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Over 340 high school students attended six Summer Enrichment Academies at
Pine Bush High School in July 2011.
Students apply and self select the Academy they want to attend based on their
interest.
Students develop strong leadership skills through the rigorous and challenging
academy curriculum.
Students develop superior organizational skills and distributive leadership
through project based hands-on learning.
All academies have a culminating event, project or a production which builds
competencies in collaboration, cooperation, shared decision making and
teamwork.
Over a 3 year cycle more than half of our high school students attend at least one
or more academy.
Self sustaining – All monies are raised through strategic partnerships, grants, and
tuition.
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Reduced student disciplinary incidents from participants: 95%.
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Provides enrichment and remediation of concepts taught during the
school year
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Teaches leadership, citizenship, and team-building techniques
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Provides meaningful hands-on learning opportunities
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Connections to school and community
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Sense of accomplishment and pride upon completion
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Career exploration
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Positive publicity for school
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Academy graduates mentor elementary and middle school students
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Students can earn college credit at reduced rates
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Presidents, Captains, and leaders of Teams/Clubs
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Encourages community involvement
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An Elective Program
 It is primarily centered on Government, Economics and the Criminal
Justice System. The course allows students to learn content through
real life applications.
Time Frame
 The program runs 17 school days and provides approximately 108
hours of instruction. Upon successful completion students receive
credit in Government and Economics.
Teaching Staff
 The classes are taught by certified Social Studies teachers, Law
Enforcement officials, and U.S. Army NCO’s.
 Student Instructional Assistants are hired to provide support and
continuity.
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Daily Journal / Homework
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Tests / Quizzes
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Academy Paper (3 typed pages minimum)
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Stock Project and Corresponding Analysis
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Forensic Labs
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Midterm / Final Exam
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Public Speaking
July 2011
151 Students
July 2010
150 Students
July 2009
149 Students
July 2008
150 Students
July 2007
147 Students
July 2006
120 Students
July 2005
83 Students
July 2004
71 Students
July 2003
17 Students
 The Literacy and Education Academy is designed to expose students to the
field of education with a concentration on how diversity impacts teaching
and learning.
 The program runs 17 school days and provides approximately 108 hours of
instruction. Upon successful completion students receive one elective English
credit and three college credits from SUNY New Paltz.
 Students who successfully complete the Academy may take a second level of
the course the following summer, which focuses on field work for an
additional three college credits through SUNY New Paltz.
 Students study lesson planning, classroom management, learning modalities,
and a variety of instructional strategies.
 Students organize and present a community-wide “Diversity Fair” where
guests are encouraged to accept and appreciate diversity through fun
activities, games, and demonstrations.
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Book Group Presentations
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Diversity Fair Project
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Develop and Execute Elementary and High School Lessons
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Two Self Reflective Papers
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Required Readings
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Class Work/Quizzes
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Public Speaking
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Provide students with an opportunity to discover the delicate
balance that exists within the Adirondack ecosystem.
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Develop an understanding of the concepts of Ecology, the
influence that humans can have on the biosphere, and make
informed decisions about science and technology.
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Two weeks of intense field work in biology at SUNY Cortland
Outdoor Education Center on Raquette Lake. Students earn
one elective credit in Field Biology.
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PowerPoint Presentation
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Invasive species essay
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pH Lab
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Two separate experiments which included alternative energy
generation and passive solar house experiments.
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Students learn aviation fundamentals including: avionics,
ground school topics, introduction to small/large aircraft, glider
instruction and glider flight. Students also had the opportunity
to experience a C-5 simulator.
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108 hours of direct and hands on instruction divided between
Wurtsboro Airport and Stewart Air National Guard base.
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Students earn one elective math credit and we are currently
pursuing a college to partner with.
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Daily Journal / Homework
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Tests / Quizzes
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Daily Math Lessons
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Journal Entries
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Ground School
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Midterm / Final Exam
The Performing Arts Academy is in
collaboration with SUNY New Paltz.
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A three week 90 hour comprehensive experience in
musical production.
Including advertising, set construction, lighting, and
make-up.
Vocal and dance performances
The course culminates with a live “summer stock”
performance.
Students earn one elective credit in music.
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Partnered with New York Institute of Technology and the College of
Osteopathic Medicine
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Two week program taught by NYIT Professionals
Students will learn about:
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Occupational Therapy
Nursing
EMT/CPR
Mental Health
Nutrition
Physical Therapy
Physicians Assistant
Osteopathic Medicine
SUNY New Paltz
United States Army
Air National Guard at Stewart Air Force Base
Local, County, State, and Federal Government Officials
Forestburgh Playhouse
Wurtsboro Airport
Crawford Police Department
New York City Police Department
Orange County Youth Bureau
Focus on Youth Initiative
United States Congressman Maurice Hinchey
Assistant Secretary of Education Dr. Thelma Melendez
New York State Senator William Larkin
New York State Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun
SUNY New Paltz Dean for the School of Education Dr. Bob Michael
FBI Senior Supervisory Agent James Gagliano
PGA Marketing Director Sandy Diamond
Orange County Chamber of Commerce Director Dr. John D’Ambrosio
Bronx County Assistant District Attorney Jeannette Rucker
Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois
US Army General Thomas Bostic
US Army Colonel Sullivan Kenneth
New York State Homeland Security Director Major Cooney
Orange County Executive Edward Diana
Congressman Maurice Hinchey and Assistant
Secretary of Education Thelma Melendez
observed the academy program on July 11, 2011
 According to Melendez “The Pine Bush High
School Academy Program is in the top 5% of
programs that I have evaluated nationwide.”
 Presented at the US Dept of Education on
August 22, 2011 at the request of Assistant
Secretary Melendez
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Mission:
 An adventure-based learning experience that focuses on
leadership and provides academic enrichment through core
curriculum integration.
 Rationale:
 Close achievement gap caused by summer slide;
collaborate with community organizations; engage
students in 21st century learning activities.
 Design:
 Four weeks/96 hours; offered to incoming 7th, 8th and 9th
graders; Mon-Thurs 8:00am-2:00pm; 2 Instructors and 2
Instructor’s Aides
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ELA
 Journal writing
 Creative writing
 Reading literature on
leadership/survival
skills
Social Studies
 History of Delaware
River
 Local geography
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Science
 Water studies
 Climate/Habitat
 Delaware River studies
Instructional Technology
 PowerPoint presentation
 Digital cameras
 GPS units/Geocaching
PE/Health
 Refer to Activities
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YMCA
Outdoor education
Survival strategies
Challenge courses
Cooperative games/
team-building
MISN Workshops
Low/High Ropes
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7 Habits of Highly
Effective Teens
Hiking
Map & Compass
Orienteering
Canoe/kayaking
Leadership skills
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Orange County Youth Bureau
New York YMCA Camp
National Park Service
US Forest Service
Maternal Infant Services Network
Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson
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Journal writing
Daily tasks/challenges/projects
Participation
Quizzes/Tests
Final project
 Culminating Group Activity
 PowerPoint/multimedia presentation
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Local community colleges have geographic
right of first refusal
Reduction of student tuition rates
Preferential acceptance into colleges
Money and supplies
Professional development during the year
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Local Youth Bureaus
Local, state, and federal officials: member items
Military
Local Businesses
Grants
donorschoose.org
Colleges and Universities
Student fees
Title money
District funding
Aaron Hopmayer, Principal
(845) 744-2031 Ext. 3601
ahopmayer@pinebushschools.org
Brian Lynn, Assistant Principal
(845) 744-2031 Ext. 3602
blynn@pinebushschools.org
Brett Cancredi, Assistant Principal
(845) 858-3100 Ext. 12520
bcancredi@pjschools.org