News from Central High School -- Philadelphia

Happy Spring! We'd like to say a special hello to the new members of the Central High School community -- Class 272 and their families! Welcome to a fabulous high school where you'll find smart, creative, energetic, and kind students and faculty. They feed off each other to produce a vibrant school where learning happens inside and outside the classroom. We hope you are enjoying the Central High School newsletter -- a volunteer effort brought to you by the Home and School Association with assistance from the Associated Alumni of Central High School. With support from you, this newsletter will help Central tap into the talents and resources of the entire Central family -- students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Tell your friends to sign up for the newsletter. Please send your comments, suggestions, ideas to centralhighschoolnewsletter@yahoo.com.

Thank you,

Jane Von Bergen and Diane Luckman, co-editors

Udderly Fabu Art of the Diary Cow

lolus

The Cow is back and Holy Cow, it is impressive! For its fourth annual "Art of the Dairy" contest, the company that supplies milk to Genuardi's supermarkets sought designs to paint on large cow sculptures. The theme was "Moo-sic" and John Khvang, 268, hit the right note with a bunch of jazzy cows on the mooove. Out of 9,200 designs submitted, 30 were chosen, including John's. The naked eight-foot by five-foot cow was dropped off to art teacher Debra Cooperstein's basement warren of cheerfully-chaotic, paint-splattered art rooms. Not cowed by the challenge, John and his fellow students applied the magic and the paint. In April, this example of bovine beauty was feted, along with the students and their teacher at the Genuardi's store in Wynnewood. Ms. Cooperstein, who is retiring this year, believes in milking these contests to benefit the students and the department. Besides gaining the experience of producing top-notch work for their portfolios, students can win cash prizes or scholarships. Now Ms. Cooperstein is thinking about how great it would be to use the cow as the inaugural piece in a sculpture garden on the roof deck outside the cafeteria. Grazers outside. Grazers inside. You can visit the cow in its corral in the basement. BYOM (Bring Your Own Milk).

Disability? Ability

Navigating the halls with his motorized scooter, chemistry teacher Alan Bronstein zips between his classroom and the auditorium where he supervises rehearsals for one of Central's annual theater productions. This year, he also traveled to West Virginia to accept the $10,000 Freida J. Riley Award from the Christopher Columbus Foundation. The award honors teachers who work with physical disabilities. Mr. Bronstein, 218, had worked briefly as a teacher and then as a businessman until Jan. 31, 1985 when a serious car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. He chose to return to teaching, joining a group of Central alum on the faculty. Mostly Mr. Bronstein ignores his disability, but he thinks it may influence the students. "In a way, it opens a lot of kids' eyes to see the possibilities," he said. "If I can function in a wheelchair, it might inspire some to realize goals they didn't think they could attain." Besides his work at Central, Mr. Bronstein volunteers at a rehabilitation hospital to help the newly-injured.

Keeping Engaged

Many professionals who have done their jobs as long as social studies teacher Kenneth Hung, a twelve-year veteran, worry about sliding into a too-comfortable rut. That's why Mr. Hung decided to embark on the professionally challenging goal of acquiring his National Board Certification. "I didn't want to do things just because I had done them." Besides passing a subject test on the content in his field, he had to defend his teaching methods in an intense thesis-like project. He had to videotape his class, submit his materials and evaluate his own work based on strict criteria. "The process makes you have to question if what you think 'works' in your classroom `really works.' It made me prove that I have what it takes to be a good teacher." Mr. Hung earned his certification, becoming one of fewer than 20 teachers district-wide gaining their certifications in 2009. At Central, he joins Karen Schromsky, a Spanish and ESOL teacher. The certification comes with a $3,500 a year raise for 10 years.

Battling Deadly Bacteria

Nearly every day for three of her four years at Central, Rebecca Yee, 268, left school early to go to the Jun Zhu Microbiology Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. There she conducted research on how to reduce the toxicity of diarrhea, one of the world's great killers. Rebecca is one of a group of highly-talented, mentally-gifted students who applied to and were accepted by one of Central's most remarkable programs, its science research program, directed by science teacher Michael Fowler, who also has a background in scientific research. After a year of orientation, students find placements in laboratories at area hospitals and universities to conduct advanced research. Besides competing in several science fairs, they must complete 200 hours of research work in the lab, which requires work nearly every day after school and sometimes in the summer. Rebecca's research centers on quorum sensing, which is really cell-to-cell communication (and we're not talking about Verizon here). The diarrhea bacteria has the ability to repress its own genes, lowering its own toxicity -- but it takes the right proteins and mutants to tell the bacteria to repress itself. Analyzing those proteins by doing DNA sequencing is what won Rebecca an American Society for Microbiology Award earlier this year. Next year, Rebecca will return to University of Pennsylvania as a freshman. Fortunately, her work study job will put her back at the same lab so she can continue her research. The research takes incredible patience. Rebecca said she spent three years growing 17,000 colonies to yield seven mutants -- but those seven mutants could possibly end up saving lives. "When you find the results, all the work pays off," she said. Rebecca was also among 16 Central students who won first place at the culminating event of the science fair season at Penn State University last month. By the way, first place isn't the best. Four students topped first place with perfect scores. Of them, Daniel Lipsman, 269, earned a Director's Award in Biochemistry and Naman Upadhyay, 269, was one of three Central students awarded $8,000 Penn State scholarships. The other two perfect scores went to Sherilin Joe, 269, and Jaimy Joseph, 269. Quick correction: In an earlier newsletter, we said that Josh Goldberg, 270, won honors for his environmental research measuring lead levels in the Appalachian Mountains. Wrong mountains. It was the Adirondacks.

Talent Show

The Central High School Music Assocation will hold its last talent show of the year at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 12 at Summit Presbyterian Church at Greene and Westview Streets in Mount Airy. It'll be a coffee house atmosphere, with food and beverages for sale. Admission for everyone (including performers) is $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Students: See Mr. Wilensky to audition. Parents, alum and teachers, just step up to the mike and show everyone what you can do. (Directions: From Central, head toward La Salle on Olney Avenue, which turns into Chew Street. Make a left on Washington Lane and a right on Greene Street.)

Speaking of Talent

It's almost the last hurrah for 268, but before they usher themselves out the door, they'll take one more chance to show off for their friends. It's the Senior Showcase, part talent show/part chance to clap and holler. Parents of seniors who can slip away from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10 are invited to view their 268 progeny in their natural habitat. Come to the auditorium.

Classrooms for the Future: The Expo

Sometimes student work is so good that it's almost a crime that it only has an audience of one -- the classroom teacher. That's why history teacher Thomas Quinn and other Central faculty members set up an expo of student work in the Spain Conference Center on Friday, May 29. Of course, there were the expected poster board exhibits, including the National History Day second place regional prizewinner, a project on Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal spearheaded by AP American History teacher Joseph Putro. (The winners were Naman Upanhyay, Michael Trang, Daniel Lipsman, Gavin Huan and Louis Long, all 269.) Besides the posters, the conference center was full of laptops. One mouse click and student-built websites, slide shows, podcasts and videos emerged. For example, visitors could look at a video documentary about Desmond Tutu by Kyle Werder, William Feldman and Mary Kennan, all 269. They were National History Day first place winners. Rhea Malaluan and Lien Ly, 269, combined photos of themselves with cartoon illustrations they drew to create a video explaining how the ideas of modernism and traditionalism played out during Prohibition. Work by three 269 history students, Cyllan Martini, Tanya Paul and Angela Loh, got a prime location at the conference. That's because their website on gay San Francisco politician Harvey Milk won third place for the city at the Pennsylvania High School Computer Fair on May 1. "Having all that equipment available helped us learn," said Cyllan. It was the first time she and her team had designed a website. The expo wasn't all history. Math students produced a computerized geometry sketchpad that allowed participants to use the cursor to draw based on the perception lines. You can click here to see some of the work by history teacher Jon Fabrey's students.

Classrooms for the Future: The Carts

This item and the one above need to be together because they are connected, as you will see. This year, through a Pennsylvania state "Classrooms for the Future" grant, Central received three packing crate-sized rolling carts filled with computer equipment. Each cart has a video camera, a still digital camera, enough laptops for nearly every student in a class, smart boards so that images from the laptop could be projected, and plenty of appropriate software. Central divvied up the equipment so that there was enough for four carts -- one each for use in the Science, History, English and Mathematics departments. Each cart went to a team of two teachers, one younger, the other more experienced, with nearby classrooms to facilitate collaboration and regular, spontaneous use of the equipment. The results were on exhibit at the expo (see above), but the faculty had a preview on Tuesday, May 19, a professional development day. Faculty members visited one of the eight teachers to learn how technology was incorporated into lesson plans. History teacher Thomas Quinn, for example, set up blogs for his African-American,U.S. History and Social Science classes. The opportunity to innovate proved to be professionally rewarding, said Mr. Quinn, a Central newcomer who shares a cart with veteran history teacher Jon Fabrey. The quality of the student work made it even more satisfying, Mr. Quinn said.

Centr

alizer

The Centralizer's May issue led with a profile of surgeon David Rilling, 209, who donated the African and Oceanic art to Central. (See the item below for more information on the donation.) Pictures in the student publication included one of Rilling as a Central gymnast. International Day was extensively covered, zeroing in on a story about one guest speaker, Douglas J. Feith, 230, former undersecretary of defense for policy under President Bush. Mr. Feith was questioned closely by students about the use of torture. Students and faculty reacted to the death of Phillies' announcer Harry Kalas in other articles. Earth Day coverage included an inspiring photo of Michael Bilyk, 268, as Captain Planet. There were also stories about 269 members competing in the National History Day contest, the selection of Matt Brune, 268, as a graduation speaker, an upcoming production of Rent, results from Central's National Academic League team and performances by a cultural group in Northeast Philadelphia. In sports, Central's cheerleaders took first place in a citywide competition held at La Salle University. Central's gymnasts also vaulted to first place under the leadership of Coach Fred Brannon. It is his 13th undefeated season. Girls' softball had also gotten off to a good start. Zackary Carduner and Taja Jones, 268, were editors-in-chief.

Cavities

That cream soda

In that glass bottle

Brings back an old self.

Carbonation capturing

When my family was

Something different,

Taste and smell fusing

Into myriad memories.

But that cream soda

Also rots my teeth

And I only have this one set of teeth.

An evocative poem by Gemma Tierney, 268, in the Mirror. Established in 1885, the Mirror is the oldest high school magazine in the U.S. Gemma and Bunny Smith, 268, are co-editors-in-chief. Art editor Julianna Bursack, 268, designed the cover of the literary magazine, one of two at Central. The other is the Mosaic. Inside are poems, illustrations, photographs, essays and short stories. Beautiful.

Montgomery at Bat for 270

David Montgomery, Phillies' president and chief executive, presented a unique and fascinating insider's view of the 2008 Phillies baseball season to 270 at Central last month. Mr. Montgomery, a native Philadelphian, grew up in Roxborough and has been with the Phillies for 39 years. During his career the Phillies migrated from the old Connie Mack to Veterans' Stadium and from there to Citizens' Bank Park. He gave the students a detailed and very personal description of how, as a Penn History major, he gravitated to a marketing career by way of Penn's Wharton School and rose to the top of the 2008 World Series champions' front office. Mr. Montgomery told the students "when you are in the top eight, anything can happen, and everything did in 2008." How do a bunch of really skilled guys win a World Series? The 2008 Phillies did it, he said, by maintaining focus and consistency throughout the 162 game season. And making the most out of a few bits of good luck.

Incoming, Outgoing

Members of the Home and School Association elected officers for next year. Susan Brune, mother of 268 graduate Matt Brune and 271 twins Emily and Rachel, becomes secretary. She was the 271 class representative and will take over for secretary Janet Summers, mother of 268 graduate Jake. Emily Adeshigbin, mother of Andew, 271, replaces Susan as 271 class representative. M. Teri Ranieri, mother of Nicholas Murray, 271, replaces Jane Von Bergen, mother of 268 graduate Michael Bilyk, as membership vice president. Angela Ahmad, mother of Yaasmeen, 269, Idress, 271, and Shalah, 272, was re-elected as treasurer. Tamar Magdovitz, 268 class representative, is also leaving Central, along with her son, 268 graduate Zach. The Association expressed its thanks to both outgoing and incoming officers for their service.

Celebrate a Magnificent Gift

Try to find time to visit the fabulous gift given to Central High School of more than 250 works of African and Oceanic art, many of them hundreds of years old. You can click here to see a slide show of the collection or you can stop by the Barnwell Library and the Dr. William M. King Communication, Media and Research Center. These works will be displayed permanently at Central High School, thanks to a donation by Dr. David Rilling, 209, and his wife Karina. This is a truly wonderful gift to the Associated Alumni of Central High School and to Central High School. This superb collection includes numerous items from Nigeria, Cameroons, Cote d'Ivoire and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The Oceanic items come from various places in New Guinea. The collection was assembled over many years by the Rillings who are devoted to this field of art and to Central High School. Dr. Rilling also plans to make himself available to address art and African-American history classes at Central. For additional information, contact Debbie Zarwin Rose, Alumni Affairs Coordinator, in the alumni office at 215-927-9550 or email her at chsalumniphl@aol.com.

Help Wanted

1. The Home and School Association is looking for someone to represent class 272. If you are interested, contact president Miriam Foltz, at chs_hsF@yahoo.com. Elections will be held in the fall.

2. An assistant reporter/editor or two for the newsletter. Should be a 269, 270, 271 or 272 parent with good writing and reporting skills. We especially need someone who can come into school from about 7:45 to 9:00 a.m. about once a month to help report the news. (It's fun!) Contact Jane Von Bergen at centralhighschoolnewsletter@yahoo.com

Acme and Target Fundraisers

Acme will give us one percent of total receipts, so please have your student deposit Acme receipts in the Acme box in the office. Target will send us one percent of what you spend on a Target Visa Card or Target Guest Card. Apply online at Target.com or at your local store. Our ID number is 90781. Last year we raised $900 from Target.

Letter from the Editor!

As editor of the newsletter, I get to know many Central students, parents and teachers. Believe me, it is easy to get excited about their cool projects. It's extra satisfying because my Home and School Association membership dues and donations, when added to those from other parent and teacher members, help make some of those projects happen. Many of you have recently received a letter from the Home and School Association asking for an extra contribution. Please give generously, if you can, in these tough times. If you are just joining now, consider adding an extra donation to the very reasonable membership fee. With your donations and membership fees, the Association assists with many student and faculty initiatives including the orchestra, science programs, and publications such as the Centralizer and Mosaic. We also pay for some of the niceties -- the freshman tea, dinnerware for the International Cafe and modest receptions for Honors students. We help underwrite Central's stunning graduation ceremony at the Kimmel Center. Do yourself a favor and try to find a way to get to know the wonderful students and faculty at Central. You'll be impressed and inspired. Thank you.

Jane M. Von Bergen, editor and parent of Joey and Michael Bilyk, 266 and 268.

Thanks

Thanks to newsletter staffers, parents Dave Kalkstein and Kate Spellissy. Dave Kalkstein contributed the items on the African Art exhibit and Phillies guest, David Montgomery. Tamar Magdovitz and Kate Spellissy helped with the editing. Continuing thanks to Dr. Pavel, Mr. Speir, and Mr. Walsh from Central's staff, and to co-editor and parent Diane Luckman, who made this issue look great.

Do you have information for the newsletter? Send updates on events and accomplishments to centralhighschoolnewsletter@yahoo.com.

Sincerely,

Jane Von Bergen, Newsletter Editor
Central High School -- Philadelphia