Photo Walkthrough of Fall 2011

Happy new year, East-West! We are halfway into its sixth year since opening our doors in 2006. Let’s look at some of the highlights from our fall semester.

View the East-West photo albums.

Prospective families filled the art room during our Fall Open House. A panel of East-West staff and students answered questions and shared their experiences. East-West's small size and supportive community were cited as some of its greatest strengths.

East-West students led specialized Q&A tours.

Teachers participated in professional development days to increase their understanding of Common Core Standards and incorporate them more effectively into their curriculum.

Our Guidance Team: Jeannie Park, HS; Carlos Diaz, MS; and Susan Erhard, College. Ms. Park returned from maternity leave this year and Ms. Erhard joined our team as the College Counselor.

Our school administrators know that school is about having fun too.

Students and staff participated in School Spirit Days, such as Nerd Day.

Nerd Day twins!

Middle school students studied the human body by sketching and painting facial muscles.

Student Government organized and hosted a Game Show Night for students and staff.

The East-West community donated over 60 gifts to the children of deployed military personnel for the holidays. Way to go, East-West!

Gabrielle Gonzalez and Jean Soo show off the new Middle School Road to Success artwork in the 429 office.

Our school has officially been added as part of the Guinness Book of World Records Speed Stacking record.

East-West remains committed to Rachel's Challenge anti-bullying message. Students and staff continue to contribute Acts of Kindness strips which are displayed as chains throughout the school.

Halloween at East-West!

PHOTOS BY MS. CHENG

Click to view the full photo album.

“Sports Day” and “Dress as your Future Dream Job Day”

View full album: School Spirit Days

Click to see this year’s schedule of School Spirit Days.

PHOTOS BY MS. CHENG

Click on each photo to view larger.

SPORTS DAY

DRESS AS YOUR FUTURE DREAM JOB

East-West Game Show Night

Students and community members are invited to the first ever East-West Game Show Night!

Wednesday, November 16th

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

East-West Auditorium

FREE ADMISSION

Prizes for winners!

Students will lead the audience in five games with several rounds, inspired by game shows such as Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Guess Who, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Come and enjoy Student Government’s kick-off event for the year!

Rachel’s Challenge Day

On September 23rd, the East-West community joined Rachel’s Challenge to promote a positive school culture through tolerance. Ms. Marinos described her motivation for bringing this powerful program to East-West:

The goals were to create a safe learning environment for all students, prevent school violence and bullying, improve academic achievement by engaging students’ hearts, heads and hands in the learning process, and provide them with a social/emotional education.

Rachel Scott was the first student who was killed in the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999. During the school day portion, a Rachel’s Challenge speaker shared Rachel’s story and her message: Start a chain reaction with simple acts of kindness. Teachers gave special lessons and activities about anti-bullying during their regular classes.

A class discussion on "What is Bullying?"

Rachel's Challenges.

Students and staff signed a banner to honor their commitment to Rachel's Challenge.

"I accept the challenge to dream big."

Family, friends, and community members were welcomed to an evening assembly, where they participated in the same presentation the students had earlier in the day and invited to share in the mission to create a lasting positive change in the school culture.

In order to keep the positive impact of the program alive at East-West, a group of teachers and students from grades 6-12 were trained to be in a “Friends of Rachel” club. Hiba Rashid, a senior, described her experience:

As the members of the F.O.R. met for the first time to discuss our goals and the purpose of this club, many people surprised me. I began to see many people in a new light, a side of them I’ve never seen or expected. It just made me realize that everyone has a story and before understanding that individual’s story, you shouldn’t even begin to judge them.

I hope that East-West students will be able to continue Rachel Scott’s memory and create their own ways of how to change the point of view of others. The advice I have to offer to those who experienced the extended presentation of Rachel’s Challenge is this:

I hope everyone will dedicate themselves to the F.O.R. club, not just for the first couple of days, or a few months but for this entire year and onward. If you were truly touched today, then take a chance to change someone else’s life too.

For more information, visit Rachel’s Challenge.

PHOTOS BY MS. CHENG. View full photo album:

Rachel’s Challenge

Friends of Rachel training.

Students shared ways they promote kindness within their community.

"I will look for positive influences in life so it can help me exceed more and & learn what I can't learn on my own."

Crazy Hat/Hair/Socks Day

Every month, East-West students and staff have an opportunity to celebrate their school pride with a special theme day. Coming up on Thursday, October 20th: Sports Day!

Click to see this year’s schedule of School Spirit Days.

Click to see the whole photo album.

PHOTOS BY MS. CHENG, ANTHOULLA THEMISTOKLEOUS, BRYAN PARK, KATHERINE GUTIERREZ, AND CAMERON BURROWS.

Click to see the whole photo album.

Rachel’s Challenge – Start a chain reaction!

I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same.
- Rachel Scott

On September 23^rd, all students and staff will spend the morning learning about ways to reduce bullying and school violence by promoting tolerance and compassion through a series of specific challenges. This training will be led by a nonprofit organization created in the legacy of Rachel Scott, the first person killed in the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999.

For more information, visit http://www.rachelschallenge.org/

Parents and members of the community are encouraged to attend our evening assembly to join in our mission to create positive change within our school. They will participate in a similar presentation to our students’ and be challenged to help us keep the momentum of our mission going strong all year.

Please invite your family and friends to this important event!

Where: East-West, Auditorium, 1^st Floor
46-21 Colden Street, Flushing, NY 11355

When: September 23, 2011

Time: 7 pm to 8 pm