Student Corner

Bell Schedule

 
 
Bell Schedule 
 
 

Monday - Thursday

Friday

1. 8:10 – 8:55

1. 8:10 – 8:50

2. 8:55 – 9:45

2. 8:50 – 9:34

3. 9:45 – 10:35

3. 9:34 – 10:17

4. 10:35 – 11:24

4. 10:17 – 10:57

5. 11:24 – 12:13

5. 10:57 – 11:39

6. 12:13 – 1:02

6. 11:39 – 12:21

7. 1:02 – 1:51

7. 12:21 – 1:03

8. 1:51 – 2:40

8. 1:03 – 1:45
 
 
 

 

Summer Reading 2025

English Department

Summer Reading Assignment 2025

9th-10th Grade Task

Read and analyze the following literary works. Each literary work includes a direct link for the E-text.  For each literary piece, complete a minimum of 5 annotations per 50 pages. In other words, a 300 page book would include 30 annotations.  Annotations should be typed into a google doc. Expect to submit your annotations and complete a formal essay exam based on the Summer Reading within the first week of school. 

9th Grade:       Of Mice and Men-John Steinbeck 

      E-Text: Of Mice and Men E-Text 

             Their Eyes Were Watching God- Zora Neale Hurston

      E-Text: THEIR EYES WERE...CLICK HERE FOR E-TEXT    

 

10th Grade:          Animal Farm - George Orwell: E-text and Audiobook

          The Giver - Lois Lowry: E-text and Audiobook 

How to complete an annotation: Each annotation should include the direct line from the text and page # (rising 10th graders should apply MLA citation) and answer one of the following prompts…

  • A reaction to something you read
  • Question or wondering
  • A connection to the text (text-text, text-self, text-world) 
  • Analysis of a writing strategy (characterization, conflict, setting, symbolism, plot, foreshadowing, flashback, theme, etc.)
  • Analysis of an important scene that helps develop or advance the plot.

 

11th Grade Task

  1. For the Love of Facts
    1. Watch the videos in the TED Talks playlist and take notes on each in the provided note-catcher (please make your own copy of the doc). See the links for details.
  2. NY Times Argumentative Writing Prompts
    1. Choose one of the topics and respond to the accompanying prompts (listed at the end of each article in bullet points) in the provided note-catcher (please make your own copy of the doc). You may respond to each prompt individually or write a single response that addresses all of the prompts within it. Be sure to align your response to the rubric at the bottom of the note-catcher.

 

12th Grade Task

Write a well-developed vision statement that answers one of the following writing prompts. Complete a typed draft with proof of revision, and measure your work against this rubric. Your vision statement should be 500-600 words in length. It is imperative that you take this assignment seriously, as this is a required component of the college application process. 

The 2023-24 Common Application Essay Prompts are as follows:

  1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
  2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
  4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
  5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
  7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Refer to the following resources for guidance and inspiration:

Classroom Supply Wish List! 

We kindly ask for the following classroom materials (in order of importance) if you are able to bring any of them:

  • Tissues
  • Printer paper
  • Loose leaf paper
  • Clorox wipes
  • Hand sanitizer

McCown Clubs

Below is a list of the clubs running this year. 

Listen to the announcements for updates and check this page.  Email the teacher who runs the club for more information: 

  • American Sign Language Club - Ms. Devine
  • Anime Club - Ms. Zuritis
  • Art Portfolio Development Club - Mr. Ratel
  • A/V Squad - Ms. Sloan-Ward
  • Chess & Games Club - Mr. Sorochkin
  • Club 360 - Ms. Gonzalez
  • Creative Writing Club - Ms. Devine
  • Debate Club - Ms. Devine
  • EAT (Equality for All Teens) - Mr. Scarpa
  • Film Club - Mr. Feliciano
  • Girls Speak - Ms. Reingold
  • Girls Who Code - Mr. Miano
  • Guitar/Music Club - Mr. Rocco
  • Hispanic Heritage Club - Ms. Martinez
  • McCown Jewish Culture Club - Mr. Maniaci
  • McCown Muslim-and Arab-American Culture Club - Ms. Reingold
  • Mural Making Club - Mr. Ratel
  • National Honor Society (NHS) - Ms. Sloan-Ward
  • School Musical - Ms. Sloan-Ward & Mr. Scarpa
  • School Newspaper - Ms. Devine
  • Student Government - Mr. Feliciano

Guidance

Course grades are issued on the third report card of each semester (distributed in early February for Fall term and late June for Spring term) and reflect all exams, projects, homework, classwork, and other work for the entire semester (September through January for Fall term and February through June for Spring term).

90-100 Exceptional Performance
80-89 Above Average Performance
75 Average Performance
70 Below Average Performance
65 Minimum acceptable level of performance
55 Failure due only to non-achievement (eligible for credit recovery)
50 Failure due to non-achievement and poor work habits (not eligible for credit recovery)
40 Failure due to non-achievement and excessive absence (not eligible for credit recovery)

Crew Advisories & Physical Education Classes

P Credit
F No Credit

 

PSAL Sports

  

 

Check out the announcements on the homepage to see PSAL news.  

Mental Health Resources For Teens & Parents

Mental Health Resources For Teens & Parents 

Articles & Materials for Discussion

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide

Other Resources (Linked) 

 

Organizations & Outside Support

  • 24/7 Crisis Support:
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available in English and Spanish)
  • Dial 988 for immediate emotional support
  • RUMC Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP): 
  • 718)-818-6300
  • SI Jewish Board Children’s Mobile Crisis Team (CMCT):
    • 1-844-ONE-CALL (1-844-663-2255)

Free Therapy for NYC Students

  • Talkspace for Teens – Free online therapy for NYC DOE students
  • The Trevor Project
      •  Offers free phone, text and chat-based crisis interven-on for LGBTQ+ youth. Call 1-866-488-7386 | thetrevorproject.org
  • The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Teen & Young Adult HelpLine 
      • A peer run hotline with phone, text, and chat op-ons available for free, Monday through Friday 10am-10pm ET. Call 1-800-950-6264 | Text “friend” to 62640 | nami.org/TalkToUs
  • Crisis Text Line 
      • Offers free text-based crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text HOME to 741741 | crisistextline.org
  • Trans Lifeline’s Hotline 
  • A peer support phone service run by trans people for trans and questioning callers. Call if you need someone to talk to, even if you’re not in a crisis or you’re not sure you’re trans. Call 1-877-565-8860 | translifeline.org
  • Raises awareness about the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death and provides education and resources for anyone who supports them. Through the collective voice of our members and partners, we educate, advocate and raise awareness about childhood bereavement.

 

NEW Electronic Device Ban

STUDENTS AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

 

The state of NY has banned the use of personal electronic devices by students in school beginning the 2025-2026 school year.  

 

The NYC Department of Education recognizes that students may have personal electronic devices that can perform different functions. Such devices include “internet-enabled devices” defined as: any smartphone, tablet, smartwatch or other device capable of connecting to the Internet and enabling the user to access content on the Internet, including social media applications, but do not include any such device supplied by McCown for educational purposes.

 

Generally, McCown is not responsible for stolen, lost or damaged personal electronic devices brought to school.

 

Communication with Parents/Persons in Parental Relation

 

During the school day, to minimize distractions, parents, caregivers and guardians may contact their children via the following methods:

 

 

Students will be able to contact their parents, caregivers or guardians by requesting to go to the main office or 203 to make a phone call.  Encourage your child to memorize your phone number or have it with them to save time.  

 

McCown will notify parents in writing of the communication protocol at the beginning of each school year and in the case of new registrant students upon enrollment.

 

Device Access and Storage

 

As required by Education Law §2803, this policy prohibits student use of Internet-enabled devices during the school day (including all classes, Crew periods, lunch, and passing time) on school grounds (any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the boundary of a school or district facility), unless under an exception (e.g., IEP/Section 504 or as permitted below).

 

Students are required to turn off all devices and store all such devices (including headphones, earbuds, and smart watches) in their assigned hallway lockers for the entirety of the school day which is 8:10 AM to 2:40 PM including lunch, physical education, hall passing time.  

 

The school will also provide digital security storage pouches to students who repeatedly violate the school policy or who are found going to their lockers excessively throughout the day.  

 

Students who are required to use the pouches are expected to secure all of their devices in the digital security storage pouches prior to 1st period each day. The school will provide and have accessible magnetic devices and necessary equipment required to unlock the digital security pouches at dismissal time so that students can access and operate their devices upon dismissal from school.

 

In the event a student misplaces their digital security storage pouch, the cost for replacement of the pouch will be at the expense of the parent or caregiver. In extenuating circumstances, the principal of the school can arrange to utilize school funds to replace the pouch. Ex. Another student commits a disciplinary infraction and damages another student’s pouch or financial hardship.

 

Exceptions for Specific Purposes

 

Use of internet-enabled devices must be permitted where included in a student’s Individualized Education Program, Section 504 plan, or where required by law. Additionally, the district permits the use of internet-enabled devices in the event of an emergency, and under the following circumstances:

  • Where necessary to manage a student’s healthcare (e.g., diabetes, asthma,medication, etc.);
  • For translation services, and/or
  • For students who are routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member (on a case-by-case basis, upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor).

Parents may also request an exception for their children to use internet-enabled devices during the school day as listed above or for single time extenuating circumstances. All requests for an exemption to this policy must be made to the Principal, Ms. Tang. Requests may not be granted to students who abused the privilege previously.

Use of Internet Enabled Devices for Educational Purposes

 

The district provides students with one-to-one devices; therefore, personal electronic devices are not permitted for educational purposes.

 

Under any of these exceptions, devices may only be used for the purposes outlined in the exception, and the device must be silenced and put away when not in use, to the extent compatible with the reason for the exception.

 

Enforcement, Consequences and Reporting

 

McCown aims to reinforce this policy through educating students regarding the positive benefits of attending school in a distraction-free environment, but also through progressive disciplinary methods prescribed within this policy and within the Chancellor's Code of Conduct. Students will be reminded of this policy regularly and consistently, especially at the start of the school year and after returning from breaks.

 

For students out of compliance with this policy, the following steps will be taken to address student violations:

 

1st Offense:  A warning from the dean or other staff member is given, the student will be reminded of the DOE’s personal electronic devices policy. The parent/guardian will be contacted by phone and the violation will be documented.

2nd Offense: The student’s personal electronic device will be confiscated until the end of the school day. The parent/guardian will be contacted by phone and the violation is documented.

3rd Offense: The student’s personal electronic device will be confiscated. The parent/guardian will be contacted by phone. The student will be required to use the magnetic pouch instead of their hallway locker.  

4th Offense: The student’s personal electronic device will be confiscated. The parent/guardian will be contacted by phone and the parent/guardian will be required to come to school to retrieve the confiscated device (s) from the dean and the violation is documented. The student will be required to turn their phone in to the dean for the next 30 days.

5th Offense: The student’s personal electronic device will be confiscated. The parent/guardian will be contacted by phone and the parent/guardian will be required to come to school to retrieve the confiscated device(s) from the main office and the violation is documented. The student must also now turn their phone into the main office for the remainder of the school year. Parents/Guardians will be encouraged to have their child leave their devices at home.

 

The school may not impose suspension from school if the sole grounds for the suspension is that the student accessed an internet-enabled device as prohibited by this policy.  However, in addition to the consequences, reinforcers and interventions included within this policy, the district Code-of-Conduct will be followed for instances in which students willfully ignore or refuse to follow directions from school staff regarding compliance with this policy and/or commit other violations of the DOE’s code of conduct in response to the district’s enforcement of this policy.  Examples may include but are not limited to repeated incidents of insubordination, disrespect towards staff, or threatening behavior and use of foul language. In such

instances, the school may utilize consequences under the DOE’s Chancellor’s Regulations, including detention, in-school suspension, exclusion from extracurricular activities and out-of-school suspension. As an alternative, the district may also utilize student  assignments regarding the detrimental impact of social media on mental health, smartphones in school, or other relevant topics.

 

When enforcing this policy, administrators and other school personnel will also discuss the aims of this policy with students and their parents/caregivers, educate students regarding the benefits of a distraction-free environment, explore the reasons the student had difficulty following this policy, and how the district can help the student contribute to a distraction-free environment.

Some uses of personal electronic devices may constitute a violation of the school district's Code of Conduct or other district policies, and in some instances, the law. The school will cooperate with law enforcement officials as appropriate.

 

Electronic Devices and Testing

To ensure the integrity of testing, in accordance with state guidelines, students may not bring cell phones or other electronic devices into classrooms or other exam locations during all testing.  Test proctors, monitors and school officials have the right to collect cell phones and other prohibited electronic devices prior to the start of the test and to hold them for the duration of the test taking time. Admission to the test will be prohibited to any student who has a cell phone or other electronic device in their possession and does not relinquish it. Students with Individualized Education Plans, Section 504 Plans, or an approved medical exemption specifically requiring use of electronic devices may do so as specified.

 

Policy Distribution and Translation

As required by law, McCown will post this policy in a clearly visible and accessible location on its website, which translates automatically for anyone who wants a translation via Google.  The district will also use multiple communications methods including its website, Jumprope and other methods to include this information, or a plain language summary, in publications such as the school calendars and newsletters issued to families and employees.

 

Ref: Education Law §2803

Price v. New York City Board of Education, 51 A.D.3d 277, lv. to appeal denied,

11 N.Y.3d 702 (2008) (District may ban possession of cell phones on school

property) NYSED, Prohibition of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices in New York State

Assessments, www.nysed.gov/educator-integrity/prohibition-cell-phones-andelectronic-devices-new-york-state-assessments