HIGH TEC MACHINES ADVANCE LEARNING AT HARRY S TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL

Having just returned from major competition, the Truman High School Robotics Team is showing off their skills in national contests and in the classroom.

“We use the Robotics Team to foster our students’ interest in our pre - Engineering program. Utilizing science and mathematics skills, pre - engineering is a course of study that is academically rigorous while providing students with a path for future career success,” says Truman’s Principal Sana Q. Nasser

FOX 5 On The Scene: Rebuilding The Truman High School Pool

Harry S Truman High School’s swimming pool has been closed since 1994 due, “to corroded piping,” according to school officials. Since then, Principal, Sana Q. Nasser, has pleaded her case with an array of politicians, graduates, visitors, and leaders from the Co-Op City community in which the school is located.

Every time redemption seemed near, it evaporated. The estimated costs for fixing the pool have swelled over time. Twice, Ms. Nasser managed to get $1 million from the City Council, but both times was unable to secure enough matching funds elsewhere and was forced to use the money on other projects. She is reminded of the possibilities each time she walks through the basement, flanked by gymnasiums on one side and the pool on the other.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., Fox 5 News will be discussing this important community issue in the Truman High School Auditorium. Please come and let your voice be heard in support of Truman High School and the Co-Op City community.

Principal Nasser remarked, “Unfortunately, most students have never even seen the pool. We want to reopen the pool so that students and community members alike will be able to utilize this treasure that sits in the middle of our neighborhood.”

Reaching Out: Rebuilding the Truman High School Pool

…most students have never even seen the pool.

It was closed in 1994 because of corroded piping, school officials said. Since then, Ms. Nasser has pleaded her case with an array of politicians, graduates, visitors and leaders of the Co-op City community, where the school is located.

Each time redemption seemed around the corner, it evaporated. The cost estimates for fixing the pools swelled over time. Twice, Ms. Nasser managed to get $1 million from the City Council, but both times she was unable to get matching funds elsewhere and was forced to use the money on other projects. She is reminded of the possibilities each time she walks through the basement, flanked by gymnasiums on one side and pools on the other.

Read School Pools, Now Dry Storage By ELISSA GOOTMAN
Published: April 14, 2005 in the NY Times

Everything You Need, in One Giant Package (NY Times Article about Co-op City)

Harry S. Truman High School in Co-op City, which serves 2,554 in Grades 9 through 12, had 353 graduates last year — or 66 percent of the senior class, said Sana Nasser, the principal.

Read the full article here.

Harry S Truman High School Robotics Team Wins Prestigious Award at Javits Center and is Invited to Compete in World Championship

by Lorri Giovinco-Harte

The Truman High School Gigabots compete at the Javits Center

On April 5, 2007, students from Harry S Truman High School competed in the New York City FIRST Tech Challenge at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. FIRST (For Inspiration of and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non profit organization which partners with well known businesses as well as educational and governmental institution for the purpose of bringing science and technology opportunities to students everywhere.

The FIRST Challenge is defined as a “mid-level robotics competition for high-school students” that developed from the FIRST Robotics Competition and the FIRST Robovation platform. They began the contest in order to provide all students the opportunity to participate through the use of “a more accessible and affordable robotics kit.”

60 teams from the tri-state area competed in the event which was actually the first to be held in New York City. The teams were divided into two divisions and competed in five qualifying rounds. Top teams from these rounds continued to compete through quarter, semi, and final rounds.

Several students from the Truman High School Engineering program entered the competition, which required them to first design and build a robot using the Vex Robotics Design System. In addition, the students were required to record and explain each stage of the design and construction in an Engineering Notebook. Teams who did not have notebooks were not permitted to enter the competition, as FIRST places a great deal of emphasis on the “journey” that students take to get to the competition as well as their ability to explain this journey in well written form.

On April 5, the students competed with other teams in the “Chad Quandary,” a game in which two robots compete with each other for the purpose of placing rings onto goals. The robots must do so both autonomously, by means of a team -created program, as well as by a “driver” who operates the robot by remote control.

At the end of the day, winners were announced in several categories which included Amaze, Motivate, Innovate, Connect, Think, Division finalist, Championship finalist, championship winner, and Inspire. The members of the Truman team were delighted to learn that they had won the “Think” award for the work that they had detailed in their Engineering Journal. The judges had the following to say about the students’ work:
“While many teams had professional looking notebooks, this team took theirs to the next level. Through the use of photos and diagrams, they accentuated every day of the season.”

The team consisted of the following members, all of whom were thrilled to learn of their win; Desmond Bailey, Jonathan McAdams, Chima Ukawand, Martin Richard, Elicieo Flores, and Amida Sandy. McAdams, who is a freshman at Truman High School explained that were all really excited in addition to being “really surprised because it was our first year in the competition.”

Several days later, the team received more good news; their win had qualified them to participate in the World Championship Tournament, which will take place in Atlanta Georgia.

Truman High School Principal, Sana Q Nasser expressed that she was “Overjoyed” to learn of the team’s eligibility. She continued to explain that she is “not surprised,” that the students did so well. “They are an extremely hardworking group of young people.”

The trip to Atlanta will require a considerable amount of money, so Principal Nasser turned to some of her partners in the educational and private communities. Charlie Bendit and Paul Neuman of PENCIL contributed $3,500 between them and The Center for Innovative Education, the school’s PSO partner contributed $2,200.

Truman High School Girls’ Basketball Team Competes Against Team from Ireland

by Lorri Giovinco-Harte

Coaches Clancy and Burke and their teams

John Burke, coach of the girls’ basketball team at Truman High School was raised in Naas, a county town that is located in Kildare, Ireland. Over the years, he has kept in contact with Joe Clancy, the man who had been his coach for several years in Ireland. Together, they arranged an opportunity for Clancy’s St. Mary’s girl’s team to come to the United States and play two games against Truman’s Lady Mustangs.

Clancy, his team, and several family members came to New York for a week’s time in order to see the sites and play against Truman. The Naas team seemed to have a great time and to really enjoy meeting the girls from the Bronx. Members of both teams formed friendships and camaraderie despite hailing from places that are thousands of miles away geographically.

The trip culminated in two games. The games were played at Harry S Truman on March 26 and March 27. Some of the girls from Naas showed surprise at the size of Truman. “It’s much bigger than our school,” remarked Caroline Hill, “and it’s very nice.”

As the game began, student spectators from Truman High School began to cheer for the Irish team. “They were worried that the other team wouldn’t have enough support,” explained Truman’s Principal, Sana Nasser. “They took it upon themselves. We never asked them to do that.”

Both teams displayed great showmanship and dedication. The team captains and coaches handed out awards and plaques to the two teams in a show of affection and gratitude. Even Principal Nasser and Assistant Principal DeSantis were given awards for their participation in the event. Shelly Behan, the captain of the Naas team explained that it was the “love of our sport” that had brought them all together.

While the Lady Mustangs’ outscored the Naas team, the St. Mary’s players proved to be skilled ball handlers. Their ability to pass the ball around the court was definitely helpful in keeping the Lady Mustangs on their game. Truman’s Lady Mustangs defeated the St. Mary’s team, 54-41, in what proved to be an exciting battle of offensive strategies and defensive tenacity.

What stood out the most, however, was the ability of both teams to transcend cultural differences and find common ground through the sport. In the long run, it is not the game that will be remembered but the friendships that they forged.

Truman High School: Truly the Best

Faculty and students at Harry S Truman High School have much to be proud of in light of the results of the recent NYC DOE Quality Review.

On Friday, March 14, 2008, reviewers announced that Truman High School is “well developed” in all of the five categories reviewed by the assessment.  In addition to being an increase from just a year ago when Truman was deemed proficient with well developed features, this is the highest possible rating that this review renders.  The increase in rating is due to the collaborative efforts of faculty, students, parents, and the fierce leadership of Principal Sana Q. Nasser.

The Quality Review is a process by which reviewers from Cambridge University, United Kingdom, come to evaluate each public school in New York City.  Over a period of three days, reviewers observe all aspects of the educational process at the school.   In addition to the time spent observing lessons in the classroom, they conduct interviews with teachers, students, and parents.

Following the three day process, reviewers make a judgment on how the school is doing in each of five categories.  A school may be deemed underdeveloped, proficient, or well developed.

In addition to Truman’s strong academic and growing student programs, statistical data reveals Truman’s high graduation rate (higher than the NYC average), competitive academic achievements, and an increasingly safe and nurturing school environment.

While student achievement at Truman is on the rise, Principal Sana Q. Nasser is committed to ensuring even more success for Truman students in the future.  An example of this commitment is the recent expansion of enrichment programs including an increase in the number of both 9^th grade Honors classes and Advanced Placement classes.

The Harry S Truman school community is dedicated to continued progress and to providing their teachers and administration with the professional development necessary to facilitate that improvement.  Truman’s faculty and staff are encouraged by the recent results of the Quality Review and the students’ daily success.