Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School » elias

PACHS Graduation 2010

elias — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:09:05 +0000

Click on the image to go to our Flickr site.

June Letter to Parents

elias — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:57:20 +0000

English Version Download
Spanish Version Download

Join Us at Graduation

elias — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:06:55 +0000

Come celebrate the incredible achievements of our graduating class of 2010.

Beltran, Xiomara
Berrios, Yliana-
Booker, Lionel
Bustos, Julian
Cagnetta, Ricardo
Cartagena, Ashley
Collazo, Ramon
Colon, Tanairi
Cruz, Lisette
DeJesus, Christina
Garcia, Jesus
Johnson, Iesha
Lozada, Alissa
Luciano, D’Angelo
Lugo, Alejandra
Lyons, Alex
Malave, Dainah
Martinez, Elisa
Martinez, Selina
Medina, Maura
Mercado, Ruben
Nieves, William
Oswalt, Dawn
Pabon, Shayna
Pagan, Mayra
Rodriguez, Anthony
Rodriguez, Ashley
Roman, Reynaldo
Ruiz, Joseph
Salgado, Janet
Sandoval, Vanessa
Soria, Anthony
Valle, Gabriel
Wilson, Thiara
Zenon, Christina
Burks, Twanda
Colon, Jolissa
Johnson, Bianca
Mordican, Jennifer
Nuñez, Lydia
Peralta, Richard
Ponce de Leon, Aracelis
Rivera, Yesenia
Vargas, Gabriel
Williams, Christopher

BREAKING NEWS

elias — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:54:10 +0000

The National Boricua Human Rights Network and the Human Rights Committee of Puerto Rico have the great and historic pleasure of announcing that Puerto Rican political prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres, after serving 30 years in U.S. prisons for his commitment to the independence of his nation, will be released on parole in July of this year, to reside in Puerto Rico.

This historic release is due to Carlos Alberto’s maintaining his integrity and commitment throughout three decades behind bars, and to the support of the people of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican communities in the U.S., as well as those who support human rights throughout the world. This broad support was key in winning his release, and he is looking forward to expressing his gratitude in person.

For no legitimate reason, he was made to serve almost 11 years more than his compatriots who were released in 1999, when president Clinton deemed their sentences to be disproportionately lengthy. The United States stands out as the country whose political prisoners serve among the longest sentences in the world.

Two Puerto Rican political prisoners remain in U.S. custody. Oscar López Rivera, who this month will mark his 29th year in prison, is not scheduled for release until 2023; and Avelino González Claudio, who this month will be sentenced to a term not to exceed 7 years. While planning the celebration of Carlos Alberto’s release, the National Boricua Human Rights Network and the Human Rights Committee of Puerto Rico will continue to work for the release of both remaining political prisoners.

Puerto Rican Political Prisoner and Co-Founder of La Escuelita will be FREE!

elias — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:44:39 +0000

Ceramic artwork created by Carlos Alberto Torres

In the beginning of April, our students and school launched a letter writing campaign to one of our founders and current political Prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres to commemorate his 30th year of incarceration. Students wrote about the school, about what they have been learning, and what they are hopeful of. Recently, Mr. Carlos Alberto Torres sent a response, his words are included below:

Dear Students and Family of the Pedro Albizu Campos High School:

I want to thank you all for your wonderful letters of support. As you can imagine, it means a lot to me to receive and read them. Also, I want to thank you for your expressions of solidarity embodied in your words and in your many activities and hard work on behalf of the Puerto Rican political prisoners. You are exemplary young people who care about progress, and our community – your sense of justice is admirable.

As a token of my appreciation, I dedicate to you a ceramic representation of a Taino Dujo. The Dujo is an honorary seat reserved for worthy and honored individuals. As you are worthy and honored members of your community, I thought it an appropriate choice.

With affection,

Carlos Alberto Torres

April 3, 2010

Thirty years ago, on a day like today, a group of Puerto Rican men and women faced the dawn to fulfill their patriotic duty. Although the events of that day would taint the date (as the song says) as that damned 4th of April of Puerto Rican daring; a day that would become a symbol of resistance, valor and sacrifice.

On an April 4th, Puerto Rican men and women dedicated their lives, prepared to pay with interest the debt we all owe, not only to those who in the past defended The Homeland with sacrifice, but also with the hope that the load would be lighter for those who will struggle in the generations to come. We affirm that The Homeland is ours, and it is our responsibility to defend it. Today we commemorate the contributions to our struggle, not only remembering the past, but also affirming today, with our voice and our action, our commitment to the force that our struggle requires of each and every one of us.

Today I again state and reaffirm my thanks to all of you who, with your energetic solidarity and commitment, will make possible not only the release of the Puerto Rican political prisoners, but will also make a reality the aspiration for a liberated Homeland.

Thank you.

Carlos Alberto Torres
April 3, 2010

PACHS Team Wins Championship of the Chi Town Soccer Tournament

elias — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:58:17 +0000

PACHS Team Wins Championship of the Chi Town Soccer Tournament
By Jesus García
As the Chi-Town Cup tournament was approaching, our team spent our time practicing to improve. It wasn’t the last tournament but we were committed for this one. I was going to be the second goalie of the team, behind Jose Lopez. The players on the floor were Shannon (The Captain), Jose T., Ricardo, and the other newcomer of the team, Fransisco. We were all heated up to take the trophy from Latino Youth. I was excited because I knew we had a good squad. I woke up the day of the tournament determined to win because I never won a championship in my life. I made my way to the school because the seniors needed to help clean the Humboldt park community. So after that we headed to Barreto’s Boys and Girls Club to find out that coach “Ray-Money” wasn’t there yet. He came in a suit, looking like a real professional soccer coach; it was funny. There were only two other teams there but everyone was okay with that. The two teams were Latino Youth, the defending champions, and Rudy Lozano. The games were very exciting because I played my first soccer tournament. There were some amazing goals between the two Jose’s going coast to coast with back to back head shot goals thrown from Jose Lopez (the goalie) to Jose Toledo (the midfielder). As the final game approached, everyone was excited. The game started off well with an early goal from Campos players. The score was one to zero when Latino Youth scored a goal on Jose Lopez, and the game was tied up. After the first half, I went in the game for Jose Lopez, and we were leading two to one. I was really nervous because it was up to me to block these shots. I guess being nervous got to me. I missed a shot. and it was all tied up once again. The whistle blew loudly–the game was over. It was up to the penalty kicks. I was to be the goalie, which made me even more nervous; it was all up to me to block shots. As I blocked the first shot, I was heated up with motivation and nothing was going to stop me from getting more blocks. My team backed me up with making goals when it was their turn. I ended up blocking two out of the three shots to win the championship game. I am thankful for the team for taking me in the team as well as my coach “Ray Money.” It was a great tournament I won’t forget. We have the trophy now.

Message to Parents May/24/10

elias — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:33:50 +0000

May 24, 2010

Dear Parent/Guardian,

It pleases me to inform you that several students made the “Principal’s List” because of their 4th quarter grades (having a 3.0 GPA or higher). Also, many students received a “Perfect Attendance” award for the month of April. We want to encourage students and their families to continue working hard to finish the school year on a strong note.

Accompanied with this letter, is your son/daughter’s progress report. This is not a report card with official grades. The grades that you see on the report are where your son/daughter are, academically, as of May 14. Please remind your son/daughter that they still have until June 16th to either keep their grades up or to get them up if they are low.

Here are some upcoming dates to keep in mind:

• Senior Awards Dinner: Friday, June 4th at 7pm, Casa Puertorriqueña
o (For staff and graduating seniors only – dress to impress)
• Prom Night: Friday, June 11th at 7pm, Humboldt Park Field house
o (For any interested Albizu Campos student – dress to impress)
• Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 16th
• Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade: Saturday, June 19th at 2pm
o (Division and Western and open to ALL!)
• Graduation: Tuesday, June 22nd at 10am, Humboldt Park Boathouse
o (For community and family – first come first serve seating)

Please call or visit with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,

Matthew Rodríguez
Director

Download letter

Perfect Attendance Students for the Month of April

elias — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:19:40 +0000

List of the students fot the month of April.

Aurora Álvarez
Luz M. Rivera
Jesús García
Lisette Cruz
Rubén Mercado
Caprinda Grant
Tanairi Colón
Xiomara Grimaldo
Ángela Escobar
D’Angelo Luciano
Jocelyn Hernández
Lourdes Matute
Crystal Martínez
Lionel Booker
Grace Rivas
Rubén Cuadra
Mayra Pagán
Tania Castillo
Gabriel Valle
Janet Salgado
Anthony Soria
Alejandra Lugo
Sandra Salgado
Jolina Ramos
Natalie Oquendo
Onely Onofre
Tania Castillo
Joshua Lucena
Ashley Cartagena
Octavian Pagán
José Toledo

Principal’s List for the Third Quarter

elias — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:27:20 +0000

Student Jesus Garcia

Students that achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher in their Third Quarter report cards. Their reward is a special lunch with the Principal.

PACHS Students and Community Members Step Up to Beautify Community

elias — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:23:08 +0000

PACHS Students and Community Members Step Up to Beautify Community

Jaleen Starling

On the morning of Saturday April 17 students of Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School (PACHS), university students and community residents were engaged in community service activities in Humboldt Park and along Paseo Boricua.

PACHS students pulled out weeds and placed beautiful flowers into the fresh soil in the planters on Division Street. William Nieves, 19, a student at PACHS explained that it was an exhausting activity, but when asked how he felt doing volunteer work for his very own community, he quickly perked up and said “It feels good to help, especially when it benefits the community we live in.”

The high school students also planted flowers at the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Cultural (IPRAC).The process of planting the flowers kept the PACHS students and staff busy from 9 a.m. until 1p.m. I learned something new – how to plant flowers, said PACHS Senior Ashley Rodríguez, 17, while reflecting on her community service experience.

There was another large group of people cleaning up Humboldt Park by picking up garbage. Jason Gaya, who will be graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) this month was one of the university students helping out. Gaya was encouraged to participate through a Latino Studies class at UIC. “If everyone helps out, in the end you’ll have a cleaner park,” said Gaya, adding that the nice weather didn’t hurt.

Thanks to the community volunteers when walking down Division St. or visiting IPRAC there will be pretty, colorful flowers for all to enjoy. Volunteers were rewarded for their hard work at the Humboldt Park Boat House with a variety of food choices and cool beverages to quench their thirst after enduring the shining sun as they labored for the Humboldt Park community.