Volume 4, Issue No. 2

Jan - Feb 2007

Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music Newsletter www.ccbxhsm.org

TheCelia Cruz

Bronx HS of Music2780 Reservoir Avenue

Bronx, New York 10468Tel: (718) 733-3781

Fax: (718) 733-3865www.ccbxhsm.org

TechnologyOffice Hours

Room 387

The Best of Two Worlds:Baseball and Percussions ...

Story on page 7

Soup Kitchen VolunteersPhotos on page 6

Annual Winter Concert Photos on page 4

Seniors Raise GlobalAwareness

Story on page 3

Technically Speaking

Michael Greene

Celia Cruz Bronx HS of Music Technology

Coordinator

Period 1 Closed

Period 2 Closed

Period 3 9:42 to 10:30

Period 4Mobile

Maintenance

Lunch 11:24 to 12:12

Period 6 Closed

Period 7 1:06 to 1:54

Period 8Mobile

Maintenance

Period 9 Closed

You may make appoint-ments in person or overthe phone at extension

3873

Sinking Family Saved

HolidayToy Drive

For ToddlersThe Celia Cruz Bronx

High school of Music heldtheir 1st annual HolidayToy Drive. Finding inspira-tion from the Marine CorpToy for Tots annual toydrive, they ran the toy drivewith the same conceptas the Marine Corp.Their concept wasbeing able to helpbring jubilation tochildren less for-tunate than ...

Continued on

page 6

Ms. Morales holds a cute toy puppy donated for the

holiday toy drive for toddlers.

Principal

Takes

A Risk

Holiday cheer was spread early bya group of volunteering Celia Cruz stu-dents and faculty this past December.In an event sponsored by Barnes andNobles, Celia Cruz representativeswere given the opportunity to gift wrapholiday presents for the superstore andfundraise for the school.

Continued on page 3

IT’S A WRAP!

On Thanksgiving Day, many of usgathered to celebrate another year oflife, prosperity, and enjoyment of ourstomachs…food! Like many of us onThanksgiving Day, Dr. Rodriguez,went to church at about 11 o'clock fora breakfast mass. After the mass, Dr.Rodriguez and some guests droveback home. Then there was a com-motion causing some cars to stop.Being one of the few to stop, Dr.Rodriguez's curiosity drew himtowards a car that had crashed andended up in the Saw Mill River.

Continued on page 4 ...

What’s YourNew Year’sResolution?

Katherine Rios

This year mywishes, goal andresolution is tobecome a better per-son, pass all mygrades, and to bebetter on my vocals.

I also want tofind real love and nothave to hide it. Iwant to have a betterlife, home, school,love, and friends.That's my NewYear's resolution.

Sinking car floating down the Saw Mill River.

Photo by Dr. Rodriguez

Wireless internet accessshould now be available in allof the classrooms. After sev-eral site visits by school con-struction, Computer Logiccompleted installing wirelessaccess points in each of thedesignated class rooms. Thesecured access point boxesthat had previously beeninstalled were either upgradedor replaced.

It seems that a largernumber of laptops are experi-encing problems with their ACpower adapters this year.Batteries have also increasedthe number of replacementsthat have been needed since

Dell recalled batteries thatwere reported to be defective.

To make repair returnseasier, the status of laptoprepairs will be posted on thetechnology bulletin board out-side of office 387. Teacherswill be notified in their mailboxes when repairs have beencompleted.

Remember that in orderto get the fastest response toyour repair needs, the servicerequest form must be datedand filled out as completely aspossible.

As she puts the pen to

paper the only words run-ning through her mind arelove and sacrifice. That ishow Patricia interpretsher work.

Inspired by her uncleand influenced by Japaneseanime, Patricia enjoys cre-ating art. Some of theanime she likes includeNaruto, Full MetalAlchemist, SamuraiChamploo, Sailor Moon,and Inuyasha which is herfavorite.

We will feature the cre-ativity of our student artistsin the Cruz Newsletter eachissue. If you would like totell us a little about yourcreative hobby and includeit in the newsletter, send asample of your work to theCruz News Crew,

(talent@ccbxhsm.org)

Page 2 Page 7

Dr. William RodriguezFounder and Principal

New York CityDepartment of Education

Region One Learning Support Center

Mr. Joel KleinChancellor

Ms. Yvonne TorresRegional Superintendent

Dr. Askia DavisDeputy Superintendent

Ms. Elena PapaliberiosLocal Instructional

Superintendent

CruzNews Newsletter

Serving the staff, students

and parents of the Celia Cruz

Bronx HS of Music community.

Parent AssociationExecutive Board:

Marie Matias, PresidentAnna Vega, Vice-President

Carmen AlvarezRecording Secretary

Madeline BrunoCorrespondence Secretary

Soledad FrancoTreasurer

Cruz News Crew:David AlvarezAna AmalbertDeAnna CruzHarold Jorge

Franklin MoorePeter OzunaRafael RiosJohn Soto

Amy VargasDanielle Vegerano

Advisors:Mr. Michael Greene

Mr. Cesar Perez

Volume 4, Issue No. 2 Volume 4, Issue No. 2

¿Sabías Qué?Did You Know?... that the National Medal ofArts, an award and titlebestowed on selected hon-orees by the NationalEndowment for the Arts (NEA),the highest honor ceremoni-

ously given by the President of the United Statesto an individual artist by the national governmenton behalf of the people was presented to CeliaCruz in 1994 by Bill Clinton?

Interested Students: Do you enjoy writing stories or poetry? If you would like to contribute your ideas to the Cruz News

please contact a member of the Cruz News Crew in room 387.

Cruz News Crew

Congratulations to the new members of the CruzNews Crew Newsletter Team. Thanks to this dynamicgroup of students, the Cruz Newsletter can look for-ward to a fresh new feel and style of content that is sureto appeal to parents, students and staff here at CeliaCruz Bronx High School of Music.

The goal of the Cruz News Crew (CNC) is to pro-vide readers with interesting new perspectives, creativeviews, and to share important information that matters.The CNC looks forward to publishing future issues ofthe Cruz Newsletter for you to enjoy.

Darkness falls around my bed Shadows fill my heart with dreadFeeling as if I were deadStill I try to rest my headCreaking noises stir my sleepCauses my calm heart to leapSanity I try to keepAs my visions start to creepWishing soon that it was day Hoping this would go awaySlowly my door starts to swayThen I close my eyes and praySoon those footsteps I do hearI become consumed in fearStrange but kind words touch my earSaying "Are you okay dear"?Open eyes I regain sightI see the flash of morning lightGlad to see my room so bright... or at least until tonight.

Today I met a great new friend, who knew me right away.It's funny how she understood everything I had to say.She listened to my problems, she listened to my dreams. We talked about love and life, she'd been there too it seems.I've never once felt judged by her, she knew just how I felt. She just seemed to have accepted me with the problems I've been dealt. She never interrupted me or needed to have her say, she just listened very patiently and didn't go away.I wanted her to understand how much this meant to me, but as I went to hug her something startled me.I put my hand in front of me and went to draw her nearer and realized that my new best friend was nothing but a mirror.

By Peter Ozuna

What do baseball and themusic program here at CeliaCruz have in common? Theanswer is Frank Almonte.

Frank Almonte is in his senior year here at Celia CruzBronx High School of Music.He is a talented percussionistin the band ensemble and onthe baseball field he is anintense athlete. He takes hismusical talent and his athleticskills seriously.

Frank is a middle infielderfor the Walton Campus VarsityBaseball team. This is his 2ndand final year playing for theWalton Campus VarsityBaseball team. Although thereare many colleges that wouldwelcome Frank Almonte toplay baseball, his sights maybe set for SUNY PurchaseUniversity that offers baseballand a music program.

Almonte has attendedshowcases where MajorLeague teams and collegecoaches have scouted him.He is recently working in a 9year baseball camp with a for-mer Major League playernamed Frank Mannechino.

Frank also plays percus-sion, currently for a bandcalled "The Element", whichplays in different venuesaround the New York Cityarea and tours the country.Last year they toured the Mid-West going to places likeChicago and Detroit. Theband is currently working ontheir 3rd album.

The Best of Two Worlds:Baseball and Percussions

Nightmare!My New

Best Friend

POETICExpression

s

ByRosemarieEscalera

By Shatisha Gurley

Frank Almonte takes a swingduring a showcase game.

Coming Soon!

Parent CPR Workshop

On March 29th there will be a

CPR Training Class given to

the parents of Celia Cruz Bronx

High School of Music by the

FDNY. All participants will

receive a Free CPR Kit worth

$40.00. Limited seating is avail-

able. You must call to reserve a

seat. The training will be

repeated again on May 19th.

Contact Yvette Perez for

additional information at

(347) 563-4778.

Artist Of The Month

Ana AmalbertChief Editor

Amy VargasChief Editor

David Alvarez Deanna Cruz Harold Jorge Franklin Moore

Peter Ozuna Rafael Rios John Soto Danielle Vegerano

By John Soto

Drawing by Patricia Gonzalez

Celia Cruz CD’s areNOW ON SALE

They cost $5.00 per CDor

a box set of 5 for $20.00

#1:The Solos, The Guitars, The Rock Band

#2:The Latin Band

#3:The Strings: Freshman Strings, Major

Orchestra, Concert Strings, Full Orchestra,

String Quartet

#4:The Voices: The Chorale, Women’s

Choir, Concert Choir, Select Choir

#5:The Winds: Freshman Concert Band,

Concert Band, Symphonic Band,

Saxophone Quartet, Brass Sextet

Page 3Page 6 Volume 4, Issue No. 2 Volume 4, Issue No. 2

When most of us hearthe word "activism" we thinkof demonstrations, protestersholding signs with catchyslogans. We may think of theCivil Rights movement, aniconic symbol of activism.Perhaps we think of a num-ber of images of people, butmore often than not, none ofthose people is us; we don'tsee ourselves in activism.This is a mistake, becauseactivism concerns all of us,individually and together.Meanings for the word"active" include "character-ized by participation."Activism is about participat-ing and interacting with theworld around you in positiveways. Such ways can be as

simple as being informedabout what's going on inyour neighborhood.

If you want to extendyourself further, find outabout what's happening inyour city, your state, yournation, your planet. Many ofus think that decisions madein places that seem far awaydo not affect us, City Hall, orthe White House, for exam-ple, but they do. Those deci-sions affect your lives, everyday, from where you live,when you can work, andeven what you learn in thevery classrooms of CeliaCruz and so much more!

READ newspapers, oronline sources. The NewYork Post, Daily News, eventhe New York Times are notthe only sources of news.You may find one or all ofthem boring. There are newssources specifically designedto give teenagers a chanceto read news online in a waythat may be more interestingfor you.

http://dmoz.org/Kids_and_Teens/News/ givesteenagers an opportunity toread news from all over theworld, you can also becomea reporter for your neighbor-hood and share with otherteens what's going on inyour neighborhood, city,state, etc. Be informed!

When/if you decide youwant to do more than simplybe informed, take youractivism a step further byvolunteering. There are somany organizations aroundthe Bronx, and New YorkCity-organizations for the homeless, for women and

children, for the elderly, forteenagers like yourselves, etc., that need volunteers tospend an hour a week or acouple of hours a month,whatever time you can give,to help make someoneelse's life brighter.Volunteering can mean tutor-ing younger kids, or simplyhanging out with a group ofpeople or playing a game.Often, it can mean anythingyou want it to that involveshelping someone else.Check out:http://www.nycares.org/ foropportunities.

Participate Now!: How to be an activist where you areBy Terna Tilley-Gyado

The first graduatingSeniors of our school alltake US Government andEconomics, but have beenseperated between twodifferent teachers: Ms.Touray and Mr. Hall. Eachteacher has their ownunique way of teachingthe subject, but Mr. Hall's class has taken the projectbeyond that of our community. After watching "AnInconvenient Truth", a documentary by Al Gore, each stu-dent individually and in a group had to make a powerpointpresentation on Global Warming.

The students learned about the dangers of GlobalWarming and many want to do their parts to help. Projectslike this take students and their minds beyond the class-room, beyond their communities, and throughout theworld. Each presentation was unique and each one hadvaluable information that intrigued the minds of the stu-dents. Even Mr. Hall, a strong opposer of GlobalWarming, was surprised at how well his students did withtheir presentations. This project took research, teamwork,and awareness to a whole new level. For more informa-tion about Global Warming and how to prevent it, speak toMr. Hall or go to his website at www.facetheflag.com.

Seniors Raise Global Warming Awareness

Toys For Toddlers

By Joseph Aponte

This holiday season, theWalton Educational Campuswas asked to open theirhearts and their kitchen cab-inets. This is because theCampus Student Council(CSC), working in collabora-tion with the Food Bank forNew York City, organized itsfirst annual holiday fooddrive.

Boxes were placed at each student entrance of

the building. The giving stu-dents of the campus donat-ed canned goods, whichwere to be delivered to thePart of the Solution (POTS)organization.

The food was preparedon the premises and servedto needy families. The CSCwould like to thank all stu-dents that contributed to thisworthy cause.

Continued from page 1

themselves throughout theUnited States during the holi-day season. Coming to anagreement with the MarineCorp commissioner in chargeof the toy drive for the Bronxarea, CCBXHSM became offi-cially associated with theMarine Corp.

The Celia Cruz toy drivetook place from December 6throughout December 20,2006. On the 20th ofDecember a small group ofMarines came to collect thetoys from our school. A groupof committed students assem-

bled to see that the toy driveran smoothly. The committeeconsisted of ChristinaFeliciano, Hannah Hansen,Elaine Hernandez, RuthmilHernandez, Frankie Perezand Stephanie Santos.

Dozens of charitable stu-dents, staff and their familiesbrought in numerousunwrapped toys and droppedthem off in boxes located inthe Principal's and GeneralOffice.

Campus Food Drive

Members of the Campus Student Council (CSC)

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Congratulations!

ACEVEDO, CHARLOTTE

BARROS, ERICK

BELLIARD, SALVADOR

BEST, LAURIE

CABRAL, PERLA

CARPIO, CHRISTIAN

CASTILLO, ARIANA

CASTILLO, NICOLAS

CLARK, GARRY

CLASS, RANDY

INOCENTE, SABRISKY

DE LOS SANTOS, ALEUDY

EL, ADIYLAH

ESTES, NAASIA

FARLOW, ARIALE

FLORENTINO, PAUl

GOMEZ, PAOLA

HEADLEY, SHANIQUA

HERNANDEZ, ELAINE

HERNANDEZ, MARBYN

JAMES, MICHAEL

JIMENEZ, ODALYS

KANG, RICHARD

KING, RONALD

LINO, GARY

LOHMANN, CHLOE

MEDINA, JUAN

MELENDEZ, Osvaldo

MOLINA, MIGUEL

MOORE, FRANK

NUNEZ, MICHAEL

OTERO, STARZIA

OVIEDO, ANTONIA

PEREZ, FRANKIE

REYES, ANDRES

RIOS, KATHERYN

RODRIGUEZ, EMILY

ROJAS, DENISE

RODRIGUEZ, HENRY

ROLLINS, JAZMYNN

ROSA, AIDA

ROSARIO, JUSTIN

SACCO, CHRISTOPHER

SALAS, CALEB

SANTIAGO, DAVID

SANTOS, STEPHANIE

SMALLS, ESNITA

SOBA, DANIELLA

SOTO, JOSE

STEWART, SAMANTHA

TERRY, JALEESA

VARGAS, ELIZABETH

WALLS, DARNASIA

WALTERS, IMANI

WRIGHT, CAESAR

YARBER, LAUREN

By Rafael Rios

The Celia Cruz community has formed a relationshipwith Barnes and Nobles on 86th Street in Manhattan. Thestore allows Celia Cruz to set up a gift wrapping station insidethe store's main entrance. Barnes and Nobles provided allnecessary supplies (wrapping paper, tape, scissors, cards);customers brought their purchases to the station and studentsprofessionally wrapped each gift. Most customers gave tips tothe volunteers, accumulating in close to $200.00 for theschool.

The four-night event was coordinated by Ms. Alp, Mr.Daley, Mr. Hall, and Ms. Perez. On the concluding night, thevolunteering students added a Celia Cruz touch to the event:students sang Christmas Carols, attracting an audience.

Gift wrapping at Barnes and Nobles is now an annualevent that showcases the Celia Cruz student body's hardwork and charms.

It’s A Wrap! Continued from page 1

For

NOVEMBER

Students deliver toddler toys

to the Marines

SOUPKITCHEN

Monica Santiago and JosephAponte take a moment.

Jesanthony Feliz lends a handwith the dishes.

Daniella Soba and Dorothy Pena

Jamie Flores serving food.

By Matt Daley

Page 4 Page 5Volume 4, Issue No. 2 Volume 4, Issue No. 2

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11 12 13 14 15 16 17

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February2007Senior Trip

Faculty Conference

Department

Conference

SLT Meeting

Fire Drill Pd. 9

Rapid Dismissal

MidWinter Recess

School Closed

By David Alverez

This movie is a real tear jerk-er, ladies and gentlemen. This iseasily one of the most touchingand life reflecting movies of theyear. On many levels people canrelate to this amazing hit. You rootfor Will Smith and his Son through-out the entire movie. Will Smithdelivers nothing short of his abilityto make a story come to life andmake you think.

This story is as real as itcomes. It's based on a true story ofa man and his son struggling tomake ends meet in this crazyworld. The sheer love and pas-sion he had for his child drove himto accomplish that which all dreamof, a better life.

The amazing moralvalue and powerful family mes-sage make this movie great for allages to enjoy and cherish.

A Christmas CarolBy Rafael Rios

Charles Dicken's Christmas Carol has been re-enacted by many in the past, but for the first time ithas been performed in a Bronx style. Mr. Lopez,director of last year's "West Side Story", has onceagain brought theatre to Walton Campus and direct-ed the "Bronx Christmas Carol". Four of the castand crew members were from our school:Rosemarie Escalera (Ghost of Christmas Future),Danielle Vegarrano (Tiny Tina), Issac (Pianist), andRafael Rios (Cameraman). Rosemarie, Danielle,and Rafael were all apart of last year's production of"West Side Story".

The Walton auditorium roared with excitementthroughout the play. Rosemarie states, "I was ableto play a part that has more expression than words.It was a fulfilling experience." She also adds that theplay has changed her in that she "understands thateven the small parts have a large impact on theaudience." It is amazing how much talent our stu-dents have beyond just singing and playing instru-ments.

HappyValentine’s

Day!

Review:The Pursuit ofHappiness

Are you going through somerough times in your life, athome, or you just can't handlethe stress of school anymore?Would you like to see thingsfrom a different perspective, orcould you just use some advice?

The CNC Advice Column ishere to help. You can getanswers by leaving your ques-tions or concerns on a shortnote or letter and placing themin our "Question Mark Box"which will be located in theattendance office on the "hubtable". We will post a responseto your question in the next CruzNewsletter.

BUT if you prefer to keepthings more confidential …

You can email your questions toADVICE@CCBXHSM.ORG

Need SomeAdvice?

Upcoming

Free

Musical

The Lehman College MECC Project is made possible through agrant from the Rockefeller Philanthropic Foundation.

For more informationcontact Project Coordinator, Brenda Tally (718) 960-8532.

Annual Winter Concerts 2006

Pictured left: Issac (The Pianist) Pictured right: DanielleVegarrano as Tiny Tina and Rosemarie Escalera as theGhost of Christmas Future.

Photo courtesy of Movies.com

Spring Term Begins

First Day of Classes

Special Schedule

MidWinter Recess

School ClosedMidWinter Recess

School Closed

MidWinter Recess

School ClosedMidWinter Recess

School Closed

The man in the car cried out "Please save my daughters, I can't swim." Inthe back seat were two young children. The car gradually began to sink as Dr.Rodriguez and a few around him found themselves jumping in to help. Theycreated a human chain from the grass area down to where the car was steadilysinking. Others jumped into the water while another group held onto the side ofthe car in hopes of helping the family. The father took the two children from theback seat and passed them through the window into the arms of the people whohad formed a human chain to carry them to safety. We asked, after hearing thestory, if everyone ended up ok? Everybody was fine, responded Dr. Rodriguez,"we had to react right away because we were the first ones there."

Had no one stopped to rescue this family in crisis, this story could have hada very different and tragic ending. But thanks to the compassion and concern ofpeople like Dr. Rodriguez, this family had another reason to give thanks. It's noteveryday that someone shows a willingness to stick their necks out for someoneelse. We asked Dr. Rodriguez if he realized the danger that he risked himselfwhen he jumped into the river and he replied, "It was a funny thing because noteverybody jumped in, so I learned a little bit about myself." After reflecting onhis response we also believed that this incident taught us something about Dr.Rodriguez. It taught us that we are very fortunate to have a hero for a Principal.

Sinking Family Saved:Principal Takes A Risk

By Harold Jorge & Danielle Vegerano