(Advertorial) Choosing a Catholic School? Consider Villa Maria Academy

What is the Villa Maria Academy? The Villa Maria Academy is a Catholic, private, independent, co-educational elementary school situated in the Country Club section of the Bronx. Owned and operated by the Congregation of Notre Dame (CND), the Villa strives to provide a liberating education that develops the full potential of students, supporting them in becoming responsible citizens of the world. Over the course of 129 years, the Villa has established a reputation for academic excellence, a robust faith life and a deep and abiding sense of family and community. The Villa has been an outstanding member of the academic

CONGRATULATIONS TO ACADEMY of Mount St. Ursula student Cinthia Ibarra (pictured), who heads to the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences on a full scholarship. The funds, estimated at $200,000, came from the QuestBridge College Match Scholarship program, which connects bright low-income students to America’s best universities. Cinthia was one of 51 students nationwide to be admitted as QuestBridge Scholars at U Penn. “Receiving the news that I was granted the scholarship just before Christmas was such a blessing to my family and I,” said Cinthia. Photo courtesy Academy of Mount St. Ursula

Music to PS 8’s Ears

By ADEDAMOLA AGBOOLA

Students at PS 8 on Briggs Avenue at Mosholu Parkway are currently enjoying a robust music education program, thanks to the elementary school’s new partnership with a non-profit organization that caters to schools lacking resources to provide school-wide music programs. Education Through Music (ETM), the non-profit partnering organization, worked with the school to eliminate the problem by providing funds and support to hire an additional music teacher who works part time in assisting Shoshana Kaye, the school’s full time music teacher. Kaye, an experienced music teacher and band director, recently worked at a high school in Harlem, but was excessed

By HAYDEE CAMACHO

DeWitt Clinton High School’s journalism teacher and her students criticized a recent New York Post story over an investigation of an alleged grade-fixing scheme involving their principal. Overwhelmingly, they support Principal Santiago Taveras and questioned the journalistic integrity of the story and daily newspaper. “In my mind it came out of the blue,” said Ann Neary, who has taught Advanced Placement literature, writing and journalism at the school for 11 years. She said she had not heard any rumors of improper grade changing. “An investigation does not imply that the charges are true,” said Neary. The New York City Department of Education

By JASMINE GOMEZ

New York City high school juniors will no longer have to trek it to another school’s campus on an early Saturday morning to take the SAT exam. As part of the College Access for All Initiative, a program designed to make the path to college easier for students of all backgrounds, the school calendar will now include an SAT school day. Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina announced the program at a College Application Week kickoff event at the High School of Fashion Industries. The new SAT School Day will allow high school students to take the SAT exam for free during the designated school day in the spring of

By MICHAEL BROWN JR.

Students at PS 94 Kings College School took part in the elementary school’s ninth annual spelling bee completely abuzz with support from proud parents, faculty, and community police officers. Nadia Sharia won the coveted first place prize after beating out second place finisher Brian Puma in the final round of the Oct. 21 competition, correctly spelling “absence.” Nadia is in the 4th grade and like a typical nine-year-old was nervous as she stood in front of the auditorium with a crowd of cheering supporters. But she certainly came to the spelling bee to win, studying with her sister every night

A touch of color has been added to one bland Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood. A mural depicting two trees, one in a day setting, and the other in an evening setting can be seen emblazoned at a step-street between Kingsbridge Terrace and Armand Place. The mural was the result of a collaboration between the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC), the Bon Secours Healthy Communities Initiative, and the New York City Department of Transportation. The mural by Spanish-born artist, Laura Alvarez, was painted by the KHCC summer camp and teen volunteers. The theme of the mural, “KHCC Grows,” is supposed to reflect the role KHCC

By DAVID CRUZ The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news you can use. We begin with some unexpected news: the resignation of Community Board 7’s District Manager. Read how Community Board members reacted to his resignation. Before we begin with the inside-the-cover stories, we want to remind parents that the Norwood News is accepting applications for a FREE, that’s right, FREE afterschool journalism program called Bronx Youth Heard. It’s a cool writing workshop that lasts through December, and it teaches the fundamental of journalism to Bronx high school students. Check out the link here: http://bit.ly/BYHFall2015. Now