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Great news From Bridgeport Public Schools
The mission of the Bridgeport Public Schools and its supporting community is to graduate all students "college ready" and
prepared to succeed in life.
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In Other Great News...The Greater Bridgeport
Latino Network (GBLN)
will hold a
College and Post Secondary Education Fair
TODAY
from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
at the University of Bridgeport John J. Cox Student Center,
located at 224 University Avenue.
Sallie Mae has donated two
$500 scholarships
for college expenses, which will be raffled off at the fair.
Students and parents will learn what
CT Colleges have to offer and where
to find money for college. Information about FAFSA, financial aid, student loans and scholarships aimed at minorities will be provided.
All in the Bridgeport community are invited to attend.
For more information, visit
www.gbln.net or call 203-371-6493.
Congratulations to the
Central High School students
selected to submit their artwork for the Scholastic Arts Award.
The following graduating seniors have been nominated by their art teachers:
Teacher: Fern Grama
Mercedes Espinoza
Joshua Paez
Michelle Huynh
Nhung Cam Le
Teacher: George Bella
Amanda Barnes
Nhung Cam Le
Milva Lopes
Blamyris Cardona
Teacher: Mark Alvarez
Rebecca Mylen
Nicole Vilanova
Teacher: Patty Church
Stephanie Beltran
Sergio Escobar
Edgar Cabrera
Teacher: Sam LaMonico
Ajin Yousif
Nydia Companiony
Emine Yildz
Morgan Hibbert
* Please Note: The Harding Girls' Volleyball team, coached by Jeanella Bentley, High Horizons Physical Education teacher and wife of Coach Charles Bentley, also participated with the Boys' Basketball team in RIF program at High Horizons.
The RIF event was featured in last Friday's Great News email.
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Marie Graf Named Teacher of the YearThe Bridgeport Board of Education congratulates to Marie Graf, first grade Hall School teacher, on her selection as the 2007-08 Teacher of the Year.
Graf was recommended by Hall School Principal Veronica Thomas. After applying for the award, she was selected by a committee as this year’s teacher of excellence. “The Teacher of the Year is always the epitome of qualities that our teachers hold,” said Kathy Sohacki, Teacher of the Year Program Coordinator. “Marie represents all the great teachers in Bridgeport. She is impassioned by her profession and is dedicated to children.”
While Graf has already received statewide recognition, an annual district-wide Teacher of the Year celebration will be held for all Bridgeport teachers and BPS community members at the City Hall Annex later this spring. Congratulations to Marie Graf for her great accomplishments as she continues to “Expect Great Things” in her classroom.
 Spotlight on Student Ambassadors
 High Horizons student Matthew Tolster,
Student Ambassador to Europe in 2006.
In harmony with Bridgeport Public Schools’ mission to “Expect Great Things,” Bridgeport students such as Matthew Tolster and Robert Rodriguez have had the opportunity to become student ambassadors through the national People to People Student Ambassador program. This program was created by President Eisenhower in 1956 as a way to foster peaceful relationships between countries. Students must be nominated to participate in the program. After being accepted, both Tolster and Rodriguez raised money to cover the cost of their trips.
Matthew Tolster, a current seventh grader at High Horizons Magnet School, traveled throughout Europe as a student ambassador in July 2006. He was nominated for the position by fifth grade teacher David Hennessey for his hard work and good grades. Throughout his 20 day trip, which was given the theme “A Trip through European Culture,” Matthew visited England, Ireland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Whales.
“I became independent on this trip. It was the first time away from my parents,” he said. Roberta Tolster, Matthew’s mother and High Horizons’ kindergarten paraprofessional, agrees. “He came home a more mature, independent person,” she said. “It built him up in many different ways.
While he enjoyed the entire trip, Matthew’s favorite country was Ireland. “The best part was living for three days at Sunfort Farms, Ireland. I learned about Irish culture, made bread and butter, and learned all about their sports and what they do for fun. I was immersed in the culture,” he explained.
Matthew’s experience as a student ambassador also helped shape his career goals. “I noticed how many successful people overseas worked in the stock market. Now I want to work in the financial world,” he said.
Robert, a current senior at Bassick High School, traveled to Japan this past summer. He was nominated by a fellow student he met at the SUCCESS Program held at Sacred Heart University three summers ago. The student told Robert about the project and explained that one has to be nominated in order to be accepted. After discovering Robert’s desire to become an ambassador, the student decided to nominate Robert himself.
Robert visited the cities of Tokyo, Hakone, Gifo, Hiroshima, and Kyoto. He learned about Japanese government from local government staff, enjoyed a scenic drive to Mt. Fuji, visited historical sites, toured Buddhist and Shinto shrines and temples, and spent a weekend with a family in Hiroshima. Robert also reflected on the devastation of Hiroshima during WWII as he visited Peace Memorial Park and saw the effect of the atomic bomb and how the city was rebuilt.
“My trip was a once in a lifetime experience,” Robert said. “I think the best time I had was staying with the Japanese family and observing the Japanese lifestyle. The worst part was the long flight there and back.”
To learn more about the People to People Ambassador Program or to nominate a student, please visit http://www.studentambassadors.org/tw_history.asp.
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