Eleanor Roosevelt High School PTA
Monthly Newsletter
April 2014
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The Magical and Mysterious 
Venetian Nights
await you on Friday, April 25!!
 
Come to an enchanted evening of food, friends, music and bidding for many wonderful items at ElRo's largest fundraiser of the year. 

Have you bought your tickets yet? 
This year we have an outstanding array of exciting packages at the live auction, including: 

Two tickets to a New York Giants Football Game of winner's choice with Parking Pass
 

Two Tickets for a Show of the winner's choice at the Metropolitan Room and dinner at The Supper Club, 54 Below


Two VIP Tickets for ABC's The View followed by

a Twilight Sail around Manhattan

 

Backstage tour of Fox News Channel for 12 people

 

Getaway for two in New York City, including two nights at the Hotel Beacon with wine and chocolates, Dinner at Eli Zabar's Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar, and two tickets to Manhattan Theater Club

Four viewing passes to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade


Kaplan SAT Class - eight weeks

 

Tickets to the Late Night Show with Seth Meyers 

 

Two Orchestra Seat Tickets to The New York City Ballet
at the  David H. Koch Theater (Saturday, June 7, 2014, 8:00 p.m.)

 

Two tickets to New Jazz Standards at Lincoln Center (May 17, 2014)

 

Two VIP Tickets to the NFL Draft (1st Round) 

at Radio City Music Hall May 8, 2014 

 
.... and much MORE including silent auction items and a boutique!!

 

Helen Mills Event Space
135 West 26th Street
6:30 p.m.

It is not too late to bring a donation from your favorite restaurant, salon, or professional service. Please continue to help in obtaining donations while on the spring break!!

If every ElRo family can donate one item, we will have a terrific auction and you will help your school!!
 
The auction donation letter and form are available on the PTA website

 

Not able to come to the auction? Buy Raffles!! 

  

Pick up raffle tickets at the ElRo Office. Sold raffle tickets may be mailed to: Eleanor Roosevelt High School, 411 East 76th Street, New York, New York 10021 (Attn: Ms. Denise Ribeiro) or submitted in person to Parent Coordinator Marty Trachtenberg in a sealed envelope.  
 
One ticket is $5.00; one book (5 tickets) is $20.00. You do not need to be present to win.

 

First Prize: iPad Air
Second Prize:  New York Experience (Fun Bundle)
Third Prize:  Gourmet Basket

 

In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Amas Musical Theater
Via Ride Share Service
School Survey
College Corner
Green Team
Sports Corner
Give to the Annual Fund
Are you interested in serving your school?

Spring Elections for the PTA Executive Board 2014-2015 and the School Leadership Team
will be held at the general PTA meeting on Thursday, June 19, 2014. Nominations for candidates will be accepted by the Nominating Committee until the close of the PTA meeting on May 15, 2014. The duties of the officers of the PTA are set forth in the PTA Bylaws. The PTA Bylaws and nomination form are available on the PTA Elections page and in the main office. If you would like to nominate yourself or somebody else, please return the form to the attention of the Nominating Committee in the main office. 
Upcoming Events
 
April - June: Spring (Photo by Manon A.)
   

4/11 - Report Cards Distributed 

4/12 - ACT Testing 

4/14-4/22 - Spring Recess-School Closed 

4/24 - PTA General Meeting, College Night (6pm) 

4/25 - School Benefit Fundraiser, Helen Mills Event Space,(6:30pm)

5/1 - PTA Executive Committee (6 p.m.)

5/2 - Admission Accomplished!

and SMAC Spring Blood Drive

5/3 - SAT Testing

5/5 - 5/7 - AP Tests

5/13 - SLT meeting (4:30 p.m.)

5/15 - PTA General Meeting (6 p.m.)

5/16 - Progress Reports to select students

5/23 - Senior Celebration breakfast

5/26 - Memorial Day (school closed)

5/29 - AP Music Theory Recital (5:30 p.m.); AP Studio Art 3D Exhibit (5:30 p.m.)

5/30 - 6/1 - Senior trip to Honor's Haven Resort

 

All that Jazz!

The 17-member Jazz Ensemble held its annual Jazz Night on April 3.
 
The play list included:
Hallelujah I Love Her So - Ray Charles; Love is Here To Stay - George Gershwin; Groovin' High - Dizzy Gillespie; I'm Beginning to See the Light - Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges, and Harry James; Nardis - Miles Davis and 
The Bare Necessities - Terry Gilkyson 
 
Students in the Jazz Ensemble work on sight-reading, ear-training, improvising, communicating, arranging, and composing. The group, coached by Ms. Hsu, meets every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in room 201.

 





Photos by: Jennifer T.

 

ElRo senior performs in Amas  Musical Theatre Production of "9 to 5"
 
 Adelaide J. tells us of her experience performing with the Amas Teen Musical Theater Academy. 
 
Growing up in New York City, I've always loved theater, but have only started acting since the summer after my sophomore year at ElRo. This is the second year that I auditioned and was accepted as a member of the Amas Teen Musical Theatre Academy, a pre-professional musical performance and training program of culturally and economically diverse young people between the ages of 14 and 20. We have all-day classes and rehearsals on Saturdays and some Sundays. We study with professionals in acting, improvisation, singing, dance, creative writing and stagecraft. Each year we
produce a musical that
runs for two-weeks in an Off-Off Broadway theater.
 
Adelaide J. in "Hello Dolly" in 2013 
 
This year we are performing the musical "9 to 5." Based on the 1980 hit movie that starred Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda." 9 to 5" features Ms. Parton's score, highlighted by her title song, an anthem to the liberated working woman.  I am excited to be appearing in my first lead role as Violet Newstead (the Lily Tomlin role). "9 to 5" is a hilarious story about three dynamic women fighting their way through the "boys club" workplace jungle and getting revenge on their sexist boss. It takes place in the year 1979, so it is very retro and has taught me a lot about feminism during that era. 

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There will be eight performances of "9 to 5" at the Amas Musical Theater, located at 344 East 14th Street (14th Street Y) (between First and Second Avenues) held on the first two weekends of May: May 2-4 and May 9-11. Tickets at may be purchased on the Amas website. Adult tickets are $20 and student/senior tickets are $17. 
 
Photos by Amas Musical Theater Company

 

Eleanor Roosevelt as Writer

 

Photo credit: GWU.edu

Among her many achievements, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was a prolific writer, having published some 27 books and many articles.

 

Mrs. Roosevelt  wrote a syndicated newspaper column entitled "My Day" from 1935 to 1962. The column covered social and political topics, current and historical events and reflections on her  life.  A comprehensive electronic edition of the "My Day" columns is available at the George Washington University Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project at  My Day Project. Use the search box to find a topic of interest. 

 

VIA RIDESHARE SERVICE BENEFITS ELRO

The ERHS PTA has teamed up with Via, a new luxury ride share service operating between the Upper East Side and Midtown:
  • Book on your iPhone
  • Get picked up in a premium SUV
  • Ride at the speed of a taxi with others headed the same way
  • Reduce your carbon footprint
All for a low flat fare. The best part? Via donates back to ERHS 10% of the fare for each ride an ERHS parent or guardian takes.

 to let them know you're an ERHS parent or guardian!

Orders are now being taken for the Eleanor Roosevelt High School Yearbook 2013-2014. The Yearbook is $76.00 + tax. 


Families: PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOUR VOICE IS HEARD BY COMPLETING YOUR SCHOOL SURVEY BY FRIDAY, APRIL 11!

 

Surveys (available in several languages) may be completed online using your 8-digit survey access code located on the bottom right-hand corner of the paper survey. If you need to obtain your 8-digit access code, please call the Survey Hotline at 1-800-690-8603.
The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
 
 College Corner
 by Allison Cohen, College Counselor
 
What a busy month in the world of college! Seniors have heard back from their colleges and are well on their way to making their final enrollment decisions. In talking to my colleagues, both in the city and nationally, it does seem like there was an uptick in 'waitlist' decisions but I'm happy to report that I haven't yet heard of a student that doesn't have options for the fall. I'm proud of the Class of 2014 and am excited for the adventure that lies ahead for them over the next four years. I hope everyone in grades 9 to 11 will join me on April 24th for the annual College Night. The schools slated to participate include: Wesleyan University, Reed College, Virginia Commonwealth University and the CUNY/SUNY systems. Remember, the night is designed to give general college information, regardless of if your child wants to apply to these specific colleges you should attend the night to learn more about the college application process. I intentionally have different schools every year so that by the time a student is a senior they will have heard from over a dozen different types of schools. I hope to see you there!
 

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7th Annual NYC Unique College Fair for Juniors 

Meet College Representatives on

Tuesday, April 29

3:45 - 5:30 p.m. 

For more information,

 see the Unique College Fair website

NYC Lab School, 333 West 17th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues)

Open to 11th graders only from eight unique high schools, including ElRo!

 

Parent Volunteers are needed for the Unique College Fair! Please contact Katrina Yoder <[email protected] if you would like to volunteer.
 

May 2: Admission Accomplished!

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Colleges that Change Lives event, Tuesday, May 20, 2014, Hotel Pennsylvania, Skytop Ballroom, 401 Seventh Avenue, 7-9 p.m. Information is available on the Colleges that Change Lives website.

 

 

  

 

On April 22, the world will observe Earth Day. But for ElRo's own Green Team, every day is Earth Day. The Green Team recently focused on raising awareness around sustainable water initiatives and the accessibility of clean water. In order to raise money to build a well in an African village through Oxfam America, the Green Team raised over $180 at two bake sales. The contribution will allow 100+ people access to clean water and will save villagers hours each day, which they formerly spent collecting water from unsanitary sources located miles from their village.
 
Special container for recycling pizza boxes
Artistic light switch covers remind users to conserve electricity
 

 
Last fall, the Green Team participated in the the Green Cup Challenge, a month long, inter-school competition that empowers students and builds community, while raising awareness about climate change and the importance of resource conservation. The Green Team established a separate recycling bin for pizza boxes to reduce waste in the cafeteria and labeled recycling and trash bins in the cafeteria to facilitate the proper disposal of cafeteria waste. They also advocated recycling and energy sustainability for the school by presenting a ninth grade advisory lesson in January.   
 

Thanks to Green Team members Joey L., Kiana O'B., Geneva L., Dutch DeC., Ian K., Leo C., Ryan W., Brian W., and Antoine O. and their advisor, Ms. Niki Lederer, for making the world a more environmentally sound place.

 

Photos by The Green Team, Eleanor Roosevelt High School 

Sports Corner: Spring Sports  
 
Boys and Girls Tennis, both in League A 3, will play through April 25. The Boys are coached by Robert Gerstman and the Girls by Stephen Gainsburg. As of press time, the Boys are 5-5 and the Girls are 4-4. 
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Boys and Girls Outdoor Track began the season with the PSAL Season Opener on March 22. Subsequent meets were held at Truman and Dewitt Clinton for the Boys and at Dewitt Clinton for the Girls. Special mention goes to Cara M., Audrey P. and Kevin K., for their performances in the 1600 M run, as well as to Andrew Y., Guy L., Ian K., Dino B. and Dani B. for their performances in the 4x100 relay.The New York City Mayor's Cup will take place on April 12 at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island. 
Photo by Olivia K.
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 Boys Baseball, coached by Ronald Dionisio, is in Manhattan B North and will play through May 14 in regular season games. The team  currently holds a 2-4 record.
  
 ********

Girls Softball, coached by Physical Education teacher Mark Strasser, is currently 4-1. The regular season
extends to May 7. (Photos by Jamee L.)

 
 *******
 
The Girls Flag Football team played well in their first outing on April 2, although losing 18-6 to the Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School, with solid performances by Rebecca A., Brianna R. and Dina B. The season runs to May 16.

  
For team members and statistics, please see www.psal.org (look up Eleanor Roosevelt High School under the "Schools" tab).
Go Huskies! 

   

Quick Links

 

Annual Fund 
A BIG thank you to all families who contributed to the Annual Fund, including those who generously stepped up in response to our recent online appeal!  If you haven't already contributed, please do consider making a contribution of any size. No contribution is too small. 
Contributions may be made by check or credit card. We encourage you to donate online.
Alternatively, checks can be sent to: Eleanor Roosevelt High School PTA, 411 East 76th Street, New York, New York 10021 Attn: PTA Treasurer 
Thank you for supporting ElRo!!
ELRO is on Facebook!!
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Catch up with events and activities at ELRO, view photos, keep in touch!!

           TD Bank Affinity Program  

We are excited to introduce an ongoing fundraiser for the school. Through its Affinity Program, TD Bank will make donations every year to our school based on the average balance in the combined TD Bank accounts (current and future) of ERHS families and staff. If you currently have or are planning to open an account at TD Bank, please contact Steven Rozencwaig at [email protected]  and e-mail the exact name and address of the account(s) and we will flag the accounts with TD Bank accordingly. All business and personal accounts can be included into the program. Encourage friends and family outside the community to join in as well and we will flag their accounts as part of the ERHS community! Other neighborhood schools are enjoying substantial annuities as current members; raising thousands of dollars per year simply by having a TD Bank account. If you have any questions, please direct them to Steven Rozencwaig.

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