HAP Newsletter 2012

JULY 5 2012

VOL 1 ISSUE 1

Welcome to HAP! The Higher Achievement Program was founded in 1964 at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, New Jersey. In the years since its inception at St. Peter’s, HAP has spread to a number of Jesuit High Schools throughout the Northeastern section of the United States. The 2012 Summer Session marks the 36th anniversary of the program at Fordham Prep.

Each morning at HAP, students take four courses designed to improve their performances on the Test For Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS): Reading, Math, English and Creative Writing. Afternoons are devoted to games, athletics and special programs.

The balance of academics in the morning and sports and activities in the afternoon is conducive to an educational environment that strives to foster the Jesuit ideal of Cura Personalis, a Latin term meaning "care for the individual." As an integral part of a vibrant Jesuit community, the Higher Achievement Program's various afternoon activities all foster the student's character development, including personal integrity, sportsmanship, and the wellness of mind and body. By the time of graduation, HAP students will not only be intellectually and physically prepared for the challenges that lay ahead in eighth grade and beyond, but they will also be well on their way to being “men for others”.

Academics JULY 5 2012

VOL1 ISSUE 1

Mathematics The Math curriculum focuses on the major topics found in many 7th and 8th grade math courses, as well as topics covered in many 9th grade programs. The goal is to help students prepare for 8th grade math and the high school entrance exam. These math topics include adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, positive and negative integers, fractions and decimals, solving algebraic equations, working with inequalities, graphing, simple geometry, percent problems, ratio and proportion, and the techniques of solving word problems. The students are tested regularly, and receive an end-of-program evaluation from the teacher.

English The curriculum offered by the HAP English Department strives to present students with a firm foundation in basic language arts skills. Beginning with a concise review of capitalization and punctuation, the program focuses on three fundamental aspects of language arts: grammar, proper usage and spelling. Student performance is assessed through worksheets, quizzes and comprehensive exams tailored to treat a variety of topics covered in the TACHS exam.

“...A FIRM FOUNDATION IN LANGUAGE ARTS SKILLS.”

“…FOCUSED ON THE KEY ELEMENTS OF QUALITY

WRITING.”

PLACE PHOTO HERE, OTHERWISE DELETE BOX

PLACE PHOTO HERE, OTHERWISE DELETE BOX

PLACE PHOTO HERE, OTHERWISE DELETE BOX

“TASKS WILL BE ASSIGNED IN CLASS,

DISCUSSED AS A GROUP, AND WORKED

ON INDIVIDUALLY.”

Academics JULY 5 2012 VOL 1 ISSUE 1

Reading

The Reading curriculum includes reviewing the elements of fiction, and reading several short stories. Each story is then analyzed and reviewed throughout the week and at the end of each week the boys are tested on the content and vocabulary.

Writing The writing workshop curriculum is designed to focus on the key elements of quality writing. Writing tasks are assigned in class, discussed as a group, and worked on individually. Students are coached on the shape and coherence of the tasks, awareness of purpose and audience, effective use of words, sentence structure, and sentence variety. Tasks may include journaling, strategies for a short story review, the descriptive paragraph, the personal narrative, poetry, the persuasive paragraph, the informational paragraph, and biographical writing.

“…DESIGNED TO FOCUS ON THE KEY

ELEMENTS OF QUALITY WRITING.”

“…EACH STORY IS

ANALYZED AND REVIEWED…”

“SPORTSMANSHIP IS A KEY ELEMENT OF

THE HAP EXPERIENCE.”

Athletics JULY 5 2012

After the morning academics, HAP students are exposed to a variety of athletic competitions. After lunch, the students take to the field for their activities. These activities include the following:

• Basketball • Dodgeball • Football (two-hand touch) • Softball • Soccer • Track and Field

Each day the students compete in two different sports. Wins and losses are recorded and standings are posted in the commons the next morning. Sportsmanship is a key element in the HAP experience and is stressed by all faculty and staff. The sports help to foster friendships, healthy competition, and physical fitness as well.

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The Faculty and Staff

Cohort 1

Mrs. Spiridoula Manessis Rams Mathematics MA, Lehman College BS, Manhattan College Fordham Prep Math Teacher 9 Years Teaching

Mr. Stephen Distinti Eagles English MA, Columbia University BA, Columbia University Fordham Prep Classics Teacher 6 Years Teaching

Mrs. Dolores Ahern Broncos Writing BS, New York University 20+ Years Teaching

Mr. Conor Anderson ‘07 Rangers Reading BA, Macauly Honors College 2 Years Teaching

Cohort 2

Mr. Al Seoage Crusaders English BS, St. John’s University 11 Years Teaching

Mrs. Claire McCarrick Cardinals Mathematics BA, SUNY Binghamton 5 Years Teaching

Mr. Jeffrey Alcoser Musketeers Reading BA, Fordham University MA, New York University 7 Years Teaching

Mrs. Joy Troiano Blue Jays Writing BA, Fordham University JD, St. John’s University 5 Years Teaching

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The Faculty and Staff

Cohort 3 Mrs. Patricia Simeone Titans Reading MA, Fordham University BA, Iona College Fordham Prep Modern Language Teacher 21 Years Teaching

Cohort 4

Mr. Dennis Gasdogas Bulldogs English BA, Lehman College Fordham Prep English Teacher 13 Years Teaching

Mr. Christopher Hemsley Lions Mathematics BA, Pace University Fordham Prep Math Teacher 5 Years Teaching

Dr. Martin Carney Hoyas Reading PhD, Fordham University MA, Fordham University BA, St. John Fisher College Fordham Prep Religious Studies Teacher 25 Years Teaching

Mr. Daniel Nolan Ramblers Writing MSEd, Fordham University MAT, Fordham University BA, Fordham University Fordham Prep History Teacher, Department Chair 25 Years Teaching

Mr. Matthew Hogan ‘01 Hawks English BA, Fordham University MA, Manhattanville College 7 Years Teaching

Mr. Cristian Pieretti ‘05 Greyhounds Mathematics BS, Fordham University MS, Columbia University 6 Years Teaching (HAP)

Mr. Paul Lauber ‘08 Wolves Writing BA, Fordham University 1 Year Teaching (HAP)

VOL 1 ISSUE 1JULY 5 2012

VOL 1 ISSUE 1JULY 5 2012

The Summer Academy

Fordham Prep is proud to say that the Higher Achievement Program is not the only summer enrichment program it offers. The Prep’s Summer

Academy, directed by Prep Modern Language teacher Mrs. Wanda Piniero, is offered to students entering the 7th grade. The Summer Academy puts emphasis on subjects such as Reading, Mathematics and English. It also provides students with educational and cultural tours of neighboring

resources such as Rose Hill, Yankee Stadium, Wave Hill, the Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden, etc. Students that attend the Academy make a two year commitment to the Prep’s summer enrichment program

by attending HAP the following summer.

Special Thanks… VOL 1 ISSUE 1JULY 5 2012

The Fordham Prep Higher Achievement Program would like to thank the following people for their support:

Fr. Kenneth Boller, S.J.

President

Mr. Robert Gomprecht ‘65 Principal

Mrs. Theresa Napoli

Assistant Principal for Academics and Student Life Director of HAP Program

Mr. Dennis Ahern ‘63 Assistant Principal

for Professional Development and Supervision

Dr. David Gelpi

Assistant Director of HAP

Mrs. Mella O’Halloran HAP Associate Director

Mr. Matthew Distefano

HAP Activities Coordinator

Mr. Erik Pramschufer ‘09 HAP Office Manager

Cater to You Food Service

Created and Edited by Anthony Canicatti ‘12 and

Jonathan Repetti