Category: New York

A ‘Towering’ Triumph!

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Vocabulary:

Nave – n., the large central part of a church

Towering – adj., very tall or very high

Funds – n., money 

Ongoing – adj., something that always happens

Daring – adj., very brave

Illicit – adj., against the law

Disorderly conduct –  n., behavior that is not peaceful

Trespass – v., to go onto private property without permission

Fondly – adv., with warm feelings

Close – n., the enclosed part of a cathedral

High-wire artist Philippe Petit will walk a tightrope across the nave of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, in New York City, on Wednesday, August 7th, and again on the 8th. Grammy Award-winning musician Sting, a friend of Petit, will perform original music for the event.  The performance is called “Towering” and will raise funds for the Cathedral’s ongoing programs.

Petit, well-known for his daring high-wire walks around the world, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center in 1974.

Even though Petit was arrested for what came to be known as “the art crime of the century,” he has never stopped walking on wires. “If I see two towers, I have to walk,” he told The New York Times. Later he added, “Anything that is giant and man-made strikes me in an awesome way and calls me.”

The illicit walk took 45 minutes and Petit, who turns 75 next week, was arrested for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass, but today his act is remembered fondly, including as part of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

He has walked high wires all over the world, from the Sydney Harbor bridge in Australia, to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and now, at 75 years old, he will celebrate the anniversary of this daring stunt in a place that holds great meaning for him – and is his spiritual home in New York.  It was the Reverend James Parks Morton, at the Cathedral in 1974, who requested Petit’s release from his arrest.  His daughter’s ashes are also at the Cathedral. When Morton retired at the end of 1996, Petit performed “Crescendo,” an aerial tribute on the cathedral’s close.

Photo source: https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/

Here is a video of another of Petit’s performances at the magnificent cathedral, his high-wire “Ribbon Walk” in February of 2024:

A visit to the cathedral is an amazing experience:

https://www.stjohndivine.org/visit

sources:

https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2024/08/07

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/opinion/philippe-petit-twin-towers.html?searchResultPosition=2

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Summer Rising

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The Summer Rising portal will open after 3PM on March 4 and close on March 25! Applications will be submitted using your NYC MySchools account . You can find your NYC MySchools account information by contacting your child’s school or visiting a Family Welcome Center (Family Welcome Centers (nyc.gov). 

Program Overview

Summer Rising 2024 is a partnership between New York City Public Schools and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). Summer Rising is free and available to all NYC students in grades K-8, pending seat availability.

Students in Summer Rising will have access to both academic and enrichment programming over the course of the day, including field trips, arts activities, and outdoor recreation. Programs will planned and operated collaboratively by school principals and community-based organizations (CBOs). The environment will be safe and supportive with staff prepared to respond to children’s social and emotional needs. Breakfast, lunch, and snack will be served. 

A typical day for students in grades K–8 will include a mix of academic support, social emotional learning, and enrichment activities. Academics will be provided by licensed teachers in the morning. Enrichment activities (such as art, sports, and play) will be led by CBO staff in the afternoons and on Fridays. CBOs will also facilitate enrichment in the morning, alongside academics, for K-5 programs. Students with disabilities who may require additional supports to participate in programming, such as a paraprofessional, will receive those supports as needed.

Multilingual learners/English language learners (MLs/ELLs) in grades K-8 participating in Summer Rising will engage in culturally responsive and student-centered academic opportunities in the morning and participate in afternoon enrichment sessions facilitated by trusted community-based organizations. Additionally, in the morning, MLs/ELLs will receive instruction targeting language and literacy development to support them with grade-level content. English as a New Language (ENL) teachers can provide MLs/ELLs with support through various instructional models, including small-group instruction or one-to-one support for MLs/ELLs. 

March 7, 2024 at 6:30 PM – Parent Webinar Training on Summer Rising 2024 Application in MySchools https://zoom.us/j/96118833285(Open external link)

March 12, 2024 at 6:30 PM – Parent Webinar Training on Summer Rising 2024 Application in MySchools (Open external link)https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KVYtSUBhTN2KNVnwXaXn1Q(Open external link)

March 14, 2024 at 6:30 PM – Parent Webinar Training on Summer Rising 2024 Application in MySchools (Open external link)https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gth3qrYNTMipczaS4z-LoQ(Open external link)(Open external link)

For more details, please click HERE!

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Are you a parent or guardian of school-aged children?

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So many things are happening for parents or guardians this time of year, as per the DOE Calendar below: School Enrollment Periods (October – December) & Parent Teacher Conferences (1st set in November). 

Also, please click the links below to find the information about ORIENTATIONS for MS / HS enrollment seminars (in English / Chinese / Spanish).

ELEMENTARY 

  • 3k – January 10, 2024 – March 1 
  • Pre-K –  January 10, 2024 – March 1 
  • Kindergarten – December 5 – January 19

MIDDLE SCHOOL  – October – December 8

VIRTUAL MEETINGS – 

November 8, 2023 5PM – 6PM English 普通話 | Chinese (Mandarin) 한국어 | Korean Arabic | العربية 

November 9, 2023 5PM – 6PM English Español | Spanish বাাংলা | Bangla Pусский | Russian

HIGH SCHOOL October – December 1

VIRTUAL SEMINAR –  ZOOM passcode of 123456

OCTOBER 24TH 6PM – 7PM – CHINESE (MANDARIN) ONLY

OCTOBER 26TH 6PM – 7PM – ENGLISH( WITH ARABIC, FRENCH, KOREAN TRANSLATION)

Specialized High Schools

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Learning English in NYC

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Did you know that there is something you can do to make you feel immediately more connected to your new home in New York City?

Did you know that this can also help you learn knew American English phrases and vocabulary- and it’s as simple as riding the train?

One more question:

How often do you look around at the billboards and advertisements in while you commute (1) around the city?

Learning to understand the way Americans speak and think is just as easy as looking at an advertisement (ad).

For example, the ad below for a food delivery service says, “New Yorkers aren’t angry, we’re just hangry“.

Hangry is a new casual English word that describes the feeling of being angry because you’re hungry!

Just by looking at this ad you’ve learned a word that you would not learn from school.

Look below!

Do you recognize the train ad?

It is a popular slogan (2) in NYC that says, “If you see something, say something!”

This phrase simply means, that if you see something strange or dangerous on the train or anywhere in the city, you can call the number 888-NYC-safe to tell someone who can help you.

In the above example, we can learn new words, new ways of speech, and new information that can keep us safe!

Not only can you learn, popular words and phrases, but you can also learn valuable information about NYC and the resources it offers!

In the picture below, you’ll see an ad for NYC’s public college system- CUNY!

If you’ve ever dreamed of going to college, you can learn more information about how to go to college without spending a lot of money from this ad.

And if you didn’t already know the vocabulary, you’ll learn the words, apply, degrees, and debt.

How can you use ads to study on-the-go?

  1. Go to the Google Translate app on your phone.
  2. Choose your language.
  3. Use the camera in the app to scan the ad- it will translate into whatever language you chose.
  4. Translate the words and read the ad!

It’s as simple as that!

Next time you’re walking around your neighborhood or traveling between work and home, look at the ads around you!

You will learn new words, find things that can help you, and most importantly, you’ll feel a part of New York!

Vocabulary:

  1. Commute– (v) to travel regularly by bus, train, car, etc. between your place of work and your home
  2. Slogan– (n) a word or phrase used by a party, a group, or a business to attract attention.

Sources:

  1. Google Image search
  2. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english
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April is Arab American Heritage Month

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From actors like Rami Malek and Tony Shalhoub, musicians such as French Montana and Shakira, to politicians such as George Kaseem and James Abourezk, Arabic Americans have contributed to the fabric (1) of American history and culture. 

Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017, with just a handful (2) of states participating.

In 2022, Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and 45 state governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative.

Check out the video below to learn more about Arab American Heritage Month, why it’s so important, and how we can all be better Americans by learning about each other’s heritage!

Phrases: 

1. The fabric of (something) –   the basic structure of (something)

2. Just a handful- only a small amount

References: National Arab American Heritage Month – Arab America Foundation %

List of Arab and Middle Eastern Americans in the United States Congress – Wikipedia

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St. Patrick’s Day!

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It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day in NYC!

Originally, St. Patrick’s Day began in Ireland as a Catholic holiday, but over the years it has grown into a festival of Irish culture. A week-long celebration of Irish music, theater, and visual arts takes place in many regions of Ireland. Family get-togethers are also important, as people sit down for a special meal. The feast of corned beef and cabbage, though, is an American tradition; in Ireland one is more likely to find bacon or a savory roast chicken on the table. 

Although the St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become a part of celebrations in Ireland these days, it’s the result of an American influence, where the tradition was created by homesick Irish immigrants. More recently, St. Patrick’s Day has become a highly marketable and promoted event in Ireland, resulting in an attractive draw for tourists visiting the country.

The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade dates back to March 17, 1762, when it was first organized by a group of homesick Irish immigrants and Irish military in the American colonies of NYC. Participants enjoyed  the freedom to speak Irish, wear the color green- which was banned in Ireland at the time, sing native songs, and play the bagpipe.

These things gave powerful meaning to those people who fled their homeland.

Join in the fun! Come to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

The NYC Parade is held on March 17th and begins precisely at 11:00 AM. The Parade marches up Fifth Avenue beginning at East 44th Street and ending at East 79th.  

Reference: CUNY Baruch: NYCdata | Uniquely NYC (cuny.edu)

  1. Homesick- adj the feeling of missing your home
  2. Banned-adj not allowed
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Loisaida

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‘Loisaida’ is the NYC neighborhood at the root of powerful movements.

While walking through the Lower East Side, did you ever notice the other name for Avenue C?

If you’re Puerto Rican or have lived in NYC for long enough to see the neighborhood change, you may have a soft spot for the word, “ Loisaida”.

Say it slowly. What downtown New York City neighborhood does it sound like?

Before The Lower East Side (LES) was a shopping and restaurant area mostly for university students, the Manhattan neighborhood was a working-class neighborhood for immigrants from across the world. In the mid-1900s, the Latinos who lived there called it “Loisaida”. Puerto Ricans and other working-class people made Loisaida a place for activism in New York City from the 1940s to the 1990s. 

Activist groups tried to improve the lives of residents in the neighborhood by leading protests and mass building squats. Locals also created spaces for the community, like gardens and restaurants. These actions along with art that brought Latinos together helped form national cultural pride. This created the The “Nuyorican” identity (preferred by some Puerto Ricans from New York), 

Have you heard of the Nuyorican Poets Café, opened in 1973? Many Latino artists, like poet, Aja Monet and actress, Rosario Dawson performed here!

Today LES has the second-highest income inequality gap in Manhattan. As the neighborhood becomes unaffordable, Latino families who once lived well there are being pushed out. 


Thankfully, some cultural hubs, like Loisaida Center and Tenement Museum, still exist and remind us of the Latino influence that helped strengthen Latino movements for justice, such as the creation of the modern Puerto Rican Flag! 

Check out next week’s blog to learn more about the influence of the Lower East Side on the history of Puerto Rico!


Soft spot- noun- to like something or someone a lot.
Income inequality gap- noun– income = money, inequality= unequal, gap= space
Unaffordable- adjective– expensive, not easy to buy
Hub- noun – a place that is a center of a particular activity 
Activism – Noun– social or political change 
To squat – Verb – living in a building without the legal right to do so 

Resources: 

  1. ‘Loisaida’ is the NYC neighborhood at the root of powerful movements – Pulso (projectpulso.org)
  2. A Spoken History Of The Nuyorican Poets Cafe – Latino USA
  3. Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary: Definitions & Meanings
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