Schools

School Notebook: Latin Students at the Met, Art Workshop, Young Chefs and More

A round up of Garden City school news.

Terrific Young Chefs: This fall, Mrs. Caruthers’ and Mrs. Sorace’s seventh grade Italian students cooked a sumptuous Italian meal at A La Carte, a cooking school in Lynbrook. Owner Polly Talbott welcomed the students and explained the importance of cleanliness while cooking. She discussed each recipe the students would be cooking and its Italian region origins. After being divided into five groups, students in Station A cooked a country-style minestra (soup), students in station B cooked gnocchi al pomodoro (potato dumplings in tomato sauce), students in station C cooked polenta (corn flour) served with broccoli rabe, group D cooked chicken piccata (chicken with lemon juice and broth) and group E made the famous Italian tiramisù dessert.

The students learned there are two different accounts of why the dish is named "tiramisu." The name "tiramisu" translates into "pick me up," referring to the two caffeinated ingredients that are present in the dish - espresso and cocoa. A second account refers to the idea that the dessert is so good it makes the taster swoon, and therefore, must be "picked up!"

It was a pleasure to see all the students work so well together. There was real teamwork as they read the recipes carefully and took turns sautéing the chicken, making the gnocchi (potato dumplings), stirring the soup and the sauce and also whipping the milk and eggs for the dessert. The aroma from each station was incredible and we all worked up a great appetite. The students were even complimented by the staff at A La Carte for being so diligent about cleaning up their stations!

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When all the food was ready, it was placed on beautiful serving platters and the students set the tables and brought all the platters to the tables. Everything was just deliziosissimo! It was a wonderful hands-on experience for the students and we all agreed it was a culinary delight!

(Editor's Note: This was submitted by seventh grade Italian teacher Mariangela Sorace.)

Stewart School Students Progress in Spanish: In December, Stewart students of FLES teachers Mrs. Gutiérrez and Mrs. Cornachio were well entrenched in their thematic learning. The second graders successfully completed a unit on learning numbers from zero to 20 and the names of the people in the family. They have been able to recognize the words for family members and are now familiar with the sounds and cadence of their new language. Third grade students are continuing to learn the Spanish words for parts of the body and how to express what is bothering them when they aren’t feeling well. After learning the names for the rooms of the house, and writing an original paragraph about their home, fourth graders learned household objects common in their homes and in the homes of Spanish speakers in other parts of the world. They played games standing in rooms of the house portrayed on a floor mat, and talked about where they were in the house in Spanish. Students in Mrs. Gilman's fourth grade class are shown here displaying the essays they wrote with accompanying drawing of their homes.

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Finally, fifth grade students completed a thematic unit on shopping focusing on specialty shops that are found in their community, and the similarities and differences in the types of shops found in Hispanic countries. They ended their unit by pairing up with classmates and creating and performing an original skit. The students enjoyed this activity very much because it put into practice their newly-learned vocabulary.

For the holidays, students practiced the Spanish lyrics to some of their favorite seasonal songs, such as “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman.” All of the elementary students have progressed tremendously since they arrived back at school this fall, and are truly gaining a sense of a second language, as well as the pride of learning associated with it.  

(Editor's Note: This was submitted by FLES teacher April Cornachio.)

Cablevision Honors High School’s Miracle Club: Cablevision’s Charity Champions program recently honored Garden City High School’s Miracle Club by awarding its members $500 to spur their fundraising efforts on behalf of the MIRACLE Foundation. The Miracle Club’s senior co-presidents, Kim Combatti, Rich D’Angelo, Bethany DeStefano, and freshman coordinator Bobby Menges, gratefully accepted an oversized check from Cablevision Regional Education Manager Coordinator Lisa-Ann Weisbrod.

At the event, Sen. Kemp Hannon, whose daughters are former members of the Miracle Club, praised the high school students’ long-standing commitment to helping those less fortunate. Hannon also honored MIRACLE Foundation co-founder Patti Tenaglia for creating an organization that “has had such a positive impact on so many people in our community.”

Ms. Weisbrod presented an additional gift of $1,000 to Ms. Tenaglia to support the foundation. “With amazing spirit and dedication, the Miracle Club students continue to make a worthwhile difference in the lives of children who most need their support.”

“Miracle Club members are passionate about what we do,” said Rich D’Angelo.  “The money we raise helps support the Back in the Game physical rehabilitation program for kids with cancer, fund a Childcare Life Specialist position at Winthrop Hospital, and contributes to cutting-edge research.”

Bethany DeStefano added, “We’re kids ourselves, so we realize how important it is to help other kids who are battling cancer every day. Most of members feel compelled and honored to help.”

Cablevision has long been a supporter of education through its Power to Learn program. As part of its Charity Champions program, Cablevision will award an additional $5,000 to the participating high school that raises the most money for its chosen not-for-profit organization by the end of the school year. 

(Editor's Note: This was submitted by Nancy Fleming, Garden City High School teacher and Miracle Club advisor.)

Latin Students at the Met: Latin students of Magistrae Fabrizio and McCawley recently visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City where they viewed some wonderful objects in the Greek and Roman galleries. Student favorites included translating Roman tomb inscriptions featured in the exhibit, and seeing the Etruscan chariot, the Pompeian rooms and wall paintings, coins and gladiator items, gold jewelry and the Roman temple rescued from the flooding dam waters of Egypt. Students posed for a group photo in front of the Temple of Dendur, built by Rome's first emperor, Augustus, over 600 miles south of Alexandria. Ms. Cardilicchia, Italian teacher and chaperone, was equally amazed at the beauty and variety of world-renowned ancient works so accessible to the students of Garden City. A spring trip to the Metropolitan is planned for Latin students from levels III and IV-Advanced Placement.
 
(Editor's Note: This was submitted by Latin teacher Linda Fabrizio.)

Theatre Arts Students Participate in Artist-in-Residence Workshop: In December, high school students in Laura Rebecca’s Theatre Arts classes participated in an Improv/Clown workshop with Holly Adams.

“Ms. Adams led the students through numerous exercises that focused on movement and physical theater, using traditional commedia and clowning techniques,” explained Ms. Rebecca. “Ms. Adams' work links academic and arts curricula, as well as addressing social and cultural challenges. Holly taught in Connecticut's ‘Fame School,’ the Greater Hartford Academy of Performing Arts, and has been an artist-in-residence for 15 years for NYSCA's Empire State Partnership programs.

"She has taught at colleges, performing arts schools, and K-12 schools across the state, including conducting several previous workshops at Garden City High School. Holly has given professional development workshops in conjunction with NYS Alliance for Arts Education, NYS Council on the Arts, the Community Arts Partnership, NYS Theatre Education Association, and various theater companies, as well as being Assistant Director and Director of the Performance Department of the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier. Holly is a graduate of the Dell 'Arte School of Physical Theater, and holds a Masters degree in theatre, education, and social change. She is also the 2009 recipient of the ATA’s Teaching Artist of the Year Award.”

Kids Helping Kids: There was all manner of fun activities in the high school gymnasium for the costumed children who attended the Andy Club’s fall fundraising carnival. District children and their parents attended the event held prior to Halloween. Andy Club members manned booths with various games and a wide array of yummy treats for the children to purchase.

“All in all,” commented Andy Club advisor and high school health and physical education teacher Jennifer Pomponio-Soper, “we raised $1,800 for the cancer center for kids at Winthrop Hospital. We combined the fall festival money with the money we raised at the spring carnival for a total donation of $2,300.”

Leaders Meet to Discuss the Future of World Languages: In December, Peter Giacalone, Garden City Public Schools’ coordinator of World Languages and vice president of FLACS (Foreign Language Association of Chair people and Supervisors), along with other FLACS board members met with State Sen. John J. Flanagan to discuss various topics of concern and how current changes within the State Education Department are affecting World Languages in the public school setting.

“It was a pleasure to have an open discussion with State Sen. Flanagan. He truly believes in the importance of learning a World Language so our students are well prepared for the global workplace,” Giacalone said.

Business Students Learn About Corporate Social Responsibility: Garden City High School business teacher Gene Rochler, along with students in his College Business Management class, attended a lecture at Adelphi University by Kenneth Chenault, J.D., chairman of the board and CEO of American Express. The topic of “Corporate Social Responsibility” was part of a series at the University sponsored by the Hagedorn Lecture Series.

Attendee Paige Miller, a senior at the high school, commented, “At the time of the lecture, we were learning about the topic of corporate social responsibility. Mr. Chenault hit the nail right on the head the way that he was speaking at this lecture - he was very professional, but also relatable, to the young men and women in the audience. Growing up with a grandfather who has been in the banking and business world for quite some time, I have learned to be very grateful for the opportunities I've had to meet such successful people. Especially in today’s age, we (teenagers) do not realize how lucky we are to meet some of the people we do - especially people like Mr. Chenault. Hearing from a man who has worked for American Express for 30 years, and worked his way up to the top was inspiring and extremely influential. All in all, the lecture made me realize just how hard you have to work to achieve your dreams, and how important it is to enjoy what you are doing.”

Michael Debold, also a senior at the high school, was equally impressed. “I personally believe the speech was very informative, it provided a lot of information, not only about Mr. Chenault’s personal experiences, but he also talked a lot about the idea of being ethical in business, a point I thought was appropriate to express in these times. I learned a lot about the idea of being ethical, and I hope other people did, too. I truly enjoyed the speech and I am even more interested in business then before.”

GCHS Names Prudential Spirit of Community Awards: Congratulations to juniors Marie Cristoforo and Andrew Quigley for being named Garden City High School’s 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community Award winners. The annual award recognizes students who have exhibited outstanding community service and qualifies them for state honoree awards held early next year.

Marie and Andrew submitted 900-word essays explaining their recent community service. Principal Cuttitta selected the two students’ works from submissions of “a lot of great essays!” Andrew’s essay explained his Eagle Scout project, organizing and successfully holding a Quad Rugby benefit at the high school that raised moire than $2,100. Marie’s essay explained how she raised more than $10,000 for Autism Speaks in the past few years. “I really love writing about special education and community service. My family’s situation has inspired me to become more involved with special needs programs,” she said.

High School HOPE Students Volunteer at Bird Sanctuary: In November, student members of Garden City High School’s HOPE (Hands on Protecting the Environment) Club and other volunteers helped out with the pre-winter clean-up at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary. They shoveled mulch around young saplings planted last spring and removed weeds to keep the plants healthy through the winter. They also removed seasonal bulbs, to be stored through the winter then replanted, so they won't freeze in the cold. By the time they were finished, the bird sanctuary was fully prepared to close for the winter.

The HOPE club would like to thank all those who have contributed, by donations or volunteer work, and hopes that next spring can be the start of an even greater season for the Bird Sanctuary!

(Editor's Note: This was submitted by Dan McElroy.)


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