james madison high school brooklyn, ny volume i, issue 3 ... · classes resume thursday, april 24...
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The Nexus Newsletter – James Madison High School – Brooklyn, NY Volume I, Issue 3
The Nexus Published by Lawrence R. Melamed
April 11, 2014
P
A bi-monthly
newsletter for James
Madison High School
staff members, and a
showcase for why we
shine.
Upcoming Events:
Monday, April 14 – Tuesday, April 22
Spring Vacation (Happy Holidays!)
Wednesday, April 23
Classes Resume
Thursday, April 24
1st Annual Talent Showcase, in the
Auditorium at 6:00 PM
Sunday, April 27
Alumni Association “Wall of
Distinction” Ceremony, refreshments
in the lobby at 1:00 PM, ceremony in
the auditorium at 2:00 PM
Friday, May 2
End of Marking Period II
In this issue…
Read the story of an alum who now leads
our alumni association. Find out how the
college office helps make dreams come true.
Learn about how else our deans take good
care of us. Discover why your next workout
should be in our very own gymnasium.
Madison is active on social networks:
“Like” us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.
com/jmadisonhs
Follow us on Twitter:
@JMadisonHSBklyn
They Can Do the Math
The South Brooklyn Invitational Mathematics
Competition is an annual event that brings
together the best math students from South
Brooklyn high schools for a friendly battle of
numerical wizardry. Because James Madison
High School boasts many a student math whiz, we
sent two teams to compete this year. Sara
Spiegel, coordinator of the Academy of IT, and
Mary Juliano, coordinator of the Math Academy,
both advise and coach the students—dedication
that has produced wonderful results. One of
Madison’s teams placed 2nd in this year’s
competition, continuing a three year streak of
earning high honors. In the last two annual
competitions, Madison placed 1st.
…Continued on p 7
Our students get down to work at the Mathematics
Competition at FDR High School, 3/29/14.
In remembrance of our friend and colleague,
Irene Lipkin, former aide and photocopy
empress, who passed away last weekend.
The Nexus Newsletter – James Madison High School – Brooklyn, NY Volume I, Issue 3
Madison’s Gym Wing Gets a Spruce Up
Physical Education is about way more than just learning to throw a ball around. It’s about
experiencing the rush that only comes from intense physical activity and friendly competition,
the modeling of collaboration and promotion of team spirit, and the instillation of an
understanding of and appreciation for fitness, which Assistant Principal Rick Papandrea says
is one of the major goals of the Physical Education department’s instructional program. Mr.
Papandrea explained “it’s why we offer a large catalogue of courses. We want to meet the
varied interests of all our students.” Support for these endeavors has come in the form of a
grant from the School Construction Authority, which recently renovated Gym 1. If you have
not seen it, please stop by. What you will see will render you breathless.
“The students were in awe,” Mr. Papandrea said, admitting that his own expectations were far
exceeded upon seeing the finished work. The gym was in much need of repair. The floors are
original (almost 100 years old), and through constant wear and tear and application of layer
after layer of polyurethane, the floors began to buckle and break in some places, posing what
Mr. Papandrea says was “a potential hazard.” With the newly sanded and repaired floors, and
freshly painted walls and ceiling—which took about 10 weeks to complete—students can now
take pride in their gym.
Mr. Papandrea commended Principal Jodie Cohen for being insistent with and speaking to the
right people to get the job done. As more money comes in, the gymnasiums will continue to
undergo refurbishment. This includes the construction of a brand new swimming pool, a new
dance studio, and the remodeling of the weight room.
Page 2
The Nexus Newsletter – James Madison High School – Brooklyn, NY Volume I, Issue 3
What the Legacy of Madison
Means to One Alum
Words from Alumni Association President,
Martha (“Marty”) Weinstein Alpert
I came into Madison as a sophomore because I went
to Jr. High and was soon sorry I missed that
freshman year. I was excited and happy and
actually ran from class to class and from activity to
activity. Every minute I could spend away from
studies I was doing happy things - Boosters,
Sorority, Sing, clubs, sporting events, SGO - and so
when I became Commissioner of Social Affairs - a
cabinet post - a friend said, "who better?" Happy
kid.
When I learned about the Alumni Association I
could not wait to jump in, just as I felt when I
started high school. I met the board, got involved in
organizing, and attended the Wall of Distinction.
The Wall. What a brilliant idea to honor our
outstanding alumni and highlight just what kind of
foundation Madison builds for extraordinary
achievement - and, for those of us not
so extraordinary, well, we are always able to fall
back on lessons learned in that building. And smile
when we remember.
Our teachers were, for the most part, stern, no-
nonsense, dedicated, and "seasoned". No cool
youngsters in jeans, but plain old-fashioned
academics. I always said I walked out of Madison
with a serious, well-rounded education because of
my teachers' persistence and support.
Being an alum and working for my school has been
nothing but rewarding. I've met wonderful people-
alumni, faculty, students. Many of my friends are
Returning to New York in 2005 after 18 years away, one of the first things I did was drive down Bedford
Avenue. I made a cursory pass at Brooklyn College but I parked and walked into Madison, just
wanting to soak up the atmosphere for a couple of minutes. I've been back many times since and always,
always get that "feeling" when I enter.
When I learned about the Alumni Association I could not wait to jump in, just as I felt when I started
high school. I met the board, got involved in organizing, and attended the Wall of Distinction. The Wall.
What a brilliant idea to honor our outstanding alumni and highlight just what kind of foundation
Madison builds for extraordinary achievement - and, for those of us not so extraordinary, well, we are
always able to fall back on lessons learned in that building. And smile when we remember.
Our teachers were, for the most part, stern, no-nonsense, dedicated, and "seasoned". No cool youngsters
in jeans, but plain old-fashioned academics. I always said I walked out of Madison with a serious, well-
rounded education because of my teachers' persistence and support.
Being an alum and working for my school has been nothing but rewarding. I've met wonderful people-
alumni, faculty, students. Many of my friends are the same ones I had back in the day and we all agree
that we had the best. I spent some of the best years of my life in Madison and I am giving
something back so the students of today can say the same tomorrow.
Page 3
Congratulations
To mock trial students, Alexandra Ali and
Elizabeth Kletsel, who received paid
internships this coming summer at
Madison’s mentor law firm, Cadwalader,
Wickersham and Taft. Marla Rutter is
their advisor and coach.
To Avi Dachs and the entire student staff of
The Madison Moment, for having launched
the online edition of the school newspaper.
Check it out: www.mmoment.edublogs.org
To Nyamekye “Red” Barton, on the birth
of his son.
To student Eldar Gilmanov, and his art
teacher and mentor David Mahl, for the
inclusion of his artwork, a piece entitled
Ishinomaki, in the P.S. Art 2014 exhibition
at The Metropolitan Museum of Art!
Visit the alumni association at
www.jamesmadisonalumni.org and
help build our legacy!
The Nexus Newsletter – James Madison High School – Brooklyn, NY Volume I, Issue 3
More than a Wall
The James Madison High School Alumni
Association will be hosting its 8th Induction
Ceremony for accomplished alumni who will be
recognized on Madison’s Wall of Distinction. The
event will take place in the Madison auditorium on
Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 2 pm, and will be
preceded by refreshments in the lobby at 1. It is an
event as much for staff members and current
students as it is for alumni, because the
recognition of our former graduates is a testament
to the legacy of good teaching, motivation, and
community service that has always embodied and
continues to reflect those associated with our
school. It is for that reason that everyone—alumni,
staff members, current students and their
parents—are urged to attend. During the
ceremony, distinguished alumni are recognized for
their great achievements, and a permanent
photograph of them that will hang eternally in our
lobby is unveiled. Some alumni have been honored
posthumously, but many welcome the opportunity
to return to their beloved alma mater.
Madison boasts an inordinate number of graduates
who have contributed in large ways to our society.
Some of the more famous alumni to have walked
these halls include: United States Supreme Court
Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (’50); NY State
Senator, Charles Schumer (’67); Professional
Baseball Players, Cal Abrams (’42) and Frank Torre
(’50); Singer and Songwriter, Carole (Klein) King
(’58); Film and Television Director, Joel Zwick (’58);
Radio Personality, Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow
(’53); Test Prep Pioneer, Stanley Kaplan (’35); and
America’s favorite adjudicator, Judge Judy (Judith
Blum) Sheindlin (’60)… not to mention two other
graduates who continue to bring us pride: Our
own Parent-Coordinator, Laraine (LoPinto) Izzo
graduates who continue to bring us pride: Our own
Parent-Coordinator, Laraine (LoPinto) Izzo (66’) and
Principal, Jodie (Green) Cohen (’89).
I spoke with Richard (Dick) Kossoff (’53), who is on
the Alumni Association Executive Board and is the
association’s former president. He said that the
“Wall” came about years ago while reminiscing with
three of his classmates. They agreed that Madison
had graduated a staggering number of alumni who
had accomplished so much, and they believed that if
these accomplishments weren’t “captured” in some
way, they would “get lost in time.” Mr. Kossoff said
that what determines eligibility is not wealth or fame,
but renown for having contributed positively to our
society. The event brings the honorees and their
families to Madison for a celebratory luncheon,
followed by an induction ceremony during which
each honoree speaks for 5-10 minutes about what
James Madison High School means to them. He said
they sometimes speak about their friends and
classmates, and sometimes the neighborhood, but
most often—they speak about their teachers. Mr.
Kossoff credits the teachers he had with making his
experience at Madison as wonderful as it was. He
recalls their dedication, relaying to me the story of
one teacher who drove a student to Harvard because
the student’s parents did not own a car.
Continued on page 7…
Dick Kossoff (’53), Former Alumni Association Pres.
Page 4
The Nexus Newsletter – James Madison High School – Brooklyn, NY Volume I, Issue 3
The Dream Makers of Room 126
Besides the addition of more computers for student use and the redesign of the college office space, which Ms.
Rosado feels makes the room more “open and inviting to the students,” a number of events have been added to the
college office calendar. These include an on-site interview week, “College Wednesdays” (mini college fairs) in the
autumn, and a spring college fair (held just last night)! While Ms. Tolas meets with all students to discuss grades,
the building of academic profiles, available scholarships and graduation requirements, Ms. Rosado helps students
pull everything together so that applications are both strong and complete. This means making sure that our
students meet deadlines, send in their SAT and ACT scores, attain teacher recommendations, and submit fee
waivers. Mr. Barton is on hand to advise student athletes about NCAA requirements.
Have you been to the college office lately? If
you haven’t, you may not recognize it, given all
of the changes that have taken place over the
last year or two. With the roll-out of the
school-wide use of the Naviance “Student and
Family College and Career Planning Portal” and
the retirement of long-time college counselor
Hazel Shaw, the office has undergone lots of
reorganization. Enter guidance counselor
Barbara Tolas and Librarian and Coach
Nyamekye “Red” Barton, who joined college
office secretary Helen Rosado last September
to form an incredible support staff to help our
upperclassmen navigate as they embark upon
the college search and application process.
Spotlight! On Senior,
Jordan Green
Macaulay Honors is the prestigious honors program offered by CUNY in eight of
its senior colleges. Students who are accepted (1,300 in total) are awarded full
scholarships to cover their tuition costs. It signifies that we are doing the best
by our students, considering the difficulty of earning these coveted spots, that
seven of them have been accepted into the program. Senior Jordan Green just
learned two weekends ago that she was accepted into the Macaulay Honors
Program at Brooklyn College. For her, it means the relief that college is paid
for, and the expectation of rigor, something she has never shied away from; she
is this year’s graduating class salutatorian! She credits the college office with
helping to ensure that her application was solid and reflective of her
qualifications.
Jordan says she’ll miss Madison, which has become a second home for her.
Though she was part of the Law program, she’s not so sure that a career in law
is what’s in store for her. She dreams of being on the radio, and is considering
majoring in broadcast journalism. She invites the promise of uncertainty that
lay ahead. In fact, the personal statement that helped her score her placement
in the esteemed program was about our tenuous economy and the increasing
difficulties young people will face as they search for their places in the job
market. Undaunted, she anticipates the changes and challenges this coming
summer will bring with a levity that is a testament to her youth. One of
Jordan’s favorite films is “Napolean Dynamite,” and when it comes to
food, she wholeheartedly believes that chicken nuggets can’t be beat!
difficulties young people will face as they search for their places in the job market. Undaunted, she anticipates the
changes and challenges this coming summer will bring with a levity that is a testament to her youth. One of
Jordan’s favorite films is “Napolean Dynamite,” and when it comes to food, she wholeheartedly believes that
chicken nuggets can’t be beat!
Ms. Tolas boasted about this year’s strong applicant pool. She said that in addition to the “many scholarships
(given) on the spot (during) our on-site (interview) days” from a number of colleges including St. John’s, St.
Francis, LIU and Mercy, we also have a number of POSSE and Macaulay Honors recipients in this year’s
graduating class. Student Theo Kranidas, for example, earned a full ride to Johns Hopkins, and student Amanda
Yu was awarded a $70,000 scholarship to Albright.
Page 5
The Nexus Newsletter – James Madison High School – Brooklyn, NY Volume I, Issue 3
Motley Crew Does the Trick
The deans’ office provides a unique perspective for
teachers who otherwise spend a great deal of their
careers in front of classrooms. As a dean, you don’t only
intervene on behalf of students who are at-risk or in
crisis, but you do so with a broader sense of their
problems and a more global opportunity to address
them, all while working alongside a team of colleagues
from every department in the building. The advantages
these opportunities provide didn’t escape the deans, who
formed their own teacher team earlier this year.
By taking an inter-disciplinary and multi-access point
approach to intervention, the deans’ office teacher team
has already met with a great deal of success. A number
of students in the team’s cohort are already benefitting
from the attention and guided intervention. Building the
team was easy, once a cohort of students was identified,
and goals were set. The team meets regularly and during
SBO-scheduled professional developments to confer with
one another, problem-shoot, discuss success stories,
build data profiles, perform assessment, and plan for the
future.
Larry Melamed, a member of the team, feels that its
greatest asset is its diversity. He said: “we are a motley
crew. Some of us teach English. Others physical
education… or social studies, foreign language,
mathematics and more. Then there are the
administrators, guidance counselors, crisis counselors,
paraprofessionals, non-deaning teachers, and many
others we work with. The list goes on. But somehow,
having those multiple resources and perspectives does
the trick.” In fact, it’s almost certainly the essential
component of the team’s success. By having ten to
twenty educators work in tandem to help one student
get on track, success becomes so much more possible.
twenty educators work in tandem to help one
student get on track, success becomes so much
more possible. There are currently 120
students in the cohort, cared for by a team of
over a dozen staff members, including:
Teachers Larry Melamed, Jennifer Schips,
Lucia Lengua, Larry Carbonaro, Anthony
Pecora, Charlie Burruano, RoseAnn Salatino,
Danielle Stefandel, Guy Angrand, Linda
Kelly, Mike Gobin, Tara Luhrs, Ned
Campbell, and guidance counselors Jean
Brutus and Pamela Padula. Nothing would go
smoothly without the efforts of deans’ office
secretary, Liz Allgeier, who makes sure that
the team’s records and data profiles are
regularly updated.
John Puglionisi, Assistant Principal of
Security, had this to say about the team: “The
remarkable work being conducted by the deans’
office teacher team is an extension of the
philosophy that has been pervasive in our
office, that deans are educators first. Acting as
roving guidance counselors, deans must be
aware of the individual needs of our students,
especially those who are considered at risk, if
discipline can truly be not a punishment but
rather a learning experience. The educator
Haim Ginott wrote, ‘In all situations, it is my
response that decides whether a crisis will be
escalated or deescalated, and a child
humanized or dehumanized.’ The deans’ office
teacher team lives up to this ideal.”
If you would like some guidance in constructing
an inter-disciplinary team, please contact Mr.
Melamed.
Page 6
The Nexus Newsletter – James Madison High School – Brooklyn, NY Volume I, Issue 3
…Continued from page 1
The student participants on team A
were: Daniel He, Jiayi Lao, Dongyang
Li, Weichao Zhao, Jiawei Zhou, Meijie
Zhao, and Xitang Zhao; members of
team B included Paata Ugrekhelidze,
Runhong Qiu, Jing Huang, Mariya
Lelikova, Tsz Chuen Lam and Song
Ren Zhao.
Team A captain Xitang Zhao said that
what he loves most about competing in
the mathematics competition is the
“team spirit and strengthening of
bonds” between team members. He
added that competing is a great way to
keep in touch with everything that’s
going on in the world of mathematics.
He is proud of Madison’s teams, and
believes that we will reclaim the crown
in next year’s competition.
Sara Spiegel with some of her mathematics whizzes on
the morning of the competition at FDR High School. They
smile because they know they’re tough to beat!
Principal’s C R N E R: A Message from
Jodie Cohen
Third period, team teaching with Kate Maciaszek and
Coach Barton is such an exciting part of my day.
One morning, we decided to take the class on a school
visit to the “new” gymnasium and the facial
expressions on the children’s faces overtook me.
Thanks to a generous RESO-A grant from Councilman
Fiedler, we will also be receiving padding to complete
the “new” gymnasium. After the visit, we taught the
students about ownership and how you have to utilize
resources to improve whatever you are working on.
Through the efforts of many staff members, we are
going to be seeing lots of changes in our school. We
are receiving funding to: install wipeboards in all
remaining classrooms, install Smartboards in all
remaining classrooms, bring electricity into
classrooms to provide for air conditioning in the future
and additionally, we are working with the alumni
association to beautify classrooms.
I look forward to updating this building with all of
your support.
…Continued from page 4
Mr. Kossoff does a great deal of the
research to find alumni who merit
candidacy. Roughly eight candidates are
chosen for each installation ceremony,
which takes place every two years. Mr.
Lou Sheinbaum (’53) oversees the
photographing of each honoree for the
wall.
This year’s honorees include: Dr. Herbert
Abrams (’37), developer of coronary
angiography; Ellen Reiss Hoyt (’51), artist
and environmentalist; Ira Silverman (’53),
former NBC News chief investigative
producer; Dr. Stanley Goldsmith (’54),
physician, researcher, educator and
author; Stephen Verona (’58), artist,
filmmaker, music video pioneer; Eli Segal
(’60), Presidential advisor, father of
Americorps; Maury Chaykin (67’), film and
television actor; and Dr. Larry Weinstein
(’71), plastic surgeon and humanitarian
physician.
Please dress in your best and join us on
Sunday the 27th of April for a ceremony
that is about more than just a wall.
Page 7
The Nexus Newsletter – James Madison High School – Brooklyn, NY Volume I, Issue 3
Standing Ovations for Student Performers at Spring Musical
Student Performers Julian Perez, Stephanie Chorazy, and Sabiha Arif. Head shots by Georges Vilson.
Attendance at both of last weekend’s performances of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” allowed me to
see how practiced our students were. The shows were almost identical, showcasing spot-on
delivery of lines, a fluid collaboration with the pit orchestra, and seamless movements across the
stage, all combined in a way that kept the nightly audience of around 250 mesmerized. Musical
Director of the show, Rebecca Ellis, agrees. She said: “I am thrilled with how well the students
performed in Legally Blonde. The cast and crew worked incredibly hard to put this show together,
and I think the outcome was a fine example of musical theatre. These students truly made the
show their own, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Student Sabiha Arif, who played the character Margot, had a strong dancing role in the musical.
When I complimented her on her performance, she responded modestly, not immediately
recognizing the admirable skill with which she danced. She said that if she looked at ease, the
credit was owed to Ms. Ellis, whom she called “a great motivator.” Student Julian Perez, who
played the character Emmett, agreed. He said that taking the musical theater class was such an
important part of his high school career. He said that Ms. Ellis “is great at showing people what
they can really do.” Both students feel like they’re part of a big family here at Madison, and they
were particularly pleased with the wonderful reception they received from the audiences both
nights. “Their reactions were perfect; they laughed and they clapped at exactly the right
moments,” the two remarked.
Student Stephanie Chorazy was the star of the show, performing in the central role as Elle Woods.
No stranger to musical theater, Stephanie had taken vocal lessons in elementary school. Upon
entering high school, however, she no longer possessed the confidence of her earlier years. It was
at the insistence of Ms. Ellis that Stephanie participate in the school production of “Guys and
Dolls,” when she was finally able to feel confident again in front of large audiences. Since then,
she has auditioned for every spring musical willingly and enthusiastically. What made Elle easy
for her to play is that Stephanie found the character relatable. Like her alter ego, Stephanie is
sociable and bubbly. What she learned from Elle, however, is that she should never doubt herself.
She’ll carry Elle with her when she attends Adelphi University next year, where she is considering
a minor in acting.
Page 8