John Adams YABC Student Newsletter
John Adams YABC Student Newsletter
November 2013
JOHN ADAMS YABC ELIMINATES DETENTION POLICY BY: MAHENDRA SUKHRAM One of our school policies here at John Adams YABC is instead of having detention for being late, cutting or having an unexcused absence is to require our students to write essays. The things that a student can do to get themselves in detention is coming to school late or missing a day from school. Cutting classes can get students into detention. Last year the detention policy was much different. If you were late or absent you stayed an extra 15 to 20 minutes in detention after classes were over. But as the year went on, it seemed as if we got out sooner and sooner. Before you knew it, people did not mind staying a little late if they were late to school. I guess Mr. A saw that people really did not think that detention was much of a consequence, I guess it became a hang out spot. Now this is a new year and back we go to a policy that people really think is a penalty. If you are late or absent without a note from a parent/guardian or a medical note, you have no choice but to write an essay explaining why you’re late or why you were absent. If you happen to cut a class and decide to go home, they make you write two essays. If you get caught in the hallway without a pass, you have to write an essay. And if you continue to do the same thing over and over, your parents have to come up for a meeting. The school’s intention behind this policy is to have students come to school on time and make sure they’re not cutting school or staying home for without a good reason. This policy makes students come to school simply because they want to avoid writing an essay or two. STUDENTS!! DON’T COME TO CLASS LATE TO WRITE AN ESSAY THAT WOULD WASTE YOUR TIME AND ALWAYS HAVE AN ABSENT NOTE TO BRING TO SCHOOL TO PREVENT YOU FROM HAVING TO WRITE AN ESSAY…
STAFF SPOTLIGHT MS. RODRIGUEZ
MR. ABOUGHAIDA
BY: MARCUS DAVILA
BY: SULAY PEREZ AND ALEX ALEXANDRE
We decided to interview Ms. Rodriguez, who is Mr. A’s devotion to and hard work in the a graduate of Queens College with stunning two Mas- YABC program inspired us to interview him. ters Degree’s. Mr. A’s main responsibility is to focus on She was a great person to speak with because in students graduating and making sure that everyday school she is a guidance counselor. We asked her thing runs smoothly. He says, “A student in the how long she has been working as a teacher. She re- hallway is a student not learning and not focused.” plied that this was her first year working as a teacher; We also asked him why he chose to work for so she is fairly new, but she knows what she is doing YABC. His response was, “unlike day school, I feel and is very focused and determined. Other than work- like I have a bigger impact in YABC.” He contining at two different schools, Rodriguez feels that she is ues on to explain that because he makes sure everyin the right place now and feels at home. one is in class focused and doing their schoolwork that he is helping them to achieve their goal. Her best advice to young future teachers or students looking for a future as an educator is to be pasWhile interviewing Mr. Aboughaida, we sionate about what you do. If you’re not, you will be asked him what keeps him dedicated to his job. He fairly unhappy with your work. This is when asked replies, “When seeing students graduate gives me a “Do you love what you do?” She stated, “I love teach- good feeling because in some way I was a part of ing, I enjoy the atmosphere I wouldn’t want to be any- the reason why the student graduated and moved on where else.” We then asked her, “Since you have two to better things in life.” Mr. A has been a part of Masters’, was college difficult?” She replied “No, not YABC since 2006. at all, you just have to stay focused.” She then stated Finally Mr. A told us about his journey to “the only thing I think was difficult was that English wasn’t my first language so I had trouble with the the position that he now holds. He began by saying that, in his first year in the United States he had reading and essays.” roughly about twenty jobs because of his difficulty Ms Rodriguez went on to say that being a His- with English. This inspired him to continue his edpanic American comes with many challenges. Being ucation. Mr. A attended many educational instituable to understand English is where the problem lies. tions including SCS Institute, LaGuardia CommuComprehension was her biggest challenge; she said if nity College, Baruch College, Mercy College, and you cannot understand your teacher, there won’t be Touro College. any way to produce any work. This takes time, hours While interviewing Mr. Aboughaida we of constant studying. She went on to state that this does not only apply for a person learning English but found out he struggled after coming to America but for any person that wants to be successful. She ended he didn’t let anything get in his way of obtaining by saying that success comes at a price, as it takes a lot the position he has. To Mr. A, congratulations on achieving the great ‘American Dream’. I hope this of dedication and devotion. gets us a free essay pass.
STUDENT PERSPECTIVE ON YABC LEARNING TO WORK PROGRAM BY: EDWARD DAVIS I would like to welcome you to the John Adams YABC program. One of the best parts of the YABC program from my perspective is the LTW (Learning to Work) program. I believe that it provides a fruitful opportunity for the students to not only make some extra pocket scratch; it also provides each and every one of its members with a rich demeanor of colorful job experiences. During my previous encounter with the LTW program, I was successfully rotated among three different establishments and was able to acquire many skills. If you really want the skills, tools and discipline to be a functional working member of society, the LTW is a good place to start.
INSPIRATION FROM DUNKIN DONUTS BY: SULAY PEREZ
This summer I started working for Dunkin Donuts. This job made me realize that it’s not worth being a high school dropout because working for minimum wage my whole life isn’t going to work for me. Even though I don’t know what I want to be in life, I know that I don’t want to be working so hard for such low wages. For example, at the end of a 31 hour week I leave with about $200.00. That might seem like a lot of money to the average high school student, but if you think about it it’s not enough. You see I help my mom out with some bills that need to be paid in the house. I also spend some money on food and for train fare to get to and from work. By the time I cover my expenses, I don’t have a lot of money left over, not even a little to spoil myself a bit. Dunkin Donuts is not a very physically demanding job, but when you work with difficult people it can become mentally draining. Having to wake up at 5 in the morning to be at work by 6 is a pain, but you have to do it if you want the job. Walking in to serve people before they head off to work isn’t always pleasant either, but no matter how bad your day is or how tired you are, you have to do it with a smile. Also it isn’t pleasant having to deal with cranky co-workers who think they know everything because they have been on the job longer than you have. With all this going on during work I get drained and tired. To see a check that’s so little at the end of the week makes me want to quit, but I stick with it. I move forward and keep going. This experience has made me realize that ‘I need to go back to school and get my high school diploma.” When I do finish high school, I will go on to college and major in something that is going to allow me to have a better life.
MY YABC EXPERIENCE BY: YASPAL PERSAUD Since Junior High School, I have had a very big problem with cutting school. As a matter of fact, I don’t even know how they promoted me and sent me to High School. Nevertheless, during my freshman year at John Adams High School -in the annex- I was determined to improve my attendance. As a result of not cutting or being absent excessively, I was able to earn up to 20 credits in one year. As a result of my performance in the 9th grade, I started my sophomore year with my head held high with confidence. However that did not last too long. Once again, I found myself hanging out with the wrong people and once again cutting classes. Needless to say that got me into quite a bit of trouble. Before I knew it, 4 years had passed and my friends from the 9th grade were on their way to college and I was still in the 10th grade. Luckily for me, YABC was here to offer me a fresh start. It took me 4 years, but I finally started to realize that I needed to get my life together and to realize that I needed an education to get somewhere in life. I now have the chance to finish school and to make my mother proud. If I can do it so can you. Y.A.B.C is the best alternative for me at this point in my education, because I was uncomfortable being in day school classes with kids 3 and 4 years younger than I am. Y.A.B.C allows me to be around peers who are my age. WHY I CHOSE YABC BY: LERINDRA RAMDAS Why did I choose YABC? It might just be for the same reasons you did. I chose to come to YABC because I have a 10 year-old neighbor named Nick, Dates to Remember who’s in the fifth grade that looks up to me. He already dislikes school, and what we do affects the people around us, especially the younger generation. I November 22: Last Day To Start Friday Senior Semidon’t want him shortchanging himself, and I definitely wouldn’t want my chilnar 3:30 PM—6:30 PM dren to do and say the same things either. No matter how hard you try hiding the fact you dropped out of high school, or even got your GED, is almost im- November 23: Saturday School Cycle 1 Ends and possible. I thought I could do it, but I was completely wrong. Cycle 2 Begins 8:00 AM-
Sure, I’ve thought about getting my GED and was set on that idea, but even 1:00 PM though it is equivalent to a high school diploma, people still frown upon it. Even though the majority of colleges, universities, post-secondary institutions, and November 27: YABC Talent/Fashion Show and jobs accept it, what about the minority that do not? At least, by finishing high Thanksgiving Celebration school, even if it’s a year later, it’s showing my ability to work hard, overcome obstacles and demonstrate that I have drive and determination. Also, it looks a November 28 and 29: YABC Closed hell of a lot better hanging a high school diploma on your wall rather than something that says “General Equivalency Diploma.” I also chose this path because Nick’s mom has been like a mother to me. She only wants the best for me, and doesn’t want me to deprive, and under-serve myself. Not only will it make her proud, but it won’t have me living life, knowing I have disappointed and let her down.
November 2013
JOHN ADAMS YABC ELIMINATES DETENTION POLICY BY: MAHENDRA SUKHRAM One of our school policies here at John Adams YABC is instead of having detention for being late, cutting or having an unexcused absence is to require our students to write essays. The things that a student can do to get themselves in detention is coming to school late or missing a day from school. Cutting classes can get students into detention. Last year the detention policy was much different. If you were late or absent you stayed an extra 15 to 20 minutes in detention after classes were over. But as the year went on, it seemed as if we got out sooner and sooner. Before you knew it, people did not mind staying a little late if they were late to school. I guess Mr. A saw that people really did not think that detention was much of a consequence, I guess it became a hang out spot. Now this is a new year and back we go to a policy that people really think is a penalty. If you are late or absent without a note from a parent/guardian or a medical note, you have no choice but to write an essay explaining why you’re late or why you were absent. If you happen to cut a class and decide to go home, they make you write two essays. If you get caught in the hallway without a pass, you have to write an essay. And if you continue to do the same thing over and over, your parents have to come up for a meeting. The school’s intention behind this policy is to have students come to school on time and make sure they’re not cutting school or staying home for without a good reason. This policy makes students come to school simply because they want to avoid writing an essay or two. STUDENTS!! DON’T COME TO CLASS LATE TO WRITE AN ESSAY THAT WOULD WASTE YOUR TIME AND ALWAYS HAVE AN ABSENT NOTE TO BRING TO SCHOOL TO PREVENT YOU FROM HAVING TO WRITE AN ESSAY…
STAFF SPOTLIGHT MS. RODRIGUEZ
MR. ABOUGHAIDA
BY: MARCUS DAVILA
BY: SULAY PEREZ AND ALEX ALEXANDRE
We decided to interview Ms. Rodriguez, who is Mr. A’s devotion to and hard work in the a graduate of Queens College with stunning two Mas- YABC program inspired us to interview him. ters Degree’s. Mr. A’s main responsibility is to focus on She was a great person to speak with because in students graduating and making sure that everyday school she is a guidance counselor. We asked her thing runs smoothly. He says, “A student in the how long she has been working as a teacher. She re- hallway is a student not learning and not focused.” plied that this was her first year working as a teacher; We also asked him why he chose to work for so she is fairly new, but she knows what she is doing YABC. His response was, “unlike day school, I feel and is very focused and determined. Other than work- like I have a bigger impact in YABC.” He contining at two different schools, Rodriguez feels that she is ues on to explain that because he makes sure everyin the right place now and feels at home. one is in class focused and doing their schoolwork that he is helping them to achieve their goal. Her best advice to young future teachers or students looking for a future as an educator is to be pasWhile interviewing Mr. Aboughaida, we sionate about what you do. If you’re not, you will be asked him what keeps him dedicated to his job. He fairly unhappy with your work. This is when asked replies, “When seeing students graduate gives me a “Do you love what you do?” She stated, “I love teach- good feeling because in some way I was a part of ing, I enjoy the atmosphere I wouldn’t want to be any- the reason why the student graduated and moved on where else.” We then asked her, “Since you have two to better things in life.” Mr. A has been a part of Masters’, was college difficult?” She replied “No, not YABC since 2006. at all, you just have to stay focused.” She then stated Finally Mr. A told us about his journey to “the only thing I think was difficult was that English wasn’t my first language so I had trouble with the the position that he now holds. He began by saying that, in his first year in the United States he had reading and essays.” roughly about twenty jobs because of his difficulty Ms Rodriguez went on to say that being a His- with English. This inspired him to continue his edpanic American comes with many challenges. Being ucation. Mr. A attended many educational instituable to understand English is where the problem lies. tions including SCS Institute, LaGuardia CommuComprehension was her biggest challenge; she said if nity College, Baruch College, Mercy College, and you cannot understand your teacher, there won’t be Touro College. any way to produce any work. This takes time, hours While interviewing Mr. Aboughaida we of constant studying. She went on to state that this does not only apply for a person learning English but found out he struggled after coming to America but for any person that wants to be successful. She ended he didn’t let anything get in his way of obtaining by saying that success comes at a price, as it takes a lot the position he has. To Mr. A, congratulations on achieving the great ‘American Dream’. I hope this of dedication and devotion. gets us a free essay pass.
STUDENT PERSPECTIVE ON YABC LEARNING TO WORK PROGRAM BY: EDWARD DAVIS I would like to welcome you to the John Adams YABC program. One of the best parts of the YABC program from my perspective is the LTW (Learning to Work) program. I believe that it provides a fruitful opportunity for the students to not only make some extra pocket scratch; it also provides each and every one of its members with a rich demeanor of colorful job experiences. During my previous encounter with the LTW program, I was successfully rotated among three different establishments and was able to acquire many skills. If you really want the skills, tools and discipline to be a functional working member of society, the LTW is a good place to start.
INSPIRATION FROM DUNKIN DONUTS BY: SULAY PEREZ
This summer I started working for Dunkin Donuts. This job made me realize that it’s not worth being a high school dropout because working for minimum wage my whole life isn’t going to work for me. Even though I don’t know what I want to be in life, I know that I don’t want to be working so hard for such low wages. For example, at the end of a 31 hour week I leave with about $200.00. That might seem like a lot of money to the average high school student, but if you think about it it’s not enough. You see I help my mom out with some bills that need to be paid in the house. I also spend some money on food and for train fare to get to and from work. By the time I cover my expenses, I don’t have a lot of money left over, not even a little to spoil myself a bit. Dunkin Donuts is not a very physically demanding job, but when you work with difficult people it can become mentally draining. Having to wake up at 5 in the morning to be at work by 6 is a pain, but you have to do it if you want the job. Walking in to serve people before they head off to work isn’t always pleasant either, but no matter how bad your day is or how tired you are, you have to do it with a smile. Also it isn’t pleasant having to deal with cranky co-workers who think they know everything because they have been on the job longer than you have. With all this going on during work I get drained and tired. To see a check that’s so little at the end of the week makes me want to quit, but I stick with it. I move forward and keep going. This experience has made me realize that ‘I need to go back to school and get my high school diploma.” When I do finish high school, I will go on to college and major in something that is going to allow me to have a better life.
MY YABC EXPERIENCE BY: YASPAL PERSAUD Since Junior High School, I have had a very big problem with cutting school. As a matter of fact, I don’t even know how they promoted me and sent me to High School. Nevertheless, during my freshman year at John Adams High School -in the annex- I was determined to improve my attendance. As a result of not cutting or being absent excessively, I was able to earn up to 20 credits in one year. As a result of my performance in the 9th grade, I started my sophomore year with my head held high with confidence. However that did not last too long. Once again, I found myself hanging out with the wrong people and once again cutting classes. Needless to say that got me into quite a bit of trouble. Before I knew it, 4 years had passed and my friends from the 9th grade were on their way to college and I was still in the 10th grade. Luckily for me, YABC was here to offer me a fresh start. It took me 4 years, but I finally started to realize that I needed to get my life together and to realize that I needed an education to get somewhere in life. I now have the chance to finish school and to make my mother proud. If I can do it so can you. Y.A.B.C is the best alternative for me at this point in my education, because I was uncomfortable being in day school classes with kids 3 and 4 years younger than I am. Y.A.B.C allows me to be around peers who are my age. WHY I CHOSE YABC BY: LERINDRA RAMDAS Why did I choose YABC? It might just be for the same reasons you did. I chose to come to YABC because I have a 10 year-old neighbor named Nick, Dates to Remember who’s in the fifth grade that looks up to me. He already dislikes school, and what we do affects the people around us, especially the younger generation. I November 22: Last Day To Start Friday Senior Semidon’t want him shortchanging himself, and I definitely wouldn’t want my chilnar 3:30 PM—6:30 PM dren to do and say the same things either. No matter how hard you try hiding the fact you dropped out of high school, or even got your GED, is almost im- November 23: Saturday School Cycle 1 Ends and possible. I thought I could do it, but I was completely wrong. Cycle 2 Begins 8:00 AM-
Sure, I’ve thought about getting my GED and was set on that idea, but even 1:00 PM though it is equivalent to a high school diploma, people still frown upon it. Even though the majority of colleges, universities, post-secondary institutions, and November 27: YABC Talent/Fashion Show and jobs accept it, what about the minority that do not? At least, by finishing high Thanksgiving Celebration school, even if it’s a year later, it’s showing my ability to work hard, overcome obstacles and demonstrate that I have drive and determination. Also, it looks a November 28 and 29: YABC Closed hell of a lot better hanging a high school diploma on your wall rather than something that says “General Equivalency Diploma.” I also chose this path because Nick’s mom has been like a mother to me. She only wants the best for me, and doesn’t want me to deprive, and under-serve myself. Not only will it make her proud, but it won’t have me living life, knowing I have disappointed and let her down.
