Inside CSI

Travel Opportunity and Scholarship

2011-04-08T23:27:00.004-04:00

Hey CSIHS students. Check out this awesome trip to the Arctic that the organization Students On Ice provides. They have just posted that they will be offering full scholarships for the trip (worth almost $10,000), so all of you adventurers should apply. When I was a senior at CSIHSIS I spent a few days applying and getting some recommendation letters from teachers and just with that effort I was able to travel to the Antarctic in the winter of 2009. The trip was not only fun I got the chance to meet students from around the world and make my resume look polished.
Heres the info:

STUDENTS ON ICE SCHOLARSHIP
Dreaming of polar bears, rocky shores, whales, fiords, mountains and glaciers?

Passionate about environmental issues and polar science?

Driven to affect positive and meaningful change in your community?

We have an incredible opportunity for you!

Students on Ice is proud to offer several fully funded scholarships for our upcoming Arctic Youth Expedition from July 27-August 7, 2011.

This expedition represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for youth to expand their knowledge about the circumpolar world, and to gain a global perspective of the Arctic, its wonders, and its present and future challenges.

Please see below for specific information about each scholarship, including: criteria; application forms; and deadlines to apply. If you do not meet the criteria for the following scholarships, please contact our Participant Coordinator, Niki Trudeau, to learn more about other scholarships, bursaries, grants and the SOI Fundraising Toolkit. More scholarship opportunities will be uploaded to this page over the coming weeks. Please check back frequently!

We are very grateful for our various partnerships and the generous supporters of SOI. Without them, we would not be able to offer you these scholarships! However, scholarships are not the only way to participate on our expeditions. We encourage all students to continue to raise their expedition fees through fundraising and community support.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All students must have a passport to travel on this expedition. Scholarship applicants should begin the passport application process NOW! If you are unsure of how to apply for a passport, check out this link.

Don’t hesitate to contact our office, should you have any questions:

Niki Trudeau, Participant Coordinator
Email: apply@studentsonice.com
Telephone: 1-819-827-3300
Toll-Free: 1-866-336-6423

For More Info Visit: studentsonice.com
Application Info: www.studentsonice.com/index.php?content=friends

Application Forms: http://studentsonice.com/documents/College-University_Student_Application_Form_2011-2012.pdf

INTRODUCING OUR COLLEGE SUMMIT PEER LEADERS!!

2010-09-27T20:15:00.004-04:00

Check out our senior peer leaders and how they use video to tell the story of their College Summit experience this past summer. These students will use what they learned this summer to help their peers and our underclassmen get involved in the college process and be college ready!!!!

IGNITE YOUR LIGHT!! MAKE SURE YOU SHINE!!! YOU HAVE POSSIBILITIES!!!!

SUMMER FRESHMAN ACADEMY

2010-08-19T18:54:00.006-04:00

Groups of freshman academy students were assigned to decorate a cake that represented our school's graduate profile. Our group's cake was original. We tried symbolize the graduate profile as much as we could.

The gummy bears around the figure of the earth mean that we are all together as a family no matter our race or religion, trying to help the world as much as we can in helping our communities and our global society.

The peace sign also shows goodwill and care towards the planet earth and its people as well our hope for peace.

The math equation represents the math we do in high school as well as skillfully and creatively facing and solving each problem.

CSI'14 is the year us freshman graduate too(:

All of us had a great time in the freshman academy; no one wanted to leave and we all became such close friends!

by Clarissa Bernardo

CSI Heads for the Summit!

2010-07-29T08:10:00.014-04:00

As a feature of our new partnership with College Summit, an organization that partners with schools to help strengthen the college going culture so that all students graduate career and college ready, this week twenty five rising seniors headed to Yale University where they participated in a four day residential workshop. At the workshop, while experiencing a college envioronment, our students continued their college searches and got a head start on the application process as they worked with Writing Coaches on their personal statements. These students were also trained as peer leaders. As peer leaders, along with their senior adviosrs who will also participate in professional development this summer, these students will lead the way and inspire their peers to persevere through the college process. As they work with their peers as well as with freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, they will be instrumental in helping to reinforce the college going culture we have worked hard to create.

We are very excited about our new partnership with College Summit. To find out more about how to support this program so that we can bring it to our 9th-11th graders as well, please contact our school.

Why I Love CSI High School

2010-07-27T12:32:00.001-04:00

A picture is worth a thousand words! Check out this video statement by one of our students:

Why I love CSIHSIS - Future Now NYC from Sean Fisher on Vimeo.

Human Rights Issues Inspire Senior Film Trailers

2010-07-26T09:53:00.011-04:00

For their Comparative Government Through Film course, to inform and educate others about pressing and urgent human rights issues, through their Human Rights Trailer Production Project CSI High School seniors created original film trailers. As part of this project students researched the political history of a nation and produced a trailer for a film exploring the impact of a modern problem on the people of the nation. Films were screened in classes as well as at our orientation for incoming freshman and exhibited at Asia Society's Partnership for Global Learning and International Studies Schools Conference in early July. View some of our students' best work and learn more about what is going on in our world!

Unique Leadership Lessons for CSI High School Senior

2010-07-25T10:10:00.005-04:00

CSI High School rising senior Jessica Mallozzi was chosen among hundreds of candidates to be one of the five Bank of America Student Leaders from New York City to pariticpate in a Leadership Summit. This summer along with students from across the country Jessica has the unique opportunity to learn about and continue her community activism while collaborating with business and political leaders as well as peers from New York and throughout the country. Read more about Jessica's experience: http://www.silive.com/westshore/index.ssf/2010/07/a_lesson_in_leadership_for_bul.html

Interview with Don Proffit

2010-06-06T18:32:00.002-04:00

On June 3rd, Mr. Proffit stopped by to interview the students who worked and are still working on the "Change for Climate" project that started as a result of the Senior Capstone project. The information relevant to the efforts is mentioned in the video. Enjoy!!!!

Change for Climate from Donald Proffit on Vimeo.

VOTE FOR CSIHISIS!

2010-04-27T08:24:00.008-04:00

We need your help!

Vote for CSI High School for International Studies!

Your vote can help us reach our goal of winning $20,000.00. Tell your friends and family to VOTE for CSI!!!! Let's show the world the power of a small group of DRAGONS!!!!

Cut and paste the link below into your browser! It only takes a minute!

http://www.care2.com/schoolcontest/3608/338/?refer=24969.01.1272321158.121078

CSI/McCown Dragons top McKee/S.I. Tech 14-12 in Girls' Softball

2010-04-13T21:22:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, April 12, 2010, the CSI/McCown Dragons topped McKee/S.I. Tech in girls' softball. CSI sophomore Antoinette Galbo went 4 for 4 and had six RBI and scored twice to lead CSI/McCown over McKee/Staten Island Tech 14-12 in PSAL softball action in New Springville. CSI Junior Katherine Kelly had three hits and three RBI and scored twice and excelled behind the plate, while CSI sophomore Jamie Lepard contributed three hits, two RBI and a run and Danielle Kearney provided three runs and stole two bases for the Dragons (1-3 PSAL). CSI freshman Ally Conanan picked up the win.

Our girls played hard, played well and really looked like a team out there. It was great to see them work as team and support one another. It was also wonderful to see all our parents there supporting our team! Many thanks to their coach, Rosario Miano, who inspires them to achieve at high levels both on and off the field.

GO DRAGONS!!!

Counting Down--The CSIHSIS Annual Poetry Slam is Coming!!!!

2010-04-13T19:42:00.010-04:00

To celebrate National Poetry Month our sophomore students have begun their original poetry portfolios. To honor their work and to engage them in spoken word poetry and oral delivery of poetry today they began their work with guest performance poet and teaching artist Lamont "Napalm" Dixon. Lamont will be working with all sophomore English classes for a week long residency that will culminate in our Annual Poetry Slam, featuring the work of our sophomore poets, our percussionists and all other members of our community who would like to participate, including teachers, parents, and students. We look forward to our students' performances and hope that former slam winners Darlene Akanmu ('10) and Priscilla Torres ('11) will once again captivate us with their poetry.

NAPALM", aka Lamont Dixon, http://www.napalmdabomb.com/index.html is a regular on the jazz-poetry scene. He infuses jazz, hip hop, blues, and drama with his performances and workshops.A Philadelphian, Napalm trained at Freedom Theater and the Phila. Univ. of the Arts, as well as a tenure with Temple U.'s Full Circle Improvisational Troupe. Napalm's poetry has been published in African Voices, The Phylaxis, New Poet's Revolution and Essence Magazine. _He is a recipient of the Phylaxis Society's Excellence in Literature Award and John G. Lewis Medal of Excellence for Art. Napalm is a teaching artist for Perkins Center for the Arts, the NJ & PA State Council for the Arts, and Rutgers and Rowan University.Napalm appears on African Rhythm Tongues with jazz musicians Khan Jamal and Byard Lancaster, Po-Jazz Connection with Arpeggio Jazz ensemble and others.He also served as co-executive producer for the Russell Simmon's 2001 Def Poetry Jam Tour in Philadelphia. In the past our students have loved working with Lamont and look back at it as a highlight of their sophomore year. We are confident that this year will be no exception.

Looking forward to having you and your family join us at our

Annual Poetry Slam!

Wednesday, April 28th at 6:00 PM

CSIHSIS IN THE NEWS!

2010-04-08T10:39:00.005-04:00

Check out our Dragon Drum Circle in the Staten Island Advance!

htthttp://www.silive.com/westshore/index.ssf/2010/04/catch_the_beat_in_new_springvi.html

My first drum circle experience was with the school last year.
I took percussion freshman year and went to the community drum circle. I liked it a lot, and this year, I got to work as a facilitator for the circle."
Drums are a universal language of communication.
Every culture uses its own specific kind of drums. We're in the process of trying to acquire Japanese Taiko drums to add to our arsenal.
If you are interested in helping our school raise the funds to purchase Taiko drums, please contact us!
Catch the beat! Join us at our next Drum Circle!

DRAGON DRUMMERS LEAD COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLE!

2010-03-27T10:27:00.006-04:00

On March 25, 2010 CSI High School Dragon Drummers facilitated a Community Drum Circle for members of our school and our local community. This gave our students an opportunity to put the leadership skills they have learned into practice while sharing the drum circle experience with the Staten Island community. Through the drum circle experience students also educated community members about the various types of drums and other instruments that our part of our percussion ensemble while raising money to enable us to purchase Japanese Taiko drums. Many thanks to our wonderful student facilitators and to their teacher, Ms. Melissa Packowski, for providing the community with this experience.

CSI High School Drum Circle

MARCH MADNESS AT CSIHSIS!

2010-03-24T12:56:00.012-04:00

CSI Students with Carole Perry at our First Annual Career Day
March has been an amazingly busy month for teacher and student learning and for celebrations of achievement at CSIHSIS. Today we celebrated more than 100 students who had outstanding academic achievement at an Honors Breakfast. These students were each encouraged to "pay it forward" by adopting a buddy that they can help so that at our next honors breakfast, we can celebrate 200 students!

After breakfast, our entire junior class headed off to the Bodies Museum, where they are continuing their learning for their various science classes including Forensics and Chemistry. Tomorrow night students are hosting a Community Drum Circle. Come with family and friends to experience a drum circle, have fun, and help us raise funds to purchase Taiko drums for our Percussion Ensemble. Our students and teachers participating in our Swiss Exchange Program depart for Switzerland tomorrow evening.

Looking back, the month began with our sophomore students participating in the Jewish Heritage Museum Lipper Internship Program. Interns visited our school and engaged students in lessons about the roots of discrimination, prejudice, anti-semitism, and genocide. Students then visited the Jewish Heritage Museum to continue their learning. The experience concluded with museum interns returning to their classes to debrief the experience.

The weekend of March 12th marked our second annual Senior Trip. Forty five seniors went to Honors Haven in Ellenville, New York. The weekend included tennis, basketball, rollerskating with Mr. Canale, a scavenger hunt, an indoor winter carnival, Karaoke, dancing, and more. A great time was had by all!!!!

Students who are part of the Impact Broadway program saw Fela and participated in the Broadway League Seminar at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. At the Seminar students learned about the various career opportunities in the theatre and entertainment industry.

This month, thanks to the hard work of our School Leadership Team, we hosted our first Annual Career Day for juniors and seniors. The day began with an advisory workshop and continued with an inspirational message from Dr. Jerald Jones-Woolfolk, Vice President of Student Affairs at College of Staten Island. Each student then participated in a series of three workshops, based on careers of their choice. They day concluded with students creating career maps and writing thank-you notes to the person that most inspired them. Presenters included: John Ross of MetLife; Matt Signore, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Warner Music Group; Dan Ferraro, Analyst at Warner Music; Laura Margiotta, Special Events Coordinator at Warner Music Group; Chris Signore, Manager of Digital Sales and Marketing at Warner Music Group; Adam Wandy, Director at Warner Music Group; David Sassano, Executive Assistant at Warner Music Group; Thomas Wilson, Physical Therapist; Carole Perry Parker for careers in radio, Vienna Profeta, Senior Vice President of the Eger Foundation (fundraising, marketing, and public relations); Bill Reich, Principal Sales Consultant for Oracle Corportation -an information technology professional; Vincent Gagliardo, Emergency Medical Technician FDNY; Vincent Arcello, firefighter-FDNY; Sara Lupin, Paramedic-FDNY; Professor Diedre Armitage, Director of Fieldwork-CSI on careers in education; Dr. Anthony Barone, Neonatologist; Joseph Battista, President of J&B Plumbing Company on careers in the plumbing and heating trade; Diana Brobmann, Senior Executive, Rights Representation, Advertising & Merchandise Licensing; David Businelli, architecht, owner and founder of Visions of Space; Lisa Donovan, attorney, Corporation Counsel, NYC Law Department; Michelle O'Brien, Spa Owner of the Grotto Spa; Elaine O'Keeffe, Auditor/CPA, Price Waterhouse; Amy Padnani and Tevah Platt, journalists at the Staten Island Advance; Daniel Mammaro, air traffic controller; Lauren MacDuffie, occupational therapist; Charles LaGanga, Managing Director/Marketing for Direct Access Partners-Tading on the floor of the NYS stock exchange; Jisu Kim, interpreter/translator; David Giampola, Chef at the Waldorf Astoria; Paige Frothingham, Health Educator at Staten Island University Hospital; David Frey, Assistant District Attorney Richmond County; Tony Rho, Natural Resources Manager for the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation; Robin Dublin, Executive Direcotr of the Greenbelt Conservancy-Enivronmental Educator and Recreation Specialist; Leah Ferencz, Speech Pathologist; Denise Taylor, retired Police Officer; Lorraine Marin, Police Officer; Vinny Marino, Radio; A Lifestyle Not A Job; and Ron Mannaice, business owner Yearbook Innovation, Inc. on owning and operating a small business.

While juniors and seniors enjoyed Career Day, our freshman and sophomore classes continued their science learning as they experienced the Museum of Natural History and the Liberty Science Center. During this month we also had very successful and informative Student Led Conferences, during which students spoke with their parents about their learning, their goals, their strengths and weaknesses, and showed them work from each of their classes. The folowing day we had very productive parent-teacher conferences providing parents with the opportunity to conference with their childs' teachers.

While all this was taking place, teachers participated in Japanese Lesson Study; an ongoing process in which teachers work collaboratively to plan lessons, observe one another teach the lesson, provide fedback, and revise the lesson. This was part of our Inquiry Team work to help strengthen students' inferencing skills.

We are all looking forward to Spring break and coming back to school well rested and rejuvenated for our April Poetry Slam and for our PTA Chinese Auction on April 24th. We look forward to your participation in these events.

WRITE ON! $3000 GRANT RECEIVED FOR INSPIRING STUDENTS TO WRITE

2010-03-06T11:14:00.004-05:00

Each year the College Board recognizes exceptional teachers of grades 6 through 12 for the innovative methods they use to develop their students' writing skills. Grants of $3,000 each will be awarded to teachers who are doing an inspiring job of teaching their students to write and who will benefit most from a grant to enhance a successful project.

The award was named for Bob Costas, the Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and author, for his dedication to the craft of writing and his generous public service work on behalf of the National Commission on Writing.

Recipients of the 2010 Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing
Middle States Region Nancy Kaplan of the College of Staten Island High School for International Studies in Staten Island, N.Y., teaches journalism and English. Her students collaborate with student-writers from other nations to produce an international report on topics including the war in Iraq, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and teen life in various cultures.

Western Region
Eric Gutierrez, a history teacher at Whitney High School in Cerritos, Calif., uses blogging to encourage his seventh-grade history students to organize and articulate their ideas about historical and current events. Posting their work online gives added incentive, he said, for students to improve their critical thinking and writing skills.

Southwest Region
Lynne Dozier of Klein Forest High School in Houston sponsors the student art and literature anthology called the Aquilas Stilus, which means “the eagle’s pen” in Latin. The student publication is in its 17th year, and manuscripts are chosen in order to reflect the diverse voices and creative talents across the high school.

Midwest Region
Keri Grady of Saint Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland, Ohio, teaches multimedia journalism and assigns her students a variety of stories chronicling life at their school and in their community. Students write and produce stories to educate their audience and illustrate their perspective on contemporary issues.

New England Region
Patricia Pflaumer of Abington High School in Abington, Mass., leads an effort called Students Write to Be Heard, or SW2BH. The goal she sets for her students is for them to have written work published during the school year, whether in a literary magazine, school newspaper or writing conference or contest.

Southern Region
Gabriel Ortiz, education program director at Oasis Middle School in Bradenton, Fla., leads two major projects in the Writing Workshop at Oasis: a school book and a theatre production. The school book, Seen but Not Heard, allows students to share personal stories and serves as a mentor text for other children.

CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE TIGER WITH NENGAJO!

2010-03-06T08:30:00.004-05:00

Nengajo is an important tradition in Japan. It refers to the New Year’s greeting cards that people write in December to relatives, co-workers and friends, and that are delivered altogether on January 1st in the entire country. They usually include the customary greeting, a well as a representation of the animal of the year according to the Chinese Zodiac.

Every year the National Council of Japanese Language Teachers organizes a Nengajo design contest in which hundreds of students studying Japanese participate. This year, thanks to our Japanese teacher Natalia Higashide and the talents of our students taking Japanese, our school had the pleasure of being among the schools that received an award from the NCJLT. Special congratulations to MELANY YUIN for this honorable recognition! We also congratualte all our students who participated in this Japanese tradition. See the beautiful cards they created displayed on the second floor in our school!

CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE TIGER!

Sophomores to Participate in Museum of Jewish Heritage Partnership Program

2010-02-23T11:50:00.008-05:00

Thanks to a grant from the Gruss Lipper Foundation, CSIHSIS sophomores will particpate in The Lipper Intern School Partnership Program. This program provides the opportunity for public schools to have a Museum Intern enhance their students' curriculum with a three-part introductory Holocaust/genocide education program. On March 3, 2010, museum interns will conduct a pre-visit session in our students Global History classes. Then on March 10, 2010 the interns will guide our students through the Museum where they will learn first hand from museum exhibitions. Their museum visit will be followed up with a post-visit session in the classroom.

This program will extend our students' classroom learning about the Holocaust and other genocides throughout history. Through experiential learning they will learn about how prejudice and racism are taught and can lead to genocide. We are most excited to be one of the schools chosen as a Lipper Intern Partner School.

The cost of admission, transportation, and workbooks is covered by a generous grant from the Gruss Lipper Foundation.

DRAGONS INDOOR TRACK SUCCESS!

2010-02-22T10:35:00.003-05:00

During witner break our school's indoor track team competed in the PSAL Staten Island Championship. Junior Justin Castro and sophomore Megan Davis became our team's first championship finalists finishing in the top eight in the 300 meter run and 55 meter dash respectively. Junior Shivanna Duncan, freshman Angela Guarino, and freshman Diana Estrada teamed with Davis to form the girl's 800 meter relay that set a new school record. Sophomore Samantha Bruno earned a new personal record in the 55 while freshmen Joseph Rodriguez and Patrick Bonoan and senior Shawn Cybulska set new personal records in the 300 meter run. Congratualtions to all of our athletes and many thanks to Coach Cosentino for all of his hard work and dedication to our team!!!

GO DRAGONS!

CSIM Dragons Wrestling Profiled in SI Advance

2010-02-12T09:56:00.005-05:00

After a successful inaugural year, as a PSAL wrestling program, our Dragons were the subject of a Staten Island Advance feature story in the Shore Section. The CSIM Dragons finished 8-1 this season, good enough for a 2nd place finish in the developmental division of New York City.

Please visit our website - DRAGONS WRESTLING - to see latest updates, information on joining, and to order team apparel.

Read the SI Advance Article - CLICK HERE

Expanding Global Awareness

2010-02-06T11:00:00.014-05:00

To expand their own awareness about the plight of child soldiers, this month during independent reading our junior advisories have chosen to read A Long Way Gone, Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Baeh. Ishmael's memoir is an account of his life as a child soldier in Africa. Join them in learning more about this pressing issue and in what you can do to help rescue child soldiers. As they read this stunning first hand account, they will be designing a service learning project to help rescue child soldiers and to educate our school and local communities by creating awareness about this growing problem.

The Kaplan Advisory is reading Three Cups of Tea and, through tea sales and penny collections, participating in the Pennies for Peace Project. Pennies for Peace is an international service-learning program with tens of thousands of participants around the globe. Pennies for Peace empowers communities through education in Pakistan and Afghanistan by helping to build schools in those countries! Did you know that while a penny is virtually worthless in the United States, in impoverished countries a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy?

Join the Kaplan Advisory in reading The #1 New York Times Bestseller Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace, One School At A Time, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Read about the remarkable journey that led Greg Mortenson, Central Asia Institute co-founder, from a failed attempt to climb Pakistan’s K2 to successfully establish dozens of schools, and promote girls’ education in rural Afghanistan and Pakistan. Visit www.threecupsoftea.com for more information.

Digital Storytelling CRAZE!

2010-02-05T10:38:00.003-05:00

Our 10th grade 21st Century Communications class dove into their creative sides to tackle storytelling. Our classes completed a variety of projects, ranging from "All About Me", to "Family History", and "Going Green" and "Climate Change".

Here is a link to our STUDENT BLOG page. You can see individual student websites by clicking a student name. On their site, feel free to watch their digital stories.

Want a lesson in family history? Check out Andrea Puno's project using Google Maps or Amanda Perdoma's FAMILY ROOTS story. Want to know about Matt Prevosti's family? Well, listen to his DIGITAL STORY RAP!

Want a lesson in Climate Change? Then be sure to look at Jamie Miller's Climate Story.

All of our students did a fantastic job in Semester 1. Be sure to look them all over. The only question now will be if this Semesters batch of sophomores can match the level!

CSIHSIS Students Support Haitian Relief Effort!

2010-01-22T13:57:00.010-05:00

In the spirit of supporting fellow human beings in need, this week, thanks to the efforts of students who performed in our Annual Winter Concert, CSIHSIS raised $250.00 to support the rescue and relief effort in Haiti, which was recently devastated by a 7.0 magnatude earthquake as well as by sizeable after shocks. Students decided to donate the monies raised to Unicef to support children who have been revaged by the earthquakes in Haiti.

Dragon Wrestling moves to 4-0!

2010-01-08T13:43:00.003-05:00

The CSIM Dragons have moved into first place in their PSAL division with a recent win over Frederick Douglas Academy HS in Brooklyn. The team won its fourth consecutive match 54-24. Sophomore Steven Urcinolli had a first period win to help lead the way!

Come down and support the team in their quest for 1st place! Next home matches are:

Saturday, 1/6 at 11:00 am vs. Erasmus Hall HS
Wednesday, 1/20 at 4:30 pm vs. New Dorp HS

VOYAGE TO THE ANTARCTIC!

2009-12-24T09:36:00.011-05:00

Follow senior students Aleksandra Makowska and Simit Christian as they journey to Argentina to prepare for their voyage to the Antarctic. Aleksandra and Simit were selected to represent Staten Island along with scholarship students selected from the other boroughs as well as students from other countries. Accompanying them will be scientists from the Students on Ice Expedition http://www.studentsonice.com/as they explore and learn about this region of the world,learn how environmental change is adversely affecting it, and gain a new respect for our precious environment. We are most grateful to Senator Charles Schumer, http://schumer.senate.gov/, a long time supporter of public education, for recognizing how the College of Staten Island High School for International Studies mission aligns with the mission of Students on Ice and for selecting students from our school to take part in this incredible, once in a lifetime learning experience as they represent Staten Island.

Simit and Aleksandra will be departing on December 26th and will be sharing their experiences with us via this blog and the Students on Ice tracking site http://www.studentsonice.com/antarctic2009/index.html! The entire CSIHSIS community wishes them an exciting voyage and cannot wait to share in their learning as they experience the Antarctic.

FRESHMAN JOIN IN THE GIVING!

2009-12-15T22:10:00.006-05:00

Today our entire freshman class joined in the giving by participating in what is now a CSI High School of International Studies tradition established by our inaugural class; they completed The Giving Project. After weeks of working together with other students from their advisory groups, our freshman students visited elementary schools across Staten Island to read multi-cultural stories to first, second, and third grade students and to teach them a lesson they collaborated to create based on their chosen story. The Giving Project has become a special part of our school's culture and is is the first service learning project our freshman students complete. Upon returning to school students reflected on their roles as group members, their experience at the elementary school, and their learning as well as celebrated their completion of the project.

Read what our students have to say as they reflect on their experiences with the project. Learn about their accomplishments during this service learning activity, what they liked about The Giving Porject, what they learned about themselves as they completed the project and more!!

Congratulations to all our freshman on this reaching this freshman milestone!!!!

CSIHSIS STUDENTS VISIT THE NYSE!

2009-12-15T19:33:00.006-05:00

On Thursday, December 10, 2009, thanks to Charlie LaGanga, a new friend to CSIHSIS, senior Susan Yacca, juniors Teddy Thompson and Talon Turner, Global Finance teacher Lilliana Vendra, and I had an incredible learning experience visiting the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. There we spoke with the governors of the Exchange, spoke with traders and specialists, learned about their jobs and their training, and were able to ask questions about the Stock Market and careers associated with it.

We also learned the Charlie LaGanga is an extraordinary person who brings people together and believes strongly in giving back to the community, especially when the community is the young people who are our future. Mr. LaGanga spoke one on one with our students explaining that he came from modest beginnings and was fortunate in his life. He built a 38-year career at Drexel Burnham Lambert before becoming one of five partners to start Direct Access Partners, a Manhattan trading firm. To express his thanks for his good fortune, Charlie helps others and encourages young people to do the same.

For his endeavors, in business and in charity, Charlie LaGanga has been recognized as an Ellis Island Medal of Honor winner and was also nominated for the New York Post's Lifetime Achievement Liberty Award.

We are thankful to Mr. LaGanga for providing us with this opportunity and look forward to continuing to develop our relationship and to having him as a guest at our school. Thanks for giving of yourself to our students and our school! We all had a wonderful day, were inspired by you, and learned a lot!

CHECK OUT THE JEROME PARKER CAMPUS LIBRARY!

2009-12-15T12:56:00.008-05:00

Visit the Jerome Parker Campus Library website:

http://library.nycenet.edu/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home

Find links that can help you with class projects, homework, and studying. Check our online catalogue.

If you are intersted in helping or donating to our library, please contact our school. You can hlep by donating a book, a magazine subscription, a newspaper subscription, printer paper, or by sending a check to the school so that we can purchase much needed supplies including a book truck, a paperback book rack, a label maker, etc. We appreciate any and all donations!

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! THE INTERNATIONAL INSIDER ON THE WEB!

2009-12-13T12:53:00.003-05:00

After four months of solid, hard work I am proud to say that our award winning school newspaper, The International Insider, has its own website with all the stories you read in the paper plus more! Visit http://theinternationalinsider.com/ to get the latest in news and weather as well as to listen to pod casts, participate in polls, and to read more on stories featured in the paper! This is an interactive site that asks for your feedback! Please let us know what you think about the site as well as providing feedback on the articles and other stories.

Many thanks to the all The Insider staff and their faculty adviser, Nancy Kaplan, for making this happen! Special thanks to junior, Sean Fisher who worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality! We know this is yet another step forward in the evolution of our paper and another first for our school!

Freshman Class Participates in "Addiction and Pride"

2009-12-08T20:05:00.008-05:00

Thanks to the generosity of Rick Mueller and Pride Not Prejudice http://www.pridenotprejudice.org/index2.html, today our freshman class learned about alcohol and drug use and addiction, domestic violence, teen suicide, and parental abuse. Using the art of theatre to address these issues that affect teenagers, our students were able to learn and engage in frank conversations.

Addiction and Pride

Part One: The Alcoholic
A one man, one act play: how alcohol destroys a life. The presenter chronicles his life with many characters, including himself, at different ages, using different voices and costumes. It clearly shows the insidious effects of alcohol and drugs in high school. Our students were captured by the humor and intensity of this saga, while seeing truly the effects of alcohol.

Part Two: A Wild Night

Through drama students learned how alcohol and drugs create monsters that show their fangs at will. With prom approaching, the effects of drug abuse and alcoholism impact the lives of eight students, each in a different way. An unemployed father brutalizes his valedictorian son, who protects him to the bitter end. A drug dealer abuses his spaced out girlfriend and victimizes another student. Two alcohol related suicide attempts relay the “true power of drugs and alcohol.” In an attempt to humiliate the school gossip, Lorelei, four students head to the prom but . . . (you have to ask someone who saw the show what happens!!!!)

Part Three: Questions and Answers

After the presenter briefly discussed his sober life, during a guided workshop, students asked questions of the characters as well as specific questions about the topics broached, which included drugs and alcohol, teen suicide, domestic violence, parental abuse and just curiosity about the subject matter.

Please share your feedback, somethings you learned, and some advice you would like to give to your peers!

CSIHSIS Heads to Memphis!

2009-12-02T20:41:00.006-05:00

Today, thanks to the IMPACT BROADWAY (http://www.impactbroadway.com/) grant that we are fortunate to be a part of, 36 students experienced the musical Memphis, met with the cast for a question and answer session, and dined at Planet Hollywood along with students from other high schools representing their boroughs.

Memphis is musical about the birth of rock & roll in the turbulent 1950s. The show features music and lyrics by David Bryan, a founding member of the rock band Bon Jovi,. Featuring an original score that mixes gospel, rhythm & blues, and early rock ‘n’ roll stylings with a contemporary sensibility, Memphis follows the fictionalized life story of Huey Calhoon, a young, white radio disc jockey growing up in Memphis, Tennessee in the 1950’s. Fueled by the music he hears in the black bars on Beale Street, Huey’s on-air antics and unstoppable enthusiasm for “race records” creates a new white audience for African-American music. Then he falls in love with a beautiful black singer, and his personal life transcends the race line, too, with grave consequences.

Memphis received rave reviews from our students and the teacher and parent chaperons, who totally enjoyed the fabulous singing, the lyrics and music, the dancing, and the great story line as they learned a little about the history of music in our country as well as about race relations, the dangers of prejudice and racism, and, more importantly about acceptance! Read on to hear what we have to share about our experience, to see what we learned about this time in history, and to learn about how experiencing Broadway has impacted us!

2009-10 Preview of the CSI/McCown Boys' Basketball Team

2009-11-26T13:32:00.003-05:00

2009-10 CSI/McCown boys' basketball preview
Daniel O'Leary, November 24, 2009 8:19 p.m.

Amir Archer, a junior, returns as CSI-M's top offensive player. - (Photo by SILive.com user yankeepacker)HEAD COACH: Ray Palma, second season ASSISTANT COACHES: Eliot Wilson, Brian Linner, Frank Allende LAST SEASON: Overall: 4-16. PSAL: 1-13
PROBABLE STARTERS G Haywoode Yatco (5-3, So.) G Joseph Ojo (5-8, Fr.) G Christopher Frank (6-1, So.) F Amir Archer (6-4, Jr.) F Quamaine Tomlin (6-5, So.)
KEY RETURNEES Archer, now a junior, averaged 12 points per game and is back bigger and stronger according to Palma. "He has really developed," said Palma. "He led us in scoring last year and we're looking for him to be able to move away from the basket a little this year and rebound and initiate our fast break." Frank moves off the ball after handling the point last season. "He had to play point guard out of necessity last year, but this year, he'll be unleashed," said the coach. "He has free reign and we need him to be aggressive." Talon Turner, a junior guard with experience, will likely come off the bench.

TOP NEWCOMERS Palma is excited about a quartet of new arrivals. Tomlin is a transfer from Moore Catholic, Yatco takes over at point guard and freshmen Ojo and Brandon O'Keefe will contribute. "To have two big guys like Quamaine and Amir playing alongside one another can be a big advantage," said Palma. "But they have to complement each other and they can't crowd each other. If they do that, we can be a special team." Yatco opted not to play last year but is a "pure point guard" and will run the show. "I'll put him up against anybody," said Palma, who expects both freshmen to make an immediate impact as well as soph guard Schwartzen Jarmon.
2010 OUTLOOK "I think we are going to be competitive this year and that's why I'm excited about this team," said Palma. "Obviously every year the goal is to make the PSAL playoffs. Whether that is a reachable goal remains to be seen. I'd guess we're probably going to lose some games we should win and win some games we should lose."

Surowiec's Advisory Interviews Volunteer Organization in Argentina

2009-11-25T13:31:00.005-05:00

Our Advisory (Ms. Surowiec’s Advisory) is organizing a Movie Night to raise money for an organization in Argentina that helps kids that live in the poorest areas of Buenos Aires. As a result, we interviewed the organization through Skype. We wanted to share with you some of the information we learned about the organization.

LIFE is an organization located in Argentina. It was officially established eight and a half years ago to help the most disadvantaged children in Buenos Aires. However, the founder has been helping the children of Buenos Aires for about twenty years already. There are many people volunteering for the organization.

LIFE has many goals. Two goals mentioned during the interview were: to work in the poorest areas of Buenos Aires and to form a school support program.
Life runs an after school program. There the kids do homework and must complete worksheets before going to play. During the work and fun activities they have snacks. They play board games and a variety of sports.

LIFE also tries to run different events for the children, such as Kids Day and a Christmas party. Their Christmas party is a major upcoming event run by LIFE. The organization takes 300 to 400 to a park for a day of planned activities. As you know, it is summer in Argentina. LIFE provides lunch and presents if they can afford to.

LIFE does not receive any support from a government. Nonetheless, there are many fundraisers held. Many of them are held here in the United States.
LIFE hopes to expand in five years. They would like a few steady and paid employees, a larger office, and a steady funding. They hope to establish a school support program by then.

Our help would go to help organize the Christmas Party for the kids and hopefully to presents that would include school supplies. We hope the students of CSI and their families can support us in our efforts. The organization and we appreciate all the help.

It is also a great opportunity for students of CSI to volunteer for the organization in Argentina one day.

WARNER MUSIC GROUP EXECS HOST CSIHSIS STUDENTS

2009-11-24T16:46:00.008-05:00

Today, thanks to our Principal for a Day, WMG Chief Financial Officer Matt Signore, twenty three CSIHSIS freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors visited Warner Music Group for a round table and lunch with executives from the music business. Students were able to learn first hand about a variety of careers, what employers look for when they are hiring new employees, how school can impact your career, and how WMG is making efforts to go green and sharing their knowledge with others.

Many thanks to Melissa Leitman and PENCIL for helping to arrange this partnership for our school and for the new opportunities it is creating for our students. A special thank you to David Sassano for all his work behind the scenes in organizing today and to Matt Signore for being passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people, and to the WMG team we met today for sharing their passion for what they do and their experiences with us. We look forward to our continued partnership.

Read our students' reflections on a wonderful day!

A Senior Reflects on Her College Experience

2009-11-23T13:37:00.005-05:00

It's simply amazing how one's life can change in a matter of minutes. Coming out of middle school, I cannot deny, I wasn't the brightest crayon in the crayon box. I wasn't like the color gray, dull and boring, yet I wasn't macaroni and cheese orange, outgoing and different. As I opened the manila colored envelope I received in my previous school, St. Ann's school in Dongan Hills, my heart thumped louder than the tin man's could in the Wizard Of Oz. Notice the irony. Being a laid-back student with no aspiration to try my best, opening this letter would have been nothing out of the ordinary; probably a rejection letter with a million, “I'm sorry, you have not been accepted” lines in the first paragraph. Fortunately, for me, this time was different. “Congratulations, you have been accepted into CSI High School for International Studies.” With mouth wide open, I knew my life was about to change in a majority of ways. Not only was I going to ditch the snobby girls that flocked the hallways of terror, I knew that somehow my karma had been reversed, and that I was about to ride the biggest roller coaster I ever could.
I remember walking into the doors at the old CSIHSIS campus and seeing Mrs. Horowitz's heels and saying to myself, “Who is this fashionista persona working at my school? Maybe she wants to be a fashion designer too!” Well hey Marissa, that's your principal. And no, I don't think she's standing outside your school to be a fashion designer.
However, this reminiscence of my first year is not why I am writing this right now. In fact, I'm posting here to describe two of the many opportunities in which my school has helped me to achieve.
Linked with the College of Staten Island, our school is able to provide grants to their students, helping them to receive college credit for their chosen path. My chosen paths are fine arts, and fashion design, and in my junior year, I was able to take an Intro to Painting course at the College of Staten Island. Here, I was able to broaden my painting talents, and open my eyes to a new form of painting- oil. Feeling the smooth lining of a new brush, then smelling the oils being sucked into the coarse bristles never felt so real. This is one of the many opportunities I will never forget doing, and I know that if I am the next Van Gogh, that our school is definitely going in the credits.
Secondly, I was able to take an Intro to Sculpture class. This class, much different then the painting course, has helped me to redefine the meaning of sculpture. Never had I used plaster before, and carving was something eye- opening. Moreover, my ending piece could have passed for a Isamu Noguchi. Hey- it's okay to dream! However, my sculpture did come out very well, and now sits in the College of Staten Island Gallery. In total, for both of these courses, I have received four college credits. Starting January 2010, I will be taking the Intermediate Painting course, for which I will receive three credits.
Our school provides their kids with so many opportunities. So take full advantage of them. If you love something, don't let anyone stop you. It doesn't hurt to take a class that will benefit your future- remember that.
by Marissa Mule, Class of 2010

Blended Poetry Based on One Survivor Remembers

2009-11-22T20:09:00.015-05:00

Junior students in Ms. Emerson's advisory created blended poems by responding to several excerpts on imagination from the film One Survivor Remembers and from Gerda Weissman Kleins's memoir All But My Life. Gerda Weissmann Klein is a Holocaust survivor who has dedicated her life to fighting the problem of hunger. Klein "shows every day of her life that not even the worst of tragedy can beat the best of the human spirit."

To create their blended poems students highlighted passages from the excerpts that spoke to them. The poems consist of one line by Gerda Weissman Klein, then one line by the student, back and forth. It was incredibly moving to hear the students and their teacher share their poems so I posted a few here to share with our entire community.

Growing Up

by Devan LaBarbera and Gerda Weissman Klein

I remember it was fort of the most incredible thing that reality

of being at grandma's with the whole family for sauce.

It became very important and this is how you passes the hours and forgot the hunger.

Father and mother daughter dances brought me close to them.

I started looking through a photo album

and remembered the surprise trip to Disney.

Comfortingly the past was unwinding before me; my wonderful childhood

the times I'd play video games with by brother and my boy cousins,

remembering the past using these fragments to weave dreams for the future.

I plan to graduate college and become successful.

I lay down on my bed and looked up at the blue ceiling,

these thoughts were a wonderful escape from the present.

In My Life

by Clarisse Concepcion and Gerda Weissman Klein

Weave dreams for the future.

Live a successful life.

Across pictures that have been taken during the summer,

travel to places I've dreamed of.

No present existed.

Be accepted into the college of my choice.

The reality which I had always taken for granted.

Spending time with friends during winter break

now became a distant memory.

Attending my cousin's wedding and eating Belgian waffles with whipped cream and fruit.

You could occupy your mind and hang your thoughts on trivia of that nature;

That is how you pass the hours.

I dreamed of the future

by Raven Fakoya and Gerda Weissman Klein

I dreamed of the future

to become a sports agent.

Playing with the fragments of my dreams

being able to donate fifty thousand dollars a year to a charity.

Using these fragments to weave dreams of the future

of going to Harvard Law

But full of lovely memories from which to draw strength

Like the day I was no longer an only child

I remember it was sort of the most incredible thing that the reality which I had always taken for granted now became the most remote family,

like the very first time I went to Nigeria.

But full of lovely memories from which to draw strength

I dream of the future.

Memories from the Past, Dreams of the Future

by Breanna Pizzolo and Gerda Weissman Klein

I remember it was sort of the most incredible thing

going skiing with my family.

These thoughts were a wonderful escape from the present,

thinking about going on vacations; crusises and Disney.

Idly, I started looking through a photograph album,

seeing the photographs from Italy and Costa Rica,

playing with the fragments of my dreams;

I dream to become successful in life and in my career.

At night I dreamed of the future.

And for the future, I deramed of becoming a speech pathologist.

Using the fragments to weave dreams for the future,

I hope it is as successful and as happy as my past.

Before and After

by Meghan Emerson and Gerda Weissman Klein

I pretended just for a little bit

to live a long, happy, and healthy life with them.

The most remote fantasy,

When Allen proposed marriage in the sky

The past was unwinding before me

All the wonderful birthday parties my mom planned for me.

But full of lovely memories from which to draw strength

like playing board games with my family six months before my mom died.

I spun dreams of our reunion at home

om my wedding day.

It was a wonderful escape

to occupy my mind.

November CSI High School Happenings!

2009-11-21T16:23:00.018-05:00

Two senior students, Aleksandra Makowska and Simit Christian, win full scholarship to participate in Students on Ice expedition to the Antarctic! They will begin their trip in Argentina, where they will board the boat to the Antarctic. We can't wait for them to be able to share their learning with the rest of our community!!!

In preparation for a service learning project in which students in Ms. Surowiec's sophomore advisory will work to educate others about a group of children in Buenos Aires, Argentina so that they can raise money to help them, students had a Skype interview and conversation with leaders of the organization in Buenos Aires.

Students in our International Journalism program recently participated in the JEA Convention held in Washington, DC. At the convention students met and interviewed Bob Woodward, had breakfast with a professional journalist, and visited the Newseum. They also learned new strategies to raise funds for our paper as well as how to improve layout. They recently shared these strategies with their fellow journalists at a press conference.

Thanks to our Principal for a Day, Matt Signore, the Chief Financial Officer of Warner Music Group, we have a newly established partnership with WMG. As part of this partnership, Matt spent a day at our school in October. He spoke with students in Economics, Journalism, Global Technology, and our College Now Communications classes about the entertainment industry and the music business as well as with a group of student representatives to learn how WMG could help our school. As a result of this conversation, twenty-five students will visit WMG to participate in a career seminar and lunch with WMG executives.

Student members of Impact Broadway will shortly be seeing their second in a series of shows. The group of about forty students has already seen In the Heights and will be seeing Memphis and participating in a post-show workshop with actors from the play.

Sophomore students in Ms. Kerwin's Living Environment class are taking a trip to Central Park to meet and work with an environmentalist.

A host of representatives from colleges throughout the country have been visiting our school to speak with interested seniors. Additionally, Ms. Pastena hosted a College Information Night for junior and senior parents and their students. The college search and application process were discussed, a financial aid expert explained the FAFSA form and how to fill out, and an expert on college admissions testing explained the differences between SATs and ACTs as well as SAT subject tests, how to prepare for these tests, when it is advisable to take them, and more.

World renowned Singaporean international lawyer and environmentalist Simon Tay will hold a press conference with CSI High School for International Studies journalism students as well as a round table with interested faculty and students.

Juniors in Ms. Mangiero's United States History and Advanced Placement US Hisotry worked with Fullbright Scholars from Global Classrooms to understand diverse perspectives on human rights issues in South Africa and during the revolution in Egypt.

Our November PTA Meeting featured a presentation by our SPARK counselor, Hattie Slaughter along with a speaker on high school students and sexuality, how to talk to your children about sex, how to help them to protect themselves, and the rampant spread of sexually transmitted diseases on Staten Island.

Congratulations!!! You Go To An "A" School!!!

2009-11-21T15:29:00.005-05:00

On its first report card released by the Department of Education earlier this week, College of Staten Island High School for International Studies earned a grade of "A". In fact, thanks to the hard work of our faculty and staff, the strong home-school connection we have established, and the hard work, creativity, and persistence of our students, we earned one of the top "A" grades in the city. This is something for all members of our community to celebrate and to continue to strive for. We are hopeful that the "A" grade will become a longstanding CSI High School tradition!

In explaining how the "A" grade was earned, Ms. Horowitz told The Staten Island Advance,

"The teachers in this building are really concerned about the kids and make every effort to have good relationships with kids and their parents to make sure they are doing well, and, when they're not, they intervene quickly," she said. "We also engage kids in reflecting on their own learning and what they've learned about themselves as a learner and setting goals."
To read the article in its enirety:
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1258462811324920.xml&coll=1
To read the follow up article:
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1258722909283600.xml&coll=1
Faculty, staff, students, and parents are very proud of this wonderful accomplishment and are already working hard towards earning another "A" for the 2009-2010 school year.

Kaplan & Miano World Literature Goes Socratic!

2009-11-20T13:34:00.009-05:00

D Block World Literature class participated in a Socratic Seminar based on their reading of The Story of A Shipwrecked Sailor, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, A Socratic Seminar is a class discussion that is generated by student created analysis questions. The discussion is led by students with the teachers serving as a mere facilitator. Check out our video!

OPEN SCHOOL WEEK! VISIT YOUR CHILD'S CLASSES! SHARE IN THEIR LEARNING!

2009-11-03T17:35:00.004-05:00

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING OPEN SCHOOL WEEK

NOVEMBER 16, 2009 - NOVEMBER 20, 2009

We invite parents/guardians to join us in celebrating open school week. This is the time to reinforce the family-school relationship that facilitates the dynamic partnership that is necessary to ensure the educational success of each student. You will have the opportunity to obtain a realistic picture of your child’s school day while experiencing the day to day activities that occur here at CSI High School for International Studies. You will have the unique opportunity of sharing in your child's learning and learning about the content and skills s/he is learning while here at school. We look forward to welcoming you and having you participate in our school according to the schedule below.

To help with the number of visitors on any given day we are assigning each grade two days to choose from during the week of November 16, 2009-November 20, 2009.

Monday, November 16 – 10th and 11th grade visitors
Tuesday, November 17 – 9th and 12th grade visitors
Wednesday, November 18 – 10th grade visitors
Thursday, November 19 – 9th and 11th grade visitors
Friday, November 20 – 11th and12th grade visitors

Please come prepared with your child's program card filled out along with the room numbers to ensure that your visit goes smoothly. Your child can help you with this. Please try to arrive for the beginning of a class so that you are not interrupting instruction. We welcome you to spend all or part of the day at school in your child's classes.

Please also have a picture ID available upon entering the school building.

CSIHSIS Student Testimony at the Secretary General's High Summit on Climate Change

2009-11-02T10:09:00.003-05:00

Excellency,

You might have heard about global warming, melting ice and polar bears reaching extinction. However, climate change is so much more! It is about the floods that wreck homes and lives, the droughts that force farmers to abandon their heritage, the rising sea levels that make entire nations UNINHABITABLE. From personal experiences I can assure you that climate change impacts families. Mine in India has become a victim to malaria, lack of agricultural resources, and usable water.

WHO WILL BE NEXT?

MY RELATIVES? FRIENDS? PEOPLE IN YOUR NATION?

IS WANTING WATER TO DRINK, FOOD FOR SURVIVAL AND A HEALTHY LIFE TOO MUCH TO ASK?

Think about the youths around the world and your own children.
Do not consider taking action against Climate Change a sacrifice. Think of the cultures and creatures you will PRESERVE, the jobs you will CREATE, the innovations you will PROMOTE and most importantly the lives and planet you will SECURE, all by enforcing policies that reduce our footprint on the environment.
You have gathered here to talk, and you will again in Copenhagen, but WHAT HAPPENS AFTER?

Do you intend to wait for calamity or battle climate change?

Contact me and let me know of your actions to PRESERVE THE EARTH and THE PEOPLE ON IT.

Simit Christian - 17 - India

You Can Help the UN Solve Global Problems!

2009-10-24T10:10:00.007-04:00

Did you know that everyday the United Nations works to solve global challenges?

The United Nations:

1. Provides food to 108 million people in 74 countries

2. Vaccinates over 40% of the world's children, saving 2 million lives a year

3. Assists over 34 million refugees and others fleeing war, famine, or persecution

4. Fights climate change and leads a campaign to plant 1 billion trees a year

5. Keeps the peace with 116,000 peacekeepers in 17 operations on 4 continents

6. Fights poverty and helped 300 million rural poor achieve better lives in the last 30 years

7. Monitors, promotes, protects and develops human rights worldwide

8. Mobilizes $7 billion in humanitarian aid to help people affected by emergencies

9. Leads international efforts in clearing landmines in over 30 countries

10. Promotes universal primary education reaching 88% enrolment coverage in developing

countries

To learn more, check out http://www.un.org/ and http://www.ilo.org/global/lang--en/index.htm

To help, during the upcoming week, participate in our Trick or Treat for UNICEF by donating your spare change. Simply place it in the box in your advisory, in the main office, or in one of your classrooms.

CSI High School Bids Swiss Exchange Students Adieu!

2009-10-22T23:18:00.004-04:00

Tonight CSI High School students, their parents, and our faculty hosted a potluck farewell dinner for our Swiss exchange students. "It's hard to believe a week has gone by already." "He is my new son!" "It was a wonderful experience." "I can't wait until we go to Switzerland." As I walked around our school cafeteria these were the comments I heard from students and their parents about the exchange experience. It was also great to hear about the the bonding experiences that took place over the weekend as students spent time with their host families visiting Washington DC, being there on one of two days when people are permitted on the grounds of the White House, visiting the Holocaust Museum, seeing the memorials at night, visiting the Alice Austen House and Wagner College, Times Square, King of Prussia Mall, meeting friends and family, and more!

As a group, they walked across the Brooklyn Bridge (where they saw Spike Lee), went to Battery Park and even had an interview with Bill Thompson, saw Ground Zero, Trinity Church, and the African Burial Ground as part of a walking tour of Manhattan. Phantom of the Opera was an experience all enjoyed but it appeared, as usual, that what the kids enjoyed most was hanging out with their new friends, talking, getting to know and learning about one another and hopefully forming bonds that will last long beyond the exchange experience.

It is with hope for a lasting school relationship and for lasting friendships that we bid our Swiss guests farewell! It has been a pleasure to have you and to share in this cultural exchange with you! (By the end of the day tomorrow I should have a hat as a souvenier of this visit!)

CHECK OUT OUR DRAGON DANCE TEAM!

2009-10-19T10:19:00.005-04:00

In addition to being the CSIHSIS mascot, in China, the dragon is a sacred and powerful mythical creature. Many Chinese proverbs reference the dragon. For example, “Through acts of dedication and valor, a Dragon is born.” If one were to call you a “dragon” it means you’re as powerful as an emperor, who holds imperial authority. Dragons are believed to bring good luck to people, which are reflected in their qualities that include great power, dignity, fertility, and wisdom.

During festive celebrations in China, the Dragon Dance is performed by a skilled team who bring the dragon’s body to life. The College of Staten Island High School for International Studies Dragon Dance Team has learned to perform this sacred cultural dance.

To view a segment of this exciting performance click here

KEVIN CASSIDY OF INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION TO ADDRESS STUDENTS

2009-10-14T19:21:00.006-04:00

On Wednesday, October 21st we are fortunate to have Mr. Kevin Cassidy from the International Labor Organization coming to address our entire student body.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) is the the UN specialized agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights. dealing with issues such as child labor, forced labor, sustainiable development, etc. To learn more about the ILO click here: http://www.ilo.org/global/lang--en/index.htm

The International Labor Organization is devoted to advancing opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue in handling work-related issues.
In promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, the organization continues to pursue its founding mission that labour peace is essential to prosperity. Today, the ILO helps advance the creation of decent jobs and the kinds of economic and working conditions that give working people and business people a stake in lasting peace, prosperity and progress.

AMAZING INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

2009-10-14T18:09:00.002-04:00

The deadline is rapidly approaching. If you are interested please see Ms. Horowitz or Ms. Lanceter after you have reviewed the application. http://www.mjhnyc.org/HSAPApplication.pdf Click here to download application!

CSI HIGH SCHOOOL LIBRARY REOPENS

2009-10-14T08:57:00.003-04:00

We are proud to announce that our school library is now open. To accommodate our students' schedules and enable them to use the library before and after school for research, study groups, to access computers necessary for them to complete assignments and projects, and to enjoy our expanding collections the library will be open according to the following schedule:

NEW LIBRARY HOURS

Monday: 9:00 - 3:50
Tuesday: 7:30 - 2:20
Wednesday: 8:30 - 3:20
Thursday: 7:30 - 2:20
Friday: 8:00 - 2:50

We encourage all of our students to visit the library and welcome our new librarian,

Patricia Sarles!

Graduate Portfolio

2009-09-25T10:36:00.001-04:00

Profile of CSI High School for International Studies School Graduate

The goal of CSI High School for International Studies is to graduate students who posses the knowledge, skills and habits of mind necessary to work and live in the 21^st century global environment.

CSIHSIS graduates are Academically Prepared. Upon leaving school, each CSIHSIS student:

Is intellectually curious, has a desire for life-long learning, thinks critically and effectively organizes his or her own efforts to learn.
Has earned a high school diploma with course credits required for entry into any institution of higher learning.
Is prepared to successfully engage in college-level coursework and complete a college degree or other post-secondary certification.

CSIHSIS graduates are Proficient Thinkers and Problem Solvers. They:

Demonstrate a capacity for mathematical analysis, scientific processing, and logical reasoning.
Hold themselves accountable for moral reasoning and ethical decision-making
Transfer their learning and problem-solving skills across domains, and articulate the interconnectedness of their learning.
Understand and use the arts and literature as lenses through which to view society and culture, as well as to express ideas and emotions.
Understand and engage complex problems, collect, analyze and synthesize information from a range of sources, tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty, and produce potentially viable solutions.

CSIHSIS graduates are Culturally Aware. They:

Know world geography, including the locations of major world regions and cultures, as well as human and environmental interaction, and how geography influences cultural development.
Understand the contributions of different world cultures to the ways of life in the United States.
Have in-depth knowledge and understanding of at least one culture very different from their own and recognize the role that language plays in shaping culture.

Understand the historical development and contemporary beliefs, values, and characteristics of major world cultures.

CSIHSIS graduates are Aware of World Events and Global Dynamics. They:

Understand the multiple perspectives of current world events, international issues, and global debates.
Integrate a thorough knowledge of their own culture and country to become a fully enfranchised and participatory global citizen.
Understand global dynamics – how world economic, political, technological, environmental and social systems work and are interdependent across nations and regions.
Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of at least one pressing international issue or problem.

CSIHSIS graduates are Literate for the 21^st Century. They:

Demonstrate mastery of the skills essential to communication and learning (reading, writing, analyzing, listening, and speaking) both in English and one or more languages other than English.
Develop and present information in an articulate, persuasive, and appropriate manner – orally, visually, in writing, and through digital communication tools.
Critically evaluate the presentation of information through various formats and technologies (media literacy).

CSIHSIS graduates are Collaborative Team Members. They:

Understand how individuals work together in a team and work as collaborative team members to achieve a goal and to learn from people from other cultures.
Are aware of and able to reflect upon their role and contributions as a member of a team and demonstrate an understanding of the value of doing so.

Appreciate and are respectful of the diversity of contributions, learning styles, and strengths of individual team members.
Welcome of differences in interpretation and judgment, are receptive to other’s views, and revise and expand their own views.

CSIHSIS graduates are Effective Users of Technology. They:

Evaluate sources of information for bias, validity, and scholarly integrity
Proficiently use essential computer and communications technologies and demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate applications thereof.
Proficiently use a multitude of technological tools for communication, presentation and data analysis.

Use technologies to communicate and work across national and regional boundaries.

CSIHSIS graduates are Socially Prepared and Culturally Sensitive. They:

Comfortably culture jump by choosing appropriate language, behaviors, and strategies of interaction.
Demonstrate respect in their communication, decision-making, and actions.
Actively listen to and carefully consider the perspectives and opinions of others.
Demonstrate ethical decision-making skills, self-control, and the ability to make responsible choices that contribute to continuous self development. **
Have emotional intelligence including self-knowledge and the ability to manage emotions. **
Make healthy lifestyle decisions including personal wellness, fitness, and relationships; they will pursue physical, mental, and emotional health.
Resolve conflicts peacefully and fairly.

* Adapted from Houston School for a New Society Graduate Profile

** from Smart & Good High Schools, Lickona and Davidson, 2005, pg 23

FRESHMAN PARENTS PROVIDE FEEDBACK AT SIMULATED SCHOOL NIGHT

2009-09-23T17:05:00.003-04:00

The International Insider surveyed freshman parents at Simulated School Night to find out how they feel about CSIHSIS for their child, whether they approve of our school environment, and how they feel our school will help their child succeed in the future. Read on for some of their comments:

"By attending a smaller school, my child get individual attention."

"I feel that this school is a great learning place. From the first time we went to the Open House, I just loved it. You could feel a warm, family friendly environment."

"He seems happy so far because he gets Japanese, which he really wanted."

"The environment is very good. I feel it is safe for my child."

"I feel that they will prepare my child with a diversified education in worldly events an different cultures. She will have knowledge of everything that is happening in the world today and that will giver her a great start in college."

"I am hopeful that you will give my child the tools he will need to succeed and grow into a young, intelligent adult. My child is part of the future."

"I feel that it is a safe place. The principal and assistant principal are always watching our for the children's safety. They can be seen in the a.m. in front of the school."

COLLEGES TO VISIT CSI HIGH SCHOOL

2009-09-21T12:11:00.006-04:00

Attention Seniors and Juniors

The following colleges will be visiting our school in the near future! If you are interested in speaking with representatives from these school please come to Room 242 during B Block. Make sure to get permission from your advisor or your teacher prior to coming to the meeting!

Wednesday, September 23rd - Fordham University - B block Room 242
Tuesday, September 29th - Macaulay Honors - B block - Room 242
Thursday, October 1st - St. Francis College - B block - Room 242
Tuesday, October 27th - St. John's University - B block - Room 242

Coming soon: Senior Day at College of Staten Island!

Seniors will have the opportunity to learn about all CUNY schools and programs and to actually experience college classes.

Learn About SUNY (State University of New York) Schools

When: Thursday, September 24 at 4:30 pm
Where: The Jacob Javits Center

High school seniors and their families are invited to join SUNY representatives for a program designed to provide information and answer your questions about the college search process and all that is available to undergraduates at The State University of New York.
For more info on this event visit https://www.suny.edu/student/event%5Flisting/

CSIHSIS Welcomes Parents to Simulated School Night

2009-09-17T18:13:00.006-04:00

On Tuesday, September 15th CSIHSIS hosted its Simulated School Night. Simulated School Night provides parents an opportunity to experience their child's school day as they go through an abbreviated school day following their child's program. It is a way for parents to meet teachers, to become informed about the content and skills their children will be learning in each of their classes, the goals the teachers and students have established, and how they can support their children's learning and achievement. We are proud to say that more than 200 families participated in this event.

In addition to meeting their child's teachers, parents also met with Ms. Horowitz and Mr. Canale. During that meeting Ms. Horowitz proudly shared our school's, our students', and our staffs' accomplishments. Our inaugural class had 92 seniors. 90 students graduated in 2009. Of the 90, 61 graduated with Regents Endorsed Diplomas and 18 graduated with Advanced Regents Endorsed Diplomas. Our students were accepted to a wide range of prestigious colleges and universities including Brown, Penn State, Howard, MacCauley Honors College, University of Chicago, Hunter, Fordham, Indiana University, SUNY Stonybrook, NYU, RPI, and Northeastern.

Over the summer our students continued their learning through a variety of internships including internships with the Mayor's Office and with The Hungerford School, by attending Business Camp, by participating in the Start Talk Chinese Language Program, by taking college courses at College of Staten Island, by participating in our first ever Freshman Summer Academy, and most recently, 3 of our students were among the 12 selected as delegates to the United Nations Secretary General's High Level Summit on Climate Change.

Additionally, our teachers and administration continued their learning throughout the summer attending Alan November's Conference on Building Learning Communities, a conference on digital storytelling, travelling to China and learning new ways of teaching mathematics, participating in an intensive journalistic writing institute at The Washington Post, and experiencing the culture and doing community service in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

We look forward to continuing our learning throughout this year as we build and strengthen our learning community. In October we will be hosting exchange students from Switzerland, having our NHS induction ceremony, taking the PSATs, having an overnight college trip that is generously subsidized by our PTA, having a senior college day at College of Staten Island, participating in The Giving Project, having our first Student Led Conferences, and more. Thanks to our wonderful staff and students our school year is already off to a great start. We are excited about the great achievements our students will make this year and can't wait to tell you all about them!

Spanish Teacher Experiences Buenos Aires

2009-09-17T16:59:00.004-04:00

Hola! I wanted to wish a great year for all the students of CSI HS and especially my Advisory and Spanish classes!
I also wanted to share with you one link of an organization in Buenos Aires I was volunteering for this summer.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHiGTGFjc_c
It has been one of the most amazing experiences in my life and I encourage every one of you to volunteer and make a difference in someone's life.
My advisory will be working on educating other students about this particular organization so soon you should be reading some of their posts!

Hasta pronto!
Senorita Surowiec

CSIHSIS Commemorates 9/!1

2009-09-12T20:23:00.005-04:00

Once again CSIHSIS students remembered those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks as well as those who performed heroic acts engaging in the resuce. CSIHSIS students today recognized 9/11 as a National Day of Service. To honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks and in the aftermath students collected funds to donate to the National September 11th Memorial and Museum in the name of fallen firefighter and Staten Island resident Daniel Libretti. Students pledged to do service for at least one member of our school community on 9/11 in addition to the service learning projects they do throughout the year.

In the spirit of 9/11 as a National Day of Service and to foster tolerance and global awareness, in their advisories students brainstormed how they can be of service to our school community, the Staten Island community, and to our global community as the first step towards designing their service learning projects. As always, we are proud of our students' generosity and their willingness to give of themselves in service to others.

Further, a segment of our junior students' summer project involved learning about different perspectives on 9/11 as well designing and creating a memorial to those who lost their lives as a result of the attacks. To view our students work, visit our school where it is displayed in the showcases in our main lobby.

To support the Memorial and Museum and to learn more about 9/11 as a National Day of Service visit their site at http://www.national911memorial.org/site/PageServer?pagename=New_Donate_Page.

Great First Day!!!

2009-09-10T09:29:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was a great first day. Wishing all of you a wonderful school year!!!

THREE CSIHSIS STUDENTS SELECTED AS DELEGATES TO UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S HIGH LEVEL SUMMIT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

2009-09-09T22:19:00.012-04:00

Of the twelve students selected as delegates to the United Nations Secretary General's High Level Summit on Climate Change, three are from College of Staten Island High School for International Studies. Congratulations to seniors Simit and Adefola and to junior Abetola on their selection by UNICEF to participate in this Summit to collaborate with world leaders on the issue of climate change and what should be done about it. (You can read about how climate change has affected Simit and his family in the comments to our earlier posting announcing the Summit!)

Student delegates are currently spending three days collaborating with one another and UNICEF leaders to prepare for the summit, which is taking place at the United Nations on September 22, 2009. Delegates will participate in the Opening Session of the SG High Level Summit on Climate Change and the First Spouses Luncheon on climate change and children. Student delegates will greet the leaders outside the Secretariat and hand over a personal narrative or "ask" on climate change. Thereafter, student delegates will narrate a five minute film on climate change solutions during the 8 minute long opening session of the Summit. Students will produce this film during their preparatory sessions. They will also participate in the Summit Closing Session. We are confident that our student delegates participation in the Summit and the preparatory program will benefit them educationally and will be an invaluable opportunity.

WELCOME BACK TO THE CLASSES OF 2010. 2011, & 2012! WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF 2013!

2009-09-07T13:11:00.002-04:00

It is with great pleasure that the faculty and staff of College of Staten Island High School for International Studies welcome back the classes of 2010, 2011, and 2012 and warmly welcome the class of 2013! We are looking forward to an exciting year filled with wonderful learning experiences both in and out of the classroom including welcoming exchange students from Switzerland, a sophomore, junior, and senior college trip, a Freshman Unity Day, more amazing editions of The International Insider, a 10th grade Model United Nations Simulation, Junior Rite of Passage, Senior Capstone Fair, a senior film festival, our second graduation, and more!

All freshman should report to school on Wednesday, September 9th by 8:30 am and proceed to their advisory class. All sophomores, juniors and seniors should report by 9:15 am and should proceed directly to the auditorium where we will have our traditional Opening Ceremony.

All students are reminded that your summer project, which counts in all of your classes as well as towards your Advisory grade, is due on September 9th. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, September 8th for program pickup and for the start of a fabulous school year filled with great accomplishments on Wednesday, September 9th.

LUNCH DELI BAR TO BEGIN FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

2009-08-28T12:18:00.006-04:00

Attention CSIHSIS Students:

Your voices have been heard! Thanks to our Student Parliament, who met at the end of last year with the nutritionist from our school cafeteria, we will have a lunch deli bar this year beginning the first day of school.

There will be two registers in the cafeteria; one for the purchase of hot foods and the other for the deli bar, where you will be able to select meats, cheeses, salad toppings, and contidiments to create your own heroes.

School food will be piloting this program in our cafeteria. Its success will be determined based on student use of the deli bar--so Dragons, you asked for it, it is here, now it is up to you to keep it!

UNICEF & United Nations Provide Students with Opportuntiy to Participate in Secretary General High Level Summit on Climate Change

2009-08-27T15:40:00.008-04:00

The Secretary General High Level Summit on Climate Change will take place on September 22, 2009. It is anticipated that over 100 world leaders will be in attendance for the Summit. Selected delegates will participate in the Secretary General’s Opening Session by presenting their ideas in a document to world leaders and creating a video on climate change solutions, which they will present during the Session. The delegates will also participate in the Closing Session of the Summit, as well as the First Ladies' luncheon on children and climate change on September 23. Students will engage in a preparatory programme during which time they will review many facets of climate change with UNICEF technical staff and outside experts.

We are thrilled to have been asked to have our students apply to this program as only 12-15 students will be selected. Eight of our recommended students have alpplied to participate in this wonderful learning experience where they will engage in collaborating with others, public speaking, problem solving, and learning more about climate change and what they can do to help solve this global problem.

In the meantime, you can help: Turn Down, Recycle, Walk,

CHANGE!

Journey Into Journalism

2009-08-27T12:25:00.004-04:00

Once again we need your help to enhance our students' learning experiences in Journalism.
As our journalism class is made up of students in three grades, the curriculum and reading selections must be differentiated to meet the needs of the students in those grades. Seniors, who have been in the journalism class for a year or more, need new literature that will challenge and engage them, while expanding their knowledge of the field of journalism.

The Elements of Journalism is a classic nonfiction piece about the responsibility reporters have to their audience. In addition, this book will provide insight into all aspects of the journalism profession. Since it is written by journalists, it is a valuable source for our students who are eager to learn and improve as high school reporters and who may be interested in careers in journalism.

Your help will ensure that our senior students continue to be challenged and engaged in this course. As the mentors in the class, this book will help them move closer to becoming effective mentors who practice professional high school reporting.

Any donation that you can afford, as well as your passing this proposal on to others who may be interested in helping enhance our Journalism Program is appreciated. Click here to donate to this worthwhile project: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=304546&verify=1958088204

NYC Marathon 2009

2009-08-21T10:23:00.006-04:00

When I got home after surviving the rip tides this morning during a training swim in the pre-hurricane ocean waters of the Jersey Shore, I went online to read all about how the Yankees will sweep the Red Sox to find my confirmation email for entry into this years NYC Marathon. The marathon takes place the first Sunday in November.

I have spent a lot of the summer traveling, and training & racing triathlons - in downtown from reading novels & planning technology curriculum of course! I have been getting ready for an October 4th Half-Ironman. Its a 70.3 mile race that covers 1.2 miles of swimming, 56 miles on a bike, and a 13.1 mile run. Fun, fun, fun! I am doing that race for the I-Will Foundation. I have raised money without the help of my hardworking advisory because of the summer months so I am eager to return to Advisory and hear all the wonderful ideas they will have for their next service learning project - as I am sure my advisory has been thinking and writing down their ideas all summer, right?

I am running the 2009 NYC Marathon for the Boomer Esiason Foundation Team. This is a charity that raises money for Cystic Fibrosis. Like we did for the Wellness Community, I am sure that the Miano Advisory and our school community will do all we can to help a great cause! Since the marathon is the first weekend in November we'll be working hard from the start of the year.

Can't believe it is August already!

Share Your Summer Experiences With the CSIHSIS Community!

2009-08-19T23:04:00.004-04:00

This summer CSI students , staff , and their families have traveled to England, China, to a variety of countries in Africa, to Canada, to Puerto Rico and other areas of the Caribbean, as well as throughout the United States. Additionally, students have completed internships, have had work experiences, and have participated in a variety of summer programs including film making programs, athletic programs, and arts and academic programs. It would greatly enrich our community if you could share your reflections, your photos and your learning from your summer experiences with us.

I was fortunate to participate in Alan November's Building Learning Communities Conference in Boston this summer. The conference focused on using technology in classes to enage students in active learning and to build student and professional learning communities. Hopefully we will be trying screencasting and digital story telling in addition to having students collaborate through the use of google docs. We are also considering having students develop digital portfolios through the use of blogs. As I participated in the conference, I had the opportunity to practice using some of the tools we hope to incorporate into learning this year. We twittered and tweeted to share our learning, we took notes simultaneously sharing our product using google docs, and had opportunties to experience new ways to engage learners using technology. Tlo read a little about what I learned, and to learn more about why it is imperative to engage students using technology read Alan November's article "Students as Contributors: The Digital Learning Farm" http://novemberlearning.com/resources/archive-of-articles/digital-learning-farm/
Now I am off to Puerto Rico to learn how to relax and to enjoy some time with my family.

Help Us Build a Multi-Media Component for The International Insider

2009-08-12T18:29:00.007-04:00

Click here to see how you can help our school make our award winning newspaper, The International Insider, a full multi-media news source: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=299209

Our newspaper, which we publish 6-8 times a year, is international in that our articles have a global focus, students collaborate with students in other countries to write articles together, and we have a network of schools from around the globe with students who report for our newspaper.
Our newspaper has grown from a 4 page to 16 to 20 page layout with a staff of 50 students from all grades. As we are an international studies school with reporters in schools around the globe, we need to move forward technologically to become a multimedia online newspaper. A multimedia newsroom will allow for differentiation in that students who are technologically savvy will play an integral role in publishing a live online newspaper complete with podcasts and video segments.
In order to move forward technologically, our news room needs the proper software. Creative Suite 4 Design Premium, Student Edition is a program that combines Indesign, Photoshop CS4 Extended, Illustrator CS4, Flash CS4, Dreamweaver CS4, and more. Such a program will allow all students to benefit both in the newsroom, school and international community, as everyone will have access to our newspaper.
Your help will ensure that my students are able to move our school publications, our newspaper and literary magazine to a new level by adding 21st Century technology, while also providing them with additional opportunities to grow in achieving 21st century learning skills as this software will afford them the opportunities to work as news reporters with cutting edge technology.

To read back issues of The International Insider click here: http://www.csihighschool.org/international-insider

College Trip October '09

2009-08-11T05:52:00.005-04:00

To all 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students:

Seats are still available for the College Trip!!

October 15th - 16th
University of Delaware
University of Maryland
American University
George Washington University

$100 per person includes charter bus, hotel room, and all meals
See Ms. Mammaro in Room 240D on September 8th for a permission slip!!!

Support the CSI McCown Varsity Basketball Team!

2009-08-10T17:22:00.009-04:00

Join us to support the

CSI/MCGOWN DRAGONS

First Annual CSI/McCown Basketball Golf Outing

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Latourette Golf Course

101Richmond Hill Road

Staten Island, New York 10306

1:00 PM Shotgun Start

18 Holes of Golf with Cart

Scorecards

Buckets of Balls for Driving Range

Closest to the Pin Contest

Longest Drive Contest

Day concludes with an all you can eat BBQ!

Raffles & Prizes!

$125.00 per person

$50 sponsor a hole

$40 BBQ only

Contact Ray Palma @ 646-824-4195

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Thanks for supporting our athletic program!

Earth Science Practical Today!

2009-08-10T06:43:00.002-04:00

IMPORTANT REMINDER!

All students scheduled to take the August Regents Examination in Earth Science must report to school today to take the practical portion of the exam. If you do not take the practical, you may not take the written exam. This is a New York State Examination and there will not be a make-up. If you do not take the exam in August, you will not be able to take it again until January.

Reminder to all rising sophomores: you must pass at least five (5) Regents examinations with a score of 65 or higher to graduate. One of those exams must be in an area of science.

Good luck to all students who are taking the practical today and who are taking Regents examinations this week! Remember, for studying on your own, www.regentsprep.org is a great tool! Study buddies, peer tutors, and doing practice exams will also help you be successful. We wish you all great success and know that with some hard work you will be successful!

CSI High School Institutes International Journalism Blog

2009-08-09T22:01:00.004-04:00

Journalists for our school's award winning newspaper, The International Insider, have been writing all summer. They have communicated about ideas from creating a new multi-media section of our paper and what it should contain, to what Walter Cronkite meant to the journalism community and the public, to how to decide what is "front page" news, as well as how the downward spiraling economy and increasing online availability of major newspapers and other news sources is affecting print media. See what they have to say at: http://journalism2009-2010.blogspot.com/. You can also check out back issues of The International Insider on our school website: http://www.csihighschool.org/extracurricular. Happy reading! Let us know what you think!

Help Us Get Started with AP English Language & Composition

2009-08-05T10:32:00.017-04:00

Senior Staff

The

International

Insider

Please click on the link:

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=297082&verify=1637043071&more=true to learn how you can help our students build their writing skills and earn college credit.

Read Ms. Kaplan's proposal!

I teach in a New York City public school. My students are selected for our school based on a lottery, and all classes are heterogeneously mixed. Furthermore, my journalism class is a bridge class of students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. Our newspaper, which we publish 6-8 times a year, is international in that our articles have a global focus, students collaborate with students in other countries to write articles together, and we have a network of schools from around the globe with students who report for our newspaper.

In my bridge journalism class, I have students who are interested in sitting for the AP Language and Composition exam in May of 2010. I have the curriculum available for the students, but we do not have funds for the necessary books that are required. My students have scored in the 95th and 96th percentile on the New York State English Regent exam in the last two years; thus, they are quite capable of taking the AP Language and Composition exam, and should be challenged to do so. In order to succeed, they need the necessary textbooks and literature.
Adding the the AP Language and Composition course to the journalism curriculum will provide the challenge many of my high achieving students need and, since much of the AP curriculum will be infused into the class, all the journalism students will benefit from the lessons on critical reading and writing. My hope is that over time, more students will elect to take on the AP component of the journalism course. Further, students taking the AP course will have the benefit of earning college credit while in high school. Finally, the lessons on critical reading and writing will enhance our news reporting and lead to the further improvement of our newspaper.
Your help in acquiring the needed literature for the AP Language and Composition exam will make it possible for my students to succeed in becoming skilled readers and writers as well as help them begin reaching their college goals. Likewise, you will be an integral part of allowing our newspaper to expand, as the literature will provide challenging reading and writing activities.

Click here to help support this project: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=297082&verify=1637043071&more=true

We greatly appreciate your supporting our learning community!!!!

CSI High School Inaugarates Dragon Dance Team

2009-08-05T09:32:00.015-04:00

TRADITIONAL CHINESE DRAGON DANCE

PERFORMED BY CSIHSIS DRAGON DANCE TEAM

After hours of training with a professional Dragon Dance Teacher, at our Year of the Ox Celebration of Chinese Language and Culture, members of the newly formed CSI High School Dragon Dance Team wowed the audience with their performance of this traditional Chinese Dance. They did the same again at our first graduation, where they began what we hope will be an annual graduation tradition especially since the Dragon is our school mascot.

Go Dragons!

August 2009 Regents Exam Schedule

2009-08-04T13:39:00.005-04:00

CSI High School will be offering the following Regents Examinations:

Wednesday, August 12
12:15 pm
Regents Examination in Global History & Geography
Regents Examination in United States History & Government

Thursday, August 13
8:15 am
Integrated Algebra
Geometry

12:15 pm
Living Environment
Earth Science (Note: Students scheduled for Earth Science must take the Practical Portion of the exam on August 10th at their appointed time).

Please note that these exams are New York State exams and are given only the dates and times listed above. If you miss the exam you will not be able to retake the exam until the next adminstration in January, 2010.

We encourage all students taking exam to participate in the review sessions being offered at our school this week and to study independently using classnotes, Regents Review books, and www.regentsprep.org

Please make sure that on the day of your exam you arrive to school on time, prepared with pens, pencils, and highlighters having had a good night's sleep and eaten a good breakfast.

Photos from Freshmen Summer Academy

2009-08-03T23:46:00.008-04:00

Check out the learning and the fun our incoming freshman had at our first ever three week Freshman Summer Academy. New friendships were created! Parents met staff, faculty and other parents and our freshman had a great time while learning about one another, our school, and the world.

Learning about each other!

Drumming Circles Build

Communication!

Learning about other cultures and team building!

Creating cake sculptures to represent our Graduate Profile!

"This summer academy was so much fun ! I don't want to leave this summer program. Thank you CSI for picking me to be in your high school; I can't wait till school starts!"

Looking forward to the new tradition this class will create;

Freshman Spirit Day!

Hope you'll join us in October!

CSIHSIS on Channel 1 News

2009-07-29T21:08:00.006-04:00

Collllege of Staten Island High School for International Studies on Channel 1 news!

View how learning takes place at our school. Listen to what our students have to say; about what and how they learn; see how they learn; and understand why they will be college ready and prepared to compete in the 21st century!

Summer Freshman Academy!

2009-07-29T12:06:00.003-04:00

This week marks the third and final week of our newly formed Freshman Academy. For the past two weeks this group of twenty five freshman have been introduced to our school building, our faculty, and to the culture of our school through a variety of collaborative learning experiences. They have amazed us with their creativity and, tomorrow, Thursday, July 30, 2009, will demonstrate their learning for their parents as they engage them in an interactive workshop demonstrating how learning looks at College of Staten Island High School for International Studies.

During these three weeks students have delved into the meaning and interpreted our Graduate Profile; have learned about one another's cultures, likes, and dislikes through the use of Power Point; engaged in team building through a drumming circle; have learned graduation requirements for their cohort and have engaged in discussions about the story they will author through their high school transcripts; and have had an incredible bonding experience with their peers and teachers. As students complete the Academy and organize and facilitate our Freshman Spirit Day, they will earn elective credit for their work.

As the culmination to our Freshman Academy, these freshman students will share their experiences with the remainder of our freshman class through Freshman Spirit Day to be held in October. We are hoping that Summer Freshman Academy and Freshman Spirit Day will become part our our school culture and will the CSIHSIS traditions established by our new class of freshman. We hope all our incoming freshman will join us in establishing this new tradition by participating in our Freshman Spirit Day.

For those students and parents who have been a part of the Summer Freshman Academy, we would appreciate your sharing your thoughts via this blog! Looking forward to your feedback!

Congratulations to Inaugural Class

2009-07-28T21:17:00.004-04:00

As we reinstate our blog as a form of communication and a forum for feed back from parents, students, and alumni, I proudly congratulate our inaugural graduating class, the class of 2009. Your academic and personal achievements over the last four years have certainly been remarkable; together with our staff and faculty you have created a community of learners that is accepting, respectful, tolerant, creative and one that strives to be the best it can be! Through the culture you established and the traditions and rituals you began, your legacy will live on. I am confident that our current seniors along with our juniors, sophomores and freshman will continue to solidify the culture CSIHSIS has become known for while building on and adding to the rich traditions you have established. As you reflect on your four years at College of Staten Island High School for International Studies I hope you realize what a remarkable journey you had and how much you learned not only through your classes but through the co-curricular activities and projects you participated in such as The Giving Project, Key Club, our international travel and exchange programs, college visits, Girls Learn International, SILC, The International Insider, Rock-n-Knit, International Fair, your internships, your podcasts of immigrant interviews exhibited at Ellis Island, the movies you made for your Comparative Government through Film course, your portfolio and senior capstone projects, and of course, your experiences with advisory. I also hope you realize how special and unique you are as a group and as individuals and that you take that creativity and drive with you into your bright futures as you continue your learning. Keep in touch with us! We miss you already!

Juniors Attend Columbia Summer Business Program

2008-08-11T14:03:00.002-04:00

Hi Aimee/Annette,

Hope you both are having a great summer spending time with your family! I wanted to share some exciting news with you on Samantha and Gerald's business camp at Columbia U that began 2 weeks ago. Their assignment was to analyze Medco, a pharmacy benefit management company and prepare an analysis with a shareholder's report on how to acquire Express Script. As you can imagine, this is a whole new territory for them, but they managed to learn the meaning of mergers and acquisition, EDITDA, Market Cap, etc. There were 7 students to each team and each one held a Management position. They spend from 12-16 hours a day doing research and preparing reports. Sam said Gerald didn't sleep for 3 days. Samantha was the CFO and she had to prepare a Shareholders Report. By the end of the first week, they had to dress up in business attire and go into negotiations with another team. They won the round at negotiations.

During the 2nd week, they stayed at Crowne Plaza in Secacus. They got bused into Manhattan to visit and "network" with law firms and brokerage houses, Goldman, Deutsch Bank, Shearman and Sterling, etc. On Thursday, they found out that they were amongst 1 of 4 teams out of 24 teams in NY that will proceed to the Championship competition next week back at Columbia U. There will be teams from Chicago and Nashville next week. Can you believe your kids are working on M&A? Maybe they could do a presentation for you when they return to school....Aimee: I want to thank you for your leadership skills in shaping CSI HSIS into what it is today with its comprehensive program. I think it's given Samantha the foundation to move onto College and someday be successful in her career. Annette: Thanks for always being on top of all the programs out there and sending out all the notices to parents. I would have never known about this if it wasn't for your resourcefulness and great communication skills.

By the way, Sam and I went to take a look at the new school and we think it's beautiful. She likes the big football field. Her first reason for being so happy about the new school is that she will get her own locker. We will be heading up to Boston on 8/29 thru 8/31 to see Sam's #1 choice of school- Northeastern. It's her birthday so we're taking her to see a Red Sox game (her favorite team). I'm still a Yankee fan. Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Best regards,Debbie

08-08-08

2008-08-08T22:21:00.002-04:00

I hope you all don't mind me posting here, but I wanted to reach out to the community on this auspicious evening. As I watch the television replay of the Olympic Opening Ceremony I am awe-struck by the beauty of the performance, the number of people involved in the art and in the sports in the weeks to come, and the variety of color and culture you can see as the delegations enter the arena. The commentators for NBC are sharing interesting tid-bits about certain countries (i.e. there has never been a female athlete from Saudi Arabia, at least partially because no female can travel without the permission of a male guardian) and the athletes are gathering in the center of the field, creating a colorful tapestry of costumes and smiles.

I hope that everyone in the CSIHSIS community will embrace the Olympics and this amazing time not only as a chance to see greatness in athletics, but also as an opportunity to learn about some countries, cultures, and people currently unfamiliar to us. The world is a truly magnificent place with secrets tucked away in places you might not even recognize as countries, and we all have a lot to learn.

Lot's To Be Proud Of!

2008-05-21T23:19:00.002-04:00

In the past few weeks our many of our students have won awards, been selected for scholarships, and participated in community service.

First, I would like to congratulate junior Tiffany Cho for being honored with Congressman John Liu's Outstanding Asian American Student Award. Tiffany is an exemplary student and has served our school, our local and our global communities. Bravo Tiffany!

Secondly,through our partnership with Asia Society freshman students Jessica Mallozzi, Jasmine Mansour, and Clarisse Concepcion have all been awarded scholarships to attend Concordia Language Village this summer. Jessica will be doing a Chinese Language immersion program while both Jasmine and Clarisse will be studying Japanese. Congratulations to these wonderful young ladies on their outstanding achievement in second language study! (Of the six scholarships awarded throughout the ISSN Network, CSIHSIS students received three!)

Finally, our students once again demonstrated their support for our local community. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was overwhelmed with the support and the
number of kids that gave up their Sunday to support the Foundation. Many thanks to our incoming PTA President Lisa Mc Sherry and to our Parent Coordinator for getting the word out and for organizing our students. The mother who let us know about the event had tears in her eyes when she saw all the kids. Thanks to all our freshman, sophomores and juniors who participated:

Kate McSherry
Mike McSherry
Breanna Pizzolo
Briana Kohm
Jessica Mallozzi
Jaclyn Mallozzi
Melissa Laurore
Vanessa Kreytak
Paulina Plata
Carolina Jimenez
Danielle Ianazzi
Lisa Borzi
Clarisse Concepcion
Glenn Kugelman
Dana Pistilli
Marissa Mule
Brianne Hannafey
Michela Infantino

As you can see from our long list, CSIHSIS students continue achieve at high levels and make a difference in the lives of others! We are proud to call them our own!!!

Junior Student Lands Internship at Digital Edge!

2008-05-05T23:01:00.003-04:00

Internship Successes!
Junior Students Explore Careers and Fields of Interest

One of our junior students who is interested in computers recently began his internship at Digital Edge. Matt is currently working with Digital Edge to design and implement an emergency notification program and system if something of high importance occurs at colleges and other large institutions. Matt is one of three student interns selected to collaborate on creating this notification system. Additionally, Matt will be invited to attend an awards luncheon and to meet with the other students to collaborate and create this program. Congratulations Matt!

If you still need assistance in securing your internship, please communicate with Ms. Zinn, Ms. Lentini or your advisor and work with one of them to look through our book of internship opportunities or to secure an internship in a field of your interest.

We look forward to hearing more about this wonderful experience as well as about the experiences and challenges our other student interns are having. Please share with our community by posting about your internship experiences.

Farewell to our French Students

2008-05-05T22:37:00.002-04:00

Our French exchange concluded with a wonderful Potluck dinner planned by students, teachers and parents and truly demonstrated to our French exchange students what a vibrant learning community and partnership we have established. The afternoon was marked with fond words of farewell, great conversation, delicious food, the exchange of parting gifts and lots of hugs as well as a caravan to the airport.

Many thanks to our wonderful teachers, Nancy Kaplan, Heather Prevosti, and Chris Chieh for working so hard to organize this unique learning experience for our students. Thanks also to our wonderful parents who opened up their homes and graciously hosted the French students, chaperoned our trips throughout the week, and contributed and participated in our Potluck dinner. Thanks also to our wonderful PTA who supported the exchange by subsidizing the trips and activities as well as volunteering their time on an as needed basis. You all have made it possible for our students and for the French students to learn about and experience one another's cultures and to establish long lasting friendships. I know that when our students travel to France next year, they will build on the memories and experiences as well as deepen the relationships and the learning that took place while the French students visited New York.

If you were fortunate enough to host or somehow connected with the French students/teachers through in class, trip, or social experiences, we would love to have you comment and post pictures about the exchange. Looking forward to hearing from you!!

CSIHSIS Welcomes Our French Exchange Students!

2008-04-28T23:25:00.004-04:00

On behalf of the CSIHSIS community I would like to extend a warm welcome to our French exchange students and their teachers. Although they have only been here for three days, along with their hosts, our visitors, who have been studying United States History, have already experienced Ellis Island and furthered their learning about immigration to the United States. Today, along with our sophomore class, our visiting students toured the United Nations, learned about international relations and diplomacy, and experienced firsthand the heightened security at the United Nations and the delays it causes. The French delegation was then formally welcomed to our school in a ceremony planned by our student hosts.

While in the States the French students will shadow their CSIHSIS counterparts in classes, make presentations about French culture to our advisories, visit Ground Zero and the Museum of the American Indian, dine in China town, and experience American culture with their host families. We know that this will be a great learning experience for all students, teachers and families involved and hope that it will also be the start of some life long friendships.

Once again, we welcome you to our school, to our city, and to our country. We hope you enjoy your stay here and look forward to visiting you and your school next year.

DESTINATION QITO, ECUCADOR!

2008-04-16T00:32:00.003-04:00

Thanks to a generous grant from CUNY, last week along with two students, Miriam and Khadijat, our very own Spanish teacher, Ms. Elissa Garcia and a professor from College of Staten Island, Dr. Susan Sullivan, traveled to Qito, Ecuador in an exchange with students from the Collegio Menor school. While the trip included language immersion and service learning, its main purpose was to have our students begin the process of establishing a relationship with the students of Collegio Menor so that we can arrange for language immersion exchange.

While there both Khadijat and Miriam loved phys ed - salsa dancing and truly enjoyed their hosts' hospitality. Bargaining in Spanish at the market let them use their Spanish language skills in a real life setting as did going to class with their hosts.

We are hopeful that this was a the start of a long relationship with Collegio Menor and that we will participate in a two-way language immersion exchange with them during the next school year.

CSI JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES VISIT COLLEGES

2008-03-27T20:34:00.003-04:00

Forty two sophomore and junior students returned today from a three day college tour. Along with Ms. Mammaro, Ms. Lentini, Mr. Livaccari and Ms. Horowitz our students traveled by coach bus throughout the New England area to visit, tour and learn about five different colleges; UCONN (University of Connecticut), UMASS (University of Massachusetts), Boston University, Northeastern, and Tufts.

Thanks to a generous contribution from our PTA as well as grant funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, these students experienced firsthand large public and private universities, universities located in suburbarn and urban areas, campus schools and schools located in the city without a campus, as well as a mid-sized private university. Students learned about admissions requirements; spoke with college students who currently attend these schools; learned about financial aid opportunities, study abroad and internship opportunities, residential life, the various majors and other programs each school has to offer, Greek life and other extra-curricular activities; and how they can help to make their college applications stand out from others.

This experience will help our students realize the type of school they are interested in attending as well as the setting they are looking for as they begin or continue their college search. We are also hoping to offer another college tour (to different schools) in November of next year.

However, as our Spring break approaches, I encourage all of our juniors to plan to visit other schools that you may be interested in attending. Sit in on a class, walk around the campus, arrange for a tour, get a feel for who attends the school and whether you feel like its a good fit for you, learn about whether the school has programs that interest you and what the admissions requirements are and think about what you need to do to ensure your acceptance.

On behalf of all the students who participated on our college tour, I would like to thank Ms. Mammaro, our guidance counselor, for putting together a fabulous itinerary and for making all of our travel and tour arrangements. I would also like to thank our other chaperones, Mr. Livaccari and Ms. Lentini for helping to keep our students safe and for giving of their personal time to accompany us on this trip.

If you have any questions about college, please feel free to speak with Ms. Mammaro!

PENNIES FOR PATIENTS UPDATE!

2008-03-27T20:26:00.004-04:00

Many thanks to the Lima and Biancoviso advisories for organizing this year's very successful Pennies for Patients Campaign as well as all those who participated and helped to raise money for children suffering with lymphoma, leukemia, and other life threatening diseases. As a school we raised $1352.00.

Congratulations to Mr. Barrett's advisory who raised $450.00. Students in this advisory got our parent community involved in Pennies for Patients by creating boxes parents took to their workplaces so that they too could collect pennies to help find a cure for these deadly diseases. We are proud of their entrepreneurial spirit, their creative thinking in engaging other members of our community, and their interest in helping others.

We are also proud of our entire CSIHSIS community as they continue to make a difference in our local and global communities.

PENNIES FOR PATIENTS

2008-03-11T20:14:00.003-04:00

This year the Biancoviso advisory has undertaken a CSIHSIS tradition byb organizing our Pennies for Patients campaign to help raise awareness about leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma and to help raise money to find a cure for this deadly disease. So far they have helped to raise over $450.00 and the campaign is still going strong as advisories compete to see who can raise the most money.

Since 1994, millions of dollars have been raised in pennies and other spare change by more than 10 million elementary, middle and high school students throughout the country. The funds, collected during a three-week period, benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Everyone who participates is a winner!

Students across the country are collecting pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters during the Pennies for Patients campaigns benefiting the Society. Help our students make a difference and support this charity by sending in your spare change!!!!

ATTENTION PARENTS: PLEASE COMPLETE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT SURVEYS

2008-03-08T09:24:00.007-05:00

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This week Learning Environment Surveys are being mailed to your home. It is very important to our school for each parent to complete and return this survey.

You can also fill out the survey online if that is more convenient for you.

If you have questions or need help please contact Annette Lentini,
our Parent Coordinator at
718-982-3475 or
347-563-4597

PLEASE HELP US REACH OUR 100% RESPONSE GOAL!

Students Podcast About Global Issues

2008-03-04T22:48:00.006-05:00

To prepare for their interviews with immigrants to Staten Island, which will be pod casted and will be exhbited at Ellis Island, CSIHSIS junior students are working in their Global Technology classes to create pod casts about global issues. Students work in groups to select a global issue or problem, research the issue and work collaboratively to create a script on the issue. Check out the first podcast to be completed.

Learn what you can do to make a difference!

Listen to our podcast to find out more about World Hunger and more!

Congratulations to Tiffany, Thomas, Heather and Qadeem on being the first to complete this project! Great job!

Click here to go to free rice and help stop world hunger.

Let us know what you think!

CSI STUDENTS ACHIEVE RECOGNITION AT MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE!

2008-03-03T18:07:00.002-05:00

On Saturday, March 1, our Model United Nations team participated in the first annual Global Classrooms New York City Model United Nations Conference held at UN Headquarters in Manhattan. The event drew several hundred students from all over New York City, offering students the chance to play the roles of Ambassadors from different countries debating, negotiating, and drafting resolutions on the some of the most critical problems facing the world today. And students got the chance to do this in the very rooms used by UN delegates themselves.

Ten CSI students represented Indonesia. John Harden and Veronica Geager won an "Honorable Mention" their very first time at a Model UN Conference, for their work on the CCPCJ (Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice). A very impressive performance indeed!

Michelle Shed and Ashley Aydin, our team's returning stars and co-leaders, sat on the Security Council, and our ninth and tenth graders staffed the three other committees: Carolina Jimenez and Paulina Plata on ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific), Amna Baig and Marisch Perera on UNCTAD (UN Conference on Trade and Development), and Robert Keller and Kamylah Bennet on WHO (World Health Organization).
For most of our students, this was their first experience with a Model United Nations conference, and they were excellent representatives of our school -- they were composed, enthusiastic, and dynamic.
-Chris Livaccari
MUN Advisor

From CSIHSIS to Ellis Island...Exploring Immigraion Through Technology

2008-03-02T21:16:00.016-05:00

CSIHSIS is proud of an ongoing collaboration between the National Park Service and Save Ellis Island Inc. This collaboration has been made possibe through a grant from the History Channel and will preserve the history of immigration within student's communities.

Our Students have been working in teams to interview immigrants within their community, while also researching census records, ship manifests and immigration documents to locate and learn about specific Ellis Island immigrants who lived in the same Staten Island neighborhoods.

Following their interviews and primary source research, students will compare and contrast the experiences of immigrants then and now by producing 3 - 5 minute Vodcasts (video podcasts) as part of their Global Technology course. Oral history transcripts and recordings will be made available to Staten Island museums and The Oral History Project at Ellis Island, while podcasts will be available for download online.

We are proud to announce the Opening Ceremony of the exhibit at Ellis Island has been scheduled for Saturday June 7, 2008 and will be on display to the public, which includes visitors from around the world, for the duration of the summer.

Celebrate Our Students Attendance!

2008-02-26T22:58:00.002-05:00

We are proud to share our attendance data with our school community. As of today, 34 students have perfect attendance! That is approximately 12% of our student body. 115 students have attendance at 95% or better and 76 students have attendance of 90% or better. We are very proud of these 215 students.

Additionally, three advisories have 100% of their students having attendance of at least 90%. Congratulations to Ms. Burgos' advisory, to Ms. Lentini's advisory and to Ms. Francis' advisory. Keep on coming to school!

SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL FASHION SHOW!

2008-02-25T01:33:00.005-05:00

PTA Fashion Show/ Fundraiser

Wednesday, May 7^th, 2008

The Vanderbilt at South Beach, Staten Island, NY

7:00 to 11:00

The PTA fashion show committee is currently in need of donations to support our raffles and gift baskets for auction at the show. Please send any of the following in to school, addressed to the PTA Fashion Show:

Baskets/decorative box type containers - empty or already made

Gift certificates

New items that can be used to make baskets

Monetary donations

The Fashion Show is our main source of fund raising income, and the money raised goes directly to benefit the students of CSIHSIS. The support of our parents is the key to our success, so any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. If you are a business owner or know of a business that would donate, we have a letter on school letterhead that can be sent to the business. For more information, contact Jackie Mc Clean at 718-983-6535, or Anne Matrone at 718-698-3322.

More information about tickets and models to follow…….Hope to see you there!

SLT Reaches Consensus on Ranking Issue

2008-02-24T21:42:00.002-05:00

At our last School Leadership Team (SLT) meeting, which includes students, parents, teachers, administrators and representatives of our partner organizations (Asia Society and College of Staten Island), the team heard the voices of each constituency regarding the issue of publicly ranking our senior students and indicating each student's rank on his/her transcript. To ensure that we had an accurate assessment of each constituency's opinion on the matter, prior to the meeting many team members spoke with members of the group they represent to become more informed about their opinions on ranking. In fact, junior student SLT members Ama and Elizabeth visited to junior advisories to discuss the issue with their class mates; our soon to be first seniors! Additionally, the entire team reviewed previous blog posts by students, parents, teachers and administrators.

Although the SLT does realize that public ranking may benefit a few students, the consensus was that those benefits are greatly outweighed by the risks this creates for our entire school community. Since we are such a small school, with an even smaller graduating class, very few students would be in the top 10% of the graduating class. Also, with this information being public, many of our students who work very hard every day to do their best, but who still might not be in the top of the class, will feel like their hard work has not paid off. Further, we have worked very hard to create a learning environment and a school community that is nurturing and supportive. The SLT strongly felt that public ranking would undermine that culture and create competition between our students and has thus decided that we will not publicly rank students.

However, the SLT does realize that certain colleges and universities do ask about student's standing in relation to their class (although most colleges rank applicants on their own scale). As such, on senior transcripts that are sent to colleges we will note that if the school is interested in knowing a student's rank, they can contact our school and we will share that information with them. All members of SLT felt that this policy does not discriminate against students who are applying to schools that want to be informed of their relative ranking, yet does not undermine the culture of community, caring, support and nurturing we have worked so hard to establish at College of Staten Island High School of International Studies.

CSIHSIS Travels the World!

2008-02-18T10:28:00.003-05:00

CURRENT PROGRAMS!

It is February break and while most high school students are home sleeping late, playing video games, and relaxing, 54 CSIHSIS students, seven teachers, and four parents are deepening their knowledge of the world and their appreciation of diverse cultures through travel.

Our first group of students have safely arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica where they are experiencing life in the rain forest. Students participating in this program will be involved in a cultural immersion program while performing community service. Students are experiencing the rain forest climate and will meet, interact with and get to know Costa Rican children.

Following in the tradition of our first group of students who I was fortunate enough to experience Italy with last February, in conjunction with EF Tours, our second group of world travelers are touring England, France and Spain From the historic Tower of London to the Eiffel Tower, to the wonders of Madrid, our students will experience three cultures, see historic sites that they have studied, and gain an appreciation for how life in European cultures is similar to and different from our life in the United States.

Finally, we have started what I hope is a new CSIHSIS tradition - cultural exchange programs. Although we did previously have a one way exchange during which students from Bahrain visited our school and did home stays with our students, our exchange program to Germany is our first two way exchange that will allow our students to both live with and host students from Germany. Right now and for the next two weeks, our students are living with their host families in Berlin while attending the John Lennon School. Students will visit and tour the Bundestag (Germany's Parliament), Checkpoint Charlie, Sachsenhausen (a former concentration camp), and a variety of museums. Students will also tour Potsdam and see a performance of the Symphonic Orchestra Berlin. While in Germany, students will also spend weekends with their host families and experience life in Germany as a teenager living with a family. We know this will be a remarkable experience for our students and they will be waiting impatiently for their German counterparts to visit us early next year. See our students in Germany and read about their experience-- log onto http://www.berlinexchange2008.blogspot.com/

LOOKING AHEAD!

In the Spring, we will host thirty students from France as part of another two way exchange. Our students will then visit France during February of next year.

We are also working with College of Staten Island to establish a two week Summer Program that involves a language and cultural immersion in Ecuador. We are hoping to have our students involved in organizing this program.

READ ON!

Read on to hear more about our students experiences!

CSIHSIS Students Awarded Travel & Study Scholarships

2008-02-18T09:05:00.004-05:00

ADC HENRY WOLF SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AWARDED!

Junior student, Michela was recently awarded a scholarship to participate in the Art Directors Club Gallery Henry Wolf Summer Photography Workshop. This program gives 25 students from all over New York City the opportunity to learn from top New York City Photographers. Participants learn about careers in photography, get to know and work with a different top photographer each day, and produce a variety of photographic pieces that they can include in their portfolios.

Each day of the workshop begins with a photographer discussing his or her career, education, and other experiences. He or she shows samples of their work and engages students in a conversation and a question/answer session. Then, the project for the day is introduced. Students spend the rest of the day shooting, editing and printing the project. The workshop culminates with an exhibition of student work!

GLOBAL LIVES, GLOBAL FUTURES AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP TO CSIHSIS STUDENT!

This summer along with students from each each of the ISSN schools, junior student Ama will travel to China. During her stay, Ama will expereince Chinese culture first hand as she tours different cities in China, lives with a host family, does community service, and of course practices and enhances her Chinese language skills while getting to know students from our sister school all over the country. Global Lives, Global Futures helps promotes and facilitates cross-cultural tolerance, understanding and appreciation through experiential learning.

Ama is the fourth junior and the fifth student at CSIHSIS to receive a travel-study scholarship to China. We look forward to her coming back and sharing her experiences with the entire CSIHSIS community at a Global Seminar early next year!

FRESHMAN STUDENT WINS SCHOLARSHIP FOR AN EXCHANGE IN SPAIN!

During March, to deepen her knowledge of Spanish and to delve into and experience Spanish culture, one of our freshman will participate in a week-long exchange program in Spain. While in Spain, she will live with a host family, attend school with her host sister, get to experience family life in Spain and tour as well. We look forward to the April Global Seminar in which she will share photographs and insights from her experience!

If you have had the opportunity to travel, please share your experiences with us. If you know of other opportunities available to our students, please share with us as well. We look forward to each of you joining us at our next Global Seminar, when some of our students who have traveled internationally over the February break will be presenting.

Concert & Letter Writing Campaign Raise Over $7,000.00 for St. Jude

2008-02-09T17:34:00.000-05:00

Congratulations CSIHSIS! You have made a difference in the lives of children who are suffering with cancer. Thanks to the Garcia advisory our school wide letter writing campaign and the Rock-N-Roll Jam featuring NO STANDARDS has already raised more than $7,000.00 for this very worthwhile cause.

Planning for these events began way back in September when the Garcia advisory decided that as part of their community service they wanted to help people with cancer. Their desire inspired them to contribute their time to these two important fund raising events and to educate the CSIHSIS community about the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

To help make these events a reality students have been involved in selling tickets, posting flyers, getting raffle prizes donated, writing letters, preparing the program, and writing speeches.

All of us at CSIHSIS would especially like to thank NO STANDARDS, a band made up of three young men who donated their performance at the February 1, 2008 concert with the hope of FINDING A CURE! Steven Di Salvo, Chris DiSalvo, and Chris Stark entertained us all with great music that people from every age group enjoyed. NO STANDARDS dedicated their performance to the memory of their mother, Joanne DiSalvo, who they recently lost to cancer, but who continues to be an inspiration to them.

To the Garcia advisory: Alex, Sam, Andrea, Rob, Rosa, Laurel, Anthony, Harold. Ric, Cory, Tremika, Brianne, Jisup, Wingsum, Allison and Jazmin -- you did an amazing job! It was wonderful to see your advisory come together and unite around a cause. Once again, I am reminded that you all can do anything you set your minds to. You are powerful individually and even more powerful when you work as team! Thanks to Ms. Garcia for helping get you to that point and for inspiring you to get connected to a great cause! You guys ROCK!!!!

CSIHSIS Beads For Life!

2008-01-31T22:03:00.000-05:00

On January 30, 2008, thanks to the Burgos Advisory, through a bead party, the CSIHSIS community helped to raise money for BEADFORLIFE. By selling beads and beaded jewelry made by Ugandan woman from colorful recycled paper, we helped impoverished African women leave poverty behind.

Each bead is handmade and unique. Beaders are woment living with HIV/AiIDS as well as refugees displaced by a devastating civil war in northern Uganda. Many are widows caring for their own children as well as AIDS orphans. In spite of what seem to be insurmoutable challenges, the beaders are resilient, hard working, and resourceful.

Beaders are hopeful that with people like those from our school community, they will "eradicate poverty one bead at a time." All proceeds from our sale of beads and beaded jewelry, as well as from the lunch sale (with delicious food cooked by our very own Mr. Aziz) will help to support community development projects in health, education, employment, and housing to the impverished in Uganda.

To help our community eradicate extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africand and our students, who are concerned world citizens, join us on February 7, 2008 at Report Card Night where our BEADFORLIFE party continues!

To learn more about BEADFORLIFE and how you can help, visit their website: http://www.beadforlife.org/index.html

WELCOME TO THE NEW SEMESTER!

2008-01-30T21:15:00.000-05:00

Our new semester began today with an abbreviated class schedule so that we could have time for a BIG TEACH! Teachers planned a BIG TEACH so that our whole school could gather together to celebrate our students' first semester achievements, discuss the special programs and events we are looking forward to second semester (international travel to Costa Rica and Europe and an exchange with Germany; French students visiting our school; the start of the CSIHSIS Chapter of National Honor Society; a Craft Club; our annual Talent show; and more!) and so that our staff and students could share words of wisdom, encouragement and inspiration.

For this BIG TEACH staff was asked to select a favorite quote, poem or original writing to share with our school community. I would like to share with you some of our words to students. We welcome students, parents, friends to share additional thoughts, quotes and poems with us as we embark on what we hope will be a fun, interesting, and successful semester for each of our students.

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost. That is where they should be. Now put foundations under them."
-Henry David Thoreau

"I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to something that I can do."
-Edward Everett Hale

"It is hard to fail. It is worse to have never tried to succeed." -Teddy Roosevelt

"Bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn in your schools are the work of many generations. All this is put into your hands as your inheritance in order that you may receive it, honor it, add to it, and one day faithfully hand it on to your children."
-Albert Einstein

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away."
-Anonymous

"Every million mile journey begins with just one step." -Lao ZiI

"Minds are like parachutes, they only work when they are open."

Mrs. Krikorian

She saved me. When I arrived in 6th grade,
a known criminal, the new teacher
asked me to stay after school the first day, she said
I’ve heard about you. She was a tall woman,
with a deep crevice between her breasts,
and a large, calm nose. She said,
This is a special library pass.
As soon as you finish your hour’s work—
that hour’s work that took ten minutes
and then the devil glanced into the room
and found me empty, a house standing open—
you can go to the library. Every hour
I’d zip through the work in a dash and slip out of my
seat as if out of God’s side and sail
down to the library, solo through the empty
powerful halls, flash my pass
and stroll over to the dictionary
to look up the most interesting word
I knew, spank, dipping two fingers
into the jar of library paste to
suck that tart mucilage as I
came to the page with the cocker spaniel’s
silks curling up like the fine steam of the body.
After spank, and breast, I’d move on
to Abe Lincoln and Helen Keller,
safe in their goodness till the bell, thanks
to Mrs. Krikorian, amiable giantess
with the kind eyes. When she asked me to write
a play, and direct it, and it was a flop, and I
hid in the coat-closet, she brought me a candy-cane
as you lay a peppermint on the tongue, and the worm
will come up out of the bowel to get it.
And so I was emptied of Lucifer
and filled with school glue and eros and
Amelia Earhart, saved by Mrs. Krikorian.
And who had saved Mrs. Krikorian?
When the Turks came across Armenia, who
slid her into the belly of a quilt, who
locked her in a chest, who mailed her to America?
And that one, who saved her, and that one—
who saved her, to save the one
who saved Mrs. Krikorian, who was
standing there on the sill of 6th grade, a
wide-hipped angel, smokey hair
standing up weightless all around her head?
I end up owing my soul to so many,
to the Armenian nation, one more soul someone
jammed behind a stove, drove
deep into a crack in a wall,
shoved under a bed. I would wake
up, in the morning, under my bed—not
knowing how I had got there—and lie
in the dusk, the dustballs beside my face
round and ashen, shining slightly
with the eerie comfort of what is neither good nor evil.
-Sharon Olds

There are 24 hours in a day. Do what you have to do with 8 of them (school). Do what you want to do with another 8 (homework and fun) Do what you need to do with the remaining 8 (sleep) and you will find that your life will run smoothly. TRY IT.

I Never Said I Wasn't Difficult -Sara Holbrook

I never said I wasn't difficult,I mostly want my way.

Sometimes I talk back or pout and don't have much to say.

I've been known to yell, "So what,"when I'm stepping out of bounds.

I want you there for me and yet,I don't want you around.

I wish I had more privacy and never had to be alone. I want to run away.

I'm scared to leave my home. I'm too tired to be responsible.

I wish that I were boss.

I want to blaze new trails. I'm terrified that I'll get lost.

I wish an answer came every time you asked, "why?"I wish you weren't a know-it-all.Why do you question when I'm bored?

I won't be cross-examined. I hate to be ignored.

I know. I shuffle messages like cards, some to show and some to hide.But, if you think I'm hard to live withyou should try me on inside.

“Prayer For The Children”

We pray for the children who sneak Popsicles before supper, who erase holes in math workbooks, who through tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food, who like ghost stories, who can never find their shoes.

And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire, who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers, who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead in, who never go to the circus, who live in an X-rated world.

We pray for children who sleep with the dog and bury the goldfish, who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions, who get visits from the tooth fairy, who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.

And we pray for those who never get dessert, who have no safe blanket to drag behind them, who watch their parents watch them die, who can't find any bread to steal, who don't have any rooms to clean up, whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser, whose monsters are real.

We pray for children who spend all their allowance before Tuesday, who shove dirty clothes under the bed and never rinse out the tub, who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool, who squirm in church or temple and scream in the phone, whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.

And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime, who will eat anything, who have never seen a dentist, who aren't spoiled by anybody, who aren't spoiled by anybody, who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep, who live and move, but have no being.

We pray for children who want to be carried and for those who must, who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance. For those we smother and...for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

-Ina J. Hughes (an American school teacher)

Pause and Reflect

Conversation is the natural way we humans think together.
We can't be creative if we refuse to be confused.
It's not differences that divide us. It is our judgments about each other that do.

There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.

Am I becoming someone I respect?

Reality doesn't change itself. We need to act.

Please inspire our community by sharing your thoughts with us!

WE'RE PROUD OF OUR STUDENTS' SUCCESS!

2008-01-26T16:53:00.000-05:00

Share in our joy as we celebrate our students' success on the January Regents Exams! 96% of our juniors passed the Regents Examination in English Language Arts, a two day, 6 hour exam, with two students achieving scores of 100% and 30 students achieving scores of above 90. All of these students were first time takers. We had an 82% passing rate on the Living Environment Exam, with 88% passing for first time takers. On the Regents Examination in Math A we had 65% passing with 71% of first time takers passing. Congratulations to all our freshman, sophomore, and junior students who took and passed Regents and RCT Examinations and to all of our teachers who support their learning everyday.

We thank both our students and our teachers for all of their hard work and look forward to more success in June. Please congratulate your children on their success and continue to support them.

CSIHSIS Wins World Savvy Grant!

2008-01-23T19:12:00.000-05:00

World Savvy, an organization whose mission is to educate and engage young people in community and world affairs, has just gone national with its Global Youth Media and Arts Program. World Savvy is currently building partnerships throughout the Big Apple and, thanks to our very own Clara Gagliardi, they are building a partnership with CSIHSIS. The 2008 Media and Arts Program, which will be implemented in our sophomore art classes, focuses on Immigration and Identity. Throughout the Spring, our sophomore students will create new works of art based on the global theme and will then showcase their work in the culminating Festival in June, 2008.

Through this program Ms. Gagliardi will be supported with professional development, our students will have the opportunity to work with World Savvy educators and other guests who will visit their art classes, and will deepen their knowledge about immigration while creating their works of art. We are very excited about the rich learning opportunities our participation in Global Youth Media and Arts Program provides and about having our students participate in this program.

For more information about World Savvy visit http://www.worldsavvy.org/.

PHOTOS FROM PERU: CATHERINE'S VISIT TO OUR SCHOOL!

2008-01-23T14:53:00.001-05:00

Catherine having dinner with one of the Peruvian families she lived with while on exchange. Family time is sacred in traditional Peruvian families. It is important for all family members to eat dinner together.

Catherine also worked with Peruvian children to teach them English. Aren't they beautiful?

Check out the prize winning sheep!!!

Catherine really helped all of understand what it is like to live as a member of another culture and truly experience it as opposed to just being a tourist and seeing the sights.

We hope that you too will be willing to share your international experiences with our community. b

CSIHSIS EXAM HONOR CODE!

2008-01-17T01:25:00.000-05:00

The following Honor Code will be in place for all in-class, final, and Regents Examinations. We are confident that all students will abide by the code and complete their exams to the best of their ability with integrity.

CSIHSIS EXAM ADMINISTRATION HONOR CODE

All CSIHSIS students who participate in exams must agree to the following policies, as originally laid out by the New York State Board of Regents.

· Students must agree to show proctors all materials they bring into the examination room as they enter, or at any time during the exam. At no time may students use or obtain any unauthorized notes or printed material that would give the student unfair advantage.

· In other words … DO NOT, FOR ANY REASON, ATTEMPT TO USE ANY NOTES OR OTHER MATERIALS DURING THE TEST.

· Students are not permitted to obtain information from or give information to other students in any way during the examination. If you suspect that such an attempt has occurred, warn the students that any further attempts will result in the termination of their examinations. Students may be moved to a different location if necessary. If these steps fail to end attempts to obtain or give information, the principal will be informed immediately and the students’ examinations will be terminated … No score may be earned by a student who has attempted to obtain aid from or give aid to another students or has otherwise committed fraud during an examination.

· In other words … DO NOT, FOR ANY REASON, TALK WITH ANOTHER STUDENT OR COMMUNICATE IN ANY WAY WHILE IN THE EXAMINATION ROOM.

· Students may not use any communication device while taking an examination, either in the room or while on a break. This includes, but is not limited to cellular telephones, pagers, MP3 players, etc. If you have a device that rings or vibrates during the exam, DO NOT ANSWER IT or look at it. You must turn these devices off and store them away from you for the duration of the exam. Your examination will be invalidated and no score may be earned if you use any such device while in a testing room.

· In other words … DO NOT, FOR ANY REASON DO ANYTHING THAT COULD LOOK LIKE YOU ARE USING A TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICE WHILE IN THE EXAMINATION ROOM.

· Students must only turn in their exams if they are able to honestly state “I do hereby affirm, at the close of this examination, that I had no unlawful knowledge of the questions or answers prior to the examination and that I have neither given nor received assistance in answering any of the questions during the examination.”

· In other words … DO WHAT IS RIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN HONESTLY SAY YOUR EXAM IS YOUR WORK, AND YOUR WORK ONLY.

Please sign and print your name below to record that you have reviewed this honor code and will abide by these expectations at all times during exams throughout your time at CSIHSIS, including finals, class tests, and Regents Exams.

__________________ ___________________ ____________
Printed Name Signature Date

JANUARY REGENTS SCHEDULE

2008-01-17T01:17:00.000-05:00

January 22 Tuesday	January 23 Wednesday	January 24 Thursday	January 25 Friday
9:00 am	9:00 am	9:00 am	9:00 am
Global History & Geography RCT in Writing	Spanish Earth Science RCT in US History & Government	US History & Government RCT in Reading	Living Environment Mathematics B RCT in Global Studies
1:00 pm	1:00 pm	1:00 pm
ELA Session One RCT in Mathematics	ELA Session Two RCT in Science	Mathematics A Chemistry Physics

JANUARY FINAL EXAM AND SCHEDULE

2008-01-17T01:06:00.000-05:00

January 2^nd – January 16^th - Regular Classes

January 17^th

8:30 – 11:15 – English Final (with review time)

11:15 – 12:30 LUNCH and studying

12:30 -3:20 – Science Final (with review time)

January 18^th

8:30 – 11:15 – Social Studies Final (with review time)

11:15- 12:30 LUNCH and studying

12:30 – 3:20 Math Final (with review time)

January 21^st – NO SCHOOL

Please remember that in order to help you prepare for Regents exams, all final s contain Regents style questions. You will need to bring both #2 pencils and pens to each of your exams.

Good Luck!