Finally, the time to say goodbye has come. Graduation is a very happy and exciting time for our Kindergarteners. It is a joy to see them moving up to First grade. Kindergarten students are excited to walk proudly with their cap and gowns for their friends and family to see. Congratulations KV for a wonderful year!
Every year we share in Kindergarten, the process of how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. Our students really enjoy coming every morning and seeing how the caterpillar grows, creates a cocoon and then turns into a beautiful butterfly. Once we observed this process, the butterflies were released outside to explore the world around them.
In May we began to prepare for the Jog-A-Thon. Kindergarten made sure they brought in their labels. We went to Astoria park to jog. KV had a great time jogging and raising money for our school.
In March, Kindergarten participated in the Annual Academic Fair. Our theme was on the family. Students had a wonderful time putting together family trees, special dishes and sharing family customs and culture.
In February, we visited Queens College and enjoyed watching the musical Suessical. This trip was in celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The musical was based on Dr. Seuss’ famous story “Horton Hears a Who?”
It has been a pleasure assisting your child in the college preparation process over the last several months. I understand that this process can be overwhelming for the child and the parent. As such, I would like to provide you with a brief report on what we have covered in Junior Seminar – to date. In addition, I have included a list of tasks that your child should accomplish this summer in preparation for their transition into college.JUNIOR SEMINAR REPORT
– Students have taken a Career Exploration Assessment – a tool to help students identify and explore various occupations and to develop effective strategies to realize their career goals. Students have also completed a “My College Options” survey that has provided results on schools that have matched student profiles.
– Students have taken the March or May SAT I, or are planning to take the June SAT I – Reasoning Test.
– Students have created a COLLEGE BOARD account (administers of the PSAT & SAT) that allows students to create personal profiles and explore various schools that match their preferences. Students are able to research schools throughout the nation and determine if schools offer programs of study that are of interest to them. This resource also provides students with key information on admission facts and requirements. Students are also able to register for SATs and view score reports via this website. Website: collegeboard.com
– Students have created a FASTWEB account (scholarship search engine) that allows students to set-up a personal profile and receive scholarship opportunity updates that match their profile. Website: Fastweb.com
– Students have received information on various schools (NYC, NYS, and out-of -state schools) and Summer Institutes that college/universities offer.
– The City University of New York (CUNY) and the State University of New York (SUNY) have sent representatives to speak – to our juniors – on the various schools and programs offered at CUNY & SUNY.
– Students had the opportunity to visit NYACK College (Rockland Campus) in April. Students were informed of the programs of study offered at NYACK College and were given a tour of the campus. In addition, students attended a Financial Aid Seminar that addressed the types of Financial Aid available and how/when to apply.
– Students interested in the Culinary Arts visited the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
Our graduating class of 2008 is prepared to begin their new adventure. I am excited to share with you that 100% of our seniors will be going on to college. Twenty percent (20%) of our seniors will be attending Christian colleges. Some of the schools that our students will be attending are: Binghamton University, Hunter College, Eastern University, Long Island University, Manhattan College, New York University, Nyack College, Oral Roberts University, Pensacola Christian College, St. John’s University, etc. I trust that our students will be the “Salt and the Light” on their campuses. Please pray that the Lord will guard their hearts, strengthen their frame, and encourage them through this endeavor.
Our journey through the World of Psychology continued as we studied the topics of Learning, Memory and Thinking and Language. As we toured the city of “Learning” students learned of the difference between Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning. Students explored the role of Pavlov and Skinner, their experiments, and the significance of these experiments in understanding “learning”.
As we explored the topics of reinforcements (+ and -) and punishment, it was interesting to hear student views on reinforcement and punishment. In fact, students had the opportunity to express their views in two ways. First, students wrote a brief editorial supporting either rewards or punishment (or a combination of the two) as a means of influencing behavior. Second, students assumed the role of Principal of their own school and created a classroom policy for their school – including reasons for implementing such policies.Following our tour of the city of “Learning”, we entered the city of “Memory”.
Our time touring this city will always be a “memorable” experience for our students. Students learned of the types of memory, the processes of memory, and the stages of memory. They also explored strategies that can aid in memorization. Finally, students were informed of the levels of forgetting including more severe cases (i.e. amnesia). Classroom activities used to reinforce theoretical concepts are always fun. Students had the opportunity to recall and share childhood memories. Students also tested their memory through various memory tests (who’s missing, classroom mix-up, false memories, eyewitness, common cents, simon says, college shopping at Staples). One of my favorite moments was when Sir William Shakespeare invited our class to the Globe Theatre to perform his very own work – Shakespearean Sonnets. Students were challenged to memorize Shakespearean Sonnets and perform them in groups – props and all – before the “Lords” and “Ladies” at the historic Globe Theatre (aka C202). All group performances were phenomenal! Our culminating trip was horseback riding at Sweet Hills Riding Center. Students “psychologically bonded” with their horses. What an adventure!
Although our journey through the World of Psychology has come to an end, I trust that the memories created in C202 will last for a lifetime.
For 15 weeks, 14 high school future scrap bookers gathered for 80 minutes to crop and chat. Each girl had the opportunity to create an “All About Me” book in an expandable fabric album. They were able to use various scrapbooking tools and were taught several techniques to embellish their album. They learned that a scrapbook is a wonderful way to preserve and share their most cherished photographs. I truly enjoyed sharing my favorite hobby with these precious girls.
This May was the annual ACSI Art Festival. Two students from each class were entered ranging from Kindergarten to Twelfth grade. The students did an excellent job. This year I was accompanied by three of the high school students. Yujin Kim and Jennifer Wong in 12th grade and Juliana Apollus in 11th grade. They had a lot of fun interacting with students at North Stonington Academy, whose school also goes up through high school. The following students entered the contest this year: 12th – Jennifer Wong, Yujin Kim; 11th – Juliana Apollus; 10th – Samantha Vargas; 9th – Ashleey Grey; 8th – Eva Popolis, Alexi Arceo; 7th – Jaylin Diaz, Nyasia Anderson; 6th – Natalie Barbosa; 5th – Alessa barbosa; 4th – Dean Cuadrado, Nicholas Reyes; 3rd – Ruth Snape; 2nd – Jaylene Ramirez; 1st – Brian Poonai, Natalie Feitosa; K – Sarah Gallardo, Christian Pascal.