NEWS & EVENTS: WHAT'S NEW

Please check this page again in late August to read about the 2007-2008 initiatives at the Academy.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2006-2007 AT STATEN ISLAND ACADEMY?

• ACADEMIC PROGRAM

  • New Upper School summer reading program that provides twelve reading interest groups led by individual faculty. Books are grouped according to themes such as “The World of Sports,” “Regional Works,” “Challenging Boundaries,” “Societal and Personal Issues,” and “Facing the Truth.” A total of thirty-two book title choices were presented to Upper School students.
  • Symposium led by Upper School students on September 13 on required summer reading book, No Excuses by Kyle Maynard, a congenital amputee and state wrestling champion. Panel of guest speakers includes James Weisman, attorney and general counsel for United Spinal Association, involved in litigation with NYC, re: handicapped access to NY transit system and curbside handicapped ramps at intersections, and Ed Lopez, championship level adult wheelchair basketball athlete.
  • Additional sections of Advanced Placement courses in offered in science, English, and history to meet student demand.
  • Increased standard for Honor Roll: from 7.50 to 8.00 GPA to achieve honor roll status.
  • New Middle School science curriculum: Grades 5 & 6 – "Science and Life Issues," a life/health science course, which includes experimental design, human systems, microbiology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and technological applications. Grade 7 – "Issues and Earth Science," an earth science course, which includes soils, rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, weather and atmosphere, and earth in space. Grade 8 – "Issues, Evidence and You," a physical science course, which includes water chemistry, materials, energy, and environment.
  • 5/6 students will have the opportunity to join the organization, “Teenangels,” in which students learn how to protect themselves and others in cyberspace, while they simultaneously learn leadership and communication skills.
  • New electives for all Middle School students.
  • Addition of Latin to Grade 7.
  • Thematic and team teaching approach in Kindergarten program.
  • Writing and reading workshops in all grades in Lower School.
  • Grade 6 will participate in the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) Challenge 20/20 program with a school in Australia, researching the “Digital Divide.”

  FACULTY AND STAFF

  • Changes in current faculty and staff positions: Ken Sinclair, A.P. biology teacher, has become the chair of the science department. Janice Earle, Director of Guidance, has expanded her time on campus from two days per week to three. Maureen McShane’s new title is “Director of External Affairs,” and she will oversee alumni affairs, events, marketing, and publications. Elizabeth Wojtal has been named the Chair of the World Languages Department. Jamie Killeen has become the Director of the Adventures Program.
  • New faculty and staff: Director of Communications Elizabeth Campbell, B.A. Drew University. Physical education teacher and co-chair of the physical education department, Jessica Hook, B.S. Ohio State University, M.S. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Head of the Lower School, Patricia Lynch, B.A. Western Michigan University, M.S. Hunter College. Upper School math teacher, Pascal Maharjan, B.A. Middlebury College. Grade 3 teacher, Alexis Maniatis, B.A. Manhattanville College, M.A. College of Staten Island. C hemistry and physical science teacher, Rachel Ward, B.S. College of William and Mary, Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh. Grade 1 teacher, Inha Yang, B.A. and M.A. Smith College.

  TECHNOLOGY

  • Both computer labs have been upgraded with 40 HP Pentium D flat screen machines. The 40 IBM Pentium IV flat screen machines from the labs were distributed throughout campus to upgrade classroom, SMART board and faculty office machines.
  • Upgrade of our local area network’s fiber backbone in Crowe Hall to increase bandwidth and allow for future growth. Switches in connecting buildings on campus were also upgraded for compatibility. This upgrade is laying the foundation for eventually achieving gigabit speed campus wide.
  • Our website has been expanded with the creation of a password protected extranet for use by members of the SIA community. SIA NET is designed to provide easy access to school related resources and information for students, parents, faculty and staff. Members of the Academy can visit this site to find out about daily news and events at school, view photos from our gallery, download forms and much more. All “Back to School” information is currently posted in the parents’ resources area of the extranet. A link to SIA NET is located on our school website’s home page. The direct URL to SIA NET is http://www.siacademy.org.

  ADVENTURES PROGRAM

  • New courses include: “Fitness for the Family”(Parents and students in Grades 4-6), “Flag Football”(Grades 6-8), “ Kids On The Move” (Dance and movement for Grades K-2) , “Spiders, Spiders, Everywhere!” (Grades 5-8), “Learn What’s Inside” (Dissections for Grades 5-6).

  FACILITIES

  • Renovation of Upper School’s lower level of Kearns Hall, including additional seminar room, carpeting, an additional and renovated offices, new student locers, and plans for student computer work space.
  • New lockers and carpeting in Middle School Center in Kearns Hall.
  • New roof on Haugen Hall auditorium.
  • New roof on Alumni Hall.
  • New team seating in the gym.
  • Removal and replacement of steps on the front of Haugen Hall.
  • Renovation of Upper School Art Room in Haugen Hall.
  • Renovation of boys’ locker room.
  • Electrostatic repainting of girls’ locker room lockers.
  • Renovation of girls’ and boys’ restrooms in Crowe Hall.
  • Removal of O.J. Buck Gymnasium ceiling to expose joists and painting therof.

  INSTITUTIONAL

  • Expansion of school day: new starting time: 8:10 AM
  • Parent summer reading initiatives

  ADMISSIONS

  • Due to the increase in enrollment of families from the Bay Ridge, Brooklyn area, we are pleased to be able to offer busing between Brooklyn and Staten Island Academy.
  • A new school view book.