News & Updates
Posted 07/05/19: Fourth of July Weekend Trivia Quiz
Happy Fourth of July Weekend from the Townsend Harris PTA! Knowing our children, they will probably know the answers to most of the questions on an Independence Day trivia quiz courtesy of the Council on Foreign Relations. See how well you do by clicking here or the image below. Good luck!
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Posted 07/01/19: Half-Day Fridays at Townsend Harris
Here's another reason why our students love Townsend Harris – Fridays are half-days! So they will have extra time to study, relax, explore other academic and personal interests, or do a combination of all three. (After all, the school's mission is "to foster a love of learning, to instill the habit of inquiry, and to promote an awareness of beauty in nature and in the arts.") See the diagram below for more details.
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Posted 06/23/19: Photos from 2019 Annual End-of-Year Celebration
On June 13, 2018, the Townsend Harris High School PTA held its annual End-of-Year Celebration at East Buffet & Restaurant in Flushing for its members along with the Townsend Harris administration, faculty, and staff. During the festivities, which attracted one of our largest crowds in recent memory, we:
- thanked our outgoing Executive Board members;
- welcomed the incoming Executive Board; and
- listened to remarks from Principal Brian Condon and other staff members.
We hope everyone can join us for next year's celebration!
See some photos from the event below. (Photographer credit: Frank Tsang)
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Posted 06/21/19: Happy first day of summer! What will our kids wear today?
Today is the first day of summer, and we're wondering what our children will wear. In case you didn't know, Townsend Harris has a dress code (see below), and it has been called everything from "sexist and discriminatory" (in the school's student-run newspaper) to "a component part of the culture" of our school (from our principal). But no matter how you see it, we can all agree that no one needs a sweater today.
DRESS CODE — Student dress is a matter of taste and judgment. However, students are reminded that school is preparation for the workplace and requires appropriate dress. To this end, we have attempted to simplify the school code regarding appropriate dress. Please follow these basic guidelines:
- No head covering is to be worn.
- Shoulders must be completely covered. Chest and back must be reasonably covered.
- Midriff must be covered.
- Shorts and skirts must be of a reasonable length (exceeds the wearer’s true arm length all around).
- Students must wear shoes, and the shoes must have backs. Flip-flops and beach shoes are not permitted.
- Pictures and statements on clothing must be appropriate.
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Posted 06/17/19: Monthly open mics for the creative soul
Every month, The Phoenix — the school's literary and arts journal — sponsors monthly Readings (known elsewhere as "open mics") where students read poetry, stage dramatic works, sing, and play instrumentals. Check out some highlights in the video above.
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Posted 06/16/19: Townsend Harris has a nice backyard
And it's called Queens College. (We are literally next-door neighbors.) Starting in their freshman year, our students get a separate Queens College ID card which allows them to use the facilities on this campus known as the "crown jewel" of the CUNY system. During their senior year, all Townsend Harris students — as part of what is known as the Bridge Program — take two courses at Queens College in the fall semester, and another two courses in the spring semester. To see the 2019 Bridge Year Handbook, click here. (It's a PDF document.)
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Posted 06/14/19: Today is Flag Day
The Red-White-and-Blue flies proudly in front of Townsend Harris High School.
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Posted 06/12/19: 2019 Annual End-of-Year Celebration
Just a reminder that the PTA is hosting its annual End-of-Year celebration tomorrow evening. You will find more details and sign-up information below.
DATE:
Thursday, June 13, 2019
START TIME:
6:00 pm
LOCATION:
East Buffet & Restaurant
42-07 Main St.
Flushing, NY 11355
FOR VALET PARKING:
- As you travel north on Main St, go slowly past the restaurant (which will be on your right).
- At the very first light, make a right turn onto Maple Ave.
- After the turn, you will see a parking lot on your immediate right.
RSVP DEADLINE:
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
RSVP link:
Fill out this online form.
DATE:
Thursday, June 13, 2019
START TIME:
6:00 pm
LOCATION:
East Buffet & Restaurant
42-07 Main St.
Flushing, NY 11355
FOR VALET PARKING:
- As you travel north on Main St, go slowly past the restaurant (which will be on your right).
- At the very first light, make a right turn onto Maple Ave.
- After the turn, you will see a parking lot on your immediate right.
RSVP DEADLINE:
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
RSVP link:
Fill out this online form.
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Posted 06/11/19: Handouts from June 2019 new student orientation
Posted 06/11/19: Summary of June 2019 new student orientation
Parents, did you miss new student orientation on June 6, 2019? (This is for students entering as freshmen or sophomores in September 2019.) We attached the handouts distributed on that day. Click on the post above this post — just scroll up a little more.
And here is a summary of what happened that day:
(1) Our incoming students went into the gym and had some icebreakers to get to know each other. They included:
And here is a summary of what happened that day:
(1) Our incoming students went into the gym and had some icebreakers to get to know each other. They included:
- Do you prefer vanilla or chocolate?
- Do you like Marvel or DC?
- Do you have Samsung or Apple?
- Do you like pancakes or waffles?
(2) The teachers in the gym collected the medical, academic and biographical information, and consent forms from the students. Parents who had these forms gave them to a representative at the PTA table who then delivered the forms to the guidance office.
(3) After the gym, they went to the cafeteria where several clubs had set up tables to give out information.
(4) Our students then went to the library where they:
(3) After the gym, they went to the cafeteria where several clubs had set up tables to give out information.
(4) Our students then went to the library where they:
- activated their Townsend Harris email accounts;
- took their ID photos (which will be given out at the beginning of the 2019 fall semester);
- spoke with representatives of various sports teams (yes, this took place in the library); and
- ordered their Townsend Harris tee-shirts.
(5) Afterwards, students interested in joining the orchestra and other instrumental groups had their auditions.
(6) For the over 200 parents who came to the orientation, they:
(6) For the over 200 parents who came to the orientation, they:
- sat in the auditorium while our intrepid Parent-Teacher Coordinator, Dafne Manhart, answered questions about Townsend Harris; or
- went to the lobby of the building to check their emails and take care of personal business. (No shame in that because life goes on!)
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Posted 04/20/19: Townsend Harris: The top-ranked high school in New York in 2019
In case you didn't get the memo, Townsend Harris is the best public high school in the state, according to the 2019 rankings by U.S. News & World Report. And of the over 26,000 high schools in America, Townsend Harris is ranked #11. Click on the image above or this link to see the full rankings.
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Posted 01/01/19: Kweller Prep SAT-ACT summer 2019 classes
Kweller Prep is a proud supporter of the Townsend Harris PTA. Please see the schedule below of their summer SAT-ACT classes! Also, visit their homepage to see the full schedule of prep services.
Please check what our sponsor Kweller Prep is offering for our students to prepare for the SAT and ACT.