AHRC Middle / High School
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September-November, 2014
PARENT NEWSLETTER
Principal's Message: We wanted to welcome everyone to a new
school year here at the Middle High School (MHS). There are
many new and exciting things happening and one of them is
going to be a regular MHS newsletter. This will be an
opportunity for everyone to talk about plans, field trips, events,
and accomplishments. We hope to have a regular interview
with staff to help get to know everyone. Thanks to Jessica Abel
for spearheading this project and we look forward to regular
issues of this newsletter. Can't wait to hear everything that is
happening at MHS!! Andrew Winfrey
Hello Parents,
I hope you had a wonderful summer season. On behalf of
AHRC Middle High School, I welcome you back for another
exciting school year. Please enjoy this “Back to School” Parent
Newsletter. All content was provided by Middle High School
staff and students, We look forward to accepting parent
submissions in future newsletters. Please feel free to submit
Inspirational Stories/Quotes, Announcements or Comments to
[email protected]
Thanks, Jessica Abel, Speech Therapist & Parent Newsletter
Director/Editor
STUDENT EVENTS
Halloween Dance – Friday, October 31st, 2014 in the gym from
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
Thanksgiving Luncheon – Wednesday, November 26th, 2014 to be
held on each school floor
In this issue:
 Student Events
 School News
 Classroom News &
Announcements
 Call for Submissions:
Name This Newsletter
 Meet a New Teacher
 Classroom Picks
 Staff News
 Featured AHRC Poet
NOW OPEN: COFFEE CAFE
as part of
THE SNACK
SHACK
Winter Feast Luncheon - Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014 in the
cafeteria
STAFF & PARENT EVENTS
Parent Teacher Conferences – October 23rd (½ day school)
Staff Development Day – November 4th (No school for
students)
Jessica Van Arnam (Left) and
Anne Keane (Right) proudly
operate the
AHRC Middle / High School
1201 66th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219
(718) 259-4389
http://www.ahrcnyc.org/schools/sponsor/ahrcmiddlehighschool/
with help from our students!
(more info on next page)
CLASSROOM NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Class 303 teacher, Ms. Brielle Meskin (Left) assisted by Allen
and Marie, report, “Class 303 is putting their heart, mind,
and soul into our work on the daily! The year has started off
with new routines, class jobs, internships, and more...class 303
is taking it all in stride with positive attitudes and hard
work. We’ve been trying new healthier options in cooking
class, such as fresh salsa, salads, fruit salads, and
quesadillas. Weekly trips to the local library, supermarkets,
fruit markets, and the park has kept us active and making the most of this beautiful
weather! In October, we are looking forward to our field trip to the New York Hall of
Science to help our comprehension of physical sciences, and to celebrate a student's
birthday! We are also looking for some field trip ideas involving community service, so if
anyone has any ideas please contact me at [email protected]. Come and see
what we’re up to!” Inspirational Quote from Class 303: Put your heart, mind, and soul
into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success. By Swami Sivananda
Class 404 Transitional Teacher, Ms. Wakkia Skeete
(Middle), assisted by Pascale and Natalie, report, “Our
class has hit the floor running with internships,
classroom jobs, and increasing independence during all
aspects of functional living skills. These include grocery
shopping, cooking, and laundry duties. The students
use a checklist to shop for all groceries and cooking
ingredients. This month we've baked cookies, made
grilled cheese and BLT sandwiches. Each week we use
the school's apartment space to work on our daily
living skills. We also go out into the community to sort and wash laundry in a local
laundromat. We love working on our travel training while out in the community.”
Class 302 teacher, Mr. Reid Spector, assisted by Sammi-Jo and
Christella, report, “ We are pleased to announce an art opening
in our classroom to showcase our latest mural project. All classes
will be invited for October 17th during their lunch period.
Inspirational Quote from Class 302:
Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to
climb a tree it will live its whole life believing it is stupid. By
Albert Einstein
THE SNACK SHACK, located in the cafeteria, is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Snacks and beverages range in price from $.25 to $1.00. The Snack Shack allows the students to
practice decision making skills, budgeting and making a purchase in a store. The Coffee Cafe
(within the Snack Shack), is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
We presently offer coffee (hot and iced), tea (hot and iced) and hot chocolate at $1.00 per cup.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
Name this Newsletter! Please submit your name ideas by October 31st to
[email protected]. Submission finalists will be published in the next newsletter along
with the winner.
MEET MR. GREG PATRISS, NEW TEACHER OF CLASS 310
Where are you from?
I am from Long “Strong” Island.
What led you to become a teacher?
I started graduate school at Dowling College for Special
Education. During my second semester, I was very fortunate to
meet two professors who loved my work and really believed in
my decision to be an educator. They were great role models to
me and encouraged me to continue my studies. Student teaching
then really accelerated my love for teaching. I was able to
establish great rapport with the kids. One of my students had
difficulty communicating. After a few months, he began having
conversations with me about computers, games, etc. When
student teaching ended, he made me a poster. The administration was surprised and very
appreciative toward me for connecting with him. That’s what it’s all about for me.
What is the most exciting part about being a teacher?
The most exciting part is the students and the personalities you meet along the way. If
students were not part of this job, I would be elsewhere. They make it all worth it.
Secondly, I really embrace the role model part of this job. I like offering advice,
attempting to inspire, and guiding students in the right directions. I am always learning
from them. This job will forever keep me a student, which is a great thing!
Favorite sport:
Football is my favorite sport. I enjoy watching the Mets, Jets, and Knicks.
Favorite author: David Gemmell-This guy totally rocks! If you’re into movies like Troy, 300,
or Brave Heart, these books really hit the spot! I’m in the process of drafting a book. This
author totally inspired me!
Favorite TV show: Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond. My Grandmother and I would
watch Seinfeld a lot when I was a teenager. She couldn’t stand Elaine at times, but the
show kept us laughing.
Interests: I am passionate about music, writing, marine biology (Yes, I love dolphins, Great
Whites, and Orcas), fishing, psychology, reading, healthy food and nutrition (I could
probably write a book on this topic), travel, culture, adventure, and playing basketball.
CLASSROOM PICKS
Class 311 (Teacher: Mr. Sean Rienzi, Left)
Recommended Book List by students and staff:
1. War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman
and Peter Laird
3. Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer
4. Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol
5. Paltronis by David V. Mammina
THERAPY READS
Occupational Therapist, Karl Valentine, recommends a book by Carol
Kranowitz entitled, The Out of Sync Child, as an additional resource for
parents.
Speech Therapist, Nataliya Falevich, suggests reading, Ten Myths about
High Functioning Autism and Sensory Integration Disorder. Found at:
http://tdalexander.hubpages.com/hub/Autism-and-the-Senses-What-isSensory-Integration-Disorder-and-How-do-People-on-the-Spectrum-Cope-with-It
STAFF NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jaqueline Testaverdi (Right) from Class 202 is elated to announce the birth of
her son, Jake Joseph (May 14th, 2014 at 3:07 pm), who is now a brother to
Addison Testaverdi.
Lisa Marie (Left) in Class 202 is excited to meet her daughter,
Gabriella Gianna, in November, 2014.
Mr. Reid and his wife are expecting their first child in
mid-October and all advice is appreciated. Mr. Reid
has also begun teaching classes in the psychology
department of Touro College in the evenings.
AHRC Featured Poet, Melina Petratos.
Poem for her granddaughter, Melina
Melinaki
With Strands of Pearls, glistening in the diaphanous heart of the Aegean
Your smile will compete and win.
The dance of the Nymphs on the Hills of Olympus, a prelude to your glorious movement
Euterpe, Erato and Terpsychore, are your ancestors in cosmic equations, weavers of the
silken threads of your laughter.
The Greek Gods, the ancient poets, the eternal flame of wonderment a stage for your
luminous journey.
Child of ours and theirs, the world awaits you,
The essence of life celebrates you.
Your Ithaca beckons
The spirited twinkle of your innocent glance
A freshly painted lighthouse illuminating the
Night sky with a new bright star
Melina of song and morning flower dew
Melina of jasmine and warm colors of dusk
May the Fates give you a resplendent garden
Painted with flower dust on the wings of a butterfly
May the Muses of harmony serenade you in your cerulean dreams.
May the Gods bless you with poetry and love in the horizons of the eternal day
THANK YOU FOR READING :)