WNYC Reports On Our Work

Reporter Beth Fertig, from WNYC, recently visited our school to meet with a group of students and our Principal, in order to discuss the ways in which New York City and Amsterdam schools deal with the assimilation process of their immigrant students. Using our school as an example of successful work with newcomers, Beth addressed with the students the concept of what it means to be an “American”. This was the very same question around which last year’s 11th Grade English curriculum revolved. The reporter used Mukta Mukta’s narrative, eventually morphing into her college essay, where she explained in detail, how it feels to be a young Muslim woman assimilating to American culture.

You can listen to this story on the WNYC website, using the following link:

http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/128940#

Jenny Lumet will be writing This Strange Thing Called Prom

Last year’s prom, which was the first for our school, was covered by the New York Times. Brooke Hauser followed our students for approximately five months, as they devised plans for the prom of our first graduating class. The school was very happy with the beautifully written and touching piece. It received a great deal of attention, leading to Miramax Films purchasing the story rights from the New York Times.

Miramax recently announced that Jenny Lumet (writer of Rachel Getting Married and the daughter of Director Sidney Lumet) has been hired to write the screenplay, loosely based on last year’s article. Jenny visited our school in order to gain insight into the work that takes place here.

To read the original New York Times Story or to watch the video, copy this link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/nyregion/thecity/22prom.html

Five Prospect Heights Intl. Seniors Receive Seinfeld Scholarships!

Through our partnership with PENCIL, our students had the opportunity to apply for the Seinfeld Scholarship Program, which awards high school students who have achieved academic excellence and committed themselves to community service. Fifteen students from Brooklyn and Staten Island high schools were awarded this scholarship, five of which are current seniors at the International High School @ Prospect Heights. Two of the students completed last summer’s Dominican Republic volunteer program, while two others were accepted into this year’s program, the other student has been volunteering at Methodist Hospital for a long period of time. The importance of volunteerism, which is one of the core elements of our school, was showcased through this scholarship.

Internships have begun!

We have placed all of our seniors in an internship which is connected to the field they wish to enter. Some highlights: Stephanne Jeanphillipe would like to be a lawyer and is interning at the successful law firm, Peluso & Touger, LLP.