-.Vol. 2, No.3
whf' Qtlassic wownstn~
Darris Digit @Jcltool at ({)uttns Qtolltg~ .
75-40 Panoas Blvd., Flasbing, New York 11366
....
~
:' U
;~ . ~
.P'~
.t;-
s
~ Q.
Harris students prepare to meet their assigned officials. -.
Students Lobby For New Home By Heather Nash Forty-six members of the Townsend Harris community lob bied in Albany for a new building on March 10. The goal of the trip, arranged by Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn, was to get enabling legislation passed th at would allow Queens College to lease campus land to the Board of Education. The visit provided the opportunity for the students to inform the state representatives of the school's situation, in addition to providing them with a tour of the capitol. "We are making them aware of our existence and our problems," commented Student Union President Thomas Postillo. Led by Mr. Myron Moskowitz, the students divided into smaller groups to speak with their local assemblypeople and senators.
Each government official was greeted with a Townsend Harris mug and a folder containing various art icles . concerning the school, in addition to being asked to sign a lett er suppo rting a quali. ty education. The g ro u p, guided by Legislative Aid Mitch Suporvity an d Assistant to Mrs. Mayersohn, Eric Leventhal, observed the Assembly in progress and was introduced in the Assembly Chamber-by Mrs. Mayersohn. "Even.though we may not have gotten a lot accomplished for the school," commented Townsend Harris student Ruth Kon, "we gained personal experiences that taught us how to deal with the members of our government." The cost of the chartered bus to Albany was financed by a grant from the National Self Government Committee.
English Electives Enrich Sophomores
April 1986
Mrs.;Ballatt Visits Harris; Hears Brotherhood Dreams U, Karen Greenberger Mrs. Sylvia Ballatt, Executive Director of New York City High Schools, visited Townsend Harris High School to view "I Have a Dream" , a student-made . videotape, on Jannary 21. The program, organized by Assistant Principal, Supervision Mrs. Bernice Horowitz, consisted of ten sophomores and freshman, who told of their dreams of the future. The dreams included world peace, the abolition of segregation, nuclear disarmament, and problems of the elderly. Jennifer Antoszewski acted as the moderator. Those who spoke were Jennifer Abramson, Lynn Alaimo, who revealed she wants to be a journalist, Raymond Altimirano, Nicole Dittrick, who told how she wants to travel to learn more about people, Nicole Elias, Richard Jones, Jr., who wants to become a doctor and develop a cure for AIDS, Michelle Lin, Cheryl Martin, Lani Muller , and Cheryl Schustack. Ray Altirnirano, who spoke on being judged by onets appearance; said, . "People judge me differently since 1 have an earring." " After viewing the tape, students and teachers were given the opportunity to tell of their dreams. Social Studies teacher Mr . Arnold G$:>ldstein spoke about the abtivarious workshops influenced him. Mr. Polizzi does not write as a hobby, but as an equally important career. ' Mr. Polizzi sees himself as a guide and hopes to have students experience many different areas of writing and sample the world of publishing. Various workshops will enable students to understand and comprehend the publishing industry. "Many people are disillusioned when it comes to publishing," said Mr. Polizzi. "They do' not realize how bard it is to have a piece of work published." Students practice writing both plays and poems and focus on one .
By Holly Hatcher turns evaluating each other. Students have to keep five basic There are two new English electives for tenth grade students, important ideas in mind while Forensics and the Creative . publically speaking: loudness, rate, pitch, variety and pronunciaWriting Workshop. Forensics, taught by Mr. Ar- tion. Marcia Valentine expressed thur Boulanger, opens a new field 路 her feelings toward the course: "I of communication, which focuses feel the class deals with the art of on speaking effectively. Mr. communication so we can achieve Boulanger hopes that the students the ability to speak and listen efwill gain "the ability, confidence fectively to each other, enabling technique and voice to present us to evaluate ourselves efficienttheir view and side of an argu - ly." The course includes other oftheaboveareas.VVhiledevclo~ ment." Public speaking, debates, panel devices used within the classroom . ing their talent students explore discussions and many other ac- to provide students with an other writing as well. tivities help enhance the student 's enriching knowledge which may perception of body language and prove to be beneficial in future interpretation of responses . One years, such as one minute presenof the important goals the tations. students taking this course an- . Sophomores who participate in ticipate achieving is the develop - the Creative Writing Workshop ment of self confidence and learn the basic techniques of playwriting and writing short stature during an interview. The students are presently stories and poetry within a working individually, speaking in worksh op atmosphere . Mr . Franfront of the class. The class prac- cis Polizzi, teacher of the course, tices various exercises, such as sell- is a professional writer as well and ing products, and reporting news writes poetry and short works, inbriefs from newspaper article s. cluding plays. Each student is evaluated by five Mr. Polizzi first started writing members of the class for this pare' in college and feels that being an ticular exercise. The students take English major and attending
e~
Q
1 'l::
.sB o
<t Dr. Malcolm Largmami, Mrs. Sylvia Ballatt, Mrs. Bernice Horowitz, Dr. Mark Miksic after viewing program. apartheid group at our school. He said that Townsend H a rris students are a good exam ple; they show concern for th ose suffering. For example, after hearing apartheid speaker Mr . Joel Carlson on December 10, they organized an anti-apartheid rally.
.
Questions were addressed to Mrs. Ballatt concerning the civil rights movement in the '60's, her interests and activities, as well as on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Varsha Ghosh asked, "Why should we have a national holiday for Dr. Kingwhen he did not hold public office like Lincoln or Washington'1 " "Martin Luther King ac complished tremendous things in his life," Mrs. Ballatt said. "Remember the ideals of Dr. King
and try to follow them. " Mrs . Ballatt spoke of her participation in civil rights activities in the '60's; sh e atten ded dem onstrati on s, mar ches, and picketings. She briefly spoke of her participation in several marches across the Brooklyn Bridge ,.
in fro nt of the Board of Education and at City Hall. "I hope that you people who are young, will recognize that we need maj or changes . Changes in the South when they happened were more noticeable than in the North. " The school chorus performed three songs during the pro gram. At the conclusion of "I Have a Dream;" they spontaneously sang, "We Shall Overcome."
..., ~
. ~
~
">:
.s-
fl ~
Students join leadership class to display new school banner, a Founder's Day gift from the Townsend Harris Alumni AssociafiQD.
.
News Briefs Suzanne Offerman has been declared a \finner in the 1986 Women's History Month Contest sponsored by the New York City Comtnission on the Status of Women, the five b oroug h presidents and the Board of Education, and was honored by Mayor Koch on March 25 at City Hall.
The anti-apart heid march too k place on March 21st in front of the school bui lding . It 路 was o rganized by Mr. Goldstein . There were politicians there and the event was covered by the press . Ab out 100 stud ents picketed again st racial segregation .