Weekly Update

Ice Skating

January 14, 2009 – Four teachers, my assistant principal, and myself accompanied a group of students from our school’s Inquiry Team (students are chosen from the bottom third to receive extra intervention with the hope that these strategies will increase the level of performance of the kids, and become infused into every classroom) to Rockefeller Center to ice-skate after school. It was a wonderful experience. As soon as we exited the subway station, several students begin to comment on the demographics…. Several noting they were the only black and Hispanics in site. This is critical to note, as many people believe every part of NYC to be a great melting pot.

Once we were on the ice, the students and adults had a blast. (To Lambda Chi brothers reading this – I am proud to report I did not fall once!) It was extremely comical to watch the students, as they started out scared to leave the wall slowly navigate to the ice. In addition, it was funny that when I did almost bite the ice, I grabbed a student to prevent myself from falling – the student held me up – then requested extra credit on the final.

Final Exam

In NYC, high schools end the semester February 2, 2009. Thus, our school just started administering our final exams. (We start early as each teacher must administer a final and the students must take the State Regent’s Examinations) In fact, I administered my final examination yesterday to my classes. (I have a stack of test and papers to grade – anyone want to help me?) As you might imagine, my exam was said to be too hard --- but I am preparing them for college – so they had better get use to it (Standards shifted when they got Mr. Cooper)

Asia Society

I went to the Asia Society last night with a friend. We had a lot of fun! I definitely recommend everyone visit the one in his or her locales. http://www.asiasociety.org/