Beach Channel High School
Encyclopedia
Beach Channel High School (BCHS) (also known as High School 410 or H.S. 410), is a high school
in the public school system of New York City
, is located at 100-00 Beach Channel Drive
in Rockaway Park
in the borough of Queens
(40°35′11"N 73°49′30"W). The school opened in 1973 and, as of 2006, has an enrollment of 2,175 students. The school was built on the edge of Jamaica Bay
and has a private dock. It offers a College Now program, which allows students to get college credit through programs at Rikers Island, Kingsborough Community College
and Southampton College
(part of Stony Brook University(SBU), while LaGuardia Community College
offers classes for reading skills improvement. A separate special education
school is located in one wing of the campus. The current principal is Dr. David Morris. In November, 2009, the New York City Department of Education
announced that the school may be closed in 2010 as a low-performing school.
Bernard Gassaway, principal from the late 1990s until 2002, is credited with improving the school over his tenure. He went on to become a superintendent of schools. In 2006, he published the book Reflections of an Urban High School Principal, Yo... about his experiences.
In September 2003, Barbara Pleener was installed as principal. Controversy in the form of alleged "threatening and insubordinate" comments on the part of a faculty member followed. In October 2003, allegations surfaced regarding alleged improprieties at Jamaica High School, where Pleener had been principal in 1999; she was never charged. Students and parents protested, and Pleener stepped down.
, Kingsborough Community College, Queens College, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Forest Park, Boys and Girls High School, Russo's on the Bay, Brooklyn College
, and Antun's. The marching band has performed at various Halloween, St. Patrick's, ethnic pride and Memorial Day parades in Manhattan and Queens and has performed Walt Disney World on two separate occasions. The band has also performed for many important political figures including Bill
and Hillary Clinton and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
who later went on to create The Magic Schoolbus series of children's books and television shows with Joanna Cole
. Renee Darvin later went on to serve as Director of Art for the New York City Board of Education
and to be a lecturer at the Teachers College
at Columbia University
. During their tenure at Beach Channel, the arts program offered a wide array of near-college-level courses including an after school life drawing program for advanced students.
In 2000, artist Julie Dermansky undertook a project for the Department of Cultural Affairs for New York City and decorated the fencing and floors of the day care center with works entitled Ocean Fence and Ocean Floor.
Beach Channel High School has the only Crew (rowing) team in New York City. Christian Horn is the current head coach of the team, having taken over following the retirement of William Stein, who started the team over two decades ago. In 1983, the boys varsity team participated in the Henley Regatta in Oxford, England, with only one 8-man boat and 8 oars. Today the team has multiple racing shells; including fours, eights, a two-man, and a single shell. Since the late 80's the team has been co-ed, made up of both boys and girls four(a both consisting of five individuals; a coxswain
, two "port" rowers, and two "starboard" rowers, and an eight(a coxswain, four "port" rowers, and four "starboard" rowers. Now the team has a wide array of racing shells. In 2004/2005 the team received a brand new Vespoli
8, two brand new Vespoli 4s and 16 brand new concept 2 oars. Also the Dolphins made history by defeating the #2 rated school Curtis in the PSAL Playoffs becoming the first to do so in PSAL history. Led by Coach Nazario the team hopes to make even bigger history by winning the championship.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in the public school system of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, is located at 100-00 Beach Channel Drive
Beach Channel Drive
Beach Channel Drive is the main thoroughfare in the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York City borough of Queens. It extends from the Nassau County border at Inwood westward to the Marine Parkway Bridge at the end of Jacob Riis Park...
in Rockaway Park
Rockaway Park, Queens
Rockaway Park is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. The area is on the Rockaway Peninsula, nestled between Jamaica Bay to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The neighborhood of Rockaway Beach lies on its eastern border while the community of Belle Harbor is situated...
in the borough of Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
(40°35′11"N 73°49′30"W). The school opened in 1973 and, as of 2006, has an enrollment of 2,175 students. The school was built on the edge of Jamaica Bay
Jamaica Bay
Jamaica Bay is located on the southwestern tip of Long Island in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, New York City, and the town of Hempstead, New York/hamlet of Inwood...
and has a private dock. It offers a College Now program, which allows students to get college credit through programs at Rikers Island, Kingsborough Community College
Kingsborough Community College
Kingsborough Community College , part of the City University of New York system, is the only community college in Brooklyn, New York. The campus is located at Manhattan Beach, which is at the eastern end of Coney Island. The 71-acre campus overlooks Sheepshead Bay, Jamaica Bay, and the Atlantic...
and Southampton College
Southampton College
Stony Brook Southampton is a campus location of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, located in Southampton, New York between the Shinnecock Indian Reservation and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on the eastern end of Long Island. The campus features an innovative curriculum devoted to...
(part of Stony Brook University(SBU), while LaGuardia Community College
LaGuardia Community College
LaGuardia Community College is a two-year community college located in the Hunter's Point section of Long Island City in the New York City borough of Queens, and is a component of the City University of New York. LaGuardia is named after former Congressman and New York mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia...
offers classes for reading skills improvement. A separate special education
Special education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
school is located in one wing of the campus. The current principal is Dr. David Morris. In November, 2009, the New York City Department of Education
New York City Department of Education
The New York City Department of Education is the branch of municipal government in New York City that manages the city's public school system. It is the largest school system in the United States, with over 1.1 million students taught in more than 1,700 separate schools...
announced that the school may be closed in 2010 as a low-performing school.
Principals
- Dr. David Morris (October 2003–present)
- Barbara Pleener (September 2003—October 2003)
- John Marcus, Acting Principal (February 2003–September 2003)
- Andrea Holt (September 2002–February 2003)
- Bernard Hopkins Gassaway (April 1997–June 2002)
- Sandra C. Hassan (February 1988-April 1997)
- Arthur Greenberg (September 1981-January 1987)
- Robert L. Rappaport (September 1973-June 1981)
Bernard Gassaway, principal from the late 1990s until 2002, is credited with improving the school over his tenure. He went on to become a superintendent of schools. In 2006, he published the book Reflections of an Urban High School Principal, Yo... about his experiences.
In September 2003, Barbara Pleener was installed as principal. Controversy in the form of alleged "threatening and insubordinate" comments on the part of a faculty member followed. In October 2003, allegations surfaced regarding alleged improprieties at Jamaica High School, where Pleener had been principal in 1999; she was never charged. Students and parents protested, and Pleener stepped down.
Economics
On November 11, 2006, BCHS's economics program received a "Blue Star" certification for the second year in a row for its financial literacy program, as 49 of the 50 students who particulated in the WISE Financial Literary Exam passed,; the school was one of only 45 schools receiving certification, from 139 that applied. The award, offered by the New York Financial Literacy Coalition, is a free program created to increase the number of high school students who are financially knowledgeable and literate.Music
The Beach Channel High School Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band continue to be a vital force in Southern Queens; the bands are currently under the directorship of Gerald Brazel. The concert band has performed at locations such as Lincoln Center for the Performing ArtsLincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of New York City's Upper West Side. Reynold Levy has been its president since 2002.-History and facilities:...
, Kingsborough Community College, Queens College, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Forest Park, Boys and Girls High School, Russo's on the Bay, Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New...
, and Antun's. The marching band has performed at various Halloween, St. Patrick's, ethnic pride and Memorial Day parades in Manhattan and Queens and has performed Walt Disney World on two separate occasions. The band has also performed for many important political figures including Bill
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and Hillary Clinton and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Arts
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Art Department under Renee Darvin attracted a talented and diverse number of art teachers, including Bruce DegenBruce Degen
Bruce Degen is a children's literature author and illustrator, with over forty books to his credit.He is probably best known as the illustrator of The Magic School Bus series of books, by Joanna Cole. He has collaborated with Nancy White Charstrom on the popular Jesse Bear books, and the...
who later went on to create The Magic Schoolbus series of children's books and television shows with Joanna Cole
Joanna Cole
Joanna Cole , is a United States author of children’s books. She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books...
. Renee Darvin later went on to serve as Director of Art for the New York City Board of Education
New York City Board of Education
The New York City Board of Education is the governing body of the New York City Department of Education. The members of the board are appointed by the mayor and by the five borough presidents.-Rise, fall and return of Mayoral Control:...
and to be a lecturer at the Teachers College
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University is a graduate school of education located in New York City, New York...
at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. During their tenure at Beach Channel, the arts program offered a wide array of near-college-level courses including an after school life drawing program for advanced students.
In 2000, artist Julie Dermansky undertook a project for the Department of Cultural Affairs for New York City and decorated the fencing and floors of the day care center with works entitled Ocean Fence and Ocean Floor.
Notable alumni
- Jay WalderJay WalderJay Walder is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York, the largest transit agency in the United States. The positions of chairman and CEO of the authority were recently merged...
- Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
. - Perry KivolowitzPerry KivolowitzPerry Kivolowitz is an American computer scientist and business person. In 1985, he co-founded Advanced Systems Design Group which built hardware for the Commodore Amiga. This company was renamed Elastic Reality, Inc. and became well known as a digital imaging software provider...
(Class of 1977) - Academy Award (SCITECH) winner, business person, teacher - Lauren VélezLauren VélezLauren Vélez is an American actress of Puerto Rican descent and the twin sister of actress Loraine Vélez. Her most notable roles are as María LaGuerta on Dexter, Detective Nina Moreno on Fox's New York Undercover, and Dr...
(Class of 1982) - Actress (currently playing Lt. María Laguerta from Dexter) - Jill EisenstadtJill EisenstadtJill Eisenstadt is an American novelist, screenwriter, teacher and freelance journalist.Eisenstadt was born in Queens, New York and attended Bennington College, graduating in 1985. She was considered part of the 'Literary Brat Pack' whose members included Bret Easton Ellis, Jay McInerney, and...
(Class of 1981) - Author
Sports
The school teams are named the "Dolphins," after the school's mascot.Beach Channel High School has the only Crew (rowing) team in New York City. Christian Horn is the current head coach of the team, having taken over following the retirement of William Stein, who started the team over two decades ago. In 1983, the boys varsity team participated in the Henley Regatta in Oxford, England, with only one 8-man boat and 8 oars. Today the team has multiple racing shells; including fours, eights, a two-man, and a single shell. Since the late 80's the team has been co-ed, made up of both boys and girls four(a both consisting of five individuals; a coxswain
Coxswain
The coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives us a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from cox, a coxboat or other small vessel kept aboard a ship, and swain, which can be rendered as boy, in authority. ...
, two "port" rowers, and two "starboard" rowers, and an eight(a coxswain, four "port" rowers, and four "starboard" rowers. Now the team has a wide array of racing shells. In 2004/2005 the team received a brand new Vespoli
Vespoli
Vespoli USA is a manufacturer of racing shells for rowing. It was founded by former Georgetown University rower, Olympian, and World Rowing Champion Mike Vespoli in 1980. It is located on the Quinnipiac River in New Haven, Connecticut, United States.-History:...
8, two brand new Vespoli 4s and 16 brand new concept 2 oars. Also the Dolphins made history by defeating the #2 rated school Curtis in the PSAL Playoffs becoming the first to do so in PSAL history. Led by Coach Nazario the team hopes to make even bigger history by winning the championship.