – 2, 6 – 1 demolition of his Bryant opponent. When Qi Guan and Jeremy Mathias at #1 Doubles fell 6 –2, 6 – 2 to Bryant, the stage was set the deciding match at #2 Doubles. Rahul Patel and Pias Malaker claimed the opening set at 6 – 0, dropped the second set 3 – 6, and finally came back to claim the third set at 6 – 3, giving MCSM a 3 – 2 match victory and the City’s B Division Tennis Championship. Congratulations to Coach Weinfeld and his players for a great season.

PTA Meeting - Date Change, PTA Elections

PTA MEETING
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
6:00 P.M.
(Please note change of date from Tuesday, 6/10 to Thursday, 6/12)


1. DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON POSSIBLE CONVERSION FROM A PTA (PARENT/TEACHER ASSOCIATION) TO A PA (PARENT ASSOCIATION)

2. ***** REVOTE OF PTA ELECTION *****
(Mr. Larry Davis, District Family Advocate for District 4, instructed us that last month’s vote was invalid.)

3. ELECTION OF SLT REPRESENTATIVES FOR 2008/2009

4. ELECTION OF TITLE I REPRESENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE



PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE
TO THURSDAY, JUNE 12
(Moved due to conflict with Senior Awards Night. There will be no PTA meeting on Tuesday, June 10.)

Election of PTA Officers for 2008/2009

A reminder that we will conduct an election at our next regularly scheduled PTA meeting on Tuesday, May 13 for next year's PTA officers. These are the candidates as nominated at our last two PTA meetings:





For President:
Steve Koss

For (2) Co-Vice Presidents:
Sherrand Hawker
Loesin Jacobs
Don Redish
Deirdre Rose

For Secretary:
Tara Joshua

For Treasurer:
Nevis Almeida

Each candidate will have the opportunity to speak briefly before the vote is taken. Voting will be done by secret paper ballot. Votes will be counted and the results announced that same evening. The election process will be administered by parent volunteers Nancy Lopez and Latchman Harrilal.

We will also be looking for at least two parents to act as our Title I Representative and Alternate for 2008/2009. Your main responsibility would be to work with the PTA and Parent Coordinator Julia Valentin to plan, budget, and coordinate the use of roughly $8,000 in Title I parent education funds during the 2008/2009 school year for resources, speakers, activities, and/or programs to enhance parent education. If more than two parents are nominated, the candidates will have the option to speak before a vote. We will conduct a paper ballot election as needed for Title I Representative and/or Alternate.

Timothy Ramirez Is Golden

Big congratulations are in order to junior Timothy Ramirez, but not for a reason you would typically expect for an MCSM student. The reason? On Thursday, April 18th, young Mr. Ramirez became a Golden Gloves boxing champion in the 106-pound novice division with a 3-2 decision over his 20-year-old opponent, Jordan Rodriguez. Amazingly, Timothy has only been boxing for about one year. His background in martial arts helps explain his sudden success, and as he told the New York Daily News, he's a quick learner.

Two days earlier, the Daily News ran a fascinating profile of Timothy. His path to the Golden Gloves championship, and even his path into and through MCSM, has not been an easy one. He readily admits to being a troubled youngster in the past, involved in fights, skipping school, arguing with his family, getting suspended or having to change schools, and generally heading in the wrong direction. Now he's a student in good standing at MCSM with an 84 grade point average.

What turned him around? In part, MCSM. In part, boxing. But to hear Timothy tell his story, the biggest part of his about face has been his girlfriend, Kayla Colon. As he told the Daily News, "I'm like, 'Wow, if I had known that I could have met someone like her, then maybe I would have started going to school earlier. I've completely changed," he went on. "I really love her. I'm into her. We understand each other. I don't fight anymore or argue anymore because of her."

Look for more on Timothy Ramirez in the next Parent Newsletter. We'll be doing our own story on him. In the meantime, if you want to read the Daily News profile story, just click on this: "A kinder, gentler Timothy Ramirez chases Golden Gloves title on Thursday."

Greening MCSM's Greenhouse?

Did you know MCSM had a greenhouse? If you didn't, it's probably because you've never seen it, and you've probably never seen it because you've never been on the school's fourth floor roof.

Well, it turns out that MCSM does have a fairly spacious greenhouse, but it hasn't been in use for several years. The tables and some equipment are still there, but nothing has grown during that time except perhaps for some cobwebs.

Thanks to new teacher Peter Mulroy (Environmental Science) and Assistant Principal for Science Irma Garceau, our greenhouse may soon start becoming green again. Mr. Mulroy and Ms. Garceau are exploring the creation of a Greenhouse Club, and a number of students have reportedly already expressed interest. Mr. Mulroy is even considering ways to tie the greenhouse into his Environmental Science course.

To get things started, the PTA has agreed to donate $400 "seed money" (get it? SEED money??) so the Science Department can purchase needed equipment or supplies to get the Greenhouse Club going and bring the greenhouse back into operation.

Who knows? Maybe one of these days, students will be sampling MCSM greenhouse tomatoes in the cafeteria, or maybe Mr. MonteLeon's office will be decorated with some plants first grown on our rooftop. In addition, the greenhouse may one day be part of the school tour for prospective students, giving them one more reason to make MCSM their first choice!

PTA RECEIVES $5,000 GRANT FROM NY STATE SENATOR JOSE SERRANO!!

On April 9, we learned the happy news that NY Lawyers for the Public Interest(NYLPI) -- requesting on behalf of the MCSM PTA -- has received a $5,000 legislative grant from the office of New York State Senator Jose Serrano. The purpose of this grant is to provide funds through which NYLPI can engage an independent environmental consultant to review air and soil test results taken by Con Edison and the NY State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH). Additionally, these funds will allow MCSM parents to have the consultant review Con Edison and DEC's plans for site remediation and offer independent, object advice to parents as to the merits and possible deficiencies or unresolved questions in those plans.

Our original request (submitted by NYLPI on our behalf) was $20,000, but this amount was estimated to cover the cost of an independent consultant through the end of the site remediation and development of the ongoing maintenance and monitoring plan. Regardless, Senator Serrano's grant of $5,000 will enable MCSM parents to access a qualified independent consultant for the next stage of this project, after which we can re-assess our needs and seek an additional grant to cover later stages of the remediation.

We are anticipating that Con Edison and DEC/DOH will be releasing their formal written plans in September, once school has resumed. They will be available to present and discuss those plans with parents at a PTA meeting and will provide a 30-day period for public comment. With NYLPI's assistance, the PTA Executive Board will look to engage an environmental consultant to help us through these next steps.

MCSM parents should know that Senator Serrano's office has monitored this issue closely since it first arose last October and November. Senator Serrano has been represented for every Con Edison presentation at MCSM by his staff, either Ms. Yvonne Przybyla or Mr. Brian Levinson. We are grateful for their continued involvement.

Senator Serrano represents the 28th Senate District, which includes Roosevelt Island, East Harlem, Randall's Island, and (in the Bronx) Mott Haven, Port Morris, High Bridge, Mount Eden, and Morris Heights.

Con Edison Previews Toxic Remediation Plans for MCSM

As part of their presentation at the Isaac Newton MS PTA meeting on April 16, representatives from Con Edison, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and NYS Department of Health (DOH) previewed their plans for remediation of the toxic contaminants left buried under our school building from the manufactured gas plant that used to operate on our site.

After analyzing several of the alternative technologies currently available for removing the coal tars beneath the building, these organizations have concluded that no technology exists that can remove enough of the contaminants to eliminate the problem. By their estimation, any effort to extract these contaminants would leave half or more of them still beneath the school and with them, the same ongoing concerns for toxic vapors to enter the school building's indoor air. Removing the coal tars would require puncturing the holding tank beneath our school building in order to attempt vacuuming out those materials. In the DEC's judgment, doing so would risk making the contamination problem worse. As they stated in their presentation, "Any complete removal would require relocating the school." Consequently, they are "currently not planning on any source removal under [the] school."

This conclusion suggests that the toxic contaminants will remain on site, under the school building, until either a new removal technology becomes available or until our school building is closed and/or demolished.

According to the DEC and DOH, recent indoor air quality tests have suggested that the school basement's concrete floor has been working as an effective barrier against chemical gases entering the school. Con Edison and NYS are therefore proposing to leave the contaminants beneath the school building for the foreseeable future. However, to strengthen the barrier against vapor intrusion, they are proposing to install a "subslab depressurization" system during the next year. This system will create a vacuum area beneath the school's concrete basement floor. Any chemical vapors in the soil would then be pulled into this vacuum and vented away from the school, into the outdoor air.

Con Edison is currently preparing an Alternatives Analysis Report describing these findings and recommendations. This document will probably be presented in the early Fall and will include presentation at a public (PTA) meeting and a public comment period. A copy of their presentation to the Isaac Newton PTA on April 16 can be found on the Con Edison web site (www.coned.com/publicissues/manufactured_gas_plants.asp) or through the link on this website entitled "Information for MCSM Parents."

Con Edison Air Quality Testing Update

On Wednesday, April 16, representatives from Con Edison, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and NYS Department of Health (DOH) presented the results of their air and soil tests taken during the mid-winter recess (February 18 - 23). They found potentially toxic chemical vapors in the soil beneath our school building (not a new fact) but no such chemicals in the indoor air of our school building that could be attributed to the coal tars left beneath the school following the closure of the manufactured gas plant that used to operate on our site until the late 1930s.

Air samples were taken from multiple sites around the basement and first floor of our building to evaluate the indoor, winter season air quality, while soil samples were taken at several locations through the basement's concrete floor to evaluate the level of chemicals and chemical vapors beneath our school. The air quality tests were primarily seeking the presence of certain dangerous chemicals called BTEX -- benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene -- that are often associated with manufactured gas plants. Only one location in our school building was found to have an unusually high level toluene, and that is a basement storage room where gasoline-powered equipment is kept. The DOE has already promised to add ventilation in that storage room to direct any such vapors outside the building.

Con Edison and DEC concluded therefore that "none of the detections of [chemicals] in the indoor air can be directly attributed to the contamination below." They further stated that "there is strong evidence that concrete floor is an effective barrier" to preventing chemical vapors in the soil below the school from entering the building's indoor air.
MCSM and Isaac Newton parents asked a number of questions during and after the presentation. We (MCSM PTA) anticipate having further review of these test results and their interpretation by an independent outside consultant.

MCSM Title I Program Converts to Schoolwide Program

On Monday, April 14, MCSM teachers and DC-37 support staff voted by a 69 - 25 margin (73.4%) to convert our Title I administrative approach from the current Targeted Assistance program to what is known as the Schoolwide Program option. This followed by one week the parents' unanimous, 25 - 0 vote at our regular April 8 PTA meeting in favor of the same conversion (the third consecutive year the parents have voted unanimously for the Schoolwide option). Now that both parents and teachers have approved the conversion, MCSM will implement Title I under the Schoolwide Program beginning next September. Since the legislation governing Title I states that this conversion can only take place once, no more annual votes will be required.

Under the Schoolwide option, our school's administration and teachers can now work together to apply resources and develop programs to support any student deemed to be at risk of failing. Previously, under Targeted Assistance, our Title I funds could only be used for students who entered MCSM with a 1 or a 2 on their eighth grade ELA or Math exams or who had already failed a Regents exam. These guidelines are very strict and subject to audit, and because only about 15% of our school's students have qualified for targeted assistance in past years, MCSM has been forced to return unused money to the government every year since we became a Title I school in 2004 (a total of about $750,000 returned through the end of this school year). Now that we can convert to Schoolwide Program, our Principal, Assistant Principals, and teachers will have enough flexibility to ensure that all our Title I funds are used to support our children's academic needs.

We wish to express our gratitude to the 69 teachers and staff members who voted for the Schoolwide Program, a change consistently unanimously desired by parents and one that will benefit our school and many students who need extra academic support but were not previously eligible. We parents are grateful that Title I funds can now be used to help students before they fail rather than having to wait for them to fail first, as we have had to do until now.

Barnes & Noble Book Fair, April 3 - 6

MCSM’s second annual Barnes & Noble Book Fair will take place from Thursday, April 3 through Sunday, April 6.

This is a great opportunity for you to buy books, cards, and other items you need or want and support the MCSM PTA at the same time!

Just go to the Barnes & Noble Book Store on East 86th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, between April 3 and April 6 (you must go to that store location only). Take the book fair coupon with you that you will be receiving from MCSM in the next week or so. Turn in the coupon to the cashier as you make your purchases, and MCSM will get credit for whatever you’ve bought.

Depending on our total purchases, the PTA will receive a cash rebate of 10 – 15% from Barnes & Noble that we can use to support our school programs.

Next PTA Meeting: College Financial Planning

At our next PTA meeting on Tuesday, April 8 at 6:00 pm, we will welcome guest speakers from Citibank and AXA Financial Advisers to address several topics related to college financial planning. Among other things, our speakers will talk about family financial planning options for college, financing alternatives, and how to help your college-aged child deal with his or her own money management problems, such as credit cards.

This meeting promises to be highly informative for parents, regardless whether your child is a freshman or a senior. It's never too soon to start planning, and never too late to learn more.

During the meeting, we will be voting as a PTA membership on whether to remain a Title I Targeted Assistance school or convert to the Schoolwide Program option. In addition, we will be electing a new Title I Representative and Alternate for the 2008/2009 school year.

We look forward to seeing you at the next PTA meeting on April 8. Please come out to support your PTA and your son's or daughter's school.

Parent Teacher Conferences April 3-4

Don't forget!

This spring's Parent Teacher Conferences take place on Thursday, April 3 from 5:30 - 8:00 pm and Friday, April 4 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.

While you're there, please stop and chat with us at the PTA table! We'll have lots of information for you there.

Con Edison to Present Latest Findings at MCSM on April 16

IMPORTANT MEETING -- APRIL 16, 6:30 P.M.

Representatives from Con Edison, the NY State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation, and the NYC Department of Education will present preliminary findings from their February indoor air and soil sample testing and preview their plans for removal of the contaminants buried beneath the school building at the Isaac Newton Middle School PTA meeting on Wednesday, April 16, at 6:30 pm in the school library. All parents of MCSM students are invited to attend and have their questions answered.

As you know from previous reports, Mr. Bernard Orlan of the DOE conducted preliminary air quality tests on December 22. The purpose of these and Con Edison's February tests has been to assess the school building's indoor air quality during the heating season when windows are not open and the heating system creates negative pressure which draws air inward from outside or upward from beneath the ground. Mr. Orlan’s presented results of his December tests at our January PTA meeting. They showed no toxic chemicals in our school building’s air and no cause for health concern. Two independent environmental consultants have since reviewed the air sampling data at the request of NY Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), the legal services organization that is helping the PTA work with Con Edison on this issue. They reached the same conclusion – no apparent cause for concern at this time.

Con Edison's tests, performed while the students were on break from February 18-22, were more extensive and included soil samples drilled through the basement floor of the school building. While the final written report may not be ready by April 16, representatives from Con Edison and NYS Department of Health (DOH) and Environmental Conservation (DEC) will discuss the data and findings expected to be included in the report when it becomes available. In addition, Mr. William Ottaway from NYS DEC will present an overview of the process by which they and Con Edison have been evaluating site remediation alternatives (that is, removing the coal tars and any other toxic materials from beneath the ground).

Mr. Ottaway's discussion will essentially preview the more formal Site Remediation Plan that Con Edison will publish later this spring or summer. That document will be available to the public (including all MCSM and Isaac Newton parents), and its release will be followed by a period of public comment and at least one planned meeting at MCSM where Con Edison, DOH, and DEC will present the plan and address community questions and concerns. The dates for these events have not yet been established but are likely to take place in September or October 2008 when school resumes after the summer break.

Stay tuned to this site for more information and watch for announcements from the school and in the Parent Newsletter.

LADY RAMS VIE FOR CITY BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday morning, March 16, marked the return of the Manhattan Center Lady Rams basketball team to the PSAL Class AA City Championship game at Madison Square Garden against perennial NYC powerhouse Murry Bergtraum. Despite being forced to sit behind a basket at the end of the court rather than in the middle, MCSM students, parents, and teachers arrived in force and cheered on their favorite high school hoopsters enthusiastically.

Coach Jaywana Bradley’s Lady Rams looked ready for the challenge of stopping a Bergtraum team that was seeking its tenth consecutive PSAL championship. The Lady Ram starting five – Aziza Patterson, China Crosby, Shantale Bramble Donalds, Jessica Gatling, and Sindy Ismael -- charged hard out of the gate, taking their game right at the Lady Blazers with aggressive defense and an attacking style against Bergtraum’s full court pressure. Their fast start slowed a bit, plagued by missed layups and free throws. Meanwhile, Bertraum forged ahead with its scoring machine in high gear, led by strong guard play, good shooting from their forwards, and the presence of a center who could only be described as “Lady Shaq.”

By the end of the first quarter, the Lady Rams already sat at the short end of a 19 – 9 score. The deficit grew to twenty by halftime as Bergtraum’s steamroller basketball team was on its way to its tenth consecutive PSAL championship by a final score of 85 - 47. Shantale Bramble Donalds led the scoring effort with 17 points, while China Crosby added 11 points and a half-dozen floor burns.

The Lady Rams made their fans proud, never giving an inch and leaving everything they had out on the basketball floor. Special recognition to Seniors Shantale Bramble Donalds, Jessica Gatling, and Chidima Uchendu who were each playing their last game for MCSM, and to China Crosby (winner of the game’s Sportsmanship Award) and Aziza Patterson for their incredible effort. China spent as much time diving and sprawling on the floor as Allen Iverson does for the Denver Nuggets and bounced right back after being badly shaken up on one play under the basket.

With China and Aziza returning to next year’s team along with six other players from this year’s team -- and a Girls JV Team that went 11-0 this season -- Coach Bradley and Lady Rams fans have good things to look forward to. Meanwhile, rumor has it that Murry Bergtraum is moving up to a higher league next year, although DOE officials have not yet revealed whether that will be the NCAA or the WNBA.

Congratulations to Coach Bradley and to all the Lady Rams players for their hard work and sacrifices this year and for their success as a team. Most important, many thanks to each and every player for representing Manhattan Center with dignity, pride, and sportsmanship. You are the best of what scholastic sports is all about, and you are each winners in our book, regardless of the final score. This year’s PSAL Championship Team roster:

Seniors - Shantale Bramble Donalds, Jessica Gatling, Chidima Uchendu
Juniors - Allana Beddoe, China Crosby, Astrid Cruz, Nylisha Gilbert
Sophomores - Sindy Ismael, Nijah Lacourt, Aziza Patterson
Freshmen - Kiarah Dunlap, Sonata Mallory

Title I Vote at April 8 PTA Meeting: Targeted Assistance VS. Schoolwide Program

For the third consecutive year, parents will be asked at the April 8 PTA meeting to vote whether to continue with the Title I Targeted Assistance program or convert to the Schoolwide Program option.

Under Title I, MCSM receives federal government funds to assist students at risk of failure. These funds are provided in addition to the school’s regular budget from the DOE, and MCSM qualifies because over 60% of our students’ families fall below a family income level designated by the U.S. government. This year, MCSM received approximately $850,000 in Title I funds.

When a school first qualifies for Title I moneys, it must operate for the first year of that funding under what is called Targeted Assistance. Under this option, the school can expend its Title I funds on programs, activities, and resources that must be limited to students who satisfy targeted assistance criteria established by NY State and NYC. Currently, students only qualify for targeted assistance if they scored a 1 or 2 on their 8th grade Math or ELA State exams, or if they have failed a Regents exam. Roughly 200 students (about 14-15%) at MCSM qualify for targeted assistance. With so few eligible students, MCSM has in the last three years returned about $400,000 in unused funds to the government. The figure promises to be another $300,000 - $400,000 for just this school year alone.

Every year after the first year, parents can vote through the PTA to convert their Title I program from Targeted Assistance to the Schoolwide Program. This second option allows the school administration to use Title I money on programs, activities, and resources directed toward ANY student the school deems to be at risk of failing, even if they have not yet failed a Regents exam. Teachers and school staff vote separately for this conversion, but it only takes place if both groups vote to make the change.

In the past two years, parents have voted unanimously at PTA meetings to move from Targeted Assistance to the Schoolwide Program option. However, teachers have either elected not to vote or the majority have voted against the change. We are cautiously optimistic that this year’s vote will lead to MCSM finally adopting the Schoolwide Program option.
Please come to the April 8 PTA meeting and register your vote in favor of the Schoolwide Program option of Title I.

Title I Vote at April 8 PTA Meeting: Title I Parent Representatives

A second vote at the April 8 PTA meeting will be conducted to select a Parent Title I Representative and a Parent Title I Alternate. These two individuals will represent the MCSM parent community’s interests during school discussions about Title I, help plan and oversee the expenditure of parent education funds (about $8,000) that are mandated to be set aside for that purpose by the Title I legislation, represent MCSM parents at district or regional Title I meetings and information sessions, and report to parents at PTA meetings any news or information about the Title I program in general or specific to MCSM.

During the last year, Mr. Donald Redish served as MCSM’s Title I representative, with Ms. Rajinder Singh as his Alternate. Nominations will be taken at the March 11 and April 8 meetings, with the vote itself planned for April 8.

DOE Reports Building Air Quality Is Safe

At our last PTA meeting on February 12, Mr. Bernie Orlan reported to parents from MCSM and Isaac Newton Middle School that this winter’s first round of indoor air quality tests, conducted on December 22, showed no evidence of harmful chemicals in the building air.

Mr. Orlan is the Director of Environmental Health and Safety for the DOE’s Division of School Facilities. Back in November, it was determined that the time it would take for Con Edison to secure the necessary permits from the DOE central office for indoor air and soil sampling would probably not allow those tests to be conducted until the mid-winter recess. In response, Mr. Orlan committed the DOE to overseeing the performance of preliminary air quality tests during the first days of the winter recess that began on December 22. He coordinated his efforts with those of Con Edison and the NY State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) to ensure that his tests would be performed in the same locations Con Edison would do their later tests, thereby allowing successive test results to be compared to one another.

Mr. Orlan described the results of these tests to parents at the February 12 PTA meeting as “truly, truly excellent.” All the test results came back without any indicators for the chemicals associated with manufactured gas plant (MGP) contamination. One chemical indicator did show up that is not normally associated with MGP sites, so NYSDOH recommended taking a second reading in the area of the building where that reading was found. Mr. Orlan indicated that the air in this area (the Print Shop) was resampled and nothing was found. NYSDOH and NYSDEC had no issues or concerns with these test results.

Mr. Orlan’s test results were also reviewed in brief by independent consultants at the request of David Palmer of NY Lawyers for the Public Interest. NYLPI, as they are known, have been acting as advisors to the MCSM PTA on the issues related to the toxic contaminants under our school building and the plans for their removal by Con Edison. After reviewing the test data, Mr. Palmer’s consultants also indicated that they saw no evidence that the school’s indoor air quality represents a health hazard.

Con Edison has since conducted another round of indoor air quality tests as well as taking soil samples from beneath the school building (by drilling through the basement floor in selected locations). These tests were performed during the midwinter break (from February 18-22) and were completed early the following week. We are awaiting the results and report of these tests and will report on them here once they are available.

City Council Representative Viverito Speaks to Parents

The MCSM PTA welcomed Melissa Mark Viverito, City Council representative from East Harlem, as a special guest speaker at our February 12 meeting. Ms. Viverito expressed her concern regarding the toxic contaminants remediation project at our school, noting that she has visited the school several times in the past. She indicated that she will be sending a letter to Con Edison from her office in support of the PTA’s request for funding to assist the parent community in engaging independent environmental consultants.

Ms. Viverito discussed her concerns over the impact of the DOE’s recent budget cuts on the schools in her district. She and others on the City Council and State Assembly are pushing back on the Mayor and Chancellor to reduce or reverse these cuts. Ms. Viverito also addressed the issue of school closings in East Harlem/District 4; her district has had more closings this year than any other in the City. Her office is working closely with the community to ensure that no children are in fact left behind as new schools are opened. She also indicated the possibility of organizing a community forum on such school issues as closings and Mayoral control.

ASR Program Requests Parents’ Help

Ms. Charlene Chan-Lee, Program Advisor for MCSM’s Advanced Science Research program, spoke to parents at the February 12 PTA meeting. She described ASR as a three-year science research program for which students must apply at the end of their 9th grade year. Students who are accepted choose a topic for research in their first ASR year, and they must find a mentoring scientist to guide their research for the next two years.

Three students from MCSM’s ASR program received awards this year from the American Chemical Society competition. In addition, both MCSM students who participated in this year’s New York City Science and Engineering Fair have been named finalists, and all 24 students who are participating in 13 separate projects in the Young Science Achievers Program (sponsored by Alcatel/Lucent, formerly known as Bell Labs) have been fully funded and will receive mentoring from Alcatel/Lucent.

Ms. Chan-Lee presented a list of supply items and other needs that ASR faces this year, along with their estimated costs. Some of these items include foam poster boards, assorted color papers, copy paper, GBC Velo Bind System, laser printer ink cartridges, and assistance in funding transportation to Liberty Science Center, field research and observatory sites, and Alcatel/Lucent in New Jersey.

She appealed to the parents of the PTA for assistance either by donating some of the needed items (perhaps through their employers) or providing contacts and other sources for funding. She hopes to develop a fund-raising collaboration with the MCSM parent community this year and beyond. Parents who can help are encouraged to contact Ms. Chan-Lee at MCSM or anyone from the PTA Executive Board.

EXCITING NEW FEATURE FOR PARENTS!!!!

BIG NEWS!!!

As of today, you can now connect from this MCSM Parents' page directly to another Internet site that will contain information and documents of interest to all parents. By clicking on the line that says "Information for MCSM Parents" in the gray-blue box on the lower right of this screen, you will be linked directly to a Yahoo Groups site containing archives of PTA meeting minutes, documents relating to the Con Edison toxic contamination removal project, past MCSM Quality Review, Parent Survey, and School Progress Reports, and many other items as we can add them.

To download and read these documents, simply click on the Information for MCSM Parents menu choice. When the Yahoo Groups screen appears, type mcsmparent into the Yahoo ID box and 260pleasant into the Password box. Do not use any capital letters! Most likely, the next screen that appears will be the home page for a Yahoo Group called mcsm-parents. At the upper left side, click on the menu choice called Files and you will see a long list of documents we have placed there for your convenience.

We hope to make this location a one-stop shop for parents to obtain many different kinds of news and information about MCSM.

You will also note that this blue-gray section of the page includes links to other websites that may be of interest to you, from the MCSM webpage maintained by the NYC Department of Education to blog sites of parent advocates for improved public school education. Check some of them out!

Parents Invited to Join Students for Inspirational Speaker (March 4, 10:30 A.M.)

Parents are invited to join MCSM students for a special guest speaker presentation by Erik Weihenmayer on Tuesday, March 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the school auditorium. Mr. Weihenmayer is known around the world as the first blind person to climb Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain. He is also the only blind person ever to have climbed the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.

Health Corps’ Samata (Sammie) Kamireddy has been instrumental in bringing Erik Weihenmayer to MCSM to speak to the students. She has also secured several hundred copies of Mr. Weihenmayer’s memoir, “Touch the Top of the World: A Blind Man’s Journey to Climb Farther than the Eye Can See.” Many MCSM students have been reading the book in class in advance of our guest speaker’s arrival.

By all accounts, Erik Weihenmayer is an extraordinary inspirational speaker with an important message for our kids about persevering and achieving great things even against seemingly impossible odds. The back cover of his book tells part of his story:

“Mr. Weihenmayer was born with retinoscheses, a degenerative eye disorder that would leave him blind by the age of fifteen. But Erik was determined to rise above this disability and lead a fulfilling and exciting life. [In his book,] he shares the struggle to push past the limits imposed on him by his visual impairment – and by a seeing world….[H]e tells the story of his dream to climb the world’s highest peaks and how he is turning that dream into an astonishing reality – something fewer than a hundred mountaineers have done!…this is a story about daring to dream in the face of impossible odds. It is about finding courage to reach for that ultimate summit and transforming your life into something truly miraculous.”

Many thanks to Ms. Kamireddy and Health Corps for their diligent efforts in making this inspirational presentation possible. Parents who would like to read Mr. Weihenmayer’s book in advance of his talk can obtain a free copy by contacting Steve Koss at mathman180@aol.com.