January PA Meeting to Address College Financing, Military Services

The next meeting of the MCSM Parents' Association, will take place on
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 6:00 pm.

We are pleased to announce two guest speakers for the evening who will address issues related to college financing. Our first speaker will be a representative of Making It Count, an organization that sponsors presentations around the U.S. advising parents on various aspects of college financing. We hosted a Making It Count presentation two years ago at MCSM, and their program was very informative and extremely well-received by the parents in attendance.

Our second speaker will be a representative of Students or Soldiers?, an organization that advises parents on the legal issues of military recruiting on high school campuses. More relevant to our meeting on January 13, their representative has agreed to discuss the U.S. military services program to finance college education for young men and women who have entered and completed their military service commitments. As you will learn, the military service program for college financing is not so simple and clear-cut as you might think.

We look forward to seeing you there on January 13. Please join us!

PA Addresses Traffic Concerns to Local Community Board

As many of you may be aware, a new shopping complex called East River Plaza will be opening sometime in the next twelve months. This mall will provide over 500,000 square feet of retail space and parking for 1,250 cars, as well as significant truck and van traffic for store deliveries and pick-ups. The Plaza's operation will certainly change the nature and quantity of traffic around our school and the surrounding neighborhood. We can easily anticipate much more traffic on 116th Street between First Avenue and the FDR Drive, but we can also foresee substantially more traffic leaving First Avenue at 114th Street, cutting across the north side of Jefferson Park, and turning left onto Pleasant Avenue to pass by our school's front doors on the way to the mall.

On Tuesday, December 2, the MCSM Parents' Association presented a letter (see below for full text) to the chair and vice-chair of Community Board 11's Transportation Committee at their public meeting that evening. The letter expressed, among other things, the PA Board's concerns about the lack of school zone signage, marked crosswalks, and traffic controls on Pleasant Avenue between 114th and 116th Streets. It is our hope that the opening of East River Plaza will provide an opportunity for us to obtain substantial traffic control and student safety improvements from the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) as they study the area and determine the types of traffic controls they will be installing.

We received a fully supportive hearing from the CB 11 Transportation Committee, whose members promised to arrange a follow-up meeting with a representative of the mall developer, DOT, and members of the local community such as residents of 117th Street. No date has been established yet for this meeting, but we will advertise it to MCSM parents when we have a firm date. Parents who wish more information or would like to be actively involved should contact Steve Koss by email at mathman180@aol.com.

The complete text of the letter from the PA Executive Board to CB 11 follows:

December 2, 2008

Mr. Derrick Taitt
Ms. Cora Shelton
Community Board 11
1664 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10035

Dear Mr. Taitt/Ms. Shelton,

We, the Executive Board of the Manhattan Center for Science & Mathematics High School (MCSM) Parents’ Association (PA), submit this letter to the Transportation Committee of Community Board 11 on behalf of the 1,650 students of MCSM and their parents as well as the 350 students of Isaac Newton Middle School (INMS) and their parents.

As you are aware, the neighborhood in the Pleasant Avenue area of East Harlem is today largely residential. Pleasant Avenue itself begins at 114th Street, at the north end of Thomas Jefferson Park, and runs to 120th Street, terminating alongside the P.S. 206 and River East Elementary Schools. The MCSM school building is located on the east side of Pleasant Avenue between 114th and 116th Streets, where its north side faces the planned East River Plaza shopping complex directly across 116th Street. Most students enter the school building between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and leave between 3:00 and 4:00 pm. Many students who participate in after school programs such as sports and clubs do not leave until 5:30 or 6:00 pm. In addition, MCSM maintains an open campus, meaning that the majority of high school students leave the building during their lunch periods, running from approximately 11:00 am to 1:30 pm daily.

Traffic flows along 116th Street east of First Avenue are currently light to moderate, except during morning and evening rush hours when 116th Street provides a southbound exit/entrance from/onto the F.D.R. Drive. However, eventual completion of East River Plaza will likely substantially change the character and traffic flow in the entire Pleasant Avenue neighborhood from 114th to 118th Street and beyond. With over 500,000 square feet of retail space and parking for 1,250 vehicles, major change is inevitable.

We are aware that the NYC Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) has begun traffic surveys in the area, and it is our understanding from Mr. Josh Orzeck that D.O.T.’s traffic management plans will be presented for discussion at a future C.B. 11 Transportation Committee meeting. In the meantime, however, we would like to take this opportunity to express some of our major concerns and wishes related to signage and traffic flows now and once East River Plaza comes on stream, as follows:

1. At present, no yellow warning signs (such as school zone, student crossing, or slow) have been installed anywhere in the MCSM building area to indicate that drivers should reduce speed or at least be aware that children may be crossing.

2. The crosswalks in all four directions at 116th and Pleasant Avenue (both are two-way streets) have been so worn away over time as almost not to be visible.

3. The street light at 116th and Pleasant Avenue allows no Walk time when all traffic is stopped so students can cross.

4. Opening of East River Plaza will very likely lead to significant change in the traffic patterns along 114th Street (one way, eastbound) from First to Pleasant Avenues, and on Pleasant Avenue from at least 114th to 116th Streets, as northbound drivers look to “short cut” their way from 1st Avenue into the shopping center. There are no school zone or other warning signs on 114th Street, and the crosswalk at 114th Street and Pleasant Avenue (alongside Rao’s Restaurant) has been worn away nearly to invisibility. A Stop sign is in place at 114th and Pleasant Avenues, but it is routinely ignored by drivers.

5. Related to #4, there are no speed bumps or Stop signs in either the north- or southbound directions on Pleasant Avenue at 115th Street (directly across from the front door of the MCSM school building), nor are there any painted crosswalks leading from MCSM across to the beginning of 115th Street (one way, westbound).

6. We are not aware of the plans for how shoppers’ vehicles will enter and exit from East River Plaza, nor how box vans and tractor trailers will enter and exit for deliveries. These arrangements may further affect traffic flows along 116th Street and northward on Pleasant Avenue from 116th to 118th Streets and beyond in ways we cannot yet anticipate. We are also concerned that these vehicles may have a deleterious impact on air quality in a neighborhood already subject to high incidence of asthma and other respiratory conditions.

7. To whatever extent the new shopping complex includes fast food operations, students during their lunch periods may create a new pedestrian crossing of 116th Street mid-block between Pleasant Avenue and the F.D.R. Drive. This creates serious safety concerns in a high traffic, high speed area.

The items above are suggestive of our present concerns; others may arise as we obtain a better understanding of East River Plaza’s planned operation and the D.O.T.’s traffic management program.

We wish to thank the Transportation Committee of Community Board 11 in advance for its efforts and support in these matters. We ask that the Committee adopt a resolution calling for pedestrian safety initiatives and truck calming measures as part of any future development plans for East River Plaza. We also request that the MCSM/INMS parent community be notified in a timely manner when the D.O.T. finally brings the East River Plaza traffic management issue before the Committee so that the 2,000 students and their families can be represented in the discussion.

Sincerely,
Executive Board, MCSM Parents’ Association
Steve Koss, President
Deirdre Rose, Co-Vice President
Loisen Harris-Jacobs, Co-Vice President
Tara Joshua, Secretary
Nevis Almeida, Treasurer

Soccer, Volleyball Lead Fall Sports Successes

The Fall Sports season has been an eventful and successful one at MCSM. The Boys Varsity Soccer team won their Manhattan B-III division championship with an impressive 9-1-2 record. Their only loss, a 3-2 heartbreaker, came at the hands of division rival Eleanor Roosevelt after beating them earlier in the year by a 1-0 score. In the Class B playoffs, the Rams lost their own match to Campus Magnet by a final score of 2-1. Coach Peter Schmidt-Nowara’s team was led in the regular season by Juniors Joseth Leon (47 shots on goal, 8 goals, 3 assists) and Richard Bempong (34, 10, and 1) and Sophomore Mohamed Barry (35, 7, and 4) backed by the steady goal-tending of Junior Emman Kamara (85 saves, 13 goals allowed, 5 goals scored). Heavily loaded with Juniors and Sophomores, the Ram booters will certainly be front-runners next year.

On the Girls Volleyball front, Coach Brenda Jenkins led her lady diggers and spikers to an impressive 10-2 regular season record, finishing second in the Manhattan 8-B standings to George Washington HS. Both of the team’s losses came at the hands of that same George Washington team, but the Lady Rams tasted sweet revenge in the playoffs. Seeded 7th in Division B, MCSM opened with a two sets to zero victory over Campus Magnet and followed that with another 2-0 (25-18, 25-16) stomping on November 18 of their arch-rivals from George Washington, the second-seeded team in the tournament. On November 20, the Lady Rams playoff run unfortunately ended with a two sets to none (20-25, 18-25) loss to tournament third seed Benjamin Banneker.

The Girls Volleyball team was led this season by Seniors Jennifer Perez (51 aces, 82 service points, 7 assists, 5 blocks, 11 digs, 81 kills), Antoinette Nery (31 aces, 54 service points, 71 assists, 31 kills), Denae Howard (23 aces, 42 service points, 7 digs, 7 kills), Herminia Thabet (10 aces, 17 service points, 11 digs, 4 kills), Stephanie Lawrence (11 aces, 21 service points, 6 digs, 21 kills), and Venus Escobar (3 aces, 11 service points, 20 assists, 10 digs, 10 kills). Sophomores Christine Roundtree (14 aces, 20 service points, 13 digs, 37 kills) and Zi Qian Ng (26 aces, 61 service points, 11 assists, 8 digs, 6 kills) supported those six seniors in their successful season.

Congratulations are in order as well to the boys and girls who so ably represented MCSM this fall by participating on Coach Randolph Cantor’s Boys’ Bowling team (6-4 season record), Coach Mitchell Weinfeld’s Girls’ Bowling team (3-9), and Coach Luis Almanzar’s Cross Country team.

National Magazine Ranks MCSM in Top 3% of U.S. High Schools for Second Straight Year

The national magazine, U.S. News & World Report (USNWR), has just released its second annual ranking of the top U.S. high schools. For the second consecutive year, MCSM was awarded a Silver Medal, signifying its rank among the top 3% of all high schools in America. Congratulations to all the students, teachers, and staff who made this accomplishment possible; all should feel proud to be placed in such lofty company.

This year, USNWR reviewed a wide range of statistics from the 2006-2007 school year for more than 21,000 public high schools in 48 states. Their approach begins by determining whether each school's students were performing better than statistically expected for the average student in the state. The analysis also factors in the percentage of economically disadvantaged students and whether those students are performing better than average for similar students in the state before finally looking at college readiness measures such as Advanced Placement participation and test scores.

The top 100 schools are awarded Gold Medals. The next 504 schools receive Silver Medals, putting them in the nation's top 3% of public high schools according to this ranking methodology. NY State claimed 21 of the nation's 100 Gold Medal winning schools, including in NYC, Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, Staten Island Tech, and Townsend Harris.

There were 27 NY State Silver Medal winners. In addition to MCSM, other NYC Silver Medalists included Baruch College Campus HS, Eleanor Roosevelt, LaGuardia HS, Frederick Douglass Secondary School, Environmental Studies, Fashion Industries, and NEST+M.

To see more about USNWR's high school ranking, you can access their website by clicking on the following test: USNWR High School Rankings 2008/09. To see just the list of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medal winners in New York State, click on the following text: New York State Medal Winners.

MCSM Gets Its Second DOE Report Card

MCSM was awarded an overall B letter grade on its second annual report card (School Progress Report) from the DOE. While this assessment represents a decline from last year’s overall grade of A, a closer examination shows that the drop is not nearly what it seems.

DOE report cards grades are based on a 100-point numerical rating system. Once a school’s numerical rating is calculated, the score is translated into a letter grade based on a scale determined each year by the DOE. Last year, MCSM earned an overall score of 67.6, the lowest possible score to earn an A grade. This year, we achieved a total score of 63.7, which left us just one-half point short of the 64.2 minimum score for an A on this year’s conversion scale. In other words, if the DOE added pluses and minuses to its letter grades, MCSM would have earned the lowest possible A- last year and almost the highest possible B+ this year.

Furthermore, and counter-intuitively, MCSM’s latest report card actually shows gains in almost all areas. Our School Environment score increased from 6.9 to 7.0 out of a maximum possible 15 with Daily Attendance increasing from 93% to 94.2%. Our Student Performance score increased from 50% of the maximum possible (15.0 out of 30) to 56% (14 out of 25). Our Student Progess rating decreased slightly from 63.9% of the maximum possible (35.2 out of 55) to 62.9% (37.7 out of 60), but it still rated an A on the DOE’s measurement scale. MCSM actually improved in most subcategories of Student Progress compared to last year.

The biggest single reason why MCSM did not earn an A again this year was a category the DOE refers to as “Extra Credit,” a category that measures the performance of a small group of our students. Last year, we earned 10.5 extra credit points compared to just 5.0 points this year. That difference accounts for more than the drop in our Overall Score, indicating that in the rest of the categories combined, MCSM actually increased its rating score.

New Curriculum Approach to U.S. History Adopted

This year, the Social Studies Department has begun implementing a significant change to our U.S. History and Government curricula. In past years, and in most NYC public schools, students take U.S. History in Grade 11, take the NYS Regents exam in June of that same year, and then take a class in Government for one semester of Grade 12.

After a great deal of internal discussion among our U.S. History teachers and departmental and school administration, the decision was made to adopt a new approach. Under this revised curriculum, the formerly separate U.S. History (Grade 11) and Government (Grade 12) classes will be combined into a three-semester program. The new course will enable our U.S. History teachers to better integrate the material from both courses and foster deeper exploration and classroom discussion. In addition, the Social Studies Department anticipates that Regents exam pass rates (already 81% for 2006-07) will increase, particularly the percentage of students scoring greater than an 85 (what NY State calls “mastery level”). A similar program has been implemented at Brooklyn Tech with tremendous success. Their over-65 pass rate for 2006-07 was 99%, and an impressive 85% of their students scored better than 85. By comparison, only 15% of MCSM students scored better than 85 that same year.

A big change for Grade 11 students is that they will not take their U.S. History Regents exam until January of their Senior year. Each semester successfully completed will still earn one credit, with a total of three for the full course just as students now earn for the separate U.S. History and Government courses.

Ashley Farms Fall Fundraiser a "Sweet Success"

This fall’s second-ever Ashley Farms fundraiser has grossed over $5,600, more than doubling our first effort last spring. While those who purchased items from their Broadway Café product line are enjoying tasty cheesecakes, cookies, pizza rolls, and other assorted goodies during the Thanksgiving holidays, the PA and the school will benefit to the tune of more than $2,000.

Thanks to all parents, teachers, and staff who participated, especially to those parents who solicited sales from outside the MCSM community. Special thanks once again as well to PA Co-Vice President Deirdre Rose who single-handedly organized this program and coordinated with Ashley Farms to make it happen.

Independent Consultant's Report on MCSM Indoor Air Quality Tests

Our independent environmental consultant, Peter Strauss, distributed a letter report addressing the latest Con Edison indoor air tests conducted in August at the November PA meeting and summarized its findings for the parents who attended. Below is a copy of his letter report's contents.



From: Peter Strauss
Re: MCSM Testing Results
Date: November 14, 2008


I have reviewed the October sampling results, as preliminary preparation for the meeting next Tuesday. Accompanying this memo, as I did previously, is a spread sheet that I hope makes it easier for you and the community to understand. I have excluded most data on chemicals that do not have any significant result. As I did in my last memo, I’ve added columns that provide the Regional Screening Levels for air (previously preliminary remediation goals or PRGs) for three EPA Regions: III, VI, and IX, the NJ Screening Levels for residential indoor air, and the DOH outdoor air. I did this because there are no standards for most chemicals in the air; this is intended to give the Parents Association something to gauge the results. NY State uses a matrix for only a few chemicals, which considers both concentrations in air and soil gas. I have highlighted in red results that are above the approximate 50th percentile of NY DOH background indoor air samples. This does not mean it is an immediate health concern; only that approximately 50 percent of the buildings have background that is less than that measured at the sampling points.

I’ve also added a few new chemicals to the list; these are highlighted in green. The chemicals that were added are ethylbenzene, naphthalene, styrene, and TCE. I’ve added these because I think that the data is relevant to any remediation at the site. The first three chemicals may be related to MGP residual wastes, and naphthalene is often thought of as a signature for the presence of MGP wastes. I’ve also added TCE. This chemical, unrelated to MGP operations, is a solvent found in many soil and groundwater contamination sites around the country. It has recently undergone a revision in its health risks, which could lead to significant lowering of acceptable levels in the air. It may be related to the dry cleaning industry, but is found in many other types of industrial applications.

One of the problems I have had with this review is that the sample locations are labeled differently then they were previously. Based on the Figures showing the sample locations, I was not able to correspond the locations of the samples to the previous samples. Thus, I was unable to analyze any trends. Also, this is the first time I’ve reviewed the soil vapor samples side by side with the indoor samples.

As I mentioned in my previous memo to about this site, there is not an immediate hazard to health. However, levels of benzene, toluene and xylene, all of which are endemic in the environment should be continually monitored. One basement sample warrants extra attention (ia05) because almost all contaminants listed were measured at fairly high levels. The Evaluation of Results indicates that this sample was taken from an equipment storage room. It also concludes that based on soil vapor sampling in a similar area, a subsurface pathway is not likely. I agree with this conclusion, although I recommend that this room should continue to receive heightened attention. In addition, as I noted in my last memo, the HVAC system around this area should be checked to make sure it is operating properly, and consideration should be given to removing some of the equipment to out-of the room to a different location; preferably not within the school building. Soil vapor samples indicate that there is a large amount of PCE in the underlying soil. This chemical is usually related to dry cleaning establishments. This should also be followed closely, and is likely to require some type of mitigation.

Con Edison Update from November PA Meeting

At our regular Parents’ Association meeting on November 18, representatives of Con Edison presented an overview of their plans for addressing the coal tar contamination beneath our school building and grounds. Parents listened intently as the Con Ed spokespersons described the results of their August indoor air quality tests along with their plans to install a depressurization system, something like a vacuum cleaner, underneath the basement floor of the school building. This new system will reduce air pressure beneath the building and vent any chemical vapors rising from the contaminated soil away from the building and into the atmosphere. In addition, Con Edison will install a barrier system to control further movement of coal tar toward the Harlem River.

Con Edison personnel were joined by William Ottaway from the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Dawn Hettrick from the NY State Department of Health. In attendance as well were the PA’s independent environmental consultants, Lenny Siegel and Peter Strauss, and our legal representatives from NY Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), Gavin Kearney and Dawn Phillip. Bernard Orlan from the DOE, Yvonne Przybyla from State Senator Jose Serrano’s office, and Shanifah Riera from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer’s office were also present; the PA is grateful for their continued support. Mr. Siegel summarized Con Edison’s formal presentation in plain English, stating that the air quality in the school building is safe (at least no worse than that outside the building and around NYC) and that Con Edison’s approach to this project has so far been professional.

Con Edison will release their formal Analysis of Alternatives Report (AAR) in January or February, after which the public will have 30 days to comment. A public meeting will be convened during that 30-day period to receive public input and address questions. The PA will look to Mr. Siegel and Mr. Strauss for their technical evaluations of the AAR and anticipates that they will be involved in the public comment process. Copies of Con Edison’s November 18 slide presentation are available through the PA.