LETTER FROM PRINCIPAL GILLIAN SMITH
Nathan,
This June, at graduation, I watched as the seniors walked across the stage to collect their diplomas. That moment, being able to honor them and pay tribute to their accomplishments, was the end of their formal journey with us, and what I have to have in mind for all of the students who walk through our doors. For me, you have to see the end of the road for them before you can take them on the journey...
...We are not your traditional school; when our young people walk through our doors they get to start over and they get to do it with a group of people that will automatically love and care for them. Click here to read the full text.
MEET THE NEW STAFF AT THE FACING HISTORY SCHOOL
We caught up with the new teachers at orientation and asked them where they were coming from, why they chose FHS and what they were most looking forward to this year. Click here to read more.SPEAKER SERIES UPDATE
We were honored to host Maddy deLone, Executive Director of The Innocence Project, a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongly convicted people, as part of the 2009-10 Speaker Series. The series, sponsored by Facing History and Ourselves, brings scholars, activists, and artists who have made a difference in their communities, and makes real the themes of judgment, justice, and reconciliation. Read more.
SUMMER ADVENTURE WITH ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MARK OTTO
This summer, assistant principal Mark Otto traveled with Jose Flores, last year's Salutatorian, down to Florida to help him get settled at Embry-Riddle University. Click here to read his account of the trip.
MILESTONE! LOOKING BACK AT THE CLASS OF 09's GRADUATION
On June 26th the Facing History School had its first graduation ceremony. The seniors gathered with staff, teachers and family to celebrate the event. Check out the excerpts of all the speeches from Rosie Perez, Gillian Smith, Zanetta King and Jose Flores.
Graduation Stats: We are Proud!
Out of a class of 87 seniors, 49 graduated in June, and another six graduated after summer school. We anticipate another group of 14 "5th year seniors" to graduate in June 2010. Taking into account an additional seven students who transferred to vocational/alternative programs and graduated, the graduation rate is 92%. This compares favorably to the NYC public schools as a whole, which graduated 62.6% of students after five years.
HOW CAN THE ARTS DRIVE INNOVATION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
On Sept 23rd Facing History School Principal Gillian Smith joined CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and NYC Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development Dennis Walcott and others to discuss this. Click here to read about it.
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See the students! |
| Volunteer Update: Click here to read about our volunteers and to hear from the Volunteer Coordinators. |
| New: Staying Connected! FHS is excited to announce a new initiative that involves texting between FHS staff and parents. Click here to hear learn more about it and about our partner Mobile Commons. |
| Alumni Corner: Updates from some of our recent graduates: “After I graduated I felt so happy. I felt like I have just completed a race that I have been running for years. It made me feel proud to hold a diploma in my hand...” Click here to read more! Join the Facing History School Alumni Facebook Group to connect with Gillian, the school and with each other! Stay in touch! |
| Thank You! We would like to thank the following major donors who have generously supported the Facing History School since its inception: Bloomberg L.P. Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation Kathy and Richard S. Fuld, Jr. Sally and Michael L. Gordon Caroline and Spencer Greenwald Niki and Joe Gregory Kim and Evan Meyers New Visions for Public Schools New York Mercantile Exchange Charitable Foundation New York State Council on the Arts The Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation, Inc. Samberg Family Foundation Dorothy and Andrew Tananbaum Merryl and James Tisch Michael J. Zamkow and Sue E. Berman Foundation |
