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HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER                        November  2012


In This Issue
"Seven Cs"
CHS AIDS Walkers
Media Star
CHS Lends a Hand
Alumni Lend a Foot
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

 

Report Card Conferences:
Wednesday-Thursday, 
Dec. 5-6


Financial Aid Night:

Thursday, Dec. 6,
Girls High, 7 p.m.
 
Honors Convocation: 
Tuesday, Dec. 11
 

HSA Meeting:

Wednesday,

Dec. 12,

Spain Conference Room, 6 p.m.

 
Widener Program: Wednesday,
Dec. 19
 
Winter Concert:
Thursday, 
Dec. 20
Auditorium, 6 p.m.

 

School Closed, Winter Break:
Monday, Dec. 24


School Resumes:

Wednesday, 

Jan. 2

 

HSA Meeting:

Wednesday, 

Jan. 9,

Spain Conference Room, 6 p.m. 

 

HELP WANTED
Newsletter staffers:
Interested in working
on the newsletter? Contact 

Dave Kalkstein 

Bring Your Photo ID
Just a reminder:
When you come to visit Central High School, you must have a photo ID.
Main Office         215-276-5262   

Welcome! 

 

We hope everyone had a grand and tasty Thanksgiving.

 

Speaking of giving thanks, our heartiest congratulations to Hiwot Adilow, 272, on being one of two winners of the MC Lyte/First Wave $100,000 Scholarship competition. That's four years for her at the University of Wisconsin. Great work!

 

Also, the Girls' Varsity Soccer team finished with an 11-2-0 record. Congratulations to Nicole Kaminski, 272, and Liza Tomczuk, 273, for making the All Public First Team. Olga Krzensinska and Vishna Council, both 273, made Second All Public. More about Central soccer in a story below.

 

Congratulations to Mr. Daniel Ueda, Physics and Robotics instructor, on being awarded two grants: $5,000 from NASA and $3,000 from Comcast to be used for Robotics.   

 

We learned with sadness about the loss of Kevin Chen, 269, in a car crash in western Pennsylvania. Our condolences to his family and friends.

 

We would like to call attention to an advocacy of public education in a recent New Yorker article, "Public Defender." It's worth a read. Here's an abstract.

 

Have news? Tell us or we may not know!

 

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The "Seven Cs" of Resilience vs. "Fear of the B-plus"

 

On Nov. 19, parents from Central and Masterman enjoyed a lively presentation on "Authentic Success: Raising Children and Adolescents Prepared to Thrive through Good and Challenging Times," by Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, a nationally known researcher on adolescent resilience. Ginsburg is a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the father of Central juniors Ilana and Talia.

  

In his 90-minute talk, he spoke "very candidly about issues that sometimes we as parents do not want to, or know how to, address with our kids," said Emily Adeshigbin of Central's Home & School Association.

 

During his "awesome" and good-humored presentation, which included abundant references to research in the field, Ginsburg discussed the "seven Cs" that help produce resilience in kids - Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, Contribution, Coping and Control.

He showed his familiarity with the issues faced by children at elite schools, noting, for example, that perfectionist kids often don't ultimately succeed - their "fear of the B-plus" may prevent them from taking risks and constructive criticism.

 

You can learn more about Ginsburg's work at fosteringresilience.com

It is well worth a visit, especially if you did not make it to the event. (And in the video, he talks a bit more slowly than he did in his Central presentation!)  Ginsburg donated the proceeds from the evening's sales of his books, "Letting Go with Love and Confidence" and "Building Resilience"; copies will be available at the December Home & School Association meeting.

Dr. Ginsburg and the Seven C's
Dr. Ginsburg and the Seven C's
Central AIDS Walkers Raise Record-Breaking $10,000

 

The Central community raised a record-breaking $10,000-plus during the 26th Annual AIDS Walk Philly Sunday, Oct. 21. More than 350 students, faculty and family members walked (while some more energetic folks ran) in the Delaware Valley's largest annual fundraiser for this cause. The money goes directly to 30 local organizations to raise awareness about and provide support to those stricken with the disease.

 

Central student organization PEACH (Peers Educating Against Contracting HIV) spearheaded the effort under the guidance of sponsor Mary Greenway, who works in student health services at Central and staffs the Drop-In Center. Greenway gave much of the credit for this year's success to PEACH and its co-presidents, Sade Clarke, 272, and Shira Smith, 273, who led the effort by getting people signed up, selling AIDS Walk pins and spreading the word.

 

Shira got involved with PEACH as a freshman because of her desire to do something "to help real people," and was enthusiastic about the group's efforts: "We definitely make an impact and are proud of what we do."

 

Greenway, who started Central's tradition of participation in the AIDS Walk when she came to Central nine years ago, was impressed by the depth and breadth of participation in this year's Walk. "Central students have raised a lot of money for this cause over the years, but the most we ever previously raised was around $7,000. This year, so many kids raised money, even if it was only $5, and it all added up."

 

Standout fundraisers were Shannon Matthew, 273, who brought in $1,000, and Robert Grable, 273, who raised $500. Shannon said she did this by, quite literally, "asking everybody I met to contribute."

 

The Annual AIDS Walk seeks to maintain a sense of urgency about a disease that may have drifted out of the forefront of public consciousness, but which still infects one American every 9 ½ minutes. Said Greenway: "Unfortunately, we have a very high rate of HIV in Philadelphia, and this Walk creates an opportunity to talk to the kids about this topic."

 

PEACH is not resting on its laurels. Shira advises that "we are now working on a fundraiser for World AIDS Day and will have a bake sale on Dec. 4." All proceeds from PEACH's newest efforts will go to a local AIDS hospice. So stop by, buy a cupcake and thank PEACH members for their awesome contribution to their community.

Media Star at Central

 

Dayla Hahn, 273, and her team won first place in the "News Report" category for their video, "Giovanni's Room," in the WHYY Youth Media Awards announced Oct. 13.

 

Dayla, who enjoys writing and is a Centralizer editor, participated in the WHYY summer youth program to gain editing experience and to learn more about how to tell stories. She was surprised to find herself elected to be in front of the camera when she and the three other (shyer) girls on her team decided to do a story on the well-known LGBTQ bookstore at 12th and Pine streets in Center City.

 

The four happened upon Giovanni's Room while exploring the city as WHYY emissaries into various city neighborhoods. Dayla initially wasn't

giovanni's history marker
Dayla Hahn, 273, won for a news feature about the iconic bookstore.

sure it was a good idea to call the bookstore's neighborhood the "gayborhood,"  but, in interviewing the owner and others from the area, she learned that the moniker is a symbol of pride, much like the community's new rainbow-hued street signs. She found the "gayborhood" welcoming and proud of its unique contribution to the city.

  

Although poised and accomplished in the video, Dayla does not aspire to a career in front of the camera. She plans on becoming a neurosurgeon: "I like the workings of the brain and both the physical and mental aspects of how people make decisions." She is in the midst of visiting various Ivy League schools in her college-selection quest.

 

Her favorite part of her WHYY stint was getting more comfortable talking to strangers and learning more about the city. "It is amazing what you can do if you just reach out," she said.

 

The winning video can be viewed on WHYY's website under 2012 Youth Media Awards, News Reports.

Outpouring for Central Family

  

Ben Folk III, 275, is a quiet young man, except when you ask him about the terrible fire that caused the total destruction of his family's home during Hurricane Sandy. Then he becomes quite animated.  The impact of that tragedy will remain with him always.

  

On Nov. 16, Ben and his family moved into a four-bedroom house in Mount Airy while their home on Independence Street in East Oak Lane is rebuilt.  For the first time in weeks, Ben will not be sleeping on a sofa bed in his grandmother's small apartment, surrounded by his brothers Adam, 9, Nicholas, 6, and Christopher, 4; sister Suri, 14 months; and parents Ben Jr. and Tanya.  (Also rescued from the fire were the family pets, two dogs and a cat.) See the NewsWorks story about this tragedy here.

 

Throughout this time, the Folk family has been overwhelmed by the kindness of the community, which has provided meals, toys and donations.  Ben's Central family has been tremendously generous as well, with financial support from the Alumni, Home & School and Student associations, the Drama Society, the RoboLancers and so many individuals it would be impossible to name them all.

 

Keeping his emotions in check, dad Ben Folk Jr. said, "I cannot express enough my overwhelming thanks that all of the members of my family were able to escape from the fire.  I also am thankful for the continuing kindness of people we don't even know who have been so extremely generous."

 

Monetary donations can still be made in support of the Folk family, through PayPal at the Green Woods Charter School PTA's website 

or by bringing a check payable to the "Benjamin Folk Jr. Fire Donation Fund" (Account No. 5284423125) to any Wells Fargo bank branch.  In addition, the Student Association continues to accept checks and donations of clothing. (Sizes for the Folk kids: Suri, 18-24 months; Christopher, pants 6, shirts M, shoes 1.5; Nicholas, pants 8, shirts boys' L, shoes 4; Adam, pants 12, shirts boys' L/XL, shoes 5.5; Ben, pants 34x34, shirts men's L/XL, shoes 14.)

Amazing Alumni Lend a Foot to Central Soccer

  

Freezing temperatures did not deter the hardy players gathered in Northeast Philadelphia to kick off the first Central Alumni Soccer Game on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful example of the love and loyalty that Central alums have for their school and their teams.

  

Chuck Meissler, 252, a proud soccer alum, learned that School District budget cuts had led to the termination of junior varsity soccer, and that PIAA rule changes were requiring new uniforms for the soccer teams. Meissler spoke to other Central soccer alumni and within 24 hours, Adrian Hoppel, 252, had created a web siteIn one day, more than $1,000 was donated to help the boys' and girls' soccer programs, and within a week, the total topped $1,700. Meissler then combined with teammate Michael Shaughnessy, 252, to organize the first-ever Central Alumni Soccer Game to raise more money with a T-shirt sale and to play ball again under the Central High banner.   

Soccer2
Alumni Soccer Action
 

The game was, in the word of one fan, "a blast." Twenty-plus players from classes 251 to the current day divided into teams and played hard. In the first contest, soccer coach Joshua Trott, 256, led the even years against the odds. Then the "old folks" took on the younger alums (beefed up by current varsity members Gregory Winter, 273, and Luiz Campagnin and Yan Martins, both 272). The ensuing battle of the 250s versus the 260s and 270s yielded a 1-1 tie, and despite the pleas of frozen spectators, an overtime period was played for another 1-1 tie.

Soccer1
Alumni Soccer

  

Central Alumni Board Secretary Rudy Cvetkovic, 239, was delighted about the event, noting, "We can link in this alumni group to our Alumni website as well." Meissler looks forward to seeing the game become an annual thing. "It was a really great time playing soccer with guys from three decades of Central soccer," he said. "Hopefully, next year we will get even more people out."

Save the Date

 

Party Central! will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the Commodore Barry Club in Mount Airy. Sponsored by the Home and School Association this is a fun fundraising event and a great way to support your child's education.   

Help Wanted

 

Shop at Modell's, support CHS Varsity Baseball: Use the Modell's coupon and save 15% at time of purchase. CHS Varsity Baseball will receive 5% when you use the coupon. Coupon good through Thursday, Dec. 20.

 

Newsletter staffers: Interested in working on the newsletter? Contact Dave Kalkstein.

Thank You


Thanks for reading our newsletter, and for writing us. The newsletter is a volunteer effort of the Central High School Home and School Association and would not exist without the efforts of our founder, Jane Von Bergen.

 

We deeply appreciate the great stories from Nancy Winter and Kathie Conrad, and the superb editing of Mary Sweeten. Thanks as always to the staff and teachers at Central, and to our alumni readers.

 

Have something to say? 
Say it here.

 

Very best wishes

 

Dave Kalkstein and Dan Cason, Co-Editors

 

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