Jump to content

Murry Bergtraum High School

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 24.45.70.190 (talk) at 21:27, 3 September 2006 (→Bergtraum's Reforms). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Murry Bergtraum High School For Business Careers
File:Mbhs logo 95.jpeg
Address
Map
411 Pearl Street

New York
,
New York

USA
Information
TypePublic secondary
MottoParticipate to graduate ("For the opportunities offered")
Established1975
PrincipalBarbara A. Esmilla
Faculty300
Grades9-12
Number of students3,000+
MascotFile:MBHS Blazers.gifBergtraum Blazers
AthleticsPSAL
Websitewww.bergtraum.org
File:Picture013.jpeg
View of the eastern wing of the building, which oversees Pearl Street.

Murry Bergtraum High School For Business Careers is a public secondary school in New York City. It is located in Lower Manhattan near the Brooklyn Bridge, next to City Hall on 411 Pearl Street. Bergtraum offers business courses to prepare students for jobs in marketing, tourism, and secretarial fields as well as academic courses to prepare them for college if they choose to go. Students are generally poised and self-confident -- perhaps because of their experiences running their own businesses and working with mentors. Students in a "virtual enterprise" class formed their own publishing company. Other students get retail experience in a school store (funded by benefactor Ronald Lauder, head of Estee Lauder). The goal of former Principal Grace Julian was to have every student have a mentor from a corporation such as Estee Lauder for at least part of their high school career. Murry Bergtraum is one of many schools that chancellor Joel Klein has exempted from the citywide uniform curriculum initiated in 2003.

Background information

Murry Bergtraum High School was established in 1975, in memory of Murry Bergtraum, a former President of the New York City Board of Education who died in 1974. Before joining the Board of Education, Bergtraum was a furrier, and was active in the furrier's union and in local politics. His widow Edith Katz Bergtraum, a public school teacher, was also politically active and a member of her local school board for 19 years. After her death in 1994 an elementary school in Queens (PS 165 in District 25) was renamed for her. The name "Bergtraum" comes from German and means "mountain dream".

Bergtraum was the first academic comprehensive high school with business majors. It was supported by the Downtown Lower Manhattan Association to prepare young people to enter the world of work and college.

Although the school building itself is 30 years old, the school was not named "Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers" at once. It was first named "Downtown High School" for its first few years. However, it has been debated since the time of the building construction, students were relocated to a small windowless building. The name "Downtown High School" could have referred to the name that could have been given to the new High School.

The Bergtraum building itself has been a sign of questioning at times. The building currently has three major staircases labeled: "A, C, E". However, it is also known that the building also had to interior staircases, labeled: "B and D". The reason why these two staircases closed is unknown at the time.


Overview

There are over 3000 students at Bergtraum, and it is ranked as a "School Of Excellence" by U.S. News & World Report. It is well known for its girls' Basketball team, having won numerous PSAL championships. Murry Bergtraum High School also ranks along side Stuyvesant High School, the Bronx High School of Science, and Brooklyn Technical High School in terms of popularity. Bergtraum offers majors in business and attracts students from all boroughs, receiving an average of 15,000 to 20,000 applications every year. As an educational option school, it takes in students from all levels. The school population is structured as follows:

  • 16% of the school is formed of students who are high performers.
  • 68% of the school is formed of students who are average performers.
  • 16% of the school is formed of students who are low performers (although due to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, there have been fewer of these).

Bergtraum has also been known for its unusual triangular shape, which leads to only 50% of the school having windows. The exterior sides of the building have windows, while the interior sides of the building do not. Despite the design of the building, it stays very warm in the winter, and very cool during the summer. Due to the shape of the school and the number of students, there are 3 different time schedules that students report to school:

  • 7:51 A.M to 2:37 P.M. (Periods 1 to 8)
  • 8:42 A.M. to 3:28 P.M. (Periods 2 to 9)
  • 9:35 A.M. to 4:21 P.M. (Periods 3 to 10)
File:Original exterior.jpeg
The Bergtraum building bears the emblem of New York City, and the emblem of the City Education Department.

Bergtraum's Historical Principals

The Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers is also known for it's history in having only female principals. Throughout it's thirty year span, Bergtraum has only seen four principals.

Dr. Barbara Christen was the first principal, who established Bergtraum to be one of the most rigorious High Schools in New York City.

Elsie Chan soon succeeded after Dr. Christen decided to retire. She continued the firm line of Bergtraum excellence.

Grace Julian is often seen as the principal who gave Bergtraum its crown of glory. Julian improved Bergtraum beyond measure. While Julian was principal, the Bergtraum Lady Blazers began to conquer the New York City PSAL Basketball division.

Barbara Esmilla is currently the Principal of Bergtraum, and is now entering her fifth year as principal. She has tried to restore Bergtraum's glory, with some success. After rigorious testing at Bergtraum was canceled (this examination is no longer canceled and took effect once again during the 2006 year., Barbara Esmilla now tries to corporate balance and tries to make Bergtraum a sturdy school, in which she has had much success. A proud moment for her was when she pronounced the Graduating Class of 2006 as official graduates and alumni from Bergtraum. It was her first graduating class, and will not be her last since she will remain principal for the years to come.

The Bergtraum goal

Bergtraum's vision is to prepare its students to thrive and to flourish both academically, and socially in its educational option environment while students acquire technical skills that they will need to meet the demand and challenges of the business world. The school has eight business majors, also allowing students to take CTE examinations, such as the Microsoft Office Specialist examination. Thanks to the rigor of the accounting major, students who take the Advanced Accounting course can take an exam to obtain Certified Public Accountant qualifications. Bergtraum requires its students have a minimum of 10 business credits upon graduation.

School Facilities

Murry Bergtraum's facilities are perhaps some of the most distinct in it's field. Murry Bergtraum offers many functioning utilities essential to a student's growth as a person of society, and intellectual stimulation. Some facilities include, but are not limited to:

A. Three Gymnasiums. Two are on the same floor, but offer different electives. This two in one gym was constructed to accomodate freshmen and sophomores. The third gym, located on the sixth floor, is more of a cardiovascular gym, with machinery to assist in exercise. The use of this gym was for the juniors. The course was named "Slimnastics" since it had a reputation with teachers who did not tolerate nonsense and expected students to comply with the rigorious curriculum.

B. Two functioning laboratories for science. These laboratories are quite out of date, yet supply the adequate above standard for understanding scientific concepts. All Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Marine Biology laboratories are done in these two rooms.

C. A fully functionable library. The Bergtraum library hosts excellent internet service, and a solid line of books, references, and career resources. The school library has an excellent section based on computer technology. Being one of the main majors at Bergtraum, students often go to these resources when referring to computer classes such as QBasic or learning the basic foundations for a MOS Certification. The library is open to all students periods 3 to 8 (lunchtime periods) and often after school period 9. The library strictly requires Identification and Program Cards to be shown upon entrance.

D. Computer laboratories never fall short at Bergtraum. An abundance of computer rooms is imperative for all students at Bergtraum. These rooms were once typewriting rooms, the old outlets on the floor mark the school's history. It is mandated that Bergtraum students know the profiencent typing technique in order to succeed at Bergtraum. The vast array of computer based courses rivals those of other business high schools.

Student body

The students at Murry Bergtraum seek the skills to become people of the business world. Murry Bergtraum has 3,000 students and a diverse student body:

  • 45% of Bergtraum is Hispanic.
  • 24% of Bergtraum is Black.
  • 22% of Bergtraum is Asian.
  • 7% of Bergtraum is Caucasian.
  • 2% of Bergtraum is of another ethnicity.

Bergtraum Academics

Bergtraum students have the chance to jump ahead of their counterparts in the business area. Bergtraum has more business courses with more majors than all of the Manhattan Business themed High Schools combined. Bergtraum and Norman Thomas High School are the only schools in Manhattan that allow students to concetrate with one major. Students not only choose the business area they wish to concentrate on, but students also face academic rigor in their regular New York State mandated education requirements. Students are allowed to have the standard 65 passing grade, but are encouraged to have an 80+ average. In an interview in Bergtraum's newspaper, The Bergtraum Voice, Claire Panazzolo, an Ex-Assistant Principal of Business, stated that she "[w]anted Bergtraum to be the Stuyvesant of business". Students have been encouraged by many faculty members, among them Lilian Katz, College Advisor, who claims that the graduating class of 2006 was accepted to 85 different colleges and universities across the country, including schools of Ivy League caliber.

Business programs

File:Picture005.jpeg
The main entrance of the Bergtraum building.

Bergtraum students acquire the skills to work in a business-like atmosphere. Bergtraum is divided into 8 houses, each house representing a specific major. Students in each house, or department, study in their major for their 4 years in high school. In addition, each Student must obtain a minimum of 44-50 credits in order to graduate, regardless of house. In each department, all students are mandated to take a keyboarding/business career exploration course for one year, or two semesters/terms.

Majors

Majors at Bergtraum were once known and categorized by "Houses". However, as the school began it's year of reformation, these houses were renamed to "Academies" as of September 2006. Students of the Graduating Class of 2009 will be the last graduating class to be known and categorized by individual "Houses".

Finance

At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy J" Students.

In the Finance major, students are introduced to accounting, business introduction, business analysis, law and computer applications, college level accounting, taxation, and financial investments.

Accounting

At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy G" Students.

In the Accounting major, students learn basic to complex accounting. This program mocks the previous stenography major that taught all types of stenography such as Gregg Stenography, Alpha Stenography, etc.

Human Resources Management

At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy E" Students.

In the Administrative Assistant Technology major, students are introduced to Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access programs, notetaking (Shorthand), business English, internet, business analysis, and business protocols.

Information Systems

At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy F" Students.

In the Information Systems major, students are introduced to MOS certificaions in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access programs, integrated computer applications, and desktop publishing.

Global Marketing Travel and Tourism

At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy K" Students.

In the Travel and Tourism major, students are introduced to geography, computer systems, job shadowing, paid summer internships, and participate in the virtual enterprise program. This course is tied with the previous "L House" in order to make room for "Academy G"

Computer Science

At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy N" Students.

In the Computer Science major, students are introduced to QBasic, C++, HTML, Javascript, web page design, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access, desktop publishing, computer graphics, and participate in mentoring programs with Lehman Brothers.

At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy Q" Students.

In the Legal Studies major, students are introduced to business law, trial procedures, general law, basic law of contracts, real estate law, urban planning, constitutional law, and participate in courthouse visits.

Marketing, Introduction to Business

At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy K" Students.

In the Marketing major, students are introduced to the principles of marketing and advertising, retailing, insurance, business law, business computer operations, sports marketing, and participate in the Estee Lauder retail academy. This major is tied along with the previous L and K houses. Both houses now contain the same conjuncted courses.

Communications/Instructional Support/Special Education

At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "I, O, or Z Academy" Students.

Students in this house must follow procedures according to their respective major, however their classes are taught differently from regular education students.

File:Pps.jpeg
Since the attacks of September 11th 2001 (9/11), Murry Bergtraum High School has been barricaded by Police Plaza.

Murry Bergtraum and September 11, 2001

Murry Bergtraum High School, along with other high schools of the Lower Manhattan area were the first schools were evacuated when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Although Bergtraum is located on the eastern side on Manhattan, the school administration ordered an immediate evacuation of the building. Through the efforts of the staff and the cooperation of the students, the building was evacuated in six minutes. It was the first High School in New York City that had successful evacuation of students. Students were ordered to leave the premisis in order to avoid any emergencies that could occur from the terrorist attacks. The school was labeled as a "Ground Zero" school and students were relocated to the High School of Art and Design in Upper Manhattan. The Bergtraum administration was unhappy with the relocation and appealed it, and their building was re-opened and students resumed their studies within a few days.

Graduation requirements

Murry Bergtraum High School students face the same requirements as all students in New York City do. A minimum of 46 credits is required to graduate from Bergtraum, however, most of the students graduate with as many as 50 credits. Students are required to study:

  • 4 Years of historical studies, including Global History and American History. Regents exams are taken when the student finishes each course.
  • 3 years of a foreign language and to take the appropriate foreign language Regents exam. Languages offered include Chinese, French, Italian, and Spanish.
  • 3 to 4 years of science. Regents courses are available for Living Environment Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics. Marine Biology is available as an optional course, however no Regents exam is offered. Students must complete at least 2 Regents exams if offered Marine Biology in their freshman year. (In order to qualify for a Regents exam, students must complete 30 hours of laboratory instruction.)
  • 4 Years of business study. Passing all business courses is mandated in order to graduate with the Bergtraum seal. Specific business courses will depend on the department the student is in.
  • Half a year of Musical Instruction/Appreciation.
  • Half a year of Art Instruction/Appreciation.

Murry Bergtraum created a system that enforces state standards on students. Its "No-Walk" policy does not permit seniors who are missing any credits to graduate.

Bergtraum's Reforms

The Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers began to face new ideas of reform during the Spring Term of the 2005-2006 academic school year. Due to certain measures to improve not only performance, but also student morale, new measures and new plans began to be introduced by the Principal, and the School Leadership Team. Certain reforms include:

A. The renaming of certain business houses/departments. This was done in order to have a more broader field and more options available to students.

B. The division of teachers--to have certain teachers teach certain business department majors. Meaning all students from a business academy were given the same teacher for all school subjects, including business.

C. The division of houses under one principal, students would only work with those who have their respective major.

D. The attempt to restore the Bergtraum building after 30 years of establishment.

E. A new random scanning policy, which was established in the year 2006 in New York City. The plan calls for Metal Detectors to randomly appear at any schools in New York City. These scanners would confiscate items that are not allowed in the school premises. Among these items, they include MP3 players, cell phones, electronic devices, etc.

F. The introduction to a strict Uniform Policy. Often known and refered to as a new step for the school to bring out a more professional, and socially acceptable business school themed enviornment. This policy was rejected once, however parents of students began to push for change, for reformation in the school. Concerns from the Security department based on the dress style of students also caused this issue to be brought up more than once.

G. A new heliocentric and more embracing attitude towards the freshmen. Freshmen are now bundled in lunch periods. During periods 4, 5, 6--freshmen from all of Bergtraum's academies are to have lunch. Leaving most of the rest of the non-freshmen student population with lunch periods 3,7,8. The lunchroom will contain a "full house" every lunch period, basically having the cafeteria at maximum capacity throughout the day.

H. An amplitude examination is taken in order to gain access to Bergtraum. Bergtraum's new examination mocks the Specialized High Schools examination adminstered in schools such as Stuyvesant High School. Students who do not recieve an adequate score are not accepted to the school.

I. Students who miss the amplitude examination are also allowed to be interviewed. However, being accepted under those circumstances is also complex. Usually, there is a waiting list of 1,000+. The Graduating Class of 2010 currently has 1010 freshmen and is expected to grow.

J. New Assistant Principals are taking the place of those who no longer reside in Bergtraum. Jared Vitolo, for example, is the new assistant principal of mathematics, replacing the controversial Steven Rubenstein. Ms. Claire Panazzolo (Ex AP of Business) has also been replaced with a new male assistant principal. In addition, Ms. Julia Taylor is now the Assistant Principal of Music, replacing Mr. Wayne Gagnon's position and leaving him in charge of English and Fine Arts.

Courses and programs

Bergtraum offers many courses to its students, including:

Advanced Placement courses, which are eligible for college credit, include Calculus AB, English Language and English Literature, Environmental Science, Accounting, Computer Science, Spanish Language and Spanish Literature, Statistics, Microeconomics, United States History, and World History.

Partnerships

Bergtraum has many sponsors, especially in the corporate field, including:

Extracurricular activities

Bergtraum has many activities for students to participate in, including the Student Government/Union, Senior Council, Council For Unity, internships on and off site, and more. Academic teams and groups include Math Team, Lincoln Douglas Debate Team, and the National Honor Society. The more than 60 clubs at Bergtraum include: The Black Student Union, Salsa Club, Chinese Christian Society, Christian Society, Ambassadors Club, Chinese Talent Society, West Indian Club, The Political Action Committee and the Asian Club.

PSAL sports teams

The school participates in the Public Schools Athletic League. The Bergtraum Lady Blazers is the second best girls basketball team in the entire country, and the reigning seven-time city champion. Bergtraum also has other sports teams, including basketball, bowling, cross country, handball, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, volleyball, softball, baseball, and soccer.

The Lady Blazers, Bergtraum's Girls Basketball team is ranked the 2nd best in the United States of America. Only Christ the King Regional High School in Queens is superior to the Lady Blazers.

Awards and recognition

Besides being ranked "A School Of Excellence" by U.S. News & World Report, Bergtraum has won countless awards in the sports area, The Kurt Thomas Investment Challenge, the ThinkQuest Awards, and the Lincoln-Douglas Debates.

ThinkQuest NYC Award winning teams, lead by Ms. D'Amato:

  • The Xbox 360 game Project Gotham Racer 3 shows the award winning and unique design of MBHS in many scenarios.

Notable alumni

Template:New York City DOE Region9

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Murry_Bergtraum_High_School&oldid=73638854"