Hello High School East Community, We are off to a great start this year at High School East! Of course with the passing of each year we must say goodbye to some of the irreplaceable veterans of the field. Fortunately we manage to find the most talented educators available to step in and fill the voids. The new addi-tions to our staff are talented, eager and well prepared to continue the tradition of academic

excellence here at our school. We enthusiastically welcome the Freshman class of 2014 to High School East. The newest Thunderbirds have already contributed to making our school a better place. We encourage eve-ryone new to the school who is not involved to get involved. There are numerous clubs, activi-ties, teams and events in which to take part. We believe that High School East should be more than a place to “go to school.” Students and staff are developing creative ways to get more stu-dents involved in school activities. For example the student government gave homecoming a makeover by instituting a class competition night. The event certainly contributed to students

having fun, bonding and feeling a greater attachment to High School East. There have been many significant changes at our school over the past few years but our excel-lence in academics, athletics and the arts has remained the same. As you will see in this issue a number of students have already been recognized for their outstanding performance in these areas. This is only the beginning. High School East’s commitment to achievement is never end-

ing. As we move forward through the first part of our year remember Respect, Responsibility and

Excellence in all that you do. J. A. Woodberry Principal

A Special Message from Dr. Woodberry

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

HIGH SCHOOL EAST

PRINCIPAL’S

NEWSLETTER

October 19, 2010 Volume 1I , Issue 1

Perspectives

The Insider’s View

Page 3 A perfect ACT

score

Page 4 A life changing

event

Page 5 Attack on graffiti

Page 7 Homecoming 2010

Page 8 Competition Night

begins a new tradition

Special Thanks to Con-

tributors:

Maya Aguilar

Kendall Geed

Allyson Uttendorfer

Ben Wiley

And Photographers:

Felice Crystal

Life Touch Studio

Karishma Sahbnani has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as a Semi-Finalist. In early September, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, were notified that they qualified for this prestigious honor. They are also the highest scoring entrants in

each state. Karishma now must advance to the finalist standing in the competition by meeting rig-orous academic standards. She is well on her way as she is a dedicated student in AP, Honors, and Independent Research courses. We wish her continued success here at East

and beyond.

Congratulations to HS East National Merit Semi-finalist

Page 2 Perspectives

Accolades of Praise for Our Outstanding Scholars

Students Commended for Outstanding Performance

Fourteen students at HS East have been commended for demonstrating out-standing performance in the National

Merit Scholarship Program. They are Taha Ahmad, Jake Cohen, Scott Dunaisky, Brandon Ehrlich, Jonathan Franco, Rachel Gerber, Samuel Goldberg, Monika Hae-bich, Alexandra Nemeth, Matthew Re-panes, Steven Saltz, Derek Sekuler, Benja-

min Spiegel, and Brett Teplitz. T h e s e s t u d e n t s are among 3 4 , 0 0 0 C o m -m e n d e d S t u d e n t s throughout the nation who are being rec-ognized for their ex-c e p t i o n a l a c a d em i c p r om i s e . A l t h o u g h

they will not continue in the 2011 compe-tition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2011 competi-tion by taking the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

(PSAT/NMSQT). To convey the honor these students have received, a spokesperson for NMSC states, “Recognition of high-achieving stu-dents is essential to advancing educational excellence in our nation. As demon-strated by their outstanding performance in our highly competitive program, the young men and women named Com-mended Students represent some of the most academically talented students in our country. We sincerely hope this recogni-tion will enhance their educational oppor-tunities and encourage them in their pur-

suit of academic success.” Congratulations to all fourteen students!

National Achievement Schol-

ars Honored for Excellence

The National Achievement Scholarship Program is an academic competition es-tablished in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding Black American high school students. Students enter both the National Achievement Program and the National Merit Program by taking the

PSAT/NMSQT. HS East is proud to announce our semi-finalists Christopher Hunter and Samir H. Touhamy, featured right with Assistant

Principal Michael Bongino. About 1,600 high-scoring participants in the National Achievement Scholarship Program are designated Semifinalists and are named on a regional representation basis. They are the highest-scoring program participants in the states that constitute each region. Christopher and Samir will advance to Finalist standing in the com-petition by meeting high aca-

demic stan-dards. Fi-nalists will be announced

in January. Outstanding Partici-pants Johnathan Bacchus and Sinmidele Badero, featured below left with Assistant Principal Mi-chael Bongino and Prin-cipal Dr. Jeffery Wood-berry, are among 3,100 participants. Their ac-complishment will be

brought to the attention of about 1,500 four-year colleges and universities in the

United States. This is only the beginning for all our scholars featured in this issue. As they continue to strive for excellence in their studies and activities here at East, they can expect many more rewards to come their

way.

Outstanding ACT Achievement A special congratu-lations is extended to Yusuf Sheth, pictured below with Assistant Principal Michael Bongino, for earning a perfect score on the ACT college ad-missions and place-ment exam. Less than one-tenth of one percent of all test takers earns the top score. For example, among the high school graduating class of 2009, nearly 1.5 million graduates took the ACT. Of

that number, just 638 students earned the top score.

Volume 1I , Issue 1 Page 3

Recognition for Scholarship, Talent and Teaching

A Scholar and an Artist Julia Lerner, a talented visual artist was named one of two Long Island Scholar-Artists for the month of November. The Scholar-Artist program was estab-lished in 2007 by school and com-munity arts teachers and adminis-trators and is sponsored by the Long Island Arts Alliance. Students in music, visual arts dance, theater, and media arts are recognized for their ac-complishments by featuring their stories in Newsday. Julia’s artwork will be high-

lighted and her biography and photo will be featured in News-day during the month of Novem-ber. You may also find her work on the Long Island Arts Alliance

website. Julia is pictured below with Fine Arts Director Sal Randazzo and

her art teacher Kim Norris.

NYSSMA All State Conference Winners

HS East is proud to congratulate our fine young musicians and singers who will represent our school at the 75th Annual NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference in Rochester, New York on December 2– December 5, 2010. Thousands of stu-dents throughout the state last spring endured a rigorous audition process in

order to qualify for this honor.

Pictured right are Alexa Goetz (jazz tenor saxophone), Jackie Bakewell (jazz alto voice), Andrew Grossman (percussion), Rachel Karmel (jazz so-prano voice), Matthew Jurman (jazz bass voice) and Janet Park (violin). Not pic-tured but also winners are Zachary Zadek (jazz piano, tenor, jazz tenor voice) and Andrew Ballereau (Bb clari-

net). Each of these students will be perform-ing at the world renowned Eastman Theatre. The students will also be ac-

knowledged at our Spring Concerts.

Social Studies Teacher Honored

Congratulations to Mr. Scott Edwards for being recognized by the New York State Bar Association for his dedication to his students in the “We the People”

program. The New York State Bar Asso-ciation is responsible for the administra-tion of the “We the People” Program of

the Center for Civic Education. Courtesy of the Center for Civic Educa-tion Website (http://www.civiced.org/

index.php?page=wtp_introduction): The primary goal of “We the People”: The Citizen and the Constitution is to promote civic compe-tence and responsibility among the nation's ele-mentary and secondary students. What makes the program so success-ful is the design of its instructional program, including its innovative culminating activity. The

instructional program enhances students’ understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy. At the same time, students discover the contemporary relevance of the Constitu-

tion and Bill of Rights. The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing in which students "testify" before a panel of judges. Stu-dents demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant histori-

cal and contemporary issues. Each year high school “We the People” classes are invited to participate in the “We the People” State Hearings. Teams first testify at one of the four Regional Hearings. Top classes at the regional

level attend the state finals.

Students Give Back to the World...

Page 4 Perspectives

Nicaragua

By Maya Aguilar

This experience was one of the most life-

changing events in my life.

I arrived in Managua on July 27th after a 2 hour flight from JFK to Miami, a 7 hour lay-over in Miami and then a 2 hour flight to Ma-nagua. We traveled to Jinotega, a mountain village the same night, and eventually fell

asleep late that evening.

After a 1.5-hour trip by bus to a pueblo called San Gregorio, we dug trenches to lay pipes down. These pipes are ultimately going to be used to transport clean water to over 300 families in that area, because during the

dry season, most families only have access to dirty water. When I was there, it rained eve-ryday, so there wasn’t a water problem, espe-cially since hydropower is the main type of energy used in Jinotega. Our workday con-sisted of the following; we arrived at San Gregorio around 10:00 a.m., had lunch at 12:30 p.m. and continued to work until 2:00. These times were rarely subject to change. Sometimes a bridge that we traveled through would flood and we would have to leave early. Towards the end of the trip, work was lo-cated closer to the farms of the people in-volved in the project. Our job was to help dam the natural spring that is going to provide clean water for the families, so that the water could be used. Three days a week these fami-lies gave up time working on their farms to help us on the project; every three days they would rotate. Two brothers by the name of Gustavo and Fernando Blandon, and their friends Carmelo and Ronnie, drove the group to work, and to other various places. For the first couple of days, my whole body ached. But I guess it gets used to pick-axing and

shoveling 1-meter (3 feet) deep ditches.

The people in Jinotega had to be some of the most kind people I’ve ever met; not once did I see someone angry, or dissatisfied. They’re grateful for everything they have, and that’s a trait I hope to acquire. I admired the way children took care of each other. Men called out things like “Aye, Morena” or “Ven aqui negrita”, but I guess I got used to it, as I was the only black person on the trip. I also had to get used to children asking me for money, or asking for my leftovers at restaurants in Gra-nada. I did a home stay with a family during the 3rd week, and listened to stories that the wife told, learned how to make arroz con leche, and even watch the FIFA World Cup. Luis (the husband) said the next time I come to Jinotega, I can stay at their house. Nica-ragüenses were so eager to know how we felt about their hometown and how things are in

the U.S.A. such as:

Herman asked if it was true that NYC never

sleeps. A man by the name of Armando asked how much fruits cost when I helped hoe weeds in

his lettuce field. They asked me where certain states were. Were there trees in the city? What did our parents think about us coming

to Jinotega? Did we like the people here?

I had the opportunity to ride horses on a coffee farm, and drink the best coffee I’ve ever had in MY LIFE. I even brought some home to share with others. I milked a cow, on the same farm (que se llama Kilamanjaro). I think up there is when I had the most appreciation

for nature’s beauty… I hiked for the first time on this trip to sev-

eral places including: A cross on top of a mountain; in a rain forest (this was by far my favorite, I was maybe 50 ft from a raging waterfall, and I was drenched in water at the end); I can see why hikers feel like they’ve earned the view. With all of the hidden steps, and ladders, I enjoyed all of

the trees and plants on this hike. To a school on a mainly upward

slope I also went zip lining. During the final day the team spent in Jinotega, we had our very own kid’s Olympics, which took place in San Gregorio at the local school, though some of the fathers played at the end. We played games like tug-o-war, three legged race and potato

sack run. My job was to take care of some of the smaller children and entertain them, and I met a 3-year boy named Christían who was very sweet. I still remember his little hat and

boots. I met people from California, Holland, Ore-gon, Washington, D.C. and Connecticut. And now I finally know people that live in Manhat-tan, who are hilarious. I can’t wait to visit

them. My mother sent me on this trip so that I would hopefully have a better understanding of the world around me, and narrow down what I wanted to do with my life. I can say that I accomplished both of these things, and I enjoy helping people, and I enjoy meeting new people, and learning about their way of life. As long as I can do those two things, I’ll be happy in my future career. I’m glad I had the oppor-

tunity to see how others live.

Page 5 Volume 1I , Issue 1

And Community

Joining Together and Learning to Give

On July 16th, 2010 I, as well as a group of 25 high school students from St. Luke Lutheran Church, embarked on a trip of

a lifetime-to see New Or-leans after the devasta-t i o n o f Katrina and the Oil Spill that effected the many citizens in L o u i s i a n a ,

with 25,000 other youth. This trip was the National Youth Gathering, that oc-curs every 4 years for Lutheran churches all across the United States. This past summer, the NYG took place in New Orleans, so the youth that participated were able to not only learn about themselves, but about others and the hardships within their lives, and hopefully help one another achieve hap-piness and peace. This trip really opened my eyes to the troubles of peo-ple right within my own country. Many people always think of "third-world

countries" when we discuss troubled lives or going to help members of the world, but the truth is, within our very

own United States, there are people in desperate need of our support and assis-tance. Especially in economic times such

as these, when the country as a whole is going through tough times, its hard to think of giving to others. But truthfully, this is the time when it means the most. When we can learn to give when we have only a little ourselves, that's when we've really learned the meaning of giv-

ing with our hearts. — Contributed By Kendall Geed

Graffiti Task Force Strikes Again

On Thursday, October 7th, many students from both High School East and High School West participated in the 2nd Annual Anti-Graffiti Task Force. This task force was initiated by Suffolk County Leg-islator Steve Stern, and focuses on removing graffiti and other acts of vandalism from our community. Legislator Steve Stern believes that the Half

Hollow Hills community is worth conserving, and often asks

young people to step up and stand up to these senseless acts. Here at High School East, many students stood up to the challenge, and with the help of Legislator Steve Stern and ad-ministrative intern Ben Wiley, organized a clean up effort of a

nearby fence on Vanderbilt Parkway. Thanks to them, this fence is now graffiti free, and the community can enjoy a vandal-ism-free ride to and from the

High School. — Contributed by Ben Wiley

“This trip really opened my eyes to the troubles of people

right within my own country.”

N.A.H.S. Gives Back

High School East’s chapter of the National Art Honor Society members have been busy collecting paper prod-ucts to donate to the New Orleans Mission, a homeless shelter and soup kitchen, for those who lost their homes after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. In addition, N.A.H.S. is sponsoring Mrs. Uttendorfer, co-advisor and art teacher, to travel to New Orleans and participate in a “Woman’s Build” through Habitat for Humanity and vol-unteer her time at the shelter. The members of N.A.H.S. have already had two bake sales to raise funds for this

important cause. Members also sold bowls made from melted records to the parents who attended Back to School Night. Pro-ceeds from these rockin’ record bowls will go toward our NAHS annual scholarships. The most recent meeting was exciting and filled with artistic energy as members

created artist trading cards. The National Art Honor Society currently has the most members to date and with so many talented new and old members, it should be a creative year! Members are looking forward to building the circus themed haunted house for Safe Halloween and the upcom-ing ‘Big Top’ themed gal-

lery show. — Contributed by Allyson Uttendorfer

Page 6 Perspectives

Ancient Timekeepers “It’s 6000 BC. You’re a Neolithic tribal Star chief—the keeper of time. Through your keen power of observation, you understand the mysteries of cosmic rhythm—the pulse of the universe. Your tribe has elected to undertake the construction of a giant stone calendar which will serve as a sacred temple and meeting place as well. This will help them to organize tribal life: planting, har-vesting, and many rituals.” Thus begins

Social Studies teacher Courtney Sil-berman’s interdisciplinary lesson in which students create the base for a “stone calendar” using a polar coordi-nate blackboard and various colored blocks. While students learn impor-tant content for Global History such as social structures and beliefs of early civilizations, they also work with planetarium director Tom Affatigato to understand how ancient people determined time, seasons, and points of navigation. They literally learn

hands on how these people “measured earth” in the dawn of Geometry. Students understand that the tribal architect and builders would con-struct an amazing structure around these most important points. One such structure is Stonehenge, which took

2000 years to build. As an extension of the lesson, students spend time in the planetarium watching a

visual display of these concepts.

Order in the Court

Students learned math the judiciary way in Kellie DeRosa’s math class. Groups of students cooperated to solve problems, then sent a “lawyer” to pre-sent their “case” to the jury (class) and judge (Ms. DeRosa). Members of the jury were able to object and offer an

alternative solution.

Ms. DeRosa, dressed in a judge’s robe, carrying a large blowup anvil, kept order in the court. Students earned points and the winner won homework

passes for the group. Students gained an under-standing of courtroom proce-dures and math skills while hav-

ing fun.

Lesson in Local Politics As part of a Participation in Government unit in Mr. Frankel’s Regents Government class, students had an opportunity to hear legislator Steve Stern speak about his background and responsi-bilities as a politician in local government. Students were well prepared after conducting an independent study of a local elected official, researching a controversial issue, and studying fundamental issues and the constitution. They also prepared questions for Mr. Stern pertaining to how he got started in poli-tics and what issues in government he feels strongly about. This was an excellent opportunity for students to use their new

found knowledge to interact with their community legislator.

Students Collaborate Across the Curriculum

Page 7 Volume 1I , Issue 1

Homecoming 2010

Pep Rally kicked off the weekend with a celebration of fall teams and fun

themes from our homecoming court. Then, on Saturday, October 2, 2010, the Half Hollow Hills East Community enjoyed Homecoming festivities under a perfectly blue and sunny sky. The parade began the day with our March-ing Band, Homecoming Court, Cheer-leaders and Kickline team. Each grade level showed off their floats in prepara-

tion for the performances on the turf. At the end of the football game, stu-dents had a brief respite before gather-ing in the west gym for the first annual

Hills East Competition Night. Enjoy the photos on these pages and also many more in the Media Gallery on the HS East page of the district

website.

High School East 50 Vanderbilt Parkway Dix Hills, NY 11746

Produced by: Darlene Lilla

Assistant Principal Phone: 631-592-3128 Fax: 631-592-3121

E-mail: dlilla@hhh.k12.ny.us

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

HIGH SCHOOL EAST

PRINCIPAL’S

NEWSLETTER

High School East

Visit Our Website: www.halfhollowhills.k12.ny.us

School of Distinction New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc. (NYSPHSAA) has honored High School East with the prestigious School of Distinction award. All of the spring teams qualified for the Scholar Athlete Team Award during the 2010 spring season. Congratulations to all team players and their coaches. We are very proud of your accomplish-

ments on the field and in the classroom. Additionally, the following teams were recognized by NYSPHSAA for Sports-manship: Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse, JV Baseball, Varsity Girls’ Golf and Varsity

Boys’ Tennis.

Competition Night The first annual Homecoming Competition Night took place on Saturday evening, October 2, 2010. Students at each grade level competed in a variety of games and activities to accrue points toward the overall homecoming race to the finish. Seniors finished first with juniors right behind in second. The freshman trumped

the sophomores to finish third. Overall, the evening was a huge success and the perfect ending to an exciting and action packed day. All of us at East look forward to many more years of the Homecoming Compe-tition Night tradition. At the end of the eve-ning, happy and exhausted, students proclaimed,

“This is way better than the dance!”