The Yellow Sheet

Black History Month

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Children's Dental Health Month

Respect For All Week -- NYCPS Anti-Bullying Campaign

7 FEB, FRI

11am – 12:30pm Coffee & Donuts with Our Parent Coordinator; Little Flower Theater

4 – 7pm Senior Art Show #1

6:30 – 9:30pm Rising Stars; Concert Hall

8 FEB, SAT

2 – 5pm Rising Stars; Concert Hall

6:30 – 9:30pm Rising Stars, Concert Hall

9 FEB, SUN

2 – 5pm Rising Stars; Concert Hall

Respect For All Week

10 FEB, MON

The Respectful Dating Game: Respect For All Lunch Activity (5th Floor Cafeteria)

11 FEB, TUE

3:35 – 5:00 PAL-entines Day Dance: Respect For All Activity (5th Floor Cafeteria)

4:30 – 6pm SLT Meeting

12 FEB, WED

Wellness Wednesday: Respect For All Lunch Activity (5th Floor Cafeteria)

4:00pm. Deadline to Purchase Valentine's Day Singing Messages

6:30 – 8:30pm PA General Meeting (Remote)

13 FEB, THU

Go Orange! Respect For All Activity

11:59pm Deadline to Submit ARISTA/NHS Application

14 FEB, FRI

No One Eats Alone: Respect For All Lunch Activity (5th Floor Cafeteria)

15 FEB, SAT

Building Closed/Midwinter Recess Begins (Schools Closed)

24 FEB, MON

School Resumes

View the Complete Public Facing Calendar

Dear LaGuardia Community,

As we celebrate Black History Month, LaGuardia High School proudly recognizes the profound impact of our Black alumni who have shaped the landscape of American arts and entertainment. The halls of LaGuardia, The High School of Music & Art, and the School of Performing Arts, have nurtured extraordinary talents who went on to become pioneering forces in their fields.

We celebrate distinguished alumni like Diahann Carroll (M&A '53), who broke barriers as the first Black woman to win a Tony Award for Best Actress and star in her own television series; Omar Epps (LaG '90), whose powerful performances have enriched both television and film; and Wesley Snipes (PA '79), who has been an important figure in American cinema. Our school has also produced remarkable artists like Marcus Miller (M&A '76), whose innovative bass playing has influenced generations of musicians, and Nicki Minaj (LaG '00), who has become one of the most influential figures in contemporary music.

The achievements of alumni like Desmond Richardson (LaG '86), co-founder of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Arthur Mitchell (PA '52), the first African American principal dancer with New York City Ballet and founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem, exemplify our school's legacy of excellence in dance.

Their accomplishments remind us that artistic expression is a powerful vehicle for social change and cultural understanding. We remain committed to nurturing the next generation of artists who will continue this proud tradition of excellence and innovation.

Sincerely,

Principal Marwah

Is your child bringing a knife to school?

Families face many challenges. One challenge our youngsters are facing is how to bring their lunch to school and cut it. Examples include apples, pieces of meat, bread, etc. At home the answer is simple: use a knife. In NYCPS, any knife is a serious violation. Please give guidance to your child on how to approach this situation.

The recommendation: pre-cut lunch items at home. Then a knife is not necessary.

Bringing a knife to school -- even a table knife -- is a serious infraction that the school must act upon.

The Fine Arts Studio Newsletter

Inside this edition you will find… Senior Show Information; Young Arts Winners Interviews; Classroom Spotlights; Alumni Feature; …and much more! See the January Edition of the Art Studio News N Notes!

Notes from Thursday's Evacuation

Yesterday's evacuation went smoothly and quickly. Students and staff were paying attention and able to adjust to the situation while evacuating. There are a few notes from yesterday's building evacuation:

• When you see the evacuation strobe lights and/or hear the alarm, it is real, and you are to evacuate. (There are no 'false alarms' or 'just kidding', go back to class.)
• Any time 2300 people evacuate the building at the same time can be a safety situation. Please be careful and give it your full attention.
• If you are texting/phoning your parents or friends during an evacuation, you are putting everyone -- and yourself -- at risk. (Parents, please reinforce that your child should not be on their phone.)
• If you are at school and the building evacuates, you must follow our safety procedures and follow instructions. (This prevents a situation where NYFD is entering the building and students are standing on the stairs or buying coffee from a vendor.)

Building Closed for Winter Recess

• LaGuardia will be closed during Winter Recess.
  
• Students should remember to begin taking home everything they will need during the break (and not wait until the last minute.)
  
• Throw away all food items that may spoil and all trash that has accumulated since the last vacation.
  

Join a math study pod HERE!

WHO & WHAT: Seeking groups of 3-5 students who want to collaborate as a supportive team to strengthen their math skills this Spring semester.

ALL MATH STUDENTS WELCOME

WHEN & WHERE: Study pods will coordinate their own meeting times and will determine whether to meet in person or via Zoom, ensuring all details are arranged in advance. It is recommended that students meet at least 1-2x per week as needed. Communication is key to any successful collaboration!

What should students in each Pod do?

• Make sure everyone understands the homework/practice
• Compare and discuss problems on homework/practice
• Study for exams together
• Review past work to identify common errors
• Use help resources to practice problems of varying complexity as a part of your regular weekly practice

Not all matches are made in heaven. If you are not getting what you need from your study pod send me an email.

Other Details

Students already in a peer tutoring situation can sign up to add 1-2 students to their partnership or can join a study pod in addition to peer tutoring. Ideally, all pods will be assigned a pod leader. However, a group does not need a pod leader to be successful. The leader will help facilitate sessions, tutor when needed and take care of any communication aspects. Feel free to reassign roles as needed to allow for group flexibility. Pod leaders should ideally have an 85+ average in the course. Students interested in joining a pod or becoming a pod leader should fill out and submit this form HERE. Availability of meeting times and the identity of your math teacher will be the primary factors in determining which pod you are placed.

Why you should be a Pod Leader:

1. This is a chance to hone your leadership skills. You are already a great leader or someone who is willing to step up to the plate when the task demands it.
   
2. It will look great on your college application that you helped tutor and facilitate a study group of students during your high school career. You will also earn community service hours.
   

Why you should join a Study Pod:

1. You will likely score higher on math exams by always practicing your skills. Your science grades are likely to improve too since there's so much math in science :)
   
2. You will reduce your study time at home and have the opportunity to learn collaboratively with others.
   
3. You will be doing math more often, which increases your chances of achieving higher scores on national assessments, like the SAT.
   
4. You will have the opportunity to support a fellow LaGuardian in their journey to acquire the skills needed to achieve their mathematical aspirations.
   
5. You could make lifelong friends!
   
6. You have nothing to lose because if your group doesn't work out for any reason, we can find another Pod (or form one) that best suits your needs.
   

Questions?

Reach out to Trisha Bechard, AP of Math & Science

pbechard2@schools.nyc.gov

Happy Mathing!

Congratulations to the members of our Mock Trial Team, which won its match against the Clinton School last night at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. The competition is sponsored by the New York State Bar Association and the Justice Resource Center. Our talented attorneys-in-the-making will face the Hewitt School in the next round later this month. GO LAGUARDIA LEGAL EAGLES, err. Legal Lions!

LaGuardia ARISTA/National Honors Society (NHS) is a group of accomplished high school scholars who thrive academically and contribute to their communities. At LaGuardia High School, not only are we artists, but we are also great scholars and thrive in an academic environment. It is equally important for us to be in a community as engaged about our studies as our arts. LaG ARISTA/NHS is a place to celebrate your academic success, and also build and grow upon them.

Students must apply/reapply each semester. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 93 or above for three consecutive high school semesters to be considered for ARISTA/NHS. This means that Sophomores are now eligible to apply. Only returning Seniors are eligible to reapply. If you are a senior who has been in NHS before but not the Fall of 2024 semester, you will not be accepted.

Every aspiring NHS member MUST submit the general application form.

Deadline for application is Thursday, February 13, at 11:59 PM EST. Late applications will not be accepted. Applications must be filled out by the applicant themselves.

New Applications

New applicants MUST submit the General Application Form. You must also have one teacher recommendation submitted via Recommendation Form (in the General Application Form) that all teachers have access to. New applicants DO NOT submit tutoring or volunteer hours -- this is an ongoing requirement only after a student is accepted.

Returning Members

This year, RETURNING MEMBERS do NOT have to submit hours to reapply but MUST fill out the general application form.

Students must use their NON-LAGUARDIA email in order to fill out the general application form.

Here is the ARISTA/NHS application

If you have any questions, students should email aristalag@gmail.com or Ms. Altschul (raltschul@schools.nyc.gov)

The LaGuardia Show Choir offers Valentine's Day Singing Messages to students and staff. Messages will be delivered on Friday, February 14, Periods 4 - 8. Each message is $5.00 (plus convenience fee) and can be ordered by students, staff, or family members. The deadline to order is Wednesday, February 12, at 4:00 PM. View Valentine's Day Singing Messages Order Form

For Black History Month, students select and create brief biographies showcasing a variety of important Black individuals. Below is a sampling of the Morning Announcements.

Mary McLeod Bethune was born on July 10, 1875 in South Carolina. She was an educator, philanthropist, activist and humanitarian most known for founding the National Council of Negro Women in 1935. She also established a flagship journal “Aframerican Women’s Journal” and founded Bethune-Cookman University, a private school for African American students.

In 1932, McLeod worked on the presidential campaign for Franklin D. Roosevelt, and following his election, she gained the role of National Advisor. Alongside Roosevelt, McLeod established the Federal Council of Colored Affairs or the Black Cabinet. In response, Ebony magazine described her as the “First Lady of Negro America”, and a statue made of her in 1974 became known as the first monument in Washington D.C. to honor an African American woman.

We honor Charity Adams, the first Black female officer in the Women’s Army during World War II.

Adams was born in 1918, in Kittrell, North Carolina, and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina. Her parents believed strongly in education. She graduated valedictorian from Booker T. Washington High School and from Wilberforce University in Ohio, majoring in math and physics and was initiated into the Beta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. After graduation, she taught high school mathematics while studying part-time and receiving a Masters Degree in Psychology.

Adams enlisted in the U.S. Army's Women's Army Auxiliary Corps – or WAAC – in 1942. At the time, the U.S. Army was still segregated, so she was placed in a company with fellow female African-American women officers and stationed at Fort Des Moines.

She led the Six Triple Eight through the mission in Europe to get 17 million pieces of mail to the soldiers in 6 months. This task was completed in 90 days. By the end of the war Adams was the highest-ranking African-American woman in the army. At the conclusion of the war, when asked about her groundbreaking achievements, Adams responded simply: "I just wanted to do my job." After celebrating victory, she left the service in 1946 to continue her education. Actor Kerry Washington currently portrays Charity Adams in the Netflix movie, The Six Triple Eight.

We are honoring self-taught, New York-based artist and musician, Otis Houston Jr.

Houston was born in 1954 in Greenville, South Carolina, then moved to New York at the age of 15. He is known for his public installations and performances along the FDR Drive in Manhattan. Houston blends sculpture, painting, and spoken word to address themes of race, class, and personal history. He often uses found objects and handmade signs to engage passersby in thought-provoking conversations. His work has gained recognition in galleries and institutions, but much of his artistry remains rooted in the streets of New York.

Profiles of the artist and his art have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Hauser & Wirth’s Ursula magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The Art Newspaper, the Brooklyn Rail, ARTnews, Hyperallergic, and Contemporary Art Daily.

Houston's performances often include messages of empowerment and social justice, making his art both personal and political. While he creates outside the traditional art world, his influence has grown, earning him a devoted following. His presence along the FDR Drive challenges the boundaries of contemporary art and its accessibility. We encourage you to learn more about today Black History Month spotlight individual, Otis Houston.

Today for Black History Month we are honoring American lawyer, judge, educator, public official, and civil rights advocate, William Henry Hastie Jr.

Hastie was born in 1904, in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1925 he graduated from Amherst College in Massachusetts with a Bachelor’s degree. He subsequently taught for two years before entering Harvard University and graduated with his law degree. While teaching at Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C., Hastie also practiced law. He earned an advanced law degree from Harvard University in 1933.

Also in 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt named Hastie to work in the U.S. Department of the Interior. During his tenure, Hastie developed legislation for the U.S. Virgin Islands, an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Caribbean. In ‘37 Roosevelt appointed Hastie to the Federal District Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands, making him the first African American federal judge. He served for two years before resigning and becoming dean of the law school at Howard University.

In ‘46, President Harry S. Truman appointed Hastie the first Black Governor of the U.S. Virgin Island, a position held until 1949, when Truman nominated him to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He became Chief Judge of the court in 1968 and retired three years later. We encourage you to learn more about Black History Month Legend, William Henry Hastie Jr.

At Last, today for Black History Month we are honoring legendary singer, songwriter, and composer, Ella Fitzgerald.

Born in1917, in Virginia, Ella Fitzgerald is one of the most famous jazz singers in history. Growing up in a tough environment, facing challenges like poverty and the loss of her mother at a young age, Fitzgerald still held onto her love for music. Her career began in 1934, technically by accident. She had intended to go on stage and dance, but she was intimidated by a local dance duo called the Edwards Sisters and opted to sing instead. She went on to win the amateur singing contest at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

From there, Fitzgerald would continue singing at different venues. But it was her 1938 version of the nursery rhyme, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket", a song she co-wrote, that brought her public acclaim. "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" became a major hit on the radio and was also one of the biggest-selling records of the decade. Her smooth voice & incredible range earned her the nicknames "First Lady of Song”, “Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella".

Over her six-decade career, Fitzgerald became a legend in the music world, winning 13 Grammy Awards and selling millions of records. She worked with some of the greatest musicians of her time, including Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Despite facing racism and discrimination, Fitzgerald broke limits set for Black artists and left an unforgettable mark on jazz and popular music. Her talent and determination made her an icon and a role model for generations to come. We encourage you to learn more about Black History Month Legend, Ella Fitzgerald.

Each student in NYC public schools brings to our school community the richness of our city’s cultural diversity and the desire for respect. It is the policy of the New York City Department of Education to maintain a safe and supportive learning and educational environment that is free from sexual harassment committed by students against other students. Such harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated.

It is a violation of Chancellor’s A-831 Regulation and the Citywide Standards of Discipline and Intervention Measures for a student to harass another student through conduct or communication of a sexual nature, as defined below.

Students found guilty of violating this regulation will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with the Discipline Code and Chancellor’s Regulation A-443. (Sexual harassment of a student by an employee is prohibited, as set forth in Chancellor’s Regulation A-830.)

This policy is in effect on school grounds, school buses and at all school sponsored activities, programs and events.

A copy of Chancellor’s Regulations and the Discipline Code are available in the principal’s office and online at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/rules-for-students/discipline-code

Respect For Liaisons -- Your Point People to Report Student-to-Student Harassment or Sexual Harassment

Michelle Kingham

MKingha@schools.nyc.gov

(212) 496-0700. ext. 5229

Room 229 (Deans Office)

Kim Shern

KShern@schools.nyc.gov

(212) 496-0700. ext. 4229

Room 229 (Deans Office)

Justos Vogel

jvogel4@schools.nyc.gov

(212) 496-0700. ext. 3229

Room 229 (Deans Office)

LaGuardia’s Mock Trial team won in “court” last Tuesday against Clinton High School. Our attorneys-to-be are participating in the 2025 in the New York State High School Mock Trial Program, and strutted their stuff in a courtroom at Manhattan Criminal Court.

The case this year, Leyton Manns v. Sandy Townes, is a libel case, involving AI-generated materials allegedly produced by the defendant, a high school student, and posted on the Internet that defamed the plaintiff, the former superintendent of the school district.

Over 80 high schools in New York City are competing. Winners of the city tournament will go on to the statewide rounds, culminating in the finals before appellate judges in Albany.

The New York State High School Mock Trial Program is a joint venture of The New York Bar Foundation, the New York State Bar Association, and the Law, Youth and Citizenship Program. In this educational program, high school students gain first-hand knowledge of civil/criminal law and courtroom procedures.

Mr. Marc Sperber of our Social Studies Department is the team’s faculty advisor.

We have a new name for our team: LaGUARDIA’S LEGAL LIONS.

Congratulations to the Gymnastics team on winning this year’s City Championship! A huge thank you to the dedication of Captain Christian Henderson, Jey Gewirtz, Jordon Lindsay, Bryce Lorenzo, Law Watford, Sasha Ronjez, Tycho Eggers, Julien Sobezynski and Bruno Isenberg. They worked incredibly hard to maintain class grades, create memorable art, and attend practice to perfect their winning routines. It was a grueling and nerve wrecking season, but worth winning gold! Coach Gibson and LaGuardia are sooo proud of you. Congratulations, City Champs! Goooooo Lions!!

The Varsity Girls Basketball team finished off the season by defeating High School of Art and Design, 48-16. The team was led by Skyler Shih and the birthday girl, Jojo.

Now to the playoffs.

On Friday, February 7, we were welcomed into the building by Frank Raso, performing the “Friday Greeting” from Freitag.

History

Friday Greeting

The audience is greeted by 8-track electronic music in the lobby, which is lit solely by candles. The music is the first layer of the opera. Duration: 68.5 minutes

Friday Farewell

Duration: 78.5 minutes

The electronic music from the opera is played in the lobby as the audience exits the theater. The lobby is engulfed in a thick orange mist. The music fades out after the audience has left.

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE

Please note Summer Rising is for Grades K - 8. Information about Summer School programs to receive credit for classes that were failed will be made available at a later date.

Our RAPP Club is here to spread awareness about Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This month during Morning Announcements, RAPP Club brings healthy relationship tips every day.

Healthy Relationship Tip 1: It’s important to set boundaries. Boundaries are limits of what you are comfortable with. They prevent your feelings from getting hurt.

Healthy Relationship Tip 2: Communication is key. Not only do you have to express your wants and needs but you have to be willing to accept what your partner is saying to you as well. Communication is nothing without comprehension.

Healthy Relationship Tip 3: Be mindful of your language. The tone of your words affects your partner just as much as what you’re actually saying.

Healthy Relationship Tip 4: Honesty is the best policy. Make sure to be truthful to your partner, lies can build up and cause resentment and distrust.

Healthy Relationship Tip 5: Take accountability. Know how to apologize when you’re wrong and understand how you may have hurt your partner.

Thank you to Arianna, Chase, Jaylah, Matthew, and Maya, RAPP Counselor

Each Senior is responsible for contributing towards Senior Class Expenses. The total amount is called "Senior Dues". Senior Dues is made up of 3 general categories: Cap & Gown, Yearbook, and Graduation. Prom is a separate expense and payment. LaGuardia takes advantage of volume discounts and spreading expenses over the entire grade in order to have the cost of Senior Dues the lowest price possible. This is why students may not pick & choose which expenses they want to pay -- this would increase the price for everyone.

All Seniors need to pay for Senior Dues using the Class of '25 Senior Dues Payment Form, found using the School Store/Purchase Tickets tab on the school's website. This form is used for all Seniors. 1) for those who already paid Smooth Inc for their Cap & Gown and are ONLY paying for Yearbook/Graduation costs; and 2) for those paying for Cap & Gown and Yearbook/Graduation costs.

Cap & Gown ($49.50) - Many have already paid using the Smooth Sportswear website.

Yearbook & Graduation. ($212). All Seniors.

Class of '25 Senior Dues Payments Form

As a reminder, our website provider charges a Convenience Fee of 2.9% + $.30 per transaction.

Payment made be made with Cash or Money Orders at a specified time, to be announced.

Oral Health

Oral health — the health of your mouth — is an important part of good overall health and well-being.

Nationally, more than half of children ages 6 to 19 have experienced tooth decay. In NYC, more than one in three third-grade students have untreated tooth decay. About nine in 10 adults in the U.S. have experienced tooth decay and nearly half of adults have gum disease. In NYC, one in four adults ages 65 and older have no teeth.

By taking simple measures, most oral health problems can be prevented. Preventing oral health problems can reduce health care expenses.

Tips for Good Oral Health

You can prevent gum disease and tooth decay by following these tips:

• Brush your teeth twice a day. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride and a soft bristled toothbrush.
  • Watch: How to Brush Your Teeth


• Floss daily: The spaces between your teeth or under your gums can not be reached with a toothbrush. Learn the right way to floss.


• Eat healthy. Limit the number of snacks throughout the day and avoid sugary and starchy snacks.


• Drink tap water. The fluoride in New York City’s tap water helps prevent tooth decay.


• Avoid tobacco. Tobacco significantly increases your risk for gum disease and mouth and throat cancer.


• Limit alcohol. Heavy alcohol use increases the risk for mouth and throat cancer, especially when used in combination with tobacco.


• Visit the dentist. Regular dental visits (PDF) help to prevent oral diseases and catch problems early, when they are easier to treat.


• Ask about fluoride treatment. Speak to your dentist or doctor about topical fluoride, a coating that is painted on the teeth to prevent tooth decay.

Find a Dentist

The City offers several ways to find a dentist:

• Call 311 and ask for help finding a low-cost dentist.
• Find a low-cost dentist by borough:
• Bronx (PDF)
• Manhattan (PDF)
• Queens (PDF)
• Brooklyn (PDF)
• Staten Island (PDF)
• Find a low-cost dental provider near you on the NYC Health Map

Are you still thinking about traveling abroad this summer with CIEE (that’s the Council on International Educational Exchange)? If you have an incomplete application or even if you haven’t started one yet and are still interested in applying for one of their 70+ Summer Study Abroad programs, the deadline for scholarship applications has been extended to FEBRUARY 25! So yeah, it’s not too late to dream about month-long homestays in Barcelona or Paris for a full immersion language study; studying fashion in Milan, Anime and Manga in Tokyo, Drawing in Florence; and even Wildlife Conservation in Australia, to name just a few! For more information or if you need help in completing the application, visit CIEE.org or the World Language Department in Room 353.

Supporting your student’s success amid the pressures of sports, school, and everything in between can be challenging. Join Dr. Jonathan Fader, Director of MLB Players Association Mental Health; Gus Ornstein, Athletic Director at the Fieldston School; and our SportStrata team of performance coaches and mental health counselors for an engaging and educational discussion. This webinar is designed to help parents foster resilience, focus, and mental flexibility in their teens.


When: Monday, March 3, 2025, from 7:00–8:00 PM ET
Where: Live on Zoom

This session, tailored for parents of students in grades 8-12, will provide actionable insights to support your child’s well-being and performance across all areas of their life. It’s an evening you won’t want to miss!

Click here to register now.

If you have any follow up questions, please reach out to Sara Simon at sara.simon@unionsquarepractice.com

https://sportstrata.com/

About the program:

The Tap Dance Central Ensemble is the resident youth performing ensemble of TDC. These dynamic and talented dancers focus on learning classic and contemporary choreography with professional choreographers and work with master teachers in the field today. The ensemble performs in a range of NYC area venues including formal concerts, educational school & library shows and more. The ensembles are under the direction of Susan Hebach, and weekly faculty rehearsal leaders are Rachel Binney and Emma Butensky.

The ensemble is modeled after the Tap City Youth Ensemble (a project of the American Tap Dance Foundation, formerly directed by Susan) and carry forward some unique classic and contemporary repertory that was created within the ATDF. We look forward to developing new works and having new tap adventures that will contribute to a growing TDC original repertory as we move forward.

The deadline to submit SYEP applications is 02/28/25.

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest youth employment program, connecting NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer.

Through SYEP, participants can explore different interests and career pathways, develop productive workplace habits, and engage in learning experiences that strengthen their social, civic, and leadership skills.

By participating in structured project and work-based opportunities, NYC youth are better prepared for careers of the future.

All students ages 14–24 are invited to apply to participate in the 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which is now accepting applications for summer 2025 via the general lottery through February 28.