• Sana's Suite Cafe Menu for Thursday November 3,...
• Sana’s Suite grand reopening Friday, October 7th

Sana's Suite Cafe Menu for Thursday November 3,...

2 Slices and a drink for $6 or a individual deep dish and a drink for $6, plus Stromboli's and calzones for $3 each Cafe open from 11:30 am to...

Sana’s Suite grand reopening Friday, October 7th

Sana’s Suite grand reopening Friday, October 7th from 11:30 am until 1:15 pm in room 650 Split pea soup Matzo ball soup Beef Stew...

Words cannot express tonight how proud I am of 18 young men and women in my Media Program.  They participated in the “Get Reel With Your Dreams” workshop, hosted by Channel 7 Eyewitness News Anchor Sade Baderinwa.  After first writing an essay about themselves and their life goals, the students had to complete a day of community service.  Then – they were selected for participation in Saturday’s event.

Saturday, at the Lincoln Center Institute, our students met, made friends with and networked with students from 20 other high schools around the region, AND with 16 Media Industry “Celebrity Insiders.”  They made acquaintances with everyone from ABC Reporter/Anchor Jeff Pegues and CBS News Correspondent Michele Miller, to Film Critic Sandy Kenyon – even Actors Sean Ringgold and Melissa Archer of “One Life to Live.”  The participated in a series of workshops on everything from fashion design and acting to how to shoot news video footage.

I have to tell you how amazing these students were.  They all dressed professionally and behaved head-and-shoulders above the students from other schools at the program.  They had engaging questions and participated actively in every workshop they were presented.  In the “how to produce a newscast” and “how to shoot and edit news footage” workshops, my students were bantering back and forth with the presenters using industry language and understanding that everyone else was gaining for the very first time.  This was truly one of my proudest moments in my short career as a teacher.

I invite you to check out the album of photos that captured just some of the many inspiring and life-changing moments from today.  You can view the album by clicking the “PHOTOS” section at the top of our Media Web Portal at

Now – on to the good stuff.  These students will -between now and June 11th, produce a 30-second Public Service Announcement, which will be entered in competition for a share of $30,000 in scholarship prize money.  My students have viewed past winners, and said with emphatic confidence that they are sure they can take top honors this year, based on the quality and production value of past winners.  They assure me they can do better – and as their instructor, I wholeheartedly believe them.

So please join me in congratulating Kadedra Jenkins, Dequan Levy, Rogjay Wallace, Russia Whitfield, Jaimie Santana, Warren Asphall, Kevan Kessna, Renaldo Campbell, Oshane Smith, Jose Serrano, Greg Anderson, Destiny Agu, Mark Viera, Rosa Pagan, Johnathan Harrington, Maame Kuffour, Shenell Campbell and Omicka Ramkissoon on not only representing themselves, but also Truman High School with the utmost respect and regard at this very prestigious event.  I am indescribably proud – and you should be too.

Sincerely,

Mr. Roush

PS- We had several students from other schools, after learning about our facilities and speaking with our “Mustang Ambassadors” inquire about applying to join Truman High School.  I gave them my business card for the program.

On October 9^th, a group of 24 international educators who are currently studying at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, visited Truman High School, and the six schools of the Co-Op City Education Park.  The visitors, from Shenzhen, China, were greeted by Truman administrators, faculty, and students after having breakfast at neighboring school MS 181.  The group began its visit with a welcome from Principal Sana Q. Nasser; following the introduction, the guests visited classrooms, and then lunched with members of the Truman community in Truman High School’s own Culinary Café.  The lunch was prepared by Truman’s accomplished culinary arts students, under the direction of Truman faculty members, Chef Harold Chase and Chef Jeffrey Brylski.

“The Truman community is always thrilled to welcome visitors; we enjoy sharing our instructional practices with guests, and appreciate our guests’ feedback.  Once people visit Truman High School, they become a part of our school—we foster new relationships and thrive on the recognition and recommendations they give us,” states Principal Nasser.

“The Chinese teachers and administrators couldn’t stop sharing and comparing all they had seen during their visit,” states Ellen Swihart, Director of the Center for International Teacher Training at the College of Mount Saint Vincent.  “They said best practices were modeled and visible throughout [the Co-Op City Schools].”  While the educators were visiting to witness great learning in the Education Park schools, the administrators, faculty and students were also thrilled to exchange knowledge with educators from China.

“We are a culturally-rich community—we have students from all backgrounds.  We had the privilege to meet the Chinese delegates, and we are thankful to them for not only taking the time to recognize Truman’s many accomplishments, but also for sharing their knowledge and experiences with us—interactions such as these set the foundation for new and exciting programs here at Truman, and we look forward to offering a Chinese-language program in the future,” states Principal Nasser.

Harry S Truman High School is committed to excellence by offering a variety of programs that build success in academics, the arts, and athletics.  Truman’s administrators, faculty, and staff believe that scholastic success and extracurricular activities will prepare students to become well-rounded and productive adults beyond their high school years.  While many large neighborhood schools have been replaced with smaller schools, Truman has remained intact, serving more than 2,800 students.  Truman’s success is attributed to its specialized programs and academically rigorous curriculum across the content areas.

Media Contact: Melissa Aviles

646-228-4504/MAviles10@schools.nyc.gov

First Day of School is MONDAY February 22, 2010

January 2010

We are off to a great new year—I am pleased to share the following achievements with you.

• Congratulations to Coach Cook and the wrestling team for successfully hosting the Bronx Borough Charles Glass Novice Wrestling Tournament for the second consecutive year.

Many thanks to Assemblyman Carl Heastie, a Truman alumnus, for speaking with Ms. Krynicki and Ms. Valcin’s government classes in the Truman court room.

• Congratulations to Ms. Weintraub and the National Honor Society on another beautifully-executed induction ceremony; many thanks to Chef Brylski, Chef Chase and the culinary students for catering the event. 

• Congratulations to Ms. Mills, Mr. Intravaia, and their students on a successful art show.

• Congratulations to Ms. Etukudo for being recognized by the New York City Teaching Fellows as one of the program’s most successful Fellows; Ms. Etukudo will be featured on their website in the coming months.

These few highlights are just a sampling of our wonderful news.  I look forward to sharing in all of our successes together in the coming months.

Sana Q. Nasser

Principal

SANA Q. NASSER, Principal
proudly presents

WINTER SHOWCASE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009

6:30 p.m.

doors open at 5:45 p.m. and close at 6:45 p.m.

$3.00 admission in advance

$5.00 admission at the door

MAYE A. SHAW AUDITORIUM

750 BAYCHESTER AVENUE

BRONX, NEW YORK 10475

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

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

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.

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.