July Recap

Remote Learning Extended Through Fall 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

Thank you for your replies and participation in the re-opening survey. After reviewing the results of all surveys (both the faculty/staff and parent), NYS guidelines and CDC recommendations, and looking at current Covid-19 numbers across the country, out of an abundance of caution for health and safety, we have decided to begin the school year with remote education for the first quarter. During the first quarter, we will reassess the situation and the possibilities of hybrid classes moving forward.

From March through June, La Salle Academy did a commendable job of emergency remote education with almost no notice. As we move forward to begin the 2020-2021 school year, we are developing plans to improve upon the good work we did in the spring. Teachers will receive additional training and will conduct more live classes via Microsoft Teams and/or Google Meet. The administrative team is developing a class schedule that will fit our distance learning needs. Those details will be communicated to you when they are available.

We will offer virtual opportunities for extracurricular activities (clubs) and support services. The Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) has postponed the start of any possible fall season until late September. As more news from the CHSAA is made available to us, we will pass that along.

There will be the need for all students to come in for an orientation day during which books and tablets will be distributed, along with other pertinent information. This will be conducted with the appropriate guidelines (masks, social distancing, smaller groups, etc.). The schedule of those days and all details will be sent out to you at a later date but will not take place before September 8th.

Please reach out with any questions. We will continue to keep you updated throughout the summer as more details are available. Thank you for partnering with us on this journey.

Sincerely,

Kerry Conroy
Principal

La Salle Academy Secures Future With Property Sale

Proceeds earmarked for school’s endowment

New York, N.Y., July 16, 2020 – In a move that will secure the future of La Salle Academy, one of the oldest all-male Catholic high schools in New York City, La Salle New York City, Inc. has completed the sale of 38 Second Avenue, its administration building on the corner of Second Street and Second Avenue (the Annex) in the East Village of Manhattan.

The property offers 17,415 buildable square feet and sold for $14.5 million, or $833 per buildable square foot. Avison Young’s Marty Cottingham, Principal, and Brandon Polakoff, Senior Director, negotiated the sale on behalf of La Salle New York City, Inc. The buyer was Second and Second Property LLC.

A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale are earmarked for La Salle Academy’s endowment fund, boosting the school’s financial stability and its ability to meet the growing needs of the segment of its student population who require tuition assistance. La Salle Academy, which currently occupies the top three floors of St. George’s Ukrainian School on East 6th Street off Second Avenue, will continue to operate at its present location. La Salle New York City, Inc., in conjunction with the Board’s Executive Committee and the District of Eastern North America (DENA) of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers), are committed to sustaining the mission of La Salle Academy, which has been serving immigrants and the sons of immigrants in lower Manhattan for more than 172 years. 

La Salle New York City, Inc., the owner of the Annex property, in collaboration with the Executive Committee of La Salle Academy’s Board of Trustees and the District of Eastern North America (DENA) of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers), capitalized on the opportunity to sell its valuable asset following the recent sale of Archdiocesan properties that share the block with the Annex on Second Avenue. 

Brother Thomas Casey, FSC, current President of La Salle Academy, remarked enthusiastically, “This sale will benefit La Salle students far into the future.” 

“This transaction will be a game-changer for La Salle Academy,” said Cottingham, a graduate of La Salle Academy who serves as Co-Vice Chairman on the Board of Trustees. “By earmarking a significant portion of the proceeds for the endowment, we are ensuring that the school will remain viable and continue to serve students for many years to come.”

La Salle purchased the Annex property in 1966 to provide additional space for its large population of students during that era. Since 2010, the Annex served as the home of the Brothers’ Community that was associated with the school and provided office space for some members of the school’s administrative staff. 

La Salle Academy’s former school building and Brothers’ Residence on Second Street, which is currently leased by the Nord Anglia International School, are not included in the transaction. Nord Anglia’s lease expires in 2025; however, the elite international school has two five-year options to renew its lease with La Salle New York City, Inc.

La Salle Academy is a college preparatory Catholic high school that serves a culturally diverse group of students from all five boroughs that celebrates a spirit of brotherhood grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the tradition of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the Patron Saint of Teachers. For more information about La Salle Academy contact Ismini Scouras at 212-475-8940 ext. 204, email [email protected] or visit www.lasalleacademy.org

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The mission of La Salle Academy, a rigorous college-preparatory high school, is to educate students of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds with special outreach to those most in need. We provide a nurturing environment, which fosters spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional and physical growth in the Roman Catholic tradition and the Lasallian spirit, as embodied in Saint John Baptist de La Salle. We create experiences of community within the school and encourage each student to develop his gifts and talents for his own growth, as well as to engage in the caring service of others, through its academic, extra-curricularand spiritual programs.

Avison Young is the world’s fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Avison Young is a collaborative, global firm owned and operated by its Principals. Founded in 1978, with legacies dating back more than 200 years, the company comprises thousands of real estate professionals in more than 100 offices around the world. The firm’s experts provide value-added, client-centric investment sales, leasing, advisory, management and financing services to clients across the office, retail, industrial, multi-family and hospitality sectors. Avison Young is a 2020 winner of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, having retained its Best Managed designation for nine consecutive years. www.avisonyoung.com.

Summer Reading Lists and Assignments

Empower La Salle Men with a Gift Today

June Recap

Embrace. Educate. Empower.

June 11, 2020

Dear Friends of La Salle Academy:

A week ago tonight, 74 young men in La Salle Academy’s Class of 2020, would have walked down the aisle at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in midtown Manhattan to receive their diplomas after four years of hard work. While COVID-19 restrictions thwarted our plans, our graduates will receive their diplomas in the Cathedral at a later date, tentatively August 13th.

The unexpected delay has not stopped the forward momentum of La Salle Academy’s Class of 2020. Our shared belief in our school’s mission and our successful association on behalf of these men catalyzed the transformation of this very special class. We have embraced them. We have educated them. We have empowered them. Now, we celebrate them!

Donate today and continue to work with us in building a better world. Text LSAEMPOWERS to 41444 or click here to be one of 74 participants in our campaign to honor the 74 members of the Class of 2020.

Give $5.00 or $50.00 – whatever the amount, your contribution counts, and will make a significant impact on our school and the young men we embrace, educate, and empower with the gift of a quality, Catholic college preparatory education.

Sincerely,

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

P.S. Follow along with us through the rest of the month as we share testimonials from our newest alumni on social media.

Class of 2024: Welcome to La Salle!

Dear La Salle Academy Class of 2024:

As you complete the last month of middle school, you are probably starting to think about what your experience at La Salle Academy will be like. Many of our seniors had the same thoughts as you at this time four years ago. Fast-forward to today, and they have no regrets about their choice to attend La Salle Academy. They have made memories and friends to last a lifetime. And you will, too!

Please see the welcome video messages from some of our seniors:

We are excited to welcome you, and have some important updates about the start of the academic year at La Salle Academy.

Get Ready…Get Set…

Traditionally, we hosted a Cardinal Readiness Program in the summer with the goal of preparing our incoming students to meet the social and academic expectations we have at La Salle. Some students were required to participate because it was a condition of their acceptance to La Salle Academy. All students were invited and encouraged to be a part of this activity.

Because of the uncertainty regarding the guidelines for social distancing, and our concern for the health and safety of everyone, we created an alternative to Cardinal Readiness this year. Students who were accepted conditionally and informed they had to come to school in July are now fully accepted.

We call our new experience Get Ready…Get Set…, and every young man entering ninth grade at La Salle Academy is expected to participate from home. It’s free and parents are welcome, too!

Get Ready…Get Set…is a series of Zoom meetings scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Our Class of 2024 will be divided into small groups of about 15 students each for these sessions. A member of our staff will host each meeting. You will learn about various aspects of our school, have opportunities to ask questions, and meet some of your classmates virtually.

When the schedule is finalized, we will inform you via email about when and how to log in to Get Ready…Get Set… and go forward with your experience at La Salle Academy!

Uniforms

Our school uniform provider is FlynnO’Hara Uniforms. Visit its website at www.flynnohara.com for instructions on how to order uniforms online. The following flyers contain additional details about FlynnO’Hara’s uniform services:
Summer 2020 Flyer for Families – FlynnO’Hara Uniforms
Summer 2020 Flyer for Families – FlynnO’Hara Uniforms – Spanish

In the meantime, I am always available to answer your questions via email at [email protected].

Enjoy the final weeks of middle school. We will see you soon!

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Kerry Conroy
Principal

La Salle Academy’s Spring 2020 Literary Magazine

La Salle Academy’s senior Creative Writing class recently published the first edition of their Literary Magazine. Click here to view the Spring 2020 edition.

La Salle Academy Featured in Catholic NY

Friday, June 5, 2020 – La Salle Academy was recently featured in Thursday’s edition of Catholic NY. Click here to see the advertisement on page 32!

A Call from Home: LSA Senior Breakfast

On the morning of Wednesday, June 3rd, the graduating Class of 2020 “gathered” together on a Zoom call for a virtual Senior Breakfast. The Senior Breakfast is a long-standing tradition at La Salle Academy, usually held the day before graduation in the school gymnasium for seniors to celebrate the end of high school, reminisce with classmates and be welcomed as La Salle Academy alumni.

More than 110 students, parents, faculty and staff joined together virtually to celebrate the Class of 2020. The event began with a prayer as always and Principal, Ms. Kerry Conroy followed with a few words of affirmation and hope for the future.

“It is my sincere hope that you will take all of the knowledge you have gained, the talents you have discovered, and the passion that has been fueled in your experiences at La Salle and that you will use them to serve this world and make it a better place” -Ms. Kerry Conroy, Principal

The fun continued with a slideshow of photos from the past four years and a presentation of “Silly Awards” like “most likely to be on television” and “most dramatic.” Afterward, Mr. Stark, Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs, highlighted the great academic achievements of the Class of 2020, especially Co-Valedictorians, Elijah Perez-Medez and Steven Dumeng. A presentation followed, which highlighted where the 2020 graduates will be attending college.

Brother Thomas Casey, President of La Salle Academy, ended the presentation with these words:

“Your graduation is our claim as La Salle Academy that you are ready to step away from high school and bring that message of brotherhood to the world.”

Although this was not the ending to their senior year that they expected, La Salle Academy’s Class of 2020 was still able to celebrate from a distance. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Graduation Day: A Note from Joshua Nolberto ’20

We made it! We completed high school. Today would have been our graduation day from La Salle Academy. These last four years were filled with challenges, good memories, and preparations for the future. We will always be La Salle’s one and only Class of 2020.

La Salle will forever be a special place for me and my classmates because no matter who we were when we first arrived as freshmen, we were accepted and guided into becoming the mature young men we are now at the end of our senior year. Although our last year of high school was cut short, resulting in us being separated, we are still brothers. Together, we can be the world’s light through the darkness of COVID-19 and leave an impact that no other class has. The perseverance and motivation that we demonstrated this year by signing in daily while at home and completing our schoolwork showed people in this world that this class will have an auspicious future. Not only has La Salle prepared us for the rigors of college, but it has given us the tools to withstand difficult circumstances alone and with the love and support of our brotherhood. This bond will last a lifetime.

One of the themes that I live by and want to share with you all is, “We’ve found our wings; now it’s time to fly.” Now that my classmates and I are high school graduates, it is time to use the knowledge and skills we’ve gained over the past four years at La Salle and make a difference in the real world. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to spread our wings and fly.
Best Wishes,

Joshua Nolberto ’20
Senior Class President

P.S. I will be attending SUNY Potsdam this fall. Click here to see where my classmates will be going to college.

Senior, Steven Dumeng, Featured on Telemundo

La Salle Academy senior, Steven Dumeng, was recently featured in an interview on Telemundo 47. Steven is one of the co-valedictorians of the Class of 2020 and will be a first-generation college student at Boston College in fall 2020. In the interview, Steven expresses his wish to honor his family and his Puerto Rican heritage. He realized the importance of hard work as he began his high school career and that character trait has seen him through to his current success.  Click here to view the interview.

La Salle Academy May Recap

Friday, May 29, 2020

Dear Friends of La Salle Academy,

As is true with our classroom instruction, we have also embraced technology in other aspects of life at La Salle. “Zoom” and “virtual” are now dominant words in our lexicon! Imagine college guidance sessions conducted in small groups for juniors and their parents by our College Advisor, Ms. Rosalie Cernaro! Consider our Director of Admissions, Mr. Anthony Chin, recruiting without leaving his apartment! He is a regular participant on panels addressing prospective La Salle Academy students and their parents about the benefits of enrolling at our school. Read below about more creative connections that have Cardinals communicating in cyberspace.

   

Our COVID-19 appeal ran from April 9th to May 7th and raised over $18,000 to help our families with tuition assistance! Thank you to all of the generous benefactors who contributed to this much-needed cause during this challenging time.

Our school’s experience with distance learning was featured in amNY this month. Both the print and online version ran the story. Click here to read the article.

While we cannot physically be together right now, Mr. Rosich wanted to create a sense of community with his students. To do so, he conducted a scavenger hunt for the young men to find items in their homes. Read about the hunt here.

 

On May 15th, we celebrated the traditional feast day of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the namesake of our school and the founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Click here to read more and to view more of our students’ artwork.

Our Annual Athletic Awards Ceremony occurred this past Wednesday evening over Zoom. More than 110 families joined the call to hear from coaches and cheer on teammates as the student athletes were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in sports this year. Special thanks to Assistant Athletic Director, Coach Chris Washington, for creating the program and serving as Master of Ceremonies.

 

Over 300 submissions from 13 different elementary, middle and high schools in the New York City area comprise our 32nd Annual Art Expo. This year, the event is being held in cyberspace. To scroll through the gallery and view the winning entries, visit our website on Monday, June 1st.

Technology was tapped in still more ways. For example, the students in our five Advanced Placement classes (US Government, Calculus, English, US History, and Spanish) all took their exams online. A total of 46 students sat at home and “wrote” a total of 71 tests. I, too, had the opportunity to participate in a Zoom meeting that announced our 2020 co-valedictorians in the presence of their family members. Kudos to co-valedictorians Elijah Perez-Mendez and Steven Dumeng! These high achieving students will continue their studies at Fairfield University and Boston College, respectively.

School has changed dramatically in just three months, yet we have moved forward and remained connected. La Salle Academy is vibrant and vital!

Stay safe and be well. You are in my prayers.

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

P.S. Attention Alumni! We are selling yearbooks (if available) from 2019 and earlier for $50 inclusive of shipping. If you would like to purchase a yearbook, please contact Zenaida Sonberg at 212-475-8940 ext. 205 or [email protected] to coordinate your purchase.

La Salle Academy Featured in AM New York

Check out this article in AM New York featuring La Salle Academy’s model for distance learning: https://www.amny.com/editorial/how-one-of-manhattans-oldest-high-schools-is-educating-enriching-students-during-pandemic/

La Salle Students Find Sense of Community Despite Distance Learning

Distance learning can sometimes make it difficult to remember the tight-knit community that makes La Salle Academy so special. Many, if not most students speak about the brotherhood they have found as a student at La Salle Academy. This brotherhood is seen in the hallways, in the classroom, and on the athletic fields and courts. Teachers and students have found a way to create this sense of community even while practicing social distancing. Mr. Rosich is one of those teachers.

While students cannot be physically together, Mr. Rosich wanted to create a sense of community. On Thursday, May 14th, he conducted a scavenger hunt for students to find items in their homes. Each round had a point system associated with the items. The student coming in first place would have the opportunity to remove their lowest grade from the semester. The second-place winner would win a pizza party when returning to school.

Mr. Rosich began the first round by asking the students to find some hard-to-find items like six rolls of toilet paper and a can of disinfectant spray. During each round, students ran frantically around their homes in hopes of finding the required items to win the most points. This activity brought a smile to everyone’s face and brought back a sense of brotherhood and community during this unprecedented time.

La Salle Academy Celebrates Founder’s Day

Friday, May 15, 2020 – Today, La Salle Academy celebrates Founder’s Day, the founding of The Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Feast Day of St. John Baptiste de La Salle. To celebrate, students sent artwork and letters to the Christian Brothers in the Brothers retirement community in Maryland. Students wrote heart-felt letters to show their support of the retired Christian Brothers in Maryland. Raymond Roy ’20 wrote, “The work and sacrifice that the Brothers put forth in order to serve the community is humbling and makes me glad that I decided to enroll in La Salle Academy four years ago.” See below for student artwork in honor of Founder’s Day.

There will be a Founder’s Day prayer service held over Zoom today at 12 noon. For details and to learn more about Founder’s Day, click here.


Warren Grant ’20


Jose Gonzalez ’20


Tanis Martinez ’22


Jean Suarez ’22

Appeal Results and Week 8 Update

May 11, 2020

Dear Friends of La Salle Academy,

I am pleased to announce the results of our COVID-19 appeal that ran from April 9th through May 7th. We raised over $18,000 in donations from 68 generous alumni and friends! Thank you for your impactful contributions. During this unprecedented time, our students and their families are struggling. While these funds will not fix the problems presented to our community, they will certainly help us breathe a bit easier until we are back in the classroom together again.

Regrettably, it has been more than eight weeks since I last saw a La Salle Academy student in person. I miss the daily interaction with our young men. Teaching is inherently relational, and our Lasallian tradition directs us to focus attention on each pupil. Saint John Baptist de La Salle wrote “Know your students individually and be able to understand them” (Meditation 33.1). A goal articulated in our Mission Statement says, “We create experiences of community within the school.” It is harder in the current circumstances to witness and experience how successful we have been in touching the heart of each student and provide him with a sense of being part of a larger, caring environment. We continue to do our best to remind him that La Salle Academy is a place where he is welcomed, respected, and loved. Are we successful?

Just the other day as I wondered about this, I received an email from Theo Noble. He is a senior, an honor student, a varsity basketball player, and a student government leader. Theo tells me:

“When I chose to attend to La Salle Academy the summer before my freshman year, I knew little to nothing about La Salle. I chose La Salle because I wanted a change of scenery and La Salle was the most affordable school for my family. I knew absolutely none of my middle school friends were going to La Salle. I was pretty frightened and worried I would not make any friends. However, throughout my years at La Salle Academy I have made friends that I can truly call family and being with them throughout my high school career has made me a better person. If I could go back to 8th grade, I would choose to attend La Salle Academy again.”

I am grateful to Theo for his authentic testimony about an intangible aspect of our school that, while not quantifiable, is very real. You may be wondering about that part of Theo’s La Salle experience that we do attempt to measure, his academic performance. He intends to pursue a career in business and will be attending SUNY Maritime College this fall.

As we prepare to observe the traditional feast of Saint John Baptist de La Salle this Friday, I ask you to join me in prayer that we continue to honor his name and be faithful to our heritage.

With gratitude and prayers,

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC

P.S. If you would still like to make a gift to our COVID-19 appeal, you can do so by texting LASALLE to 41444, clicking here, or mailing a check to my attention at 44 E 2nd Street, New York, NY 10003.

Our Gala would have been tomorrow…

May 6, 2020

Dear Friends of La Salle Academy,

Today was supposed to be much different. Today we would have been finalizing seating charts, making last minute adjustments to details with The Pierre, and tying up any loose ends in the office before the big day. Tomorrow was supposed to be La Salle Academy’s 29th Annual Spring Gala.

The Gala is La Salle’s largest annual fundraising event that provides much-needed scholarship aid to our students each year. Without the event this week, we are limited with the amount of tuition assistance we can provide our young men, including those whose families have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have postponed our premier fundraising event to November 12th, but we need those funds now.

In lieu of our Gala, we began a virtual COVID-19 appeal on April 9th with a goal to raise $7,000 by May 7th, the original date of our event. We have been overwhelmed with the level of participation so far… thanks to 57 generous benefactors like yourselves, we have raised $17,229 in one month and still have one day left!

If you are able, please consider making a gift before the appeal ends at 11:59pm tomorrow. Text LASALLE to 41444 or click here to donate. You can also mail a check made payable to La Salle Academy to 44 East 2nd Street, New York, NY 10003.

All of us are affected by this crisis, so if you are unable to give at this time, I understand and appreciate your investment to our mission over the years. Our students are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to receive the quality, college-preparatory Catholic education provided to them at La Salle.

Thank you so much in advance! Stay healthy.

Ismini Scouras
Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Communications

Students Use Photography to Express Emotion

After learning about the French photographer, Julia Keil, students in Ms. Giancaspro’s AP English class created their own photos to show how they are dealing with isolation. They chose an image from pop culture, such as an album cover, favorite music video, famous painting, etc. Then, they recreated the image using what they had at home. Each student provided an explanation for their photo, detailing the feelings, props and emotions they used to convey their situation. See below for some of the incredibly insightful student work:

April Recap

Dear Friends of La Salle Academy,

Q. How many teachers does it take to change a light bulb?

A. Change? Schools are notorious for relying on “we’ve always done it that way.” There is no precedent for what we are encountering now, however. It is concurrently unnerving and energizing to make decisions, formulate plans, communicate remotely, and live well. Here at La Salle Academy we are up to the challenge! Our solidarity in commitment to our Lasallian identity and the concern and creativity of each adult on our team is causing a new educational experience to evolve for students and teachers alike. Some examples are presented below.

Just before we adapted to our “new normal” way of life, a group of our students attended A Catholic Lens, a youth evangelization event organized by the Archdiocese of New York at The Sheen Center in March. Click here to read more about the experience. Pictured here are sophomores Angel Vasquez, Aaron Parajon and Carlos Apreza.

The La Salle Academy community is extremely grateful to healthcare workers and first responders, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of New York University’s Men Entering Nursing (“MEN”) program, La Salle students sent electronic cards and letters to local NYC hospitals. Students in Mr. Estevez’s religion class started by making Easter cards a few weeks ago! Click here to view more of the students’ creations.

Students in Ms. Morales’ Chemistry Regents class were so excited to get back to work after Easter break that they showed up in their spring uniform! In their class, they are discussing how diluting substances will effect the amount of its concentration. Zoom allows Ms. Morales to use an interactive whiteboard display so students can solve problems together and share their work with one another.

Ms. Carlsen’s geometry class participated in a Zoom call paired with an assignment on Formative, which is a web-app for classrooms that allows teachers to give live assignments to students. These two highlights from Ms. Carlsen’s and Ms. Morales’ classes are just a couple of ways that our teachers and students have adapted to the new digital learning environment presented to us.

La Salle Academy has officially earned re-accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools! This is not just a prestigious recognition, but an affirmation by a respected group of peers that La Salle Academy is doing a top-quality job of living out its mission. I am pleased and proud! Click here to read more about the accreditation.

On April 9th, we kicked off a digital appeal to help our students’ families who are struggling to make their regular tuition payments during the COVID-19 pandemic. We started with a goal of $7,000 and have since raised $16,906 thanks to 52 generous donors. The appeal ends this Thursday, May 7th, so if you haven’t done so already, please consider a gift. You can text LASALLE to 41444, click here, or send a check to me at 44 E 2nd Street, New York, NY 10003.

Attentive to our mission to offer a holistic education, and aware that our alumni continue to be bonded with their alma mater, La Salle’s Guidance Department compiled this list of resources for our graduates. While the material is focused more on the younger cohort of alumni, I am sure we can all benefit from these resources during this unprecedented time.

During Saint La Salle’s time, France experienced a famine. He reminded his followers that “God’s compassion for you is greater than the troubles you have” (Meditation 18.1). May you, and those special to you, be strengthened by that conviction. God bless us all!

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

Distance Learning Plans for the Remainder of the School Year

May 1, 2020

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

As we continue to listen to our government leaders and medical professionals, LSA has made several difficult decisions regarding the remainder of the school year. We took into account feedback from parents and students, as well as many other professionals. We understand that some items will come with disappointment, but we continue to do all we can to provide you with a quality experience despite these terrible circumstances. Please see below for these details.

LSA will continue distance learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year:
The governor has stated that schools will be closed for the remainder of the year. Therefore we will continue with online classes with adjustments outlined below.

No online classes on Wednesdays moving forward:
Right now, we are running online classes in real time. Doing this for 5 days in a row is a stressful experience for all involved, students and teachers alike. We are looking at 8 more weeks until the end of the school year (May 4 – June 25). With that in mind, we will move to a 4-day week of classes, with no classes being held on Wednesdays. Faculty will use these days for planning, grading, and other activities such as small, voluntary tutoring sessions. Guidance counselors will schedule appointments/calls on these days. Classes will continue through Tuesday, June 23rd. This schedule will alleviate some of the stress and health concerns associated with continuous screen time.

Seniors last day of classes:
The last day of classes for seniors will be May 26th.

Previously scheduled days off on the calendar:
With the new, no-class Wednesday schedule in place, we will eliminate the days after the previously scheduled gala, prom, and graduation as days off (May 8 and 29, and June 5). Those are all Fridays and will now be class days. There is no need to have them off as they were scheduled to follow big evening events the night before. Without those events taking place, the days off don’t make sense.
Memorial Day is a national holiday and will still be a day off.

Personal Belongings in Lockers:
I understand that many students have belongings in their lockers still. When a time comes that we can safely open the building again, we will do so and allow students to come gather their things. I will keep you informed as we know more.

Returning of textbooks and tablets:
We will schedule a time for collection of these items. This will be done in conjunction with the gathering of personal belongings from lockers and will occur when it is safe to do so. I will make you aware of these details when they are available.

Exams and grading policy for the second semester:
Exams will not take place in the traditional way. There will not be an exam schedule from June 17-25. Classes will continue on these days. Rather, teachers will provide a project, paper, or assessment of some sort that will count as the exam grade. This allows students the opportunity to boost their overall grade for the year (the exam grade counts as 20% of the semester average).
LSA will assign the numerical grades earned in a quarter and on any assessments as it has done in the past. We will not be adopting the policies that the NYC public school system is taking on. We will attach a notice to all transcripts moving forward that indicates that a portion of the 3rd quarter and all of the 4th quarter of the Spring 2020 semester was completed remotely.

Summer School/Credit Recovery:
This plan is still a work in progress. You will know more as we know more.

AP Exams:
AP exams are taking place at home this year during the weeks of May 11-22. Those students enrolled in those classes must make sure they have spoken to their teachers and understand the procedures, dates, and times for these important tests. We encourage you to really take this opportunity seriously as it can earn you college credit.

Juniors and Parents of Juniors- College Application Process Information:
Normally at this time of year, guidance counselors meet with you to discuss the college application process. Sessions will be scheduled online. Ms. Rosalie Cernaro will be reaching out to you with details about these sessions. She will also let you know how we are addressing the College Fair that would have taken place this spring. Many colleges are making themselves available in zoom sessions or in virtual campus tours. Look out for emails regarding those details. We are also looking at the possibility of a college fair in the fall. Click here for a list of links to virtual college tours and information sessions.

Class rings:
The ring ceremony will be postponed until the fall. Those that ordered class rings should reach out to Tom Olender at Herff Jones to sort out the remaining payments and arrange for them to be mailed to your home. You can call him with a credit card or you can mail in a payment. The company does not take personal checks, but you are welcome to mail in a money order. Everyone was given a receipt so you should know your balance due. If you lost the receipt, or if it never made it home, call Mr. Olender for the balance.

Herff Jones, Inc.
P.O. Box 180
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
(201) 843 – 5577

Student Government Elections for 2020-2021:
We will be holding Student Government Elections online. Criteria for running and the process will be sent out in a separate email. The offices available are Sophomore President and Vice President, Junior President and Vice President, and Student Government President, Vice President, and Secretary (must be seniors). We encourage students to consider running.

National Honor Society:
The application and induction process for the NHS will be moved to the fall.

Sports Awards Dinner:
We are exploring ways to honor our athletes, especially our seniors. Details regarding that will follow.

Graduation:
Taking into account feedback gathered from seniors and their parents, graduation has been postponed from June 4th to August 13th. This will take place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 7 PM. If the current health crisis has not changed and we are not allowed to hold an in-person ceremony at that time, a virtual ceremony will be held then, and a reunion opportunity will be provided in the fall.

Graduation Fee:
We recognize that there are many questions surrounding the graduation fee of $300. This fee covers many items (yearbooks, graduation attire, programs, announcements, diplomas and cases, graduation awards, senior breakfast, church rental and organist fees, faculty regalia rental fees, senior portrait sitting fees, photographer, along with several others). With the current situation, we will not be hosting the senior breakfast in the traditional sense. We have also decided that the attire for this year’s ceremony will not be the tuxedos. There is no way to facilitate the measurement taking or the picking up and dropping off of the tuxedos. We will make the resulting attire determinations in the coming weeks. With the possibility of the ceremony in August, many of these other costs will remain, some remain no matter if the in-person ceremony takes place or not, and others are added to produce a virtual ceremony if the need arises. Taking all of this into consideration, LSA is reducing the 2020 graduation fee from $300 to $200. If further reductions take place in the coming months (if it is determined the August in-person ceremony cannot take place), we will address those then. If you have already paid the full $300 fee, the $100 excess will be applied to any outstanding tuition balances. If you have paid all balances already, you will receive a refund for the $100 unless you notify our Finance Office that you would like to donate your refund to help students who need help making their tuition payment during this challenging time. Reach out to Ms. Mary Kenny or Ms. Mary Anne Glassen in the Finance Office with any questions.

Senior Breakfast:
We will hold a virtual senior breakfast on June 3rd. Details regarding this event will be sent out separately.

Prom:
It is with a heavy heart that we are cancelling the prom this year. Given the current circumstances, certain things had to be let go.

Service Hour Requirements for Seniors:
Those seniors who have not completed their service hours will not be required to do so. While we wish that these had been completed earlier in the high school career as they were designed to be, we understand that this is not possible to finish at this time. Do not be concerned about this holding up your completion of high school. All other grade levels will continue with this requirement in the coming school years.

Final Tuition Payment:
We understand that the financial consequences of the current pandemic have made it challenging for many of our families to meet their expenses. To make things a bit easier, we extended the deadline for the final tuition payment of the year by one month. Instead of it being due by April 15, you have until May 15 to pay your balance.
Any senior whose account is in arrears will not receive his report card, or his transcript, until the necessary payment is made. The parents of students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade will not have access to their son’s report card, and no records (except health records) will be provided for him, until their son’s account is paid. He will not be readmitted to La Salle Academy for the 2020-2021 school year if there is an outstanding balance on the account. If there are special circumstances surrounding the lack of payment, please notify Ms. Mary Anne Glassen or Ms. Mary Kenny in our Finance Office.
While we are aware of the struggles that many families will face in the coming months, we also have obligations to cover our ongoing expenses. As always, we appreciate all that you do to provide your sons with a Lasallian education.

Temporary tuition assistance policy change:
In January, Brother Thomas, President, informed you that La Salle Academy was implementing a new policy regarding accountability measures associated with retaining tuition assistance. Those measures were to go into effect this semester, and the results of this semester (GPA, behavior, attendance, etc.) would be assessed to determine if tuition assistance amounts would be cut for the fall semester of the 2020-2021 school year. The policy outlined that if the benchmarks were not met by students, the aid would be cut by 50% for the semester that follows. Because of the reality we face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and sensitive to the fiscal challenges associated with that unfortunate situation, our school policy has been adjusted for the current semester only. School is still in session and accountability measures and their consequences are still in effect, but the amount of reduction in tuition assistance for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year has been cut in half from 50% to 25%. Please reach out to our Finance Department with any questions regarding this change.

I anticipate that this email will spark many questions. Please feel free to reach out to me. I continue to keep all of you in my prayers. I ask that you do the same for our entire school community. Thank you for all of the supportive emails that have come through. It is great to hear from you and to maintain our connection, if only electronically.

Sincerely,

Kerry Conroy
Principal

LA SALLE ACADEMY EARNS MIDDLE STATES RE-ACCREDITATION

New York, N.Y., April 30, 2020 – La Salle Academy has announced that it has earned re-accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, a worldwide leader in accreditation and continuous school improvement.

Brother Thomas Casey, FSC, La Salle’s President said, “Accreditation by Middle States is not just a prestigious recognition, but an affirmation by a respected group of peers that La Salle Academy is doing a top-quality job of living out its mission. I’m pleased and proud!”

Accreditation is a multifaceted evaluation process that schools and school systems voluntarily use to demonstrate they are meeting a defined set of research-based performance standards. The 12 Middle States Standards for Accreditation are: mission; governance and leadership; school improvement planning; finances; facilities; school organization and staff; health and safety; educational program; assessment and evidence of student learning; student services; student life and activities, and information resources.

The accreditation process begins with a self-study that is conducted by the school or school system and requires input from school leaders, teachers, parents and students. Following the self-study, a team of volunteer educators from Middle States member schools conducts an on-site peer review visit to observe school operations and interview various stakeholders. The visiting team makes its recommendation to the Middle States Association Commissions, which votes on the accreditation.

“The Middle States accreditation process supports schools in developing a strategic plan for the future that is built upon continuous school improvement,” said Lisa Marie McCauley, Ed.D., President of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. “Middle States accredited schools should be commended for their commitment to collaboration, growth and advancing student achievement.”

La Salle Academy is a college preparatory Catholic high school that serves a culturally diverse group of students from all five boroughs that celebrates a spirit of brotherhood grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the tradition of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the Patron Saint of Teachers. For more information about La Salle Academy contact Ismini Scouras at 212-475-8940 ext. 204, email [email protected] or visit www.lasalleacademy.org.

Helpful Resources from La Salle Academy

During these uncertain times, you may feel anxious, alone, confused, sad or stressed by what is going on in our city and throughout the world. La Salle Academy’s Guidance Department compiled the below list of articles, apps, and websites (listed below) to help you cope during this time of crisis. Feel free to share these resources with your friends and family who may also be struggling.

Articles/Websites:

Apps:

  • CALM
  • Headspace: Meditation & Sleep
  • MindShift
  • Quotes Wallpapers – Daily Inspirational Photos, Motivational & Life Sayings Images

Reminder-No Classes on Friday, April 24, 2020

Click here for the Principal’s update from April 8, 2020.

April 23, 2020

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

I hope that you are all doing well. This is a reminder that there are no classes tomorrow, Friday, April 24th. The faculty will be engaged in an online training for the day. We will resume online classes on Monday, April 27th.

I know that you have many questions about upcoming school events, continued online classes, and many other things. So many of these decisions hinge on how circumstances evolve in our city, state, and the world. I can tell you that our plan is to send you some decisions within the coming two weeks. I am involved in many discussions about these plans and there are a lot of moving parts. We know that things change by the day. It is my goal to keep you informed every step of the way. We are not delaying the dissemination of information intentionally. Rather, we want to be very careful as we move forward and see what the possibilities are before committing to one prematurely. Please continue to reach out to me with your questions. I will answer you with as much information as I have in that moment. I wish you the best and keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

“I shall pray to God for you, and will have many others pray for you and your needs.”
(Letter 23 – From St. La Salle to Brother Gabriel Drolin in Rome: from Paris, 12 May 1706)

Sincerely,

Kerry Conroy
Principal

An Update from La Salle Academy

Click here to read the President’s message from March 26, 2020.

April 22, 2020

Dear Friend of La Salle Academy,

Earlier this month, our art teacher, Ms. Mollie O’Mara, assigned her students the task of drawing what they see out the window of the room where they are meeting her remotely. (See Jose Gonzales ’20’s piece at right.) On April 16th, the New York Times ran a feature displaying professional artists addressing the same theme!

The Advanced Placement (AP) exams are adopting a different format and length this year. Ms. Stephanie Carlsen, teacher of our AP Calculus class, reports that she is using an AP Calc review program that will facilitate her efforts to focus her students’ practice on free response questions, the dominant format on this year’s exam.

There is a way to share a lab experiment in Earth Science as discovered by Mr. Mike Rosich. Employing a computer program that allowed him to embed a video with his “classroom” instruction, he demonstrated mineral identification to his 9th grade classes. (See photo at left.)

Ms. Pat Toney, English Department Chair, reported she participated in a webinar during our Easter break last week on the topic of Activity Learning in a time of distance teaching and learning. She now has a new technique to implement with her students that she will also be able to share with the other members of her department.

The four vignettes presented above are indicative of the genuine concern, extra effort, and increased creativity the teachers at La Salle Academy are bringing to their virtual classrooms. I am really proud of all my colleagues who are among those delivering “essential services” during this challenging time. Please give them a virtual shout out and join me in thanking God for their good work!

Stay healthy and be assured of my prayers for you and those special to you.

Sincerely,

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

P.S. On April 9th, we kicked off a digital campaign to help our students’ families who are struggling to make their regular tuition payments during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have collected $1,600 towards our goal of $7,000 thus far. Text LASALLE to 41444 to learn how you can make a positive impact and share this information with 10 friends to help us spread the word! You could also contribute online or mail a check to respond to this appeal.

La Salle Students Attend March Youth Conference

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Photo courtesy of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York.

Just before La Salle Academy adapted to the current COVID-19 pandemic and transitioned to distance learning, a group of our students gathered with other young New York City Catholic high school students for A Catholic Lens, a youth evangelization event through the Archdiocese of New York. During the March 12th event, students heard from a panel of speakers, including keynote speaker Pete Burak, the Director of a Catholic outreach for young adults.

After a full day of reflection, speakers and prayer, one of La Salle’s senior students, Steven Dumeng ’20, was invited to address the guests with a final reflection on all he had learned that day. “…the event taught me to eliminate the fear that comes with being yourself and openly practicing your faith… I believe conversations like we had that day is what makes better citizens, and most importantly, better children of God,” commented Steven, who has attended this event for the past three years as a La Salle Academy student.

* *

*Photos courtesy of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York. 

A Holy Week Message from the Principal

Dear La Salle Academy Community,

In 1966, Robert F. Kennedy delivered a speech in which he said, “There is a Chinese curse which says, ‘May he live in interesting times.’ Like it or not, we live in interesting times. They are times of danger and uncertainty; but they are also the most creative of any time in the history of mankind” (Day of Affirmation Address, University of Capetown, Capetown, South Africa, June 6, 1966).

I think his words are very much applicable today. The past three weeks have most definitely been interesting times as we quickly transitioned to distance learning. But they have also brought out tremendous creativity and resilience — La Salle’s faculty, staff and students have never worked harder.

Transitioning online is difficult; everything takes more time, most questions have to be asked and answered via email, and there isn’t a natural flow that is found in a traditional classroom. However, none of these challenges have stopped La Salle Academy.

At the start of the school year, each one of our students is issued a tablet to use for his schoolwork. Our faculty made fast and drastic adjustments to their lesson plans and dove right in. Over the past few weeks, they have found creative solutions to the challenges in front of them. Our guidance counselors should also be heralded. With the dramatic increase in emotional and mental health needs now, they have been providing much-needed support over the phone and by email. It has all truly been inspiring.

Our mantra throughout these weeks has been “flexibility and compassion.” We recognize the overwhelming nature of the battle we are all facing, but we are succeeding despite the odds.

The generosity of our alumni and benefactors has enabled us to persevere, and we thank you for your continued commitment throughout this time. If you have already made gift during this Easter season, thank you. If not, I encourage you to make a gift by clicking here, texting LASALLE to 41444 or sending a check made payable to La Salle Academy to 44 East 2nd Street, New York, NY 10003. Your donation will help us maintain our mission of educating the young La Salle men entrusted to our care.

We continue to look to the words of our founder for inspiration. As St. La Salle told us, “Do not have any anxiety about the future. Leave everything in God’s hands for he will take care of you” (Letter 101 – to an unnamed Brother, date unknown). We have faith that this, too, shall pass, and this will be one more example of the strength of our La Salle Academy community.

Sincerely,

Kerry Conroy
Principal

Easter Greetings!

Dear Friends of La Salle,

“But Brother, I’m home,” said a ninth grader to Brother Linus after the latter began an online religion class with our usual prayer that opens any gathering at La Salle, “Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.” What a surprise to our freshman student to learn that his apartment is, too, a sacred space!

Easter is our annual reminder that God surprises us with the unexpected… and guides us on the new path that emerges. This year, maybe more than in the past, it’s comforting to hear this good news.

Our mission at La Salle Academy continues, which means the lives of young men are transformed for the better as our school year moves forward in a new mode. All of us at La Salle Academy stand in solidarity with you at this time of trial and send greetings for a blessed Easter season.

With prayers and best wishes,

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

Important Updates from the Principal-Wednesday, April 8, 2020

April 8, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

Greetings to all of you as we are about to enter the Holy Triduum and celebrate Easter, and a Happy Passover to our Jewish brothers and sisters. I hope that you are safe and healthy and are finding ways to virtually stay connected to extended family and friends. Today marks three weeks that we have conducted online classes. I applaud you for your tremendous work and effort. This has been incredibly challenging and I am proud of how you have handled it. Please see several announcements below.

Extension of online classes:
We will continue with online classes after the Easter Break. Our earliest possible return date to the school would be Monday, May 4th at this point. I will be watching how things progress in the coming weeks and will communicate any changes in these plans via email.

Easter Break:
Easter vacation begins tomorrow, April 9th, and extends through April 19th. Online classes resume on April 20th. There are no online classes from April 9th-19th. Enjoy the rest and relaxation.

Friday, April 24th:
Please note there will NOT be online classes on Friday, April 24th. The faculty will be in an online training that day. Students will have that day off.

Regents exams:
As you have seen on the news, the state has cancelled the June 2020 Regents exams. I will send out a separate email that outlines the details of those implications. Please look for that email in the coming days.

3rd Quarter Report cards:
Grades will be available on the Plus Portal this evening and will be emailed, as well.

Temporary tuition assistance policy change:
In January, Brother Thomas, President, informed you that La Salle Academy was implementing a new policy regarding accountability measures associated with retaining tuition assistance. Those measures were to go into effect this semester, and the results of this semester (GPA, behavior, attendance, etc.) would be assessed to determine if tuition assistance amounts would be cut for the fall semester of the 2020-2021 school year. The policy outlined that if the benchmarks were not met by students, that the aid would be cut by 50% for the semester that follows. Because of the reality we face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and sensitive to the fiscal challenges associated with that unfortunate situation, our school policy has been adjusted for the current semester only. School is still in session and accountability measures and their consequences are still in effect, but the amount of reduction in tuition assistance for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year has been cut in half from 50% to 25%. Please reach out to our Finance Department with any questions regarding this change.

Students supporting healthcare workers and first responders:
Students in the Civic Spirit Club have partnered with Dr. Fidel Lim, a clinical associate professor at the NYU Royer Meyers College of Nursing, and the Men Entering Nursing student leaders to electronically send cards and letters of gratitude to first responders and healthcare workers at local hospitals such as NYU, Mount Sinai and New York Presbyterian. In addition, Vinny Estevez’s religion classes made Easter cards for first responders and healthcare workers that will also be sent to these hospitals. Dr. Lim and the NYU Men Entering Nursing student leaders have been La Salle’s steady partners through the Guest Lecture Series established by Ann Straub and now we continue this partnership from a distance. If you are interested in making a card or writing a letter of gratitude to first responders/healthcare workers, feel free to email it to Caitlin Kerwin at [email protected] and she will make sure it gets to the right place.

I wish you a Happy Easter. Thank you, again, for all of your hard work. Students, we will “see” you again in online classes on April 20th.

Sincerely,

Kerry Conroy
Principal
La Salle Academy

La Salle Academy’s March Recap

Dear Friends of La Salle Academy,

Being at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the USA is humbling and challenging. Our teachers are doing an extraordinary job tapping the tools of technology to engage their students via remote classes. Our guidance staff is also attentive to the needs of our young men at this unsettled time. We are praying with and for one another. The fabric of La Salle Academy may be stretched but it is intact!

Before we dismissed our students on March 13th, a variety of activities occurred on campus. Some are highlighted below.

 The Most Reverend Edmund Whalen, Vicar for Clergy for the Archdiocese of New York, celebrated a Lenten Mass at La Salle on Monday, March 2nd. Prior to the Mass, Bishop Whalen met with La Salle’s freshman class to provide them with a lesson about the vestments of a Bishop. A special thanks to Father Gregory Chisholm, pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo in Harlem, for joining us. Click the links that follow to see the Mass featured in Catholic New York and The Villager. (Photo on right courtesy of Tequila Minsky, AM NY.)

Students in La Salle’s Physics Regents course attended the Engineering Tomorrow Conference in late February and placed second in their breakout groups, beating out Cathedral High School! Click here to read more about this unique opportunity.

 Playing their second season in CHSAA’s ‘A’ Division, the varsity basketball team fell to St. Edmund Prep in the semi-finals on March 3rd. The team had a 13-13 win-loss record overall for the season. Good luck to all of the varsity basketball team’s senior players and managers! You can read more about the game here.

Every academic department requires students to complete a department-wide project in the second half of the school year. The sophomore class recently completed their religion project, which involved a verbal presentation based on individual research about saints in the Catholic Church. Kenneth Prophet ’22 is shown here conducting his presentation. Click here to learn more about the project.

Four guest speakers joined us this month including Shanta Lawson, Education Director at the Studio Museum in Harlem; Victoria Esser (shown above), graduate from the Johnson & Wales University culinary program; Susan Stetzer, District Manager of Community Board 3; and Dr. Jennifer Odien, forensic anthropologist from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Click here to read on!

Take the proper precautions, stay healthy, and let us continue to pray for one another, and for all who share this planet, our common home.

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

A Special Message from the President-March 26, 2020

Click here to read the President’s message from March 20, 2020.

March 26, 2020

Dear Friends of La Salle,

First site of La Salle Academy on Canal Street, 1848

March 26, 1848, exactly 172 years ago today, was the date Father Annet Lafont, the pastor of St. Vincent De Paul Parish on Canal Street, wrote to Brother Phillipe, the Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, who was in France. The pastor wanted Brothers to “teach the boys of the poor in my French congregation.” By September, four of them had crossed the Atlantic and the roots of our La Salle Academy were planted in lower Manhattan!

Through a Civil War, two World Wars, and other skirmishes and disruptions, La Salle Academy stayed true to its commitment to teaching immigrants and the sons of immigrants. The current pandemic is another in the series of challenges that cause us to focus on our mission while rethinking how best to stay the course.

Our paradigm for schooling has veered in a new and unexpected direction over these last two weeks. The leadership of our Principal, Ms. Kerry Conroy, and our Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs, Mr. Matt Stark, successfully rallied our teachers to exercise their creativity, tap the tools of technology, and work harder than ever. In an email received yesterday, the parents of a ninth grader noted, “The swiftness of your actions, the mobilization and commitment of the entire La Salle team to implement contingency plans to avoid academic teaching disruptions is outstanding. We greatly appreciate the professionalism with which you handled this unique situation.”

While we are pleased with the success of our remote learning modality, a major concern has begun to surface. We are at risk of losing some revenue because the year’s final tuition payment is due next month and the parents of many of our students have lost their jobs or have been furloughed. The intent of this year’s Easter appeal is to procure the funds we need in this extraordinary time for ordinary expenses. My thanks to those who have contributed already. If you have not, I invite you to do so by clicking here. (Checks sent in the mail are still welcome, but because our staff is working from home, processing will be delayed.)

La Salle Academy is characterized by resilient and hopeful people, as Saint John Baptist de La Salle counseled a Brother in one of his letters, “Do not be disheartened by the difficulties you experience” (Letter 90). We stand in solidarity, as we have for 172 years, confident of God’s care for us.

Sincerely,
Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

Important Updates from the Principal-March 25, 2020

March 25, 2020

Dear Students and Parents,

Today marks 6 full days of online classes. Thank you to our teachers who continue to be the heroes of this process. They adapted quickly in order to continue the educational process. Thank you to our students and their families, as well. Your flexibility and patience are greatly appreciated. We have done our best to listen to your feedback and make adjustments where necessary. Please see a few important updates below.

Extension of online classes:
As we all continue to follow the updates and guidelines set forth by our government and the CDC, La Salle Academy has decided to extend the dates on our online learning. At this time, our earliest possible return date will be April 20, 2020. While that seems like a long period of time, with Easter Break factored in, that means an addition of 8 online class days from what was originally planned. (Our original plan involved online classes from March 18 – March 27). We will continue the online classes from March 30th through April 8th. Easter Break goes from April 9th – 19th. We are in a time of rapidly changing circumstances. La Salle will continue to be in touch with you during this time to share updates and decisions.

Tuition payments:
We understand that the financial consequences of the current pandemic have made it challenging for many of our families to meet their expenses. To make things a bit easier, we have extended the deadline for the final tuition payment of the year by one month. So instead of it being due by April 15, you now have until May 15 to pay your balance. Please consider paying half of what you owe now and the rest in May so the expense is spread over two months. While we are aware of the struggles that many families will face in the coming months, we also have obligations to cover our ongoing expenses. As always, we appreciate all that you do to provide your sons with a Lasallian education.

As St. La Salle wrote to his fellow Brothers in 1706, I say the same to you. “I shall pray to God for you, and will have many others pray for you and your needs” (Letter 23 – to Brother Gabriel Drolin in Rome: from Paris, 12 May 1706). Stay healthy and safe. Know that the entire LSA faculty, staff, and administration are here to support you in every way we can.

Sincerely,

Kerry Conroy
Principal

RESOURCES FROM THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT FOR THE TIME OF DISTANCE LEARNING

Dear Students and Parents,

The current health concerns can induce anxiety in a lot of people. This is a natural response to the unknown. Below are some resources the Guidance Department has put together to help manage this anxiety. Please review and make use of those items that make the most sense for you. Continue to reach out with any questions during this time.

Mental Health, Anxiety, and Stress Management Resources/Information
5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety About the Coronavirus
www.gozen.com
www.calm.com
Mini Meditation
Feeling Anxious Or Worried? Listen To These 8 Podcasts
Coronavirus Anxiety: 4 Ways to Cope with Fear
Help Kids Manage Anxiety around the Coronavirus (3 Expert Videos)
The Tim Ferriss Show – Jack Kornfield — How to Find Peace Amidst COVID-19, How to Cultivate Calm in Chaos (podcast)
https://theconversation.com/study-habits-for-success-tips-for-students-89147
https://theconversation.com/five-tips-to-help-year-12-students-set-better-goals-in-the-final-year-of-school-109954

Apps. to download for relaxation.
1. CALM
2. Headspace: Meditation & Sleep
3. MindShift

Tips for dealing with anxiety and stress:

1. Get at least 8-10 hours of sleep each night.
2. Practice positive self-talk.
3. List all your good and positive qualities.
4. Write in a daily gratitude journal.
5. Eat a healthy balanced diet (fruits, proteins, vegetables, limit sugars).
6. Talk to a trusted peer, friend, sibling, parent/guardian, or trusted adult.
7. Take deep breaths, count to 10 slowly, breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth.
8. Reminisce about happy times or place, views pictures/videos from those times.
9. Watch your favorite movie/show or listen to your favorite song.
10. Limit excessive or repetitive exposure to the news.
11. Find a quiet spot in your home to take a breather.
12. Practice, “Grounding” exercises which help you can control your surroundings: Look around you, find 5 things you can SEE, 4 things you can TOUCH, 3 things you can HEAR, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can TASTE.
13. Make a list of things you can control vs. cannot control and focus on the control list.
14. Unplug from social media and read a book.
15. Write a poem, story, and/or color/draw.
16. Look for opportunities in life’s challenges.
17. Identify and set goals for yourself.
18. Engage in relaxation techniques.
19. Spend quality time with loved ones.
20. Identify and try out a new hobby.

Tips for online/remote learning:
1. Set a daily alarm to wake up at least 30 minutes before your A period class.
2. Find a designated area that is quiet, free of distractions and comfortable for learning.
3. Keep cell phones and gaming systems out of sight to limit distractions.
4. Have all your tools accessible such as notebooks, textbooks, pen, paper, tablets etc.
5. Try to sit at a table with a comfortable chair.
6. Complete quick stretches in between “switching classes.”
7. Keep checking your emails, PlusPortals, and Google Classroom.
8. If you have questions, email your teacher, counselor, and/or an administrator.
9. Plan your time wisely and follow the same schedule as if you were in school.
10. Communicate with your classmates if you have questions or need additional help.
11. Have good self-discipline to complete your assignments.
12. Stay organized and stick to a schedule as if you were in school.
13. Actively take notes, such as writing down important details.
14. Actively ask questions and participate.
15. Log into your classes on-time and for the whole designated period.

Guidance Services during this time:
Guidance counselors will be reaching out to students via email and encourage students and parents to reach out to them with any questions.

Krista Cernaro – freshmen counselor (and select sophomores) – [email protected]
Beverly Fields – counselor for sophomores and juniors last names A-L – [email protected]
Sandra Sanchez – counselor for sophomores and juniors last names M-Z – [email protected]
Rosalie Cernaro – counselor for seniors/College advisor – [email protected]

Sincerely,

Kerry Conroy
Principal
La Salle Academy
215 East 6th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-475-8940, ext. 214

A Special Message from the President

March 20, 2020

Dear Friends of La Salle,

Lent 2020 has taken a unique turn. The pandemic that envelops our planet is impacting lives across the globe. A surreal scene surrounds our school and anxiety is in the air. I suspect the same is true where you are. May God bless us all and guide us safely through this period of crisis.

As one of our benefactors wrote to me in a recent email, “the obligation to educate these guys is not suspended.” He’s right; I assure you La Salle Academy is mobilized and moving forward!

Students, staff, and teachers are working remotely and all of us are learning how to live out the mission of La Salle Academy in these uncertain times. Each of our students has a school-issued Microsoft Pro tablet at home with him. Each of our teachers is working at his or her house. Spectrum has offered free Internet access to anyone who may not have had that service at home. A regular school day schedule is in effect! Teachers are tapping their creativity and using technology to their advantage. Students are growing in responsibility as they set their timers for the change of periods, punctually log into their next class, participate in the lesson that is presented, and submit their work within the given time interval. Students are seeing teachers as learners. Each teacher’s experience as a role model will be enhanced as our young men witness the importance of learning to learn!

Our guidance personnel are regularly checking in with the students in their caseload to ensure they are coping well. Our clerical staff is working remotely, monitoring attendance and responding to phone calls. Our administrators are supporting teachers, providing pedagogical resources, and addressing glitches that surface.

Although our modality may have changed, our obligation to educate the young men entrusted to us continues. Our fixed costs remain stable and the ability of some parents to pay next month’s tuition on time is in jeopardy. If your financial situation is such that you can contribute to our Easter appeal, please consider donating at this time.

La Salle Academy is composed of a terrific team of dedicated people, who are currently energized in a new way to serve the students entrusted to us. Please join us by investing in those young men! The Easter promise of new life looms on the horizon. Together, with God as our shield, we will make the journey!

Thank you, be well.

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

Online Instruction Starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Dear Students and Parents,

Thank you for your patience and attentiveness during these unusual times. As was stated in the email that went out on March 12th, LSA has taken precautionary measures in response to the current health situation. Your teachers have posted assignments on the portal system for Friday and today (Monday) as they would do normally. Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day and will be counted as a holiday from school. Wednesday, March 18th, we will begin our virtual school day online. Click here for a series of instructions and other information. Please read through it fully and carefully. Reach out with any questions.

Thank you,

K. Conroy
Principal
La Salle Academy
215 East 6th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-475-8940, ext. 214

_______________________________________________________________________

Estimados estudiantes y padres,

Gracias por su paciencia y atención durante estos tiempos inusuales. Como se indicó en el correo electrónico que salió el 12 de marzo, LSA ha tomado medidas cautelares en respuesta a la situación actual de salud. Sus profesores han publicado tareas en el sistema del portal para el viernes y hoy (lunes) como lo harían normalmente. Mañana, martes 17 de marzo es el día de San Patricio y se contará como un día festivo de la escuela. Miércoles 18 de marzo, comenzaremos nuestro día escolar virtual en línea.
Haga clic aquí para una serie de instrucciones y otra información. Por favor, lea a través de él completa y cuidadosamente. Comuníquese con cualquier pregunta.

Gracias,

Kerry Conroy
Principal
La Salle Academy
215 East 6th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-475-8940, ext. 214

COVID-19: School Update

Online instruction starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Click here for a series of instructions and other information.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Dear parents of La Salle Academy,

Given the latest guidance from trusted authorities and experts, we have decided that today (Thursday, March 12) will be the last day La Salle students will commute to our building for the next two weeks. Distance learning will begin tomorrow Friday, March 13 and continue through Friday, March 27. Additionally, as students leave school today they will bring home all materials (books, etc.) that will be needed as we transition to remote instruction.

Tomorrow and Monday, assignments will be posted as usual on PlusPortals. Students should be completing those assignments form home. Tuesday, March 17 will be designated as a school holiday as it is St. Patrick’s Day.

On Wednesday, March 18, rather than returning to school, we will be conducting virtual school days from 8:15 to 2:15. Students are expected to fully participate online during these hours and communicate with their teachers during these specific class times. A separate email will be sent to you and them explaining exactly how this will take place. Please know, in advance, that attendance will be recorded and counted as school days with their online participation. For the time being, all athletics and extracurricular activities will be suspended as we focus our energies on our academic work.

During the next two days, more specifics will be communicated to students and parents about the plans for remote instruction and the adjustments involved. Students and parents must pay especially close attention to your email during this time and for the duration of the period we remain away from our building. This won’t be a seamless transition, but we will experience and learn from the coming growing pains together as a community as we navigate this unique phase in La Salle’s history.

We will follow the advice of the appropriate authorities and hope to return to face-to-face instruction here in our building as soon as possible, but for the sake of planning, it will not before Friday, March 27. As that date approaches, if the circumstances dictate it, we will extend the digital instruction period accordingly. We will keep you informed as any critical decisions are made.

Thank you for your cooperation, understanding, and patience during this historic and difficult time. Please trust that we will continue to seek to fulfill our mission while prioritizing above all the health and safety of our La Salle community.

Be assured of my prayers for you and your family.

Kerry Conroy
Principal

_______________________________________________________________________

Estimados padres/guardianes de la Academia La Salle:

En respuesta a las fiables recomendaciones de las autoridades y expertos correspondientes, hemos decidido que hoy (jueves 12 de marzo) será el último día en que los estudiantes de La Salle asistirán a nuestro edificio durante las próximas dos semanas. La educación a distancia comenzará mañana viernes 13 de marzo y continuará hasta el viernes 27 de marzo. Además, les avisamos que hoy, cuando los estudiantes sean enviados a casa de la escuela llevarán con ellos todos los materiales (libros, etc.) que serán necesarios para trabajar durante el tiempo que estemos fuera y que hacemos la transición a la instrucción en línea.

Para mañana y el lunes, las tareas se publicarán como de costumbre en PlusPortals. Los estudiantes deben completar esas tareas desde el hogar. El martes 17 de marzo es un día feriado escolar ya que es el Día de San Patricio, por lo tanto, se designa como tal. El miércoles 18 de marzo, en lugar de regresar a la escuela, las asignaciones y trabajos serán realizados de manera virtual en los horarios de 8:15 a 2:15 PM. Se espera que los estudiantes participen completamente en línea durante estas horas y se comuniquen con sus maestros durante los horarios que se han establecido. Se les enviará un correo electrónico por separado y se les explicará exactamente cómo se llevará a cabo. Tenga en cuenta, de antemano, que la asistencia se registrará y se contarán como días escolares, por lo tanto, es obligatorio realizar los trabajos en línea. Por el momento, se suspenderán todas las actividades deportivas y extracurriculares a medida que enfocamos nuestras energías en nuestro trabajo académico.

Durante los próximos dos días, publicaremos más información y detalles a los estudiantes y padres sobre los planes de instrucción remota y los ajustes involucrados. Recomendamos que los estudiantes y los padres presten mucha atención a su correo electrónico durante este tiempo y durante el período que permanezcamos lejos de nuestro plantel

Tenemos en cuenta que esta transición no será perfecta, pero nos servirá para experimentar y crecer como comunidad en la medida que nos adentramos a una fase única en la historia de La Salle.
Seguiremos las recomendaciones de las autoridades correspondientes y esperamos volver a la instrucción presencial en nuestro edificio lo antes posible, pero como ya mencionamos, no será antes del viernes 27 de marzo. A medida que se acerque esa fecha, Si las circunstancias lo ameritan, ampliaremos el período de instrucción virtual. Los mantendremos informados a medida que se tomen otras decisiones.

Gracias por su cooperación, comprensión y paciencia durante este momento histórico y difícil. Confíe en que continuaremos buscando cumplir nuestra misión y sobre todo velar por la salud y la seguridad de nuestra comunidad escolar.

Tenga la seguridad que usted y su familia estarán en mis oraciones.

Kerry Conroy,
Principal

La Salle Academy Featured in Catholic NY

Bishop Edmund Whalen’s Lenten Mass at La Salle Academy was recently featured in Catholic NY. Click here to read the article.

La Salle Academy Featured in The Villager

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 – La Salle Academy’s Lenten Mass with Bishop Edmund Whalen was featured in The Villager. Click here to read the story: https://www.amny.com/news/the-villager/bishop-edmund-whalen-celebrates-mass-with-la-salle-academy-students-in-east-village/

Students Gain Real-World Knowledge From Experts in the Classroom

Friday, March 6, 2020 – Established in fall 2017, the Guest Lecture Series invites professionals into the classroom to be a guest lecturer and teach the class. Professionals are matched up with the classroom content that pertains to their field. This program gives students an inside look at different fields of study, bringing their classroom work to life.

This week, four guests entered the classrooms at La Salle Academy. Beginning on Monday, March 2nd, the Studio and Digital Art class welcomed Shanta Lawson, Education Director at the Studio Museum in Harlem. On Tuesday, Victoria Esser, a graduate from the Johnson & Wales University culinary program, presented a cooking demonstration for another senior art class. The learning continued after school in Civic Spirit Club on Tuesday when Susan Stetzer, District Manager of Community Board 3 provided information on the 2020 Census and how to make a real difference in the local community. The final guest lecture of the week was in Biology class with Dr. Jennifer Odien from The Office of Chief Medical Examiner who taught freshmen students about Forensic Anthropology and her important role in many police investigations.

La Salle Academy is blessed with many resources to provide students with real-world experience and knowledge. To learn more about the Guest Lecture Series at La Salle Academy, click here.

La Salle Sophomores Study The Saints

Thursday, March 5, 2020 – Every academic department at La Salle Academy requires each student to complete a special project. The religion project includes a presentation based on individual research completed by the student. Each grade level presents on a different topic.

The sophomore students recently completed their religion projects, which focused on the lives of the saints in the Catholic Church. Every sophomore wrote a three-page paper about a Catholic saint and made a formal presentation to their classmates, elaborating on the facts and major achievements, as well as traits and attributes of the saint that everyone can strive to exemplify. One student wrote, “Saint Josephine Bakhita’s traits of love and forgiveness should be some of many that we as Catholics should exemplify in our daily lives.” All the students gave specific examples of how they can carry on the legacies of these saints, such as random acts of kindness, helping others even when it is not in our best interest and praying for the saints’ intercession “so we may share the same strength and courage.”

Click here to learn more about departmental projects at La Salle Academy.

Varsity Basketball Comes Up Short in the CHSAA Semi-Finals

Middle Village, NY, March 3, 2020 – Playing in the CHSAA Semi-finals at Christ the King on Tuesday night, the varsity Cardinals lost a hard fought 55-52 game at the hands of the St. Edmund Prep Eagles. St. Edmund’s jumped out to an early 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended that lead to as many as 14 points in the 2nd quarter before the Cardinals closed out the half with a 12-0 run to cut the deficit to 26-24 at the half. A tightly played second half would be comprised of timely, clutch shooting on both sides. Trailing by 1 point with under a minute remaining, the Cardinals were unable to get over the hump to gain the lead for the victory.

In their 2nd season back in the CHSAA ‘A’ division, the Cardinals advanced to the semi-finals for the 2nd consecutive season (at least the semi-finals for the 6th straight season overall) and finish this season with a 13-13 overall record. In the loss, seniors Amadou Kouyate and Joshua Nolberto led the way with 14 points each while juniors Michael Carothers Jr. and Branden Pannell added 10 points each.

We wish our seniors athletes, Dylan Harney, Amadou Kouyate, Theo Noble, Joshua Nolberto, Ishmael Sankoh, Kenyetta Smith and managers, Zion Jackson-Avila, Danny Betancourt, Adrien Peguero and Raul Vaca continued success as they conclude their senior year and the best of luck in college!

February Recap

Monday, March 2, 2020 – February brought engaging visitors, culturally enriching assemblies, informative field trips, and prayerful union among our students. Enjoy the highlights below!

We began February by recognizing Black History Month. We hosted an assembly full of music, prayer and celebration. Thank you to the special guests who joined us for this event. Pictured here (left) is NYPD’s First Deputy Commissioner, Benjamin B. Tucker. The photo at right shows a group of our young men at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the annual Black History Month Mass. Click here for more photos from the assembly.

We are grateful for the invitation to the discussion between St. Francis College President, Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz (pictured here) and Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams, at SFC earlier this month. Yamil Sanchez ’20 (left) and Isaiah Perez ’20 (right), received a private tour of the Downtown Brooklyn college afterwards.

The week of February 3rd marked National School Counselors Week! Thank you to our Guidance Department (pictured from left to right), Ms. Rosalie Cernaro, Ms. Krista Cernaro, Ms. Sandra Sanchez and Ms. Beverly Fields.

The Newspaper Club visited the New York Post’s Print Center in the Bronx. Our students had a fantastic behind-the-scenes tour of the operations. Students even received the newspaper a day early! Click here for more photos from their visit.

As prospective La Salle Academy students make their high school decisions, the young men who were accepted into La Salle’s Class of 2024 and their families spent a sunny Saturday morning at our annual Accepted Students Breakfast.

Seniors enrolled in our Finance course spent a day learning from the experts at the offices of National Australia Bank. Special thanks to Rick Taiano ’83 and his colleagues for hosting us! The young men got a kick out of Rick’s vintage La Salle letterman sweater.

The Drama Club welcomed special guest, actor, Ryan-James Hatanaka, to their rehearsal space after school for an acting workshop. This unique opportunity showcased our worldwide Lasallian network; RJ is an alumnus of De La Salle College, Oaklands in Toronto, Ontario!

Thank you to Monsignor Kevin Nelan ’69 who celebrated Mass with us on Ash Wednesday and a special thanks to our Campus Ministry office for planning such a reverent start to the Lenten season.

A team of 11 La Salle students representing all four grades participated and won the first of five matches in March Mini Madness, an AreteLabs live online math competition. Schools were randomly pitted against one another and our young mathletes enjoyed the experience and beat a school in Colorado by one point. Good luck to our math scholars in the remaining matches!

Lenten blessings!

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

P.S. Thursday, May 7th is the date of our 29th Annual Spring Gala. Make plans to join the party at The Pierre in Manhattan!

Bishop Edmund Whalen Celebrates Mass at La Salle Academy

Monday, March 2, 2020 – La Salle Academy welcomed Bishop Edmund Whalen to celebrate Mass with the entire student body in the school gymnasium on 6th Street. Also presiding over the Mass was Father Gregory Chisholm, Pastor of the Parish of St. Charles Borromeo in Harlem.

Bishop Whalen, vicar for clergy of the Archdiocese of New York, greeted students with genuine excitement before beginning Mass. During the Homily, he reminded students to talk to God “man-to-man” during prayer.

Earlier in the morning, Bishop Whalen spent time with the freshmen to teach them about what it means to be a bishop and the significance of his garments. La Salle Academy is grateful for Bishop Whalen and Father Gregory’s time during this Lenten season. Click here for more photos from Bishop Whalen’s visit to La Salle Academy. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn to stay up to date on all that is happening at La Salle Academy!

La Salle Varsity Basketball Advances to CHSAA Semifinals

Saturday, February 29, 2020 – La Salle’s varsity basketball team advanced to the CHSAA “A” Semi-finals with a 57-42 victory over Xavier. Leading by 3 at the end of the third quarter, the Cardinals finished the game on an 18-6 run.

Branden Pannell led the way with 16 points and 8 rebounds while Amadou Kouyate & Dylan Harney chipped in 12 points each and Michael Carothers had 7 assists and a stellar defensive effort.

The Cardinals will face St. Edmunds Prep on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:30pm. The game will take place at Christ the King.

La Salle Students Place Second At Engineering Tomorrow Conference Workshop

Monday, February 24, 2020 – Students in the Physics Regents course at La Salle Academy attended the Engineering Tomorrow Conference Workshop at Cathedral High school on Monday, February 24th. They competed with other New York City high schools within the archdiocese in the areas of programming and drone flying as well as the catapult challenge on the projectile launch. La Salle placed second in their break-out groups, ahead of third place winner Cathedral High School and behind first place winner Dominican High School. This unique educational opportunity is one of our STEM initiatives at La Salle Academy.

La Salle Students Win Online Math Competition!

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 – A team of 11 La Salle Academy students from all four grade levels participated and won the first of five matches in March-Mini Madness, an AreteLabs live online math competition. The schools were randomly pitted against one another. The La Salle team managed to win by one point while having a ton of fun. Good luck to our math scholars in the next match!

La Salle Academy Begins the Lenten Season with Mass

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 – Monsignor Kevin Nelan, the Pastor of Immaculate Conception and a La Salle Academy alumnus from the Class of 1969, celebrated Mass with the entire student body to begin the Lenten season. La Salle students served in various roles by reading, serving as alter servers, bringing up the gifts and singing. During the homily, Monsignor Nelan reminded the student body that Lent is about becoming more free by growing closer in their relationship with God through prayer, fasting and alms-giving. Check out more photos on La Salle Academy’s Facebook page.

Freshman Basketball Advances to CHSAA Semifinals

Monday, February 17, 2020 – The La Salle freshmen basketball team began their playoffs against Fordham Prep in the CHSAA quarterfinals. The game was tight throughout as both teams showed flashes but neither team was able to pull away. The Cardinals began the 4th quarter with a seven-point lead that quickly evaporated as Fordham Prep came out of the quarter hot which led to a two-point La Salle deficit. With two minutes to go, the young Cardinals buckled down with some tight defense to regain the lead and finish the game with a 45-43 win. La Salle was led by Xavier Sanabria with 19 points and Taylor Perlmutter with 16 points. The Cardinals return to action on Wednesday in a semifinals matchup against St. Edmunds.

JV Falls in Quarterfinals to Farrell after furious 4th quarter rally

Monday, February 17, 2020 – JV Basketball came up short 58-54 in the CHSAA quarterfinals against Msgr. Farrell. Down big early on, the young Cardinals stayed composed, with a comeback stirred by their stingy defense and grit to not give up. The lead was cut down to two with less than a minute left in the game but they were unable to get the lead and secure the win. The team was led by Stephone Vergara with 19 points followed by Giovanni Baquero with 16 points while Dany Diaz chipped in 7 points, grabbing multiple key rebounds during the second half run. A great effort by the short-handed Cardinals!

La Salle Academy students were out and about in New York City this month!

As part of our college partnership, seniors Yamil Sanchez and Isaiah Perez visited the campus of St. Francis College for a discussion between St. Francis College President Miguel Martinez-Saenz and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams on Monday, February 3, 2020. This campus event was part of a discussion series titled Reflections on a Life in Public Service. Mr. Adams joined President Martinez-Saenz in a conversation focused on his early life in New York City, his law-enforcement career with the New York City Police Department, and his subsequent years in elected politics. After the event, seniors Yamil Sanchez and Isaiah Perez received a personal tour of the campus!

On Tuesday, February 4th, members of the La Salle Academy Cardinal Newspaper took a trip to New York Post/ Bronx Print Center for a behind-the-scenes tour of the operations. They even received the newspaper a day early! Click here for more photos on La Salle Academy’s Facebook page.

The seniors in the elective Finance course spent the day learning from the experts at the offices of NAB (National Australia Bank) on Wednesday, February 12th. Special thanks to Rick Taiano from the Class of ’83 and his colleagues: Mike Pryce, Tim Williams, Tom DeMaio, Rich Rauchenberger, Ben Cattanach, Mark Prendergast, Dean Kim and Geoff Schmidt! Click here for more photos on La Salle Academy’s Facebook page.

LA SALLE ACADEMY BASKETBALL HEAD COACH EARNS 100TH CAREER WIN

East Village, N.Y., January 20, 2020 – La Salle Academy’s varsity basketball Head Coach, Jerome Pannell, earned his 100th career win when the La Salle Cardinals defeated Cardinal O’Hara High School 72-43 in the consolation game of the annual Bishop Ludden Holiday Basketball Tournament held in Syracuse, New York in late December.

Coach Pannell was named as the New York State Class B Coach of the Year in 2017 by Basketball Coaches Association of New York, Inc. after he led the Cardinals to a 27-2 record and to La Salle’s first ever New York State Federation Championship in the program’s 114-year history.

Bowling Program Caps off Another Amazing Season with JV City Championship!

Congratulations to our Bowling program on another incredible season! With both the Varsity and JV teams competing in the City Championship round for the 4th consecutive season, it has become apparent that La Salle Bowling is firmly entrenched as one of the top Bowling programs in the City.

The Varsity team, looking to repeat as City Championships,  fell short to Cathedral Prep but was led by Mariano Mitchell’s ’22 670 three game series and strong performances by Yamil Sanchez ’20, Jimmy Falcon ’20, Justin Williams ’20 and Isaiah Perez ’20.

The JV team captured its fourth straight City Championship with Joshua Ramos ’22 leading the way with a 547 series while also winning the triple crown award for High game, high series and high average. Jordan Montes ’23 followed with a 507 series and great contributions were received by Herby Isaac ’21 and Jon Ruiz ’22.

It was a great season for both teams and we thank our seniors for their commitment to the team and the program. We are proud of the continued growth and consistency of the program as evidenced by our seemingly annual participation in the City Championship Round!

We thank all of the parents for their continued support as well as Coach Anderson and Coach Falcon for their dedication, leadership and continued success of the Bowling Program at La Salle.

Bowling Rolls into City Championship Finals

Playing in the City Championship Semi-Finals on Tuesday, January 14th, both the Varsity and JV Bowling teams advanced to the Finals.

While both teams got off to a slow start, each picked up steam through each frame to ultimately emerge victorious.

For the Varsity, Yamil Sanchez had a high-game of 226 with a 584 series with Justin Williams and Isaiah Perez bowling high-games of 223 and 219 respectively.  The JV team was led by Joshua Ramos’ 188 high-game while Jon Ruiz added a high game of 184.

The City Championship Final will be played on Thursday, January 16th at Astoria Lanes at 4:00 PM.

Bowling City Championship Rounds

La Salle Academy’s JV and varsity bowling teams have advanced to the City Championship Rounds! Please support the Cardinals!

City Championship Semi-Finals – January 14, 2020 at Astoria Lanes, 3:45pm

VARSITY
#1 Cathedral Prep vs. Molloy
#2 La Salle vs. #3 Xaverian

JV
#1 La Salle vs. #4 Iona Prep
#2 Molloy vs. #3 Xaverian

Championship Matches – January 16, 2020 at Astoria Lanes, 3:45pm

La Salle Academy Featured in The Villager

La Salle Academy was recently featured in an article written by Tequila Minsky for The Villager. Check out the article here!

December Recap

La Salle Academy has had a successful and festive month of December! Scroll down to see what we’ve been up to…

On the 3rd we participated in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving powered by social media and digital outreach. It brought our La Salle Academy community together to raise nearly $7,000. These donations will be used to provide our students with field trips and assembles that enrich their education.

Students and their families celebrated the Advent season with their sponsors at our Annual Lasallian Student Sponsorship Dinner. Thank you to all the benefactors in that category who provide our students with the gift of a Lasallian Catholic college-preparatory education. Click here to view more photos from the event.

A group of our students visited the New York Stock Exchange and received an inside look at the trading floor from La Salle Academy alumnus, Michael Capolino ’91.

 A private reception in the Joseph F. D’Angelo ’48 Literacy Center co-hosted by my friend, Joan MacNaughton, welcomed many guests to La Salle for their first visit to our school. Click here to view more photos from the event.

Every year prior to Christmas, the Parents Association collects toys for children in need. Last week, parents, students and alumni wrapped the gifts which will be donated to DeWitt Head Start.

On Friday, December 20th we celebrated our annual Christmas Liturgy and assembly. Young men in chorus and band performed Christmas songs and students in the drama club performed a skit. We also heard from the NYPD Band and a special guest pianist, Katya Grineva, who will be playing at Carnegie Hall on December 27th.


I am grateful for your association with us in fulfilling the mission of La Salle Academy. I wish you, and those special to you, a joyous Christmas and a blessed 2020!

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

P.S. While doing any last minute Christmas shopping this weekend, be sure to set La Salle Academy as your charity of choice on AmazonSmile by clicking here.

La Salle Academy Featured on Hamptons.com

La Salle Academy was recently featured in an article written by Lee Fryd on Hamptons.com. Check out the article here! 

Information Night: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

La Salle Academy will hold its first Information Night for 6th, 7th and 8th-graders on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Please invite your students, parishioners and their families to learn about La Salle Academy, an all-male, culturally diverse, college preparatory Catholic high school in the East Village of Manhattan.

 

La Salle Academy’s November Recap

Happy Thanksgiving! We at La Salle Academy are grateful for you and for all the enriching events and visits we had at our school this month. Take a scroll down and look!

La Salle Academy’s Alumni Association hosted a Professional Networking Night. Alumni spanning several decades joined together for a few rounds of speed networking followed by a panel discussion from a handful of recruiting and HR professionals, including alumnus Dermott Whalen ’72.

Friend of La Salle, Damien Dwin, invited 15 of his peers from Wall Street to our school to participate in the second Fireside Chat program for our students. Small group breakout sessions encouraged discussion of key topics aimed at providing career mentorship and pathways to success.

La Salle Works provided students with two wonderful opportunities this month. One was a visit from a Men’s Wearhouse representative (left) to discuss tips for a successful interview and dressing for success. The other was a visit to 1010 WINS Radio (right) to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the popular news station.

Some individuals associated with La Salle Academy visited Manhattan College on November 8th for the District of Eastern North America’s Association Celebration! Lasallians from all over DENA participated in this special occasion, which featured a live- streamed video presentation by Superior General Brother Robert Schieler, FSC.

Our students had the much-appreciated opportunity to see Hamilton on Broadway this month thanks to the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s Hamilton Education Program. La Salle Academy’s history department integrated lessons about Alexander Hamilton and the Founding Era into their classroom studies as a precursor to the students’ visit to midtown.

New York University Clinical Associate Professor Fidelino Lim and his nursing students guest lectured about dental and oral health in a science class. This is just one of many planned visits from NYU’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Future topics of discussion will include nutrition, diabetes, blood pressure and obesity.

Please be sure to set La Salle Academy as your charity of choice as you shop AmazonSmile for Black Friday tomorrow and throughout the Christmas shopping season! Click here to learn more.

 

 

Can you be-“leaf” it?

Freshmen students in Mr. Neering’s biology class recently completed a hands-on leaf project. Students were given the task of collecting and identifying 20 different types of leaves. If you live in the “concrete jungle” of New York City, you know this is not an easy assignment. Students literally stepped outside their comfort zones to find these leaves. Those who stayed within the City limits chose places like Central Park, but one student even found some leaves in his neighborhood of Little Italy. Another student traveled a little further to White Plains to find the leaves for his project. The exotic leaves that another student found by his Grandmother’s home in Florida made his project a little different from the others. One freshman student said he made it fun by taking his twin sisters with him on his leaf adventure while another student added ‘fun facts’ to his project.

Finding the leaves was just the beginning. Next, the students had to identify the types of leaves they found based on features like shape and size with the help of a website suggested by Mr. Neering. Central Park labeled some of the trees which gave some students a head start. The research was the hardest part according to most of the students. Most leaves look the same and it’s hard to find different identifying features. Although they may look the same, there are still many unique types of trees found right here in New York City. “I learned to appreciate trees more instead of just looking at them,” one student reflected. Another student was interested in the health benefits of the leaves he found, such as aloe leaves and tea leaves.

   

Mr. Neering was very impressed, saying “The students went above and beyond what I asked of them with this leaf project. The artistic creativity was truly amazing. The students benefited first by being outdoors away from the technology that can consume them. They were exposed to the natural world that they all have so little opportunity to engage with. They also learned some genus/species names that will help them on the biology Regents exam in June. I am very proud to teach them all.”

Each student compiled their results into a book. Check out some of their work here:

           

Upcoming College Representative Visits

COLLEGE REPS VISITING
La Salle Academy – 2019

(UPDATED 11/13)

(all visits take place in the Library unless otherwise stated)

11/20Molloy College at 9am

SUNY Cortland at 9am

La Salle Academy’s October Recap

We welcomed many visitors to La Salle Academy in October. Read about some of our special guests below.

St. Francis College President, Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz visited our school earlier this month to guest lecture in a senior Social Justice class and a junior American History class. I also had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Saenz to discuss the expansion of La Salle Academy’s partnership with St. Francis College. This expansion will include incorporating another college-credit course into our curriculum and a summer opportunity for our students.

Our school’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly welcomed special guests U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat; City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez (pictured); Julissa Gutierrez, Deputy Director, Office of Constituency Affairs for Governor Cuomo; NYPD Deputy Commissioner Robert Ganley; Fr. Joseph E. Franco, NYPD; Assistant Chief Fausto Pichardo, NYPD; Deputy Chief Philip Rivera, NYPD; and the NY Police Band under the direction of Detective Amy Pape.

St. Joseph High School, an all-girls school located in Downtown Brooklyn, hosted our young men for a joint college fair. La Salle has thus far had 57 college admissions counselors in our building as our seniors make plans for life after graduation.

The 4th Annual William F. DeSpagna ’46 Memorial Mass was held on Sunday, October 20th at Saint Anthony’s High School on Long Island. Around 50 alumni and friends gathered in the chapel to remember deceased members of our Lasallian community. Pictured here is the DeSpagna family with the students who attended the Mass and brunch that followed.

La Salle students had the privilege of meeting American rower Garrett Klugh, who told his story of how he turned his childhood Olympic dream into reality. Mr. Klugh was a six-time member of the U.S. National Rowing Team, which won a World Championship in 1999. He represented the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Mr. Klugh, who was the last rower on the last day to make the Olympic Team, emphasized the importance of both creating your own opportunities and perseverance.

This past Saturday, we hosted our annual Open House. Prospective students and their families who attended received guided tours from our current students. Families had the chance to see our building, meet our competent and caring faculty and staff, and learn about our rigorous college-preparatory curriculum. A parent who visited said, “We had a lovely morning visiting La Salle. All of the young men were quite impressive and very respectful. They’re a real credit to your school community.”

I encourage you to visit our school someday soon as well. Also, please save the date for our 29th Annual Spring Gala on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at The Pierre in Manhattan! Click here to read the names of our honorees and to find ways you can participate. Reserve a seat or a table now and plan to join us for a festive evening as we build our scholarship fund.

Sincerely, with prayers and best wishes,

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

La Salle Open House Welcomes Future Cardinals

La Salle Academy welcomed many future Cardinals at its first Open House on Saturday, October 26th. During the tours and presentations, prospective students learned why La Salle Academy is one of the finest all-male Catholic high schools in New York. Founded in 1848 and located in the East Village, La Salle Academy features a small learning environment, culturally diverse student body, Lasallian identity, and academically rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum.

In case you missed our Open House, there are additional opportunities to learn about La Salle Academy:

  • Prospective students and their families can schedule a private visit to our school at a mutually agreeable time.
  • We also offer a program called “Cardinal For A Day,” that allows future Cardinals to spend a day on the La Salle campus. Each student will accompany a current “Cardinal” and experience a typical day as a La Salle student.
  • La Salle Academy is planning to host future Cardinals and families at another Open House in early winter. Stay tuned!

Read comments below from families who attended our Open House and learn why you should plan a visit to La Salle:

“We had the loveliest morning visiting La Salle. Zion was a fantastic tour guide- he was enthusiastic and answered all of our questions. In fact, all of the young men were quite impressive and very respectful. They’re a real credit to your school community. We enjoyed meeting the teachers and learning more about the curriculum.”

“My son and I came for the Open House on Saturday, and we really loved it. Also, my eight-year-old son is already telling me that this is the school he wants at go to 🙂 I told him you’re still too little.”

“I wanted to take the time to thank you, the students, and the staff for taking out the time on Saturday to give us a tour of the school.” 

“I would like to say that I really had a wonderful time at your Open House. I have never seen any students speak so proudly about their school. I am a very shy and quiet person and Daniel helped put me at ease when he told my mom, who was a little bit worried about it, that he was actually the same way and that he knew for sure I would eventually open up.” 

“My son and I had a really great tour guide by the name of James. La Salle Academy is one of my sons three choices. We really liked everything we saw and heard about the school, the programs, and the additional help the Academy provides their student to be successful”.

“My son I very much enjoyed the visit and the time there today. We liked the school and specially the enthusiasm of your teachers to show what they do and the spirit of the school. And please thank John, our guide, for his assistance and explanations during the morning”.

September Recap

With the 2019-2020 school year well underway, I am happy to share some September highlights from La Salle Academy.

The second weekend of September was a busy one for our young men! One group of students made their way to Little Italy to celebrate the Feast of San Gennaro by marching in the Grand Procession Parade. Another group of students marched in the 50th Annual African American Day Parade in Harlem.

On September 18th, the entire student body attended the first Mass of the 2019-2020 school year. Thank you to Father Brian Graebe, pastor of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral, who presided at Mass.

Our 25th Annual Cardinal Classic Golf Outing was held on September 19th at The Village Club of Sands Point. The weather was ideal and the camaraderie was great. Congratulations to our 50/50 raffle winner, Steve Wojcicki ’66, who won $2,175. Click here for a full recap of the event and for more photos. Pictured above is our winning foursome (minus one!) from event sponsor, Country Bank.

 

Brother Ghebreyesus Habte, FSC, Visitor of the Lwanga District of the Brothers in English speaking Africa, visited La Salle Academy to thank our students for their past generosity to the Child Discovery Center in Nakuru, Kenya. He also spoke about the international character of our Lasallian mission.

Rabbi Robert Hirt, co-founder of one of our academic partners, Civic Spirit, visited our school this month. He and his team shared with me some of the goals of the program (see civicspirit.org) and spoke to some of our Civic Scholars about civic engagement in their community.

If we haven’t met yet, I welcome you to schedule a visit to the school, otherwise, I hope to do so at one of our upcoming events. Click here for the full schedule of events and be sure to mark your calendar for our premiere event — our 29th Annual Spring Gala on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at The Pierre in New York City!

Sincerely, with prayers and best wishes,

Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President

Fall 2019 College Representative Visits

COLLEGE  REPS

VISITING La Salle Academy – 2019

(all visits take place in the Library unless otherwise stated)

10/15Stonehill College (MA) at 9am

Siena College at 10am

Dean College (MA) at 11am

Manhattan College at noon

10/17LeMoyne College at 11am

Seton Hall at noon

LIU – Brooklyn at 10am for IDD (College Guidance

Office – 5th floor)

10/18 – Howard U at 9am

Baruch College at 10am

Babson College (MA) at 11:15am

10/21Albright College (Penn) at 8:15am

Bloomfield College at 10am

Quinnipiac U at noon

10/25Allegheny College (PA) at 9am

California College of the Arts – period E in room 510

Syracuse U at 11:15am

10/29 – Hofstra U at 10am

Centenary College at 1pm

U of Bridgeport at 1:30pm

10/30Fairfield U at 8:15am

St. Thomas Aquinas for IDD at 9am (College Guidance

Office, 5th floor)

St. John’s U at 10am

Marist College at 10:30am

Marymount Manhattan College at 1:15pm

11/4John Jay College at 10am

U of Scranton at 11:15am

St. John Fisher College at 12:15pm

11/5Moravian College at 8:30am

Felician U at 10am

Utica College at 1:30pm

11/6Iona College at 8:30am

St. Francis College (Bklyn.) for IDD at 9am (College

Guidance Office, 5th floor)

11/12 – Rider U at 1:30pm

11/13 – Stony Brook U. at 1:30pm

11/14 – St. Peter’s U at 9am

11/15Springfield College (MA) at 1:30pm

11/20Molloy College for IDD at 9am (College Guidance Office,

5th floor)

SUNY Cortland at 9am

Welcome Back-Summer Recap

The 2019-2020 school year underway. Here are some highlights of our summer here at La Salle Academy!

La Salle Academy began its fiscal year in July by welcoming new President, Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC, to serve a four year term at our school. Shortly after Brother Thomas’ appointment, La Salle welcomed Ms. Kerry Conroy back to serve as Interim Principal. Read about Brother Thomas’ appointment on the school’s website by clicking here.

La Salle welcomed five new faculty to the family this year: Ms. Krista Cernaro, Br. Linus Chenane, Mr. Elliott Krause, Ms. Susie Romanosky (pictured left) and Ms. Daisy Tavera. These individuals will play a crucial role in the lives of La Salle’s students and we are thrilled to have them join our team!

La Salle Academy’s Class of 2023 started school on Thursday. They were welcomed on 6th Street by Mr. Anthony Chin, Director of Admissions and Recruitment, to take “First Day of School” photos. Best of luck for a successful four years, gentlemen!

  

Over the summer La Salle hosted prospective students for our annual Summer Readiness Program and La Salle Basketball Program’s Rising Cardinal Clinic.

Nearly 40 alumni and friends of La Salle Academy gathered at the home of alumnus and Co-Vice Chairman of the Board, Mr. Marty Cottingham ’88, for the 5th Annual Breezy Point Summer Soiree. Check out photos from the evening here.

We are excited to share the good news coming out of La Salle Academy and we look forward to a fantastic year! Click here to see our full schedule of events and please mark your calendars for our 29th Annual Spring Gala on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at The Pierre!

ILLUMINATING THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF AMERICAN CIVICS

During the week of July 29th through August 1st, La Salle Academy’s Senior Associate Director of Foundation, Alumni & Vendor Relations and Director of Civic Spirit, Caitlin Kerwin, joined educators from 14 Jewish and Catholic middle and high schools from New York, New Jersey, and Los Angeles to attend the Civic Spirit Summer Institute, an intensive civic education training conference.

La Salle is a lead partner in the pioneering first cohort of faith-based schools revitalizing civic education across the country. This coming school year will celebrate La Salle’s second year in the Civic Spirit program to reinvigorate civics education for modern demands.

At the Institute, teachers and administrators delved into primary sources and engaged in rich conversation on teaching the principles of American democracy, civil discourse, and responsibilities of citizenship in the context of a religious community with varying political and philosophical views. The educators learned with political philosophers, historians, curriculum specialists, and literary scholars.

The Institute prepares educators to use Civic Spirit’s signature methodology of cultivating civic belonging, fluency with democratic systems, and hands-on experience to practice key civic skills.

It is an honor for La Salle to be a leader partner in the pioneering Civic Spirit cohort, shaping how 21st century civics is taught in middle and high schools in America.

For more information: https://civicspirit.org

La Salle Academy Appoints New President, Brother Thomas Casey, F.S.C.

Brother Dennis Lee, F.S.C., Provincial/Visitor of the District of Eastern North America (DENA) of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers), has announced that Brother Thomas Casey, F.S.C., will serve as the next President of La Salle Academy (LSA) NYC beginning July 16, 2019.

The appointment of Brother Thomas was made after consultation with the Ministry Corporation of DENA, the Executive Committee of the La Salle Academy Board of Trustees and, subsequently, the full Board.

Brother Dennis offered this reflection upon naming Brother Thomas as the new President of La Salle:

“Mindful of the significance of La Salle Academy to our Institute, to the Church, and to New York City, I am excited that Brother Thomas has accepted my invitation to serve as La Salle’s President. Working with all who serve at La Salle, Brother Thomas will preserve and advance further the Lasallian Catholic mission of the school in its central responsibility to develop young men in faith, service, and scholarship. At this critical time in the history of Catholic education across the United States, Brother Thomas takes leadership of La Salle so that its mission remains relevant, sustainable, and effective in touching the minds and hearts of the young men entrusted to its care.

Brother Thomas brings a wide range of pertinent experience, notably prior excellent service as Head of School. Imbued with the Lasallian charism, he will work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that the 171-year tradition of La Salle continues strong.

Brother Thomas has served these past two years as Auxiliary Visitor of DENA. His wisdom and expertise in this role will be sorely missed, but I am very confident that his service on behalf of the current and future students of La Salle will be a blessing.”

Brother Thomas commented on his appointment to serve as President of La Salle with these words:

“I am enthused by the opportunity to serve as the President of La Salle Academy. Being entrusted with this ministry and collaborating with so many individuals committed to the school’s mission is exciting. The school has a vibrant heritage and I am honored to participate in creating its future. May God bless all who share in the life of La Salle Academy, especially its students, whom I look forward to meeting soon.” 

La Salle Academy’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Salvatore LaRocca, speaking from the perspective of leading the governing board at La Salle, said:

“I am excited to welcome Brother Thomas Casey, F.S.C., as the new President of La Salle Academy.  Brother Thomas is the perfect leader to continue advancing the progress La Salle has experienced over the last several years in academic rigor, fundraising and student enrollment while preserving the Lasallian Catholic mission to educate young men most in need.”

La Salle Academy has served young men in Lower Manhattan since 1848. It is the second oldest high school sponsored by the Christian Brothers in the United States. La Salle offers a rigorous, college-preparatory education in the Lasallian tradition, opportunities for children to grow in faith and service, and provides a wide array of athletic and other extracurricular programs. For more information about La Salle, please contact Ismini Scouras at 212-475-8940 ext. 204, email [email protected] or visit www.lasalleacademy.org.

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The mission of La Salle Academy, a rigorous college-preparatory high school, is to educate students of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds with special outreach to those most in need. We provide a nurturing environment, which fosters spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional and physical growth in the Roman Catholic tradition and the Lasallian spirit, as embodied in St. John Baptist de La Salle. We create experiences of community within the school and encourage each student to develop their gifts and talents for their own growth, as well as engage in the caring service of others, through its academic, extra-curricular and spiritual programs.

A Note From Our Valedictorian

Dear Friend,

My name is Kristian Olvera and on June 6, 2019, I graduated from La Salle Academy as Valedictorian of my class. As a student, I was academically diligent and civically active in our school’s community, having served as Class President during my sophomore and junior years and as President of Student Government during my senior year.

I was accepted to 21 colleges and universities in the New York City area and beyond and I earned over $1.2 million in scholarship money and financial aid to attend some of those schools. I am the first in my family to ever go to college and I plan on making a positive impact on my society. I am proud to announce that in the fall, I will be attending Villanova University on a full-ride scholarship.

But guess what?
None of this came easy to me.

I am a male Hispanic teenager who defies all pre-conceived notions of being a teen minority. My Ecuadorian and Mexican backgrounds were something that I never really saw as different, but as I entered school, I became more aware of my identity and began to experience the societal misconceptions of being Latino.

My peers from middle school always called me, “a stupid Mexican who wouldn’t amount to anything.” I was always left out from social interactions because, according to my classmates, I was “a nerd” and “didn’t deserve to be in this country.” They constantly overlooked the other half of my ethnicity and the simple fact that I, like them, am a human being. By the time I graduated from middle school, I accepted my ethnicity as something that I had no control over and must live with forever. Nevertheless, I still struggled with this identity as I entered high school.

When I started high school, I saw that I was similar to my peers, as Hispanic students make up the majority of La Salle Academy. During freshman year, I still held some resentment toward my background, but my peers’ cultural identities and my new membership in the National Hispanic Institute enabled me to feel pride for my family’s heritage and culture. Through the National Hispanic Institute, I was made more aware of issues that Latin American countries face, and I broke out of my shell to become the leader I am today. I want to create more unity among Latino people because I know that if we are united, we can foster great change.

My family has been my chief motivator throughout my life. My parents never had the opportunities that I do, but they always pushed themselves so that I could have a better life than they did. They instilled in me that diligence and education are important. They helped create the foundation for my Latino pride at a young age and encouraged me to use it as motivation.

My uncle’s incarceration also motivates me. Although he is incarcerated, his pursuit of a Ph.D. has encouraged me to pursue higher education and not fall victim to the stereotypes of being Hispanic. His pursuit of education, despite his situation, has inspired me to pursue a career in law. I want to disrupt the status quo in prisons and create an education system that addresses everyone, especially minorities.

My pride in my Latino community has motivated me to this day and it will continue for the rest of my life. In my future, throughout college and my career, before making any big decisions, I will always ask myself, “How can this give me the ability to aid my community and fellow minorities?” I am very proud of my Latino identity. It is what will push me to thrive in college and life. I have faced discrimination for being me and I know that it will continue, but such experiences will not discourage me from being a proud Hispanic who will achieve my goals.

As you can see, it’s not easy being me… but the challenge to rise above is what holds the highest value to me.

I am infinitely grateful for my time as a student at La Salle Academy, one of the most diverse all-boys Catholic high schools in New York City. Without this experience, I may not have felt comfortable in my own skin as a minority, and I may not have developed the skills to become a leader among my peers. Growing up as an only child, I never had siblings, but La Salle helped me meet people who I know are my brothers now. Together, we received a Lasallian Catholic education that will stick with us forever. It has instilled in us morals that have helped us to develop and grow into the men we truly want to be.

On behalf of my classmates, I want to thank the La Salle Academy community for giving us this opportunity to succeed. Without the support of our benefactors, many of us would not have been able to attend La Salle, which has prepared us for the rigors of higher education at some of the best four-year universities in the country. Amazingly, my graduating class, consisting of 73 students, collectively earned more than $21 million college scholarships this year, compared to $3.5 million in 2016.

It all started here for us, but this mission must continue for future Brothers’ Boys at La Salle. Please consider making a gift to La Salle’s annual fund. More than 90% of La Salle’s student body receives scholarship aid to help defray the cost of tuition, which has risen to $11,000 for incoming freshmen in the 2019-20 academic year. On average, students’ families pay $4,000 per year, and yet it costs La Salle nearly $18,000 to educate each student. Your gift will not only bridge that gap, but it will be an important investment to future La Salle boys.

Thank you for helping us defy the odds and achieve success. Thank you for helping La Salle.

Sincerely,

Kristian Olvera ‘19

La Salle’s 4×800 Relay Team Competes in NYS Track Championships

Special congratulations to the 4 x 800 Outdoor Track relay team who qualified for and competed in the New York State Track Championships last weekend in Middletown, NY. The team, comprised of Elias Torres, Shane Cruz, Denzel Avila, Malachi Soloman, Kenneth Echaverria and Michael Correa posted a personal record time at the State Championship.

La Salle Takes 3rd Place in Handball City Championship

The handball season ended with a very close match against Salesian HS in which La Salle emerged victorious to take third place in the city varsity handball tournament championship . The game MVP was Theo Noble who won a tie breaker to seal the victory. A great all around team effort help us beat Salesian with two consecutive doubles wins from our seniors who returned just for this match.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019!

This past Thursday, the La Salle Academy community of parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, faculty, staff, alumni and Board Trustees gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to celebrate as another class of La Salle Men joined the school’s elite 171-year history of alumni. This year’s senior class walked down the aisle led by Chairman of La Salle Academy’s Board of Trustees, Salvatore LaRocca ’82. Sharplydressed in their black tuxedos and red boutonnieres, these young men proudly marched to the altar to receive their high school diplomas.

Salutatorian Christopher Sanchez Leon ’19 (left) and Valedictorian Kristian Amado Olvera ’19 (right) each had a few moments to address their classmates from the podium. Later in the program, a handful of students were presented with awards and honors. Students received awards for Academic Excellence in each curricular subject and others received honors in science, leadership, and service.

We celebrated an important milestone for alumni, too. La Salle Academy’s classes of 1969 and 1994 celebrated their golden and silver jubilees,respectively, of graduating from high school. These alumni were presented with their commemorative diplomas on the altar of St. Patrick’s (photos below.) Congratulations, gentlemen!

    

It was a special night for all of us as we said goodbye to a group of 73 students. 100% of these young men were accepted to college this year and have committed to attend a school this fall, 90% of which are 4-year institutions. Collectively, the class of 2019 earned over $21 million in college scholarships and grants.

Congratulations on your achievements, men, and remember… you are always La Salle.

 

Livestream La Salle Academy’s Graduation Today!

La Salle Academy’s Class of 2019 graduation ceremony takes place today at 7pm at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. If you do not have a ticket, you can livestream the ceremony via http://ustream.tv/channel/saintpatrickslive

Enjoy!

La Salle Hosts 100 At Freshmen Welcome Dinner

Wednesday, May 29, 2019 – La Salle hosted its Annual Incoming Freshmen Dinner to the 100 young men of the Class of 2023. The annual event’s purpose is to celebrate and welcome the Incoming Freshmen and their families. Anthony Chin, Director of Recruitment & Admissions, was the Master of Ceremonies and Jerome Pannell, Assistant Principal for Student Affairs, and Matthew Stark, Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs, each presented to the incoming freshmen and their families about the transition process and expectations at La Salle for September 2019. Many of the families were engaged and asked pertinent questions during the Q & A Session. There were many family members in attendance comprised of parents, siblings and grandparents that mingled and sat down to have dinner with La Salle’s Students Ambassadors, Parent’s Association and a handful of La Salle’s dedicated Faculty. Each member of the Class of 2023 was given a “Welcome Packet” containing their individualized tuition invoice, summer reading list, summer readiness program registrations forms, medical forms and uniform forms. Many of the Class of 2023 students were fitted for their uniforms and already signed up for the La Salle @2:30 activities and sports. Overall, it was a well-attended, fun and enjoyable evening despite the rain. If you have any admissions questions, please contact Mr. Chin by emailing [email protected] or by calling 212-475-8940 ext. 240. Click here for more photos from the Incoming Freshmen Welcome Dinner.

La Salle’s May Recap

Happy June! As the school year winds down, we want to share with you our jam-packed recap from May.

Earlier this month, our Civic Scholars participated in Civic Spirit Day where they gathered with 12 other Catholic and Jewish schools from the New York City area. They worked as teams to create their idea for a summer service program catered toward graduating high school seniors. It was amazing to see so many students from such diverse backgrounds work so well together! Click here to see more photos from the day.

We hosted our first Asian/Pacific American Assembly earlier this month. Special guests included Deputy Commissioner of NYC Parks & Recreation, Joy Wang, President of the LIRR, Phillip Eng, the highest ranking Asian American in the NYPD, Chief Thomas Chan, Deputy Consul Generals of India and China, and Queens Congresswoman, Grace Meng. Students were also treated to a performance by the New York Chinese Cultural Center dancers. See more photos from the event here.

The 28th Annual Spring Gala raised approximately $1.4 million in scholarships for our boys. Thank you to our incredible honorees — Civic Spirit, Len Eidlen ’72, Thomas J. Connaughton ’53, and Larry Rawson — for your commitment to our school. Thank you also to Juliet Papa for emceeing our event at The Pierre. It was a night to remember! See more from the evening here.

La Salle’s 31st Annual High School Art Contest and Art Expo took place on May 22nd. For the past 31 years, the La Salle Art Expo has given students from Catholic, private and public high schools the opportunity to display their artistic gifts and talents. Congratulations to all of the talented artists both at La Salle and from our neighboring schools!

 

La Salle’s Class of 2019 had a great time dressing up for their Senior Prom on May 23rd at Giando on the Water in Brooklyn. It was a fun and well-deserved evening out for these hard-working young men who will graduate on Thursday, June 6th at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

100 young men entering La Salle Academy’s Class of 2023, along with their families, attended our Annual Freshman Welcome Dinner last Wednesday. They heard from our school’s leadership about the high school transition process and expectations for September. Welcome to La Salle, boys! Click here to see more.

 

 

La Salle Relay Team Advances to Track and Field State Championships

On May 25th, the Outdoor 4 x 800 relay team, competing in the CHSAA City Championship on Randall’s Island, participated in the top heat and qualified for the State Championships.

La Salle qualified as a Division II school in the 3200 meter relay (4 x 800) with a time of 9:01.32. This is their best time of the season and was done without one of the top two runners present.

This year’s State Championships will be held at Middletown High School (30 Gardner Ext Ave, Middletown, NY 10940) on Friday, June 7th @ 5pm.  If they advance, they will run on Saturday, June 8th at 1pm.

The 4 x 800 teams is comprised the following student-athletes:

  • Denzel Avila
  • Michael Correa
  • Shane Cruz
  • Kenneth Echeverria
  • Justin Gonzalez
  • Elias Torres

Congrats to Coach Hackshaw, Coach Howard and Coach Williams on a great season! We wish them the best of luck next week!

La Salle Falls to St. Edmunds in First Round of the Playoffs

Wednesday, May 20, 2019 – Randall’s Island, NY– In the first round of the 2019 CHSAA ‘A’ Varsity Baseball Playoffs, the La Salle Cardinals fell 7-4, to the defending champions, St. Edmund’s Prep, on Randall’s Island.

The Eagles struck first, capitalizing on a miscue to take an early lead 3-0. Not to be outdone, La Salle came back, scoring four and taking a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 2nd, thanks to a bases clearing double to right center gap by Cristobal Rivera.

With the game still up in the air, it was St. Edmund Prep that got the timely hit to take a lead that they never relinquished.

Next Up:  The loss puts La Salle in the elimination bracket of the tournament and their next game will be an elimination game on Wednesday, May 22nd, against the loser of the Scanlan – Bishop Loughlin game.  Time and location TBD.

 

 

 

 

EAST VILLAGE HIGH SCHOOL DOES IT AGAIN! OVER $1 MILLION RAISED FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS 

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Ismini Scouras
212-475-8940 ext. 204
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

EAST VILLAGE HIGH SCHOOL DOES IT AGAIN!
OVER $1 MILLION RAISED FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS 

East Village, N.Y., May 16, 2019 – La Salle Academy has done it again with another million-dollar gala under its belt! The high school, situated in Manhattan’s East Village, celebrated its 28th Annual Spring Gala at The Pierre Hotel in Manhattan on Thursday, May 9th, where approximately $1.4 million for student scholarships was raised.

La Salle has seen many successes over the last five years thanks to its hands-on board leadership and generous community of alumni and friends. Dr. Catherine Guerriero, who has served as the school’s President for the last five years and as Principal for the last year, said, “This was our best Gala yet. La Salle Academy is a self-propelled engine of giving that is generously fueled by her amazing alumni and deep bench of friends and partners.”

  

Salvatore LaRocca ‘82, Chairman of La Salle’s Board of Trustees and President of Global Partnerships for the NBA, along with Vincent S. Tese ’60, La Salle Board Trustee and Executive Chairman of Florida Community Bank, served as Spring Gala Co-Chairs. They each shared their Lasallian pride and support of their alma mater.

The 28th Annual Spring Gala honored three distinguished men for their constant support and extraordinary commitment to La Salle: Len Eidlen ’72 DBA Len Adams, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Adams Consulting Group/ACG Resources; Thomas J. Connaughton ’53, Retired Businessman; and Larry Rawson, famed ESPN track and field commentator. Civic Spirit, a collaborative civics education initiative, received the Educator of the Year Award at the event, and Juliet Papa, Award-Winning Reporter for 1010 Wins Radio, joined the cast as this year’s emcee.

La Salle Academy has been providing a rigorous, college-preparatory Catholic education in the Lasallian tradition to those most in need for 171 years and counting. For more information about La Salle, please contact Ismini Scouras at 212-475-8940 ext. 204, email [email protected] or visit www.lasalleacademy.org.

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The mission of La Salle Academy, a rigorous college-preparatory high school, is to educate students of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds with special out-reach to those most in need. We provide a nurturing environment, which fosters spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional and physical growth in the Roman Catholic tradition and the Lasallian spirit, as embodied in St. John Baptist de La Salle. We create experiences of community within the school and encourage each student to develop their gifts and talents for their own growth, as well as engage in the caring service of others, through its academic, extra-curricular and spiritual programs.

 

Cardinals Fall On The Road To Scanlan

Wednesday, May 15, 2019 –  Bronx, NY… La Salle was beaten 10-2 by Scanlan in a top four match up in the CHSAA A Division. The loss drops the Cardinals record to 8-4 with one game remaining in the regular season.

La Salle starter, Franklin Olivares, struggled and came out of the game after 89 pitches in only two and two thirds innings with 5 earned runs.   Elijah Bridgett was effective in four innings of relief giving up 3 runs (1 earned) on three hits while walking three and striking out five.

Scanlan jumped out to an early lead with big 1st inning.  The Cardinals plated their only runs in the bottom of the second as the Scanlan starter allowed two runs as the Cards showed some plate discipline and earned several walks.

Next Up:  The 2019 regular season comes to a close today, Thursday, May 16thas the Cardinals travel to Brooklyn to face the Lions of Bishop Loughlin at American Legion Fields,

The winner will claim the 3rdseed for the playoffs.  First pitch is scheduled for 5:00pm.

La Salle Falls to Christ The King

Wednesday, May 1, 2019 – Queens, NY– In a match-up of two of the top teams of the CHSAA ‘A’ Division,  the La Salle Cardinals came up on the short end of the 10-2 decision against Christ The King at Juniper Valley Park.

The Cardinals jumped out to the early 1-0 lead on the legs of Nicholas Rivera, who lead off the game with a bunt base hit, then stole second and was able to score from third on a wild pitch after being advanced with a sacrifice bunt from Cristobal Rivera. However, in the bottom of the inning, Christ The King, batted around for a big inning on La Salle starter, Carlos Flores, who took the loss.   Flores did settle down and kept the Royals off the board the next four innings but the damage was done as was the Cardinals six game winning streak.

Next Up:  It’s a quick turnaround as the Cardinals host last year’s champion, St. Edmund Prep at Central Park North Meadow Field 6 on Thursday, May 2nd.  First pitch is 3:30pm.

 

March 2019 Newsletter

Another amazing month at La Salle. Here’s what happened this March…

Students, alumni, family and friends all joined us on Saturday, March 16th for our annual St. Patrick’s Day Brunch and Parade. We kicked off the morning with breakfast hosted by alumnus Marty Cottingham ’88 and then made our way to midtown, where we marched 200 strong led by the La Salle Academy Band in the famed New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Check out photos here.

Our annual Career Day took place on Friday, March 22nd at the school. Over 100 guest speakers attended to share their career advice with our eager students in their classes. We also had a special guest, Anré Williams, Group President of Global Merchant & Network Services at American Express, join us as the keynote speaker. Thank you to Ann Straub for organizing this fantastic event!

Through La Salle Partners, we offer a college-level Advanced American and New York Politics course that is aligned with one of our partners, Civic Spirit. This month, the class received a visit from Manhattan Deputy Borough President, Matthew S. Washington, who discussed the importance of community engagement and their roles in NYC.

In keeping with our school’s Catholic charism, the junior class participated in their annual retreat at Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral this month. The experience included a private tour of the catacombs! Special thanks to our Campus Ministry team, Jerome Pannell and Nicholas Di Iorio, and religion faculty, Vincent Estevez and Deacon Darrell Buono, for providing a faith-filled opportunity for our boys.

As part of our La Salle in the City programming, our school’s newspaper team took a trip to the New York Post offices with English Department Chair and veteran educator at LSA, Patricia Toney. Each year, our students receive a private tour of the newspaper’s HQ, where they learn the ins and outs of the newspaper industry and how the Post operates.

A select handful of La Salle students had an amazing day last weekend with Board Chair and alumnus Salvatore LaRocca ’82at Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks game! This unique opportunity is part of our La Salle Mentors programming. Special thanks to Mr. LaRocca for showing us what leadership in action really means.

These kids deserve every bit of these experiences and more. Thank you all for making it possible! Please consider attending our 28th Annual Spring Gala on Thursday, May 9th to keep the momentum going. This important event helps us raise significant amounts of scholarship funding each year for young men like those featured above.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us! Live, Jesus, in our hearts. Forever! 

La Salle Track Opens Up Season at CHSAA Season Opener

Saturday, March 30, 2019, Icahn Stadium Participating in the first official meet of the Outdoor Track Season, the Cardinals would have over 30 athletes in attendance with great weather accompanying them.

A strong showing throughout the day, the Cardinals would earn victories and Gold medals in three events with Denzel Avila winning the 1600M Sophomore Run, Joshua Louis winning the 400M Freshman Run & Denzel Avila, Shane Cruz, Justin Gonzalez and Branden Pannell winning the 400m Sophomore Relay.

  

La Salle had several other Top 5 finishes including: Varsity 400m (4th place – Baimbridge, Torres, McCoy, Francois), Sophomore 400m (4th place – Shane Cruz),  400m Sophomore Relay (4th place – Butts-Jones, Moy, Rodriguez, Sinchi-Dominguez), 400m Freshman Relay (2nd Place – Louis, Walsh, Mateo, Rosario & 3rd place – Lee, Ruiz, Lui, Ye).

 

Employment Opportunity-Principal-La Salle Academy

School Canceled Monday, March 4, 2019

Due to the anticipated inclement weather, La Salle Academy will be closed on Monday, March 4, 2019. Please stay warm and safe.

-La Salle Academy Administration

La Salle Varsity Basketball Comes Up Short in CHSAA Semi-finals

Tuesday, February 26, 2019, Bronx, NY – Two days after upsetting the top-seeded All Hallows, the Cardinals faced off against #2 seed, Msgr. Farrell on Tuesday night at St. Raymond’s in the Bronx. The Lions from Staten Island would jump out to an early lead throughout the first half before a late run by La Salle would net the Cardinals a one point deficit in what proved to be a low scoring first half for both teams.

The 2nd half was a game of runs with Farrell extending their lead once again but the Cardinals mounting a run to bring the game within reach. Unable to get over the final four point hurdle, the Cardinals would eventually fall 49-45 to a very well disciplined Lions team.

Despite the end result, the Cardinals showed great resilience throughout and were led by Jimmy Romero and Michael Carothers Jr. (10 points each) while Amadou Kouyate added 8 points with Josiah Chandler and Branden Pannell each chipping in 6 points.

We thank our Seniors – Jaden Ault, Josiah Chandler and Jimmy Romero for their efforts and positive representation of our school! We wish them the best of luck as they prepare for graduation and college.

Varsity Basketball Takes Down Top-seeded All Hallows in Quarterfinal Match-up

In a match-up of the two schools that joined the CHSAA A Division this season (All Hallows from the AA and La Salle from the B), the Cardinals of La Salle earned a hard fought 58-50 victory on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx.

Trailing after the first quarter 13-7, All Hallows used 2nd quarter adjustments to net a tied game at halftime.

The Cardinals used timely shooting in the 4th quarter, a stout defense and a dominant performance on the boards to clinch the win.

Amadou Kouyate led the Cardinals with 20 points while Michael Carothers Jr. added 12 points with 11 rebounds and Josiah Chandler chipped in 9 points with 9 rebounds.
With the upset victory, La Salle advances to the CHSAA A Division Semi-finals on Tuesday, February 26th at 6:00pm. The Cardinals will face off against Monsignor Farrell. The game will be played at Saint Raymond’s in the Bronx.

Come out tomorrow to support your winning Cardinals!

Varsity Basketball Advances to the Quarterfinals

Tuesday, February 19, 2019: Playing in the first round of the CHSAA playoffs on Tuesday, February 19th, La Salle Academy’s varsity basketball team defeated Kennedy Catholic 61-42 at Mt. St. Michael Academy in the Bronx.

A total team effort, the Cardinals were led by Michael Carothers Jr.’s 16-point, 12-rebound and 7-assist effort. Jimmy Romero added 12 points and Branden Pannell chipped in 9 points.

With the win the Cardinals advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday, February 23rd at 4:30pm versus top-seeded All Hallows. The game will be held at Mt. St. Michael Academy in the Bronx.

Come out and cheer on your Cardinals all the way to victory!

 

LSA JV Basketball Sneaks Past Spellman To Enter The Quarterfinals

Saturday, February 16, 2019: JV Basketball advanced to the quarterfinals of the CHSAA playoffs after a nail-biting 64-61 win against Cardinal Spellman. The Cardinals gave up a 20-point third quarter lead but were able to settle down, with clutch free throws sealing the game in the final minute.

The team was led by Carlos Lorenzo with 18 points followed by Nick Williams with 15 points. Jaden Pichardo and Kenneth Echeverría both chipped in with 10 points each.

Next Game:

“A” Division Quarterfinals

Monday 2/18 @ Nazareth

1:00 pm La Salle vs Farrell

 

LSA Freshman Basketball Sprints Into Quarterfinals

Saturday, February 16, 2019: The La Salle Freshmen basketball team raced to a 30-2 lead after the first quarter and cruised to a 75-22 win over Kennedy Catholic in the first round of the 2019 CHSAA Freshman “A” Basketball Playoffs at Nazareth High School in Brooklyn.

Donnell Campbell lead the way with 23 points and  Jamir Smith had a double-double (15 points/10 assists) as four Cardinals reached double figures.

Next Game:

“A” Division Quarter Finals Monday 2/18:

@ Msgr. Farrell

3:00 pm La Salle vs Fordham Prep

Black History Month Celebrated at La Salle Academy

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Ismini Scouras
212-475-8940 ext. 204
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATED AT LA SALLE ACADEMY

East Village, N.Y., February 7, 2019 – La Salle Academy hosted its annual Black History Month assembly on Wednesday, February 6th at the school on East 6th Street in Manhattan as part of the high school’s cultural program.

Special guest speakers included New York State Assembly Speaker, Carl Heastie, President of the NAACP’s New York State Conference, Dr. Hazel Dukes, and Dr. Dennis Walcott, President and CEO of the Queens Library. Attendees witnessed special guest performances by the NYPD Guardians Gospel Choir, NYPD Police Band, Firefighter Regina Wilson, and the West Point Gospel Choir.

“The reason why Black History Month is in February is to commemorate two heroes: Fredrick Douglass…and President Abraham Lincoln,” said Speaker Heastie, who is also the first African American elected to the Assembly. He went on to tell the students about a poignant moment during a childhood visit to Georgia. “My father brought me over to a wall, and we saw the old water fountains for whites and blacks. He just wanted me to remember what African Americans went through.”

Dr. Dukes spoke about how history did not treat African Americans kindly, but that they played a great part in making America what it is today. “I know what it feels like to sit at the back of the bus,” Dr. Dukes said, “but I also know about faith. We honor and recognize every race, creed, color and sexual orientation. It’s important as Americans to know how to live together.”

Later in the program, La Salle Academy’s art and drama students represented Black History in their artwork, poetry and spoken word for the audience.

For more information about La Salle Academy, please contact Ismini Scouras at 212-475-8940 ext. 204, email [email protected] or visit www.lasalleacademy.org.

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The mission of La Salle Academy, a rigorous college-preparatory high school, is to educate students of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds with special out-reach to those most in need. We provide a nurturing environment, which fosters spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional and physical growth in the Roman Catholic tradition and the Lasallian spirit, as embodied in St. John Baptist de La Salle. We create experiences of community within the school and encourage each student to develop their gifts and talents for their own growth, as well as engage in the caring service of others, through its academic, extra-curricular
and spiritual programs.

  

  

  

  

School In Session, January 31st – Parent-Teacher Conferences Rescheduled

Attention La Salle Academy Parents/Guardians:

School is in session today, however, we will be cancelling all after-school activities and rescheduling Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Due to the extreme weather conditions, we feel it is important that students go straight home and that everyone avoid braving the frigid temperatures this evening.

Report Cards will uploaded and available on Plus Portals at 3:30pm today.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place at the end of the 3rd Quarter on Thursday, April 11th from 4pm-7pm.

We encourage you to reach out to teachers to discuss any academic concerns you may have regarding your son’s progress.

Varsity and JV Bowling Teams sweep the CHSAA City Championships

Thursday, January 10, 2019, Astoria, NY – Facing the top seeded Cathedral Prep Crusaders in the CHSAA City Championships, the La Salle Cardinals emerged victorious on both the Varsity and JV levels.
On the Varsity, Jimmy Falcon Jr. led all scores with a 219 high game (633 three game series) while Anthony Alvarez followed with a 215 high game with Devin Flowers and Mariano Mitchell both recording high game scores of 212.
For the JV, Yamil Sanchez led the scoring with a 223 high game (615 three game series) while Justin Williams rolled a 214 high game (606 three game series) and Isaiah Perez rounded out the scoring with a 232 high game.
This year’s collective bowling group is one of the best that La Salle has ever fielded with both teams finishing the season with undefeated 15-0 records. This also marks the JV programs 3rd City Championship in a row.
Congratulations to all of the Coaches, Players and Parents for an incredible season that was highlighted by their sportsmanship, leadership and togetherness.

La Salle Bowling Advances to City Championship Finals

Tuesday, January 8, 2019: Playing in the semi-finals of the City Championship Round at Astoria Bowl, both the Varsity and JV Bowling teams would emerge victorious.

Varsity  defeated Archbishop Molloy as Devin Flowers led all scores with a 268 high game and 3 game series of 674. He was followed by Anthony Alvarez with a 265 high game (645 series) and Mariano Mitchell with a 614 3 game series while Jimmy Falcon closed with a 258 high game.

The JV was also victorious as they defeated St. Francis Prep. Isaiah Perez led all scores with a 216 high game and was followed by Justin Williams who had a 197 high game.

Both teams will compete on Thursday, January 10th as they go for the outright City Championships against Cathedral Prep.

In Memoriam: Mr. George E. Scharpf ’58

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of George E. Scharpf from La Salle Academy’s class of 1958. Mr. Scharpf has been generously giving his time, treasure and talent to his alma mater for many decades, never refusing an opportunity to better the lives of the Brothers’ Boys following in his footsteps.

A lifelong lover of music, Mr. Scharpf contributed to the third-floor expansion at our beloved school (at 6th Street) by establishing The Scharpf Family Music Center at La Salle Academy in 2018. This provided a home for our revitalized band and music program to flourish in years to come, something close to Mr. Scharpf’s heart.

In 2000, Mr. Scharpf and his sister, Marguerite, established a scholarship at La Salle in memory of their brother, Ernest, a graduate from La Salle’s class of 1959. The Ernest J. Scharpf Scholarship has contributed thousands of dollars to La Salle Academy students in need over the past 18 years.

In the late 2000s, Mr. Scharpf served as a member of La Salle Academy’s Board of Trustees and again as one of our devout consultants until his passing on January 4, 2019. Mr. Scharpf played a role in some of the most formative years of La Salle’s recent history and our community will be forever grateful for his kindness and support.

Following his graduation from La Salle Academy in 1958, Mr. Scharpf went on to graduate from the University of Notre Dame in 1962 and received his MBA from New York University in 1969. After receiving his MBA, Mr. Scharpf began his career at Amboy Bank in Old Bridge, NJ. Mr. Scharpf led the bank as Chairman, President and CEO right up until his death. This job allowed him to work alongside his family – his sons, Gregory and Eric, and his brother-in-law, Joseph – and his community.

A private memorial will be held. For condolences, please visit https://tributes.com/georgescharpf. In lieu of flowers, the Scharpf family requests donations to La Salle Academy (www.lasalleacademy.org, 44 East 2nd Street, New York, NY 10003).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cardinals Fall in Championship of Bishop Ludden Holiday Classic

Friday, December 28, 2018 – The La Salle Cardinals fell to Owego in the Championship of the Bishop Ludden Holiday Classic. Down 2 points at halftime, Owego would use a 21-9 third quarter run that would ultimately be the difference in the outcome of the game. The Cardinals were led by Josiah Chandler (18 points), Jimmy Romero (14 points) and Michael Carothers Jr. (11 points). Josiah Chandler and Michael Carothers Jr. were named to the All-Tournament Team.

  

Cardinals advance to Holiday Classic Championship

Thursday, December 27, 2018 – La Salle Advances to the Championship of the Bishop Ludden Holiday Classic with a 66-50 victory over Bishop Timon of Buffalo. A tied game at the half, the Cardinals would use stout 3rd Uaryer defense to create and maintain the lead. The Cardinals were led by Josiah Chandler with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists while Michael Carothers Jr added 14 points and Amadou Kouyate chipped in 10 points.

 

Freshman Basketball Uses 2nd half run en route to victory over Cardinal Spellman

Saturday, December 22, 2018 – In a matinee game before the holidays, the young freshmen Cardinals would use two 3rd quarter runs to extend a 4 point halftime lead to defeat the Pilots of Cardinal Spellman 48-23. Playing short-handed, the Cardinals showed resilience, allowing their defense to create their offense and were led by Jemir Smith’s 23 points. The freshmen return to action on Saturday, December 29th when they travel to Queens to take on St. Francis Prep.

 

 

La Salle Wins at Brooklyn Bridge Invitational Holiday Classic

Friday, December 21, 2018 – Playing in the prestigious Brooklyn Bridge Holiday Invitational for the third straight season, the La Salle Cardinals defeated George Westinghouse 56-55 on Friday night in Brooklyn. The Cardinals were led by Josiah Chandler’s 20 points, 4 assists While Jimmy Romero added 14 points and Michael Carothers Jr. chipped in 11 points for the victory. Amadou Kouyate was awarded the Scholar Athlete Award, Jimmy Romero received the Sportsmanship Award and Josiah Chandler received the Most Valuable Player Award. The Cardinals return to action after Christmas when they travel to Syracuse to participate in the Bishop Ludden Holiday Tournament on December 27th and 28th.

 

Varsity Cardinals Stage Late run to Ground the Pilots

Thursday, December 20, 2018 –  Playing at Cardinal Spellman in the Bronx, the Cardinals would rally late to defeat the Pilots of Cardinal Spellman 54-45 on Thursday evening. Trailing for most of the game, the Cardinals would tie the game at 41-41 with 3 minutes remaining.  Utilizing defensive intensity down the stretch the Cardinals would use a 14-4 run to close out the victory on the road.  The Cardinals were led by Josiah Chandler’s 20 point, 11 rebound, 8 assist effort while Jimmy Romero added 14 points and 8 rebounds.