Vo.l. 19, No. 1, October 2002
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~asstc Townsend Harris High School at Queens College ·
149-11 Melbourne_ Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367
Rally kicks off sixth a11nual e·leCtion simulation by Marlo Dublin dience for campaign events and the cipal of Humanities Lynne Greenfield, Bright posters, balloons, and cheer mock media, as well as contribute cam- several social studies teachers, and Dr. filled the auditorium during seventh paign dollars, or "simbucks," to show Michael Krasner of Queens College's band on Thursday, September 26, as the Senior Class kicked off this year's annual electionsimulation with · a political rally. · Focusing primarily on the ca~didates · runni-ng in the gubernatorial race and smaller elections, as well as the interest · groups supporting them, the rally served to inform the audience about key issues · that will be hotly debated in the coming two months. "The rally was full of pep," senior Matthew Barbery stated. "Everyone was extremely enthusiastic, and it · was obvious that each class put a lot of , ·effort into 't heir individual presentations." The rally was just one of the several events that will characterize this year's portray annual election simulation. Uniting the their views on the issues after the kick off rally for the election simulation. whole school in a cooperative effort, the Department of Political Science, in an simulation allows underclassmen to par- support for candidates. The simulation started in 1996 and attempt to inform students about the ticipate by giving them an opportunity was devised by former Assistant Prinelection process, political campaigns and to vote on Election Day, serve as an au-
Deb~ate·-~ov_er- lJs-e --of · extra ·ti·m·e by Jamie Gullen A proposed modification of the agreement made last June between the . United Federation of Teachers and the Chancellor regarding the extra I 00 minutes that teachers are required to work per week will go into effect next month if ratified by the members of the UFT. The original plan for Townsend Harris was to have two months of staff development meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 50 minutes each day. Then, after October 31, this time was most likely going to be used for optional tutoring and conferencing for students. · Under the new plan, single session high schools such as Townsend Harris will add 20 minutes to each day, most likely by adding approximately three minutes to each period. There is the possibilty, however, that . the decision on how the extra time is. to be used can be leftup to individual schools. The New York Teacher, the official newspaper of the UFT, reports that uoder the agreement, principals will be able to submit proposals for school-
based options (SBOs) to use the time as they see fit. "We'll go to the chancellor, if necessary, to ensure that SBOs agreed to at the school level are honored," stated the union paper (10/9/02). It is Mr. Cunningham's hope that there will be some freedom left to the school when deciding what to do with the daily 20 minutes. "I hope it is school-based because there are many ways I 00 minutes could be used to benefit students ..... I will certainly present some ideas.I think there are many models that will help students throughout the school," said Mr; Cunningham. Like the rest ofthe school community, Mr. Cunningham found out about the proposed change on October I through the New York Times and other New York media. · · The staff development meetings that are currently taking place will continue until the decision is voted on, and ifthe new proposal is rejected, the current system will continue for the rest of the year. The staffmeetings and eventual tu-
New Teachers pgs. 4-6 ·
the responsibi'Jities of the media. Every year, seniors are required to take a .course in Participatory Democracy in which the "game" is played. They assume real life roles such as campaign manager, accountant or candidate and are required to help in their class's group effort to create their own version of a local or national election. "The election simulation is a fantastic program," Participatory Democracy teacher Myron Moskowitz stated. "It gives students a hands-on approach to learning the democratic process." · Mr. Moskowitz, Franco Scardino, Maureen Lonergan and Chris Hackney are running, this year's Participatory Democracy classes. Unlike Mr. Moskowitz's three classes that are representing all three gubernatorial parties, Mr. Hackney's class is in charge of .the visual media, Mr. Scardino~s three are in charge of the print and audio media, small elections .and the conservative pacts, Ms. Lonergan's class is in charge Continued on p. 7
·cre·ates ~confus-;o·n -
taring were thought to be the most ben- an abysmal lack of planning in many eficial usages of the extra time because districts and student busing issues," said it would provide teache'rs with more the UFT paper. _ training and give struggling students the Although under the new schedule more personal extra attention they need. faculty and students don't have to stay Although these were the recognized for 50 minutes after school any day, they benefits of the. ori-ginal plan, there were will have to stay an extra 20_minutes other factors that. were involved which each day and further scheduling concaused debat~ over whether or not this flicts will ensue. Seniors, who have college classes was the best approach. Under the current situation, many parents worried about very close in tiine to high school classes having difficulties picking up their chil- could be greatly affected by this time dren, a.nd there was inconsistency regard- change. Although it would only b~ a ing how the time was being spent in dif- question of a few minutes· in the morn- . ferent schools. In addition, the extra min- ing, by the end of the day, the times utes each week were intended to make would be shifted enough to cause schedsure that all children would benefit from uling conflicts. . .the extra time. According to the first plan, 1 ' Those who prefer the old plan for the only those who were having difficulty in time usage believe that adding a few school would be assured of receiving minutes to each period. will not benefit anyone, while those who favor the new extra time from teachers. Randy Weingarten, the President of system want all students to receive the the UFT, co.mmented to the union's extra time: Ms. Getting feels that the old newspaper about why a change .had been way was more productive than adding proposd."Problems with how the time ·three minutes to each band, saying, 'The was used were developing everywhere, school day will have ended 20 minutes Weingarten explained, mainly because of later, but what will have been gained?"
College St~ts . pg~. 8-9
Early Decision pg ..7 H
Reviews . pgs. 10-11
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