The International Insider » fire

Swing, Batter Batter, SWING!

Rosa Carucci — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:31:32 +0000

The CSI/McCown varsity softball season has officially ended and just like the bases, the girls were loaded with excitement.

Despite the 14-1 losing streak during the ‘08 softball season, the girls worked hard this season to show what they are really made of.

“I feel we have a strong young team, and we play more experienced teams, but we came together and became closer than friends, which helps make a stronger team,” said freshmen outfielder Jamie Lepard.

With impeccable comradery, the girls have made an enormous comeback this year. Heading into the playoffs, the Dragons were tied for 4th place, out of eight Staten Island public schools, with nine wins and eight losses .

On April 27th, the Dragons put up a fight against the Tottenville Pirates.

Although the Pirates scored two runs in the first inning, the Dragons didn’t give up. Antoinette Galbo ripped an RBI triple in the third inning to get the girls on the move for an 8-2 trail after Tottenville. Although Galbo’s hit got the girls going, they lost 18-2.

With a loss on their shoulders the Dragons still gave it their all in their next game against MSIT.

Third basemen, junior Briana Kohm hit a blast over the left field fence for a three run homer. Unfortunately, the girls still walked away with a loss. But the girls didn’t stop there.

The Dragons gave Tottenville another run for their money. However, this plan back fired when the girls h a experineced a tragic loss with a score of 9-0 in their second game against Tottenville.

“Not that the team is lacking in either, but defense is always the struggle because I believe defense is the most important part of the game. Defense wins games. When your opponent can’t score, you can’t lose. We will face a variety of good pitchers, and I believe our offense will score runs, but the challenge, I believe, is always making the right plays and shutting down the other Staten Island teams,” stated coach Rosario Miano.

After hitting a little speed bump in their defense, the girls put on their game faces in their game against Petrides on May 5th. The Dragons exhaled fire for an outstanding victory over the Panthers, 20-0.

“This entire year has been such huge improvement, and our team spirit is so strong, especially since we’re looking at a spot in the playoffs.

The 20-0 victory over Petrides is just one game, but it shows how powerful we can be in the field and on the bench supporting each other and working towards our goals,” explained Captain Kristina Sanzone.

After several rainy days, the girls were back in action on May 8th against New Dorp. New Dorp scored three runs in the first inning. Although there were still 6 innings left, that’s all New Dorp Needed. The Dragons lost 3-1.

Picking themselves up from another downfall, the girls walked away with stunning victories their next two games against Petrides 18-6 and New Utrecht 20-16.

Next, two more losses against Port Richmond, and it was time for the biggest game of the season, the game that would determine the future of the team.

After all the anticipation, it seemed that Captain Sazone knew what her team was capable of doing.

Scoring an amazing nine runs, the girls went on to defeat Curtis 12-11 and advance into the playoffs, their first ever.

“I believe the difference in any game, especially when we play these tough Staten Island teams is making plays. The teams that win this time of the year are the teams that believe they can make plays, and then get on the field and get it done. I believe that we’ll make those plays,” continued Mr. Miano.

On May 28th, the Dragons versed Stuyvesant High School in their first ‘09 playoff game.

The girls started off with a fantastic lead in the first inning, scoring 2 runs against Stuyvesant. The mood in the air was intense, as the girls didn’t allow Stuyvesant to score a run until the third inning.

Putting the ball to the barrel, short stop Antoinette Galbo, captain and pitcher Corinne Fairlie and third baseman Briana Kohm all hit triples, giving the Dragons an astonishing victory with a score of 10-5.

In the second round of playoffs, the Dragons made their way to Brooklyn to play James Madison High School.

Holding the second seeded team until the fifth inning 0-0, the game ended with a 11-0 win for Madison.

Although the girls lost, they made hitory by being the first CSI/McCown team to make it to playoffs

Hopefully next season, the team will take the title as New York City Champions.

The Dragons continue to put their best claw forward in climbing the ladder to being one of the best teams on Staten Island.

Valentine’s Day Gone Global

Adetola Adeosun and Angela Salmos — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:14:13 +0000

In countries all over the world, Valentines Day is celebrated in many ways. Valentine’s Day is known as a day for love and friendship. We have adapted to the American way of celebrating this holiday, which is the typical purchasing of roses or chocolate for loved ones, spouses, or friends. Valentine’s Day is known to bring the out the good side in people, but is it the same internationally? Valentines Day, in Japan, is celebrated by having Japanese females, give Japanese males milk or dark chocolate. “They give chocolate to people they do like and don’t like,” said Japanese teacher Mrs. Higashide. In Japan Valentine’s day shows love to everyone. However, on March 14 also known as White Day, Japanese males give white chocolate to Japanese females, but have the luxury of actually choosing their own gift. Valentine’s Day in Japan honors both males and females.

According tohttp://www.novareinna.com, the custom on Valentines Day in Denmark isto be humorous and have fun. Danish men give females a valentine letter known as gaekkebrev (or “joking letter”) The sender of this gaekkebrev writes a poem but does not sign his/her name. Instead, he signs the message with dots, one dot for each letter in his name. If the lady who receives the card guesses the name of the sender, then she is rewarded with an Easter egg later on that year.

According to www.everythingvalentinesday.com, Scotland celebrates a Valentine’s Day festival. At the festival, an equal number of men and women’s write their made up names on paper and fold it half, and put them into two separate hats.The men choose from the women hat, and the women choose from the men’s hat. If the names that were drawn don’t match, then the male is matched with the woman who chose his name. The ladies pin the name of their partner over their heart or on their sleeves. Later, there’s a dance where everyone meets up and they celebrate with their partners.

In France , a custom known as “drawing for” once occurred because later on becomes banned. According to, http://www.novareinna.com unmarried individuals would go into houses facing each other and begin calling out across from one window to another, matching up with the chosen partner. If the young man failed to be interested with his valentine, he would leave her. Later, a bonfire will be lit where the ladies could burn images of the ungrateful partner and say bad things while the picture burns. This ritual was eventually banned by the French government because people would abuse one another. Today, the French exchange greeting cards known as cartes d’amities, which contain heartfelt messages.

In China, Valentine’s Day is celebrated somewhat like it is in the U.S. “Gentlemen purchase flowers for the ladies,” said Geometry teacher Ms. Anney Li. In Chinese high schools, flowers are sold and they are distributed to the classrooms, like we do at our school. Restaurants are definitely places that older couples go to, to eat on Valentine’s Day. Many different countries celebrate Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s going out to eat, celebrating a festival, or watching pictures of ungrateful men burn in fire, like in France. “I personally like Valentine’s day because I think it’s nice to feel special on that day, to know you are loved by someone else,” said junior Marisch Perera. Valentine’s Day should be celebrated with the ones you love, and in a unique way.

Journalists In Washington D.C. – Students go to the JEA Convention

Brenda Gonzalez and Sean Fisher — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:14:24 +0000

JEA Executive Director Linda Drake and
NSPA Executive Director Logan Aimone open The JEA Convention.
Fresh from a Journalism Convention, students have brought back new knowledge to our newsroom and soon to you. The new information and knowledge will bring our news publication, as well as our new online edition, to a greater and more professional publication.

As six journalism students attended a Journalism Education Association (JEA) sponsored conference in Washington D.C., they attended various seminars corresponding to their departments and their interests. The seminars, held by speakers and representatives from their respective fields in journalism, explained and aided the students in their quest for knowledge.

Multimedia Session

It seems that the biggest hype these days is the Internet. As the years go by, videos as well as podcasts and flash has become a large part of your experience online, including news reports as well as entertainment.

These forms of communication are known as multimedia. People can experience the news from an even greater, personal, and meaningful perspective.

For example, if you read a story about a person’s job dressing as a mascot on the side of a highway, a reader can get the general gist of the story. By utilizing multimedia, allows us to see the person, hear an interview with them and experience them at work.

Lit. Mag Session

Love our literary magazine? Dominate photos, art work, and captive headlines, the focus of “Expanding Literary Magazines” guarantees graphic success. Dominate photos and artwork, eye candy, tell stories without text. A photo should be a shared moment between reader and photographer, it should have Center Visual Impact, CVI.

Artwork too, is also essential to any magazine. It instantly grabs attention and admirers.

Headlines, visually designed, are the final key. A dominate photo captures a reader’s gaze, but a great headline pulls them futher in.

So, what about text? It’s least important. Literary magazines are all about the visual images that support the text.

Networking Session

Journalist or not, we’ve all been playing the game, the networking game. Greg Cooper, speaker at “The Importance of Networking” suggests we’ve been playing ever since we entered school.

In fifty minutes he outlined six steps for building networking: comprehension, contests, workshops, peer interaction, student publication and internships, but three are most useful. Most of us are stuck at step one, comprehension, with peer interaction and internships soon after.

Networking means asking questions and staying alert, in order to understand – or comprehend. Likewise peer interaction; hanging out with friends is key to networking.

Peer interaction involves approaching people and taking risks. Start by meeting twenty people, writing down their names, remembering their faces. Being around people is crucial to networking.

Internships, a third type of networking and the last of the six-step process, is required of all our students. Getting an internship involves both comprehension and peer interaction. Finding an internship all comes down to whom you know.

Now that you know the basics of the very basics, go play the game. There’s no way to lose.

Lead Session

Good reporters catch readers’ attention fast, or their articles are dead before they’ve begun. At “Inventive Ledes to Indulge Readers,” student reporters practiced packing information into quick, interesting sentences.

After bolded headlines, subheaders, photos and captions, an article’s fate rests in its first few lines. This lead, or “lede” in journalism jargon, can follow different forms. Some surefire Dos and Don’ts apply to all.

Seminar hosts read out scenarios and set the timer: ten minutes later, audience participants shares the ledes they’d written. Candy bars were awarded, critique offered, lessons learned. Journalists gained a crash course in those faux-pas that annoy, insult and bore readers – and learned to write what really matters.

Photography Session

Have you ever seen a photograph in National Geographic or Sports Illustrated and wondered how they captured it?

Breakfast with professional Mark Gail, and breakout sessions “Pictures Speak 1000 Words” and “Photo Phabulous” provided a plethora of possiblities for better photos.

To capture a great photo, a photographer needs to show up at least an hour ahead of time to find the right position. Where a photographer sets up can result in either a posed piece, or an emotional one that will sell the story.

Edmund Kwong, speaker for “Pictures Worth 1000 Words,” gave advice about angles and perspective and suggested that eye level photos don’t catch readers the way action photos do. He suggested a photo should always cause an emotional response.

In “Photo Phabulous” Kathy Harbiger and Amy Morgan taught patience is a virture. The best photos result from spending time with the subject. Watching movement and anticipating synchronizationas of dancers or football players takes time.

Great photos have viewers feel emotions and send a great message for one moment in time.

More Than Just Halloween Candy

Asha Gibbs — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:26:18 +0000

Halloween is the time of year when people bring out the jack o’lanterns, costumes, and most importantly candy. Whether a small child, a teenager or even an adult, Halloween is all about collecting candy.

According to neopagen.net, Halloween began as a Celtic celebration for the New Year on November 1st. The Celts believed the line between the living and the dead became unclear. In order to protect themselves from the mischief of the dead, they would dress up in costumes ad built bonfires. It wasn’t until much later when the tradition was brought to America.

Today, candy is a part of American culture and is still a treat that keeps us coming back for more. But where do you go for candy? Well what’s your craving? will help you find the top candy stores, whether it’s to stock up for trick or treaters or just to satisfy your sweet tooth.

From the moment you step inside, the sweet, rich smell of melting chocolate and the overwhelming sight of treats, you feel as though Phillip’s Candy Store is where you belong.

Phillip’s Candy was Store originally opened in Coney Island in the 1930’s by John Dorman. However due to expansion in the area, Dorman moved to Forest Avenue and from then on gained the fame Staten Islanders love today.

“There’s something for everyone, we make sure of that,” said owner, John Dorman.

Phillip’s offers a myriad of different homemade, yes homemade, sweets. With caramel and jelly coated apples, home-made chocolate, flavored popcorn and chocolate dipped strawberries and grapes, it’s enough to bring anyone back to their childhood.

“My mom and dad used to bring me to Phillip’s in Coney Island when I was a little girl, and I always got the jelly apples,” said Staten Island resident, Ramona Blake. “When I found out they reopened in Staten Island, I almost cried. I was so happy. Now I can bring my little girl.”

Phillip’s Candy Shop is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., from Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Can’t resist the sweet allure of Godiva Chocolate? If not, Classic Candies in the Staten Island Mall makes sure you give into your craving right away.

Originally called Candy Barn, Classic Candies specializes in all kinds of candies we all know and love.

“It’s really hard working here,” said employee Josephine. “But not because of all the hard work. We all eat the candy here, and it’s really hard to stop when you’re surrounded by so much temptation.”

Also because of the close proximity to the schools, students don’t hesitate to visit often.

Hot Topic Inside and Outside the Mall

Kimberly Holder — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:10:49 +0000

Firemen putting out a fire at theStaten Island Mall.

It was 4:27pm on a chilly Wednesday. Tons of students poured into the mall. The smell of the recently burnt trees, and the faint traces of smoke and ash flew in the door from the Macy’s parking lot. The mall was surprisingly vacant, but that could have been due to the day of the week. The escalator made faint creaking noises, and a mother with a toddler looked worriedly from the moving stairs, then to the elevator.

The air in Hot Topic was cold, courtesy of the air conditioning. Teenagers were milling about, with the occasional adult. A little girl with her mother was looking at hair dye in a clear glass case.

Adriana, the assistant manager, jingled her keys as she walked to open the dressing room door for two Catholic school girls. The one with pink hair started bouncing nervously with her future purchases in hand. Her friend walked around by the dressing room, holding up shirts and CDs for inspection.

Three girls walked past them, laughing loudly. One of their blue zebra backpacks swung back and forth, the keychain hitting the glass of the display that holds body jewelry. They went silent, and slowly backed away from the display.

“We get all kinds of people in here. Mostly girls come in for bows, or other accessories, and tu tus,” said Adriana. “Hot Topic is a pretty popular store among teenagers, and even adults. Because we’re known for our band tees, we get lots of punk kids in here.”

The store scene wasn’t that different from any other day. People were milling about everywhere, listening to the music while they browsed.

Laughter from the girl with the blue zebra backpack rang from the back of the store. To the left, the sound of hangers slid on metal bars, and friends held up shirts for inspection. A group of people walked past the door, their laughter and loud voices ringing in the air.

“Working here is fun. The people that come in are pretty chill, and we don’t have to wear stuffy suits or uniforms. We can wear whatever we want, and we get to have piercings or tattoos shown if we have them,” said Adriana.

Toward the front of the store, the girl with the striped zebra backpack and her two friends were looking at the wall of tutus.

“Oh my god, what is this?! Lady Gaga must’ve left it lying around here!” she yelled.

The fire outside couldn’t stop the search for the story inside.

Style, School, and FNO – Whats Not to Celebrate?

Marissa Mule — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:00:14 +0000

Fellow fashionistas, trends come and go, and style has transformed into one of the most serious influences in one’s daily life, especially with school starting up again.

It’s School Year’s Eve, the night before the first day of school, and students were asking, “What am I going to wear? What are my friends going to wear ? Am I going to be in style?”

The answer is yes, for today’s young, style-conscious fashion guru’s are creating fresh and exciting new looks, bringing juice into the fashion world.

Three words for you trend infested ladies; peace, love and neon. Those are the back-to-school buzzwords for generations both young and old.

This year’s back to school fashion has been influenced by the early 80’s. According to colleges.suite.101.com, in the early 80’s, the United States economy was coming out of a recession and people were still a bit nervous about spending money.

Like the 80’s, today’s economy limits buyers spending, leaving fashion lovers in dismay. Fortunately, black, metallics, grays, darker reds, blues, and leather became huge trends during the 80’s, leaving Disco and Fluffy Pop Rock behind. These metallic colors, dark reds, and leather jackets are the current trends for fall that have been riding on the one and only, fall Fashion Week 2009.

Unfortunately, it has been a trying year for the fashion industry, and according to blogs.telegraph.com, few words have been spared on the doom and gloom cast since the end of last year. With the economy in shambles, last years Fashion Week failed to captivate the attention of shoppers everywhere, even if the trends were on fire.

Fortunately, new times are upon us, leaving fashionistas everywhere to raise morale, push forward the fashion industry, and of course, rock the hottest styles of this year.

Layering is going to be one of the biggest hits of the fall. Girls can dress in layers during the school day to accommodate the change in temperature, and mix up outfits according to certain school, and out-of-school events.

However, a must-have for both girls and guys is a light leather jacket, cropped for girls and hip length for the guys.

Along with pushing forward the fashion industry and new trends throughout the first evening of New York Fashion Week, Fashion’s Night Out, (September 10- 12,) encompassed festivities galore, ranging from inventive window displays to model and celebrity appearances.

According to fashionsnightout.com, FNO is a global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion. Moreover, stores around all five boroughs were opened until 11 P.M at night.

“Fashion’s Night Out was really amazing, because it helped a great cause. When you bought the FNO tee-shirt, 40% of the total was given to the September 11 memorial,” said an unknown student.

In the United States, American Vogue has joined with NYC & Company, the City of New York, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America to enliven consumer spirit that helps the economy to process, and boosts the local industry of America’s fashion capital, New York City. According to fashionsnightout.com, next to finance, fashion is the second-largest sector of industry in New York City. Moreover, at City Hall’s May 20 press conference to announce Fashion’s Night Out, Vera Wang said, “To put it bluntly, if people don’t shop, people lose their jobs.”

Fortunately, for some, shopping is never a problem. FNO ended up being one of the most successful fashion events in history.

This year’s trends are likely to leave an imprint on history and help to make a huge statement for fall 2009 and the new school year.

So remember my fellow fashionistas, peace, love, and back to school.

Chocolate, Fun, Cultural Immersion

Ashley Aiden and Rob Keller — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:46:32 +0000

Brussels, Belgium, the headquarters of the European Union, and the European Parliament, was the first stop for our school’s exchange students on their one week trip to France. Brussels is also home to a diverse population to match—the city is officially bilingual with both Dutch and Flemish spoken.

Students visited Brussels’ Grand Place, the geographical center of the city and one of the finest squares in Europe. Surrounding the Grand Palace are buildings dating from the 1600s and wonderful, decorative flower markets and performances. The square actually holds a long and turbulent history. At one point, it was virtually destroyed by King Louis XIV of France, but faithfully rebuilt by the citizens of Brussels. Two museums are located in the square—the museum of the city of Brussels and a small brewing museum, where tourists can test samples of different beers.

“Brussels is a wonderful city. Many different cultures thrive here, and it is a very welcoming place. There are many attractions that hold special histories. It has proven worthy to be the capital of Europe,” said sophomore Paulina Plata.

Brussels is also popular for its maze of narrow streets, many containing some of Brussels’ best restaurants and shops. Students visited the modest symbol of Brussels—the Mannekin Pis. The Mannekin Pis is a small statue of a small boy in the act of urinating, symbolizing the legend that the boy was responsible for putting out a fire at the town hall in this manner.

Students also had the chance to purchase fine goods while in Brussels. Belgium is well known for its chocolate, waffles, and lace, and there are plenty of shops in the city specializing in those two luxuries.

“The Belgium Waffle was quite possibly the best waffle I ever had. The waffle was very fluffy, and the ice cream and chocolate syrup made an awesome combination. The ice cream was sweet, which made the overall taste better and the powder added a soft texture. I would definitely eat a Belgium waffle again!” said sophomore Adam Levine.

Belgium takes its reputation as a producer of excellent chocolate so seriously that in 2002 the Ministry of Economic Affairs created a measure of quality assurance, thus ensuring the continued excellence of the product. Although students only spent a day in Brussels, the thrills and memories of the city were confirmed to be one of the highlights of the trip. During the French Exchange, one of the most appreciated stops was Lille, France. Lille is the fourth largest city, in population in France. The city has recently transitioned from an industrial city to the financial center for northern France by adding a chic shopping center.

Today, Lille is a medley of Victorian and modern architecture. The district of Old Lille contains buildings dating back to the 1600s, with its narrow cobble stone streets. The modern Euralille district is centered around the city’s two railway stations and the Euralille shopping center. Lille is also an important crossroads between London, Paris, and Brussels.

Lille is best known for it’s variety of shopping districts. Old Lille contains numerous antique shops and art galleries. The city center’s pedestrian streets house department stores and trendy boutiques. The Euralille district houses on of the largest malls in Europe.

“Lille is the most important shopping center in Northern France. Around Christmas time, there is a beautiful outdoor market” said Gael DeLussaic of Carvin, France.

Lille is well worth a visit if you are in France. It is about an hour by train or three hours by car away from Paris.

“Welcome to Carvin, France!” were the greetings that students and chaperones received upon arrival at Lycee Diderot, our host school.

“I am so happy to see Megan again. I am eager to make this ten day exchange between our school and Lycee Diderot last as long as possible,” said senior Cristy Castillio.

Students went home with their host students, enthusiastic to learn about the culture of France during the days that lay ahead.

The days were filled with commentaries on historical France. The weekend was spent with host families and each student’s correspondent filled the evening with activities, such as laser tag and bowling.

One day out of the week students attended classes with their correspondents. Most students immediately recognized the difference of the school in France compared to New York.

The teachers at our host school gave lectures while students took notes. There was little to no interaction between students and their teachers. Seemingly, students appeared to focus only on studying what they were taught and passing exams.

On the second day of school, students were assigned to give presentations. Followed by the presentation were questions and discussions in regards to each power-point.

“I was a bit nervous while presenting because I didn’t want to speak too fast or too slow for the students. I wanted them to understand and enjoy the presentation,” said senior Gerald Lara.

At the end of the day, the students and staff at Lycee Diderot held a welcoming party. Students and teachers from our school were

welcomed by the Mayor of Carvin, host families, school staff and students, and local newspaper reporters. A poem was read in honor of Lycee Diderot’s first exchange. After, students received a binder and a shirt from the school.

“I am very proud because I am welcoming you all to this city. I am very happy that our students were able to go to New York City and share this opportunity,” said Mayor Kemel of Carvin.

On another day, a few students were asked to take part in a Q&A session in Mrs. Claudine Ballieul’s class during which, French students who were in their final year, asked questions to the American students. All the students in her class were twenty-one and had years of learning English.

“Students are here for a two-year course. After taking the exams, seniors have a choice to end after two years and get a job as a simple accountant or continue to attend universities in order to become a teacher or another profession.” said Mrs. Ballieul.

After conversing, Mrs Ballieul passed out our school newspaper. The different topics and issues that were published, as well as the primary sources reporters often secure impressed the students.

“In France, the French school newspaper covers only events that happen in school,” said one of her students.

The last day of France ended with tears and promises to revisit Carvin by our students and to revisit New York by the French.

“I hope that with internet we can do so many more things. I wish that one-day students from the Lycee Diderot could take part in an English exchange for up to three months at your school. That is something I see in the near future,” said Mayor Kemel.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Asha Gibbs and Marissa Mule — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:12:10 +0000

Of all the traditional Chinese festivals, the New Year is the most complex, luminous, and important holiday of the year. This is a time for the Chinese people to congratulate each other on having passed through another year and to welcome in the New Year.

Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions, and for visiting friends and relatives. This holiday, more than any other Chinese holiday, stresses the importance of true family bonds.

The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the lunar calendar. The corresponding date in the solar calendar varies from as early as January 21st to as late as February 19th.

According to c-c-c.org, the entire first week of the New Year is a time for socializing and amusement. At the celebration, there are numerous lion dances, acrobats, theatrical shows, and other diversions.

Firecrackers, which symbolize driving away evil spirits, are shot up the first two weeks of the New Year.

“For Chinese New Year, I eat dinner with my family. We also receive red pockets, which are enveloped filled with money from married people. I then watch fireworks,” said Wingsum Cheung.

On May 12th, our school held their first annual Chinese New Year Celebration. The celebration was organized and presented by Ms. Jiang and Trotters freshmen advisories.

“Usually, Chinese New Year is in January. But, because May is Asian Heritage month, we are going to celebrate the new year now. This is the first celebration where our school has recognized and celebrated the Asian culture. Hopefully, this celebration will strengthen what people know already and will open the eyes for those who don’t take the class,” said Chinese teacher and adviser Ms. Trotter.

The celebration took place in the school auditorium, after school at 5 P.M and ended around 7 P.M.

The Chinese New Year celebration proved to be a very successful event. Students were able to learn about, as well as take part in, various traditions that take place during the holiday.

“My family celebrates Chinese New Year by either going to my sisters house or staying at my house. Sometimes, we go to China Town on 8th avenue, and watch the parade. The parade is huge, and is blocked off for almost ten blocks. My traditional Chinese New Year celebration dinner is Chicken, Meat, Fish, Vegetables, and of course, sweets,” said math teacher Ms. Annie Li.

Wait! You’re on the Move, Again.

Trystan Gangi — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:20:47 +0000

Welcome to your new building, NewYork foundling. The New York Foundling, a foster facility on Staten Island, moved, into its newer and clearer building. Their old building was 100 years-old and considered a landmark, but falling apart, so it had to move. To the residents, another move is just the way of life.

They are used to going from home to home, place to place. Their new building was built inches away from their old one so that they can keep the same address.

The construction of their home started in December 2009

“It took so long to build because there were two different electric companies working on the wires and when they both met in parts of the building, it caused electrical problems,” said New York Foundling CEO, Pat Rossmey.

When it was completed, the kids packed their things and moved into Bailey Seton for what was supposed to be a two-week, temporary stay. This temporary stay lasted from two weeks to eight months.

“This is insane that the higher-ups tell us it will only be for two weeks and in the long run we stay in this run down hospital for eight months,” said Staff Worker, Rufus Hanes The Third.

In February 2010, they moved into their new building.

Yet, was it worth it? After living in the building for three weeks, nothing seems to be better than their old building. There is no T.V. installed yet, no computers, and two hundred and eighty-six windows, none of them open.

“I’ve never seen such a thing, who puts windows in a building, yet the person living there can’t open them. Its like a tease, staring at the outside world,” said resident Quran Beckwith.

But as for the new building itself, the only good thing about this building is that its cleaner.

If there is a fire blocking both the doors the people on that floor will be trapped. With windows, impossible to open, there are a few less fire exits. It’s ironic, considering that the organization that helped pay for the building are the fire houses on Staten Island.

The staff are trying to give the kids there the closest feeling to home they can receive. It doesn’t seem as if there are any positive changes in this new building.

“As long as I have somewhere to stay, clean clothes and three hot meals a day, I’m fine. I just hope I am able to leave here soon,” said Resident Jose Colon.

Financial Crisis – Two Effects on the Swiss Labor Force

WordPress — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Switzerland is a small, independent country in Central Europe. It isn’t an European Union- member, but it has bilateral contracts with the EU.

Switzerland has 7.7 million inhabitants and the proportion of foreigners is over 20%. It is one of the six wealthiest countries in the world and has a current gross domestic product of $ 58,084.

With less than 2% unemployment in Switzerland, the number of jobless individuals compared to other European is very low. Because Switzerland heavily depends on foreign trade, of which 10.7% is with the USA, we are also in an economic crisis.

The momentary worldwide economic crisis complicated circumstances for everyone. Many successful employers are in very difficult situations.

To keep the labor costs in an adequate frame, many taskmasters hark back on two reasonable solutions.

The first, which I consider the worst one, is the dismissal of staff.

This solution is a very efficient approach, because you immediately achieve a high reduction of cost. But there is a much bigger disadvantage; the know-how of your released worker will be irreplaceably lost.

The second option reflects a shorter work-time. It is a general solution of the problem, but it is typically Swiss, because Switzerland leads it the cleanest and above all very socially through.

The know-how of your workers will be obtained. You are not forced to fire the operators just because there is no money. Furthermore, at the end of an economical crisis you will be glad of the maintenance of your certain staff and their knowledge.

The following questions should provide information on the legal handling of the short-time work in Switzerland.

What does short-time work intend?

The main point is that the employer due to inevitable slumps of work must not release any persons from their jobs.

hen is an employer allowed to arrange short-time work?

Short-time work is for economical or weather-related reasons, during which he/she isn’t able to offer enough or any work. Usually, the employer has to inform the canton 10 days prior to starting short-time work.

ho is entitled to get compensation?

Actually everyone, who completed the obligatory school time, has the right to an exactly determined compensation.

hat is the compensation, and how long will it be aligned?

A short-time worker is entitled to 80 percent of his annual earnings. Normally the money is designed for a maximum of 12 months.

o whom is the compensation paid?

The money belongs to the employer. But he has to pay his workers. A waiting period falls at his expense.

How many working-hours must default, so that the rule for short-time work can be claimed?

Per calendar month, the rate of failed hours must represent at least 10% of the time which the employee would have to work for the company.

How long do you have to pay insurance premiums to obtain a compensation for your work?

The operator gets it from the first day he has to start short-time work, without regard to the duration of the contributions to unemployment insurance.

Can apprentices benefit from the short-time work?

No, they don’t. Apprentices should actually learn as much as possible during their apprenticeship! They are by no means affected by it. The full amount of the salary has to be paid in any case, even if the operation does not have enough work for the apprentices to do.

Finally, I hope that the financial problems all over the world ameliorate as soon as possible, so that the companies do not continue to fall back on these measures.

But several indicators suggest that the economic crisis, unfortunately, won’t come to an end very soon. All the more, short-time work should be introduced.