McCourt High School Recruiting Students
February 4, 2010
With Frank McCourt High School slated to open in September, administrators are starting the recruiting and application phase to assemble the first class of freshmen.
The high school, housed on the Brandeis High School campus at 145 W. 84th St. between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues, will be open to students in all five boroughs. Named after the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author who spent 29 years as a teacher, the new school will focus on communications and civic engagement. [Read more]
‘Incubator School’ Approved for P.S. 158 Building
January 28, 2010
In a victory for local parent groups, District 2’s Community Education Council unanimously approved a new plan to relieve Upper East Side school crowding at a Jan. 13 meeting. The resolution they adopted called for a new incubator school in the P.S. 158 building, on York Avenue between East 77th and 78th streets. This new school, which will give priority to students zoned for overcrowded neighborhood schools like P.S. 59, P.S. 183 and P.S. 290, is expected to open in fall 2010. Parent council members are also working to come up with new zoning lines for the neighborhood, which would probably be implemented during the 2011-2012 school year. [Read more]
Where to Get Your Art On
January 20, 2010
It’s that time of year when we feel the need to reinvent. Here’s a list of some of the art-related programs and course offerings that will help make you a mini-Matisse or at least appreciate the masters in a whole new way. [Read more]
Founding Principal
November 4, 2009
Danielle Salzberg, a veteran teacher, administrator and builder of new schools, will be taking the helm at the newly announced Frank McCourt High School next fall. The application process for new schools occurs in February, after both the specialized high school round and the main round of citywide high school admissions are over. Students who are interested in one of the city’s new schools, like Frank McCourt, can fill out a special application during this final part of the process.
[Read more]
Nursery Schools 101
October 29, 2009
1. Why Nursery School, Anyway?
Because if you don’t get into a good nursery school it’s quite likely that your child will never get into Harvard. Ok, here’s really why: because the majority of nursery school directors create comforting, fun worlds where little people learn to socialize while following their creative and intellectual urges. It’s also a chance for parents to get some informed feedback about their child while joining a community of families in which both children and parents will have a stable circle of friends. [Read more]
Helping Hands
October 28, 2009
For parents who feel overwhelmed by the city’s private school admissions process, or just need guidance in a particular area, hiring an admissions consultant is an increasing option—even for nursery school.
Nursery school is the place where parents begin to sort out the various educational options available to them, says Roxana Reid, director of Smart City Kids (smartcitykids.com), a private and public educational advising service for nursery through 12th grade. Information from friends and chatter from the park bench can sometimes confuse matters, as people tend to draw from their own perspective, which may not be applicable to every parent. [Read more]
See You Around Campus, Dad
August 26, 2009
Most teenagers heading off to college look forward to getting away from their parents. Not for Isabella Tobias. The start of school will actually bring her closer to her father.
“I don’t know anyone who has gotten the gift of going to school with a parent,” she said. “College is a scary thing the first year. You are meeting people from all over the world and it will be a nice thing to have a guiding hand to help me transition from high school to college.” [Read more]
Something to Chew On
August 20, 2009
A recent study has confirmed that a healthy, Mediterranean-style diet combined with regular exercise can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Previous studies have linked diet and exercise, independently, to reduced Alzheimer’s risk, but the recent investigation, at the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Medical Center, reveals that combining these life choices helps even more.
“We wanted to tease out which of these two behaviors may be associated with lower risk for AD, or if the combination of the two is associated with decreased risk even further,” Nikos Scarmeas, M.D., lead author of the study, said. [Read more]
Toddler Prep School
August 12, 2009
Tests, interviews, deadlines—applying to gifted and talented programs and private schools in the city is a lot like applying to Harvard Law. Nonetheless, while some might question a system that requires IQ tests for 3-year-olds, for parents who are interested in sending their kids to top schools, it’s simply a part of navigating the city’s educational landscape. [Read more]
From Soldiers to Students
July 15, 2009
In an effort to make themselves more veteran-friendly, several major New York City schools plans to implement a new program to assist veterans this fall.
Both Fordham University and New York University will take part in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. [Read more]
