TECH PARENTS NEWS. New Challenges

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1 Briefly highlight your point of interest here. Briefly highlight your point of interest here. Briefly highlight your point of interest here. Briefly highlight your point of interest here. Volume 2, Issue 2 Inside this issue: Special points of interest: Message From Jean Joachim - PTA Co-President The Freshman-Junior College Connection Giancarlo Malchiodi - College Advisor A Parent s Perspective 3 The Value of High School Athletics Classifieds / Advertisement 5 TECH PARENTS NEWS New Challenges October 2008 Jean Joachim - PTA Co-President As the year gets underway, it becomes clear that we will have new challenges this year. Of course there is the financial challenge: how can we raise more money than last year when our economy is in crisis and parents may be in financial hot water? We are beefing up fund-raising at our Election Day bake sale and our Chinese New Year s party. But there are a few new challenges this year. It appears that the responsibility for setting up visits to colleges for our junior class students will fall squarely on the shoulder of the PTA. Of course we will have contacts given to us from the college office and the help of Mr. Pomaro in communicating with parents, but it looks like calling the colleges and setting up tours and booking hotels for weekend excursions will fall on us. We have no volunteers for this, we have no committee set up. So anyone to wants to get involved with this project please raise your hand by ing us or speaking to us at a meeting. The college tours done last year were very successful and necessary. An opportunity to solve a problem has come our way. Other specialized high schools have vans to transport students to and from the school. While the van service is not cheap, it provides safe transportation for students and peace of mind for parents. We, at Tech, can set up van service, too. All it takes is some organization. Mr. Asher has the bus company information. We need parents in Queens or Staten Island who would organize this. If you are interested in participating, have your child take a van, or want to help organize, please me or Jeff or speak to us after the PTA meeting. October Calendar During this trying time, we hope that the PTA will be a place for us to come together and to focus our attention on our children and the positive aspects of guiding them through high school and into college. Jean Joachim jjoachim830@cs.com j.r.ewing@verizon.net

2 PAGE 2 TECH PARENTS NEWS VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 The Freshman-Junior College Connection By Giancarlo Malchiodi College Advisor / Teacher of English On Thursday, October 30 at 5:15PM parents of Freshmen are invited to attend a workshop on "Building the Ideal Profile for College Admissions" in the school auditorium, just before your first Parent- Teacher conferences in BTHS. This will be the third year such a workshop is held and we urge all to come with your children so that some guidance can be provided to help make the students' beginning at BTHS the best and most productive it can be! But parents of Juniors have a relationship to this same topic. Junior year is the last year that your children can make any real, mathematical difference in their cumulative grade point average prior to the processing of college applications. This is also the last year your children can seek out and engage themselves in worthwhile extracurricular and volunteer activities and academic programs or internships outside of the BTHS setting. Both of these factors grades and "extras" are the key components in gaining college admissions. For example: there will be many students with, say, 88 averages and a combined 1250 on the SAT Critical Reading and Math who apply to college "X." When this college seeks to distinguish among those many similar applicants, the "extras" may make the difference! And, of course, the students with even stronger achievement levels will likely be even more competitive for this school. Note: The Office of College Services will begin working with Juniors in February 2009, after our College Process Information Night in late January (date to be determined). Bottom line for ALL students, Sophomores and Seniors as well: Make THIS year a successful and productive year in all areas while making certain that your studies remain the number one priority. Have a great year! DEADLINES FOR SENIORS RELATED TO THE COLLEGE PROCESS October 14 Deadline for submission of EARLY ACTION / EARLY DECISION application envelopes to the College Office (transcript request forms available College Office 1N1). Parental Consent forms for EA-ED schools were due to 1N1 on October 2. October 29 Deadline for submission of application envelopes for all colleges with a DECEMBER due date to the College Office (transcript request forms available College Office 1N1). November 12 Deadline for submission of application envelopes for all colleges with a JANUARY 1 or LATER due date to the College Office (transcript request forms available in College Office 1N1) December 6 SAT Test Date (November 5 registration deadline) December 13 ACT Test Date (November 7 registration deadline) January 7 Financial Aid Information Night Early-February: Parents should have completed your tax returns so that the FAFSA and CSS Profile can be filed for your child to be considered for need-based and other forms of financial aid by the colleges to which he/she applied. Delay of tax filing and these documents can result in reduced aid! See the College Information and Application Process Handbook for more details. As always, Seniors are invited to speak with Mrs. Blau, College Guidance Counselor, in Room 1N1 between periods 1 and 9 to discuss college options. Mr. Malchiodi, College Coordinator/Advisor, is available in 7E2 periods 5 through 7 and 9 daily, and period 10 Monday through Thursday advance appointment by sign-up highly recommended for Mr. Malchiodi. Mr. Ludwig, College Coordinator/ Scholarships, is available in 7E2 on a rotating schedule regarding scholarship possibilities. Giancarlo Malchiodi College Advisor / Teacher of English BROOKLYN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL 29 Brooklyn Tech Place -- Room 7E2 Brooklyn, NY

3 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 TECH PARENTS NEWS A Parent s Perspective PAGE 3 THANK YOU IN ADVANCE... Drying out Sunday evening from having stood two days in the rain supporting our varsity and junior varsity football teams, I am somewhat struck that in OUR house, the opposing team had more parents in attendance that we did. And this was not the first week; last week, Staten Island parents and supporters out manned us by more than I really want to admit. Varsity won this Saturday s game against Midwood HS, 26-6 while JV lost a squeaker on Sunday, 6-0. About a month ago, we had our first PTA meeting of year. The attendance was astounding, a few hundred parents, mostly of freshmen were in attendance. Unfortunately, due to an emergency maintenance issue with the ceiling in the auditorium, we were at the last minute forced to use the gym. It was crowded, uncomfortable, warm, and the acoustics were just awful such that many could not hear what was being said even though we had sound equipment. I just know that we re not going to see all those parents again. We pride ourselves on having a school that is rich in academics, rich in the various ways that only a school such as Tech can offer, and what do we do to show that appreciation, that pride? Support does not only mean a few dollars sent to the school to support the PTA or some other worthy event and we re done. It means being there in attendance. Whether it is a football game or some other athletic event, a school play, or a holiday show that our kids participate in, being there is the only way to show our kids that we are making the commitment of time. At every varsity and JV football game, there is a couple, Alan and Michelle who show up and run the concessions. To make this happen, Alan is up around 4-5am, getting his work out of the way, going to various stores and gathering all sorts of food items to sell. The money raised from the concessions goes to the program to buy equipment, uniforms, and scholarships for graduating seniors. It is great that they do this every weekend during football season. Oh, by the way, Alan and Michelle s son graduated last year and is off to a fine technical college. But Alan and Michelle have made the commitment. Thank you. PTA co-presidents, Jean and Jeff, spend hours each week at the school trying to make it a better place. Each month the PTA offers program and information that you as parents should be aware of. The PTA though various fund raising events does raise money and that goes to supporting classroom activities, teacher grants, and scholarships. Jean and Jeff each have graduating seniors and will be leaving at the end of year as the PTA is only open to parents of attending students. Jean and Jeff have made the commitment. Thank you. Alan, Michelle, Jean and Jeff, don t do all of this on their own, they do have a small cadre of supportive parents who roll up their sleeves and make it happen, but in school with over 4,000 students, the parental involvement is rather thin. So now it is YOUR turn. Come to an event and participate. Share with your child their remaining years of high school. Share with them, crossing the finish line, the goal line, the final curtain call on stage. Share with other parents the pride of watching your child s success. And next year, it is to you that I would like to say thank you. What do you think? Let me know at BTHSparent@gmail.com

4 The Value of High School Athletics By Jean Joachim I would like to share with you what the wrestling team has meant to my son. Steve had a hard time buckling down and focusing on schoolwork. Halfway through his junior year, he joined the wrestling team. Mr. Jean Brutus is the Tech wrestling coach. The team is new, last year was their first season. But they did extremely well. Mr. Brutus took Steve under his wing. First, there were the homework sessions right after school, then there were the workout sessions after homework time. Mr. Brutus pushed Steve to get an 85 average. While he didn t quite make it, he came close. He also may his highest Regents scores this year. The camaraderie of the other members of the team helped Steve. He became close to these boys who are motivated and going somewhere in life. We couldn t be happier about these new friends. Then there was the summer training. Steve came to school four days a week to work out and practice for four hours a day. There is also a wrestling clinic in the evenings at Hunter College that Steve attends. But the most special part was a week away in the summer at wrestling camp in Pennsylvania, completely paid for by a sponsor. We attended the first tournament last weekend. Our team wrestled boys who have been wrestling for many years. While we didn t always win, our wrestlers spirits were buoyed by the chance to face such tough competition. This will help them to beat other NYC school teams. My son has learned about responsibility, determination, hard work and not giving up by being part of the wrestling team. This is an experience he will cherish all his life. I can t urge parents, especially freshmen and sophomore parents, strongly enough to discuss joining the wrestling team with their sons. This experience will help them with their schoolwork and with life skills. And they will be privileged to come under the caring and watchful eye of Coach Brutus. These last two articles illustrate what high school athletics can offer our kids. It provides a sense of discipline as well as a constructive outlet to channel youthful energy. The invaluable lessons of striving as a team towards a common goal, does this sound very much like what is needed at our workplace and the homestead? Folks, all the teams, its players and coaches at Tech deserve our financial and moral support. As the fiscal storms are soon approaching, we can brace for certain athletic programs could be at risk. Let us stop and consider what we can do to assist in the months ahead. Mike Tang Editor

5 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 TECH PARENTS NEWS PAGE 5 ADVERTISEMENT Consider placing an ad in the newsletter! Per Issue Rates: 1/8 page - business card size $25 1/4 page $50 1/2 page $100 Full page $200 Contact: Mike Tang / stratm3@yahoo.com CLASSIFIED ADS Tech parents, faculty and administration members may submit classified ads at free of charge to stratm3@yahoo.com HELP WANTED Translator to turn English into Chinese for the PTA. $50 per project. Contact: Jean at jjoachim830@cs.com FOR SALE Unusual, antique Singer Sewing Machine from the 1920 s with knee pedal. In perfect running condition. Beautiful machine with carrying case. $450 or Best offer. Call HELP WANTED Looking for volunteers to plan a PTA Wine and cheese party for Tech parents. Contact: Gail at gailhines@hotmail.com SUPPLIES NEEDED Do you or your company have access to beakers, pipets and other glassware needed for our chemistry labs? We are in desperate need and very short of funds, due to recent budget cuts by the DOE. Glassware donations would be appreciated. Contact Mr. Asher. HELP NEEDED Are you an experienced public relations person with contacts and a little extra time on your hands? We need a volunteer PR person to spread the word about the triumphs at Tech through the media. No money for this position this year, due to budget cuts. Contact Mr. Asher.

6 BROOKLYN TECH PARENTS ASSOCIATION Co-Presidents - Jeff Ewing and Jean Joachim We re on the web: Principal - Randy Asher A.P. Parent Engagement - Charles Pomaro Newsletter Editor - Mike Tang stratm3@yahoo.com October Calendar October 2, :00 PM - 9:00 PM: PTA Meeting October 4, 2008 SAT Exam SAT Test Date October 6, 2008 Department Meeting - Common Time 10:20 AM - 1:10 PM: Senior Masquerade Ball: Payments October 7-10, :20 AM - 1:10 PM: Senior Masquerade Ball: Payments October 9, 2008 Yom Kippur October 13, 2008 Columbus Day October 14, 2008 Seniors: Deadline for APPLICATION ENVELOPES for EARLY ACTION / EARLY DECISION applications! 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Fall Open House October 15, 2008 PSAT 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Senior Information Night October 17, 2008 END MP 1 October 22, :00 PM - 10:00 PM: 85th Anniversary Alumni Gal October 25-26, 2008 SHSAT Entrance Exam October 27, 2008 Faculty Meeting October 29, 2008 Prefect (Report Card Distribution) Seniors: Deadline for submission of application envelopes for all colleges with a DECEMBER due date! October 30, :15 PM - 6:00 PM: Freshmen Parent Workshop on "Building the 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Parent-Teacher Conferences October 31, :00 PM - 3:20 PM: Parent-Teacher Conferences November 1, 2008 SAT Test Date November 3, :30 PM - 9:30 PM: Masquerade Ball November 4, 2008 Election Day Staff Development Day November 5, 2008 SAT Registration Deadline for Dec 6 exam November 6, :00 PM - 9:00 PM: PTA Meeting