SCHOOL PROFILE

Harry S Truman High School strives for excellence by offering a variety of programs that build success in academics, 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 citizens beyond their high school years. Truman’s success is attributed to its specialized programs and academically rigorous curriculum across all content areas.

SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

Harry S Truman High School is a college-preparatory learning institution that provides all students with a quality education by fostering academic success and personal growth through leadership, extracurricular activities, and a dynamic use of technology that will prepare them for the 21st century. Devoted to a progressive program of academics, arts, and athletics, administrators and faculty continually innovate and implement teaching strategies that cater to all learners. By recognizing the many options from which our diverse student population has to choose, we offer specialized programs in Television Production/Media, Law, Culinary Arts, Engineering, Computer Technology/Entrepreneurship, and AFJROTC. At the root of all the programs that Truman High School offers is an academically rigorous curriculum that provides students with a strong scholastic foundation that will enable them to succeed beyond their high school career.

SPECIAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Our state-of-the-art facilities (Planetarium, Law Library, Courtroom, TV Studio, Weather Station, Fitness Center, Computer Laboratories, and Professional Kitchens) support our highly specialized programs: Culinary Arts, Law, Pre-Engineering Television Production/Media, Computer Technology/Entrepreneurship, and AFJROTC.
Our academic, sports, and arts activities include: National Honor Society/Arista, Air Force AFJROTC, Law and Debate Teams, Building with Books (Service Club), Website Design, Dance, Cheerleading, Entrepreneurship, Lego Robotics, Multicultural Club, Student Government, Yearbook, Sports and Arts Program and all sports, including our City Champion Wrestling Team, Basketball, Football, Baseball, Tennis, and Track & Field.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASSES OFFERED

Calculus AB
Statistics
English Composition and Literature
US History
Biology
Chemistry
Spanish Language
Spanish Literature

Mr. Chase and Dionna T

“Dionna really impressed us…[she] was eager to participate both in the kitchen and classroom,” said Cathleen Mitchell, C-CAP’s director of college and career services.

When asked about her experience at C-CAP, Dionna beamed with pride and excitement. “I learned a lot from the chefs. At the end of the summer, I got to ask a lot of questions. I received great advice on how to pursue a career in culinary arts.” In addition to learning different cutting techniques and sanitation, Dionna learned how to manage a restaurant and respectfully deal with demanding clientele and employers. Dionna feels much more prepared for her future career because she learned “how to be polite and professional, even in difficult situations.”

“We are so proud of Dionna,” states Truman High School principal, Sana Q. Nasser. “Dionna is a motivated student who works hard towards her culinary career, but continues to earn excellent grades in her other subject areas. She knows her education is a strong foundation for any career.” Dionna’s teacher, Chef Harold Chase, continues to mentor her by encouraging her to stay focused in and out of the kitchen. “She’s a great student. She will make the best of the outstanding opportunities with which she is presented.”

Truman’s culinary arts program is rooted in academic rigor, college preparation, and apprenticeship-like training with experienced chefs. The students work in state-of-the-art kitchens and learn about sanitation, presentation, and cooking, while maintaining strong grades in the core subject areas. For more information on Truman High School’s Culinary Arts program, please visit their website.

1) Three of our students received awards from the School Art League and the medals they garnered are as follows:

The Alexander Medal ~ The St. Gaudens Medal ~ The Haney Medal

Congratulations to our students, our two art teachers, Ms. Mills and Mr. Intravia, and our Assistant Principal, Mr. Barakat!

2) Two of our students received the Meritorious Student Award from the Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York. Congratulations to our students, and many thanks to Ms. Jacobo and Ms. Pinto for nominating them.

3) A few of our students’ pictures will be featured on the front cover of a Math Textbook, the New Edition of Integrated Mathematics. Congratulations to our students and Ms. DeSimone, AP Mathematics, for submitting the pictures.

4) Congratulations to Ms. Etukudo from the Math Department for being selected as a finalist for the NYC Teaching Fellows Awards for Classroom Excellence.

5) Congratulations to the following teachers for completing their Masters Degree Program:

Ms. O’Leary
Ms. Spinelli
Ms. Micillo
Ms. Martinez
Mr. Yatco
Ms. Montgomery
Ms. Schmerge
Ms. Pappacio

6) Congratulations to Mr. Bradley and his Jazz Band. They won First Place in the Kutztown University Band Competition at Dorney Park.

7) On June 10, 2008, a group of 20 students will be taken for dinner the theatre to see the Lion King. This is the fourth such trip to reward high achieving students.

14 of our high achieving students attended Queens College Annual Dinner Awards on May 27, 2008. Thank you to Ms. Alfano for coordinating the Boost Program at Truman High School and planning this trip as well all the other trips to the theatre and dinner this school year.

9) As you know, a Town Hall Meeting regarding our swimming pool was held, and the meeting was very successful. Fox News aired the segment the next evening. Many of you could not review the link I sent, but once I receive the tape I will make it available to you.

Let’s keep up the good work! I wish all of you a restful weekend!

Sincerely,

Sana Nasser

First Place High School Jazz Ensemble

Best Soloist in Show

Highest Numeral Rating in Show

GO MUSTANG MUSIC!!!

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

Good Afternoon:

I want to share some of the good things that have been happening at Truman:

1) Artwork created by our student, Peace Young, is currently on display in the Capital Building in Washington D.C. and will remain on display for the next year.

2) We celebrated the success of our top 14 students with dinner and a Broadway Show. Teachers who were instrumental in assisting with our Quality Review also took part in this celebration.

3) On May 27th our top twenty 9th and 10th graders will be attending a reception at Queens College.

4) Room 650 is being redesigned into a state of the art kitchen for our culinary program.

5) Congratulations to all the parents who recently received a bundle of joy: Frances Mitchell had a baby girl; Manny Rodriguez’s baby boy; David Martin’s baby girl.

6) Ms. DeSimone’s son will be graduating from George Washington University.

7) Truman will be celebrating Family Day on Saturday, May 17th at 12:00 Noon. Please bring your family and join us for a day of fun.

Martina Musich has been selected to participate in the Summer’s Institute at Brown University, Iran Through the Looking Glass: Perceptions and Misconceptions. My congratulations!

9) Rachel Miller received the Teacher of the Year Award this weekend. She is truly amazing!!!

Raphael Lopez is a teacher of Foreign Language and Photography at Truman High School who has recently published a book of photographs and poetry entitled My Mother’s Hands. The book is described in the following manner:

Motherhood, a universal concept that transcends time and place, is revealed and revered in this book. “My Mother’s Hands” is a photographic celebration that honors and highlights the lives of mothers with a perfect combination of imagery and poetry. It is a collection of sepia toned photographs of women’s hands interacting with other people, and familiar objects of daily life. This book is a superb collection of images and poetry that validates, recognizes and appreciates mothers around the world.

The book is a culmination of several years of work by Raphael and has received great praise thus far.

Find out more information.

There are several ways that interested students and teachers can do something positive for
Memorial Day. Associated Content gives several suggestions on their website
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/656635/how_to_celebrate_memorial_day_in_your.html

1. Bulletin Board With Information About Past Wars. Put your students into groups and assign each group a war to do research about. The American Civil War, the First World War, Second World War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq war can all be assigned to different groups. Have your students find information about each war, including how many soldiers died in the war (on both sides). Then ask each group to create a bulletin board for the classroom about the war they were assigned.

2. War Heroes. Find some information about a famous war hero from each war and create a notebook about ‘War Heroes’. Your students can then read personal stories about soldiers who died, which brings home the war on a more personal level.

3. Write To A Soldier in Iraq. Many soldiers would love to receive letters or parcels from people back home. There are several organizations you can contact who will assign you a soldier to write to. On Memorial Day, it would be nice to send a care package to a soldier overseas so ask each child to bring in something small to add to the package.

4. Family Members in the War. If some students have family members who are in the war in Iraq or Afghanistan, have them talk about them. They can share with the class information like who they are, what they like to do, how long they have been in Iraq or Afghanistan and what they do there.

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.”

May 17, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Strauss Auto
2441 Boston Post Road
Bronx, NY 10467

Strauss Auto and the Harry S Truman High School “Mustang” Football Team are hosting a fundraiser. The “Super Saturday Event,” will include an outdoor car wash, free giveaways, store sales, and food. Please come support this worthwhile cause.

“The community has always supported the athletic programs at Harry S Truman High School, I’m confident that they will continue to do so during this fundraiser,” said Athletic Director Michael DeSantis.

Principal Sana Q. Nasser commented, “We are grateful for Strauss Auto’s generous help and thank the public in advance for their support of our athletics programs.”