November 2005
« October 2005 | Main | December 2005 »
November 29, 2005
Grandfriends' Day A Hit
Grandparents and special friends of Craig lower school students gathered the day before Thanksgiving for breakfast, a morning of classes and a puppet show.
The third annual Grandfriends' Day took place at the Lower School on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Over 70 "grandfriends" (so-called because the group includes adults in addition to grandparents who have a special relationship with the children) enjoyed a breakfast with the students and then attended morning classes. The grandfriends were given an abbreviated schedule with each class lasting about 20 minutes. Many of the teachers organized games and contests for their "students" which generated some heated competition. During the last hour of the morning, the entire school assembled in the auditorium for a puppet show performed by the Catskill Players. The show, Hiawatha, was chosen because one of the principal characters was a grandmother.
November 21, 2005
Fall Spirit Day
The first of three upper school Spirit Days during the year was held in October.
In the spirit of school unity and healthy competition, the Craig Upper School holds three School Spirit Days throughout the year. Our Fall Spirit Day included field day events: Apple bobbing, wheel barrel races, tug of war, and a balloon toss. We also hosted a school wide cookout of hamburgers and hotdogs. Mr. Cap offered a course on GRILLING 101 which allowed many students to wear the grill apron.
Fit To Be Tied
Upper School Director Eric Caparulo offers a short course for students in the art of tying ties
The Craig Upper School held its first in a series of one day instructional seminars. The topic was ties. Students who attended the seminar learned about collar sizes, collar stays, tie selection, and the steps involved in tying a tie. After demonstrating their new found skill, the focus turned to the various stages of untying a tie and the social messages they imply (i.e. loosening up, being cool, and calling a day).
November 14, 2005
What's the Buzz at Craig School?
Assistant Coach Terry Snowdon fulfills a promise to the Craig School Badger soccer team after a 3-2 victory over the previously undefeated Far Hills Country Day School.
After a two-win season for the Badger soccer team during the fall of 2004, Assistant Coach Terry Snowdon announced that he would shave his head if the Badgers were able to repeat the feat during the 2005 soccer season. However, as the fall season progressed, the Craig School Badgers lost one game after another and with only two games left, Snowdon was convinced his locks were safe. Then unexpectedly the Badgers defeated Montclair Kimberley Academy. With one game left in the season against the undefeated Far Hills Country Day School, Snowdon still felt reasonably secure.
During the first period of the game against Far Hills Craig scored, but the game was quickly tied up and with only six minutes left to play, the score was 2-1 Far Hills. Then Craig rallied and scored tying the game. In the last seconds, Craig blasted a shot past the Far Hills goalie and won 3-2.
The next morning Terry fulfilled his promise by submitting the the razor wielded by Athletic Director Niles Furlong in front of the entire student body.
Congratulations to New Upper School Student Council Members
A new and expanded Upper School Student Council has been elected for the 2005-2006 school year.
The following students were elected to the Upper School Student Council for the 2005-2006 school year: President, Doug Robins; Vice Presidents: Mike Berman and Dianna Rosenbaum; Class Representatives: Freshman Class: Warren Zimmer; Sophomore Class: Rachel Simon; Junior Class: Rebecca Koscuiszka and Matt Froehner. Begun in 2004, the upper school first adopted a tribunal form of student government with members elected from the junior class. This year's expanded student council with representatives from the lower classes follows a more traditional form of leadership. The students will be sponsoring fund-raising events, suggesting and organizing student functions, and acting as liaisons between the students and the faculty and administration.
November 06, 2005
Red Ribbon Week
The week of Monday, October 31st through Friday, November 4th was RED RIBBON WEEK at the lower School, a week of programming, activities, and special presentations educating our students about substance abuse.
Monday — Students were given a Red Ribbon week wrist band in their homerooms and asked to keep it on all week.The homeroom with the best participation won a prize on Friday. Students decorated their homeroom doors in red and brought in appropriate objects to place on the door to help with decorations. Students were encouraged to wear costumes to support the phrase, "I can say BOO to drugs." The CAN drive began on Monday and continued all week — "I CAN say no to drugs."
Tuesday — Students wore caps to school in support of the phrase, "Put a CAP on drugs." The Mountain Lakes Police were at the school for a Drug Awareness program.
Wednesday — Students wore sunglasses to school — "SHADE OUT drugs "Students also brought in a stuffed animal for "HUGS NOT DRUGS." A presentation about focusing on good choices for 3-6 grades and addictions for the 7-8 grades were held.
Thursday — Students wore team jerseys for "TEAM UP against drugs." The 3rd through 6th grades had a scavenger hunt and the 7th & 8th graders had a presentation by Day Top Village on substance abuse.
Friday — Students wore wear red clothing to school. One of the clubs planted red tulips outside school. All students signed a giant anti-drug banner and received a small Craig School anti-drug pledge card.
Students also participated in an art contest by making anti-drug theme posters, and an essay contest, writing on the topic, "What drug free means to me."
Upper School Students Visit The Institute of Culinary Education
On October 19, Craig Upper School juniors interested in pursuing careers in the culinary arts and/or restaurant management visited The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in Manhattan.
Founded on Manhattan’s Upper East Side
Formerly known by its founder’s name, Peter Krump’s New York Cooking School in 1975, today ICE offers an intensive culinary education to students of all ages in its new location at 50 West 23rd Street. Upon acceptance to the program, each student is given uniforms, which they wear to every class. Chef instructions wear chef uniforms as well. Applicants are required to have a high school diploma or GED in order to enroll. The program currently serves 750 students who come from all over the world. Diplomas are also available in Pastry & Baking or Culinary Management.
Ms. Alisa Zlotnikoff, Associate Director of Admissions greeted the Craig School students and conducted a through tour of the single building campus. Part of the tour included meeting with one of the schools professional chefs, who inspired students by remarking “there is always work to be had in the food service business.” The juniors were further enticed by being presented with freshly made marshmallows, which were dusted with cocoa and sent from a cooking class down the hall.
Externships Required
As part of the program students are required to complete an off-site externship, which is arranged with the help of the ICE staff. The school also offers job placement services for its graduates.
Recreational Classes Abound
Recreational cooking classes are open to the public offering hands-on classes consisting of 1-5 sessions. Be sure to check out “Cooking for Couples” led by the parents of Eric Caparulo, the Director of the Upper School. ICE also hosts private parties and special events.
For further information check the ICE website at www.iceculinary.com.
November 01, 2005
Giant Stepping Out: Sumo National Tournament
Thirty-one Upper School students traveled to New York City for the first Stepping Out event of the year: A sumo wrestling tournament at Madison Square Garden.
The Upper School's first official Stepping Out event for the school year was a giant success. Thirty-one students -- our largest group ever -- experienced their first exposure to a Sumo wrestling event. This touring national tournament pits novice sumo wrestlers from around the world against each other in a round robin tournament. Craig School students cheered loud for the American sumo wrestlers, but it was Japan vs. the Netherlands in the final match.
