When I started the blog class this semester, it was really done as an "experiment". I was frustrated that the students weren't doing enough quality writing. I knew how creative they were and I wanted to give them the opportunity to showcase their originality. I was a bit nervous about how they would respond to "blogging" every class.
Here we are at the end of the semester and once again the kids impressed me. Every single student contributed and our blog is a success.
One of the assignments was to talk about how The Community School changed their education. The kids were so inspired and wanted to share more about their experiences that they made a commercial.
These are the kinds of things that can't be planned. The spontaneity and genuineness are not something that can be acted. What you see in this commercial is how the kids really feel about our school. I am so lucky to have such amazing students who teach me something new every day.
Please click on the link or copy and paste in your browser to view The Community School commercial.
Juli
Project Director
http://youtu.be/Xxnw3inWEZM
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Looking Back...
Two new students at the Harriet Eisman Community School have shared how their lives have changed in the last 6 months. Big thanks to them sharing their thoughts.
My life has changed so much these past 6 months. First, I started a new semester at a new school. The Harriet Eisman Community School. This school is so much more convenient for me. I don't have to struggle with waking up early anymore. The teachers here are so much better. And the relationship between me and my father is so much better than before. We can actually have a conversation now without arguing. This summer I am looking forward to going on vacation with my father so we can rebuild our father son bond.
DG
A lot has happened to me in the past 6 months, all starting with my parents getting separated. After that, I moved to Lynbrook and changed schools. With all the stress, my anxiety got bad enough where I never wanted to go to my new school. It was so bad I was planning on dropping out in 11th grade. But then I heard about Harriet Eisman. Coming here was the best decision I ever made. I am more motivated to graduate and I even got a job. I even plan on going to college. Coming to Harriet Eisman was a life changing event.
SF
My life has changed so much these past 6 months. First, I started a new semester at a new school. The Harriet Eisman Community School. This school is so much more convenient for me. I don't have to struggle with waking up early anymore. The teachers here are so much better. And the relationship between me and my father is so much better than before. We can actually have a conversation now without arguing. This summer I am looking forward to going on vacation with my father so we can rebuild our father son bond.
DG
A lot has happened to me in the past 6 months, all starting with my parents getting separated. After that, I moved to Lynbrook and changed schools. With all the stress, my anxiety got bad enough where I never wanted to go to my new school. It was so bad I was planning on dropping out in 11th grade. But then I heard about Harriet Eisman. Coming here was the best decision I ever made. I am more motivated to graduate and I even got a job. I even plan on going to college. Coming to Harriet Eisman was a life changing event.
SF
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Boxing at the Westbury Boxing Club
On March 29 at 8:54pm I got myself into a life changing situation. I was arrested and went to jail for 6 days. If it wasn't for my principal, Juli, I would still be in a jail cell worrying my head off. She has helped me so much words can't explain. Being in jail made me realize that you can be a good person and it can all be gone in a flash. Now I catch myself analyzing every situation I'm in and playing out the good and bad of my actions. One of the things that is keeping me strong is boxing. When I got out of jail, my principal introduced me to a childhood friend of hers whose passion is boxing. His name is Kevin Collins and he runs the Westbury Boxing Club. I've always wanted to box but never had the opportunity. When I finally got in the ring with Kevin I knew it was the right place for me. It felt so right and I think I just might be a natural! Now I go there three times a week. I've trained with professional boxers. The people there are so friendly. Besides school, being at the boxing gym is my second home.
JL
The Westbury Boxing Club is a great place if you want to relieve stress. It's perfect for all age groups, for people who are looking to make boxing a hobby, get in shape or just trying to relieve tension from their day to day problems. Boxing is a great way to heighten your senses from eye hand coordination and feet movement.
The Boxing Club has an amazing atmosphere. The people there are nice and friendly and are so helpful. They will teach you the basics of boxing, how to train and bulk up if that's what you want. The equipment they have is all you need to become a better boxer. Each piece of equipment focuses on a specific area of your physique.
Check out the Westbury Boxing Club, it's a great place!
JG
The Westbury Boxing Club is a great place to go to enjoy a workout. There are lots of nice people there that can help you through your workout or teach you new exercises and help you train. One of the things that makes the gym so great is that you can do many different types of workouts. There are two boxing rings, many heavy bags and speed bags, free weights, jump ropes, and other more aerobic equipment.
The Boxing Club is a great place to go to relieve stress and anger. You should try it out, go and train with the speed bag, heavy bag or get in the ring and spar with a trainer.
DJ
http://westburyboxingclub.org/
The Westbury Boxing Club is a great place if you want to relieve stress. It's perfect for all age groups, for people who are looking to make boxing a hobby, get in shape or just trying to relieve tension from their day to day problems. Boxing is a great way to heighten your senses from eye hand coordination and feet movement.
The Boxing Club has an amazing atmosphere. The people there are nice and friendly and are so helpful. They will teach you the basics of boxing, how to train and bulk up if that's what you want. The equipment they have is all you need to become a better boxer. Each piece of equipment focuses on a specific area of your physique.
Check out the Westbury Boxing Club, it's a great place!
JG
The Westbury Boxing Club is a great place to go to enjoy a workout. There are lots of nice people there that can help you through your workout or teach you new exercises and help you train. One of the things that makes the gym so great is that you can do many different types of workouts. There are two boxing rings, many heavy bags and speed bags, free weights, jump ropes, and other more aerobic equipment.
The Boxing Club is a great place to go to relieve stress and anger. You should try it out, go and train with the speed bag, heavy bag or get in the ring and spar with a trainer.
DJ
http://westburyboxingclub.org/
Friday, April 20, 2012
Chocolate Covered Bacon Review
We had a fun food day in our blogging class. We made chocolate covered bacon and oreo truffles. Here are some of the class reviews/opinions:
BACON...The most delicious thing known to man. Today I experienced it covered in chocolate. It's the best of both worlds. The sweet taste of chocolate and the bitter, meaty taste of bacon. When you first bite into it you taste the sweet milk chocolate and then you indulge into the salty beefy flavor that is bacon. It was a journey for my taste buds. The chocolate compliments the bacon very well. It was quite the experience!
SK
Chocolate covered bacon had to be one of my worst food experiences ever! The salty meaty texture of the bacon mixed with the rich, sweet chocolate did not mesh well. I think maybe if the bacon was super crispy it may have had a different outcome but today, it was just gross.
AA
In class today we tried chocolate covered bacon. Although it tasted very interesting, I will probably never eat it again. Chocolate and bacon individually are two awesome foods. Together they create a chocolate covered chewy disaster. After eating this treat I have decided that meat and dairy products just do not go well together.
MH
I've never had chocolate covered bacon before. Today surely was a treat! Chocolate covered bacon is one of those "hit or miss" kind of foods; not everyone is going to like it. When you first bite into it you hit the pure chocolately goodness and as it melts and you get deeper into the piece, bacon appears on your taste buds and you think, "what is this?"....BACON and CHOCOLATE???? FANTASTIC!!! The bacon gives a deep meaty taste and mixed with the chocolate the sweet and salt is like perfection.
BM
Chocolate Covered Oreo Truffle Balls
Simply put, the best thing ever for your sweet tooth! It is quite interesting how everything works together to a make a unique chocolate taste. Chocolate, oreos, cream cheese, you would never know there was cream cheese inside these little balls of yumminess. It has chocolate and crushed oreos over the outside of it adding to the presentation. When you pop it in your mouth and take a bite it instantly starts melting. Absolutely delicious!
BM
I thought the chocolate covered oreo balls were really good. I have the recipe so I can make them whenever I want! ;-)
DA
Here is the recipe for the Oreo truffles:
BACON...The most delicious thing known to man. Today I experienced it covered in chocolate. It's the best of both worlds. The sweet taste of chocolate and the bitter, meaty taste of bacon. When you first bite into it you taste the sweet milk chocolate and then you indulge into the salty beefy flavor that is bacon. It was a journey for my taste buds. The chocolate compliments the bacon very well. It was quite the experience!
SK
Chocolate covered bacon had to be one of my worst food experiences ever! The salty meaty texture of the bacon mixed with the rich, sweet chocolate did not mesh well. I think maybe if the bacon was super crispy it may have had a different outcome but today, it was just gross.
AA
In class today we tried chocolate covered bacon. Although it tasted very interesting, I will probably never eat it again. Chocolate and bacon individually are two awesome foods. Together they create a chocolate covered chewy disaster. After eating this treat I have decided that meat and dairy products just do not go well together.
MH
I've never had chocolate covered bacon before. Today surely was a treat! Chocolate covered bacon is one of those "hit or miss" kind of foods; not everyone is going to like it. When you first bite into it you hit the pure chocolately goodness and as it melts and you get deeper into the piece, bacon appears on your taste buds and you think, "what is this?"....BACON and CHOCOLATE???? FANTASTIC!!! The bacon gives a deep meaty taste and mixed with the chocolate the sweet and salt is like perfection.
BM
Chocolate Covered Oreo Truffle Balls
Simply put, the best thing ever for your sweet tooth! It is quite interesting how everything works together to a make a unique chocolate taste. Chocolate, oreos, cream cheese, you would never know there was cream cheese inside these little balls of yumminess. It has chocolate and crushed oreos over the outside of it adding to the presentation. When you pop it in your mouth and take a bite it instantly starts melting. Absolutely delicious!
BM
I thought the chocolate covered oreo balls were really good. I have the recipe so I can make them whenever I want! ;-)
DA
Here is the recipe for the Oreo truffles:
what you need
1
pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1
pkg. (15.5 oz.) OREO Cookies, finely crushed (about 4-1/4 cups), divided
2
pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
make it
MIX cream cheese and 3 cups cookie crumbs until well blended.
SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls. Dip in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Women in the Military? (written by a male student)
I am for women joining the military. It is an equal opportunity for both men and women. Even though women aren't allowed to serve in infantry, artillery, special operations, armor, combat engineering or reconnaissance positions, there are still women on the front lines.
Women have equal opportunity for advancement because there is no restriction due to age or gender. It's based on how hard you train, your education and your job performance. There are many women who have achieved high rank. A woman was nominated for 4 star general in the Army in 2008.
There are currently over 200,000 women in active duty and more than 140,000 serving in the reserves. It's an amazing opportunity because you can travel, you get paid for your service and during hard economic times, its a stable source of income. It's almost recession proof because the United States will always need active members.
JG
Women have equal opportunity for advancement because there is no restriction due to age or gender. It's based on how hard you train, your education and your job performance. There are many women who have achieved high rank. A woman was nominated for 4 star general in the Army in 2008.
There are currently over 200,000 women in active duty and more than 140,000 serving in the reserves. It's an amazing opportunity because you can travel, you get paid for your service and during hard economic times, its a stable source of income. It's almost recession proof because the United States will always need active members.
JG
Video Games: Pro or Con?
Today's video games have certainly been enhanced to a level where they have become very educational. Children are lucky because at an early age they are now able to begin learning with fun programs that they enjoy. Companies such as Leap Frog teach children how to speak and associate letters with pictures and words.
Moving up in age, teens, and even adults can benefit from Nintendo's Wii because it provides exercise to a certain extent and also is a social activity. This console provides many sport and fitness games which are actually really good and may make certain people want to step out of the video game world and maybe take up the actual sport.
There are many benefits from the use of video games such as brain stimulation, enhancing and increasing reaction time and processing skills. It is good to keep your brain stimulated, it will help you when you are older. I think video games can help you stay mentally fit!
BM
Moving up in age, teens, and even adults can benefit from Nintendo's Wii because it provides exercise to a certain extent and also is a social activity. This console provides many sport and fitness games which are actually really good and may make certain people want to step out of the video game world and maybe take up the actual sport.
There are many benefits from the use of video games such as brain stimulation, enhancing and increasing reaction time and processing skills. It is good to keep your brain stimulated, it will help you when you are older. I think video games can help you stay mentally fit!
BM
The Best Person I Know
The best person I know is my mother. My mom is the best in many ways. Her home cooked meals are great and she always knows how to put someone in a good mood. She's funny and can make almost anyone laugh. My mom is my best friend and I can always count on her to be by my side. I love her so much and she always gives great advice if I'm in a sticky situation!
AA
AA
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Why the Community School is Important to You...
"If I never came to HECS, I would be in jail or in a gang just trying to survive. Waking up to go to school and not even learn is just pointless. That's what school was like for me. But HECS is like a home, a safe haven, a paradise of learning. To know that there are teachers and people that care about you and your life makes you want to keep moving forward instead of getting knocked back."
JD
"I'm not sure where I would be if I stayed in my old school. I would have different friends, a different life, I may have dropped out. There's a possibility I wouldn't even be alive right now. Going to HECS actually helped change the direction of the life I had. There's a much better vibe in this school. We are allowed to talk about what's on our minds and that's a privilege. In regular school, you can't simply walk up to a teacher and talk, but here you can. And they things they say actually help. I'm comfortable being here. We're all like a big happy family."
DA
"I think everyone deserves a second chance. HECS is a place that offers that for kids. If I wasn't here I probably would have dropped out. But now I have a chance to graduate and I will even be graduating an entire year early."
AZ
"You grow up being told that you won't get anywhere if you don't get a diploma. What happens when the education provided for you is not working? Where are you supposed to go when you give up on public education or it gives up on you? HECS will give you the second chance to finish high school, you just have to want it."
MH
"Being at Harriet Eisman makes me see the finish line to my goals in education. Now my future has a purpose."
JL
"This school has helped me be able to continue on with my life because without HECS I would not have a chance to get my high school diploma.
I left my high school many years ago because it just wasn't working for me. They had me in special ed, telling me I wasn't competent enough. One day a friend of mine went for his GED and passed. When I asked him how it was he told me it was easy. I asked him to share some of the math problems on the test and I couldn't even get one right. I had been out of school for so long that I felt like I lost a lot of knowledge. Another friend told me about HECS, so I gave it a shot. I got accepted and I haven't stopped because without a diploma you are going to struggle through life. HECS has helped me more than anything in the world. Thanks to Juli for allowing me to attend this school. It is very comfortable for me to come here. This was my last shot and it turned out to be my best shot!"
BM
JD
"I'm not sure where I would be if I stayed in my old school. I would have different friends, a different life, I may have dropped out. There's a possibility I wouldn't even be alive right now. Going to HECS actually helped change the direction of the life I had. There's a much better vibe in this school. We are allowed to talk about what's on our minds and that's a privilege. In regular school, you can't simply walk up to a teacher and talk, but here you can. And they things they say actually help. I'm comfortable being here. We're all like a big happy family."
DA
"I think everyone deserves a second chance. HECS is a place that offers that for kids. If I wasn't here I probably would have dropped out. But now I have a chance to graduate and I will even be graduating an entire year early."
AZ
"You grow up being told that you won't get anywhere if you don't get a diploma. What happens when the education provided for you is not working? Where are you supposed to go when you give up on public education or it gives up on you? HECS will give you the second chance to finish high school, you just have to want it."
MH
"Being at Harriet Eisman makes me see the finish line to my goals in education. Now my future has a purpose."
JL
"This school has helped me be able to continue on with my life because without HECS I would not have a chance to get my high school diploma.
I left my high school many years ago because it just wasn't working for me. They had me in special ed, telling me I wasn't competent enough. One day a friend of mine went for his GED and passed. When I asked him how it was he told me it was easy. I asked him to share some of the math problems on the test and I couldn't even get one right. I had been out of school for so long that I felt like I lost a lot of knowledge. Another friend told me about HECS, so I gave it a shot. I got accepted and I haven't stopped because without a diploma you are going to struggle through life. HECS has helped me more than anything in the world. Thanks to Juli for allowing me to attend this school. It is very comfortable for me to come here. This was my last shot and it turned out to be my best shot!"
BM
Why Public School Didn't Work For Me
For me, one of the toughest things about public school was the teachers and racial profiling. I never felt comfortable in certain classes, especially because I was the only African American kid.
Teachers made life hard for me. They moved so fast trying to teach and before I knew it, I was 2 weeks behind. They never had the time to help me with anything I asked them for help with. They just told me to pay attention.
Help from a teacher should mean sitting there explaining the curriculum and actually going through problems step by step. Public school didn't do that for me. It was always, "do this and do that" or "you can't do this". All these crazy rules just made me want to go crazy.
There were many occasions where I just wanted to give up when deep down inside I knew I needed an education. I've never been a quitter but my experience there made me want to give up on everything.
I think I speak for lots of kids in the same situation as me. Black, white, hispanic, asian, we all have the right to get respect in school. It's not fair that teachers talk to us like we're nothing. That just makes us feel like we have no future.
The school I am at right now, the Harriet Eisman Community School is more than just a school to me, it's home.
JL
Teachers made life hard for me. They moved so fast trying to teach and before I knew it, I was 2 weeks behind. They never had the time to help me with anything I asked them for help with. They just told me to pay attention.
Help from a teacher should mean sitting there explaining the curriculum and actually going through problems step by step. Public school didn't do that for me. It was always, "do this and do that" or "you can't do this". All these crazy rules just made me want to go crazy.
There were many occasions where I just wanted to give up when deep down inside I knew I needed an education. I've never been a quitter but my experience there made me want to give up on everything.
I think I speak for lots of kids in the same situation as me. Black, white, hispanic, asian, we all have the right to get respect in school. It's not fair that teachers talk to us like we're nothing. That just makes us feel like we have no future.
The school I am at right now, the Harriet Eisman Community School is more than just a school to me, it's home.
JL
Thursday, March 8, 2012
HECS Review of Doritos Locos Tacos
Today is March 8, 2012, the premiere of Taco Bell's new taco: The Doritos Locos Tacos, and me being a Taco Bell fanatic and a lover of Doritos, this is absolutely perfect for me. Surprisingly, Taco Bell was completely empty, except for like a person or two. I ordered three Locos Tacos and headed to class.
Before taking my first bite, I thought the taste of the shell would overpower the actual taco, but to my surprise, it didn't. It actually tasted good. The tastes blended nicely and I', actually proud to say it doesn't taste like $h*t! I salute you Taco Bell, I salute you!
review by DA
Before taking my first bite, I thought the taste of the shell would overpower the actual taco, but to my surprise, it didn't. It actually tasted good. The tastes blended nicely and I', actually proud to say it doesn't taste like $h*t! I salute you Taco Bell, I salute you!
review by DA
The Hardest thing About Growing Up
The toughest thing about growing up for me was having to walk away from a situation or a problem. As I grew up I tried to stay away from problems but most times it felt like they just seemed to find me.
I was always a church boy but I was doing things I wasn't supposed to do. Each day I would strive to be different than everyone else but I always ended up being just like everyone else...fighting, arguing,cursing and things I knew weren't right. I can honestly say I have finally grown up.
I'm still a church boy, struggling with my past. It's been easy to forgive the people in my past for things they have done to me but it's still hard to let go of the grudge from within my heart!
I have also struggled with finding someone to be there for me, to support me and help me out. My family never really cared what I did, how I felt or what was going on with me and my life. It seems I always had someone reminding me that I wasn't going to make it anywhere, that I would never be successful; that I would end up a failure without a high school diploma. Some even called me a waste of life. Those things were told to me by teachers, friends, and family. It really sucks not having someone there for you.
I thank God I am the man I am today, doing what I have to do, proving all those people wrong. When I get my diploma and I continue to work at a better future, all those people will see the kid they said wouldn't make it and I will be doing better than they ever expected.
I encourage you or anyone who reads this to follow your dreams. Don't let anyone tell you you can't make it. Don't let anyone make you feel worthless or weak. Prove everyone wrong. You truly can do anything you put your mind to. You are worth something to some people but you may be the world to someone. When you feel weak, look up and thank God for allowing you to still be standing and tell him to remind you how strong you really are!
AR
I was always a church boy but I was doing things I wasn't supposed to do. Each day I would strive to be different than everyone else but I always ended up being just like everyone else...fighting, arguing,cursing and things I knew weren't right. I can honestly say I have finally grown up.
I'm still a church boy, struggling with my past. It's been easy to forgive the people in my past for things they have done to me but it's still hard to let go of the grudge from within my heart!
I have also struggled with finding someone to be there for me, to support me and help me out. My family never really cared what I did, how I felt or what was going on with me and my life. It seems I always had someone reminding me that I wasn't going to make it anywhere, that I would never be successful; that I would end up a failure without a high school diploma. Some even called me a waste of life. Those things were told to me by teachers, friends, and family. It really sucks not having someone there for you.
I thank God I am the man I am today, doing what I have to do, proving all those people wrong. When I get my diploma and I continue to work at a better future, all those people will see the kid they said wouldn't make it and I will be doing better than they ever expected.
I encourage you or anyone who reads this to follow your dreams. Don't let anyone tell you you can't make it. Don't let anyone make you feel worthless or weak. Prove everyone wrong. You truly can do anything you put your mind to. You are worth something to some people but you may be the world to someone. When you feel weak, look up and thank God for allowing you to still be standing and tell him to remind you how strong you really are!
AR
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Welcome!
Welcome and thanks for visiting the Harriet Eisman Community School blog. We have created a new class at the Community School entitled "Blogosphere". It's a class to help us start and maintain an interesting and informative blog for our school. The kids in the Blogosphere class will be adding posts every week so when you're surfing the web, be sure to visit our page! Thanks for your support!
Juli
Project Director, HECS
Juli
Project Director, HECS
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