NY State Senator Jackson Visits CHAH

State Senator Elect Robert Jackson visited Community Health Academy of the Heights (CHAH) this week! As a member of the New York City Council, Jackson was instrumental in securing funding to open CHAH. After being greeted by Yvonne Stennett, Executive Director of Community League of the Heights (CLOTH), he was given a tour by CHAH's principal Mark House. Jackson went out of his way to introduce himself to students, staff, and the cafeteria workers during the tour and assure them that his first priority is to make certain that all public schools, particularly in New York City, receive their fair share of financial resources from the New York State government.

Jackson visited several classrooms and was very comfortable interacting with the students - he was seen bobbing his head "to the beat" in a dance class. He queried House about the systems in place at CHAH and their effectiveness. Jackson stated repeatedly that he was very impressed with CHAH's approach to responding to the academic and health needs of its students. All in all, Jackson's visit was an insightful and enjoyable one.

Geriatric Career Development Program (GCD) Participants to get Certified!

Patient Care Technician Class (PCT) has begun!

On Thursday, twenty-two GCD High School Seniors advanced into the Patient Care Technician (PCT) Class. The course is offered through a joint collaboration between GCD and Lehman College. Upon completing the course, participants will be Certified Nursing Assistants & Patient Care Technicians with the ability to read EKG’s and practice phlebotomy (drawing blood). Two CHAH participants photographed above, Laurentino Perez and Scarlet Mercedes, are highly involved in the program. Well done, future CHAH PCTs!

Art Students Visit "On Adornment" Exhibit at Pen + Brush Gallery

This week, CHAH Art students visited the exhibit “On Adornment” and Pen + Brush Gallery on 23rd Street in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.

According to Pen + Brush’s website, the exhibit “features emerging and mid-career artists who are unpacking the concept of adornment, particularly in the context of female imaging and agency, and redefining it in contemporary ways.”

Thank you, Pen + Brush, for hosting this fascinating exhibit!

AP Art Students, "Broken Windows" Policing, and Equity for All

This past week, CHAH AP Art students attended a pop-up art installation that addressed the theory of “broken windows” policing. The “broken windows” theory posits that visible signs of crime, like graffiti and vandalism, create more serious crimes. The theory has been questioned and challenged by many communities, citing improper use of police force on minor infractions.

CHAH Art students debated the pros and cons of the theory, while viewing beautiful art installations.

Later in the week, several of those same art students had their work featured at the annual CLOTH Gala, a fundraising event put on by our partner organization, Community League of the Heights, on the topic of “Equity for All”.

Freshmen and Sophomore Runners Compete and Win at Championships!

This past week, the CHAH Freshmen and Sophomore Cross Country runners competed in the Championships at Van Cortlandt Park in The Bronx. Congratulations to Noah Pereyra, for finishing in the Top 15 and winning yet another medal!

Go CHAH, Go!