Pumping Iron in the CHAH Fitness Center!

This year, CHAH students will be able to get fit and toned in our school's brand new, state-of-the-art Fitness Center!  The gym includes 12 brand new weight machines for students to get a full body workout!

"It cost our school around $45,000 dollars to have this gym installed," said Principal Mark House.  He added, "but it's totally worth it." 

The brand names on the equipment are Cybex, Hoist, and Nautilus.  All of the machines are top of the line equipment.

Our physical education classes in the gymnasium will be smaller and safer.  The Fitness Center will allow up to 24 students at a time.  Paul DeJesus, the physical education teacher who will be having his classes in the new Fitness Center, said that "this facility will contribute to our idea of a comprehensive physical education and lead to life-long healthy lifestyles for our students."

Lets pump some iron! 

Camp College - A CHAH Summer Tradition

From July 15-17, CHAH high schoolers attended Camp College, a 3-day weekend where the kids lived in the residence halls at Canisius College.  They attended lectures by college professors and participated in workshops about admissions and financial aid. Students also took a trip to Niagara Falls!

A member of this year's senior class, Maria Velez, said "Camp College is definitely something you need to experience if you are planning on going away for college."  She added that "the best part of the weekend was definitely the classes you take with the professor.  They give you an idea of how the college classes will be."

Incoming junior, Yocasta Fanas admitted that college requires a bit of selfishness, explaining that "I learned that when it comes to your future, you'd have to be selfish and make choices that will always benefit you."

Senior Justyn Santana said that, "Camp College is something i would really recommend for next year's upcoming seniors and juniors.  It was a huge success."

Senior Walk...A New CHAH Tradition!

This week, CHAH began a new tradition by having the graduating senior students walk through the school.  Students, teachers, and parents applauded them on their well deserved and perhaps long-awaited achievement. 

Congratulations, CHAH Class of 2016!

Annual Staff vs. Students Basketball Game is Another Win!

This week, the CHAH Staff took on the Students in the Annual Staff vs. Students Basketball Game!  The middle school girl's team beat the CHAH Staff for the second year in a row, while the high school boy's team, although incredibly talented, was defeated by the coaches. 

The evening was about community, comradery, and fun.  A good time was had by all!

AP Environmental Science Students and CHAH Food Ambassadors as Urban Farmers

On June 2, CHAH students ranging from sixth through eleventh grade took the Governors Island ferry to an urban learning garden, maintained by GrowNYC. This trip brought together current and future Advanced Placement Environmental Science students and the Food Ambassadors, CHAH's healthy cooking club. They spent the day exploring topics in ecology, environmental stewardship, and the use of garden-fresh produce in our daily meals.

One section of the tour involved harvesting radishes and arugula for a spicy and crunchy salad. Students snipped off arugula leaves and dug up radishes and ate them only minutes later. Talk about fresh!

Another tour guide led students through the garden, discussing the interaction between bugs and plants. We learned that worms, bees, and ladybugs are our friends, while aphids and caterpillars are our garden foes. APES students impressed the tour guides with their knowledge of ecosystems.

The compost station allowed students to smell, feel, and see compost in its multiple stages. Students learned about the interaction of carbon and nitrogen as well as bacteria and fungi in creating a nutritious addition to gardening soil. Food Ambassador and seventh grader Lisbeth P. said, "We should start saving our food scraps when we cook in Food Ambassadors so it can be turned into compost." Great idea, Lisbeth!

Finally, students got their hands dirty at the planting station. They helped transplant herbs from small containers that had been in a greenhouse to outdoor planters where they can soak in the sun.

Students had a great trip and hope to visit again soon!