Third Annual Innovative Learning Grant Presentations

Six innovative programs received Innovative Learning Grants from the Clarkstown North High School PTSA after a competitive application process. The programs range from opportunities to learn about Japanese culture and achievable college goals to trips to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Gallaudet University. North PTSA Vice President of Fundraising Wanda Octaviano and Corresponding Secretary Jill Halpern board members along with North Principal Harry Leonardatos presented the third annual awardstotaling $2315 at Wednesday’s school board meeting.

The Total Cultural Immersion Experience and Spring Festival at the United International School will enable Japanese language students to join an opening ceremony, hear a Japanese diplomat speak and learn about Japanese music, food and martial arts. Octaviano pointed the Immersion Experience is the largest activity for any foreign language program in the New York metro area.  

She spoke about the Metropolitan Museum of Art experience for drawing and painting classes.  Students will see art masterpieces in person and be able to study and study 18^th Century painting techniques up close.  

Octaviano said the SAIL (Structure Attitude Individuality Learning) funded trip to a local college, which enable the students to get a sense of the college experience and an understanding of a college entrance exam. 

Halpern explained the school’s American Sign Language (ASL) students will be exposed to career opportunities in deaf education and have the chance to interact with deaf students from all over the world during their visit to Gallaudet University in Washington DC.

The “Power of Art” workshop that SAIL students will attend ties into their art history curriculum and gives them an experience that cannot be recreated in a classroom

The concert band will compete for the first time in the NYSSMA Majors Festival Performance Concert. The competition, which will be held in the spring, requires the band to perform three works, which will be rated.  Halpern noted the band would receive both verbal and written evaluations of their performance.   

Prior Innovative Learning Grants funded Taiko drumming sessions and trips.