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MARCH 2019
A Weekend of Dance
When junior Meghan McCloskey danced on the Eastchester High School stage, the music moved her.

“Waiting backstage is stressful and when the lights are off, it is intense. But when you are on stage, you let it all out.” 

McCloskey was among 125 dancers who performed at Jazz Co. “A Weekend of Dance” Feb. 1- Feb. 3.

“It all comes together. Each grade has a role to play and there is a rhythm,” explained senior Emily Rozario.

The high school students describe Jazz Co. as a family, not an after-school activity or club, and this year, there was something extra-special as Jazz Co. celebrated its 35th Anniversary. 

“Jazz Co.'s Weekend of Dance was the ultimate celebration of the art of dance,” said Artistic Director, Melissa Lieto-Cuomo. “The dancers stunned crowds with their talent and put on the best show in all of Jazz Co.'s 35 years of performances!” 

Choreographers from around the country worked with the high school dancers over 10 weeks to perfect their routines for the 26 dances that ranged from Broadway favorites to popular songs. 

This year, more than 40 alumni from 1992 to 2018 gathered during the show weekend and performed during the last section of the finale, a medley of Gloria Estefan songs.

The finale has remained the same for years but each year students – both male and female - participate in different small group performances. 

John Ferrara is a sophomore and a member of the EHS Players Club. “I am an actor who moves. I have gotten better at dancing. This can be taxing but the rewards are so many.”

“It is more fun every year as you get closer with the group,” said junior Maddy Smith who joined Jazz Co. in fourth grade. “The dances get harder and harder but it pushes you to your limits.”
Mathematical Talent Search
Eastchester Middle School student Aegus Kim’s mathematical abilities have set him apart from other students.

The seventh-grader has been added to the leaderboard of The USA Mathematical Talent Search for his achievements in a national math competition.

The 13-year old is one of the youngest participants to score high enough to be added to the rankings. 

Kim participated in the 30th USAMTS from October to December 2018. 

“I’m just glad there is something that can challenge and push me to my limits. I was thrilled when I spotted my name on the leaderboard among the high school students,” said Kim. “I enjoy it so much because of that sense of completion that can only be earned through perseverance.”

The USAMTS is a free mathematics competition open to all middle and high school students in the nation.

Unlike other math contests, students must submit justifications for each problem they tackle and they are allowed a month to complete their task. The competition consists of three rounds of five problems each. Students may use any materials including books, calculators, computers but all the work must be original.  

Mathematicians grade their work and also provide comments to participants. The goals of USAMTS are to develop problem-solving skills, improve technical writing abilities, and allow students to mature mathematically.

Students may become eligible to compete in other competitions that determine their eligibility for the USA Mathematical Olympiad Team.
Music & Friendship
Eastchester students brought smiles to the faces of senior citizens on Feb. 13, with an afternoon of friendship, food and music.

Fifth-graders from the Anne Hutchinson and Greenvale orchestras performed at The Valentine’s Day Senior Nutrition Party held at Mulino’s at Lake Isle.

“The children make you feel so good,” said Suzy and Carmine Gagliardi, who have been married for 60 years. “The music is relaxing and it brings back memories.”

The seniors enjoyed a lunch served on Valentine’s Day placemats that were made by students.

Orchestra Director Suzanne Greene brought the students together 26 years ago for the first Valentine’s Day Party and said she hasn’t changed a note.

“The seniors see their rosy cheeks and their sparkling eyes and it is contagious,” said Greene.

Musically, this venue provides a comfortable way for students to perform solos for the first time.  
  
The concert featured classical pieces and contemporary hits. Waverly Music Instructor Katherine Ness accompanied the orchestra on piano.

The crowd sang to a perfect Valentine’s Day tune, “I Love You for Sentimental Reasons,” played by School Superintendent Dr. Walter Moran.

Fifth-grader Kimberly Husbands was excited to be a part of the day. “It is a great experience. We can meet all the senior citizens whom we don’t know and play songs, and they can sing.”

Everyone joined in the sing-along to "Love Me Tender" and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" – a fitting finale for the day.

Before they returned to class, orchestra members presented the seniors with Valentine’s made by the Anne Hutchinson Student Council.
History Museum
Students in Maryann Cusano’s ninth-grade Global Honors class have turned the Eastchester Middle/High School library into a history museum.

Throughout the library, replicas of artifacts are on display representing their project: The Rise, Height and Fall of Classical Empires throughout history.

Jake Stevenson’s team created a brick to represent the Great Wall of China and he explained how it exemplified the Han Dynasty.

“The Great Wall of China was constantly being built, expanded and mended. It represented the rise of China’s might because it was needed to protect trade and it was breeched during the fall of China.”

The students also made masks, maps, buildings and diagrams of language systems as they investigated the Roman Empire, Gupta Empire in India, The Persian Empire and the Han Empire in China.

The assignment taught the students about cultural differences and how cultures interacted with each other through history. 

Cusano first presented the project as a contest. Each group took other students on a tour through their empire and discussed their dynasty.

“We learned how history repeats itself. It is also interesting to see how far the human race has come with technology,” said Madyson Diaz who studied the Roman Empire and its laws.
Anne Hutch Cares
“I am really proud. It makes me feel that if we all pitch in, we can make a huge difference.” 

Leyla Ozkurt and her classmates put those words into action in January when they wrote 85 Caring Cards to families who had lost loved ones on 9-11. 

They also raised more than $350 dollars working with members of Broadway Cares and the cast of “Come From Away.” The Broadway Musical tells the real-life story of passengers aboard 38 planes that were diverted to small towns in Newfoundland and Canada on September 11th. 
 
“It feels really good when you are helping others,” said fifth-grader Chihoko Saito. 

A group of administrators, faculty and staff members attended the Broadway show in late January when they presented the cards to the cast.

Anne Hutchinson students participate in philanthropic endeavors every month. During February, they collected crayons and coloring books for White Plains Hospital.  
Understanding the Weather
Second grade students in Cindy Tolomeo’s class used cardboard, egg cartons straws and Popsicle sticks to build houses that could withstand sandstorms and floods to learn more about the weather and their environment.

The children participated in the Makerspace project in February to compliment their lessons. The students experienced snowstorms this winter and in class discovered how other weather patterns can impact neighborhoods.   

“You should keep it above the ground so water doesn’t get into the house,” said Amelia Teeman as she built her structure. Another group added a ladder to their home so the residents could get in and out if the ground flooded.

Lorenzo Russo and his classmates made a home for the desert. “We are going to tape it to the ground so it doesn’t move.”

Makerspace projects not only teach students about a particular lesson but also how to work with a team, make mistakes and try again.

Tolomeo poured water onto the foundation of some of the houses and the students observed if the structures remained intact. She also used a hair dryer to act as wind in a sandstorm.

Some of the students’ houses withstood the impact – others were not as stable.
Inspired by Art
Waverly students worked with art teachers Samantha Larrea and Gina D’Orazio in February and learned about American Pop-Artist Jim Dine, known for painting hearts. The kindergarten students then created their own art inspired by Dine using oil pastels, paint, and cut paper -- all in time for Valentine’s Day.
Special Transportation Vote
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Poll Hours: 6:00am-9:00pm
Eastchester UFSD | 580 White Plains Road, Eastchester, NY 10709 | 914.793.6130