HEEEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!!!!!!

I am posting this in case things go horribly awry with my mental health and sanity.
I've been creating the 2010-2011 class/teacher schedule for the last 10 days straight.
This image only begins to illustrate how it's been going.
What an awesome vacation.

UPED Students at the NY Liberty Game

Stick with Ms. T. Hall and Ms. Brathwaite if you want to go places (such as Madison Square Garden). Looks like they had lots of fun!

Class 271 at Prospect Park

Thank you Ms. T. Hall for developing the partnership with the Urban Park Rangers which resulted in this awesome theme-related expeditionary learning event.

And the Band Played...

This evening's PTA meeting featured the I.S. 68 beginner's band. Students from all three academies played holiday selections under the artistic direction and leadership of Ms. C. Piton, our masterful music teacher. Good job! Several proud parents took pictures. I'm sure we will hear much more of them in the near future.

Auditorium Upgrade!!!

We're getting an auditorium upgrade! The curtains will mimic the uniform colors (khaki and green) and the lighting system will be brand new. Look out for the improvements.

Senior Dues

Senior dues are $85.00 and they are due now.
You should pay the fee sooner than later. Or we might wind up graduating downstairs in the auditorium. The fee covers the following:

• The cost of renting Walt Whitman Hall at Brooklyn College
  
• Caps and gowns


• Full color yearbook

Senior dues must be paid in the form of cash or money order and should go directly to your academy assistant principal. Checks are not accepted. Please make your money orders out to I.S. 68. You will receive a receipt.

The $85.00 senior dues fee does not cover the cost of the prom or the senior trip. These are separate fees. The prom is usually $75.00 and the senior trip is usually $65.00. Please plan ahead if you are considering attending either of these or both.

In the unfortunate event that you do not graduate, you can opt to receive either a full refund or a partial refund depending on whether or not you would like the yearbook. By the way, the third marking period ends on Tuesday, March 31st, so be sure to hand in all of your assignments and study extra hard to pass that last test before Tuesday.

Ms. Charles Went to THE ISLAND!!!

Over the break, Ms. Charles visited Hawaii and got a chance to see where LOST is filmed. It's safe to say she didn't get there the way that the survivors of Oceanic flight 815 got there. I'm pretty sure these very shots have appeared at some point over the course of the first four seasons of LOST. She was kind enough to share these photos from her excursion. Looks like she and her husband had a great time. Me personally, well I just went to Staten Island and Long Island over the break...

I wonder if she ran into any of The Others such as Ethan or Ben?

Thanks for sharing, Ms. Charles!

Your Cell Phone is Gone for Good!

Once it's lost or stolen, your cell phone (or other coveted electronic device) is gone for good. One of the main reasons why personal electronic items aren't allowed in the building is to prevent loss or theft. The funds used to purchase these robotic, futuristic, George Jetson type contraptions should have been spent on books for your home library anyway.

From this day forward, I will not attempt to assist you in searching for your lost or stolen cell phone, PSP, iPod, Blackberry, iPod Touch, iPhone, G1, digital camera, Sidekick, Game Boy, mp3 player, Milo or any other electronic device. It's too much of a headache and often, the item is never recovered. There are about 1200 students here. We can not and will not search all those students. And don't ask Ms. Harry to look for it either. So the moral of the story is, once it's lost or stolen, your cell phone (or other electronic device) is gone for good.

St. Louis Guest Stars on the Second Floor

Thanks for stopping by...

A New School Year!

OK, so it's been a while since I've written a post.

I plan on posting on a consistent basis this school year.

By the way, welcome back!

Meanwhile, there are so many initiatives to get underway this year.

We have the new and improved SEL component with advisories, department meetings by grade, and more meaningful, focused academy team meetings.

Our work in the mathematics department is cut out for us if we plan to reach our goal of 60% of students scoring at levels 3 + 4 on the NYS exam in March.

6th grade orientation is this Wednesday, September 10th at 6 pm in the auditorium.
7th & 8th grade orientation is Wednesday, September 17th, same time and place.

I'm asking that all academy II teachers attend these events.

More later...

Arts Night Was a Success!

I would like to thank Ms. Hall, Ms. Piton, Ms. Zephir and all of the students who worked so hard on Aladdin last night. You all did an amazing job and I'm very proud of all of you. I want to give a special shout out to Isaiah Jospeh who was phenomenal as our stage manager. It was great seeing how surprised Shenika was to receive her special award for completing three years of service as a Broadway Junior. Thanks also to Ms. St. Louis and Mr. Mareus who were very helpful in the hours before the show. Thanks to all the students and staff members who came out to support us. We really appreciate it. Each year around this time (right before opening night), it gets a little overwhelming and we always say we're not doing it again next year. However, this cast really inspires me to go forward next year. So once again, thanks!

Academy II FIELD DAY at Frank Charles Park in Howard Beach

Academy II sixth and seventh graders will be going to Field Day on Friday, June 13th. Please remember to bring bottled water and dress appropriately. We will be bringing lunch from the cafeteria but feel free to bring your own if you'd like. (No glass bottles.) Let's keep it safe while having fun.