Science Olympiad Regional Results

John Jay High School’s Science Olympiad team placed 4th in the Lower Hudson Valley Regional competition held at Byram Hills High School on Saturday, February 11, 2012.  John Jay has qualified for the New York State competition for the 27th time in the 28 year history of the event. Medals were earned in 11 of the 18 team scored events, in first to sixth places, as follows:

Seniors:
Matthew Kaufman, 4th place in Chemistry Lab and in Water Quality
Stephanie Riocci, 4th place in Optics
Irina Silver-Frankel, 6th place in Tower
Brennan Spellacy, 4th place in Chemistry Lab and in Water Quality
Matt and Brennan also came in 7th in Thermodynamics

Juniors:
Matthew Herman, 4th place in Write It Do It
Alexander Lee, 3rd place in Forensics
Elijah Lee, 2nd place in Geological Mapping, 4th place in Write It Do It
Jackson Ruzzo, 4th place in Optics, 6th place in Protein Modeling
Timothy Song, 6th place in Protein Modeling
Matt and Alex also came in 7th in Robot Arm

Sophomores:
Defne Arslan, 1st place in Helicopter, 6th place in Magnetic Levitation, 5th place in Remote Sensing
Karen Giraldo, 3rd place in Forensics, 6th place in Tower
Isaac Silver-Frankel, 2nd place in Geological Mapping, 6th place in Magnetic Levitation, 5th place in Remote Sensing
Sebastian Singh: 1st place in Helicopter

Freshmen William Greene and Jacqueline Ricca came in 7th in Rocks and Minerals

Team Co-advisors: Dr. Linda Rachele Burke, Mrs. Amy Shimberg

Building Event Coaches: Mr. Matthew Funnel, Ms. Jennifer McLean

Academic Event Coaches: Dr. Burke, Mrs. Shimberg, Ms. Emilia Camporese, Ms. Michela Gilarde-Green, Mrs. Ann Marie Lipinsky, Mrs. Anna Stathis, Mrs. Caroline Weldon

A team:
Seniors: Mathew Kaufman, Stephanie Riocci, Irina Silver-Frankel, Brennan Spellacy
Juniors: Matthew Herman, Alexander Lee, Elijah Lee, Jackson Russo, Timothy Song                   
Sophomores: Defne Arslan, Karen Giraldo, Isaac Silver-Frankel, Sebastian Singh

B team:
Sophomores:  Stephanie Cajigas, Judith Figueroa, Victoria Giordano, Madeline Strohmeyer
Freshmen:  Katherine Clyde, William Greene, Jonathan Reich, Jacqueline Ricca, Cal Ritterhoff                           

click on image to view full size

Three John Jay High School Students Named National Merit Finalists

Three John Jay High School seniors have been named Finalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program Competition. After being recognized as Semifinalists this past fall, Elliya Cutler, Melissa Grossbarth, and Jeremy Sabath were selected as Finalists based on evaluations of information such as their academic records, the school’s curricula and grading system, test scores, written recommendations, participation in activities and leadership, and essays.

Elliya, Melissa, and Jeremy were originally named Semifinalists based on results of their PSATs, which serve as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. As Finalists, the three are among approximately 15,000 students throughout the nation who are now eligible for scholarship awards. In March, the National Merit Scholarship Program, which has been recognizing students for academic success since 1955, will notify approximately 8,300 Finalists that they have been selected to receive a Merit Scholarship award. Congratulations to Elliya, Melissa, and Jeremy on this prestigious honor.

click on image to view full size

John Jay High School Junior Alexandra Mitchell Recognized for Research

To have one’s research documented by local politicians as well as various media sources, including U.S. News and World Report, is quite an accomplishment for anyone, and John Jay High School senior Alexandra (Ali) Mitchell has earned this respect at an early age. Her research project, “The Effect of Facebook on Adolescents,” has received wide public interest.

John Jay students typically begin brainstorming ideas concerning their independent humanities research projects during their sophomore year, and continue their work in their junior and senior years. Ali's research project was presented in a comprehensive essay, divided into three sections: Assessing the Effect of Facebook on Adolescents, How Exposure to Technology Can Lead to Cyberbullying, and Internet Addictions in Modern Society. Her extensive research findings suggested that the use of Facebook does indeed have ramifications for teens. Curious whether the students at John Jay High School would have similar reactions to those of students throughout the world, Ali created her own survey, which was distributed via e-mail to each student. Before closing the survey, she had received a total of five hundred responses.

According to Ali, “People are becoming increasingly aware of what can happen when they spend more time on Facebook. The social networking site can lead to procrastination, depression, anxiety, cyber-bullying, addiction, poor body image, and narcissistic thoughts.” In addition, grades may suffer. All of Ali's observations were meticulously supported with corresponding data. She concedes that Facebook and other social networks have numerous overwhelming benefits as well. The “principal and most obvious benefit of Facebook is the maintenance of friendships. Facebook allows for constant interactions with friends, which can further strengthen social relationships.”  

Regarding the Facebook habits of John Jay students, “almost half of all participants check their Facebook more than seven times per day, and more than half of participants also use their cell phone or smart phone to check Facebook throughout the day. Forty percent of participants reported feeling hurt or depressed due to something they’ve seen on Facebook, and 19% reported being bullied. In terms of procrastination, 41% answered that they have often procrastinated with homework, projects, or studying with [the use of] Facebook.”

There are solutions to overcome the negative aspects of social networking. Ali suggests that students should “be more aware” of what they are writing and of how they are spending their time. “They should know their own limits,” she states. Social networking is here to stay and can be very helpful regarding the “maintenance of friendships and the building of social confidence.”

Besides possessing an obvious flair for research and writing, Ali has a broad range of interests. She's been a member of the Focus staff for several years and now holds the position of Managing Editor. Her responsibilities include design and layout. She is also the captain of the John Jay Dance Squad. Recently accepted to Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications, Ali is considering the field of broadcast or digital communication.
            

click on image to view full size

John Jay HS Student Helps Organize First Relay for Life Event

John Jay High School junior Gigi Antonelle has endeavored to take on an important and complex project. She is in the process of helping to organize the very first Katonah-Lewisboro Relay for Life event. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life is held in communities around the world to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

Relay for Life is an overnight community fundraising event consisting of several teams, with approximately 8-15 participants per team. Prior to the event, participants request pledges for donations. On the day of the event, tents are pitched, each team has its own refreshment stand, and food donated by local merchants is served. Following an inspiring evening luminary ceremony, team members take turns walking the track throughout the night and into the daylight. All proceeds are sent to the American Cancer Society.

The idea for a Katonah-Lewisboro Relay for Life began three years ago, when Gigi joined a team with a friend from Horace Greeley High School after losing her grandmother to blood cancer. Relay for Life offered her an opportunity to honor and remember her grandmother, and she continued to participate with that team. In the summer of 2010, Gigi's father was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Watching his fight inspired Gigi to form a John Jay team to participate in Yorktown's relay event.  Since last April, after seeking advice from Monica Garrigan, who orchestrated the Yorktown event, Gigi has been working with the American Cancer Society, and John Jay's own “Relay for Life” student committee was established. Two local adults, Ali Flynn and Leah Pizer, along with Megan McGrady, the staff partner from the Westchester Cancer Society, have generously offered to co-chair the event with Gigi and assisted in obtaining Town Board approval.

Sadly, Gigi's father passed away this past summer, within one year of his diagnosis. The event on June 22, 2012 will serve as a tribute to this loving father. Please join Gigi and Katonah-Lewisboro's Relay for Life committee in celebrating those who have survived as well as remembering those who have lost their battle.  

The Katonah-Lewisboro Relay for Life is scheduled for June 22, 2012, and tents will be pitched in John Jay High School's baseball outfield. It will run from 7:00pm to 7:00am, with a 3:00pm set-up time for all teams. Please join the committee at the “kick off” event on February 16, at 7:30pm, at John Jay High School. Refreshments and information concerning how to form or join a team will be provided. The event and information session is open to the public.

click on image to view full size

Celebrating Poetry at Lewisboro Elementary School

Shari Robinson's fourth grade class at Lewisboro Elementary School celebrated learning and poetry on January 20. Proud parents were treated to poetry readings, analyses, a reception, and a lively musical presentation.

The poetry unit began in the fall with a class read-aloud and discussion of “Love that Dog,” by Sharon Creech. Students also participated in poetry clubs, in which they read, analyzed and discussed a wide range of poems and learned about poetic devices such as repetition, alliteration, onomatopoeia, metaphor, and simile. In addition, all LES fourth grade students took part in the “Thinking Through Art” program in partnership with the Katonah Museum of Art. Pam Hart, poet and writer-in-residence at the KMA presented paintings of New York City and taught students methods of examining artwork, constructing a “word palette,” and using sensory language to compose poems based on the paintings. On several occasions, Ms. Hart visited the school and worked with the students in order to hone their writing skills.

When asked about their favorite poems, most students responded with, “our own!” Their second choices included “Scale” by Shel Silverstein and “Could It Have Been a Shadow?” by Monica Shannon.

The “Thinking through Art” program will culminate in the spring with all of the fourth graders reading their poems at the Katonah Museum of Art. Placed beside them will be the photos of the artwork that helped to inspire their ideas. The partnership with the Katonah Museum of Art was made possible through the generosity of the PTA and educational grants from Target and The Westchester Council for the Arts. The partnership with the KMA was pioneered by teacher Gwen Kopeinig and librarian Diane Moller, along with Pam Hart and Karen Stein, Education Director at the KMA.

click on image to view full size

Lewisboro Elementary School Kindergarten Q and U Wedding

A heartfelt celebration was held in the kindergarten classroom of Lewisboro Elementary School on January 20 as the letters Q and U were “married” in order to demonstrate to students how these two letters are often paired. The class held a wedding ceremony officiated by Principal Cristy Harris, adorned in judge's attire. Teacher Colleen Walsh, teacher’s assistant Priscilla Luckow, and speech pathologist Terrilynn Wuensch organized the nuptials and subsequent reception. The wedding has been a Lewisboro Elementary School tradition for many years and is a favorite part of the kindergarten phonics program.

A musical celebration of the union between Q and U commenced with the popular “Chicken Dance” followed by a stirring rendition of “The Hokey Pokey.” After an emotional apple juice toast, guests took their seats and refreshments were served.

In order to properly prepare for the occasion, official invitations, complete with RSVP cards, were distributed to the kindergarten students and their third grade buddies.  Parent volunteers provided bountiful refreshments, including a wedding cake. The reception room was decorated with SMARTBoard photos of the Q and U couple, place cards, bubbles, and handmade edible flower favors. In addition, each student received a bag with a specific letter emblazoned upon it. The student's task was to fill his/her bag with items beginning with that letter. These bags will serve as wedding gifts for the newly married couple.

According to attendant Ms. Wuensch, “Colleen Walsh is a very high achieving teacher with an incredible energy level. This is an experience that the students will always remember.”

click on image to view full size