In the following narratives, WHSAD students share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings regarding the pandemic through which we are all living. Additionally, Ms. Moos and Mr. O'Brien's students have also been creating emojis out of household items. Aviva Benderson: The quarantine is being taken very seriously by my parents. We even moved temporarily to our house in Massachusetts, and it’s honestly been kind of lonely, but I have my sister and my parents. I also have the freedom to go outside, and I know how lucky I am seeing as people in cities such as Brooklyn and just all of NYC it’s almost impossible to go outside. I keep myself busy easily. I actually have a lot to do; I have the outdoors, I have art and then of course online … [Read more...]

The Co-op Tech program provides students, such as Brandon Rodriguez, with opportunities to explore their passions. In the following narrative, the WHSAD senior, shares his experience in the automotive program.  I chose to go to Co-op for the hands-on experience. Throughout my time with Ms. Terraferma, I explained that I would be going to a school that taught a certain trade in which could further progress my career choices and experiences. In this school I decided to go with Automotive. This class is very diverse and it really shows with the amount of people who are passionate about cars, even those that have the “need for speed” within their mindsets. I believe my favorite thing about this class is working on cars that come in … [Read more...]

Ms. Wilson (The Internship Coordinator at WHSAD): Construction skills is a pre-apprenticeship program that students apply to in the spring semester of their senior year. They participate to prepare them to enter the unionized building trades in the trade union of their choice. Joshua Cruz: This acceptance impacts me by giving me new skills to learn and an opportunity in the construction field for my future. I feel pretty excited to experience this program and see what type of skills they are going to teach me. I’m expecting to learn construction skills and have a good time and do a lot of hands on activities. This contributes to my goal because if I do well in this program I could get a good paying job which can help get me financially. … [Read more...]

The Co-op Tech program provides students, such as Joshua Cruz, with opportunities to explore their passions. In the following narrative, the WHSAD senior, shares his experience in the welding program.  I chose to go to Co-op because I wanted to do something different for my senior year. I was tired of seeing the same blue walls everyday. The class I’m taking at Co-op is the welding class. The thing I like the most about the class is that I get to work with my hands instead of sitting down and writing all day. Also I get to learn something new. I think my teacher is pretty cool because he helps you a lot if you try. I plan to do this as a career. I think Co-op does give job opportunities but you have be 18 or older, depending … [Read more...]

WHSAD Juniors went to the Brooklyn Museum to learn about Pierre Cardin, a French women's fashion designer and a pioneer in the design of high fashion for men. Ms. Moos: I took the students to the trip because the way Pierre Cardin works made me think about the education of the students here at WHSAD as architects and designers. I was worried that looking at fashion from the 60s was not going to be interesting for the students, but when I took them, I was surprised at how much they enjoyed it. It was an amazing trip. The students saw a lot of things. They all think Pierre Cardin took fashion to another level. Many of the designs are very expensive, but Pierre Cardin thinks fashion should be for everyone no matter the gender. Overall … [Read more...]

In the following narrative, students at WHSAD and and 2019 graduate, Kenny Singh, share their opinions about the Construction Skills Pre-Apprenticeship Program . Kenny Singh: I am currently in an architectural window company installing gutters on high rise buildings. I got involved in the apprenticeship program because growing up I always liked working with my hands, and I always wanted to learn a valuable trade. The apprenticeship program will teach me everything I need to learn, such as welding and blue print reading. It’s a really great opportunity to be part of a union and work for the local. While I was in high school, I was in construction skills. Construction skills helped a lot as it gives you prep for obstacles you can … [Read more...]

The Coop Tech program provides students such as Joel Espinal and Juan Sanchez with opportunities to explore their passions. In the following narrative, WHSAD Seniors share their experiences in the Culinary program. Juan Sanchez: I chose to go to Coop Tech because I was told it was a way to experience new things as well as a way to meet new people and work with them.  Currently, I’m in advanced culinary. What I like the most is that I learn something new everyday and the fact that I can practice it at home, such as making pizzas, baguettes, croissants, and other breads from scratch. My teacher is one of a kind. His tough love is what makes him the best. The way he teaches is honestly the best I have seen in a long time. I plan to … [Read more...]

NY Cares and Winston & Strawn Law firm came together to offer WHSAD students valuable networking and business skill sets while doing a shark tank theme mini project. Students were asked about their experience.  "On Thursday, November 7, 2019 we went to a law firm field trip where all students got to talk about product making and selling with lawyers. Students were separated into groups of 5 and with two lawyers in order to work together and plan a big product presentation. The WHSAD teachers picked a winner based on the quality of the presentation. My group came up with the cool idea of a school cafeteria which will be run by the students and sell certain desserts provided by … [Read more...]

In the following narrative, WHSAD Senior, Joel Espinal, shares his experience in the Electrical Engineering program at Co-op Tech.  The reason why I chose to go to Co-op Tech is because they give me the opportunity to get certified in my career choice while I’m also on my way to graduate high school. The class I am currently enrolled in is Electrical Engineering. This class focuses on low voltage, residential Wiring, and solar. The classes are by a term which then allows you to either finish the class or go on and get a certification in something else. For me that something else will be Solar. This is a good area to get certified because it's a business that's up and coming.  Taking that class can help me find better jobs and more … [Read more...]