6th Graders Go Camping for Memorial Day Weekend!

CHAH 6th Graders had a wonderful time hiking, canoeing, and playing outside at Manice Education Center in Massachusetts!  The outdoor experience was provided by Christodora, a non-profit organization founded in 1897 to get New York City youth out of the city and into the great outdoors.  Their mission is to provide a "transformative experience that allows youth to better understand the natural world and shape their role within it."

Students participated in team-building games in the woods.

They went on a hike overlooking the valley.

They went on a canoe trip down the river. 

The world is a wonderful place and, although we love New York City and our community here in Washington Heights, sometimes a weekend outdoors is a great way to feel more connected to our entire planet!

Staff vs. Student Volleyball Game

This past week, the students took on the CHAH staff in the annual Staff vs. Student Volleyball Game!  The spirited competition is the second annual game. 

The students markedlyimproved, with a few spikes from Steven Carbajal and Eddie Santana, and a nice diving dig by Marialy Fernandez.

The teachers, however, seemed to have regressed.  After completely whiffing on a spike, Mr. Dickhudt said with a sheepish smile, "That wasn't how I had imagined it."

His teammate, Mrs. Purisic, replied with a grin, "Maybe not for you, but that was exactly how I imagined it!" 

CHAH Celebrate's Our Schools, Teachers, and The UFT!

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and, here at CHAH, we certainly did not forget!  The CHAH administration team, led by Principal Mark House and Assistant Principals David Falciani and Amir Tusher, presented the staff with umbrellas embossed with the CHAH Phoenix logo.  What a perfect appreciation item for this week's wet weather!

Not to be outdone, The UFT Center here at our school, where teachers are free to work and have lunch, came with some food and an interactive PowerPoint Presentation.  CHAH is lucky to be a part of the UFT's Community Learning School Initiative, which has been an important and highly effective collaboration with the UFT. 

Even the UFT President, Michael Mulgrew, weighed in.  “We are the largest and most diverse school system in the entire country...It really is about the respect, the passion and the dignity that you can find in every school in New York City and that we the members of the UFT bring to our children every day," Mulgrew said.

Thanks to all the teachers here at CHAH, and the other schools around New York City, for all the work you do each and every day! 

Students Attend the Annual New Visions College Fair at Baruch!

A group of CHAH students were able to attend the Annual Spring New Visions College Fair at Baruch College in downtown Manhattan this week!  Over 55 colleges and universities were present.   The students were able to gather information about activities, majors and campus life and explore their options for life after they graduate.

Diana Mendez said, “The college fair gave me an insight on what requirements I need to get into college regarding test scores and in helped me get exposed to more colleges.”

Her friend Josiel Bonilla agreed.  “Many different colleges and provided more information about all the factors that are relevant about picking the perfect school suited for me,” he said.

It was a very fun and informative trip for everyone.  But to 11th grader Andrelyn Reyes, the event provided both a sense of direction and relief.  She explained, “It was such a great experience and gave me a boost of confidence because there is a college out there for me that will have my major and that will have diversity.  Today's college fair gave me a sense of relief because I got to compare and contrast many SUNY and CUNY schools and know I’ll be able to find the right fit for me.”

Monday is Run Day for CHAH Students and Staff

The first ever CHAH Spring Running Club has started with a bang! The only rules of the club? Do your best and encourage one another. (And don't get hit by bikers!)

Only in its second week of existence, the club already has over twenty members. In addition, teachers Ms. Peña and Mr. Dickhudt have joined. It is a fantastic way to build school spirit and drive CHAH's community health mission forward.

"This club is a great way for fall and winter athletes to cross train," says Ms. Svenson, the club advisor. "But that's not why it exists-- I created the running club to get students outside, active, setting goals, and improving their health without fear of judgement or intimidation. I was never an athlete in high school because I was unfit and too scared to try. I would have loved a club like this!"

So far, the students have been having a blast. "I'm really sore, but I feel great!" said 11th grader Yadelin.

Students run two miles along the Hudson River, with the magnificent George Washington Bridge in view. They also learn to warm up, cool down, and stretch to stay injury-free.

All 8th-12th grade CHAH students are welcome to join the weekly Monday runs. For more information, you can contact Ms. Svenson at svenson@mychah.org.