Have any of you ever wondered about the ESOL students or ever helped translate for them? The East Academy for English Language Learners (EAFELL) was held during February break from 8:00pm to 1:30pm here at East High School. This program is for those students who have recently transferred from another country and even for those who want to get better at their English speaking and writing skills. These students are called the new ELL’s to East.

These scholars not only took time out of their break to practice English but they also took notes and visited the George Eastman house, the Susan B. Anthony house and the Rochester museum and science center (RMSC). Each scholar learned about Rochester's history and how each place had a great impact on Rochester.

On the last day, Friday, each student had to present in front of the staff on who they thought had a greater impact. “I was super impressed and they did very well,” said ELL teacher Ms. Shaw. She was with these students along with other staff members during break.  Presentations are part of a specifically American education. “In other countries it's rare for [students] to do presentations. These students never did presentations where they came from,” added Ms. Shaw.   If you want to learn more about the history of Rochester and or want to practice your English skills more reach out to Ms. Shaw in D235 or any ELL teacher.
 

Alguna vez te has preguntado sobre los estudiantes ESOL o has interpretado por algún estudiante en tu clase? El East Academy for English language learners (EAFELL) fue dado en el receso de febrero de 8AM a 1:30PM aquí en la East High school. Este programa es para nuestro estudiantes nuevos que han venido de otro país recientemente o los que necesitan más práctica leyendo y escribiendo en inglés. Estos estudiantes son llamados los ELL’s nuevos de east.

Estos estudiantes no solo sacaron de su tiempo por cinco días en el receso sino que también estudiaron y visitaron el George Eastman house, Susan B. Anthony house y el Museo de Rochester y el Centro de Ciencia. Cada estudiante aprendió sobre el conocimiento profundo sobre Rochester y como cada persona fue parte de el gran cambio impactante de Rochester.

En el último dia, viernes, cada estudiante tenía que hacer una presentación delante de el personal de la escuela explicando quien ellos creen quien hizo un cambio más impactante. “ ellos hicieron un gran trabajo, estaba super impresionada” dijo la maestra de ELL Srta. Shaw. Ella estuvo con estos estudiantes ayudándolos. Las presentaciones son una gran parte en la educación en los Estados Unidos. “En otros países es rara la vez que estudiantes hagan presentaciones. Estos estudiantes nunca han hecho presentaciones en sus países.” también dijo Srta. Shaw.  Si algunos de ustedes quieren aprender más de la historia de Rochester o mejorar su ingles pueden alcanzar la Srta. Shaw en D235 o otro maestro de ELL.
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Wilnelly Rodriguez 

Starting this year there will be an opportunity for seniors with high proficiency in two or more languages at graduation. The New York State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes graduating students with a Regents Diploma who maintain a high level of reading, writing, and listening in any other language in addition to English. Proficiency in another language means the other language can easily be one spoken at home or fluency in the language studied in school.

In order to get the NYS Seal of Biliteracy students must earn three points for each language. Students who would like to pursue the NYS Seal of BIliteracy would have to do a presentation on the language they were studying. For any students who would do the presentation in another language other than English there would be an interpreter in the one specific language.

Students who are eligible for this are doing their presentation in many different including Spanish and Somali. Once everything is done you have accomplished a seal on your diploma. For students who received the application and agreement and are interested, make sure to give the application to Dr. Boyle by April 1st or sooner. Counselors are encouraging the students eligible for this opportunity to take it. 

Wandalys Montero 

The Youth Apprenticeship Program is available for scholars in grades 10th and 11th grade who are interested in the medical or health field. Anyone who is interested in applying will get a great experience. To be able to get in this program students must have a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average (preferably a 3.0) and 94% attendance with no suspensions. The role that the students will have in the hospital will be a Patient Care Technician, meaning students will have the opportunity to have hands-on experience to work with patients who are ill or in need of any health and medical problem.
 
There are a variety of departments to pick from. There is anything from working with patients to not working with patients at all. This is because there are a lot of people who like to work with patients and other people who don’t. The interesting thing about this program is that each month there is a rotation which means students get to see the different aspects of different environments in the hospital setting.
 
Students are able to work 20 hours in 2 weeks, but the good advantage of this program is that when students have vacation from school they can work up to 40 hours that whole week that school is not in session. Students who are already in the program can tell you how good of a program this is. Students will grow mentally and physically in the time that they spend at the hospital. The Youth Apprenticeship Program is definitely a great opportunity to determine whether or not scholars would look up to wanting to further their education in the health field.  Ask your counselor about it today.

Melissa Caso

There will be a FAFSA event here at East High School on Sunday, January 29th, from 1-3pm. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA helps make college education possible for every dedicated mind. FAFSA is very helpful because it helps students all around the country get money for college.
 
Students may wonder if it is necessary to apply for financial aid and the answer is yes, because having this help for college allows students to focus on learning instead of worrying about money. If you don’t apply to FAFSA it might be very difficult to pay for college.
 
Seniors, including those who are graduating this summer, should submit their FAFSA application as soon as possible so that they can get a good package that is right for them.  It is an important step to start off with a good year of college by getting all the paperwork necessary so that you are all set with the stressful process.
 
For help with your FAFSA or to get more information, attend the FAFSA event or see your counselor.

​Melissa Caso

Upper School students will have an opportunity to go on a ski trip to Swain Ski Resort.  The trip will be over break on Wednesday February 22, 2017. According to Mrs. Wise, the teacher in charge of the trip, students will have an opportunity to take a 90 minute lesson, and have a helmet. They can choose whether to use ski boots or boot with a snowboard. The trip also includes chair lift through the whole mountain. Mrs. Wise encourages as many people as possible to gain a new experience. “It would be something new for students to try and enjoy,” said Ms. Wise.
 
Normally the price would be $120.00 not including transportation but it will be $40.00 including transportation for students. This a great deal for a unique opportunity.  The bus will be leaving at 9:00am and it will be a one hour and fifteen minute drive.  Students will be back at East by 9.00 pm.
 
Swain Ski Resort has 33 trails, 5 lifts and two terrain parks for any jumpers. For more information you can see Mrs. Wise’s in room D139. 

Wandalys Montero

Students who earned Honor Roll were honored in an Academic Achievement ceremony.  The celebration was held on Friday, December 2nd at 11:30am in the auditorium. The ceremony was fast and many people attended, including students, teachers and also parents.  Seniors Hanzel Carrillo and Dejzary McFadden along with freshman Indya Lowman emceed the event and presented the awards. There are three categories of honors, including Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, and High Honor Roll with Distinction. Principal Blocker made a small speech for the all the students and parents who attended, especially the students who received the High Honor Roll with Distinction.

Students also got “Mission Awards” which are awarded not based on GPA, but based on citizenship.  Scholars got awards for Tenacity, Thinking Purposefully, and Advocating for Themselves and Others, which is our mission here at East High.

After the ceremony there was ice cream for the students and raffles of student names for step jam tickets. What made this ceremony different from the other ones was that it was in the morning during school instead of after school or in the evening.  Also, parents were invited to attend during the day and there was a decent turnout.

To get the High Honor Roll with Distinction certificate, scholars have to earn a 4.00 GPA or higher. Senior Marry Lu, who received the High Honor Roll with Distinction certificate, appreciated the ceremony and recognition. “It felt nice to get recognized for my hard work,” Lu said.

​Wandalys Montero

The East High Culinary team stayed late before Thanksgiving Break to prepare food for the homeless.  Lead by culinary genius Chef Jeff Christiano, our school’s budding chefs prepared over 1200 meals to donate to those in need.  Your tireless efforts truly embody the spirit of giving!

​Mrs.Conroy

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East High School's Varsity basketball team has some unfinished business to take care of. A tough game between Aquinas and East last year led to the final game of the season. It was a crushing defeat but according to the sports legend Vince Lombardi, “We didn’t lose the game, we just ran out of time.” The loss motivated the team to come back this year stronger and better. The East Eagles have kicked off their 2016 season with a 3-1 record to date. 

Assistant Coach Robinson improves personal character building within his players so that it will have a positive impact on the team. Robinson states that he can teach more life lessons to his players and set better examples by “exposing them to different settings and environments outside of the Rochester area.” He also believes that if the players on his team were his own children, two of the most important life lessons he would want them to get out of his program would be a good work ethic and a strong commitment to a team sport. Robinson motivates his players “through outcomes and success; how hard they want to work.”

Robinson's team has been motivated to work hard in practices and play harder in games by their wins. In order to improve teamwork and the attitude of each player Robinson states that “everyone should be held accountable.” East basketball coaches don't hesitate to bench a player during a game if there is evidence of poor attitude or poor sportsmanship being shown on the court. The coaches believe that taking responsibility for your attitudes and actions will benefit the players on and off the court and will extend to their real world experiences. We wish the East Eagles the best of luck for the remainder of their 2016- 2017 season.

John Segarra

In honor of our veterans, East High’s Music Department hosted the 2nd Annual Veteran’s Day Concert in the auditorium on Thursday, November 10th, 2016. During second period many staff members and students, as well as veterans, joined to not only enjoy but to honor those who are serving and who have served for our country.

Students from The Lighthouse Committee recited poems that were written for our troops as they were overseas. Our upper and lower school choirs combined singing “Bless Our Troops,” earning a standing ovation from the crowd. East’s band also performed, playing the songs for each service branch and asked the veterans that served in the branch to stand when they heard the song of where they served.
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East would like to thank everyone who served in our country and sacrificed their lives for us to be here today.

Alicia Willie

"We are so fortunate to have such a caring and dedicated staff at East.  Wednesday and Thursday showcased the Poetry Readings, Veteran’s Day Appreciation Concert and The Family Dinner and Show Night. All events put the spotlight on out multitude of talented scholars. It was so very impressive, to hear their words, listen to their singing, watch them Step, Dance, and receive Mission awards, and taste their authentic cooking. Our staff is simply outstanding and their commitment to our scholars is unmatched. These events instilled personal pride, family pride and East pride.
 
Much thanks to each of you for the various things you led or supported through your attendance. Special thanks to: Dan Hart, Alexa Basile, Erin Schuh, Rebecca Fox, Scott Weber, Jodi Zajowski, Jeff Christiano, David Festenstein, Frances Drumgoole, Lorna Washington, Tanya Wilson, Joanne Larson, Shalonda Garfield, Missy Floyd, Stephanie Bliss and ALL others that played a leadership role in these events."